Michael Nau (born October 31, 1984) is the lead singer-songwriter and plays guitar, Whitney McGraw (born July 20, 1986) is on keyboards, organ, and electronic autoharp, Todd Gowans is on lead electric guitar, and Greg Bender is on bass.
The signature sound of the band is Michael Nau and his wife Whitney McGraw's ethereal vocal harmonies.
On September 23, 2008, the band released their first LP, The River Strumming, through the indie label St. Ives. It was a hand-made package limited to only 300 copies and was described as a "delightful slab of fuzzed-out dream folk."
On January 27, 2009, the band released their second LP, their debut for Suicide Squeeze Records, Paranoid Cocoon. It was described as a "weepy, reverb-drenched blend of Pacific Northwest, 1960s folk-pop, and heartland rock" and an "intriguing mix of country and melancholy psychedelia". Comparisons were made with Johnny Cash, Mazzy Star, and Beach House.
On August 24, 2010, the band released their third LP, Tall Hours in the Glowstream. It was described as "classic country music filtered through a dream-pop haze." Michael Nau and Whitney McGraw recorded the majority of the album in their living room while they were staying in Winterville, Georgia and the sound of the record is equal parts gospel, Southern soul, and backwoods folk. The album is an evolution from the Southern Gothic nocturnal vibes of The River Strumming and the moody, misty psych-folk of Paranoid Cocoon into a brighter, shimmering baroque pop similar in spirit to their contemporaries Fleet Foxes.
On August 21, 2012, the band released About the Game, a 7" record limited to only 500 copies.
Blood Red Sentimental Blues
Cotton Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the demons have been slain
There's no need for hesitation
Honey I been rearranged
Now they've got me wonderin' what to do
Over blood red sentimental blues
I heard it in the alleyway
Though I could hardly see your face
You'd got a mouth all full of stars
You better spit em out now
I just thought I'd tell you
All the demons have been slain
For you'll only be as big as what you do
Over blood red sentimental blues
I heard it in the garbage can
In every piece of trash
You'd better color up my heart again
I'm afraid it's turning black
I could hear it in the alleyway
You're strumming your guitar
Though I could hardly see your face
You'd got a mouth all full of stars
There's no need for hesitation
There's no need for hesitation
I heard it in the toilet bowl
You're calling out my name
The first verse of Cotton Jones's song Blood Red Sentimental Blues can be interpreted as a declaration of the singer's redemption, a victory over their demons. They are telling someone important to them that they have changed and there is no need to hesitate in being with them. The second verse has the same tone, but with different imagery. The singer describes hearing someone playing guitar in the alleys and garbage cans, someone who has the ability to "color up [their] heart again." The phrase "blood red sentimental blues" seems to represent the feeling of being caught between extremes: nostalgia (sentimental blues) and drama (blood red). The singer is in this in-between space, having conquered their demons but still struggling with the aftermath.
Overall, the song is about redemption and hope, about finding someone who can bring color back into your life after a period of darkness. The repeated line "there's no need for hesitation" speaks to the singer's anxiety about being accepted after their past, and the hopeful tone throughout the song suggests that their redemption has allowed them to find love and healing. The guitar playing in the background adds to the nostalgic, hopeful feel of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I just thought I'd tell you
I wanted to inform you
All the demons have been slain
I have overcome my inner demons
There's no need for hesitation
You don't need to be afraid
Honey I been rearranged
I have changed for the better
Now they've got me wonderin' what to do
My newfound clarity of mind has me questioning my next steps
Over blood red sentimental blues
Despite everything, I am still stuck in a melancholic mood
I heard it in the alleyway
I overheard something while in a dark and secluded place
You're strumming your guitar
You were playing a tune on your guitar
Though I could hardly see your face
I couldn't clearly make out your features
You'd got a mouth all full of stars
Your words seemed like a magical constellation
You better spit em out now
You need to communicate clearer and more honestly
For you'll only be as big as what you do
Your actions define your true self
I heard it in the garbage can
I listened in on a conversation held in a rubbish bin
In every piece of trash
Amongst all the filth and waste
You'd better color up my heart again
You should bring back the excitement and passion in my life
I'm afraid it's turning black
My heart is becoming dark and lifeless
There's no need for hesitation
You don't need to be afraid
I heard it in the toilet bowl
I overheard something being said in a disrespectful location
You're calling out my name
You are trying to get my attention
Contributed by Charlotte D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
bixumbi
This song is a masterpiece (bass line, vocal melodies). Glad I discovered it (thank you, Spotify) in 2021, but wish it had been a bit sooner!
shane sawyer
Same here!
Jeff White
Check out Page France if you haven’t heard them yet - amazing couple bands!
Adam Safir
Michael Nau is touring !
nolan wolfe
@Adam Safirin support of his album “Accompany” which arrives this December
Shez S
Im sad that I am only discovering this over 10 years later but I am so happy for this beautiful moment ✨
gillgumbgill
i wish the world could revolve around places like this song
Nicklas Knudsen
that's beatiful
bennoherz
this is one of the best songs i've ever heard. i love this album and this band!!!
Mike Campbell
helluva band. Wish I could get a copy of paranoid cocoon on vinyl. I also wish they still played together.