In addition to playing in several other projects, including Predator Vision and the Parasails, Mondanile released a split with Dracula Lewis in 2010, before releasing Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics in 2011. The album took a more bare-bones approach, and marked a notable change in style for Ducktails. By the time 2013's The Flower Lane arrived on Domino Recordings, Mondanile had moved even further away from his bedroom beginnings, recording more traditional mellow pop with a full band. A five-song EP, Wish Hotel, arrived later that year, retaining the same sophisticated style as the album that preceded it, as did 2015's full-length St. Catherine. With producer Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck) bringing a touch of warmth and clarity to Mondanile's sincere psychedelic tunes, the album also featured guest appearances by fellow experimental indie artists James Ferraro and Julia Holter.
The lead guitarist parted ways with Real Estate in 2016 before Ducktails' Jersey Devil arrived a year later on Mondanile's own New Images label. Started in Los Angeles but finished after moving back to his hometown of Ridgewood, its collaborators included co-producer John Anderson (Girls, Nick Waterhouse) and Parasol's Chi Yoon Hae, who flew in from South Korea to cover bass.
Biography by Nate Knaebel
Letter of Intent
Ducktails Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold on? on my
Find my legend I believe,
Dreams are certain tear
Dreams that aren't certainty
Now the times in New York City
? every girl.
Kiss the scars of who I am
Oh oh, hand in the hand, I'd walk with you
you walk with me
Hand in hand with me.
Concrete fantasy
(letter of intent).
Follow you, you follow me
To the dark and we'll see
Swing with you, you swing with me
Til our hearts contempt.
Follow you, you follow me
To the dark and we'll see
Swing with you, you swing with me
Letter of intent.
Tell the moon to light the night,
Waiting just outside the window.
? time to change your mind
take it all across the tock.
When you're walking next to me
Seemed it's like make believe,
Smiling in the gallery
All our thoughts seemed fantasy.
Oh oh, hand in hand,
I'd walk with you, you would walk with me.
Walking hand in hand
Concrete fantasy.
Follow you, you follow me
To the dark and we'll see
Swing with you, you swing with me
Til our hearts contempt.
(we'll see).
Follow you, you follow me
To the dark and we'll see
Swing with you, you swing with me
Letter of intent.
Follow you, you follow me
To the dark and we'll see
Swing with you, you swing with me
Til our hearts contempt.
Follow you, you follow me
To the dark and we'll see
Swing with you, you swing with me
Letter of intent.
The Ducktails' song "Letter of Intent" seems to be a love letter of some sort. It talks about walking hand in hand with someone and swinging with them while their hearts are contempt, which suggests that they have found solace and comfort in each other's company. The lyrics mention a gallery, concerts, and dreams. The gallery and concerts suggest that they might have met at an event or through mutual interests, while the dreams could mean that they share similar ambitions, hopes, and aspirations. The phrase "concrete fantasy" suggests that they are living in a place that is both real and imaginary, perhaps in New York City, and that they are trying to make the most of their time there. The phrase "letter of intent" indicates that they are willing to commit to each other and that they are serious about their relationship.
The song's chorus shows that they are willing to follow each other, swing with each other, and see each other in the dark. It suggests that they are willing to go through difficult times together and that they trust each other completely. The phrase "tell the moon to light the night" suggests that they are willing to do whatever it takes to be together, even if it means asking for the impossible. The phrase "take it all across the tock" suggests that they are willing to go the distance and that they believe that their love is worth it.
Overall, the lyrics of "Letter of Intent" by Ducktails suggest a deep and meaningful connection between two people who are willing to commit to each other and who share a life in New York City, which they see as a concrete fantasy.
Line by Line Meaning
Smiling in the gallery,
I am happy and content in this art exhibition
Hold on? on my
I am not quite sure what is happening around me
Find my legend I believe,
I am searching for my own unique story that I can believe in
Dreams are certain tear
Even though dreams are unpredictable and can cause pain, I still believe in them
Dreams that aren't certainty
I recognize that not all dreams will come true
Now the times in New York City
Currently I am in New York City
? every girl.
I am surrounded by many women
Kiss the scars of who I am
I am accepting and embracing my flaws and past experiences
? we held.
We have shared intimate experiences together
Oh oh, hand in the hand, I'd walk with you
I am willing to hold your hand and walk with you
you walk with me
I hope that you will also hold my hand and walk with me
Hand in hand with me.
Let's hold hands together
Concrete fantasy
Our dreams and plans seem real and solid, yet they may not be achievable
(letter of intent).
This is a formal expression of our intentions and desires
Follow you, you follow me
We are willing to support and follow each other
To the dark and we'll see
Together we will face the unknown future
Swing with you, you swing with me
We will move together in harmony
Til our hearts contempt.
Until we are completely satisfied
Tell the moon to light the night,
In an ideal world, even the night could be brightened
Waiting just outside the window.
Something good is waiting, just within reach
? time to change your mind
There is still an opportunity to rethink things
take it all across the tock.
Let's seize this moment and make the most of it
When you're walking next to me
When we are together
Seemed it's like make believe,
It almost feels like we are living in a fairy tale
All our thoughts seemed fantasy.
All of our hopes and dreams feel like they are too good to be true
Contributed by Andrew Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Sainttmargaery
Spying in the gallery
Overnight in suits of armor
From my bedroom balcony
Dreams never a certainty
No guitars in New York City
Stepping out of every cab
Kiss Picasso, Woody Allen
Make the best of what we have
Oh I, I will walk with you
And you will walk with me
Walking hand in hand
(Letter of intent)
In concrete fantasy
Follow you, you follow me
To the top and then we'll see
Swing with you, you swing with me
Til our heart's content
Follow you, you follow me
To the top and then we'll see
Swing with you, you swing with me
Letter of intent
Will the moon come out tonight?
Waiting just outside the window
Skip the time to change your mind
Take a tour across the rooftop
When you're walking next to me
Seems just like it's make believe
Spying in the gallery
An unforeseen fantasy
@Ninoish
one of the greatest indie songs of all time
@OrdnanceTV
First heard this back in 2013 going through a terrible breakup. Now Im 30 and this song sounds even better than it did before. Lovely tune. First time seeing the video. This is one of those YT comments that goes nowhere, like the ones old men in their 50s leave on welding videos.
@SynesthesiaMaster
I was 23-ish too when I heard this lovely song for the first time back in 2013. It does really capture all the feelings I was throught back then.
Timeless classic and in our thirties it resonates even better.
@OrdnanceTV
@@SynesthesiaMaster One-hundred percent.
@jacktravers5049
50's won't feel so old to you in a couple years :P
@donefinished
I was 20 in 2013. I found it on an indie Playlist. Always loved it. Esp the play ground chant keyboard Riff.
@evnsrm
5 years later this is still an absolute gem
@fire_n_ice1984
Bumped into this song years ago. Glad I did. Love every song from them, but this one takes the cake. Wish more bands had this kind of ability (maybe not).
@alphacentauri8083
They all look like Developers for Microsoft cloud services as opposed to musicians.
@TuesdayBlueSkies
One of my favourites - this song grew on me , now it has a hold on me 💕 it feels like stepping in your own body and feeling everything again for the first time 🤩