Blackchords have been chosen to support Jet and Powderf… Read Full Bio ↴LATEST NEWS:
Blackchords have been chosen to support Jet and Powderfinger on Oct 29th at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. This is Powderfinger's last ever tour and their last ever show in Melbourne.
Check out our new single 'As Night Falls' right here on Last.FM 'As Night Falls' was written specifically for new Australian suspense drama ‘BLAME’ directed by Michael Henry. 'These Lights' taken from the debut album also features in the film's trailer.
Blackchords released their self-titled debut album on October 5 through Dust Devil Music/Stomp. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Blackchords, fronted by songwriter Nick Milwright, have been widely acclaimed on their native turf (“One of the best Australian debut releases”, Reverb Magazine) with critics raving that their darkly majestic collection of understated songs recalls the best bits of Ryan Adams, Elbow and Jeff Buckley. “So far the response has been really positive, especially from the fans,” says Nick. “We strive to write music that moves and connects with people. It’s the reason we want to play professionally.”
Highlights include opening track ‘At World’s End’, which leaks a despair that defies its upbeat arrangement. Richly-scored ballads, ‘22’, and ‘These Lights,’ capture the quietness of intimacy, whilst ‘Broken Bones’ sees Milwright ponder existential matters: “This endless ride has got me I know/I’ve been holding on by a thread/falling towards the end, but I have been held by a thousand hands/we can scream out loud ’cause we’re all on this ride I know”. In ‘Raise My Hands,’ Milwright mourns “the thread coming undone/love it comes and goes” accompanied by a sympathetic string section; and ‘Disappear’ offers an introspective, ambivalent close to the album: “just give me a minute to gather my thoughts/disappear now”.
From an early age, and a childhood spent with, as Nick puts it, "the usual suspects" (The Beatles, Cat Stevens, John Lennon, Joni Mitchell & Van Morrison) Nick knew that there was something drawing him to music, but it wasn't until his early twenties that he was to pursue it full time. In the meantime he tried following in the footsteps of his family – and joined the military. Soon realizing that this wasn't for him, he left to begin training full time in Ballet and contemporary dance at one of Australia’s top dance schools, the VCA. Finally, forced to rest for 6 months after an injury, he decided to open his mouth. "It was something like taking a plunge off this huge cliff, and I'd been too scared to confront it for so long,” he says. “In the end I had to accept that the desire would never leave, and the real regret would be to grow old and to have never given it a shot.”
After collectively finishing uni or working in badly paid jobs, Blackchords began to take shape in 2005, their name originating, says Nick, “down in the belly of a bluestone basement”. In 2006 they created quite a stir when, as an unsigned band, their video for ‘Broken Bones’ won first place at Melbourne’s prestigious St Kilda Film Festival. In 2008 the same song went on to become a double finalist in the ISC (International Songwriting Competition, for best rock song & video). “I really love working with filmmakers and artists to help create the Blackchords landscape,” says Nick.
In 2008 the band were signed to Dust Devil Music, and began work on their debut full-length album. "In the beginning we were almost an alt country band. Then we found ourselves trying to resemble instrumental rock bands like Explosions In The Sky. Now I feel like we've found our own feet and sound like Blackchords. I knew we were walking the right path after hearing the first notes of the cello on ‘Raise My Hands.’ The whole time when the string quartet was recording I just sat there. I had goose bumps down my spine.”
So, now that ‘Blackchords’ is complete and ready to be set free, what does the future hold for the band? "We're just eager to get out there and push it as far as it can go. Blackchords want to make music for the rest of our lives and get better and better as musicians. If we can do that we’ll be very happy."
At World's End
Blackchords Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I spoke to you for hours
The curtain’s still coming up
But the feelings all burnt and scattered
I’ve sailed this ship into the ground
And it’s not the first time it has happened
We’re at the point
All this means is none of us have even learnt
Come on
We have learnt to rip it off
Turn it off
Cut it out
We have learnt to rip it off
The lyrics to Blackchords’ song At World’s End can be interpreted as a metaphor for the end of a relationship or a love that has been extinguished. The first line of the song, “set this world on fire,” represents the intense passion that once existed between the two individuals. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the passion has faded away and the connection has been lost. The line “I spoke to you for hours” represents the attempt to salvage the relationship and communicate with one another, but unfortunately, the connection is still broken. The metaphor is completed with the line “the curtain’s still coming up, but the feelings all burnt and scattered,” representing the end of a chapter and the end of a love that has been set ablaze.
The chorus, “we’re at the point where all the words just sound the same, all this means is none of us have even learned,” represents a realization that despite the attempts to save the relationship, the same issues keep resurfacing, and nothing has been learned from the experience. The next set of lines, “come on, we have learned to rip it off, turn it off, cut it out, we have learned to rip it off,” represent a final attempt to let go of the love that once existed and to move on from the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Set this world on fire
Let's ignite a change in this world
I spoke to you for hours
We had a long conversation
The curtain’s still coming up
The show is just starting
But the feelings all burnt and scattered
But our emotions were destroyed and dispersed
I’ve sailed this ship into the ground
I've ruined this situation
And it’s not the first time it has happened
This has happened before
We’re at the point
We've arrived at the situation
Where all the words just sound the same
Where everything is starting to sound familiar
All this means is none of us have even learnt
This shows that we haven't learned anything
Come on
Let's go
We have learnt to rip it off
We know how to remove it
Turn it off
Make it stop
Cut it out
Get rid of it
We have learnt to rip it off
We know how to remove it
Contributed by Adeline J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Grayson Maximillian Phoenix
Beautiful song <3 Shameless honestly has the best soundtrack and collection of songs
Jacob Morris
I just heard this on NME and I ended up watching it again and again for like an hour. It's really awesome.
Rafael Oliver
Congrats Blackchords! Great music, excellent video! Good job guys! I really want to see you in UK! Peace!
Legaleze50
Love this song. This is an impressive video visually and it's imaginative. Not the usual fan of most videos, but this one works. I'm lovin' Nick's voice.
Johnny lorenzo
Great song, great video. Love it. Keep up the good work!!!
Seri Davies
I saw them play last week... Was mightly impressed! They're very good and I love this song. So catchy!
Thingimibob1
So good! I heard this on NME, and I love it already :)
Kingsley Phillips
I love this song! Since i heard it on NME i've been addicted! Good Luck BlackChords!!!!!!!!!
AshasaysDuck
I remember watching this vid on NME but missing the name! I've had this song stuck in my head for days! Absolutely stunning song, come to Ireland!
CorporalK
I was trying to find something like Harper Blynn and I can't say this is remotely similar but holy crap your music is incredible!!! Totally buying your albums.