Fanfarlo is a British-based indie pop indie-folk band formed in 2006 in Lon… Read Full Bio ↴Fanfarlo is a British-based indie pop indie-folk band formed in 2006 in London, England, by by Swedish musician Simon Balthazar. The band consists of Simon Balthazar (vocals, guitar, clarinet), Cathy Lucas (vocals, mandolin, violin, keyboards), Leon Beckenham (keyboards, trumpet), Justin Finch (bass, vocals) and Amos Memon (drums). Mark West (guitar, keyboards) left the band in 2008 and formed The Lost Cavalry in 2009. The band's name is a reference to Charles Baudelaire's novella, "La Fanfarlo."

After issuing the singles Talking Backwards, You Are One Of The Few Outsiders Who Really Understands Us, Fire Escape and Harold T. Wilkins on four independent labels between 2006 and 2008, Fanfarlo travelled to Peter Katis's studio in Connecticut, USA to record their debut album, Reservoir. The album was self-released in February 2009 to coincide with a tour of England and Scotland, including dates supporting Snow Patrol. They also performed five shows at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas in March.

In an effort to spread the word as far as possible and make their music as
accessible as possible, Fanfarlo decided to offer their latest album, Reservoir, as a $1 download on http://fanfarlo.com until 7/4/09.

In May, Moshi Moshi will release Fanfarlo's fifth single, Drowning Men, on 7" while Reservoir will again be self-released as a special 'box' edition of 500 CDs.

Fanfarlo will be appearing at select festivals over the summer including the Hinterland Festival on April 30th in Glasgow with further dates to be announced.

Their second album Rooms Filled With Light was Released Feburary 28,2012.

On 10 February 2014 the band released third regular studio album, titled "Let's Go Extinct" on their own New World Records label.

In 2016, Balthazar collaborated with King Knut, as SWOON and released the single "Heatwave". Since 2015, Lucas has been the lead singer and guitarist for the psychedelic pop group Vanishing Twin.

http://www.fanfarlo.com

http://www.myspace.com/fanfarlo

Tightrope
Fanfarlo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tightrope, blank sheet
Everything could change today

Look ahead, don't look away
It's a fine line to a single point

A deaf ear, a blind eye
Red-handed with your head in the sand

But thoughts get lost again, like letters…
And soon our car sick minds will pull over

Just let it go
Just walk in a straight line
We've been holding it down
We've been keeping it down
Just walk in a straight line

Tightrope, from there to here
There was never a point of return

It cries out through our telephones:
We know it all but we don't know how to use it

Heartbeat, fast luck
Everything could change today

But thoughts get lost again, like letters...
And soon our car sick minds will pull over

Just let it go
Just walk in a straight line
We've been holding it down

We've been keeping it down
Just walk in a straight line

Overall Meaning

The song "Tightrope" by Fanfarlo is a reflection on the unpredictability of life and the constant need to adapt to change. The opening lyrics, "Tightrope, blank sheet, everything could change today," suggest the uncertainty of the future and the need to be prepared for unexpected turns. The chorus echoes this sentiment, urging the listener to "just walk in a straight line" despite the obstacles that life may throw in their path.

Throughout the song, there is a recurring image of being on a tightrope or walking a fine line. This is a symbolic representation of the precariousness of life, and the need to make careful, calculated decisions to avoid falling off the tightrope. The lyrics, "A deaf ear, a blind eye, red-handed with your head in the sand," further emphasize the importance of staying vigilant and aware of one's surroundings.

The chorus, with its repetition of "We've been holding it down, we've been keeping it down," suggests a sense of burden or responsibility. The listener is urged to let go of whatever is weighing them down and to focus on moving forward. Despite the challenges and uncertainties of life, the song ultimately inspires the listener to keep going and to keep walking, no matter what.

Line by Line Meaning

Tightrope, blank sheet
Facing the unknown, a new beginning

Everything could change today
Every day is full of possibilities

Look ahead, don't look away
Stay focused on the task at hand

It's a fine line to a single point
The path to success is narrow and difficult to navigate

A deaf ear, a blind eye
Ignoring the truth and refusing to see reality

Red-handed with your head in the sand
Guilty of avoiding responsibility and hiding from the consequences

But thoughts get lost again, like letters…
Ideas can easily slip away and be forgotten

And soon our car sick minds will pull over
Our distracted thoughts will eventually need to rest

Just let it go
Release your worries and fears

Just walk in a straight line
Stick to your path and stay true to yourself

We've been holding it down
We've been keeping our emotions in check