Kael and Heather married in 2005, and shortly thereafter moved to Irvine, CA, where they met John Williams, who was also in the area doing a PhD in comparative literature at UC Irvine. Heather was studying biology, and Kael was already hard at work creating music for film and TV projects. One afternoon in the fall of 2007, looking for a distraction from writing his dissertation, John suggested to Kael and Heather that they write some music together. Within three weeks they had written a few songs, and put them up online (on ye olde Myspace). The response from listeners was fast and overwhelming, so much so that they were motivated to continue writing and release a full album, Dynamo, in 2008. After playing some shows in southern California, the band won “Best Electronic Band” at the OC Music Awards, and was listed by the New York Post as a “new music must-have.” NPR called the band’s debut album “clever, intriguing . . . even beautiful.”
When John graduated and got a job at Yale, and Heather was accepted to medical school at UCLA, the band realized they’d either have to carry on via long-distance songwriting, or else end the band. With Dynamo doing so well, and many more songs still on their way, the band decided to try songwriting bi-coastally. John purchased some home-recording equipment to take with him to Connecticut, while Heather and Kael moved to Los Angeles, where Robot Repair built a beautiful studio space for Kael to work in. During the next three years, the band sent tracks back and forth online, video chatting, and emailing notes to write two more studio albums, New Medium (2010), and The Matter (2012). The band’s sound had matured by this point into something more powerful and intense. Alternately sparse and epic, harmonic and grinding, pensive and playful, FPF was clearly moving beyond their electro-pop beginnings.
By 2013, FPF’s music seemed to be circulating everywhere, with millions of plays on Spotify, LastFM, Hype Machine, and Pandora, and appearances on everything from ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” to MTV’s “The Real World,” NBCSports, and E! Then, just as the band was contemplating a fourth album Kael and Heather discovered that they were expecting a baby. Many fans wondered whether Faded Paper Figures would be able to maintain its songwriting work with so much going on. But very little seems to slow them down. If anything, the music now comes with even greater clarity and brilliance, and as a result, the band is now set to release their fourth studio album in August, 2014, titled “Relics.” This most recent album promises to be their most honest, sophisticated, and ambitious, spanning a vast musical and lyrical spectrum, from epic synth-pop anthems on questions of life and death, to quiet, intense meditations on the passage of time. The band seems to have fully mastered not only their signature sound (electronic beats, gorgeous guitar riffs, and beautiful harmonies), but accelerated full force into a brave new world of sitars, analog synths, and even more intense vocals. Whatever emotions and uncanny dreams those day jobs are creating, it seems to be paying off enormously in their musical lives.
Limelight
Faded Paper Figures Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can see the Modern Times
From the Rink to the Pay Day
You can see the City Lights
From the Count to the Circus
I'm still here behind the screen
One a.m. at the pawnshop
Gotta get to England
Someday I'll get even
Washington's a boys' club cabaret
Cinematic treason
If Hollywood's a kingdom
Jesters get their justice either way
In the park, I get shanghaied
In a prehistoric past
I get caught in the limelight.
So bring on the laughing gas
Take a shot at the keystones
Take the squareheads to the queen
Water cures for McCarthy
Talking pictures, silent scenes
The song "Limelight" by Faded Paper Figures speaks about the legacy of Hollywood, the city of lights, and how it has evolved over time. The lyrics are a montage of references to different eras and aspects of Hollywood, from the silent black and white film era to the modern blockbusters. The first line, "From the kid to the Gold Rush," alludes to Charlie Chaplin's famous character, The Kid, and the era of the Gold Rush, which was a significant time in California's history. The next line, "You can see the Modern Times," refers to one of Chaplin's most famous films. The reference to the "Rink" invokes images of roller-skating rinks, which were popular in the early 20th century, while "Pay Day" is a reference to another Chaplin film of the same name.
The next verse follows the same pattern, with "From the Count to the Circus" alluding to the early classic horror film, Nosferatu, and the circus which was a common setting in the early days of film making. The line "I'm still here behind the screen" refers to the illusion created by films, where the viewer forgets the performers are just actors behind a screen. The line "One a.m. at the pawnshop" evokes images of a gritty Hollywood where even the famous actors might be down on their luck. The last line of the verse, "I'm the champion in your dream," is likely referring to the fact that actors and Hollywood are often seen as symbols of success and glamour to those who live in more mundane circumstances.
The chorus of the song speaks about the pressures of Hollywood and the desire to escape it. The line "Gotta get to England" is likely a reference to the idea that many Hollywood actors feel they need to establish themselves in the United Kingdom's film scene to be taken seriously. "Someday I'll get even" suggests that the singer has suffered some injustice and wants to right some perceived wrong. "Washington's a boys' club cabaret" references the idea that government and politics are just another form of show business. Finally, "Cinematic treason" is likely a reference to the fact that many actors were blacklisted during the Red Scare of the 1950s for their political beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
From the Kid to the Gold Rush
From the early days of silent film to the excitement of the gold rush.
You can see the Modern Times
Reflecting on the present moment and the progress of technology since the early days of film.
From the Rink to the Pay Day
From the days of roller skating to the excitement of getting paid for their work in the film industry.
You can see the City Lights
The bright lights of the city symbolize the fame and success that can come with being part of the film industry.
From the Count to the Circus
From the horror films featuring vampires to the excitement of the circus, the artist has experienced it all in their time in the film industry.
I'm still here behind the screen
Despite not being in front of the camera, the singer has still played an important role in the creation of many films.
One a.m. at the pawnshop
Working long hours and making sacrifices in order to help bring films to life.
I'm the champion in your dream
Although not a famous actor or director, the artist has still had a significant impact on the world of film.
Gotta get to England
The desire to work on international films and further their career in the industry.
Someday I'll get even
The artist has faced challenges in their career, but they are determined to overcome them.
Washington's a boys' club cabaret
The political and social systems in place in the United States can often be discriminatory, especially towards women and minorities.
Cinematic treason
The idea that taking risks in the film industry can sometimes be seen as betrayal or rebellion against the traditional ways of filmmaking.
If Hollywood's a kingdom
Considering the powerful and influential position held by the Hollywood film industry.
Jesters get their justice either way
Even those who are not taken seriously in the film industry can still make significant contributions and find their own form of success.
In the park, I get shanghaied
The singer feels trapped by the pressures and expectations of the film industry, unable to escape its grasp.
In a prehistoric past
Reflecting on the history of film and how much has changed since its early days.
I get caught in the limelight.
Despite not being a famous celebrity, the artist is still subject to scrutiny and attention from others in the industry.
So bring on the laughing gas
The singer is willing to do whatever it takes to cope with the stress and pressure of working in the film industry.
Take a shot at the keystones
Trying new and innovative techniques in filmmaking, even if it means taking risks and potentially failing.
Take the squareheads to the queen
Bringing a more diverse group of people into the film industry and challenging traditional expectations and norms.
Water cures for McCarthy
Referencing the practice of using waterboarding as a form of torture during the McCarthy era, which represents the darker side of the entertainment industry's influence on society.
Talking pictures, silent scenes
Reflecting on the evolution of film and how it has changed over time.
Contributed by Christopher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CraZySaVaUnT
I'm so glad a friend showed me this, Seriously needs more views. Its such an amazing song.
Jo Hu
Great song
Tom Upjohn
So good.
Gabriel
this remindds me of the book will grayson will grayson by ohn green and david levithan. anyone know it?
juanitadelamaniana
Listening to their music from Malaysia :)