While away at school on the East Coast, Michelle honed her songwriting producing a solo EP, “La Luna” and in a subsequent flurry of creativity, wrote the bulk of FLAGS AND BOXES—mostly during her last semester. Michelle would send the rough versions of the tunes to Melissa for her input; Melissa made melodic suggestions and found spots for her to vocally complement her sister’s lead voice. The two decided to sing together because of their natural chemistry, the way their similar voices blend and the instinctive, seamless communication that had always been part of their musical lives.
Thematically, Michelle’s compositions on the debut album deal with universal subjects of self-discovery, interpersonal relationships and of developing an individual voice. Separating for extended lengths of time while they attended different colleges on the East Coast helped them establish separate identities—differences that are apparent when they perform which lends an exciting artistic tension to their accomplished show.
“Every song on FLAGS AND BOXES represents a time when I've used my voice. Each song is an instance where I've ‘planted my flag’ and each obstacle is another box that is trying to restrict and restrain me,” says Michelle. “Looking back, I realize how much these songs were struggling to say what I have been feeling all along. They’re the only places I can say what I’m thinking and feeling without caring what anyone else thinks.”
Melissa adds: “The years apart were good for us because we needed to develop our own identities. Everyone thought of us collectively, and compared us to each other--she’s the smart one, she’s the funny one and all that. We needed to become our own people. But we’re excited to be back together and working on this music. We each bring a cool perspective to the mix. We instinctively know what will sound good and what will work.”
MACEDO worked with several key people in making FLAGS AND BOXES: producer Kush Mody (Serial Buddies), engineer Nils Montan @ WERS in Boston, co-engineer Andrew Oedel @ Connecticut College and mixer Justin Gerrish (MGMT, Vampire Weekend). The album was mastered by Fred Kevorkian (Regina Spektor). While the songs are driven by Michelle’s artful acoustic piano, MACEDO’s sound integrates French horn, Wurlitzer, grand piano, electric bass, guitar, violin, cello and organ creating a rich and unique palette.
The first single to radio is the full band edit of “Caught” produced by Khris Kellow (Christina Aguilera), mixed by Mario Luccy (RealSongs) and mastered by Randy Sharp (Dixie Chicks).
“In so many ways,” Michelle says, “I feel like I am caught between two worlds of identity, not fitting into anything. Sometimes I feel like people's assumptions are all that I am. As an identical twin, my identity has always been relevant to somebody else. We were rarely able to be individuals. We grew up to complement each other. Also, being bi-racial, we have never felt like we fit in one place or one particular side of the family. I strive in my songs to emotionally confront myself in a very honest way; this album is about allowing myself to feel what I am. I’ve spent my whole life being trapped in a box and silenced. This album is me finally raising my voice, my unapologetic voice.”
While Michelle and Melissa grow together as musical partners, each has also found success in endeavors apart from one another. While enrolled at Emerson College, Michelle co-founded its Random Arts Delegation, featuring assorted notable performing artists. She also performed with Southern California’s activist (AMAR) collective and composed scores for the independent film “As They Fade,” directed by Jenna Lyng, and a television pilot called “Age Appropriate,” which she also starred in, that was nominated for “Best Pilot” at the Independent Television Festival in Los Angeles.
Melissa, meanwhile, devoted a summer to study music in Argentina. Stateside, she worked toward her own BA at Columbia University's Barnard College in New York City. While attending, she performed Off Broadway, playing the title character in the New York premiere of “After Miss Julie,” adapted by Patrick Marber, in which she played Miss Julie. She also starred in Bertolt Brecht’s “St. Joan of the Stockyards,” where she performed a song composed specifically for her by Jason Hart.
In addition to recording and performing as MACEDO, Michelle and Melissa wrote and performed a song for the film “Serial Buddies,” starring Christopher Lloyd, Kathie Lee Gifford, Artie Lange and narrated by Henry Winkler, and most recently they co-host shows for “AfterBuzz TV,” the largest new media platform on the web that does after-shows for fans' favorite TV developed by Maria Menounos (Today Show, Extra correspondent). Maria has been very vocal about her love of MACEDO listing them as her favorite LA band. Melissa is a volunteer at RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) and Michelle is an advocate for gay rights and active in the HRC (Human Rights Campaign). Both are dedicated to human rights.
