Early 1990s
In the early 1990s, the band established a cult following through relentless touring with weekly stops at Virginia clubs known as Trax and Floodzone, an active taping community, and an independent LP, Remember Two Things. (Keyboardist Griesar left the band in 1993, shortly before the release of "Remember Two Things".) After signing to RCA Records, Dave Matthews Band, under the direction of producer Steve Lillywhite, released Under the Table and Dreaming in 1994, a critical and popular smash that firmly established the band's style of pop-rock with improvisational leanings. Under the Table and Dreaming would be the first of three albums released under Lillywhite's direction. This was followed by Crash (1996). For most of America, Crash was the record that put the Dave Matthews Band on the map. Featuring the hit single "Crash Into Me", as well as fan-favorites such as "Two Step", "Tripping Billies", and the Grammy-winning "So Much to Say", Crash would go on to be the band's best selling album.
The Mercy Songfacts reports that Lillywhite lent his skills to their 2012 album Away From The World. Lillywhite hadn't worked with the band since a series of unreleased recordings in 2000, which led to the leaked Lillywhite Sessions.
History
David John Matthews was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1967. Two years later, his family moved to Westchester County, NY. His father was a physicist and worked for IBM at the time. He has two sisters (Anne and Jane) and a brother (Peter). After living in New York, his family moved to Cambridge, England in the early '70s. The family returned to New York where his father died in 1977. In 1980, the family moved to South Africa where the young Matthews went to several schools and "got more wise about the evils of government, there and in general." He first played at a club in Charlottesville (Miller's) where he worked as a bartender. He admitted to Playboy magazine that he was really never that good at bartending, but loved getting customers...well..."drunk as hell!" He was first discovered in a demo tape that he recorded with a couple of current band members. This all came about when he decided to put together a demo tape and decided that he needed some musical accompaniment; which ended up as the Dave Matthews Band. In 1994, his sister Anne died in a domestic tragedy at her home in South Africa. The Grammy nominated album "Under The Table and Dreaming" is dedicated to her.
Community
Dave Matthews Band is highly involved in giving a helping hand. In 2003, the Band held a concert entitled, "The Central Park Concert" which was held in New York City's Central Park. The concert helped New York City Public Schools, the band is a big supporter of education.
The band also held a concert that helped victims of Katrina.
Sadly, Leroi Moore passed away in 2008. After being seriously injured in an ATV accident in Virginia, Moore succumbed to his injuries on August 19, 2008. He was replaced by Jeff Coffin, famous for his work with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.
Excerpt taken from Wikipedia.org -- the rest of this article can be found at:
Wikipedia
Official site: www.dmband.com
Diggin A Ditch
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're alone
Unplug the tv
Turn off your phone
Get heavy on with digging your ditch
Cause I'm diggin a ditch
Black as coal
My soul
Digging a ditch
Where madness gives
Oh digging a ditch
Where silence lives in it
And where all these worries
Weigh down on me will rise
Where all these troubles
That weigh heavy on our hearts
Will die
Will die
Will die
Run to your dreaming when your alone
Turn off the tv
And unplug your phone
Get heavy on with digging your ditch
Cause I'm
Digging a ditch
Where madness gives a bit
Digging a ditch
Where silence lives in it
Digging a ditch
When I'm through
Oh digging this ditch
I dig in for you
Where all these worries
That weigh down on me
Will die
Will die
Will die
Run to your dreaming
When your alone
Turn off the tv
Turn off your phone
Get heavy on with
Digging your ditch
The lyrics of Dave Matthews Band's song Diggin A Ditch, illustrate the idea of isolation, introspection, and self-reflection. This song encourages people to disconnect from their routine lives and dive into their dreams, to disconnect from technology and external distractions, and to dig deep into oneself, facing whatever troubles or problems may be present. It is a call to self-awareness, a celebration of the power of solitude, and an encouragement to take control of oneself.
Furthermore, the song alludes to the idea of creating a physical trench or ditch, as a metaphor for self-reflection. The act of digging a ditch implies hard work, dedication, and a willingness to create a change in one's life. The metaphorical ditch is a space of introspection and silence, where one can confront and overcome their fears, doubts, and struggles.
Overall, this song is an affirmation of the importance of self-examination and introspection, and a suggestion to take the time to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Run to your dreaming
Escape to your deep desires and aspirations
When you're alone
In a time when you are in solitude and disconnected from the outside world
Unplug the tv
Disconnect from the external sources of entertainment and distraction
Turn off your phone
Disconnect from the external sources of communication and disturbance
Get heavy on with digging your ditch
Immerse yourself in the process of introspection and self-discovery
Cause I'm diggin a ditch
I am in the process of excavating and exploring my inner self
Black as coal
Dark and intense, like the depths of one's innermost self
Digging a ditch
Continuing the process of introspection and self-discovery
My soul
Referring to the essence of one's being and identity
Where madness gives
The place where one confronts and comes to terms with their inner demons and chaos
Where silence lives in it
The place where one finds inner peace and stillness amidst the chaos of life
And where all these worries
Referring to the various sources of anxiety, fear and insecurity
Weigh down on me will rise
Will be resolved and overcome as I delve deeper into the process of self-discovery
Where all these troubles
Referring to the obstacles and challenges that prevent one from finding inner peace
That weigh heavy on our hearts
That cause emotional distress and pain
Will die
Will be resolved and eliminated through the process of introspection and self-discovery
Will die
Will be resolved and eliminated through the process of introspection and self-discovery
Will die
Will be resolved and eliminated through the process of introspection and self-discovery
When I'm through
Referring to the completion of the process of introspection and self-discovery
Oh digging this ditch
Enthusiastically embracing the process of introspection and self-discovery
I dig in for you
Finding inner peace and strength for oneself and for others
Contributed by Bailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.