CocoRosie began as a duo, with Sierra singing, playing the guitar, piano and harp, and Bianca singing and manipulating various children's toys, electronic and percussion instruments, as well as other exotic noisemakers. They subsequently added various backing musicians, usually a bassist, keyboardist, and beatboxer. They have been a very active touring group, playing across Europe, the United States, and elsewhere.
They have released seven full-length albums: La maison de mon rêve (2004), Noah's Ark (2005), The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn (2007), Grey Oceans (2010), Tales of a GrassWidow (2013), Heartache City (2015) and Put the Shine On (2020).
In 2003, Bianca was growing restless and decided it was time for a change. Leaving her apartment in Brooklyn to travel the world, she ended up at Sierra's apartment in Paris. Over the course of the next two months, the women spent nearly every waking hour in Sierra's bathroom, chosen as the most acoustic and isolated room in the apartment. Soon, they had completed both a hip-hop recording (never released) called "word to the crow" and their proper debut album La Maison de Mon Rêve.
Originally, La Maison de Mon Rêve was only intended to be distributed within a close circle of friends. However, by 2004 the lo-fi album had been released on independent label Touch and Go Records, who had obtained a copy of the CD and had uncharacteristically pursued signing the artists. Since the creation of their first album, the Casady sisters have been virtually inseparable.
Stylistically they may be assigned to the indie rock, psychedelic folk, folktronica genres, and are sometimes associated with the New Weird America movement. Sierra, who studied operatic vocal techniques, takes the lead vocals and also plays guitar, harp and flute. Bianca is a percussionist and also beatboxes. The group also uses various objects such as toys to construct their unique sound. Popular indie bands such as The xx name them as a major influence.
They were actively touring during most of 2004, playing across the U.S. and throughout Europe with artists such as TV on the Radio, Bright Eyes, Battles, Devendra Banhart, and Busdriver among others.
Official website: http://www.cocorosiemusic.com
Hopscotch
CocoRosie Lyrics
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If the sun decides to rise
Without its colors in your eyes
It matters not a heart of mine
Prefers the darkness
A hopscotch tear drop ready to drop
The lyrics of CocoRosie's song Hopscotch present an intriguing contradiction between the desire for a colorful world and a preference for darkness. The opening line "I got a hopscotch tear drop ready to drop" creates an image of a tear that's poised to drop down like a hopscotch move. It's almost as though the singer is inviting the listener to join in her melancholy game.
The next lines, "If the sun decides to rise without its colors in your eyes, it matters not a heart of mine prefers the darkness" suggest that the singer is someone who values emotions that are not tied to what's happening externally. Although we associate the sun with a positive, vibrant energy and vibrant colors, the singer appears to be indifferent to that. It's almost as though their emotional palette is complete even when there's no visible color around. The use of "a heart of mine" suggests that this is a deeply personal choice that might not be as relatable to others.
The lyrics end with "A hopscotch tear drop ready to drop," which is repeated from the beginning. This circular structure of the lyrics presents a world that's self-contained and separate from what's happening outside of it. It's a world that exists only within the singer's internal emotional landscape. The use of hopscotch, which is often associated with childhood games, brings an element of nostalgia to the lyrics while also making the emotional landscape presented here feel delicate and easily disrupted.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a hopscotch tear drop ready to drop
I am feeling emotional and have a tear waiting to fall, just like when playing hopscotch and waiting for the right moment to make the next move.
If the sun decides to rise
Even if the world starts to brighten up and change, altering the circumstances around me...
Without its colors in your eyes
...if the one I care for doesn't see the beauty in it, then it still won't matter to me.
It matters not a heart of mine
My heart is not swayed by external circumstances or opinions.
Prefers the darkness
I am comfortable with and sometimes even prefer the darker, more painful emotions over false positivity.
Contributed by Elena M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.