Michael Borja - Bass & Vocals
Bil… Read Full Bio ↴Rob Benedict - Lead Vocals & Guitar
Michael Borja - Bass & Vocals
Billy Moran - Guitars & Vocals
Stephen Norton - Drums & Vocals
LOUDEN SWAIN
By Nick DeRiso
Fronted by lead singer and actor Rob Benedict, Louden Swain also includes bassist Mike Borja, lead guitarist Billy Moran and drummer Stephen Norton. The band has just released its fourth full-length recording – Eskimo, on their own 3 Car Wreckords label.
This fizzy amalgam of sound ties together a wide array of influences. Benedict and Borja, who formed the band in the late 90s, shared a background of indie/college rock legends like R.E.M., the Pixies, Pavement and the Replacements. The addition of Moran completed the band’s sound, as he and Norton brought in early musical influences from the hard rock/metal world – notably Kiss and Gun ’n Roses. The quartet’s common ground, early on, could be found in classic rock icons like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Who – and that provided additional spices in their melting pot of musical textures.
Louden Swain’s first album with Moran, 2009’s A Brand New Hurt, reflected the earliest flowerings of the band’s current sound, and began to rapidly expand its fanbase. In addition, Benedict’s connections to the acting world – he’s appeared on TV’s “Felicity,” “Alias” and “Supernatural” and films like “Waiting” have also attracted attention for the band. Recently they penned the tune “Help You” which was placed in the Jenna Fischer movie “A Little Help,” in which Benedict co-starred. A 2011 successful tour of Europe through England, Germany and Austria also brought Louden Swain to new audiences.
Louden Swain now aims to build on their already considerable momentum with the forthcoming Eskimo, which features 13 of their most polished songs to date. This time through they enlisted the help of several industry veterens--the album was mixed by Joe McGrath (Ryan Adams, Green Day, B.B. King), Mike Farrell (Morrissey, Macy Gray) guested on keyboards, and the finishing touches on the album were provided by the Grammy winning mastering of Gavin Lurssen.
For more information on Louden Swain, go to http://www.LoudenSwain.com.
Eskimo
Louden Swain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said she liked the work but not the pay
Writing tickets while you run away, afraid
I said hey to a polar bear
He said he liked it here but not over there
That's what its like inside a dragon's lair
The ice is fading back
It's like teaching architecture to an Eskimo
You can show him everything you know
He still gonna build it out of snow
I'm gonna take my long division down to Mexico
I can divide all night
I said hey to an astronaut
He said he wishes he could pick his spot
He said he likes to go out a lot
and not quite make it back
It's like teaching architecture to an Eskimo
You can show him everything you know
He still gonna build it out of snow
I'm gonna take my ticket and kick it down in Mexico
I'm gonna fly, all night
Been around the world, and I've seen
Enough to know what I mean
I got this ticking in my mind
And its about time
I set the record with Joan of Arc
She knew her destiny before that spark
She got the orders and she played her part
It's like teaching architecture to an Eskimo
You can show him everything you know
He still gonna build it out of snow
I'm gonna stand with my feet deeply rooted to the ground below
I can survive, all night...
It's like teaching architecture to an Eskimo
You can show him everything you know
He still gonna build it out of snow
I'm gonna take my long division down to Mexico
I can divide, all night
all night
The song "Eskimo" by Louden Swain tells the story of a person who has experienced different things in life and has learned enough to know what he wants to do in life. The lyrics are filled with metaphors and analogies that explain the challenges he faces in his quest. The first verse describes an encounter with a meter maid who loves her job but not the pay. The person empathizes with her and uses it as an analogy for people who work hard but don't get paid enough. He then interacts with a polar bear who seems content but not satisfied with the limited space available to him, which is compared to being in a limited space like a dragon's lair. The ice is melting, which could symbolize the changing times and conditions the world is facing.
The chorus talks about teaching architecture to an Eskimo, which is a metaphor for trying to teach something to someone who already knows a way of doing things. The person realizes that no matter how much he teaches the Eskimo, he will still build it out of snow. The Eskimo could represent a traditional or conservative mindset. The person then decides to take a different approach and go to Mexico to try something new. The second verse describes an encounter with an astronaut who loves to explore but worries about not returning. It could symbolize the fear of taking risks.
