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."
Diplomat
Blackchords Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don’t try to hide
You are what they want
I know that all right
You look so good tonight
Don’t want to wake from this dream of mine
Don’t lose your faith
It’s our time
Open up your eyes
We can stand to make things right
You get what you want
Yeah what you want
If it’s hell you want then its hell you’ll get
Don’t lose your faith
Is what I wanted to say
The world turns
Indifferently
So just let go
Just let go
Don’t lose your faith
Is what I wanted to say
I want to breath
I want to live
To hold my head up to the sky
I want to see
I want to hear
I want to know what’s going on
And I’ll sing my song
Will not sweep it all aside
And you look so good tonight
Don’t want to wake from this dream of mine
The song "Diplomat" by Blackchords is an insightful look at how one can go about navigating the treacherous waters of life, particularly when faced with difficult circumstances. In the song, the singer is urging someone to stay strong and not give up, even when things seem their bleakest. The chorus repeats the plea, "Don't lose your faith," reminding us all to hold onto whatever hope we have left.
The song seems to be directed at someone who is struggling, someone who may feel like giving up or has lost their way. The phrase "You are what they want" suggests that there is something valuable or desirable about this person - perhaps they have a unique perspective or talent that is needed in the world. Despite this, the world can be hard and indifferent, and so the singer urges the listener to "just let go," to stop fighting against the tide and find a way to move forward.
The ending of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer expresses a deep desire to connect with the world around them. They long to "breathe" and "live", to "hold [their] head up to the sky" and "see" and "hear" what is going on. The final line, "And I'll sing my song, will not sweep it all aside," is a promise to keep going, to keep living and speaking their truth, no matter what.
Overall, "Diplomat" is a powerful and uplifting song that encourages people to stay strong in the face of adversity and to keep fighting for what they believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
Don’t try to fight
Stop resisting, surrender to your fate
Don’t try to hide
You can not escape, I know where you are
You are what they want
The enemy desires you and you cannot change that
I know that all right
I understand your situation completely
You look so good tonight
You appear impressive and desirable at this moment
Don’t want to wake from this dream of mine
I don't want to lose the current state of imagined reality with you
Don’t lose your faith
Do not give up hope or belief
Is what I wanted to say
This was my intended message
It’s our time
This is the moment to act
Open up your eyes
Become aware of the situation and its potential
We can stand to make things right
We have the power to fix what is wrong
You get what you want
If you strive for something, it will probably come true
Yeah what you want
Indeed, you'll achieve whatever it is that you seek
If it’s hell you want then its hell you’ll get
If your desire is harmful, damaging or evil, you'll inevitably face those consequences
The world turns
The planet keeps spinning, regardless of your situation
Indifferently
Without care, concern or interest
So just let go
Stop trying to control things, stop holding on to negative emotions
I want to breath
I desire to inhale air, to feel alive
I want to live
I aspire to have an existence that is fulfilling and purposeful
To hold my head up to the sky
To have self-confidence, to stand tall and proud
I want to see
I yearn for clarity and understanding
I want to hear
I crave to listen and learn
I want to know what’s going on
I long for knowledge, to be informed of the situation
And I’ll sing my song
I will express myself, constantly and resolutely
Will not sweep it all aside
I will not disregard everything important as pointless
Contributed by Muhammad B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.