From busking in their hometown of Canterbury, to concert halls, to headlining Rome's largest unsigned music festival, CoCo and the Butterfield’s fresh sound and raw energy on stage has rapidly gained a large and loyal national following, making them one of the UK's top up-and-coming bands to watch out for.
Each member of CoCo and the Butterfields has experienced a very different musical upbringing that when combined, create an extraordinary sonic result. The Butterfields innate creativity and distinctive personalities are the bedrock for their original musical style. The well crafted lyrics and guitar melodies of CoCo Butterfield weave the basis for beautiful and hard-hitting songs, whilst the graceful voice of Dulcima Showan, coupled with her refined violin skills, make for a captivating delivery. Beatboxer extraordinaire, Jamie “Euphex” Smith along with his unusually talented vocal cords, provides the rhythmic powerhouse for the band (along with some jaw dropping party tricks!), whilst the eminently cool Micah Hyson lays the foundations with his smooth double-bass playing. Finally, a hint of foot stomping bluegrass comes in the form of the nimble-fingered “Handsome” Rob Wicks on the five string banjo. Certainly not what could be described as a conventional lineup! However, it facilitates a fantastically fresh and invigorated sound. In the words of Record Producer Dan Lucas, they've "managed the near-impossible task of creating a sound that is almost entirely unique.”
The band regards their work as breaking down musical stereotypes and uniting listeners with a diverse range of musical flavors to suit all tastes. Having performed to many thousands of people throughout the UK in 2012, packing out their shows from the very beginning, CoCo and the Butterfields are still regularly spotted busking around the nation. From the pavement to the arena, CATB are more than just fantastic musicians – they are seasoned performers. Following the successful release of their debut EP, Fip Fok, CATB filled 1,200 seats at a sell out show at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre where the new single Warriors launched on May 5th 2013. They will soon be appearing yet again for another huge show in June 2014 at the 2,400 seater Wintergardens in Margate, where they shall be releasing their new EP, See the Sun. Their music is powerfully spellbinding - it gets the crowd on their feet and keeps them there. Truly they are a force to be reckoned with, and they are coming to a venue near you.
“They’re definitely the most original winner we’ve ever had.”
UK Live & Unsigned 2012
“Very cool band!”
Bob Geldof
“We loved it!”
Mark Forrest, BBC Radio
“The song Astronaut stuck in my head that night, the whole bar was singing along, clapping and stomping, you can’t imagine the buzz these guys caused.”
Kate Lynn Devere, Gashouse Radio
The stand out band from the weekend were CoCo and the Butterfields who absolutely blew the festival away on each day. On Sunday they performed on the small farmhouse stage slap bang in the middle of the day and yet still had a large crowd going wild. This band are heading to the big time with their mix of folk, country and even a beat boxer offering percussion as well as sick solos.
TheMusicMag.com
“Their energy in both live shows and recordings is infectious and the blend of various styles works wonderfully. Ones to watch for the future.”
Adam Dowling, BBC Radio Kent
“Bespoke music but not as you know it – CoCo and the Butterfields are a young acoustic fivepiece who have managed the almost impossible task of creating a sound that is almost entirely unique...A great entertaining and totally unique band at last.
Dan Lucas, Record Producer
There should be a law saying that CoCo and the Butterfields should only be allowed to play outdoor venues as they are so raucous and fun that any indoor space runs the risk of having its roof and walls blown clean away. These guys are just great, infectious and rowdy, just what live music should be.
Baylen Leonard, Amazing Radio
CoCo and the Butterfields were far and away the most engaging, animated and exciting band of the festival.
Run-Riot.com
Shadow Puppets
CoCo and the Butterfields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To hoist me up out of my sleep
It's eight and I'm yawning, I'm nervous for today
To win, to lose, to take a bow, not sure what I'll say
I'm sticking to the certainty that we could throw a thought though I'm putting in the keys
As if I hadn't told you, I'll draw a speech, I'll paint a note, read you all the things I wrote
It's up to you
They just stick to the wall
Shadow puppets on the moon, and I know I'll see you soon
Because I'm hoping in the sun, hoping in the sun
Watching the big hand overtake his younger kin, and knowing full well that he'll be the one to win
What's the need for expressing what I mean in such a code, when all you do is hang your head and sigh?
