What happens when dreams become real life?
The three Hume brothers of Evermore have come a long way since the release of their debut album Dreams. With over 300 live shows, an MTV Award, a NZ Music Award, the APRA Silver Scroll, five ARIA nominations, and hung a platinum record plaque on the wall of their home studio. It's a far cry from their humble beginnings in rural New Zealand, and it all culminates in their second album, Real Life.
The writing and initial recording took place in the isolation of their Central Coast abode, an isolation the boys were not only used to, but actively encouraged. Separating into different rooms, they each had their own private recording studio in miniature, working on tracks solo before bringing them together for the Evermore polish.
After two months in the warm environs of the Australian summer they leapt into the freezing winter of inland Massachusetts, USA. Actually, the term freezing is an understatement, we're talking temperatures of minus 25 degrees and below. Keeping true to their rural roots, they recorded in the oldest studio still operating in the US, Longview Farm. Artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith have all frozen their butts off there in the past. Respected engineer John Alagia (who mixed Dreams, and has worked with acts like John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band and Ben Folds) was chosen for the job for his twiddling tenacity and his striking good looks.
"I ended up doing a lot of the recording myself," explains Jon, speaking of their time at the farm. "We liked working with John Alagia because he believes in letting the artist have freedom rather than forcing ideas on to you. Plus he's a really funny guy. And when you're in the studio for months on end your sense of humor goes a little haywire!"
Allowing themselves freedom was also high on the agenda, with the two younger Humes contributing to the songwriting a lot more heavily than on Dreams. "Instead of me writing almost everything, we suddenly had three writers coming up with a lot," Jon says. "We could have made two albums simultaneously."
"Dann wrote nearly a song a day," echoes Peter. "He had over one hundred songs - which is insane! We definitely didn't have a lack of songs."
But perhaps the main difference between the two albums is in the songs themselves. From the epic energy of Running, the band's first single off the album, to the melodic harmonies of Never Let You Go; from the dynamic rock of Unbreakable to the uplifting lyrics of Light Surrounding You, this second album has seen the band's songwriting grow and diversify.
"Dreams was very atmospheric and mood-based," explains Jon. "This one jumps out of the speakers at you. The songs are more positive and sonically, it's more direct."
"Its louder and more to the point," agrees Dann. "We're going to grab people's attention, and leave them with something to think about."
With the likes of the Beatles, David Bowie and Bob Dylan on high rotation throughout the recording process, their shift to a focus on song writing seems only natural. "We've taken so much inspiration from classic songs," explains Pete. "We wanted to be sure all the tunes sounded great just played simply on a guitar, that way you know you have a great song."
"We're the kind of band that is going to change with every record," adds Jon. "We will always sound like us, but we'll utilise our strengths as three writers."
A new journey has just begun for this talented trio, whose sounds and lyrics have taught us how to dream.... Welcome to Real Life.
For Evermore management queries - info@scorpiomusic.com.au
Underground
Evermore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
17 blocks away
Goin' down to the underground
Street lights, road signs
So much in the back of my mind
Last night's trash on the road
You're lost, shoe marks
This is about to explode
C'mon, there's a place you can go, yeah
Goin' down to the underground
17 blocks away
Goin' down to the underground
You don't wanna get in the way
Leavin' the daylight behind
Way down where nobody can find
I hesitate, I set straight
Into the eyes of fate
Strange faces passin' me by
The night rains down the drain
I hear the echo of the midnight train
Under the weight of the sky
It's what we do to get by, yeah
Goin' down to the underground
17 blocks away
Goin' down to the underground
You don't wanna get in the way
Leavin' the daylight behind
Way down where nobody can find
Goin' down to the underground
Goin' down to get away
Goin' down
Goin' down
Goin' down
Goin' down
Goin' down
Goin' down
Goin' down
Goin' down to the underground
17 blocks away
Goin' down to the underground
You don't wanna get in the way
Leavin' the daylight behind
Way down where nobody can find
Goin' down to the underground
Down, down, so we can all get away
Way down to the underground
Down, down, so we can all get away, yeah
Goin' down to the underground
Down, down, so we can all get away
The lyrics of Evermore's "Underground" describe a journey away from the mundane and into the unknown. The singer feels trapped by their current surroundings and seeks escape by travelling to the underground, which is 17 blocks away. As they venture further into the underground, they leave civilization behind and enter into a world where they can shed their daytime persona and be themselves. The underground is a hidden place where they can be free of societal constraints and expectations, as it is a place where no one can find them.
The song paints a picture of the gritty, seedy underbelly of a city, where there is trash on the road and strange faces pass by. The 'eye of fate' could be interpreted as the singer taking control of their own destiny, as they set their sights on the underground. And the night that rains down the drain elicits a sense of the city's darkness being washed away, as though this new world the singer is entering is a purifying and transformative experience.
Overall, "Underground" is a song about escapism and the desire to break free from the mundane. The underground represents a hidden world where a person can be their true self, unconstrained by societal pressures and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
We're goin' down to the underground
We are heading to the underground
17 blocks away
It is located 17 blocks away
Goin' down to the underground
Heading towards the underground
Street lights, road signs
Passing by street lights and road signs
So much in the back of my mind
There are many thoughts in my mind
Last night's trash on the road
Seeing the garbage from the previous night on the pavement
You're lost, shoe marks
Lost and following footprints
Listen close but don't be shocked
Listen carefully, but don't be surprised by what you hear
This is about to explode
Something big is about to happen
C'mon, there's a place you can go, yeah
Encouraging someone to come with and escape to a safe haven
You don't wanna get in the way
Warning not to interfere
Leavin' the daylight behind
Moving away from the safety of daylight
Way down where nobody can find
Going to a hidden place where no one can discover
I hesitate, I set straight
Conflicted, but trying to calm myself down
Into the eyes of fate
Staring into the unknown future
Strange faces passin' me by
Seeing unfamiliar people on the way
The night rains down the drain
The rain from the night washes down the drain
I hear the echo of the midnight train
Hearing the sound of a train passing in the distance
Under the weight of the sky
Feeling the pressures of what's above
It's what we do to get by, yeah
This is what we do to survive
Goin' down to get away
Going underground to escape
Down, down, so we can all get away
Going deeper underground to ensure everyone can escape safely
Way down to the underground
Going to a far and hidden place underground
Down, down, so we can all get away, yeah
Going deeper underground to ensure everyone can escape safely
Contributed by Cole M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@limegreenjean
I love you guys. Evermore was the first ever band I saw live, they were awesome. Can't wait to see them in March!
@TabunneCanFly
I'm so sad that this song wasn't a bigger hit, it's soooooooo gooooood!
@vanillasugar23
LOVE LOVE IT so catchy very sexy shows a different side of Evermore which is awesome . Cant wait till album comes out nice work boys xxxx
@TheKiwibitch
love this band!!! saw them live last week, they ROCKED!!
@trishmos
Wow, I am blown away once more, loving this wicked new sound. Was this in the works before or a result of you all getting worldly, after the massive tour :)
@NeoFalcon69
Evermore you never crease to amaze me. Great song and good luck on catching the hearts of the Pommies.
@SourSquirm
Wow, international debut album! Well done guys!
@jhpb2
By far Evermore's best music video. Love the giant bears!
@x0mads0x
omg!! awesome song!! can't wait for the new album!! :')
@h0niels
awesome song!