Hailing from Tallahasee, Fl… Read Full Bio ↴Visit Lipona's Facebook Page for Updates
Hailing from Tallahasee, Florida, Lipona is a skate punk quartet that specializes in a fast tempo blend of melodic hardcore, ambient, and post-hardcore music. Networks is the follow-up to Lipona’s critically acclaimed 2009 EP, Pigeonholed (available for free download), as well as the band’s debut long-player, Atlas (2008). While previous releases have been outward-looking and pseudo-philosophical, Networks finds the four piece treading more personal waters, such as coping with loss and the delicate balance of musical ambition with the transition into adulthood.
Lipona’s sound, however, remains firmly anchored in the technically precise, fiery punk rock that first attracted us to the Florida quartet nearly four years ago. Scorching riffs and a pummeling rhythm section remind the listener that thrash-y, hardcore-inspired skatepunk is alive and well, yet front man Yamil Velez’s vocals soar through shimmering choruses and introspective instrumental passages. Perhaps Lipona’s most noteworthy attribute is its ability to temper the relentless, forward-moving attack with a seemingly unending infusion of melody and atmosphere. Simply put, Networks is the continuing evolution of Lipona’s inspiring, progressive hybrid-punk sound.
Songs from Networks can be streamed on their Bandcamp.
The Citadel
Lipona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Where are you?)
Drawn together by blood and a common bond
Life is the fleeting sun, we must disown it
And forge a higher ground
That will raise us to the clouds
They will never ever catch us lying down
Our weakness lies in the fact that we exist
Can you resist the lure of an existential fabric
That is woven by your wit
I'm laying down the groundwork
We could follow it down the line
Or through your spine
These thoughts are mine
And not your own
So give me life or lose your throne in time
(Don't run, don't hide)
This time, I'll try
To fight off opposition
Cause I won't let them get to me
These walls will hold them back til retreat
This time, we'll try
To limit their resources
And they won't weaken my defenses
I'm taking back what once belonged to me
Just one at a time, we'll bring them down
Just one at a time
Day by Day, we're making progress
The lines are moving forward to
Speed up this exhaustive process
We're going to make it over you
And you've been laying in these trenches
Just hoping to survive
And following your senses
That bring us back to mind
(This time we fight)
This time, I'll try
To fight off opposition
Cause I won't let them get to me
These walls will hold them back til retreat
This time, we'll try
To limit their resources
And they won't weaken my defenses
I'm taking back what once belonged to me
Just one at a time
Just one at a time, we'll bring them down
This could make or break us
But we're not leaving without our pride
The Citadel by Lipona is a song that speaks to the struggle of overcoming a system that seeks to suppress and dominate those who attempt to exist outside of it. The song begins with a sense of anticipation for a moment when the singer and their allies can unite and rise above the constraints of the existing power structure. The idea of blood and a common bond brings a sense of familial ties between those who would choose to stand together.
The lyrics evoke the fleeting nature of life, and how important it is to disown any sense of complacency that would allow the existing system to continue to exist unchecked. The singer acknowledges that their weakness comes from their existence itself; the very fact that they are a part of the system gives it power over them. However, they urge others to resist the temptation to passively accept their fate, and instead fight back against the existential fabric that has been woven for them.
The second verse speaks to the tactics that will be used to tear down the system. The singer lays down the groundwork for their allies to follow, and urges the listener not to get caught up in their own thoughts, but to instead give in to the collective cause of fighting back against oppression. The chorus repeats, further emphasizing the need to limit the resources of those in power, and to take back what once belonged to the people.
Line by Line Meaning
We were waiting for the moment
We were anticipating a particular occasion or opportunity
(Where are you?)
An unanswered question is being raised here
Drawn together by blood and a common bond
We are united by a shared origin and a mutual connection
Life is the fleeting sun, we must disown it
Our existence is ephemeral and we must renounce it
(We'll find you)
A promise is being made to locate someone
And forge a higher ground
We will create a superior position or situation
That will raise us to the clouds
We aim to reach an exalted state or status
They will never ever catch us lying down
We will never be caught off guard or unprepared
Our weakness lies in the fact that we exist
Our vulnerability stems from our mere existence
Can you resist the lure of an existential fabric
Can you withstand the pull of a fundamental aspect of our being
That is woven by your wit
That is created by your intelligence and ingenuity
I'm laying down the groundwork
I am establishing the foundation or basis
We could follow it down the line
We could adhere to it every step of the way
Or through your spine
Or follow it with great determination and backbone
These thoughts are mine
These ideas belong to me personally
And not your own
And are not necessarily shared by you
So give me life or lose your throne in time
Either support my ideas or risk losing your position of power eventually
(Don't run, don't hide)
A plea is being made not to avoid the situation or the truth
This time, I'll try
I will make an effort this time
To fight off opposition
To combat resistance or opposition
Cause I won't let them get to me
Because I will not allow them to defeat me
These walls will hold them back til retreat
These barriers will prevent them from progressing until they withdraw
This time, we'll try
We will make an effort this time
To limit their resources
To curtail their means or capabilities
And they won't weaken my defenses
And they will not diminish my fortifications
I'm taking back what once belonged to me
I am reclaiming what was formerly mine
Just one at a time, we'll bring them down
We will overcome them successively, one by one
Day by Day, we're making progress
Gradually, we are advancing and achieving success
The lines are moving forward to
The borders are progressing toward
Speed up this exhaustive process
Accelerate this exhaustive procedure
We're going to make it over you
We will surpass or overcome you
And you've been laying in these trenches
You have been entrenched in this situation or mentality
Just hoping to survive
Merely hoping to endure or persist
And following your senses
And being guided by your instincts or feelings
That bring us back to mind
That remind us of our own thoughts or consciousness
(This time we fight)
A declaration is being made to engage in a physical or figurative battle
This could make or break us
This could either lead to our success or failure
But we're not leaving without our pride
But we refuse to depart without our dignity or self-respect
Contributed by Carson D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mark Bouwmeester
I had never heard of you guys until I randomly came across this song on a random mix a friend of mine made a year ago. Solid song! You guys are tight. I hope you guys make it up to Ottawa, Canada sometime. Cheers!!
Roel of
I was sure you were Dutch when I saw your name. Nope. Try networks and pigeonholed EP. Lipona is absolutely amazing
kamaruuuh
This song makes me miss Tallahassee so much :-(
Chris Canepa
kamaruuuh just randomly came across this comment while listening to the song. I couldn’t agree more! Every time I listen to Lipona I think of Tallahassee.
crymoreemobish
do you have this album? can you upload "ron mexico" thx