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
promise
CocoRosie Lyrics
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'Cause we all a ruin like broken leaves
I give you me in oceans of tearz up to my knees
Stitched together like pants and sleeves
I carry this carapace worn thin by he and she
Danced to dust and dusk and
Strung along the highway
I found my way belligerent
Promise me that you'll cherish
This tarnished offering
And if you take me inside
And you give me a place to hide and cry
I'll bathe you in the crystal light
That sleeps between my thighs
A times you fear the angle's sigh
To the lord and heavens that is aint right
But in this chalice you'll fine the wine
Our hands hold bonfires burning bright
And the heart is dumb and the heart is blind
But I think you'll find that the lord is kind
And I pray you'll cherish this tarnished offering
Burnt silver brushed lavender offspring
Burnt silver brushed lavender offspring
Sprung from me when first we kissed
You held me quietly a rush purged me of my past
Opened a desert of diamonds vast glinting and a tiny chorus
Of swallows, swung open the door freed the caged bees
And wallows, swarm geometric patterns on the sun
Eclipse new moon Tempt my werewolf not to run
The lyrics of CocoRosie's song Promise convey a sense of vulnerability in giving oneself entirely to another person. The opening line, "Open hearted as a heart can be", is an indication of how much she is willing to give in the relationship. She recognizes that just like broken leaves, everyone is ruined in one way or the other. She then promises to love and cherish the other person, despite the fragility of her own heart. She compares herself to a carapace that is worn thin by the experiences of life, but stitched together like pants and sleeves. She navigated through life, belligerent, and danced to dust and dusk until she found her way through following the stars in the other person's eyes. She then asks for a promise that the other person will cherish her and the offering that she has made.
The second stanza is a plea for a place to hide and cry when things get tough. She is telling the other person that if they give her a place to hide, she will bathe them in the crystal light that sleeps between her thighs. She recognizes that sometimes they will fear the sigh of the angels, but assures them that in this chalice, they will find wine. She then talks about how their hands hold bonfires burning bright, and the heart is dumb and blind. She then prays that the other person will cherish this tarnished offering, burnt silver brushed lavender offspring.
Line by Line Meaning
Open hearted as a heart can be
I am completely vulnerable and open to you.
'Cause we all a ruin like broken leaves
We are all damaged and broken, just like leaves that have fallen from a tree.
I give you me in oceans of tearz up to my knees
I am giving you everything I have, even if it hurts me deeply.
Stitched together like pants and sleeves
We are bound together, like the inseparable parts of a garment.
I carry this carapace worn thin by he and she
I bear the weight of past relationships that have left me emotionally exhausted.
Danced to dust and dusk and
We have gone through difficult times together, but have managed to keep going.
Strung along the highway
Our journey has taken us on a long and winding road.
I found my way belligerent
I found my way with a fierce determination.
Following the stars of your eyes
I am following my love for you, that shines brightly in your eyes.
Promise me that you'll cherish
Please promise me that you will hold onto, and value, what I am offering you.
This tarnished offering
I am not perfect, but I am giving you all that I have to offer.
And if you take me inside
And if you accept me into your life.
And you give me a place to hide and cry
And you allow me to be vulnerable with you, and show my true feelings.
I'll bathe you in the crystal light
I will fill your life with purity and clarity.
That sleeps between my thighs
That resides deep within me.
A times you fear the angle's sigh
Sometimes you may feel like you are going against what is expected of you.
To the lord and heavens that is aint right
But it doesn't matter, because what matters is what you feel in your heart.
But in this chalice you'll fine the wine
In our relationship, you will find the beauty and value of what we have together.
Our hands hold bonfires burning bright
Our love is passionate and strong, like the flames of a bright fire.
And the heart is dumb and the heart is blind
Love can be irrational and illogical, but we are willing to take that risk.
But I think you'll find that the lord is kind
But we believe that everything will work out for the best, and we will be taken care of.
Burnt silver brushed lavender offspring
Our love is a beautiful, but sometimes painful, thing.
Sprung from me when first we kissed
Our relationship was born from our very first kiss.
You held me quietly a rush purged me of my past
You gave me a sense of calm and acceptance, freeing me from my emotional baggage.
Opened a desert of diamonds vast glinting and a tiny chorus
You allowed me to see the world in a new light, full of endless possibilities and beauty.
Of swallows, swung open the door freed the caged bees
You have opened up my heart and mind, allowing me to experience new things and see the world in a different way.
And wallows, swarm geometric patterns on the sun
We dance together in the light of the sun, creating beautiful patterns as we move.
Eclipse new moon Tempt my werewolf not to run
Our love is powerful enough to overcome even the darkest of times, and I will not let fear drive me away from it.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JARROD DOUGLAS MONTAGUE, MICHAEL FREDERICK DE WOLF, PHILIP M. LIPSCOMB, STEPHEN RICHARDS, WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind