Lost In The Trees was known, until recently, as a folk orchestra from Chapel Hill, NC, led by composer and songwriter Ari Picker. Initially a bedroom recording project, Lost in the Trees grew from a solo effort to a full symphonic band, which sometimes numbered a dozen members. After releasing his self-titled album on Trekky Records, Ari attended the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA, further immersing himself in the realm of classical composition. While in Boston, Ari assembled a small group of players to help him record Time Taunts Me , an EP of giant orchestral pop songs, released in 2007 on Trekky Records. The short album received some generous acclaim from national critics, but as Ari hurried to finish school, he was unable to tour in support of the music.
After finally moving back to North Carolina, Ari began writing a new album and assembling a cast of musicians from the Trekky Records Collective and the University of North Carolina Orchestra program. With a vast and supportive team behind him, Ari completed the powerful All Alone In An Empty House . The album was released in a single three-format package in September of 2008, containing a vinyl record, a CD and an MP3 download. The compositions benefited from a dedicated live backing band, complete with full string section, horn section, accordion, mandolin, glockenspiels and more.In February 2010, Lost in the Trees signed to Los Angeles based Anti- Records, which released an enhanced version of All Alone In An Empty House, reworked by acclaimed North Carolina producer Scott Solter (The Mountain Goats, Spoon, St. Vincent).
In 2012 the band released A Church That Fits Our Needs, their highly acclaimed orchestral pop/folk album. The album met with great commercial as well as critical success.
Ari Picker decided, despite the success, to make some changes, pursuing a more minimalistic and electronic approach to the new material, and changing the lineup to a foursome. The album, Past Life, was released in February of 2014 to widespread acclaim.
Villain
Lost in the Trees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go and tell me where you come from
You won't scare me
You can rest you head
You can grieve
Stick around
Why you bring it back to me
Our golden wings clacking
There′s something here
There's someone here
A golden angel
Is flown past
Past my mirror
She's neither here nor there
Mess me up
Oh mess me up
I could never hurry
That I′ve seen your face
It messed me up
Oh it messed me up
I built a fortress
I′ll never leave this place
Did God put you in the wheelchair
A buzzard here
Who's eaten every part
Of such a grey green
Which one is the villain
I think you got it backward
Our golden wings clacking
There′s something here
There's someone here
A golden angel
Is flown past
Past my mirror
She′s neither here nor there
Mess me up
You mess me up
I could never hurry
Now that I've seen your face
It messed me up
Oh it messed me up
A golden fortress
I′ll never leave this place
The opening lines of the song, "Is there anything you need in your life that you don't have? Can you think of anything?" sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is essentially about the search for meaning and purpose in life. The singer seems to be addressing someone, possibly himself, and asking if there is anything missing in his life. The themes of isolation and introspection are prominent in the song as the singer struggles to find his place in the world.
The rest of the song is a series of cryptic and surreal images that seem to represent the singer's inner turmoil. The golden wings and the golden angel he sees could be interpreted as symbols of hope and redemption, but they only serve to mess him up further. The line "Did God put you in the wheelchair" is particularly striking as it raises questions about the nature of suffering and the role of fate in our lives. The singer seems to be lost in his own thoughts and is building a fortress to protect himself from the outside world. The final line, "I'll never leave this place" suggests that he has given up on finding a way out of his loneliness.
Overall, the song is a powerful meditation on the human condition and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The surreal imagery and cryptic lyrics create a dreamlike landscape that is both unsettling and beautiful.
Line by Line Meaning
Go and tell me where you come from
Please share with me the place of your origin
You won't scare me
I am not intimidated by you
You can rest you head
You can relax and be at ease
You can grieve
You can express your emotions of sorrow
Stick around
Stay with me for a while
Why you bring it back to me
Why are you reminding me of this situation
Our golden wings clacking
We are creating a lot of noise with our majestic wings
There's something here
There is a mysterious presence in the surroundings
There's someone here
There is a person nearby
A golden angel
A beautiful and divine being
Is flown past
Has just passed by
Past my mirror
Beyond my reflection
She's neither here nor there
She does not belong to any particular place
Mess me up
Overwhelm me with emotions
Oh mess me up
Intensify the effect of your presence on me
I could never hurry
I will not rush through the experience
That I've seen your face
Since I have come across you
It messed me up
It has affected me deeply
I built a fortress
I have constructed a strong defense mechanism
I'll never leave this place
I will remain within the safety of this fortress forever
Did God put you in the wheelchair
Was your physical disability caused by divine intervention
A buzzard here
A vulture nearby
Who's eaten every part
Which has consumed every fragment
Of such a grey green
Of a color that is dull and uninviting
Which one is the villain
Who among us is the antagonist
I think you got it backward
I believe your perception of the situation is faulty
A golden fortress
An impenetrable stronghold of gold
Writer(s): Picker Ari J
Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kev B
I miss this band. Absolutely gorgeous. Ari, we need to hear your voice again.
Artisons Painting & Remodeling
Thank you Ari. Your mother is always looking after you in love and spirit. I know you make her proud.
FATgoat88
Very good. Unique band. I love every song
Amy France
Please please please keep making music. This is absolutely beautiful.
Þráinn Guðbjörnsson
Most profoundly beautiful music. For me, the best music in the world presently. :-)
Marcel d'Olive
Really special, unique, fantastic music!
Germain T.
Yes underrated. Love this sound and the mood. Well done.
ISC Ayrton Mu
The most wonderful music I ever heard ! I love LITT !!!
JUNIOR ADOLFO TIRADO CASTILLO
Simplemente Hermoso
KelticMist
Amazing video. Saw them last night...they were impressive.