There’s a scene in Dostoevsky’s Brothers Karamazov where the main characters Ivan and Alyosha discuss the existence of God. Ivan, in particular, questions the idea of God. Alyosha, on the other hand, is a monk, a believer, some may say, a holy fool.
Talk of faith and exalted things is rare in indie rock today. Enter Seattle band Ivan & Alyosha. Throughout their second release, the five song Fathers Be Kind EP, the band chart their own course between divinity and disbelief.
“I left my family and my home/to fight the battle on my own
I stole a car and drove away/but in my hate St. Paul did say
‘Glorify the Lord above/with your drink and making love
Glorify the Lord my son, with your whisky and your gun.”
Ivan & Alyosha began as the solo outlet for Tim Wilson but in spring 2007 the band formed after Tim met Ryan Carbary through a former band mate and mutual friend. Ryan and Tim began playing and recording together and a trip to Los Angeles to work with Eli Thompson (Richard Swift, Delta Spirit) spawned the name Ivan & Alyosha. According to Tim, Thompson is a huge Dostoevsky fan and the name stuck. With that, Wilson and Carbary released The Verse, The Chorus, their debut EP on Cheap Lullaby Records (Joan as Police Woman, The Silver Seas, Teitur). The stand out track “Easy To Love” earned NPR Song of the Day honors as “a propulsive, sweetly booming ode to love as a feat of endurance.”
The name Ivan & Alyosha is apt for a band cutting its teeth. As Ivan in Brothers Karamazov moves through the novel with doubts, Ivan & Alyosha navigate the indie rock world contemplating their path as a band. Tim says he writes songs about what’s current in his life. He recently married and had a son. Songs like “Living for Someone” and “Fathers Be Kind,” reflect Ivan & Alyosha grappling with the idea of being in a band and trying to fashion a career. Not only to follow their dreams but to earn a livelihood and support their families; a feeling he expresses in the former song, “Expecting our first child / Amid the great recession”. Despite the uncertainty, Ivan & Alyosha’s soulful folk tunes suggest a band inspired, hopeful and longing; a band unafraid to probe their collective faith and doubts.
Plus, things are different this time around. Tim and Ryan are joined by two others – Tim Kim and Pete Wilson, Tim’s brother. The band built a studio in a barn at Ryan’s parent’s house in Snohomish, 45 minutes outside of Seattle. Snohomish provides an idyllic setting with a charming main street lined by bars and little distraction. Self-recording their upcoming EP allows the guys more time together to create and perfect the new songs. Recently the band spent a week in New York playing gigs at 92Y Tribeca, Maxwell’s in Hoboken and Brooklyn’s Littlefield. They also took a trip to NPR Headquarters in Washington DC to record an NPR Tiny Desk Concert, and opened a run of shows for the Jayhawks’ Mark Olson.
In the Brothers Karamazov, when Ivan asks Alyosha to renounce his beliefs, Alyosha refuses. Rather, he kisses Ivan on the lips. Seattle’s Ivan & Alyosha are not nihilist indie rockers but a new brand of tender dreamers. And non-believers be damned! God, or no God - these guys are no holy fools. They have their music to prove it.
Everything Is Burning
Ivan & Alyosha Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shine it up and give it some wings?
You have found a beautiful thing,
A beautiful thing.
Did your woman break your heart?
Didn′t know who you really are?
She's the kind of girl who needs to drive
And there′s a bridge
That will cross sea.
There is a life you should be living;
Everything is burning.
Did she get inside your head,
All the stupid things that you've said?
She's the only reason you get out of bed.
Beautiful and lovely is she:
Wouldn′t find one who would disagree.
Standing beside every decent man
There′s a better woman.
And as I live,
The less I'm feeling.
She brings me back among the living.
And I guess I am learning,
Everything is burning.
Why is it every time I come to California it′s on fire?
This is where we should fall in love:
There's something in the water.
And as I live,
The less I feel –
Don′t know what's fake or what is real –
And I guess I am learning,
Everything is burning,
Everything is burning,
Everything is burning.
Ivan & Alyosha's song Everything Is Burning seems to be a reflection on love and relationships. The lyrics appear to be addressing the feelings of a man whose woman is not only the source of his happiness but also the source of his struggles. He seeks refuge in her and is at times naive and uncertain, but he understands that he needs her in his life. The song begins by asking if the woman takes his dreams, encourages them and gives them a boost, or if she breaks his heart and leaves him unconvinced of his worth. Through the lyrics, the man seems to understand the woman's strengths and weaknesses and sees her as a beautiful and lovely being. Part of his world is in her, and without her, he would not have a reason to wake up every morning.
