It didn't take long before Josh's unique voice and song writing style, influenced by the likes of Elliott Smith, Evan Dando, and Sparklehorse, began to find favour amongst music tastemakers, critics and Triple J listeners. The first taste, the assured 'Kids Don't Sell Their Hopes So Fast', found high rotation on Triple J and soon 'Silver' and the gently sweeping 'Doldrums' followed to similar praise and airplay. These tracks are now available on the CD 'Recordings 2003-2005' through The Million records.
Josh signed to Ivy League Records in 2005 and shortly afterwards travelled to New York for some further writing, performing and demoing and upon return set about recording what was his debut release under his own name, a mini album entitled "Feeding The Wolves".
"Feeding the Wolves" signified a great deal more than a change in name: It revealed a huge step in the development of Josh as an artist and songwriter. The subject matter was as broad as titles like "Beg Your Pardon", "Private Education", "Middle Of The Hill" and "Goldmines" suggest, however it's Josh's lyrics that draw this collection of songs together into a complete package. He cleverly dissects human emotion and feelings and shows them for what they are: complex, abstract, fascinating.
There is hope in the opening track 'Beg Your Pardon' and in 'Fill You In' there is emptiness and longing. The first single, 'Middle Of The Hill', is a near-stream of consciousness of a suburban childhood - family affection coloured by those sometimes darker, sometimes trivial details that for some reason stay with you. 'Goldmines' a vision of a land, or maybe a talent, stripped of its riches - but here and there a flash of colour survives. A relationship that seems to be an ongoing test is at 'Private Education's' centre. The title track finishes it, with Josh quick to point out the Wolves are not those wanting a piece of you for whatever reason - but those uncontrollable, irrational, emotions inside yourself that you have to keep in check.
With production by the much-lauded Wayne Connolly (You Am I, Underground Lovers, Youth Group, just about any Australian act of note...), "Feeding The Wolves" had the artist now rightly known as Josh Pyke letting his talent flow without constraint. The words seem to tumble out of him: honest, evocative, and emotional all at once. The playing - again mostly all Josh - is one moment sweetly melodic, then turning urgent and insistent as needs be. This range of feelings, packaged so they bounce around inside your head like good songs do, and given so generously, go together to make "Feeding The Wolves" the sound of an artist beginning to realise an enormous potential.
In 2007 Josh released his first full-length album 'Memories and Dust'. Although the record features three of the stand-out tracks from 'Feeding the Wolves' there are a further 8 tracks of similar quality, including the title track, which was the first single taken from the new batch. The release is again through Ivy League Records.
Josh's second album Chimney's Afire was released 4 October 2008 and was recorded at Sydney's Linear Recording studios. The first single off the album was "The Lighthouse Song", and the second was called "Make You Happy".
Goldmines
Josh Pyke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you can feel it, out with the big cats.
And there's a jaw trap, and there's a razor net.
And it's a dark night,
so paint your necks red,
so we can see you.
Vastness, there's a vastness,
but it's really full up to the brim.
And you can taste it,
like a battery on your tongue,
electricity passing particle, to particle, to particle.
And I’m gonna need some proof,
I'm gonna need some proof,
so set your traps right before I lay my money out for you.
Decision or indecision,
is it safer to stay in the light where I can see them?
But there was nothing there,
but you could feel the hum.
And it could core you like an apple kid,
or burn you 'til you turn to dust.
And I'm gonna need some proof,
I'm gonna need some proof,
so set your traps right before I lay my money out for you.
Buzz saw in the ears for days
and there's only so much a man can take
before crack, crack, crack, cracking in.
Buzz saw in the ears for days and there's only so much a man can take
before crack, crack, crack, cracking in.
Car ride,
we'll take a car ride,
out to the country,
to see the goldmines.
See where that hill ends?
That's where it all began,
and it was teeming then,
now it's a fucking wasteland, and it's such a waste man.
And I'm gonna need some proof,
I'm gonna need some proof,
so set your traps right before I lay my money out for you.
And I'm gonna need some proof,
I'm gonna need some proof,
so set your traps right before I lay my money out for you.
Buzz saw in the ears for days
and there's only so much a man can take
before crack, crack, crack, cracking in.
Buzz saw in the ears for days and there's only so much a man can take
before crack, crack, crack, cracking in.
