Since middle school, the two bonded further over their shared interest in the artistry of songwriting. As Brick + Mortar, they began focusing more heavily on the use of electronic samples in their music as well as relying less on improvisation and more on structured pop songs. Brick + Mortar represent the underground, the oppressed, the disillusioned, and voiceless. Fusing driving percussion, grooving bass, eclectic samples, and anthemic vocals, the band creates a new world sound that is so fresh you truly need to hear it for yourself.
The roots of several of Brick + Mortar's songs stem from the incredible experiences of lead singer Brandon Asraf's childhood as the son of a international blood diamond smuggler. In the band's lead single "Bangs", the bass hits like a massive punch to the face, and the narrative of the ultra-violent accompanying video, based on the life of Asraf's father, is likely one of the more brutal stories you've ever bore witness to. "This video opened the door for us to be more than a band. People seem to wait for that song to sing their hearts out at shows," explains Asraf of the impact the single has had on the band. To quote Nylon Magazine, “There’s an undeniable energy that charges through New Jersey-based duo Brick + Mortar…Lead singer Brandon Asraf’s voice has a ferocious punch to it and effortlessly moves from solemn croon to savage cry without losing an ounce of passion along the way. Tensions build and tribal beats boom under biting lyrics. These guys will hit you like a delightful ton of bricks (pun intended).”
Brick + Mortar are set to release their 7-song EP titled “Bangs” on July 30th, and includes favorites such as “Bangs”, “Heatstroke” and “Old Boy” along with brand new tracks “Terrible Things”, “No I Won’t Go”, “Locked In A Cage”, as well as “Keep This Place Beautiful” which was co-written by Justyn Pilbrow (The Neighborhood - “Sweater Weather”).
Brick + Mortar's consistent performances quickly gained them a strong following as one of the best live bands in the Asbury Park music scene. Notable support for national acts include performances with Galactic, Jimmy Eat World, H.R. [Bad Brains], and Cymbals Eat Guitars. Their live show is a party that erupts like a magnetic sonic volcano catching the attention of everyone in the room, drawing them to the stage full of intrigue and energy.
Aside from touring Brick + Mortar will also be busy with several other projects this Fall, including putting out a fully animated music video created by artist Richie Brown and focusing on writing for their debut full length. "The goal is to make our album an audiovisual experience. I feel like the songs we are working on are our best yet. We are ready to make a full length record. We are not for the faint of heart. Our brash, gritty, whip-smart sound foregoes guitar in favor of bass, drums, and electronic samples. At our shows, the audience is part of the band. That's what makes playing each show uniquely exciting and inspiring. We will give you 100% every time because we truly love what we do. Hopefully, you give us 100% back".
20 LB
Brick+Mortar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you make it numb?
And kill the pain like Cortizone
And grant me intimacy
How'll we split your chromosomes?
Yea, more sweet narcossis
Yea, more sweet narcossis
Yeah more sweet narcossis
(I'll turn a stone, I'll find you)
I turn a stone I'll find you there
Into reflected light I'll stare
You blind me with flash bulbs
And puzzle me with syllables
(Back to sleep)
Yea, more sweet narcossis
(I'll turn a stone, I'll find you)
Yea, more sweet narcossis
(I'll turn a stone, I'll find you)
Yeah, more sweet narcossis
(I'll turn a stone, I'll find you)
My head's between my knees again
Got a needle set to zero
And you can shoot me hurricanes
Don't spare me the details
Yea, more sweet narcossis
(I'll turn a stone I'll find you)
Yea, more sweet narcossis
(I'll turn a stone I'll find you)
Yea, more sweet narcossis
More sweet
More sweet
(Iconography)
You look great, in bloodstains
(Fucks with me)
The lyrics to Brick+Mortar's song "20 LB" are dark and evocative, describing a person who is seeking comfort from their emotional pain through destructive means. The opening lines of "Can you lick my wounds please? Can you make it numb?" indicate that the person is willing to be vulnerable with someone else, but is only interested in the temporary relief that they can offer through "killing the pain like Cortizone". The following lines "And grant me intimacy / How'll we split your chromosomes?" are more ambiguous, but imply that the person is willing to take risks and potentially damage a relationship in order to feel something.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "More sweet narcossis" several times, indicating that the person is seeking more and more ways to escape their reality and numb their pain. The bridge of the song "I turn a stone I'll find you there / Into reflected light I'll stare / You blind me with flash bulbs / And puzzle me with syllables" describes the person's confusion and disorientation in their attempts to find comfort and connection with another person. The final verse of the song "My head's between my knees again / Got a needle set to zero / And you can shoot me hurricanes / Don't spare me the details" indicates that the person is willing to try anything to escape their pain, even if it means self-destructive behavior.
Overall, the lyrics to "20 LB" are a potent and intense exploration of the ways that people cope with emotional pain and seek out connection with others. The use of metaphors and descriptive language makes the song feel almost surreal or dreamlike, adding to its emotional impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you lick my wounds please?
The singer seeks emotional healing and support from someone else.
Can you make it numb?
The singer asks for their emotional pain to be eased or numbed.
And kill the pain like Cortizone
The singer requests for the emotional pain to be eased in a manner similar to the medical cortisone.
And grant me intimacy
The artist requests emotional intimacy from the person they are speaking to.
How'll we split your chromosomes?
This line is ambiguous, but could be interpreted as an existential question about the artist's and the other person's origins.
Yea, more sweet narcossis
The singer craves a sense of bliss, akin to the peaceful effects of opium.
Yeah more sweet narcossis
The singer repeats their craving for addictive, dreamy escapes from reality.
I turn a stone I'll find you there
The artist will also lose herself in escapism, to find the person they need to connect with.
Into reflected light I'll stare
The artist gets lost in their own dream world, detached from others.
You blind me with flash bulbs
The person the artist seeks comfort from is overwhelming and blinding.
And puzzle me with syllables
The person is intentionally confusing, perhaps not providing the comforting support the singer is looking for.
Yea, more sweet narcossis
The craving for escapism and addiction returns.
My head's between my knees again
The singer is emotionally exhausted and in distress.
Got a needle set to zero
The singer may be considering self-harm or addiction to numb the pain.
And you can shoot me hurricanes
The singer is so lost and in pain that they are willing to accept even more damage.
Don't spare me the details
The artist needs to understand the full extent of their pain and is uncomfortable with things being kept from them.
More sweet
The addiction and craving intensifies.
Iconography
The singer looks to symbolic representations for comfort or understanding.
You look great, in bloodstains
The person the singer wants comfort from seems to thrive on harm, which is unsettling.
Fucks with me
The artist is troubled by their interactions with the person they are speaking to, and possibly feels frustrated or manipulated.
Contributed by Samuel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.