'Eye Of The Hunter' was recorded at Brendan's Quivvy Church studio in County Cavan in Ireland. It's a relatively isolated setting - one which allows its owner space to pursue his interests, which range from music to astronomy and archery to arboriculture. Dead Can Dance's music often suggested a search for meaning and sense in the world, and Brendan has taken up a similar journey. But instead of looking at the external world, he has decided to explore the inner world of his own private universe. "People have multiple personalities which are always evolving," he says. "This record deals with the different facets of my own personality." "Eye Of The Hunter's deeply personal songs explore the theme of loss - both of life and love - but they are not bereft of hope. "Saturday's Child," which opens the record, poignantly describes the changing relationship between Brendan and his father after the latter suffered two debilitating strokes. "Sloth" deals with time lost to anger, addiction and inertia, preventing us from achieving our true potential. "The Captive Heart" deals with the attempt to keep love afloat over a long distance. A cover of Tim Buckley's "Must Have Been Blind" features one of the record's more extravagant arrangements, with layers of pedal steel supporting Brendan's soaring vocals. An emotional centerpiece is the haunting, autobiographical "Voyage of Bran". Brendan Perry toured Europe and North America in support of Eye Of The Hunter. But - apart from a number of local performances and workshops in Ireland - he subsequently remained out of the public eye until Dead Can Dance reformed for a series of live concerts in the spring of 2005.
His second album entitled 'Ark' was released 7 June 2010. This album was very different from 'Eye of the Hunter', notably because it will feature rhythm machines and electric guitars.
Two more Dead Can Dance albums followed; 'Anastasis' (2012) and 'Dionysius' (2018) along with a selection of live releases; 'Live Happenings I-V' (2012) and 'In Concert' (2013). 'Live Happenings' was a selection of live tracks released in 5 separate parts online. Each part consisted of 4/5 tracks. These were recordings from the 2005 DCD tour. 'In Concert' was recordings from the 2012 tour.
During the time between albums Brendan also moved from Ireland to Bretagne/Brittany, France and during February/March 2019 completed a solo tour in France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, starting in La Souterraine (FR), closely followed by a Dead Can Dance tour which started in Rennes (FR) in May 2019.
Ten years after 'Ark', on 20 November 2020 Brendan released his third solo album 'Songs of Disenchantment: Music from the Greek Underground'. Initially released in digital formats (MP3/FLAC) and via streaming (Spotify, Amazon Music etc) The physical vinyl and CD versions followed in Spring 2021. This is an album of Greek songs in the Rebetiko street music style (Greek blues?). All the songs are cover versions of 1920s-1930s Greek songs but have been translated in to English. Brendan plays all the instruments himself including traditional instruments like Bouzouki, Saz, Baglama & Tsouras along with lutes and the dulcimer, which DCD fans will be familiar with.
Next up is a Dead Can Dance's Europe tour in 2022, rescheduled from 2021 due to Covid restrictions.
Utopía
Brendan Perry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A domestic beast with a hairy heart
Trapped within a walled suburbia
I've found my tastes are somewhat underground
Between the shadows and the cracks
I am building my utopia
I need to break free from all that binds
In this world of dystopia
My love is like a bright guiding light
Shining in the darkness of the night
The star of my utopia
In the motion of the sea
In the air that we breathe
Can you feel me?
In the stars and in the trees
In the song of the bees
Can you hear me?
Caged golden memories
Time has come to show your true feelings
I know it's the only way to be
When the same old feelings come over me
I feel greater than the sum of all my parts
A space jockey from a distant star
Marooned upon dystopia
I've found my tastes are somewhat underground
Between the shadows and the cracks
I am building my utopia
In the motion of the sea
In the air that we breathe
Can you feel me?
In the stars and in the trees
In the song of the bees
Can you hear me?
In our utopia
You will be queen
And I will be king
In our utopia
You will be free
To be whoever you want to be
The lyrics of "Utopia" by Brendan Perry speak about an individual who feels trapped within their suburban life, in a world which they view as dystopian. The singer speaks of feeling like a "domestic beast," someone whose soul and heart are wild and untamable, yet they remain ensnared within the confines of their home and the world around them. Despite this, they have discovered a taste for more underground things, seeking out the shadows and cracks in which to build their utopia.