The chorus of Everything Is Burning suggests that everything is in a state of turmoil, everything is burning, as if there is a fire within and around the man. It is possible that the fire represents the love the man feels, and the confusion he experiences as a result of his woman's presence or absence. The man could also be expressing that love is both beautiful and scary, that it can burn, and there's a chance that nothing will come out of it. However, the last verse of the song seems to be slightly optimistic, as the man seems to have an epiphany that everything is burning because he is beginning to understand that life is transient and that love is one of the few things that make life meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
Does your woman take your dreams,
Do you feel like your partner encourages and supports your aspirations?
Shine it up and give it some wings?
Does she add to your dreams by making them brighter and more achievable?
You have found a beautiful thing,
Your relationship is a wonderful, precious thing that you cherish.
A beautiful thing.
In fact, it's so special that it deserves to be celebrated.
Did your woman break your heart?
Has she let you down or caused you pain?
Didn't know who you really are?
Maybe she doesn't understand or appreciate you for who you truly are.
She's the kind of girl who needs to drive
Perhaps she is materialistic and values superficial things like brand-new cars.
A brand-new car.
She might prioritize external appearances over deeper values or connections.
And there's a bridge
There's always a way to cross difficult obstacles or challenges.
That will cross sea.
Even if the journey is long and daunting, you can overcome it.
There is a life you should be living;
You owe it to yourself to pursue a fulfilling and purposeful existence.
Everything is burning.
But sometimes, it can feel like everything around you is in chaos or turmoil.
Did she get inside your head,
Do you feel like she knows you and your thoughts intimately?
All the stupid things that you've said?
Maybe she is also aware of any flaws or mistakes you've made.
She's the only reason you get out of bed.
But despite any imperfections, she remains an essential source of motivation and comfort.
Beautiful and lovely is she:
You admire and appreciate her for her physical and personal qualities.
Wouldn't find one who would disagree.
It's clear to anyone who meets her that she is a wonderful person.
Standing beside every decent man
A great woman is often the supportive partner of a respectable man.
There's a better woman.
But sometimes, there may be an even better match out there for you.
And as I live,
As you continue to experience life and grow older,
The less I'm feeling.
You might feel more jaded or disconnected from emotions and experiences.
She brings me back among the living.
But your partner has the power to make you feel alive and present.
And I guess I am learning,
Perhaps you are still figuring out how to navigate your emotions and relationships.
Everything is burning.
Even if the world around you is unpredictable and ever-changing, you can find peace within yourself.
Why is it every time I come to California it's on fire?
The repeated destruction and chaos in one place can feel overwhelming and disorienting.
This is where we should fall in love:
Despite the hardship, you recognize the possibility for new connections and experiences.
There's something in the water.
There might be a certain intangible essence or energy in this location that sparks inspiration or emotion.
And as I live,
More time passes, and you experience even more of what life has to offer.
The less I feel –
But your growing awareness may come with a sense of numbness or detachment.
Don't know what's fake or what is real –
It can be hard to distinguish between honest, authentic experiences and ones that are insincere or even fraudulent.
And I guess I am learning,
You continue to learn and grow, even in the face of uncertainty and confusion.
Everything is burning,
But you're learning to find peace and meaning amidst all the chaos.
Writer(s): Peter Wilson, Timothy Kim, Timothy Wilson, Ryan Carbary, Timothy W Kim, Timothy Lyle Wilson, Peter Eric Wilson
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Emily Harju
This song really just reaches out and touches your heart on so many levels.
Yesica1993
I am so glad someone pointed me to this band today. My life has been missing out! They are stunning!
nalladegatights
Saw these cats open for Amy Mann in Delaware last year. I was standing at the bar ordering a drink, waiting for the opening act to start - that I never heard of..... Everyone at the bar literally turned around at the same moment when these guys started playing. Its really an amazing experience to hear something like that in a small club, that you know is going to be huge someday. Can't wait till they come back to the east coast.
Eobard Ferguson
There are so many songs out there that I've come to love, from so many decades and from so many memories in my life-- but I do believe this is the most beautiful song I have ever heard.
AndrewDoesAtlanta1
What an awesome band this is.
SoldanSoldan
For me this is ivan and alyosha's most amazing song. They're all great but this one... mmmm so good
Adela's
I first heard this song about a decade ago.. don't remember how I found you... but ever since then, anytime I'm having a bad day, anytime I need to relax my mind and detach from the chaos, I turn my phone on to the iTunes downloaded version of this track. "Everything is Burning". Such a beautiful song, capturing a delicate moment in time and space. You guys deserve so much more attention for this track. Hope you're well. Please continue to do what you do. - A friend you've never met :)
Angela W
They do sound better live!!! Love these guys...
Kerry Cooney
This might be my favorite song for the rest of my life. It seriously nourishes my soul. Beautiful music.
Milica Conkic
no words fulfilling enough.. this is beautiful :)