Raised in Connecticut, Pureka is said to have begun writing songs at the age of eight; by 16 they were playing the guitar. Following performances at local coffee houses and open mics, they began opening shows for such artists as Erin McKeown and Pamela Means while completing a degree in biology at Wesleyan University. After graduating, they worked in a microbiology research lab at Smith College in Northampton, eventually leaving to focus on their music full-time. In June 2001, they recorded a self-titled seven-song EP in preparation for a three-month nationwide tour with lesbian folk poet Alix Olson.
In 2004, Pureka released Driving North, their first full-length album, earning rave reviews from fans and fellow artists alike. In 2006, they released Dryland, and toured the US a second time as a headlining act. In May 2007, Pureka was a member of the month-long New American Songwriter Tour in New York City, Philadelphia, and Massachusetts. The tour also featured Krystle Warren, Jesse Harris and Ryan Scott. In July 2007, Pureka's song, "Swann Song" won 1st Place in the Acoustic competition on the independent music site OurStage.com.
In October 2007, Pureka was nominated for 2007's Outstanding Folk Act by the Boston Music Awards. They were also awarded an ASCAPLUS award in the summer of 2007.
Pureka is the founder of their label, Sad Rabbit Music. As well as their own releases, they have lent their vocals and guitar playing to several tracks by artists like Olson and Arjuna Greist; a notable track is "Checking My Pulse" with Olson, which went on to become a relative hit for Olson.
Pureka identifies as genderqueer and cultivates an androgynous appearance. They have received positive reviews in the long-running radical feminist publication off our backs and other magazines. Pureka's music does not deal explicitly with LGBT issues, focusing instead on emotional interactions between individuals.
On January 20, 2009, Pureka released a fourth album, an EP entitled Chimera. In April 2010, Pureka released their fifth album, How I Learned To See In The Dark
www.chrispureka.com
Song for November
Chris Pureka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Save me for the fire
I spent the day forgetting
The dream that woke me up
The garden is empty
And I still remember why
I'm so reluctant ot start it again
Shines through the marrow of me
I never was a very good fighter
They started me young
You always were the very best lover
That I couldn't love
The years they will make you a pretty good runner
Yeah I've been running around all of this time
Shot in the dark, down in the shadows
Waiting for when
Yeah just waiting for when the coast is clear
You were running around so you'd never remember this
Fear lights a fire under you
And all you leave behind are the smoke and the ashes
A trail of grey and blue
Blame me dear for any disaster
Oh how the kerosene ran dry
And we made our bed in that familiar graveyard
Between the sternum and the spine
Oh darling I think that all of the answers
Went south on the backs of those grey winged birds
Or slipped through our finger
While we were sleeping
Waiting for when
Yeah just waiting for when the coast is clear
Along the way the light is the medicine
Along the way we search for the sun
To call us down the dark corridor
Back into the world
In the first verse, Chris Pureka is using powerful imagery to convey a sense of destruction and loss. She instructs to dry the flowers and file the sheet music, indicating that something is coming to an end. She then asks to be saved for the fire, symbolizing a purification process. This process is necessary because she spent the day forgetting the dream that woke her up, which represents a loss of hope, direction, or inspiration. This loss is also reflected in the empty garden, which seems to have lost its purpose and appeal. Even though she remembers why she started it in the first place, she is reluctant to start it again, suggesting that she has lost her motivation or enthusiasm. The reference to eternal November further emphasizes the idea of stagnation and permanence, as if time and seasons have stopped moving forward.
The second verse starts with a contrast between Chris's fighting and loving abilities. She admits that she was never a good fighter, implying that she was always more passive or submissive. In contrast, her lover was the very best lover, suggesting that she was more receptive or responsive. This difference in character might have contributed to their downfall. The years have made Chris a pretty good runner, indicating that she has been escaping or avoiding things for a while. She has been in the shadows, waiting for when the coast is clear, implying that she is afraid of something or someone. Her lover, on the other hand, was also running around, but for a different reason: to forget or ignore their past. Chris blames herself for any disaster that might have occurred between them, but at the same time acknowledges that they both made their bed in a familiar graveyard, between the sternum and the spine, suggesting that they were both responsible for their own demise.
