Herndon was recently announced a candidate for doctoral study in Electronic Music at Stanford University, and received her MFA in Electronic Music and Recording Media at Mills College under the guidance of John Bischoff, James Fei, Maggi Payne, and Fred Frith. While at Mills she won the Elizabeth Mills Crothers award for Best Composer in 2010 for her vocal generated piece ’195′.
Her musical work explores embodied experience in electronic media through experiments with the electronically processed voice, using extended vocal techniques, vocal processing and FM synthesis.
Herndon released CAR in 2010, a site specific cassette on ThirdSex in Chicago, and is currently working on her solo debut album and a book on embodiment in electronic music performance for the Swiss publisher Van Dieren. Other notable projects for 2012 involve collaborations with Jlin, Hieroglyphic Being, Rene Hell and the Iranian philosopher Reza Negarestani, as well as performances with the media group .
When not producing music, Herndon curates and manages exhibits and residencies at The Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco and teaches music technology at the University of the Pacific. She co-founded the +dialog speaker series at Gray Area Foundation of the Arts in San Francisco, which to date has hosted Kode9, Erik Davis, Max Matthews, Douglas Kahn and more.
Frontier
Holly Herndon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Their world is long gone
A leap or push, a path of love or of blood
Break from the past or a hunt
Don't hesitate, my love, you've gone this far
Their road leads to fire
This earth doesn't care for what we need, what we breathe
Son, it's the right time
Never be afraid
The run is tonight
Move fast, stay low
Be the first for they all know
Our world sends the mothers' kisses light
Do it right, mine and run, then go dark, son
Do it right now, now the light will die
Do it right, your way, love
Take the rest of me
Son, it's the right time (don't hesitate my love)
Never be afraid (you've gone this far)
Their road leads to fire (the run is tonight)
This Earth (move fast)
Doesn't care (stay low)
For what we need, what we breathe (be the first for they all know)
A frontier of green or of dust
The lyrics of Holly Herndon's song "Frontier" convey a sense of urgency, independence, and breaking away from societal expectations.
The first verse, "Don't listen to what the silvers say, their world is long gone," suggests disregarding the opinions and advice of others who represent the establishment. The term "silvers" may symbolize the influential but outdated figures who hold onto traditional beliefs. The singer encourages taking a leap of faith, whether it be through acts of love or violence, to break away from the past or a pursuit of something meaningful.
The chorus, "Don't hesitate, my love, you've gone this far, their road leads to fire," emphasizes the importance of not delaying or second-guessing oneself. It encourages embracing the risks and challenges ahead, as taking the familiar path will only lead to destruction. The mention of fire suggests danger or consequences that can arise from following the established norms.
The second verse introduces a parental figure addressing their child and urging them to seize the opportunity, saying, "Son, it's the right time, never be afraid, the run is tonight, move fast, stay low, be the first for they all know, our world sends the mothers' kisses light." Here, the singer supports the idea of taking action and being proactive. By highlighting the run being tonight and the need to be first, they emphasize the importance of seizing the moment and making the most of the limited time available. The reference to "mothers' kisses light" suggests the emotional support and encouragement of loved ones.
The final lines of the song, "Do it right, your way, love, take the rest of me. Son, it's the right time (don't hesitate my love), never be afraid (you've gone this far), their road leads to fire (the run is tonight), this Earth (move fast), doesn't care (stay low), for what we need, what we breathe (be the first for they all know), a frontier of green or of dust," reinforce the idea of embracing personal choice and individuality, regardless of societal norms. The Earth, depicted as indifferent to human needs and desires, represents the vast expanse of possibilities. Whether it is a frontier of green, symbolizing growth and renewal, or one of dust, representing desolation and hardship, the message is to boldly forge one's path and live authentically.
