During this time he also appeared in regular stints at the Wetlands Preserve. Although still relatively unknown, Devine gained some popularity with his 2003 album, Make the Clocks Move. Newer songs reflect Devine's political views and the recent death of his father to a stroke. He has recorded records for Immigrant Sun Records and Triple Crown Records and has worked with Brooklyn based producer Mike Skinner, who is also credited as the drummer on his solo records as well as the drummer for Miracle of 86. He signed with Capitol Records, who released his fourth album, Put Your Ghost to Rest, on October 17, 2006. Only four months after his major label debut, Devine was dropped from Capitol Records due to EMI merging Virgin and Capitol Records.
Devine was able to gather a strong fan base as a result of his exposure through touring with Brand New. First appearing as their opening act in their 2004 spring tour, Devine made a small splash among their fan base. However, opening for them again in April 2006, and joining their 2007 Spring tour with Manchester Orchestra, Kevin's following was multiplying by the day. (Kevin also opened for Brand New as a surprise act at the Triple Crown Records 10th Anniversary Concert.)
Devine's late 2007 touring schedule included a tour with close friend Jesse Lacey (of Brand New) and Grace Read at the end of July through early August, followed by a short trip to London, a spot on the Austin City Limits Festival, and a tour with Chin Up Chin Up throughout Germany. In October 2007 he toured with Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra and Owen.
Kevin posted numerous demos via his MySpace profile in late 2007/early 2008 and after negotiations with Capitol records, "Put Your Ghost To Rest" was re-released on April 20, 2008 by Procrastinate! Music Traitors.
Kevin toured Europe with Jenny Owen Youngs and Tournaments in May and other tours followed throughout 2008 with Jesse Lacey, Rachael Yamagata and Matt Pryor in August and September 2008.[1]
In late 2008, Kevin announced his new album Brother's Blood would be released in early 2009 on Favorite Gentlemen records, as well as a tour with Manchester Orchestra and the I Could Be With Anyone EP in support of both.
Less Yesterday More Today
Kevin Devine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gotta get my head on straight
The tree trunks rot and people get caught
Buying bullshit we don't need or want
Well full forests turn to desert's hot dried dirt
The animals dig ditches, they hide and watch our backs get burned
Yea I gotta start livin' that way
And less yesterday, and more today
Yea I gotta get my head on straight
The ground shrinks fast and the spot-lit strips of houses
They look like christmas lights she'd hang in her apartment
So I turn my head, I try to watch the screen instead
But my eyes go fuzzy and start painting shapes all over the movie I'm watching
And they mix and match my present with my past
But the colors are crisp and I press to hard so ink soaks straight through the back
And less yesterday, and more today
Yea I gotta start to live, to live that way
So less yesterday, and more today
Yea I gotta get my head on straight
Cause I keep ending up exactly where I start
A roller rink I stumble through waiting for the songs to stop
And I used to drown it out with empty space I found
But I turned my back and my life got too crowded so it's really hard to do that now
And less yesterday, and more today
Yea I gotta start livin that way
And less yesterday, and more today
Yea I gotta get my head on straight
In this song, Kevin Devine is reflecting on the passage of time and how it affects our priorities and sense of self. He expresses a desire to live more in the present, and to let go of the past. The opening lines, "Less yesterday and more today, I gotta get my head on straight" set the tone for this introspective piece. Devine notices the way in which people become attached to material goods and meaningless pursuits, as he sings "Buying bullshit we don't need or want." He contrasts this tendency with the power and importance of nature, as "Full forests turn to desert's hot dried dirt." He sees the destruction wrought by humans, and the way in which animals must adapt and survive.
The second verse centers on the idea of memory and how it can be both a comfort and a hindrance. He describes the way that his thoughts and emotions become jumbled when he tries to focus on the present, and how his past intrudes on his experiences. This is illustrated in lines such as "And they mix and match my present with my past, but the colors are crisp and I press too hard so ink soaks straight through the back." Devine acknowledges the difficulty of letting go of the past, as well as the way in which our surroundings can trigger memories and emotions.
Overall, "Less Yesterday More Today" is a lyrical meditation on the way that time shapes us and the struggle to focus on the present moment. Devine's introspective lyrics and emotive vocal delivery create a sense of nostalgia and longing, while also pushing the listener to consider their own relationship with time and memory.
Line by Line Meaning
Less yesterday and more today
Focus less on the past and more on the present
I gotta get my head on straight
I need to clear my mind and become more focused
The tree trunks rot and people get caught
Nature deteriorates while people become trapped in consumerism
Buying bullshit we don't need or want
We make unnecessary and unwanted purchases
Well full forests turn to desert's hot dried dirt
Lush habitats turn barren due to human activity
The animals dig ditches, they hide and watch our backs get burned
Animals suffer as a result of human destruction of the environment
The ground shrinks fast and the spot-lit strips of houses
Urban sprawl consumes land at a rapid rate
They look like christmas lights she'd hang in her apartment
The houses resemble decorations rather than homes
But my eyes go fuzzy and start painting shapes all over the movie I'm watching
My mind wanders and I become distracted
But the colors are crisp and I press to hard so ink soaks straight through the back
Memories are strong and can impact the present
Cause I keep ending up exactly where I start
I feel stuck and unable to make progress
A roller rink I stumble through waiting for the songs to stop
Life can feel like aimlessly moving through a noisy crowd
And I used to drown it out with empty space I found
I used to escape my problems by isolating myself
But I turned my back and my life got too crowded so it's really hard to do that now
I can no longer hide from my issues because my life is too full
Yea I gotta start livin that way
I need to start living in the present and focus on the things that truly matter
Yea I gotta get my head on straight
I need to clear my mind and become more focused.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEVIN PATRICK DEVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind