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.
Real Life
Louden Swain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody listens when they're scared
Makin' their lists
Makin' a fist without you here
Even if we can
Even if we don't quite understand
Only you know me
No one else knows dick about me
I - I'm so inclined to come by
Anytime a glass of wine
Can set us straight
It's a date
It's a real life
These are big shoes
And they feel raw and slightly used
Walk them on down
To the edge of this desolated town
Back up the bus
It's a lonely world but what's the fuss
I think about my dad
He never wanted the son you're looking at
I'm so inclined to come by
Anytime a glass of wine
Can set us straight
It's a date
It's a real life
Humbled by the rush
This clock is set too fast for us
Slow it on down
I realize we all end up in the ground
A surprising task
Procreation, it kicks me in the ass
So here I go
I'm packin' only love down this one-way road
I'm so inclined to come by
Anytime a glass of wine
Can set us straight
It's a date
It's a real life
A real life
The song "Real Life" by Louden Swain is about the importance of relationships and taking the time to connect with loved ones, even if it means stepping outside of our comfort zones. The lyrics suggest that everyone needs someone to lean on, especially during times of fear or uncertainty. The opening lines, "Everybody cares, everybody listens when they're scared," imply that people generally want to be there for one another and lend support when it's needed. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "I'm so inclined to come by anytime a glass of wine can set us straight," suggests that breaking bread together and taking the time to talk and share can be a powerful way to build and repair relationships.
The verses of the song delve deeper into the singer's personal struggles and relationships. He reflects on the challenges of walking in someone else's shoes, and the importance of being humble and compassionate. He also mentions his father, who was likely not involved in his life, and how this absence has affected him. The line "He never wanted the son you're looking at" suggests a feeling of rejection and disappointment, and underscores the singer's need for understanding and acceptance.
Overall, "Real Life" is a song about the universal need for human connection and how coming together, even in difficult times, can help us find meaning and purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody cares
Everyone cares about something or someone.
Everybody listens when they're scared
People pay more attention when they are afraid.
Makin' their lists
People make lists of things to do or things they want to accomplish.
Makin' a fist without you here
People are unable to achieve their goals without help sometimes.
Even if we can
Even though we can try.
Even if we don't quite understand
Even if we do not comprehend.
Only you know me
Only you understand me.
No one else knows dick about me
No one else understands me that well.
I - I'm so inclined to come by
I am highly motivated to visit someone in particular.
Anytime a glass of wine
Whenever I can have a glass of wine and relax.
Can set us straight
Can help us regain our composure.
It's a date
We have a specific time set to meet up.
It's a real life
This is happening in reality, not just in our imaginations.
These are big shoes
These are important responsibilities or challenges.
And they feel raw and slightly used
They are difficult and have been tried before.
Walk them on down
Move forward with them.
To the edge of this desolated town
To the point where nothing exists anymore.
Back up the bus
Go back and try again.
It's a lonely world but what's the fuss
The world can be a lonely place, but it is not worth the worry.
I think about my dad
I reflect on my father.
He never wanted the son you're looking at
He never imagined his son to be like how I am currently.
Humbled by the rush
I am humbled by being swept away by events or emotions.
This clock is set too fast for us
Time passes by too quickly for us to keep up.
Slow it on down
Slow down the pace of events.
I realize we all end up in the ground
We all die, in the end.
A surprising task
A difficult and unexpected challenge.
Procreation, it kicks me in the ass
Having children is a difficult and challenging experience.
So here I go
I am about to start.
I'm packin' only love down this one-way road
I am only taking love with me on this one-way journey.
It's a real life
This is all happening in reality.
Contributed by Cameron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.