Deaf Havana was formed when the original members met at the King's Lynn campus of The College of West Anglia. The band's roots can, however, be traced back much further with Ryan Mellor, James Veck-Gilodi and Lee Wilson all attending Smithdon High School and playing together in various local scene bands. At college, these members were joined by Tom Ogden and Sebastian Spitz. This early lineup saw Veck-Gilodi singing and Mellor taking guitar and vocal duties. The name "Deaf Havana" came from former guitarist Sebastian Spitz, however the name itself has no literal meaning. The band wrote songs and a demo, White Lines But No Camera, was recorded in August 2006 at The Lodge, Northampton. The band toured this lineup until Chris Pennells replaced Spitz. Pennells was formerly a member of the band Something About Dave. Around the same time, Mellor handed over guitar parts to Veck-Gilodi, and took on the lead role.
In late 2006, the band began writing songs for their debut EP, entitled Evangeline. Two songs were roughly recorded, titled "The Smiles Were Forced" and "Where It Begins", which were uploaded onto the band's Myspace page. The EP was soon recorded, with "The Smiles Were Forced" being dropped from the EP's track listing. "Tell Me More Georgie Boy" is the only song from any previous release to make it onto Meet Me Halfway, at Least, and is now called "Another Day in This House".
Beginning in October 2007, the band began work on new songs, which eventually were released on It's Called the Easy Life. On 21 June 2008, the band announced signing a deal consisting of one EP and two albums with Wolf at Your Door Records owner Kevin 'Wolfie' Horak, as well as the recording date for said debut EP, now titled It's Called the Easy Life. The EP was eventually recorded by Jonny Renshaw from Devil Sold His Soul and was mixed by Matt O'Grady (You Me at Six, Architects) and released in October 2008. The EP received strong reviews from various musical publications, following which the band begin to receive some recognition.
On 25 May 2009, the band entered the studio to record their debut studio album, Meet Me Halfway, at Least, with producer Matt O'Grady. The album was released for pre-order from Wolf at Your Door Records on 7 September 2009, and was released on iTunes and shops on 5 October 2009. Two singles have been taken from this album. "Friends Like These" was released, with B-side "Hey Baby, This Is Our Song", on 17 August 2009, for digital download. A video was also released for this single. Their second single, "Nicotine and Alcohol Saved My Life" was released on 15 March 2010, also via digital download. The single contains a remix of "Friends Like These" by Essex band Kenai. Its music video was first shown on music channels and online from 22 February 2010.
In 2010, just prior to the mini tour with All Forgotten, the band announced that Mellor would not be embarking on these tours, due to personal circumstances, with Max d'Albiac from Brides replacing him. Mellor left the band on 10 May 2010, due to the same personal problems that caused him to pull out of 2010 tours. Deaf Havana decided to continue as a four piece and a replacement for Mellor was not sought.
The band began the follow-up to 2009's Meet Me Halfway, at Least in early 2010. They released a new demo track on Myspace and Facebook, entitled "My Life Is Average". On 13 August 2010, the band released a new demo track through their Facebook page entitled "Home Sweet Home".
On 20 May 2011, the band released the first song, called "The World or Nothing", from their untitled second album. The song was not released as a single, but the song is accompanied by a video made from footage taken at Hit The Deck Festival, directed by Jon Stone. The first single from the album was confirmed to be "I'm A Bore, Mostly" on 30 August 2011. It was played on BBC Radio 1 by Zane Lowe and the following week by Sara Cox. The title of the album, Fools and Worthless Liars was made public on 23 September 2011. Deaf Havana also released a music video for the single on 11 October 2011, which accumulated over 20,000 plays on the day of release. They then supported fellow British rockers You Me at Six on tour that month. Fools and Worthless Liars was released on 7 November 2011, coinciding with London Barfly and Norwich Arts Centre release gigs. The album peaked at number 1 on the UK Rock Album Chart.
The band re-recorded an alternative version of Fools and Worthless Liars which was released on 22 October 2012. The Fools and Worthless Liars Deluxe Edition album reached number 51 in the UK Albums Chart (reaching number 28 mid-week). Lead singer, James-Veck Gilodi, expressed his views about his personal influences in the Fools and Worthless Liars Deluxe Documentary saying that he "wanted to do something that was more musical interesting" and record something that was "truer" to the bands actual influences. After playing the St Pancras Station Festival, from which the band thought "went well" and was "thoroughly enjoyable", the band set about re-recording each song on Fools and Worthless Liars hoping to show off their musicianship that may not have come across on the album by using different instruments, sounds and genres.
In October 2012, Deaf Havana began composing new material to be featured on their third album. On 25 January 2013, the band announced that the writing process was complete and that they would enter the studio a week later. It was rumoured, during the highly successful An Evening With Deaf Havana - Unplugged that the new, yet currently unnamed, album would be released "around September". However, no precise date was set or confirmed at this point. It was later revealed in 2012 that the new album would be entitled Old Souls and was to be produced by Lee Batiuk. It was announced to be released on 16 September 2013. Moreover, the band created a feature-length documentary, entitled English Hearts, which was released as a CD/DVD combination on the deluxe version of Old Souls. The feature documented the history of the band, in their own words, and was directed by Jon Stone, a director who had previously filmed the band performing " The World or Nothing" at Hit the Deck Festival.
The band received several high-profile radio plays in the lead up to the album release whilst the band also aired several previews through social media such as Facebook and Twitter. The song "Boston Square" was premiered by Radio One DJ Zane Lowe as his Hottest Record in the World on 14 May 2013. This release which was accompanied with an interview with James Veck-Gilodi. The band coincidentally announced their first partnership with YouTube music video service Vevo, and released the corresponding video for "Boston Square". The band followed up the positive feedback by releasing the track "Speeding Cars" on 18 July 2013, and track which also received positive feedback. On 1 August 2013, the band released another track, entitled "Kings Road Ghosts", despite the band acknowledging "they might get into trouble" for releasing the track early. On 8 August 2013, the band were again invited Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show to premiere their new single "Mildred (Lost a Friend)" as the Hottest Record in the World. Matt Veck-Gilodi supplied the interview on the behalf of the band and was interviewed by Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, who was deputising for Zane Lowe.
Ahead of their UK tour in November 2015, Deaf Havana released the track "Cassiopeia" from their fourth album, which was originally set to be released in 2016.
In July 2016, the band released the single "Sing" and announced that their album would be released in early 2017 on So Recordings. During their set at Reading and Leeds 2016, the band announced that the album is titled All These Countless Nights and announced its release date as 27 January 2017. Shortly after their Reading and Leeds appearance, the band announced their first UK tour in over 2 years.
On 9 October, the second single from the album, "Trigger", premiered on BBC Radio 1 as Daniel P Carter's Rockest Record. The song had originally premiered in 2014 on the band's European tour, at which time the band had planned to record new material but were dropped from their record label, BMG.
Following their Top 5 album artist=Deaf Havana]All These Countless Nights, Rituals was written as a challenge taken up by James Veck-Gilodi (Vocals) & Phil Gornell (Producer) to subvert the band's writing process, and present songs representative of the band in present.
Rituals is the result of throwing out the 'Deaf Havana rulebook': first; James picked the song titles, second; he wrote the tracks that fit the theme of those titles, third; everything was written on the computer, then the band came in to play all the parts. Working like this felt backwards to James, who previously only written songs on his acoustic guitar, with continuous input from the rest of the band. They set themselves a deadline of April to finish writing, and if any of it was any good, they would make it available by August. No more waiting half a decade for people to finally hear new music.
A recurring theme on the album is one of struggle and redemption. The music is in turn with introspective and joyous, with help form the London Contemporary Voice Choir, who feature on five tracks. The band performed with the choir at their intimate show at London's Union Chapel for the War Child charity as part of the Brit Awards gigs.
The theme of redemption ties into the art the band have wrapped into the album cover, a series by the visual artist Wolf James entitled 'My Love Is Lethal (A personal series dedicated to Letting Go)'.
On 25 November 2021, the band released a statement that while they intended to break up in early 2020, instead James and Matthew will continue on as a duo, with Lee Wilson and Tom Ogden leaving the band.
The Present is a Foreign Land was announced on 21 January 2022 for a 15 July 2022 release; with the album's first single, "Going Clear", releasing the same day.
Cassiopeia
Deaf Havana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I was swallowing glass and inhaling smoke
I lost my mind in a haze of cobbled streets
And broken windows
I managed to get away
For a minute or two, to catch my breath
Just long enough to catch sight of a man
Sleeping silently in a photo booth
On the road where I caught a cab
Back through the heart of the tourist district
And into our rundown, rented pad
And I met a strange girl from Brazil
She made me laugh for an hour or two
And it took me back to the festival
Where I was sure that I was gonna go
But then I bought a beer from a nice bar lady
With the kindest eyes that I'd ever seen
She said "... take a water too honey
It's warm outside
We don't want you dying do we..."
Oh Berlin my love
I've got you underneath my skin
In the early hours of the morning
I can't help but let you in
Oh Berlin my love
I've got you underneath my skin
In the early hours of the morning
I can't help but let you in
I was there talking to you
About some of the shit they'd put you through
And I knew that this could be my chance
To get you closer
So I met you round the back
Away from the others
I was trying to fight off my brother
But I knew, I knew that you didn't have eyes for me...
