The Brazilian band is original from São José dos Campos, São Paulo. The name of the band (elegia) means elegy in Portuguese, and it's not related to New Order's song.
Its current formation is Emerson Deniz (bass), Escobar (drums), Marcelo D'Angelo (guitar), Mayumi (back-up vocals) and Paulo Gotoh (vocals) The band started its concerts in 1989,and since then it has been participating of several festivals and concerts in Brazil and abroad. Formed under several influences, from 60s psychedelia, to 70's and 80's pre-punk, punk rock, post-punk even ethnic music.
In early 2000 the first album is released, named after the band's name 'elegia' (currently sold out), In 2000 and 2001 they presented at Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig, Germany a huge festival of gothic music. Followed by positive comments in music magazines, e-zines, books and zines all over Europe. In 2004 Underworld, its second album, is released (only in Brazil) and following it a warm reception from music magazines with positive reviews. In 2007 an EP is released, prepairing ground for the next album. Currently being recorded and due to be released in 2009.
The French DJ Laurent Collat (A.K.A. Elegia)'s biography is as it follows:
Laurent Collat is no newcomer to the French electronic scene. In 1988 upon discovering New Order, he started feeling the urge to compose his own tracks. When the 'baggy' movement from Manchester and the 'acid house' wave hit the world his techno-pop pieces drifted slowly towards a techno and house sound. 1992 was the turning point. Pop was being taken over by technology.
Between 92 and 95, Laurent worked in different directions but always with one goal in mind: to make people dance and fire their emotions. In 1995 he released an album entitled "Body & Soul" which was released by Radikal Groove, which was followed by a limited edition EP entitled "Mother." A copy of it ended up on Eric Morand's desk. This resulted in Laurent Collat joining F Communications in 1996.
On the two first EP's released in 96 and 97 "From Nowhere With Love" and "Snapshots", Elégia developed a melodic and gloomy house sound.
The recording artist then searched for THE voice that would bring emotion and warmth to the next album.
After several auditions, he met Esther in July 97. As an established backing vocalist in several bands, including La Formule, Esther (author of her own lyrics) came from a musical background close to Laurent's. Elégia became a duo.
"Sounds Within" is an album which is totally in the spirit of the original techno: entirely homemade, patiently. Laurent took care of the compositions, the production and the creative direction.
"Sounds Within" is an album full of contrasts but also full of meaning, it could be the music for "Once Upon A Time In the West In Tokyo" (says Laurent).
Finally
Elegia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinking of the fear I've had for so long
When somebody hears
Listen to the fear that's gone
Strangled by the wishes of pater
Hoping for the arm of mater
Get to me sooner or later
Holding back the years
Chance for me to escape from all I know
Holding back the tears
There's nothing here has grown
I've wasted all my tears
Wasted all those years
Nothing had the chance to be good
Nothing ever could, yeah
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on so tight
I've wasted all my tears
Wasted all those years
And nothing had the chance to be good
Nothing ever could
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
Holding, holding, holding, yeah
I say it's all I have today
It's all I have to say
The lyrics to Elegia's song Finally speak about the struggles of holding back emotions and fears for a long time, and the desire to break free and escape from it all. The opening lines convey a sense of introspection, as the singer reflects on the fear they've carried for so long and how it has held them back. They hope that someone will understand and listen to their pain, which would help them move forward.
The second verse seems to address the feeling of being suffocated and trapped by family expectations and traditions. The lines "Strangled by the wishes of pater/Hoping for the arm of mater" suggest a desire for love and understanding from parents, but feeling restrained and trapped by their wishes. The last line, "Get to me sooner or later," could indicate that the singer knows they can't continue to suppress their emotions forever and they will eventually have to face them.
The chorus repeats the lines "Holding back the years/Chance for me to escape from all I know/Holding back the tears/There's nothing here has grown." It seems that the singer sees a chance for growth and change if they can break free from their emotional baggage. They lament that they've wasted their tears and years, and nothing has had the chance to be good. The repeated refrain "I'll keep holding on" suggests a determination to keep going and not give up, even when it's difficult.
Overall, the lyrics to Finally capture the struggle to overcome deep-rooted fears and emotions, but also offer a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Holding back the years
Suppressing my true self for a long time
Thinking of the fear I've had for so long
Reflecting on the fear that has controlled me for a prolonged time
When somebody hears
When someone is willing to listen
Listen to the fear that's gone
Hear about the fear that I have overcome
Strangled by the wishes of pater
Choked by my father's desires
Hoping for the arm of mater
Longing for my mother's embrace
Get to me sooner or later
Either way it will come to me
Chance for me to escape from all I know
Opportunity to break free from my familiar surroundings
Holding back the tears
Hiding my emotions
There's nothing here has grown
No growth or progress has been made
I've wasted all my tears
I have cried for nothing
Wasted all those years
Spent a significant part of my life on something futile
Nothing had the chance to be good
No opportunity for something to succeed
Nothing ever could, yeah
No chance of success
I'll keep holding on
I will persevere
I'll keep holding on so tight
I will hold on with all my strength
Holding, holding, holding, yeah
Continuously holding on
I say it's all I have today
I acknowledge that all I have is what is happening now
It's all I have to say
It's the only message I have to convey
Contributed by Riley T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@karaloca
Have "I Am Not Worried Anymore... A Deal With God" & "So Far Above" ever been released in a digital format? I really want to hear them, but just can't get copies anywhere. Many thanks.