“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
French Girls
HRVRD Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the spice of love your way
in the back of my mind (won't someone come to be the knife)
be the story in the back of mind (won't someone come to be the night)
creatures walk the earth all the time on the dime
in the back of my mind
graves only come in peace (can't you see it)
they'll make you freeze like ice-sickles
as it goes down
they'll make you think before you go
hit the ground
creatures walk the earth all the time without reason
oh, drink your wine
the water is not for your lungs
the water is not for anyone
hell no, hell no
you think that we're the same
The lyrics to HRVRD's song "French Girls" are filled with vivid imagery that seems to be exploring the idea of love, death, and freedom. The opening lines "to be the god of love, like sugar / the spice of love your way" suggests that love can be both sweet and spicy, but also all-consuming like a god. This idea continues in the lines "creatures walk the earth all the time on the dime / in the back of my mind", which implies that love can be both empowering and dangerous, taking over the mind and body.
The next verse switches gears to explore death and grace, with the lines "graves only come in peace / grace only has to come once". The juxtaposition of these lines suggests that death can bring peace, while grace can bring salvation. However, the next lines are more cryptic, with "they'll make you freeze like ice-sickles / as it goes down / they'll make you think before you go / hit the ground". These lines seem to imply that death can be brutal and sudden, making one freeze in fear before they fall.
The final verse is perhaps the most abstract and open to interpretation, with the lines "creatures walk the earth all the time without reason / oh, drink your wine / the water is not for your lungs / the water is not for anyone / hell no, hell no / you think that we're the same". These lines suggest that there are beings on this earth that exist without a clear purpose, and that one should enjoy the simple pleasures of life like drinking wine. However, there is also a warning implied in the line about the water not being for anyone's lungs, suggesting that there are dangers and risks to be aware of. The final line "you think that we're the same" seems to be a challenge to the listener, suggesting that they are not like others and should embrace their individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
to be the god of love, like sugar
I want to embody the concept of love as perfectly and purely as sugar.
the spice of love your way
Everyone experiences love differently, and I want to experience it your way.
in the back of my mind (won't someone come to be the knife)
I can't shake this thought, and I wish something or someone could come and end it for me.
be the story in the back of mind (won't someone come to be the night)
I want someone to come and be the darkness that consumes the story that's been lingering in the back of my mind.
creatures walk the earth all the time on the dime
People are always doing things for money instead of for genuine passion and talent.
in the back of my mind
It's something that's always there, lingering in my subconsciousness.
graves only come in peace (can't you see it)
Death only means peace, and I wish people could see this.
grace only has to come once (can't you feel)
Grace is fleeting, and you have to cherish it when it happens.
they'll make you freeze like ice-sickles
Some people or situations can make you feel frozen and unable to move or act.
as it goes down
Things may seem to be going downhill, but you have to keep going with them.
they'll make you think before you go
Some things will make you think long and hard before making a decision, about whether you should stay or walk away.
hit the ground
The decision you've made will have consequences, and it will make you feel like you've hit the ground.
creatures walk the earth all the time without reason
People are aimlessly wandering through life without a clear purpose or direction.
oh, drink your wine
Enjoy the little things and pleasures of life, like a glass of wine.
the water is not for your lungs
You can't handle everything life throws at you, and it's okay not to take everything in.
the water is not for anyone
Life is not always meant to be easy, and you just have to accept that.
hell no, hell no
Absolutely not, no way.
you think that we're the same
Don't assume that just because we have similar experiences or backgrounds, we are the same or think the same way.
Contributed by Anthony F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sorrymarco
To be the god of love, like sugar
The spice of love your way
In the back of my mind (won't someone come to be the knife)
Be the story in the back of mind (won't someone come to be the night)
Creatures walk the earth all the time on the dime
In the back of my mind
Graves only come in peace (can't you see it)
Grace only has to come once (can't you feel)
They'll make you freeze like ice-sickles
As it goes down
They'll make you think before you go
Hit the ground
Creatures walk the earth all the time without reason
Oh, drink your wine
The water is not for your lungs
The water is not for anyone
Hell no, hell no
You think that we're the same
@heathervanhoy2353
My favorite song for almost a decade ❤️
@famfunfour3012
Mine too!!!
@sorrymarco
To be the god of love, like sugar
The spice of love your way
In the back of my mind (won't someone come to be the knife)
Be the story in the back of mind (won't someone come to be the night)
Creatures walk the earth all the time on the dime
In the back of my mind
Graves only come in peace (can't you see it)
Grace only has to come once (can't you feel)
They'll make you freeze like ice-sickles
As it goes down
They'll make you think before you go
Hit the ground
Creatures walk the earth all the time without reason
Oh, drink your wine
The water is not for your lungs
The water is not for anyone
Hell no, hell no
You think that we're the same
@lemonyellow7
Going through some of the Harvard tracks of old here, and I'm not surprised that they're as dynamic and keen as the more recent HRVRD material. The vinyl of this must be sweet as hell.
@AlexisLivesForThis
I love circa and i love Harvard,and each unique and each amazing. The sound And the heart in this band. Is just as amazing And beautiful no need to compare. Great is great the end.
@laurenteec
Still one of my favorite albums ever!
@BlurryGhost
I totally hear the mellow circa vibe that is present. Yes they use more instruments then circa. That's how I heard about them. The headline about them said of you like circa you'll like HRVRD. The singer of this band barely sounds like Anthony green at certain moments yes but not a lot. That's besides the point I love this band. They make good stuff.
@ComeAllYouWeary
Gotta comment again because this song got better so many times that I'm welling up a bit; I really needed a band that resonated with me and I feel saved.
@dimeuno
Very powerful, clear sound. Thank you.
@CBosridesandreviews
Great song, great group!!! Damn i just love real music.