Dionysia was a Boston-based indie/alt-rock band active between 2010 and ear… Read Full Bio ↴Dionysia was a Boston-based indie/alt-rock band active between 2010 and early 2020. The group, which started playing together in high school, consisted of Garret Brown on guitar and vocals; Julien Vandal on keyboard, sax, and vocals; Josh Weirs on bass and cello; and Alex Myers on drums/percussion. In a 2019 radio interview with WERS (Boston's UnCommon Radio), the group stated that they originally wanted to name the band "Dionysus," but had to change it over copyright concerns and brand recognition. Instead, the band settled on "Dionysia," naming the band after the ancient Athens arts and wine festival that worshipped Dionysus.

According to Dionysia's about page on Spotify, the band's 2014 debut album "Antics" gained worldwide attention for the song "Carried Away." This album was highly praised for its unique, eclectic sound and genuine songwriting, and they capitalized off of the positive attention with their short 2016 EP entitled "The Breach." These two releases generated a loyal fanbase, allowing them to sell out five consecutive shows in Boston between 2018 and 2019.

In 2019, Dionysia released their second full-length album "Catalyze," which gained attention from media outlets such as NPR. The success of this album earned the band two Boston Music Award Nominations, including "Unsigned Artist of the Year" and "Alt-Indie Artist of the Year." Their debut show of the album at The Sinclair in Boston sold out over six weeks in advance. The band planned to tour multiple American cities in 2020, but the dates of various ticket websites suggest that their last show was in Portland, OR, in March of 2020-- indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic may have forced the early end of the tour.

Although Dionysia's website no longer exists, Instagram posts from individual members indicate that Dionysia may have split to explore different ventures.

Aura
Dionysia Lyrics

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You caught my eye in a crowded room
Bright spark in the dark you lit my fumes
I caught you looking back
I saw a smile crack
And for a moment
Thought I might have a heart attack
Your aura took me over

These times come
And they go
The moment's fleeting I know
Would you say yes
Or would you say no
Please understand me
Please understand me

I wanna know right now
Can you feel my heart
Or are you a liar
I wanna know right now
If you had the chance
Would you throw me to the fire
Throw me to the fire

Infatuation grows
As you take off your clothes
But somehow I'm the one
Feeling like I'm exposed
You've stripped me of my armor

These times come
And they go
The moment's fleeting I know
Would you say yes
Or would you say no
Please understand me
Please understand me

I wanna know right now
Can you feel my heart
Or are you a liar
I wanna know right now
If you had the chance
Would you throw me to the fire

I wanna know right now
Can you feel my heart
Or are you a liar
I wanna know right now
If you had the chance
Would you throw me to the fire
Throw me to the fire

I wanna know right now
Can you feel my heart
Or are you a liar
I wanna know right now
If you had the chance
Would you throw me to the fire

I wanna know right now
I wanna know right now
I wanna know right now

If you had the chance
Would you throw me to the fire

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dionysia's song "Aura" depict the emotions of falling for someone at first sight, and the uncertainty that comes with it. The singer's attention is caught by a person in a crowded room, someone who stands out and draws them in. The attraction is mutual as the two share a smile, which almost causes the singer's heart to stop. The person's aura seems to engulf and hypnotize the singer, making them seek answers to questions that may never be answered. The lyrics express the fear of rejection or betrayal, as the singer experiences emotional exposure and vulnerability.

The lyrics also represent a questioning of one's intuition and feelings, as the singer asks the object of their affection if they are truly feeling the same way or are simply pretending. The fear of being thrown into the fire signifies the fear of being taken advantage of and being hurt in the process of taking a chance on someone. The chorus repeats itself, emphasizing that the singer wants to know the truth, and whether or not the other person is worth the risk of giving in to infatuation.

Line by Line Meaning

You caught my eye in a crowded room
I noticed you amongst a group of people in a busy space

Bright spark in the dark you lit my fumes
Even in a dark and overwhelming room, you stood out and caught my attention

I caught you looking back
I noticed that you had also been glancing at me

I saw a smile crack
I witnessed a small, subtle smile form on your face when you looked at me

And for a moment, thought I might have a heart attack
Your smile and presence caused my heart to race with excitement and anticipation

Your aura took me over
There was something about your presence that captivated me and drew me in

These times come And they go The moment's fleeting I know
I understand that these feelings are temporary and can pass quickly

Would you say yes Or would you say no Please understand me Please understand me
I am hoping for a clear answer from you and I hope you can understand my feelings

I wanna know right now Can you feel my heart Or are you a liar
I am curious to know if you have a similar attraction to me or if you're just pretending

If you had the chance Would you throw me to the fire Throw me to the fire
If given the opportunity, would you betray me or cause me harm?

Infatuation grows As you take off your clothes But somehow I'm the one Feeling like I'm exposed You've stripped me of my armor
My attraction to you intensifies as things progress physically, but I also feel vulnerable and exposed in a way that is uncomfortable for me

Writer(s): Jean Julien Vandal, Garrett James Brown, Alex Richard Myers, Joshua W Weirs

Contributed by Josiah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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