The name Kuink… Read Full Bio ↴Kuinka is an American folk-pop band based in Seattle.
The name Kuinka comes from the Finnish for “how”; how does a band bristling with spirited creativity continue to evolve artistically and challenge themselves while staying true to their own roots? For Kuinka, the answer comes in the form of letting go: a joyful acquiescence to faith in their cumulative love of songwriting and shared experience, regardless of genre or instrumentation. Brothers Zach and Nathan Hamer, along with Miranda Zickler and Jillian Walker, came together in 2014 to form a unique breed of string band; one proudly defiant of preconceived notions of what fits under the label 'Americana'.
Their 2014 debut The Wild North, which propelled the band out of the woods and on to stages across the country, was followed by their 2016 breakout LP The Heartland. Both albums were recorded at the famed Bear Creek Studio in Woodinville, WA (Fleet Foxes, Metric), and led to featured performances at dozens of festivals and several successful national headlining tours. Home from touring The Heartland, all four found themselves in the midst of major life changes both as people and as artists; moving out of the house they‘d shared for the previous two years to new cities and broadening the total palette from which they draw as musicians. After fleshing out new songs in rehearsal, the band headed to a studio near Portland, OR with the trusted ears of longtime producer Jerry Streeter (Brandi Carlile, The Lumineers). The quartet was joined in the studio with their touring wizard of the woodwinds John Benefiel who handled clarinet and saxophone.
The songs on their forthcoming release Stay Up Late ring with the vibrancy of exploration and discovery. “We’ve spent our time as a band in pursuit of a unique sound that captures our energy and essence” says Zickler. “Once we came together and started work on the new singles, we knew it was time to redefine ourselves. We’d love for our music to be a soundtrack to adventure. The change represents finding your way, for both us and our listeners.”
Warsaw
Kuinka Lyrics
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Oh baby look at me now, yeah I can dance in the rain
Warsaw, warsaw, you'll find us here
I wish I were there but I can barely stay here
I'm too tired to swing at the start of the bell
Well, I fell in love once and it didn't end well
I'll be looking on back once I find my way out
[?] ... I'll be standing in doubt
It's a long ... [?] ohhhh
There's nothing left to do, but darling stay here next to you
Warsaw, hey ah
Warsaw, hey ah
Warsaw, hey ah
Warsaw, I [?] no warsaw
Ah, ah, ah, ah
What is left for me to do
Love is gone
Warsaw, hey now
Warsaw, hey now
Warsaw, hey now
Warsaw, I [?] no warsaw now
The lyrics to Kuinka's song "Warsaw" speak of a person who is struggling with life and love. The singer talks about their weariness as they have fallen in love before and it did not end well. They express a longing to be somewhere else, specifically in Warsaw, but acknowledge that they can barely stay where they are now. The singer talks about someone buying them shoes, a hat, and a cane, which could be interpreted as someone trying to cheer them up or help them feel better about themselves. The lyrics convey an overall feeling of hopelessness and resignation, but with a touch of optimism that they will find their way out and hopefully end up in Warsaw.
The use of the word "Warsaw" is interesting because it is clear that the singer is not actually in Warsaw, but they seem to have an idealized version of it in their mind as a place of escape or refuge. The repetition of the word throughout the song gives it a dreamlike quality, as if the singer is pleading with themselves to just go there and everything will be okay. The line "I'm too tired to swing at the start of the bell" could be interpreted as the singer being exhausted and defeated, unable to fight anymore. However, the use of the bell could also be seen as a signal to start something new, suggesting that the singer may still have some fight left in them.
Overall, "Warsaw" is a melancholic song about longing for something better and struggling to find it. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is tired and defeated, but still holding onto a glimmer of hope that they will find their way to a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you can buy me some shoes, and a hat, and a cane
I don't need fancy things to look good, but if you want to buy me garments, go ahead.
Oh baby look at me now, yeah I can dance in the rain
I'm feeling free and confident, so much that I could dance under the rain.
Warsaw, warsaw, you'll find us here
We're in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, and we're easy to spot because we stand out in some way.
I wish I were there but I can barely stay here
I'd rather be in a different place, but I'm stuck here for now and I'm struggling to cope.
I'm too tired to swing at the start of the bell
I don't have the energy or motivation to engage or compete.
Well, I fell in love once and it didn't end well
I've experienced a failed romantic relationship in the past.
I'll be looking on back once I find my way out
I'll be reflecting on my past once I get out of this situation.
[?] ... I'll be standing in doubt
I'm uncertain about some circumstances that could affect me in the future.
It's a long ... [?] ohhhh
The journey is long and could be challenging, but I'm up for it.
There's nothing left to do, but darling stay here next to you
I don't have any other obligations, so I could just spend time with you.
Warsaw, hey ah
Addressing Warsaw, like calling its attention but in a friendly way.
Warsaw, hey ah
Again, calling Warsaw in the same cheerful was as before.
Warsaw, hey ah
One more time, but this time with a slight variation.
Warsaw, I [?] no warsaw
This line feels incomplete, but it could be interpreted as a statement asserting that the singer knows Warsaw well.
What is left for me to do
I'm not sure what else I should do or where I should go.
Love is gone
I've lost love, possibly due to a break-up or another sad circumstance.
Warsaw, hey now
Said in a similar way to before, trying to engage with Warsaw again.
Warsaw, hey now
Another call to Warsaw, as if trying to get its attention.
Warsaw, hey now
Once again, with the same upbeat intonation as before.
Warsaw, I [?] no warsaw now
Another incomplete sentence, but the phrase suggests a current lack of connection with Warsaw.
Contributed by Cooper T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@NatalieBoat111
Music and musicians that discuss and dive into social justice issues are the ones that change the world - keep it up!!
@Angel-vq1cy6
this is one of the most beautiful things i've ever experienced in my life musically and visually. i was here in 2017 years ago because it came up in my youtube recommendations then and i will never not come back to it even through all my life changes. this is so good it has to be a blessing to have clicked
@coriigonzalez7146
Powerful message, awesome song ❤❤❤ Great job guys 👏
@Allrone
Very nice song ... and important message, as more people are waking up to how and why they think and act as they do.
@lukeyman77
I love this song. Can't wait to see where you go next with your music
@bretth1385
Interesting video. Very appropriate for the currentn political climate.
@louisgilliland6617
Please tell me the story of this song!
@DylanNes
Trump 2020🤗
@pinkthings
big yikes
@DylanNes
@FrostedSnakes Likewise