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
Villain
CocoRosie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
to the villain
Give rise
to the head of
Deprived
of the protector
And shield
from weather
My sister,
she used to goat's blood
to conceal her ravaged body
But,
I was gifted
with my uncle Freddy's baby
Froze in time
I could hide
Bloated belly,
baby inside
Give rise
to the villain
Give rise
to the head of
Deprived
of the protector
And shield
from weather
What happened
to my life
All this ain't right
I should have taken
it myself
with uncle Freddy's knife
cause the grave is
very suiting
for a bloodless
daughter bride
Give rise
to the villain
Give rise
to the head of
Deprived
of the protector
And shield
from weather
The song "Villain" by CocoRosie is a haunting and unsettling reflection on the damage that can be inflicted upon us by others. The lyrics focus on the idea of giving rise to the villain and becoming both the victim and the perpetrator of our own destruction. The first verse describes the loss of a protector, leaving the singer exposed and vulnerable against harsh weather conditions. In the second verse, the singer discusses their sister's use of goat's blood to conceal the damage done to her body. The third verse reveals a traumatic experience of the singer, who was gifted with a baby found frozen in time, but hid it inside her bloated belly. The chorus repeats the call to give rise to the villain and the head of, suggesting a desire to take control of the situation, to become the villain and to seek revenge.
The lyrics are cryptic and can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one interpretation is that they explore the cycle of violence and how it can be perpetuated through generations. The loss of a protector and the use of goat's blood to conceal damage suggest abuse and trauma. The third verse seems to describe a forced pregnancy or even incest, which has deeply affected the singer's mental state. The repeated call to give rise to the villain may represent the desire to take back control and become the one who inflicts harm, rather than constantly being victimized.
Overall, the song "Villain" is a disturbing and emotionally charged exploration of the human psyche and the ways in which we cope with trauma.
Line by Line Meaning
Give rise to the villain
Encourage the rise of evil or the antagonist
Give rise to the head of
Empower the leader or commander of the opposition
Deprived of the protector
Lacking the safeguard or defender
And shield from weather
As well as protection from the elements
My sister, she used to goat's blood
My sibling employed goat's blood for cosmetic concealment
To conceal her ravaged body
To hide her damaged physical form
But, I was gifted with my uncle Freddy's baby
However, I was bestowed with my relative Freddy's infant
Froze in time I could hide
Preserved in time, I could remain concealed
Bloated belly, baby inside
Swollen stomach, carrying a child within
What happened to my life
What events led to the current state of my existence
All this ain't right
None of this is morally or ethically correct
I should have taken it myself with uncle Freddy's knife
I should have used Uncle Freddy's blade to end it myself
Cause the grave is very suiting
As the tomb is highly appropriate or fitting
For a bloodless daughter bride
For an unblemished, deceased spouse
Contributed by Dylan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.