In the third and final verse, Chris reflects on the meaning of life and the possibility of redemption. She says that all of the answers have gone south on the backs of grey-winged birds, implying that wisdom or guidance is elusive or fleeting. Alternatively, she might be referring to the southern direction as a metaphor for death or the afterlife. She also suggests that the answers might have slipped through their fingers while they were sleeping, suggesting that they missed opportunities or failed to recognize important moments. However, Chris also believes that the light is the medicine and that we need to search for the sun along the way. This suggests that there is still hope for healing and growth, even if it requires a journey into darkness. Ultimately, the goal is to come back into the world, with a renewed sense of purpose and vision.
Line by Line Meaning
Dry the flowers, file the sheet-music
Put away the things that once brought joy as they have served their purpose.
Save me for the fire
Keep me safely tucked away for when I am needed most.
I spent the day forgetting
I tried to escape the pain and memories of the past.
The dream that woke me up
The reminder of a future I once envisioned that is no longer possible.
The garden is empty
My life feels barren and devoid of growth and beauty.
And I still remember why
The pain of loss and the reasons for my emptiness are ingrained in my memory.
I'm so reluctant to start it again
I am hesitant to try and fill the void once more, fearing the same outcome.
Eternal November
The feeling of coldness, darkness, and death that echoes through my soul and won't leave.
Shines through the marrow of me
The pain is not superficial, it is deep down ingrained within me.
I never was a very good fighter
I lacked the strength and resilience needed to overcome life's challenges.
They started me young
Life's hardships began at an early age, leaving me ill-equipped to deal with them.
You always were the very best lover
You were the only thing that ever brought me true happiness and comfort.
That I couldn't love
But my own issues and insecurities prevented me from fully experiencing that love.
The years they will make you a pretty good runner
With time, one learns to flee from problems and pain rather than face them head-on.
Yeah I've been running around all of this time
I have spent my life avoiding rather than confronting my demons.
Shot in the dark, down in the shadows
Taking risks without direction or clarity, hoping for the best possible outcome.
Waiting for when
Hoping for a better time or more favorable circumstances to act.
You were running around so you'd never remember this
You also ran from your problems and the pain, avoiding anything that might remind you of it all.
Fear lights a fire under you
The anticipation of danger or harm motivates us to take action and protect ourselves.
And all you leave behind are the smoke and the ashes
The consequences of one's actions and the remaining evidence that something once existed here, even if now it is gone.
A trail of grey and blue
The colors of sadness and depression that persist and follow us.
Blame me dear for any disaster
I accept full responsibility for anything that goes wrong or falls apart.
Oh how the kerosene ran dry
Even the sources of fuel or hope have run out, leaving us in a bleak and desolate place.
And we made our bed in that familiar graveyard
We have become comfortable with death and loss, allowing it to dominate and define us.
Between the sternum and the spine
The physical location of our heart and mind, where our emotions and thoughts reside.
Oh darling I think that all of the answers
I believe that there must be a solution or explanation to our problems.
Went south on the backs of those grey winged birds
The answers and solutions are elusive, far away and unattainable - just like migrating birds that fly away to warmer climates.
Or slipped through our finger
The solutions or opportunities slipped away unnoticed or impossible to grasp.
While we were sleeping
Perhaps we missed our chance while we were not paying attention or were too naive to realize it.
Along the way the light is the medicine
Only by seeking the light, the positive and hopeful aspects of life, can we find healing and peace.
Along the way we search for the sun
We seek something to brighten and enliven our existence and provide a sense of warmth and comfort.
To call us down the dark corridor
The light guides us through the hardships and struggles of life, providing a path to follow where we otherwise would see none.
Back into the world
The light and hope we find along our journey bring us back to the reality of the world, where we must face its challenges with renewed strength and courage.
Contributed by Emily A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.