The song "Goldmines" by Josh Pyke is a commentary on the dangers of greed and the consequences of exploiting natural resources without considering their long-lasting impact. The first verse describes a dark night where danger lurks in the form of jaw traps and razor nets. The color red represents danger, and the singer urges the big cats to paint their necks red so that they can be seen. This can be interpreted as a warning to those who prey on the vulnerable: eventually, their actions will catch up to them, and they will be exposed. The second verse talks about the vastness that seems empty but is actually full up to the brim. The singer compares it to the sensation of electricity passing from particle to particle, emphasizing the immense power that lies within nature. The third verse discusses the dilemma of whether to stay in the light where everything can be seen or venture into the unknown, where danger and possibility coexist. The singer acknowledges that either choice carries risk and suggests that he needs proof before laying his money out, indicating that he is cautious and does not want to be misled by false promises. The final verse talks about taking a car ride out to the countryside to see the goldmines. Although these mines were once teeming and rich, they are now a wasteland, the result of reckless exploitation. The repeated phrase "buzz saw in the ears for days" emphasizes the lasting impact of such actions, highlighting the dangers of greed and the importance of sustainability.
Line by Line Meaning
Dark night, it's a dark night.
The environment is hostile and dangerous, characterized by darkness.
And you can feel it, out with the big cats.
The presence of predators is evident and intimidating.
And there's a jaw trap, and there's a razor net.
The threat is real and imminent, with danger lurking in every direction.
And it's a dark night, so paint your necks red, so we can see you.
In order to survive and make it out alive, it is necessary to stand out and be visible.
Vastness, there's a vastness, and it looks empty, but it's really full up to the brim.
The world may appear empty, but it is overflowing with possibilities and opportunities.
And you can taste it, like a battery on your tongue, electricity passing particle, to particle, to particle.
With every particle and atom in your being, you can sense the potential of the universe.
And I’m gonna need some proof, I'm gonna need some proof, so set your traps right before I lay my money out for you.
Before committing to anything, it is essential to gather evidence and do due diligence.
Decision or indecision, is it safer to stay in the light where I can see them?
In uncertain situations, it is natural to question whether it is safer to stay in familiar, well-lit areas.
But there was nothing there, but you could feel the hum.
Although there may not be visible signs of danger or opportunity, there is a palpable energy and vibration in the air.
And it could core you like an apple kid, or burn you 'til you turn to dust.
The consequences of making the wrong move could be devastating and irreversible.
Buzz saw in the ears for days and there's only so much a man can take before crack, crack, crack, cracking in.
The constant pressure and noise of the world can take a toll on a person's mental and emotional wellbeing.
Car ride, we'll take a car ride, out to the country, to see the goldmines.
Journeying into the unknown in search of riches and rewards is an age-old human impulse.
See where that hill ends? That's where it all began, and it was teeming then, now it's a fucking wasteland, and it's such a waste man.
The places that were once teeming with life and possibility are now barren and unproductive, leaving a sense of sadness and regret.
Contributed by Scarlett P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@wamouse
Josh has been my favorite artist for years, but I've only recently started paying real attention to this song, and I have to say that it's my favorite. It's SO beautiful and, I don't know, resonant? It's got such deep meaning, and the composition is beautiful. Love you, Josh!
@Vool2go
I heard this many years ago, maybe ten!. I love it!
Lately I cannot get it out of my head it's driving me crazy!!👺
@jaspersheridan1710
One of the most interesting and intensely true songs ever
sang/written
@shitcasecinema
I love this song so much, it's amazing. This is a wonderful live performance. C-C-C-Car ride....!
@koala2rite
I absolutely adore this song. It would have to be one of my favourite songs of all time, never gets old, and Josh is so sweet :)
@julesellen66
Love this song so so much. Thank Josh. :-)
@ssmaton
Just beautiful, I love this footage.
@sabinemaar6781
He´ve a super tenderness feeling for making songs. Great, really. (The videos on his other successful songs are not my taste, but all are great songs. )
Go ahead you are a talent.
@2012201220122012YEAH
I love Josh Pyke and he comes over as a really great, genuine guy. The only thing I can't help dislike is when he speaks he sounds like Kyle Sandilands :( :(
@JoyKathleeen
Sounds a lot like Losing My Religion by REM. But I like.