“Live music has so much potential for greatness,” expresses HRVRD vocalist Jesse Clasen. “To me, a studio recording is a snapshot of where a song is at that moment, and it should always continue to evolve and take on new perspectives. Live performances are opportunities to share something unique and beautiful with your audience…I’ve always admired the artists that let their songs blossom into something new and exciting even after they’ve been recorded.”
And while HRVRD’s performances let the band explore expanded artistic grounds, one simply cannot deny the power, quality and creativity found within the Charlotte, NC-based band’s recorded material that serves as their foundation. Founded in 2004 by guitarists Lee Herrera and Jason Shaw, the band progressively evolved into a quintet of brilliantly imaginative musicians, rounded out by drummer Tim Cossor, bassist Garrett Leister and the aforementioned hypnotic frontman, Jesse Clasen. Together the band, formerly known as Harvard, released their debut EP Animals in 2008 followed by the critically acclaimed full-length album The Inevitable and I less than a year later through Enjoy The Ride Records.
HRVRD also went on to release their self-produced album Interpretations in 2010, a five-track EP of reimagined versions of songs off of The Inevitable and I, followed by a year and a half of writing for their upcoming album. In January 2012, the band returned to Salad Days Studios in Baltimore, MD to reunite with renowned producer Brian McTernan (Circa Survive, Senses Fail), who had also produced The Inevitable and I. Clasen elaborates on their decision to work with McTernan again explaining, “We record our demos with the intention of listening to them more objectively in order to make them better; however, everyone gets attached to the way the demo sounds and so rarely do we ever make revisions…Working with Brian [McTernan] again makes everyone in the band more comfortable though and ready to make those revisions. It is an environment where everyone is ready to do what it takes to enhance the songs.” Shaw adds, “Brian is amazing to work with because he expects the best out of you and is going to reciprocate that ideal in his part of the recording process. He wants every song to have an identity, which is something I personally want in the music I play…it’s nice to work with someone who’s on the same page as you.”
On the new album, HRVRD’s haunting sound blends intricate and cinematic guitar riffs with dark, passionate lyrics and powerful, driving rhythms. Effortlessly encompassing the impressive technical qualities of underground progressive-rock and experimental outfits, while remaining accessible through honest, relatable lyrics, the fusion creates a full-bodied, dreamlike ambience filled with catchy, yet sonically sinister melodies. Clasen's ethereal voice defies genres and offers vast vocal range with a wide spectrum of stylistic tones that stand out as notable without overpowering the outfit’s more than capable instrumentations. Their true talent shines not only in their ability to perfectly juxtapose driving and atmospheric elements in a complimentary manner but also in their use of those musical elements to guide and balance the lyrical storytelling.
“The most important thing we kept in mind [on the new album] was a strict “less is more” rule,” Herrera notes. “In the end, I think the songs are more mature, more heartfelt and more honest, we used all of our experiences from the first record and tried to learn from them to make a better, shorter and more focused product.” Lyrically, the new album shares a journey of intense internal struggles of the ordinary man. “It’s about the tension between positive and negative perspectives on relationships, progression, religion, and science,” Clasen expounds. “And more personally, it’s me working out who and what I love, and why.” The band will release the sophomore, full-length album through Upstate NY-based independent label Equal Vision Records later this year, with the record’s release date and details yet to be revealed.
Members:
Jesse Clasen - Vocals
Lee Herrera - Guitar
Jason Shaw - Guitar
Garrett Leister - Bass
Tim Cossor - Drums
An End Weight
HRVRD Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Til I hear the sound
The church bells rang so I sat down
(Down the only road I know)
I keep cool, like a fool
with a stitched mouth
Drank some wine so I'd pass out
And hidden within the truth was a lie
One day you'll see me on parade
Losing all my faith
It is cool, it is fine, I don't mind
At all, my love
But when are you coming home?
You got my back against the wall
My feet off the floor
You look at me and I feel yellow
You said everything would change
But it all looks the same
You can't run from your thoughts
One day you'll see me on parade
Losing all my faith
It is cool, it is fine, I don't mind
At all, my love
But when are you coming home?
Cause I won't wait for you
If the gods don't want me to
And I won't wait for you
If the gods don't want me to
Cause I've got you
Like a tattoo
On my body, on my body
Cause I've got you
Like a tattoo
On my body, on my body
I'm happy for you
I'm happy for you
I'm happy for you
I'm happy for you
I'm happy for you
I'm happy for you
The lyrics to Hrvrd's song "An End Weight" are open to interpretation and can be deeply personal to each listener. The opening lines introduce a character who is grinning uncontrollably and waiting for the sound of church bells. The character proceeds to drink wine until they pass out, suggesting a desire to escape reality. The following lines reveal the paradox of the truth being hidden within a lie that keeps all of the memories alive. This could imply that holding onto lies can prevent one from moving on from certain memories.
