"Los Angeles is such a big part of what our music is, not unlike the Chili Peppers or Ozomatli," says singer-Fredalba visionary Eric Balfour. "There are so many influences here, from punk to Latin to rock to electro, that shapes who we are as musicians. This city shapes our style in every way. I wanted our sound to be L.A."
Uptown Music for Downtown Kids, Fredalba's Piller Records debut, could not be the product of any other landscape. Fredalba has pulled off the unique feat of sounding like something as abstract as a city with convincing clarity. The sextet's seamless merging of sounds and cultures into one coherent and focused style is the product of a longstanding vision held dear to Balfour's heart from a very young age. "I grew up in an environment where the artist was held at the highest pinnacle," remembers Balfour. "To create art and create music that was one of the most respected things you could do. That shaped a lot of how I view the world and had a lot to do with me wanting to become a singer."
Fredalba grew out of that vision. Assembled over time through friends of friends, the band converged through a common love of music, culture, and energy. That recipe has birthed Uptown Music, a sonic companion to Possibility Through Positivity the band's credo. "This band is about raw energy," says Balfour. "And bringing it to you when you see us live so it inspires you and it motivates you to get up, move, and do something."
Rough and tumble rock tracks ("Storm"), urban hymns ("Uptown Music"), and soaring anthems ("Shine") insure that Uptown Music flows freely through Fredalba's world of hip-hop, rock, and Latin rhythms, but it¹s the flute crisscrossing this beautiful union that truly sets the band apart. "Eric was interested in what it would sound like," says flautist Charmian Callon. "We had no idea if it would sound good, but it sounded really great. I think it opens a lot of people's eyes and ears to a new vibe. Of course, anybody in the jazz and classical world is familiar with the flute, but the majority of the population is not. A lot of times when they see it in a rock band, they are skeptical. But they are always pleasantly surprised."
As will all those that enter Fredalba's world: An eclectic mix of sonic art and culture corralled into a funky, energetic burst of uplifting might. Just likeŠchicken? "For me, chicken is chicken," says Balfour. "It just depends on what you put on it. Ours is definitely a sweet, tangy barbeque sauce that's a little bit spicy and has a really good after taste."
Headed by actor Eric Balfour, this band has now changed their name to Born As Ghosts.
Gimme More
Fredalba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holding up the torch for a newborn dawn
Rising to the call of my people's needs
Trying not to judge other peoples deeds
If I was to take a stand
Breaking down the walls to a promise land
Fighting for the future that I want to see
A world where people live in unity
Everybody come on get started
Bodies movin', that's how we start this
Shine the lights in places where there's darkness
Now we gonna say
La la la la la la
Gimme More
La la la la la la
Some more
If I had the reasons of why
A child's wings are clipped and never learns to fly
We gotta take the blindfolds off our eyes
And never let another young artist die
Because I know now
If there was a day, a voice would come this way
A prophet in this world who's got something to say
Cause the radical sabbatical of deconstruction lies
Makes the evolution revolution nary common minds say
Everybody come on get started
Bodies movin', that's how we start this
Shine the lights in places where there's darkness
Now we gonna say
La la la la la la la la
Gimme More
La la la la la la
Some more
Energy
Positivity
Lemme feel ya
In "Gimme More" by Fredalba, the lyrics explore the themes of social justice, political activism, and the desire for change. The song starts with the singer imagining what they would do if they were to take a stand and fight for a better future. They describe holding up a torch for a new dawn, breaking down walls to reach a promised land, and fighting for a world where people live in unity. The singer then calls upon everyone to come together and start moving towards a better future. The chorus repeats the phrase "Gimme More" as a call to action, urging people to demand more from themselves and from the world around them.
The second verse becomes more specific as the singer questions why certain injustices occur, such as children having their wings clipped and never being able to fly. They call for awareness and action, stating that we need to take off our blindfolds and prevent another young life from being lost. The final lines of the song express the need for a prophet, someone who has something important to say and can inspire the masses to create change. Overall, "Gimme More" is a song that encourages listeners to become more involved in the world around them, to demand justice, and to strive for a better future for all.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was to come along
Holding up the torch for a newborn dawn
Rising to the call of my people's needs
Trying not to judge other peoples deeds
If I were to champion a new era of change and progress, answering to the needs of my community without passing unnecessary judgment on others.
If I was to take a stand
Breaking down the walls to a promise land
Fighting for the future that I want to see
A world where people live in unity
Because I said now
If I were to fight for a better future and tear down the barriers to realizing our collective promises, uniting people across the world.
Everybody come on get started
Bodies movin', that's how we start this
Shine the lights in places where there's darkness
Now we gonna say
Let's begin making a change together by getting active, spreading light in the areas of greatest need.
La la la la la la
Gimme More
La la la la la la
Some more
I want more from life, more from myself and from those around me, and I won't settle for less.
If I had the reasons of why
A child's wings are clipped and never learns to fly
We gotta take the blindfolds off our eyes
And never let another young artist die
Because I know now
If I could understand the reasons why children are denied the chance to soar, I know that we must remove our blindfolds to protect the artists of the future.
If there was a day, a voice would come this way
A prophet in this world who's got something to say
Cause the radical sabbatical of deconstruction lies
Makes the evolution revolution nary common minds say
If a voice emerged today with the power to speak truth to the deconstruction of our world, it would usher in a revolution that is essential to the evolution of humankind.
Energy
Positivity
Lemme feel ya
I yearn for the energy and positivity that comes from working together, striving for more, and feeling the shared passion that lifts us all up.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARMIAN CALLON, ERIC BALFOUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fallenforcraig
Coolest song from Fredalba! Eric is amazing and so is his music. Greetings from Budapest, Hungary!!!!
@lusyanik1403
КЛАСС!!! БРАВО!!! СПАСИБО!!! МОЯ ЛЮБИМАЯ ПЕСНЯ ЭТОЙ ГРУППЫ. ОБОЖАЮ ЭРИКА.
@TruthSeeker09825
Still love this.
@mariagessica3188
Eu também, sou do Brasil 🤙🏻
@JannaBanana
The only album they recorded is amazing, I listen to it all the time. I wish Fredalba lasted more... also love the flute! This album is mesmerizing.
@w0lf864
dude can act and sing....completeness.
@Smiludon
I love their Music! (: And Eric ist just awesome.
@ninacruise6244
singer, actor and good at both what more could you possibly want
@rcocenzo
I met Eric´s job on TV show 24. He´s a great actor. Nice song. Pretty heavy.
@anuradha513
lie with me is a very nice movie..... ur perception needs to be good to watch such movie....i loved it