But when the group trimmed down to five members in 2012, they named the band after Trevino’s house on Duncan Lane and started in a new direction. With the name change, they focused their sound into the expressive indie rock they play today.
Duncan Fellows’ first two EPs track their growth from folky troubadours to indie rockers. “Twelve Months Older” (2013) is five songs of folk rock goodness. Standout tracks like “Arrow” showcase Harman and multi-instrumentalist Margot Stevenson’s natural harmony, while “Stolen Black Cars” speaks like a Springsteen ballad about growing up and getting out. Filled with the energy and fear of young love, blurred highway lines and unknown destinations, this acoustic guitar tune is beautiful in its simplicity.
Deeper and more rock than their previous effort, “Marrow” (2015) expands Duncan Fellows’ sound with early Smashing Pumpkins fuzz and Kings of Leon leads. “Saints” tells a story of growth and discovery, while “New Skins’” upbeat drum brush rhythms, sparse electric guitars and group harmonies float and sparkle. Even with only six songs, “Marrow” is full of variety and range.
Tentatively due for release this summer, Duncan Fellows’ first LP is the next evolution in the band’s sound. Thanks to fan feedback and personal taste, Harman promises the album will be more upbeat and driving than previous records.
“I feel like a lot of the stuff that has influenced us has been the live show setting,” Harman shared. “The more we played, the more we figured out what people liked and what we liked. We also bought electronic instruments, which helps.”
Judging from their live show, they’ve used those fancy electronics well. The newer songs in the set were peppered with electric drum beats, trumpets and huge, room-filling codas. Even the quieter, more contemplative tunes commanded the chatty crowd’s attention.
Cul de Sac
Duncan Fellows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So you chuck it up, to a bad night (?)
You never really wanted to try
Too hard for two times (?)
Even though you started just fine
It's hard to keep yourself in line
You never really wanted this life
You're just what I need
Oh I just wanted you to see it for yourself, my dear
I know we just started here
I just wanted all or nothing
I just wanted you to see it for yourself, my dear
I know we just started here
We never really wanted this life
Tangled up in blue, by your bedside (?)
Well if we really wanted to try
We could run away, book it through the night
We could go as far as you'd like
And I'd drive and we might
Get a little lost in the back, right (?)
You're just what I need
Oh i just wanted you to see it for yourself, my dear
I know we just started here
I just wanted all or nothing
I just wanted you to see it for yourself, my dear
I know we just started here
The song "Cul De Sac" by Duncan Fellows reflects the emotions and thoughts of a person who is dissatisfied with their current life. In the first verse of the song, they express that they never really wanted the life they are currently living and they may blame it on a "bad night." The lyrics suggest that despite their initial enthusiasm and energy at the beginning, it's difficult for them to maintain discipline and focus on their goals in this life.
The second verse suggests that the singer is in a relationship or partnership where the other person is just what they need. The singer wants their partner to realize that they are meant to be together and are capable of achieving great things together. They also express the desire for clarity and certainty in the relationship, expressing that they want "all or nothing."
Overall, the song seems to evoke a sense of longing for something more, for a life that the singer truly wants. The song implies a sense of disconnection and lostness in the current situation, but with the possibility of finding meaning and purpose through relationships and taking risks.
Line by Line Meaning
You never really wanted this life
The singer believes that the person he is addressing never truly desired the life they are currently living.
So you chuck it up, to a bad night (?)
The person may attribute their current predicament to simply having had a bad night previously.
You never really wanted to try
The singer believes that the person he is addressing lacks the motivation necessary to put forth the effort required to achieve their goals.
Too hard for two times (?)
It may have been too difficult or discouraging for the person to have attempted something twice.
Even though you started just fine
Despite having started off well or successfully, the person may currently be struggling.
It's hard to keep yourself in line
Maintaining discipline and self-restraint can be challenging.
You're just what I need
The singer is expressing their attraction or attachment to the person they are addressing.
Oh I just wanted you to see it for yourself, my dear
The artist desires for the person to recognize and understand their feelings organically.
I know we just started here
The artist acknowledges that their relationship or situation is still new or in its early stages.
I just wanted all or nothing
The artist is either fully committed to the relationship or not interested at all, and the person must choose to reciprocate or not.
We never really wanted this life
Both the singer and the person they are addressing never intended to be in the current predicament they find themselves.
Tangled up in blue, by your bedside (?)
Some obstacle or challenge lies in wait for the person, perhaps in their sleeping or living situation.
Well if we really wanted to try
If the two of them genuinely desired success or progress, they would make the effort to attain it.
We could run away, book it through the night
They could decide to make a break for it and escape their problems or current situation.
We could go as far as you'd like
The two of them could flee to any location, as long as it resolves their problems or satisfies their desires.
And I'd drive and we might
The artist would be the one to take charge and lead the way on their journey.
Get a little lost in the back, right (?)
The journey could get a little chaotic or confusing along the way, but they would ultimately navigate their way through it.
Contributed by Kylie N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jackson
on Stolen Black Cars
Chill Thomas. We’ve heard of the song as well