It's lunch and I'm starving, bacon bap or maybe two, a cup of tea, I'll suck a mint just to put me in the mood
By now you havn't shown up, my candle's running thin, and I know, that I'm not the one to win this time
Shadow puppets in the dark cannot move very far
They just stick to the wall
Shadow puppets on the moon, and I know I'll see you soon
Because I'm hoping in the sun, hoping in the sun
Shadow puppets in the dark cannot move very far
They just stick to the wall
Shadow puppets on the moon, and I know I'll see you soon
Because I'm hoping in the sun, hoping in the sun
That's why I am here hoping, that's why I am here holding on
That's why I am here hoping, that's why I am here holding on
That's why I am here hoping, that's why I am here holding on
That's why I am here hoping, that's why I am here
Shadow puppets in the dark cannot move very far
They just stick to the wall
Shadow puppets on the moon, and I know I'll see you soon
Because I'm hoping in the sun, hoping in the sun
Shadow puppets in the dark cannot move very far
They just stick to the wall
Shadow puppets on the moon, and I know I'll see you soon
Because I'm hoping in the sun, hoping in the sun
I am hoping in the sun, hoping in the sun, I am hoping in the sun
I am hoping in the sun, hoping in the sun, I am hoping in the sun
The lyrics to "Shadow Puppets" by CoCo and the Butterfields describes the feelings of anticipation, uncertainty, and hope. The singer wakes up early in the morning, waiting for the sun to rise and motivate them to start their day. They express their nervousness for the day ahead, unsure if they will win or lose and how they will react to it. However, they have decided to hold on to their beliefs and express themselves, even if others do not understand.
The chorus discusses "shadow puppets," which could be interpreted as symbolic representations of people who do not have a significant impact in someone's life or are not present. The singer is hoping for a reunion with someone, possibly a lover or friend, who is currently a "shadow puppet" in their life. The mention of the moon also connects to the idea of shadows, and the singer is looking forward to seeing this person soon, like the sun rising.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to hold on to hope and stay positive, even in the face of uncertainty and difficult times, and to express themselves fully to others in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Six thirty in the morning, and I'm waiting for the sun to tickle me
It's early in the morning and I'm excited to start the day.
To hoist me up out of my sleep
To wake me up from my slumber.
It's eight and I'm yawning, I'm nervous for today
It's been a few hours, and I'm already feeling a bit tired and anxious for what the day holds.
To win, to lose, to take a bow, not sure what I'll say
I have many potential outcomes for today, but I'm not sure how it will turn out.
I'm sticking to the certainty that we could throw a thought though I'm putting in the keys
I'm trying to stay positive despite the uncertainty, and focusing on the fact that we can still communicate our thoughts and ideas.
As if I hadn't told you, I'll draw a speech, I'll paint a note, read you all the things I wrote
I'm prepared to express myself in any way necessary - through writing, drawing, or speaking - to get my point across.
It's up to you
Ultimately, the outcome is not entirely in my control.
Shadow puppets in the dark cannot move very far
Shadows created by hand movements cannot travel very far in a dark space.
They just stick to the wall
The shadows stay close to where they originated and do not wander too far away.
Shadow puppets on the moon, and I know I'll see you soon
Even though shadows are weaker on the moon, I am hopeful that I will soon see the person I am thinking of.
Because I'm hoping in the sun, hoping in the sun
My hope is unwavering, just like the consistency of the sun rising every day.
Watching the big hand overtake his younger kin, and knowing full well that he'll be the one to win
Watching the hour hand slowly move ahead of the minute hand, and knowing that time is moving on and that one outcome will eventually prevail.
What's the need for expressing what I mean in such a code, when all you do is hang your head and sigh?
Why bother expressing myself if the other person doesn't seem to care or understand?
It's lunch and I'm starving, bacon bap or maybe two, a cup of tea, I'll suck a mint just to put me in the mood
It's lunchtime and I'm famished; I'm considering two bacon sandwiches, along with a cup of tea and a mint to refresh me.
By now you havn't shown up, my candle's running thin, and I know, that I'm not the one to win this time
The person I was expecting hasn't arrived, my patience is wearing thin, and I feel like I won't come out on top this time.
That's why I am here hoping, that's why I am here holding on
I'm still holding on to hope and optimism, despite the setbacks and obstacles in my way.
I am hoping in the sun, hoping in the sun, I am hoping in the sun
I'm placing my faith in the consistency and reliability of the sun rising every day, hoping for a positive outcome.
Contributed by Penelope P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.