Overall, "Frontier" encourages breaking free from the confines of conformity, trusting one's instincts, and meeting challenges head-on to create a unique and fulfilling existence. It celebrates the pursuit of personal growth, regardless of the uncertainties that lie ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't listen to what the silvers say
Disregard the advice or opinions of those in power
Their world is long gone
The old ways or systems they cling to are no longer relevant or effective
A leap or push, a path of love or of blood
A bold and decisive action, motivated by either affection or violence
Break from the past or a hunt
Escape the constraints of tradition or engage in pursuit
Don't hesitate, my love, you've gone this far
Don't be indecisive or uncertain, you've already made significant progress
Their road leads to fire
Their chosen path will result in destruction or chaos
This earth doesn't care for what we need, what we breathe
The world is indifferent to our desires or necessities
A frontier of green or of dust
An unexplored territory, characterized by either growth or decay
Son, it's the right time
Now is the opportune moment for action
Never be afraid
Fear should not hold you back
The run is tonight
The escape or mission will take place under cover of darkness
Move fast, stay low
Travel swiftly and remain inconspicuous
Be the first for they all know
Seize the initiative, as others are aware of the situation
Our world sends the mothers' kisses light
The nurturing and protective nature of our environment is comforting
Do it right, mine and run, then go dark, son
Execute the plan perfectly, claim what is rightfully ours, escape swiftly, then disappear
Do it right now, now the light will die
Take immediate action, as delaying will lead to the loss of opportunities
Do it right, your way, love
Pursue your objectives in a manner that aligns with your values and emotions
Take the rest of me
Accept all of my support and commitment to our cause
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Holly Herndon, Mathew Dryhurst
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nepal Bitcoin
Lyrics (copied from genius com)
Don't listen to what the silvers say
Their world is long gone
A leap or push, a path of love or of blood
Break from the past or a hunt
Don't hesitate, my love, you've gone this far
Their road leads to fire
This Earth doesn't care for what we need, what we breathe
A frontier of green or of dust
Son, it's the right time, never be afraid
The run is tonight
Move fast, stay low, be the first for they all know
Our world sends the mothers' kisses light
Do it right, mine and run, then go dark, son
Do it right now, now the light will die
Do it right, your way, love
Take the rest of me
Don't hesitate my love, you've gone this far
Son, it's the right time, never be afraid
Their road leads to fire
The run is tonight
This earth doesn't care for what we need, what we breathe
Move fast, stay low, be the first for they all know
A frontier of green or of dust
🖖🖖🖖🖖🖖
Elaena Gardner
Idumea is a song from the songbook the Sacred Harp which is written in shape note. (The other Sacred Harp song from Cold Mountain is "I'm Going Home".) Frontier seems to be heavily influenced by shape note and it's singing traditions (the "La Fa La" at the beginning is a traditional way of pitching a minor shape note song). The lyrics to Idumea:
And am I born to die?
To lay this body down!
And must my trembling spirit fly
Into a world unknown
A land of deepest shade
Unpierced by human thought
The dreary regions of the dead
Where all things are forgot
Soon as from earth I go
What will become of me?
Eternal happiness or woe
Must then my portion be!
Waked by the trumpet sound
I from my grave shall rise
And see the Judge with glory crowned
And see the flaming skies
4AD
Brand new music from Holly Herndon. New album 'PROTO' out on May 10th.
Alejandro Martínez Corredor
@Carlos Pires So does Desde can Dance singer Lisa Gerard...and she's stunning.
CCRSSME
Thank you 4AD 🙏
Carlos Pires
Typical 4AD Band ...reminds some mystere of the voix bulgaires!
Kallisto Aquila
Holly Herndon
Published on May 2, 2019
𐀀𐀚𐀗𐀂𐀋𐀩𐀊
dvs
this is like giving minions ayahuasca
Colin Bennett
Just watched 'Banana Song' and found this is very accurate..
David Björn
omgggg lmaoooooo
Félix Prudhomme
"So while Frontier was written in homage to Sacred Harp music from where I grew up, perhaps what is more interesting is that shape note singing may be a descendent of the same Proto singing traditions that early humans took with them to all corners of the world, which is poetic, as when I sit and listen to examples of that music, it feels like a kind of fundamental universal collective fight music. Which is partly why I conceived of the song in relation to the climate challenge. Our ancestors may have developed collective singing as a survival tool, so I thought that maybe now would be a good time to revisit that millennia-old resilient technology."
Holly Herndon on twitter about Frontier
Colin Bennett
There's thinking singing predated speaking, that making choirs differentiated hominids from other apes. Feeling the joy of togetherness, predating listening, makes sense to me. Sacred Harp music is performance with no audience; if you hear, you participate. The old way. No pedestals. Directly experiencing 'us', together.