Determined to remain authentic at all costs, the Los Angeles based quartet … Read Full Bio ↴Determined to remain authentic at all costs, the Los Angeles based quartet Life Down Here goes against the grain of contemporary female fronted rock-bands with a sarcastic punk attitude and contagious energy that is evident both on and off stage. Categorically pop-punk, LDH consists of 19 year-old lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Michelle Blanchard, Eli Shkurkin (Bass), Jeff Dennis (Guitar) and Nick Adams (Drums).
Formed in early 2011, the group was quickly discovered by super producer Jay Baumgardner (Evanescence, Papa Roach, Drowning Pool) who went on to sign them to his artist services company, ‘NRG Artists.' After spending a significant part of the year in the studio writing songs with industry heavyweights Marcos Curiel (P.O.D) and Jason Evigan (After Midnight Project) among others, Life Down Here is currently focused on promoting their debut album "The Beginning" which is scheduled to drop January 6, 2012. Produced and mixed by Baumgardner at NRG Recording in North Hollywood, CA, the 11 song album, delivers a pop-punk feel with a hardcore edge, and includes a heartfelt tribute to her father, who was a great supporter of her music career.
Initially based in Las Vegas, Michelle's love affair with music began after receiving her first guitar at age eight, a miniature Jackson Surfcaster with lipstick pick-ups. She began writing music soon after in order to better learn riffs and chord progressions. By age 13 however, what began as a means to an end became an outlet for life's challenges as well as a place for her creative expression to flourish.
Michelle made a seemingly suitable move for a future rock-star and dropped out of high school at age 16. Leaving the general indecision that torments the teenage years behind, while other kids killed time gossiping on their lunch breaks she chose to finish the remainder of her education at home where she could focus on cultivating her music skills. Michelle's heart was set on writing music and playing guitar from the get-go, it wasn't until after she left school that she realized she wanted to sing her lyrics rather than write them for someone else. Michelle moved to Los Angeles where she met Life Down Here bass player and fellow songwriter Eli Shkurkin at a local rock show. After hearing their demo, Jeff Dennis (Guitar) and Nick Adams (Drums) joined the duo and solidified LDH's line-up.
Most of their current lyrics are about the love and loss of past relationships, as well as a short-stint in a mental institution which is the basis for one of the songs off the album titled "Running From Disaster." Having survived similar struggles, Life Down Here is an active supporter of the organization "To Write Love On Her Arms," a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those struggling with depression, cutting, suicide and addiction. As driven, talented and captivating young musicians with an uncompromising will, Life Down Here are well on their way to being rock-stars.

Love and Hate
Life Down Here Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now that it's just me and you
Imagine what these hearts could do
Our pulses beating fast
We know that it won't last
Are you nervous just like me?
I'm so scared, it's hard to breathe
My hands shake with yours
I'm broken behind closed doors

I know this should end,
But I just can't leave
You know I'll be back again

Love and hate
It's a fine line that binds us
You and me
Loving me, a promise that you never kept
Love and hate

Now that I'm all alone
I find it hard to feel
And after all these years
The wounds began* to heal
Never again with someone like you
You colored me black and blue
Black and blue
Colored me black and blue

Love and hate
It's a fine like that binds us
You and me
(You and me!)
Loving me, a promise that you never kept
Love and hate
(Love and hate!)

Love and hate
(Love and hate!)
It's a fine like that binds us
You and me
(You and me!)
Loving me
(Loving me!)
A promise that you never kept

Love and hate
(Love and hate!)

Overall Meaning

The song "Love and Hate" by Life Down Here is about a tumultuous relationship between two people who are trying to navigate the thin line between love and hate. The song opens up with the idea that the two characters in the song are finally alone and can imagine what their hearts could do if they were together. However, they both know that it is not going to last and they are both nervous about taking the relationship further. The singer talks about her fear and how her hands are shaking with his, while she is broken behind closed doors.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer knows that her relationship with this person should end, but she just can't leave. She is drawn to their destructive relationship in a way that she cannot explain. The chorus of the song talks about the "fine line that binds us" and how the love and hate they have for each other is intertwined. The singer speaks on how this person colored her "black and blue," and how it has affected her ability to feel in any future relationships.

The song is a powerful commentary on toxic relationships and the ways in which we can become entangled in them. It speaks to the idea that love and hate are often two sides of the same coin and that we can be drawn to the very things that break us down. It is a poignant reflection on the complexity of human relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Now that it's just me and you
Now that we're alone together

Imagine what these hearts could do
Think about the potential of our love

Our pulses beating fast
We're excited and nervous

We know that it won't last
We're aware that our love won't be forever

Are you nervous just like me?
Do you share my anxiety?

I'm so scared, it's hard to breathe
I'm terrified and struggling to stay composed

My hands shake with yours
I'm holding your hand, but I'm trembling

I'm broken behind closed doors
I'm emotionally damaged and struggling in private

I know this should end,
I understand that we should break up

But I just can't leave
I'm having a hard time letting go

You know I'll be back again
You know I'll come back to you