Oh Berlin my love
I've got you underneath my skin
In the early hours of the morning
I can't help but let you in
Oh Berlin my love
I've got you underneath my skin
In the early hours of the morning
I can't help but let you in (let you in)
I've got a fire and it burns in me
It takes me back to the very day
I was with you there
I've got a fire (I've got a fire)
And I knew back then it was clear to see
That I was running scared
I've got a fire and it burns in me
It takes me back to the very day
I was with you there
When I was with you there
I've got a fire and it burns in me
And I knew back then it was clear to see
I've got a fire and it burns in me
And I was with you there
I've got a fire and it burns in me
It takes me back to the very day
I've got a fire and it burns in me
I've got a fire and it burns in me
It takes me back to the very day
I've got a fire and it burns in me
It takes me back to the very day
I was with you there
In Deaf Havana's song "Cassiopeia", the lyrics describe a night in Berlin that the singer can't forget. The song begins with the singer confessing that they "blacked out" the night before and woke up feeling like they had been "swallowing glass and inhaling smoke." Despite feeling like they had lost their mind, the singer managed to escape to catch their breath only to come across a man who seemed to be injured. The singer then returns to their rented apartment where they meet a girl from Brazil who makes them laugh, which reminds them of a festival they had planned to attend.
As the chorus repeats the refrain, "Oh Berlin my love, I've got you underneath my skin", it is revealed that the singer is haunted by this city and all the memories associated with it. The lyrics then shift to the singer's attempt to make a move on someone they were talking to, but they were rejected. Finally, the song ends with the repetition of the line "I've got a fire and it burns in me," which seems to symbolize the singer's passionate attachment to the city of Berlin and the experiences they had while there.
This song truly captures the atmosphere and the feeling of being in a foreign city and the powerful memories it can create. The experiences described in the song are relatable to anyone who has traveled and had an unforgettable night that stays with them long after they have left.
Line by Line Meaning
I blacked out 'til the morning broke
I lost awareness until dawn broke
And I was swallowing glass and inhaling smoke
I was consuming dangerous substances
I lost my mind in a haze of cobbled streets
I experienced confusion and disorientation in the unfamiliar surroundings
And broken windows
Indicating chaos and destruction in the area
I managed to get away
I found a temporary escape or relief from the situation
For a minute or two, to catch my breath
A brief rest to collect oneself
Just long enough to catch sight of a man
Briefly saw a wounded man
With a broken nose and a bandaged leg
Hurt or injured in some way
Sleeping silently in a photo booth
Unconscious within a photo booth
On the road where I caught a cab
Referring to the street where the taxi was hailed
Back through the heart of the tourist district
Re-entering the area popular with travelers
And into our rundown, rented pad
Returning to their poor and leased living space
And I met a strange girl from Brazil
Encountering an unfamiliar woman from Brazil
She made me laugh for an hour or two
Shared a pleasant lighthearted time with her
And it took me back to the festival
Reminded of the enjoyable time spent at a previous festival
Where I was sure that I was gonna go
Planned to attend the festival again in the future
But then I bought a beer from a nice bar lady
Purchased a drink from a friendly female bartender
With the kindest eyes that I'd ever seen
Describing the bartender's friendly and caring demeanor
She said "... take a water too honey
Offered to get the customer water as well
It's warm outside
Outdoor temperature is warm
We don't want you dying do we..."
Expressed genuine concern for the customer's well-being
Oh Berlin my love
Addressing the city of Berlin with affection
I've got you underneath my skin
Feelings of attachment or connection to the city
In the early hours of the morning
During the start of a new day
I can't help but let you in
The city has a powerful influence or hold on the singer
I was there talking to you
Communicating with someone in the past
About some of the shit they'd put you through
Discussing negative experiences that the person endured
And I knew that this could be my chance
Opportunity presented itself to the artist
To get you closer
Trying to establish a closer connection or relationship
So I met you round the back
Arranged to see the person in a secluded location
Away from the others
Avoiding being seen by others
I was trying to fight off my brother
Facing opposition from family or someone close
But I knew, I knew that you didn't have eyes for me...
Realized that the person did not reciprocate the artist's feelings or intentions
I've got a fire and it burns in me
Emotions or determination inside the artist
And I knew back then it was clear to see
Have always been aware of something
That I was running scared
Experiencing feelings of being frightened or intimidated
It takes me back to the very day
Something reminds the singer of a specific moment in time
When I was with you there
Referencing the time spent together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAMES VECK-GILODI, LEE WILLIAM WILSON, MATTHEW VECK-GILODI, MAX BRITTON, THOMAS OGDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Petr Boska Nylander
The most epic song I have heard at live show. Their intro and then transition into the song is simply amazing and gave me shivers all over the body.
Sam Parsons
You guys just keep on getting better and better. This definitely has a Nicotene and Alcohol feel to it. Can't wait for the rest of the album!
Yoni
Their two best songs
M C
They have a lot of good tracks but I think this is their best yet. Great melody, well performed and the lyrics really tell a story.
SonPan96
You guys deserve to be more famous. Brilliant stuff.
Paul Ockenden
Deaf Havana constantly amaze me with their reinvention of their sound exploring various genres with epic conclusions yet all the time retaining the magic chemistry they have as a band.
Abi Askew
whatever direction deaf havana choose to go, I can't help but love it. all the music they create is just fantastic
SofiaMolko
Speechless. I'm so proud of you, you guys never stop to amaze me
Juanita Gaitan
the people that dislike this have no taste in music. this song is so amazing, have a lot of smiles all around in and I love it 💕
Thomas Bliss
One of the best songs ever written, love this band 🤘