The band originated in the early 1990s as One Fell Swoop, but changed their name to Dispatch in 1996. Chad Urmston, Braddigan, and Pete (Francis) Heimbold, who were all attending Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont comprised the band's lineup throughout their entire career. Their music has drawn on several influences, such as acoustic folk-rock, reggae, and funk.
Dispatch gained much recognition outside of New England, without any help from a label, and stuck together long enough to release seven albums, three of which were live performances. During concerts, the band had been known to improvise upon their album releases, often resulting in a song ending in twice the length of the original. The group was also fond of switching instruments and vocal duties when playing live.
Upon the announcement of its break-up in 2002, the band scheduled one final concert. The free show was performed at the Hatch Shell in Boston on July 31, 2004. "The Last Dispatch," as it was referred, is said to be the largest concert in independent music history; roughly 110,000 fans from over 20 different countries attended the show. Parts of the performance were released as a CD/DVD two-disc set later that year, entitled All Points Bulletin, along with an earlier show in Somerville, Massachusetts.
All three of the band's members are currently still in the music industry. Urmston is now the frontman of State Radio, while Corrigan (now credited as Braddigan, a nickname by which he was known since his time with Dispatch) and Heimbold (now credited as Pete Francis, his middle name) are succesfully pursuing solo efforts.
After the song Elias, written by Urmston after his experience living and teaching in Zimbabwe, the "Elias Fund" was formed to send children from the ravaged country to college.
Dispatch came out with a movie entitled "Last Dispatch" in July 2005, which documents their final 12 days together as a band and tells the story of how they became "the band that redefined independent music history". The film was released and previewed in Boston. Chad, Brad, and Pete attended the showing and celebrated throughout the weekend with their fans.
On December 22, 2005, Corrigan helped to organize a benefit concert, known as the Relief Project, at Irving Plaza in New York, New York. Along with several other performers, Corrigan invited Heimbold and State Radio to play. The three reunited very briefly, playing the song Here We Go as an encore. Corrigan stated there that he plans further Relief Project concerts featuring all three and perhaps sometime in 2007, a major Dispatch reunion concert.
Entitled "Dispatch: Zimbabwe", Dispatch arranged for one show in Madison Square Garden, with all the money sent towards relief efforts in Zimbabwe. Originally billed as a one show deal on July 14, Dispatch was surprised how quickly this first show sold out and set two more shows for the 13 and 15. After all three shows sold out, Dispatch announced another smaller show on July 11th at Webster Hall in New York, where they made their comeback debut to great success.
Dispatch had a second set of reunion concerts beginning at Red Rocks amphitheater in Denver, Colorado on June 3, 4, and 5th, 2011. These performances launched a reunion tour around the US and the release of their Dispatch EP on May 17th.
In 2017, the band released the song, "Only The Wild Ones" from their album, America, Location 12.
Begin Again
Dispatch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That comes from down below
The street sweepers clean St Augustine
And tired they head for home
You can begin again
Honey you can begin again
She sways in the hall above
Combing the room for a piece of the moon
She braces against the wall
Night after night with the sound and the light
She sings and whispers please
Day after day he lies in the way
Of his life that was meant to be
You can begin again
Honey you can begin again
You can begin again
Honey you can begin again
She breaks into his dreams
And finds his colors on the floor
Says don’t you disappear
Stay awake my dear
You can begin again
Honey you can begin again
You can begin again
Honey you can begin again
The lyrics of Dispatch's song "Begin Again" paint a vivid picture of a night-time scene in a city, with the street sweepers cleaning the streets of St. Augustine and heading home tired. The repetition of "night after night with the sound and the light" sets a contemplative tone, emphasizing the cyclical nature of routines and the passing of time. The imagery of the street sweepers cleaning and heading home suggests a sense of completion and closure at the end of the night, ready to begin anew the next day.
The lyrics then shift focus to a woman holding it all with her hat and shawl, swaying in a hall above. She is depicted as searching for a piece of the moon, symbolizing a desire for something ethereal and out of reach. As she braces against the wall, there is a sense of longing and determination in her actions. This character seems to be on the brink of a new beginning, perhaps seeking a fresh start or a change in her life.
