Combining elements of jazz, pop and funk, this New York City-based group creates a singular sound with memorable melodies and unique, sophisticated harmonies. Fronted by the clear sultry voice of singer songwriter Elizabeth Ziman, they are attracting a buzz from the music press.
Ziman wrote her first song at age six, banging out melodies on an old upright in a Greenwich Village laundry room. A born romantic, Ziman transformed the music of Debussy, molding it to the driving rhythms of the washer and dryer. With Debussy and Bach on her left and the Beatles just to her right, Elizabeth quickly developed a sound all her own. Her “Baroque” pop songs have frequently been compared to those of Rufus Wainright, Fiona Apple and Laura Nyro. Elizabeth received the ASCAP Leiber and Stoller award in 2001 for her song “Like Water is to Sand”. From two years, she toured across the U.S. with soul queen Patti Austin, who kicked off her tour at Lincoln Center in 2003. Ziman has also performed with Enya, singing with her on Regis and Kelly as well as the CBS Morning Show. Comprised of Elizabeth Ziman (vocals, keys), Danny Molad (drums), and Peter Lalish (guitar), Elizabeth and the Catapult came into existence in 2004.
Ziman has performed extensively in New York City and Boston (The Knitting Factory, The Living Room, Rockwood Music Hall, The Cutting Room, The Middle East, T.T. The Bears). They completed their S-T EP and promoted the album on ‘soundcheck’ with John Shaefer(WNYC) in April. They have opened for national headliners like Jessie Harris, Kirk Kirkwood (of Meat Puppets fame), The Wood Brothers (featuring Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin, and Wood), and Amanda Palmer. They were spotlighted in the fall issue of Northeast Performer and the featured Billboard Underground Artist in October 2006.
Golden Ink
Elizabeth & The Catapult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it seems as though I'm lost at sea
Our hopes get bigger now with every hour
The tide is higher
But it's always just beyond my reach
I have just begun to write this chapter
Though it seems my hand is growing weak
Never doubting
I'd be waltzing on an endless stream
Running out of golden ink
Everything is make believe
Hanging from a world unseen
Everything is make believe
Make believe, make believe, make believe
And it's all for me
Say it's easy to forget your calling
When you're used to being tossed aside
But I can't stand the thought of ever losing
Oh, that beauty I once promised never to let go
Running out of golden ink
Everything is make believe
Hanging from a world unseen
Everything is make believe
Make believe
Running out of golden ink
Everything is make believe
Hanging from a world unseen
Everything is make believe
Make believe, make believe, make believe
It's all for me
The lyrics of Elizabeth & the Catapult's song "Golden Ink" describe the struggles of an artist who is trying to find inspiration and keep the muses smiling. The first verse outlines this struggle, as the artist describes feeling lost at sea and unable to reach the desired level of artistic success. The second verse echoes this feeling, as the artist's hand grows weak while trying to write a new chapter. Despite these difficulties, the artist is motivated by the beauty of art and promises never to let go of it.
Line by Line Meaning
I have just begun to work my magic
I am embarking on a new and hopeful journey of creativity and inspiration
But it seems as though I'm lost at sea
But I feel uncertain and directionless amidst this new endeavor
Our hopes get bigger now with every hour
Our aspirations for success and achievement continue to grow stronger and more urgent
The tide is higher
The potential for success is increasing and becoming more prominent
But it's always just beyond my reach
But I continue to struggle to attain the level of success I hope for
I have just begun to write this chapter
I am setting out to tackle a new endeavor
Though it seems my hand is growing weak
Though I face challenges and obstacles that make me question my abilities
If I could only keep the muses smiling
If I could only consistently maintain a state of creative inspiration and productivity
Never doubting
Without any hesitation or uncertainty
I'd be waltzing on an endless stream
I would be effortlessly producing new and exciting ideas with ease and grace
Running out of golden ink
Becoming depleted of the inspiration and creativity that drives me
Everything is make believe
It feels like everything I create and strive towards is purely imaginary and unrealized
Hanging from a world unseen
Holding onto a hopeful and intangible vision of success and achievement
Make believe, make believe, make believe
An internal mantra of hope and optimism
And it's all for me
This journey of creativity and inspiration is solely for my own pursuit and fulfillment
Say it's easy to forget your calling
It's commonly perceived as simple to ignore or lose sight of one's true purpose and passion
When you're used to being tossed aside
Especially when you're accustomed to being overlooked or undervalued in your endeavors
But I can't stand the thought of ever losing
But the idea of giving up or abandoning my dreams is unbearable to me
Oh, that beauty I once promised never to let go
The beauty of my passion and purpose is something I pledged to never abandon or lose sight of
Contributed by Zachary N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.