Biography: Carlon is a band built on relationships, both present and past, and the result is deliberate American rock music that strives to explore them. With a resonant, classic sound, Carlon creates heartfelt and haunting moments that are somehow familiar to all of us. On March 17, 2009, fans and newcomers alike heard the results of the band's honest exploration with the release of Johari Window (Ropeadope Records), a 12-track LP that clearly demonstrates the breadth of the band's vision, musical drive and talent.
Produced by Carlon and Ross Petersen (engineer for Bruce Springsteen, Muse, John Mayer) and Executive Produced by Pete Francis (bass player of Universal recording artist Dispatch), Johari Window was recorded in the band's 20,000 square foot warehouse rehearsal space in Fairfield, New Jersey. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Mike McWilliams notes that the band's approach in recording the album reflects a maturity the group worked hard to develop: 'We're proud that we recorded the album ourselves in our own rehearsal space - we didn't go into a sterile studio, we did it in a place that we made our home. On earlier records, it seems like we just made individual tracks and hoped that they would come out okay. But on this record, we set out to create a specific atmosphere - we learned how to do that in the warehouse better than ever before - and as a result, the music we wanted to create just seemed much more possible than ever before.'
While the material for Johari Window is drawn directly from the experiences of all four band members, the album is just as much about Carlon learning how to communicate with one another and reflecting on what they went through while working to record the album. Bassist Jared Pollack recalls, 'Something we asked ourselves from the very beginning wasn't 'How can we learn to make new music with one another' but, more importantly, 'How can we communicate with one another during the creative process, learn to try different things and make personal compromises for the collective good.' Drummer Milo Venter adds, 'During recording, we lost our minds. But, our minds came back. We got our vision across and we achieved what we set out accomplish: to just make real music in a real environment. We're proud of what the last year has taught us.'
When asked what Carlon sounds like, the band can become pretty uncomfortable. Lead singer and guitarist Ryan McGlynn explains: 'I don't know that there has been much of anything that we have listened to that hasn't influenced the songs that we have written in some way. If we hear country in what we're writing, we'll add a bit of country. If we hear something new or old, we won't hesitate to quote it in our music. For us, it's never been about trying to sound like anyone or anything in particular, just creating something that sounds good to us. Johari Window was the chance to share a dream of ours to create a whole album that was a piece of art to us, with each song depending on the next. We thought, 'Maybe then other people will like the music, too.''
Although Carlon was officially founded in the spring of 2005, the beginnings of the band go back several years. McGlynn first met McWilliams down at the Jersey shore back in the summer of 1998. The two started playing and writing together almost immediately and continue to co-write most of the band's songs and lyrics.
Around 2002, Pollack, a friend of both McWilliams and McGlynn, had been working summer jobs down at the Jersey shore. Jared soon joined the other two playing bass and the three eventually began playing together whenever they could. It was clear to them that it was time to start a band; all that was left was to find a drummer. A few years later, McGlynn started music classes at Raritan Valley Community College, where he met Venter. The two hit it off and, after Venter played a rehearsal with the others, Carlon was finally complete. The band self-released a 4-track demo, Day Two, in October 2005 and a 7-track EP, Suburban Heel, in October 2006.
In looking back at the past few years, the present with Johari Window and the future of the band, McGlynn assures us that Carlon will always seek to achieve more in its music: 'As long as we continue to challenge ourselves, we've learned through this album to appreciate and enjoy our work, especially if its flawed and reflective of the change we went through while recording. There is an overall lesson in the process: not everything turns out the way you may have wanted it to turn out, but, when you start to appreciate that, you just want to do it again and better the next time. Maybe that's why I can actually listen to this album.'
Hold Me Down
Carlon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What we're doing
What are we doing?
We must be dehydrated
Populated
Two longing lonely hearts
Numbers on our hands don't add up
It's shoes for you and me
Turn up the song that's fading
Listening waiting
For a quiet over due
This can not be happening again
You've had enough
You've had enough
This cannot be happening again
You've had enough
You've had enough
You might have to hold me down
The lyrics to Carlon's song "Hold Me Down" are a contemplation of a confusing and potentially reckless romantic relationship. The singer reflects on the irrationality of the situation, questioning what they are doing getting involved with someone who they feel such a strong connection with, but who may not be the best fit for them. The lines "We must be crazy doing/What we're doing/What are we doing?" convey the sense that the singer knows on some level that this relationship might not be healthy or sustainable.
The lyrics also touch on the isolation and loneliness that can often drive people into such relationships. The lines "Populated/Two longing lonely hearts" suggest that the two individuals involved are seeking connection and intimacy, but are perhaps trying to find it in the wrong place, or with the wrong person. The references to numbers and calls that don't add up further convey a sense of confusion and instability in the relationship.
Overall, "Hold Me Down" offers a nuanced and introspective take on the complexities of modern romance, and the intense emotions and desires that can often drive people to make unwise choices.
Line by Line Meaning
We must be crazy doing
We are aware that what we are doing might be considered irrational by others
What we're doing
Our actions might not make sense to the people around us
What are we doing?
We are questioning our own choices and actions
We must be dehydrated
Our actions might be driven by a lack of clarity and rational thought
Populated
We are surrounded by people and distractions that might contribute to our confusion and uncertainty
Two longing lonely hearts
Both of us are seeking something deeper and more meaningful in our lives
Numbers on our hands don't add up
The facts and figures we are dealing with might not make sense or be accurate
Calls don't matter
Communication might not be effective or helpful in our current situation
It's shoes for you and me
We are both in the same position and facing the same difficulties
Turn up the song that's fading
We seek distraction and comfort in something that is slowly ending or disappearing
Listening waiting
We are attentive and patient, hoping for something to change or improve
For a quiet over due
We are waiting for something that has been long overdue, hoping for closure or resolution
This can not be happening again
We have been through a similar situation before and can't believe it's happening again
You've had enough
One of us has reached their limit and can't bear the situation anymore
You might have to hold me down
I might need support and reassurance from you to face the difficulties ahead
Contributed by Austin A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.