The lyrics then switch to a more direct tone as the singer addresses someone who they seem to have conflicting emotions towards. They feel as though they have their back against the wall and their feet off the floor, suggesting a feeling of being trapped and powerless. The lines "You can't run from your thoughts" highlight the idea that despite trying to escape, one's thoughts will always follow them. The chorus repeats the same lines and seems to convey a longing for this individual to come back, but ultimately stating that they will not wait for them if the gods do not want it to happen. The repetition of the lines "Cause I've got you, like a tattoo, on my body, on my body" portrays a sense of permanence and an inability to fully let go, even if they wanted to. The song ends with the repeated line "I'm happy for you" suggesting the singer's reconciliation with the situation and acceptance of their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
She won't stop grinning now
She is very excited and happy and cannot stop smiling.
'Til I hear the sound
She will not stop grinning until she hears a particular sound.
The church bells rang so I sat down
Upon hearing the church bells, she sat down.
(Down the only road I know)
The church bells rang while she was on the only road she knows.
I keep cool, like a fool
She remains relaxed and composed despite feeling foolish.
with a stitched mouth
She remains silent since her mouth is stitched.
Drank some wine so I'd pass out
She drank wine to facilitate passing out.
And hidden within the truth was a lie
Despite being truthful, there is a hidden lie that keeps her memories alive.
That keeps all your memories alive
The lie hidden within the truth is responsible for keeping all her memories alive.
One day you'll see me on parade
One day she will be in a parade where people will see her.
Losing all my faith
During the parade, she will lose all her faith and hope.
It is cool, it is fine, I don't mind
She is calm and fine with the situation.
At all, my love
Despite being calm, she is still addressing her love.
But when are you coming home?
She is eagerly waiting for her love to come home.
You got my back against the wall
She feels trapped and helpless.
My feet off the floor
She is not grounded and feels like she's floating.
You look at me and I feel yellow
When her love looks at her, she feels vulnerable and exposed.
You said everything would change
Her love had promised that everything would be different.
But it all looks the same
Despite the promise, everything remains the same.
You can't run from your thoughts
She acknowledges that one cannot escape their own thoughts.
Cause I won't wait for you
She has decided that she will not wait for her love.
If the gods don't want me to
She believes that her fate is up to the gods.
Cause I've got you
Despite her decision, she still has her love.
Like a tattoo
Her love is permanently and indelibly marked on her.
On my body, on my body
Her love is etched on her body.
I'm happy for you
Despite everything, she is happy for her love.
I'm happy for you
She repeats that she is happy for her love.
I'm happy for you
She continues to express her happiness for her love.
I'm happy for you
She reiterates that she is happy for her love.
I'm happy for you
She concludes by stating that, ultimately, she is happy for her love.
Contributed by Isabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Isabella Ximenez
She won't stop grinning now
'Til I hear the sound
The church bells rang so I sat down
(Down the only road I know)
I keep cool, like a fool
with a stitched mouth
Drank some wine so I'd pass out
And hidden within the truth was a lie
That keeps all your memories alive
One day you'll see me on parade
Losing all my faith
It is cool, it is fine, I don't mind
At all, my love
But when are you coming home?
You got my back against the wall
My feet off the floor
You look at me and I feel yellow
You said everything would change
But it all looks the same
You can't run from your thoughts
One day you'll see me on parade
Losing all my faith
It is cool, it is fine, I don't mind
At all, my love
But when are you coming home?
Cause I won't wait for you
If the gods don't want me to
And I won't wait for you
If the gods don't want me to
Cause I've got you
Like a tattoo
On my body, on my body
x2
I'm happy for you
kristen isoldi
I don't understand why they aren't famous. My friends and I have gone to see them a few times and they are even better live. And the crowd only consists of like 10 people it's no fair, these guys are extremely talented.
Bradley Baker
Such is life... You dont create art for fame.
Isabella Ximenez
She won't stop grinning now
'Til I hear the sound
The church bells rang so I sat down
(Down the only road I know)
I keep cool, like a fool
with a stitched mouth
Drank some wine so I'd pass out
And hidden within the truth was a lie
That keeps all your memories alive
One day you'll see me on parade
Losing all my faith
It is cool, it is fine, I don't mind
At all, my love
But when are you coming home?
You got my back against the wall
My feet off the floor
You look at me and I feel yellow
You said everything would change
But it all looks the same
You can't run from your thoughts
One day you'll see me on parade
Losing all my faith
It is cool, it is fine, I don't mind
At all, my love
But when are you coming home?
Cause I won't wait for you
If the gods don't want me to
And I won't wait for you
If the gods don't want me to
Cause I've got you
Like a tattoo
On my body, on my body
x2
I'm happy for you
Nuk
you the real mvp, thank you.
TheMarksmansam
This needs to be upvoted more! Thanks for posting the lyrics!
MusicButler1426
The part when he's singing "im happy for you" tears me apart. I always think of it as you have to let someone go that you loved and this is your chance to let them know youre happy for them even though it hurts
Stu
Exactly how I felt and interpreted it as well.
davethebrobarian
Who else keeps coming back to this song? It's so catchy, I end up remembering the chorus and having to listen to it. "One day you'll see me on parade, losing all my faith. It is cool, It is fine, I don't mind...at all my loveeee, But when are you comin' home?" Godddd sooooo catchyyyyyy.
Lord Moon
keeps coming baaaack!
Mountain Man Dave
@Lord Moon 10 years later, I'm still here. This song and "French Girls" are like my favorite songs ever written.