“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
Ghost
HRVRD Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the territory
In the leaves, the trees
The woods that give us peace
And someone, somewhere
Is watching
Someone, somewhere
Is watching you
Wherever you are
No matter how far
Just lead
There, that's it
Woke up dead
There, that's it
Woke up dead
I can feel it
I can feel it in the air
In the air
I can feel it
I can feel air
Take it from me, from me
That we'll never sleep
From me, from me
They're the ones that gave
Bought and sold everything you own
Bought and sold everything you own
The truth lies in where you hide
The truth lies in where you
Wherever you are
No matter how far
Just lead
Lead us to the water
Lead us to the end
Lead us to the water
Lead us until death
That's it
Woke up dead
There, that's it
Woke up dead
And I can feel it
I can feel it in the air
In the air, I can feel it
I can feel it
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Wherever you are
No matter how far
Just leave 'till you lead
Lead us to the end
Lead us to the end
I can
Feel it, I can feel it
In the air, in the air
I can feel it, I can feel it
Love the one whose past was broke
I'm the one who never knows
Look at you without your clothes
I draw the line here
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost
The lyrics of HRVRD's song "Ghost" seem to be about being watched and hunted by something or someone, but also finding a sense of peace in nature. The opening lines suggest that this entity that may be watching is always present, even in the natural world that we find peaceful, like in the leaves, trees, and woods. It's as if the entity is constantly lurking, waiting to strike or make its presence known. The chorus repeats the phrase "wherever you are, no matter how far, just lead" several times, as if it's a mantra to keep moving forward and not give up, even in the face of danger.
The second verse suggests that this entity has control over everything we own, and it's bought and sold by them. The truth lies in where you hide, hinting that to escape and be safe, you have to find a hiding place. The bridge is ambiguous, with the lines "lead us to the water/lead us until death," which can be interpreted as a plea for help or a suicidal thought.
The song ends with the repeated line "go ghost, lead," which could mean turning invisible or fading away to escape whatever is watching. The final lines are about love, broken pasts, and drawing the line, leaving the interpretation open to the listener's imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
Take it from me, from me
Believe what I say, I have experienced it firsthand
It's the territory
It's the place we belong to, where we feel safe and peaceful
In the leaves, the trees
In the natural surroundings where we find solace
The woods that give us peace
The forest that provides serenity
And someone, somewhere
There is always someone watching us
Is watching
Keeping an eye on us
Wherever you are
No matter where you exist
No matter how far
No matter how distant
Just lead
Take the lead, show the way
There, that's it
That's the ultimate truth
Woke up dead
Realized what is truly meaningful when it's too late
I can feel it
I sense it
In the air
Around us
Take it from me, from me
Understand what I say
That we'll never sleep
We will never rest
They're the ones that gave
They are the ones who provided
Bought and sold everything you own
Ensured no true ownership or control over anything
The truth lies in where you hide
The real answer lies in your secrets
Wherever you
Anywhere you go
Just lead
Be the guide
Lead us to the water
Take us to the source of life
Lead us until death
Lead us to the end
And I can feel it
It's palpable
Love the one whose past was broke
Value someone who has endured hardships in their life
I'm the one who never knows
I'm always ignorant or clueless
Look at you without your clothes
Observe you in a raw and vulnerable state
I draw the line here
I will not accept anything beyond this point
Go ghost, lead
Disappear and show us the way
Contributed by Victoria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@davestowell4708
Take it from me, from me
It's the territory
In the leaves, the trees
The woods that give us peace
And someone, somewhere
Is watching
Someone, somewhere
Is watching you
Wherever you are
No matter how far
Just lead
There, that's it
Woke up dead
There, that's it
Woke up dead
I can feel it
I can feel it in the air
In the air
I can feel it
I can feel air
Take it from me, from me
That we'll never sleep
From me, from me
They're the ones that gave
Bought and sold everything you own
Bought and sold everything you own
The truth lies in where you hide
The truth lies in where you
Wherever you are
No matter how far
Just lead
Lead us to the water
Lead us to the end
Lead us to the water
Lead us until death
That's it
Woke up dead
There, that's it
Woke up dead
And I can feel it
I can feel it in the air
In the air, I can feel it
I can feel it
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Wherever you are
No matter how far
Just leave 'till you lead
Lead us to the end
Lead us to the end
I can
Feel it, I can feel it
In the air, in the air
I can feel it, I can feel it
Love the one whose past was broke
I'm the one who never knows
Look at you without your clothes
I draw the line here
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
Go ghost, lead
@MortisMedia
8 years later this is still my favourite song
@roseashley7650
Why do some of the best sounding songs go so unnoticed?
@ToWitnessAMurder
One of the greatest songs of all time. That change at the 3:00 minute mark is unmatched. Will never get old
@sleepylol2054
man this song brings back memories 2012...
@voilathecabbage6006
does anyone really even understand how good this is?
@charlesroseman9466
+Chris Jackson I think i do.
@starks6107
No. unfortunately its like it doesn't even matter.. but Modest Mouse happens to be the best goddamn thing since sliced bread. Smfh.
@voilathecabbage6006
Your comment is like 17 years too late bruh
@starks6107
.. We have to go back, Marty ..
@iansilva5193
Starks 610 ...my GOD... I got that dude!!LOL