That's Hunter Valentine.
Blasting out their inimitable rock since the summer of 2004, Hunter Valentine has blossomed, establishing a devoted fan base via their self-financed eponymous 2005 EP and building on that foundation with their 2007 full-length The Impatient Romantic (True North Records). Razing crowds from coast to coast in their decrepit van, nailing select European and U.S. Cities over the course of 200-plus shows, the trio has garnered an international fan base as they build out of their native Canada. Hunter Valentine are now poised to break through with their gripping follow up Lessons From the Late Night (Tommy Boy/Fontana/Universal).
Raucous and direct, the outfit comprised of vocalist/guitarist Kiyomi McCloskey, bassist Adrienne Lloyd and drummer Laura Petracca exemplifies girls with a united goal, intense friendship, respect and ability that solidifies their edgy albeit refined music. There's no hyperbole when it comes to Hunter Valentine. Everything has a direct message, delivered with a devout refusal for glitz or glamour. The hard line says it all, conveyed by confident, unbridled rock 'n' roll.
For McCloskey, Lloyd and Petracca, Hunter Valentine isn't a job or an ambition. It's their essence, and it comes through loud and clear on Lessons From the Late Night. The album (a harder and more dominant affair than their previous releases) finds the trio rediscovering their own unrivalled live sound as well as embracing their own reality: tough girls with a passion for the rock 'n' roll life; souls who know nothing other than the importance of perfecting their craft, chasing their hunger to tour in vans and sleeping on fan floors for the thrill of playing live.
Such sentiments are the epitome of Lessons From the Late Night. Recorded at Toronto's Chemical Sound Studios by producer Ian Blurton (Weakerthans, Cursed, Skydiggers), adherence to capturing their live spirit on tape has resulted in another rugged blast of the band's congenital Do It Yourself ethics. The end results display a rawer, more confident Hunter Valentine.
βThis record is a lot more aggressive and a bit more honest; an accurate portrayal of what we sound like live,β McCloskey announces. βWe wanted to capture what we do on stage; something a lot more stripped down and away from any polished version of us. If there was a mistake, we left it in so the record has character. It shows our personalities through the music. Clearly I am nowhere near perfect, so why would I want an album that sounds perfect?β
As primary lyricist, McCloskey draws on her real-life experiences for Lessons From the Late Night's thematic thrust. βI'm inspired by a situation, picture or emotion that I just can't shake from my head,β she apprises. βIt could be the sad look of a girl I see on the bus weekly that has been imprinted on my mind, someone crossing me in a friendship, the passing of a relative, watching someone struggle with addiction or whatever needs to be processed within a song in order for me to move forward in life. If I didn't have songwriting I would probably be locked up by now.β
Most importantly though, Lessons From the Late Night finds Hunter Valentine returning to their core, unleashing their live prowess onto record. Performing is their passion; where they make lifelong fans due to an unbreakable calling to have fun no matter what. At that, Hunter Valentine delivers with engaging, upbeat shows that blindside and never relent.
βIt's a kick ass, high energy, entertaining, heartbreaking, heart racing, rush of emotions. You leave satisfied but wanting more,β Petracca asserts. βThis band is my family; my life. This is our primary goal and we have the opportunity to excel at music so we're into it full-throttle. This is the only thing we want to do until we master it. The day we step away is the day we've done it all and there's nothing more we can do.β
That's DIY.
That's Hunter Valentine.
Nowhere To Run
Hunter Valentine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Easy to please
Didn't question much 'bout love
Summers passed we got older,
A little bolder,
I didn't fit your circle much
Your sick of hearing that it's wrong
It will get better, give it time
But this won't change right on a dime
(???)
I know it feels like you're stuck here
When you got nowhere to run
I'll be waiting
Until the stars shine bright for you
When you got nowhere to run
I'll be waiting
Until your colors shine right through
I know it's hard on you when
You got nowhere to run
Your treading water it's too deep
You just can't breathe
Is it ever good enough
All these battles inside you
They won't hide you
Just confess I know you're tough
These sticks and stone won't take you down
Just keep your head up 'round this town
You've got so many things to come
Yeah you're not close or near to done
Your voice is loud
Don't you give up
I know it feels like you're stuck here
When you got nowhere to run
I'll be waiting
Until the stars shine bright for you
When you got nowhere to run
I'll keep waiting
Until your colors shine right through
I see your pictures and they're painted all in black and blue
I've heard the scripture
It was written on the wall for you
I hear you screaming in the night when no one's listening
When you got no one
When you got nowhere to run
I'll be waiting
Until the stars shine bright for you
When you got nowhere to run
I'll keep waiting
Until your colors shine right through
When you got nowhere to run
I'll be waiting
Until the stars shine bright for you
When you got nowhere to run
I'll be waiting
Until your colors shine right through
I know it's hard on you when
You got nowhere to run
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to run
I got nowhere
I got nowhere to run
I got nowhere
I got nowhere to run
I got nowhere
I got nowhere to run
I got nowhere
I got nowhere to run
The song "Nowhere to Run" by Hunter Valentine tells the story of a person who is struggling with their emotions and feelings of being trapped. The first verse speaks of youth and innocence, where there was not much questioning of love. But as they have gotten older and more mature, they feel they do not fit into their partner's circle. The chorus is a promise to stay by their loved ones' side until the darkness passes and they see the light. The second verse speaks of how difficult life can be, with battles that won't hide you, struggles too deep to tread in, and times when it all feels like it isn't good enough. But the chorus repeats the promise to be there for the person they love, even in the darkest moments of their life.
Line by Line Meaning
When we were young we were naive
When we were kids, we were inexperienced
Easy to please
We were satisfied with simple things
Didn't question much 'bout love
We didn't analyze love much
Summers passed we got older,
As we grew up, summer seasons elapsed
A little bolder,
We became a bit more courageous and daring
I didn't fit your circle much
I didn't belong in your group of friends
Your sick of hearing that it's wrong
You're tired of hearing people saying it's incorrect
I promise that it won't be long
I promise that it won't take much time
It will get better, give it time
Things will improve, just be patient
But this won't change right on a dime
But the situation won't turn around immediately
(???)
No meaning provided
I know it feels like you're stuck here
I understand how you feel trapped
When you got nowhere to run
When you feel cornered and trapped
I'll be waiting
I'll be there for you
Until the stars shine bright for you
Until things begin to look up for you
I'll keep waiting
I'll continue to be there for you
Until your colors shine right through
Until your true self shines through
Your treading water it's too deep
You're struggling to stay afloat
You just can't breathe
You feel suffocated and overwhelmed
Is it ever good enough
Are your efforts ever satisfactory?
All these battles inside you
All these inner struggles you're facing
They won't hide you
They won't conceal who you are
Just confess I know you're tough
Just admit it, I know you're strong
These sticks and stone won't take you down
The harsh words and criticisms won't break you
Just keep your head up 'round this town
Just continue to stay strong in this place
You've got so many things to come
You have a lot of good things ahead of you
Yeah you're not close or near to done
You still have a long way to go
Your voice is loud
You have a strong and powerful voice
Don't you give up
Don't lose hope
I see your pictures and they're painted all in black and blue
I notice your pictures portray sadness and pain
I've heard the scripture
I'm aware of the messages and lessons
It was written on the wall for you
It was meant for you to see and learn
I hear you screaming in the night when no one's listening
I hear you crying for help when nobody pays attention
When you got no one
When you feel alone and abandoned
I got nowhere
I have nowhere to go
I got nowhere to run
I feel trapped and unable to escape
Contributed by Lucy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Trudie Oneill
YASS GO QUEEN
Kiyomi Harrison
YOUR THE BEST