FLORiS could not have found a better place for his studio: at home. There, on the second floor of his apartment in Amsterdam-West, FLORiS freaked till break of dawn with analogue synthesizers and samples, he experimented with recording techniques, and gradually he developed his own, unique sound.
In 2002 Floris Klinkert (1976) made an overwhelming entrée with his (nameless) dream debut. An album filled with clear produced, warm jazzy soul tracks and original instrumental listening pearls. Cheering reviews, an Essent Award, various shows on notorious festivals and support by Gilles Peterson (in his 'All Winners chart for 2002' FLORiS was positioned at #28) were the result.
While his first album was built on samples Drunk On Life has a more spontaneous, deeper, songlike approach. “Most of the songs sprung by recording demos and by experiments in the studio with vocalist Carmen van den Brakel. She improvised melody lines on the beats and chords I wrote. We came up with the most beautiful ideas, which has been a great inspiration for me. The song Depending On You is a cooperation with Ralph Mulder, lead-singer of the band Alamo Race Track. Other songs like, All Is Not Lost, Day After and Startup are written by myself” thus FLORiS.
Drunk On Life is a typical FLORiS record: a wide sound interlarded with adventurous rhythms and inventive electronic accents, combined with the warm, soulful vocals of Dèdre and Carmen. It is obvious that Drunk On Life is part of a greater journey. FLORiS thinks of every record as a step forward towards his own sound. “Personally, it was clear to me that eventually I would create ‘songs’. I am very song-orientated. My record collection is filled with alternative music, soul and triphop (Jeff Buckley, Massive Attack, Portishead, Goldfrapp, Radiohead, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis) and you can hear these influences on this album. Drunk On Life has this pop-feel, a bit like alternative triphop. You can call it trip-pop.”
Drunk on Life was a 2-year process. FLORiS recorded all tracks at home with heavy use of his analogue synths. “A lot of sounds come from my Korg-synthezisers. Everything else you hear is recorded live. Many recording sessions for strings and drums (in my living room!), keys, sax, bass and guitar took place. The use of samples was limited for this album”.
Those who would like to experience FLORiS, must see his live band (7 musicians)! They already performed at festivals like Dance Valley, World Port Jazz, Amsterdam’s Seven Bridges Festival, Noorderslag and Lowlands. “Live on stage we musically continue where the album ends. Where my debut album was fit for jazz-oriented solos, now our objective is to bring the audience the sound and feel of Drunk On Life live. The electronic beat stays, pumping and forward. FLORiS is a mixture of listening and dancing”.
Finally, the meaningful title Drunk On Life. “That is a phrase Carmen shouted out in the studio. Immediately, I thought it was a great title for a song and a perfect title for my album. It covers the complete sound and feel of Drunk On Life: a beautiful, positive image”.
One More Day
Floris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything is so unreal
Just say hi, and leave me
I'll let you get away
It don't need to know
It don't need to care
Whatever's hidden deep, deep down
Still everyday is a fine day
It's not much but it's enough.
If this is life, I think I'll stay
At least for one more day.
I wonder how will life be
In 5 more seconds from now
Will it be easier than this?
And will the skys be clear?
It don't seem to know
It don't seem to care
One day the time will come
The truth is near
Still everyday is a fine day
It's not much but it's enough.
If this is life, I think I'll stay
At least for one more day.
Still everyday is a fine day
It's not much but it's enough.
If this is life, I think I'll stay
At least for one more day.
In "One More Day" by Floris, the lyrics capture a feeling of resignation and acceptance towards life. The singer acknowledges that everything seems easy and unreal, and they allow someone to leave without protest. The song then questions if life will get easier within the next five seconds, but concludes that it doesn't seem to matter, since whatever is hidden will be lost one day, and the truth is near.
Despite the uncertainty and lack of control over the future, the singer finds solace in the present. Every day is fine, even if just enough, and they decide to stay for one more day. The repetition of this refrain reinforces the idea of taking life one day at a time, even if it's not perfect.
The contrast between the singer's initial passivity towards the person leaving and their eventual acceptance of life is interesting. It suggests that while we may not be able to control everything, we can choose how we respond to it. Overall, the song is a contemplative and introspective take on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of finding joy in moments, no matter how small.
Line by Line Meaning
It all seems so easy
Things appear simple and straightforward on the surface.
Everything is so unreal
Despite appearances, the world feels fake and disconnected.
Just say hi, and leave me
Engaging with others is stressful and tiring, so please keep it brief.
I'll let you get away
We're not close enough for me to care much about your presence - or absence.
It don't need to know
The world doesn't require understanding or approval from me to go on.
It don't need to care
Whatever happens in my life has no impact on the greater scheme of things.
Whatever's hidden deep, deep down
The innermost parts of myself are hidden from others, sometimes even myself.
Will be lost one day
Eventually, even those secrets will cease to exist in some way or another.
Still everyday is a fine day
Although life can be stressful and tiresome, each day is still a gift worth appreciating.
It's not much but it's enough.
There may not be anything particularly special about a given day, but the fact that it exists at all is enough to make it worth living.
If this is life, I think I'll stay
Despite the difficulties that come with existence, the mere act of living is worth it to the singer.
At least for one more day.
The desire to continue living is limited to the present moment, rather than any kind of long-term commitment.
I wonder how will life be
The future feels uncertain and the singer longs for clarity.
In 5 more seconds from now
The future feels unpredictable, but the singer chooses to measure it in small increments.
Will it be easier than this?
The singer hopes that the future will bring relief from their current difficulties.
And will the skys be clear?
Along with a better life, the artist hopes for a brighter, more hopeful future.
The truth is near
Whatever secrets or uncertainties the future holds, they are closing in on the artist.
Lyrics © Red Brick Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FLORIS KLINKERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind