In mid-2005 he began work on a second album with the intention of creating something organic, classic and real. True to his indie spirit, when it came time to record and funds weren't readily available, he called out to his grass-roots fan base for assistance. Loyal fans, eager for a second release, pre-ordered the upcoming album and a small back-log of unreleased demos, generating enough revenue for a completely fan-funded album.
Mattox's stunning sophomore release, Prizefighter [November 1, 2005] is already a knock-out with fans. "My goal was to spend the time and make an album that is easily accessible to people; something they could grasp onto and call their own," he says. He took the better part of 6 months off the road and came up with eleven tales of turmoil and triumph that bob and weave beautifully throughout this stark masterpiece. Mattox and his band recorded Prizefighter during an eight week lock-out with Producer John Briglevich (Goo Goo Dolls, Edwin McCain, Chuck D) at Sonica Recording Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. "I wanted Prizefighter to be very much about my personal struggles this past year," says Mattox "I needed it to reflect who I am as a person and stand as an example for what you can accomplish if you just get up, dust yourself off, and keep going."
Mattox and his band are currently out on the road in support of Prizefighter. "I have had the pleasure of collaborating with a lot of really good musicians over the past two years," says Mattox, "but there's nothing more powerful than sharing a stage and making a record with my best friends." His current touring line-up includes long-time drummer Andy Bauer, keys and rhythm guitarist Rivers Pearce, bassist Mike Lamond and lead guitarist Chris Skogen. Mattox lives in Athens, Georgia, while the band resides in Atlanta, allowing them the privilege of calling both places "home".
Mattox has seen national success on MTV's Real World, Turner Network Television's NASCAR, Delta Airline's Campus Movie Fest, "Good Morning Atlanta" on CBS, and has performed live on FOX Charlotte, Q100's "The Bert Show", and Music Midtown 2004 alongside the Foo Fighters and Switchfoot. His last two Atlanta performances at The Roxy Theatre had over 1,000 in attendance and he has recently seen airplay on The UK's SKY Channel 905, XM radio, Atlanta, Ga.'s 99x, Macon, Ga.'s Q106, and Auburn, Al.'s TigerFM.
Mattox currently reigns as an award-winning artist for:
"Best Rock Band" and "Best Singer-Songwriter" Flagpole Music Awards (Athens, Ga.)
"Best Front-Man" Atlanta Music Guide Music Awards
"Best Singer-Songwriter" and "Best Instrumentalist" Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta
#1 on The Best Unsigned Band List Alternative Addiction
Creative Loafing says, "As long as Bain Mattox keeps writing simple, stunning, sad songs, he'll maintain both mainstream and indie cred."
Telegram
Bain Mattox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is my Ferris wheel
This is my rollercoaster
There's an end no matter how scared I feel,
My conversations tongue twisters
My days fluorescently lit
My hands are nothing but blisters
The more I say this is me, this is who I am
The more it sounds like a proofread telegram.
My poker hands are two deuces
My tears have all but dried up
I win when no one else loses
Gallons of water but no cup
The more I say this is me, this is who I am
The more it sounds like a proofread telegram.
The more I say this is me, this is who I am
The more it sounds like a proofread telegram.
The more I say this is me, this is who I am
The more it sounds like a proofread telegram.
The more I say this is me, this is who I am
The more it sounds like a proofread telegram.
The more I say this is me, this is who I am
The more it sounds like a proofread telegram.
The more I say this is me,
this is me, this is me,
the more it sounds like a,
the more it sounds like a,
the more it sounds like a proofread telegram.
The lyrics to Bain Mattox's "Telegram" describe the ups and downs of the songwriter's life. The first stanza uses the metaphor of a rollercoaster and Ferris wheel to describe the unpredictable and scary nature of the songwriter's experiences. The second stanza delves into the challenges of communication, with the songwriter describing their conversations as "tongue twisters" and their days as "fluorescently lit." The line "I stand when I want to sit" represents the songwriter's resilience and determination to keep going even when things are tough.
In the chorus, the songwriter reflects on the idea of identity and how it can be difficult to define oneself. The repeated line "The more I say this is me, this is who I am, the more it sounds like a proofread telegram" suggests that trying to put oneself into words can be limiting or inauthentic. The third stanza brings in a poker metaphor to describe the songwriter's ability to cope with difficult circumstances, and the final line of the song "Gallons of water but no cup" suggests a sense of longing or lack.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my rollercoaster
Life is a series of ups and downs, much like a rollercoaster ride.
This is my Ferris wheel
Life also has its moments of slow, steady progress, like riding a Ferris wheel.
This is my rollercoaster
Life has its scary moments, but it always comes to an end eventually.
There's an end no matter how scared I feel,
No matter how daunting life's challenges seem, they will eventually pass.
My conversations tongue twisters
My thoughts and ideas are often difficult to express clearly in conversation.
My days fluorescently lit
My life is full of bright and vibrant experiences.
My hands are nothing but blisters
Working hard can leave me physically and emotionally drained.
I stand when I want to sit
I am determined to keep going, even when it would be easier to give up.
The more I say this is me, this is who I am
The more I try to define myself, the less true it feels.
The more it sounds like a proofread telegram.
Trying to define myself feels stiff and artificial, like a message that's been edited and revised.
My poker hands are two deuces
I often feel like I'm working with a weak hand in life.
My tears have all but dried up
I'm resilient and have adapted to life's challenges, but it's left me feeling emotionally numb.
I win when no one else loses
I often succeed when others have given up or failed.
Gallons of water but no cup
There is abundance in the world, but I don't always have the means to access it.
Contributed by Isabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.