A native New Yorker with a captivating voice and a clear gift for songwriting, Meredith began playing both piano and violin from an early age, switching to guitar through high school and college. She began playing solo shows in small venues around New England, and made a few cds to hand out at shows which proved incredibly popular. Word spread fast, and the 2006 heyday of myspace added rocket fuel to the fire. When we talked with her about working together after the Southpaw show, we had no idea that her songs had already sold 15,000 copies, had not seen the 17 pages of cover versions on youtube, and had never been to one of her (more common) solo shows.
The name Gregory And The Hawk was conceived in 2003, initially devised to avoid her being perceived or pigeonholed as a female singer-songwriter (though, perhaps ironically, when pressed for a list of influences Meredith cites Nick Drake, Liz Phair, PJ Harvey). Meredith remained playing alone under that name for a few years, until she met Mike McGuire in New York in 2005. The two played live shows together for several months before teaming up with bassist Jeff Ratner and drummer Adam Christgau (both of New York band Paper And Sand). The four of them recorded the 'Boats And Birds EP', which they self-released in 2006.
Soon after, the four friends moved apart, and so Meredith began playing live with just Jeff on upright bass, and herself on acoustic guitar and vocals. This was how she played most of the shows to support 'In Your Dreams,' the debut album, again self-released in 2007. The only players on 'In Your Dreams' were Meredith, Mike McGuire (who also engineered most of it), and Susan Ambrose. The recording of 'Moenie and Kitchi' was somewhat different; while Mike, Susan and a host of others contributed, many of the instruments were played by the album's producer Adam Pierce (Mice Parade).
The gentle, hook-laden songs of Gregory And The Hawk's mostly solo/acoustic sets have received much of their considerable attention through internet streaming and downloads, resulting in a groundswell of support that belies the fact that up until now, there has been no label, no manager, or indeed any other supportive network to help them on their way. Gregory And The Hawk have but one thing on their side - the ability to craft spellbinding, idiosyncratic pop songs, that sound at once suggestive, familiar, and yet very much of themselves.
‘Moenie and Kitchi’ was released in October 2008, with US and European tours embarked on in support of this.
Gregory and The Hawk are currently writing new material for an album set to be released in 2010. Leche is schedule for release on Nov. 9th in the US and Nov. 15th in the UK.
Discography:
Gregory and the Hawk (demo quality) - c. 2002; re-released 2005
8-track demos - 2005
Boats & Birds EP - 2006
In Your Dreams - 2007
Moenie and Kitchi - 2008 - Fatcat
Leche - 2010 - Fatcat
Come, Now - 2012
Stone (EP) - 2012
A Selection of Demos - 2014
On the Orange Mountain - 2017
Three Weeks No Songs - 2020
Texas Collectious - 2022
Singles:
Ghost - 2008 - Fatcat
Olly Olly Oxen Free - 2010
Some White Mountain - 2023
Bootlegs:
Live at Olives - 4/4/04
The Bolder Thing to Do
Gregory and the Hawk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Climb three flights to tremble at the sight of your already open door
The frustration I see when I tell you I’d like some company breaks my heart
How can you be so impartial
And I’ve made myself the fool
Who’s fallen for you
So let me down softly this time and
I’ve just made myself look bad
You’re the one who should be feeling mad
It’d be better to forget you
But I don’t really want
It’d be better to forget you
But I don’t really want too
Energy spent trying to believe you’re not worth it
You don’t deserve it
But I wish you did cause I can’t live the thought of it
And I’ll remember you as the second or two artists
I knew who decided to screw me over
Cause it’s the bolder thing to do
And I’ve made myself the fool
Who’s fallen for you
So let me down softly this time and
I won’t have to come back crying
I’ve just made myself look bad
You’re the one who should be feeling mad
It’d be better to forget you
But I don’t really want
It’d be better to forget you
But I don’t really want to
And I’ve made myself the fool
Who’s fallen for you
So let me down softly this time and
I won’t have to come back crying
And I’ve made myself the fool
Who’s fallen for you
So let me down softly this time and
I won’t have to come back crying
The lyrics of "The Bolder Thing to Do" by Gregory and the Hawk speaks about unrequited love and the frustration, pain, and confusion that comes along with it. It seems like the singer is trying hard to make things right, to pursue someone who seems to be rather indifferent towards them. Each day, the singer is trying to make up for the previous day, climbing three flights of stairs, only to find that the person's door is already open. The frustration hits when the singer asks for some company, and it breaks their heart when they see the other person's indifferent response. The singer is trying hard to make a connection, but it feels like the other person is completely impartial.
The lyrics also convey the idea of feeling foolish for falling for someone who doesn't seem to reciprocate those feelings. The singer knows that they have made themselves look bad, and they wish that the other person would feel mad. However, it seems like the singer cannot help but be drawn to the other person. The singer wishes it would be better to forget about this person, but they find it difficult to let go.
Overall, "The Bolder Thing to Do" is a song that explores the complexities of unrequited love and the pain and frustration that can come along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day trying to make up for the one before
I am constantly trying to fix our relationship and make up for past mistakes.
Climb three flights to tremble at the sight of your already open door
I get anxious at the thought of visiting you, even though your door is always open.
The frustration I see when I tell you I’d like some company breaks my heart
It hurts me to see that you don't want to spend time with me and reject my company.
How can you be so impartial
I don't understand how you can be so unemotional and uninterested in me.
And I’ve made myself the fool
I have embarrassed myself by falling in love with you and chasing after you.
Who’s fallen for you
I have developed deep feelings for you and can't help but love you.
So let me down softly this time and I won’t have to come back crying
If you reject me again, I hope you do it gently so that I can move on without feeling heartbroken.
You’re the one who should be feeling mad
You are the one who should be angry with me for wasting your time and energy with my love.
It’d be better to forget you But I don’t really want
It would be easier to let go of my feelings for you, but I can't bring myself to do it.
Energy spent trying to believe you’re not worth it You don’t deserve it
I have wasted so much time and energy trying to convince myself that you are not worth my love and affection.
But I wish you did cause I can’t live the thought of it
Although you don't deserve my love, I still wish you did because I can't bear the thought of never being with you.
And I’ll remember you as the second or two artists I knew who decided to screw me over
You will be remembered as one of the few people who have broken my heart and left me feeling betrayed.
Cause it’s the bolder thing to do
You have hurt me because you think it is bold and courageous to reject someone's affection and love.
Contributed by John P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.