Drummer Aly, guitarist Withrow, and percussionist Bush went to the same high school as singer Brickell in Dallas, Texas but didn't really know her then. According to Houser, Edie was there for art. (Spin magazine, March 1989 (Vol 4, Number 12). Houser attended Hillcrest High School (Dallas) and lived in the same neighborhood as the others. He played in various neighborhood bands like The Knobs which included Kenny, and was also a Munch Puppy.
The New Bohemians started as a three-piece ska-style band in the early eighties, cutting their teeth in the new Deep Ellum neighborhood in downtown Dallas. The original line-up featured Brad Houser on bass, Eric Presswood on guitar, and Brandon Aly on drums.
The future core members joined in 1985. Edie became the singer after being encouraged to join the band onstage during a show (the famous Jack Daniels story). It was soon after that first show that local agent Deanna Mercer, who was at the time booking bands at Rick's Casablanca, was brought to hear the band. The band actually signed a 6 month management contract with Mercer which brought with it better paying gigs at Rick's. When the 6 months ended, the band wanted something more and hired Lon Bixby as the manager. They started regular gigging in Deep Ellum at this time (D Magazine Jan, 1989). Presswood left and Kenny Withrow took up the guitar duties, playing his first show in July, 1985 at the Starck Club in Dallas. John Bush joined on percussion in September of that year. His first show with the band was September 12, 1985 at Poor David's Pub in Dallas, when the band was backing Bo Diddley.
The New Bos were always a local favorite, packing in the fans at now infamous Deep Ellum venues such as Theater Gallery, 500 Cafe, and Club Dada. The Bohemians were also regular performers at the annual Fry Street Fair on the University of North Texas campus in Denton, Texas. During this period of the band's history, Edie's name was not used in the band's name. This was a strategy used by Geffen Records in the event the band didn't remain the same. They would always have Edie.
The New Bohemians have released compilations and a live album, and have recorded some new material in recent years, notably as a short-lived band named The Slip that included Brickell, but most former members have moved on to other projects. Drummer Matt Chamberlain has been an in-demand tour drummer with bands ranging from Pearl Jam and Garbage to Tori Amos and Fiona Apple, as well as a stint on the Saturday Night Live house band.
In 1991, Edie is married to Paul Simon, and the couple has three children.
Carter Albrecht was killed in Dallas, on September 3, 2007.
The band played live at the North Oak Cliff Music Festival in October 2014 with the current lineup as well as keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Matt Hubbard.
The band reunited again in April 2017 with three concerts at the Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff.
On February 19, 2021, the band released its second album since reuniting, entitled Hunter and the Dog Star.
I Do
Edie Brickell and New Bohemians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Finger-painting the world
Leaving me the siloheutte of my life
And I'm filling in the negative space with positively everything
I do, I do
And it's all because of you
I do, I do
It's not emotion that I feel for you
It's not devotion that I want from you
I want someone to follow who doesn't lead the way
I want someone to listen who won't repeat what I say
And I'm filling in the negative space with positively everything
I do, I do
And it's all because of you
I do, I do
And it's all because of you
The lyrics to Edie Brickell and New Bohemians' song "I Do" are about the singer's desire for independence and individuality. The first verse describes how other people are pointing and finger-painting the world, leaving the singer feeling like a mere silhouette of their life. However, instead of letting this define them, the singer chooses to fill in the negative space with positively everything they do, all because of the influence of another person. The second verse reveals that the singer doesn't feel emotion or devotion toward this person, but rather a desire for someone to follow who doesn't lead the way and someone to listen who won't repeat what they say. Essentially, the singer wants to break free from following someone else's lead and carve their own path in life, but they are encouraged and inspired by this person who is not controlling or stifling them.
Overall, the lyrics to "I Do" showcase a conflict between independence and influence. The singer wants to be their own person but also acknowledges the positive impact of someone else's presence in their life. It is a song about finding a balance between individuality and guidance, and ultimately choosing to take control of one's own life.
Line by Line Meaning
People pointing
People are judging me
Finger-painting the world
They are projecting their own fears and insecurities onto the world
Leaving me the silhouette of my life
I am left with just the outline of who I am, without any substance or depth
And I'm filling in the negative space with positively everything
I am taking what is missing in my life and using it as inspiration to create something beautiful
I do, I do
I am committed to this path of self-discovery and growth
And it's all because of you
You are the catalyst for my transformation and growth
It's not emotion that I feel for you
My feelings for you are not just based on emotions
It's not devotion that I want from you
I do not want blind devotion from you
I want someone to follow who doesn't lead the way
I want someone to support me without trying to control or direct me
I want someone to listen who won't repeat what I say
I want someone to truly hear me and understand me, without trying to change me or repeat my words back to me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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