The song is a message of hope and a call to break free from the chains that bind us, to find the courage to be different and to forge our own path towards a brighter future. The singer finds solace and comfort in the beauty of the natural world, in the motion of the sea, the air that we breathe, the stars and the trees, and the song of the bees. They believe that through the creation of their own utopia, they can break the chains that hold them back and become greater than the sum of their parts.
Overall, "Utopia" is a powerful message of hope and a call to action, encouraging us all to chase our dreams and build a better world in which we can all thrive. It is a reminder that no matter how dark and dystopian our world may seem, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow if we are willing to fight for it.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel greater than the sum of all my parts
I feel like I am more than what I appear to be, as if my true value is more than just the sum of my individual traits and characteristics.
A domestic beast with a hairy heart
I may seem like a typical, domesticated person, but there is a wild and passionate side to me that lies beneath the surface.
Trapped within a walled suburbia
I am stuck in a mundane, suburban lifestyle that feels limiting and imprisoning, as if I am surrounded by walls that keep me contained.
I've found my tastes are somewhat underground
I have discovered that my preferences and interests lie outside of mainstream popular culture, and I am drawn to alternative or unconventional ideas.
Between the shadows and the cracks
In the spaces that others might overlook or ignore, I find opportunities to express myself and create something unique.
I am building my utopia
I am actively working to create a world or a life that is ideal and perfect for me, even if it doesn't conform to society's standards or expectations.
I need to break free from all that binds
I feel like I am held back or limited by external forces, and I crave the freedom to pursue my desires and passions without restraint.
That makes me old before my time
When I am constrained and unable to be myself, I feel as though I am losing my youth and vitality prematurely, unable to fully enjoy life and its pleasures.
In this world of dystopia
I see the world as dark and oppressive, filled with despair and suffering, and I yearn for something better, for an escape from this reality.
My love is like a bright guiding light
My passion and devotion are so strong that they can guide me through even the darkest times, acting as a beacon of hope and inspiration.
Shining in the darkness of the night
Even when things seem hopeless, my love and dedication continue to burn brightly and help me see my way forward.
The star of my utopia
My love is at the center of the perfect world I am trying to create, and it guides and motivates me as I strive to reach that goal.
In the motion of the sea
Nature is all around us, and even in the ebb and flow of the ocean, I can find a sense of comfort and rhythm.
In the air that we breathe
The very atmosphere we live in is a reminder that we are alive, and I can find solace and inspiration in the simple act of breathing.
Can you feel me?
I want to connect with others and share my experiences, hoping to find others who can understand and empathize with me.
In the stars and in the trees
The vastness and beauty of the natural world are awe-inspiring, and I feel a sense of wonder and awe when I look up at the stars or stand amid towering trees.
In the song of the bees
Even in the smallest and most insignificant creatures, I can find a sense of purpose and meaning, recognizing the interconnectedness of all things.
Caged golden memories
I feel like my past is a treasure trove of valuable experiences and memories, but I am unable to fully access or enjoy them because of my current circumstances.
Time has come to show your true feelings
I feel like it is time to be honest and transparent about what I truly want and need, even if it means taking risks or going against the norm.
I know it's the only way to be
I am convinced that being true to myself is the only way to live an authentic and fulfilling life, and I am willing to take the necessary steps to make that a reality.
When the same old feelings come over me
When I fall back into old patterns or habits, I feel like I am backsliding, and I need to remind myself of my goals and my vision for the future.
A space jockey from a distant star
I feel like an outsider or an alien in the world around me, unable to fit in or feel comfortable, as if I come from a distant planet.
Marooned upon dystopia
I am stranded and isolated here in this dark and oppressive world, unable to escape or find a way out.
In our utopia
In my ideal world, I dream of a place where everyone can live and thrive in peace and harmony, free to be themselves and pursue their passions.
You will be queen
In this perfect world I imagine, you will be a symbol of power and strength, reigning over your domain with grace and wisdom.
And I will be king
I too will be a leader and a hero, guiding and inspiring others with my vision and strength.
You will be free
In this utopia, everyone will be free to live and love as they choose, without fear or oppression, and you will be the embodiment of that freedom.
To be whoever you want to be
In this perfect world, there are no limits or constraints imposed by others, and you can be whoever you want to be, pursuing your dreams and discovering your true self.
Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.