The bridge talks about the person's experiences and how they have taught him what he wants to do in life. He has a ticking in his mind, which could be interpreted as a sense of urgency or purpose. He then mentions Joan of Arc, who knew her destiny before it happened, implying that sometimes people have a sense of what they are meant to do. The chorus is repeated, but this time it ends with the person standing with their feet deeply rooted to the ground, implying that they have found their purpose and are ready to see it through.
Line by Line Meaning
I once spoke up to a meter maid
I once stood up to authority and challenged their decision-making
She said she liked the work but not the pay
The person in power enjoys their job, but is dissatisfied with the compensation
Writing tickets while you run away, afraid
The person in power uses their position to intimidate others into following rules, even when they disagree
I said hey to a polar bear
I attempted to connect with a wild animal
He said he liked it here but not over there
The animal is comfortable in its current habitat, but not in other areas
That's what its like inside a dragon's lair
Being in an unfamiliar place can feel dangerous and unsettling, like being in a mythical creature's den
The ice is fading back
The environment is changing, and the animal may not be able to adapt quickly enough
It's like teaching architecture to an Eskimo
Trying to teach someone something they have no need or use for
You can show him everything you know
Even with education and information, someone may still do something their own way
He still gonna build it out of snow
They will do what they know and are comfortable with, regardless of appropriateness
I'm gonna take my long division down to Mexico
I am going to leave my troubles behind and seek relief elsewhere
I can divide all night
I am skilled at something specific and can continue doing it for a long time
I said hey to an astronaut
I attempted to connect with someone who has had a unique experience
He said he wishes he could pick his spot
Even someone who has traveled to space may still long for control over their situation
He said he likes to go out a lot and not quite make it back
Taking risks is thrilling, even when it is not clear that they will be safe
Been around the world, and I've seen
I have gained knowledge and life experience from my travels
Enough to know what I mean
I have come to a clear understanding based on my experiences
I got this ticking in my mind
I have an idea or plan that I want to pursue, and it is constantly on my mind
And its about time
I am ready to take action on my plan
I set the record with Joan of Arc
I am proud of my past accomplishments and associations
She knew her destiny before that spark
Joan of Arc had a clear sense of purpose before experiencing a sudden change or moment of inspiration
She got the orders and she played her part
Joan of Arc followed instructions and fulfilled her role, despite facing danger and obstacles
I'm gonna stand with my feet deeply rooted to the ground below
I am committed to my beliefs and principles
I can survive, all night...
I am resilient and capable of enduring challenges
Contributed by Asher K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@itsritsu
Lyrics:
I once spoke up to a meter maid
She said she liked the work but not the pay
Writing tickets while you run away...Afraid
I said hey to a polar bear
He said he liked it here but not over there
That's what its like inside a dragon's lair
The ice is fading back
It's like teaching architecture to an Eskimo
You can show him everything you know,
He's still gonna build it out of snow
I'm gonna take my long division down to Mexico
Where i can divide ...all night
I said hey to an astronaut
He said he wishes he could pick his spot
He said he likes to go out a lot
and not quite make it back
It's like teaching architecture to an Eskimo
You can show him everything you know
He still gonna build it out of snow
I'm gonna take my ticket and kick it down to Mexico
Where I'm gonna fly, all night
(Been around the world) Been around the world, and I've seen
(Know what i mean) Enough to know what I mean
(Ticking in my mind) I got this ticking in my mind
And its about time
Well, alright
I set the record with joan of arc
She knew her destiny before the spark
She got the orders, and she played her part
It's like teaching architecture to an Eskimo,
You can show him everything you know,
He's still gonna build it out of snow
I'm gonna stand with my feet deeply rooted to the
Ground below
I can survive
All night...
It's like teaching architecture to an Eskimo
You can show him everything you know
He still gonna build it out of snow
I'm gonna take my long division down to Mexico
I can divide ...all night
All night
@hannahhester1091
One might say his voice is very.......... heavenly.
@dallascarson5890
dies of laughter
@ajhutchinson1512
Party Poison ba boom chhh!! Lol that a good one
@sophiebuttker7034
Not anymore ;P (still a fan of his voice tho xD)
@theresashurley3951
He's chuck after all
@Icemayne0025
Rob's voice is... Godly. 😏😏
@alex_is_out
+Ice Mayne Rob in general... Godly.
@Icemayne0025
+Ali Way you are not wrong. Haha
@styxkeeper
+Ice Mayne oh the irony
@Icemayne0025
+mikael meland come on... I was set up for that. Haha