The repeated refrain "You can begin again, Honey you can begin again" serves as a reassuring message of hope and possibility in the face of challenges or setbacks. This affirmation of the power to start anew is uplifting and empowering, offering a sense of resilience and optimism. The mention of singing and whispering "please" adds a sense of vulnerability and plea for a new beginning, highlighting the emotional depth behind the desire for a fresh start.
The bridge of the song introduces a relationship dynamic, as a woman breaks into a man's dreams and encourages him not to disappear, urging him to stay awake. The imagery of finding his colors on the floor suggests a sense of rediscovery and revelation, as if uncovering hidden aspects of oneself. The message to stay awake and not disappear can be interpreted as a call to stay present and engaged in one's life, not to give up or lose oneself. Ultimately, the song's message of beginning again resonates as a reminder of the endless possibilities for renewal and transformation, offering hope and encouragement to embrace new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
Night after night with the sound and the light
Continuously facing the noise and brightness
That comes from down below
Originating from below
The street sweepers clean St Augustine
Workers cleaning the town
And tired they head for home
Feeling exhausted as they go back to their homes
Holding it all with her hat and her shawl
Managing everything with her accessories
She sways in the hall above
Moving gently in the upper hallway
Combing the room for a piece of the moon
Searching for something magical in the room
She braces against the wall
Leaning against the wall for support
She sings and whispers please
Softly pleading as she sings
Day after day he lies in the way
Repeatedly blocking his own path
Of his life that was meant to be
Of the life he was intended to have
She breaks into his dreams
Entering his thoughts without permission
And finds his colors on the floor
Discovering his true self on the ground
Says don’t you disappear
Warns him not to fade away
Stay awake my dear
Reminding him to remain conscious
You can begin again
You have the opportunity to start over
Honey you can begin again
My dear, you can start fresh
You can begin again
You have the chance to reset
Honey you can begin again
My dear, you can have a new beginning
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bradley Corrigan, Chad Urmston, Peter Heimbold
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DISPATCH
We've got a new song to share with you....
It’s called “Begin Again,” and it’s one of the first songs we can demoed for America, Location 12. This track felt immediate to the three of us. Partly because of the music, and also because the message is such a universal truth — that every day we need to be reminded that there’s hope and room to begin again. That we can have a second chance in life.
“Begin Again” was also written with a few friends in mind who have gone through more in the last year than most do in a lifetime — like our friend Bennett D’Agostino, a 7 year old who has shown more courage in the face of illness than one could possibly imagine. We salute those who fight their struggles with such tender love and heels-dug-in tenacity.
Musically we love the charango in the verses and the mariachi trumpet during the outtro. We can't wait for you to hear this one. If you pre-ordered the album from us, you should have the MP3 in your inbox, but you can also stream and download it everywhere.
DISPATCH
This track felt immediate to the three of us. Partly because the music, and also because the message is such a universal truth — that every day we need to be reminded that there’s hope and room to begin again. That we can have a second chance in life.
“Begin Again” was also written with a few friends in mind who have gone through more in the last year than most do in a lifetime — like our friend Bennett D’Agostino, a 7 year old who has shown more courage in the face of illness than one could possibly imagine. We salute those who fight their struggles with such tender love and heels-dug-in tenacity.
Mridul Jawahar
k.
De Ath Met Al Hell
kiss my ass bitch
Mae B.
Truth. Just recently discovered Dispatch. Excellent ☺
Ryan
Can't WAIT to see you guys at Red Rocks in June! Reppin' Boston all the
way :] I also can't remember the last time I was so excited for a live
show... Keep up the great work fellas!
Mridul Jawahar
This might just be your best album yet. Can't wait for June 2nd 😁.
Robert Jordan
Everything in this album just feels so personal. Thank you Dispatch for what you are doing here. I know you may not read this, but your music has had a tremendous impact on my life and I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude. Keep tearing it up boys!
wosnwo
I think this song can definitely begin again
The Helpful Consumers
Can not wait to see Chad and the boys at the Red Rocks next month. Your music inspires me to keep moving in this dark world we live in.