The ‘Circles’ EP (June 2008) received radio support from the likes of Zane Lowe, Rob da Bank (Radio 1), Mark Radcliffe (Radio 2) and John Kennedy (Xfm), and was featured as experimental Single Of The Month in Mixmag.
Debut album ‘Miracle Kicker’ (October 2008) was co-produced by Robin Proper-Sheppard (The God Machine, Sophia) and showcased the band’s penchant for spine-tingling harmonies, electronic drones, gently picked folksy guitar and huge psychedelic endings.
‘Jealous Enemies’ (September 2008) was Single Of The Week on Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie’s Radio 2 show, and Download of The Week on US iTunes, garnering a fair few sales stateside. ‘Miracle Kicker’ placed at #33 in The Guardian’s Top 50 albums of 2008.
2009 saw more UK touring and a remix EP which featured blissed-out reworkings of ‘Miracle Kicker’ tracks from the likes of US electronic legend Hatchback. In September 2009 the band embarked on a short but successful tour of Germany and Austria in support of Robin Proper-Sheppard’s Sophia. ‘Mid-Session Interval’, the b-side to the original ‘Jealous Enemies’ single release, was also heard soundtracking a Royal Bank of Scotland TV advert.
The band have spent most of 2010 shutting themselves away and working on album number two. Expect gigs and plenty of new material from January 2011 onwards.
Selected press quotes...
'There are countless acts out there weaving folk tinged melodies and circling acoustic guitars with electronic chimes and beats but you'll have to go a long way to hear it done with this level of emotion and originality or with such delicate vocal harmonies'. MixMag (‘Circles’ alt./experimental Single of the Month 6/08)
'Underneath the menace of the bleak (but very tuneful) acoustic guitar/laptop/trumpet battles lurks Dan Carney's occasionally weary tales of quite but definite personal hysteria, all told in a sweet estuary twang...a charming record and one liable to sting you if you're not paying attention'. The Fly Magazine
'A sweetness infuses every song as the vocal harmonies blend over the crisp, acoustic=electric arrangements' Plan B
' ...boasting tuneful acoustic guitar melodies and subtle yet effective trademarked wisping vocals...when you play this CD you often forget it;s actually on but when it finishes one feels slightly alone and you have to put it on again..' Clash Magazine (‘Miracle Kicker’ album of the month 10/08)
'Like a rustic Air adrift in a haze of woozy acoustica, DCLC's debut washes over the listener, the Wicker Man-style soundscapes smothered by multilayered harmonies that sigh with vague unease' Q Magazine
'Nu-folk wannabes are clogging up our arteries at the moment but you can't switch off and miss a gem like this. DCLC specialise in acidy, harmony-drenched acoustics. Lilting like Simon & Garfunkel over ominous guitar picks and swooning strings, it's a delicious face-off between dark and light. If an album's worth of psych-pop-folk meandering sounds too much, just listen to Questions... and beg for more later'. Teletext
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Circles
Dark Captain Light Captain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You’re always round in circles
It’s just no good
You always know
You’re always round in circles
It’s just no good
Understand
It’s just too long
Eyes go wide
They’ll see your fires extinguished
They’ll sing their song
You should be strong
But you’re always round in circles
The lyrics to Dark Captain Light Captain's song "Circles" are about feeling trapped in a cycle of unfulfilling behavior or thoughts. The repeated refrain of "round in circles" creates a sense of frustration and helplessness. The singer recognizes that their actions are not productive or helpful, but they cannot seem to break free from this pattern. There is a sense of urgency in the lines "Can't wait until tomorrow, it's just too long" and a fear of being judged or criticized by others in the line "They'll see your fires extinguished, they'll sing their song".
Overall, the song is a commentary on the difficulty of breaking free from negative thought patterns or behaviors that seem to trap us in circles. It speaks to the frustration we feel when we know we need to change, but can't seem to find the will or the strength to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold your tongue
Stop talking and think about the situation calmly.
You’re always round in circles
You keep doing the same things over and over again without making progress.
It’s just no good
This kind of behavior won't lead you anywhere.
You always know
You are aware of what you are doing, but you can't break the cycle.
Understand
Grasp the meaning of what is happening and take action to change it.
Can’t wait until tomorrow
This situation needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
It’s just too long
The wait is unbearable and it's time to take action.
Eyes go wide
People will be shocked by the outcome of your actions.
They’ll see your fires extinguished
The passion that once fueled you will die out.
They’ll sing their song
Others will judge you for your actions and decisions.
You should be strong
You have the strength within you to break the cycle and make a change.
But you’re always round in circles
Despite knowing what needs to be done, you can't seem to make progress and fall back into old habits.
Contributed by Scarlett Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.