Named one of the city’s most popular artists by Deli Magazine, MACEDO have been performing regular gigs around town including Hotel Café, Lineage Performing Arts Center in Pasadena, Tribal Café in Echo Park, On the Rox, House of Blues and the Viper Room. Michelle has been honored at the Malibu Music Awards and her songs have been broadcast on numerous radio stations (including Los Angeles’ Star 98.7) and on Delta Airlines, Yahoo! Music, Spotify and Pandora.
Armed with a full album of distinguished songs, MACEDO is focused, as the album title implies, on planting their flag on the indie music scene. They’re doing it with an eclectic style that gracefully and organically transcends easy genre identification or metaphorical “box.”
Amazing
Macedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You look amazing always
I've never felt that way
Though it's just my opinion
It's still mine to say
If I look amazing always
You've always looked that way
It's still yours to say
Chorus:
It's true
That I'm amazing next to you
and it's true
that just your presence pulls me through
And inspires
My desires
When you're gone
My heart breaks on and on and on
Verse 2:
If I look amazing always
No One can stay that way
Will you still love me
When I fade away
There is a child inside me
Who functions out of fear
Though you shouldn't come closer
You should still stay here
Chorus:
It's true
That I'm amazing next to you
and it's true
that just your presence pulls me through
And inspires
My desires
When you're gone
My heart breaks on and on and on
Verse 3:
I know you feel alone here
I'll never let you be
If I have faith in you
Will you have faith in me?
I only speak for a reason
I just grew up that way
When I'm around you
There's still more to say
Verse 4:
There is a secret magnet
in only you and me
Though hidden on the inside
Its not hard to see
Your eyes reflect the season
Of course my favorite one
Though I've known you for lifetimes
We have just begun
Verse 5:
I've spent my life constructing
The walls that protect me
They are transparent as far as you can see
I've had a revelation
I've had a prophecy
All your mistakes
have led you to me
Verse 6:
I've never been so forward
Never so direct
I am a woman
With something to protect
I have no need for oracles
to tell me what I know
That you still love me
more than you can show
I've never been called out
In such a truthful way
With no words to hold back
what I'm trying to say
The lyrics of Macedo's song "Amazing" convey a deep sense of admiration and vulnerability in a relationship.
In the first verse, the singer expresses how amazing their partner always looks, emphasizing that it is their personal opinion. They acknowledge that if they themselves look amazing always, it is impossible for anyone to maintain such perfection. The chorus reinforces the idea that being next to their partner makes them feel amazing, as their presence alone gives them strength and inspiration. However, when their partner is gone, their heart breaks repeatedly.
The second verse reveals a fear of fading away and questions if their partner will still love them in that state. The singer also mentions a fearful inner child that exists within them and suggests that their partner should stay by their side even though it might not be safe. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the feelings of amazement and the heartbreak caused by separation.
The third verse focuses on the singer's desire to never let their partner feel alone. They propose having faith in each other, suggesting that if they have faith in their partner, they hope for the same in return. The verse also indicates the singer's tendency to speak their mind and how being around their partner brings more to say.
In the fourth verse, the singer describes a special connection between themselves and their partner, likening it to a secret magnet. They suggest that their partner's eyes reflect their favorite season and that despite feeling like they have known each other for lifetimes, their relationship is just beginning.
The fifth verse reveals that the singer has spent their life constructing walls to protect themselves emotionally. However, their partner's mistakes have led them to a revelation and a prophecy of their connection.
In the final verse, the singer admits to never being so forward and direct before. They, as a woman, feel the need to protect something in the relationship. Despite not needing oracles to confirm it, they know that their partner still loves them deeply, even if it isn't always apparent. The verse ends by acknowledging the power of unspoken words, as they have no need to hold back what they need to say.
Overall, the lyrics of "Amazing" explore themes of admiration, vulnerability, fear, and love within a relationship, displaying a complex emotional landscape.
Line by Line Meaning
You look amazing always
You always look incredibly beautiful or impressive
I've never felt that way
I have never had such intense feelings before
Though it's just my opinion
Although this is just my personal viewpoint
It's still mine to say
I still have the right to express it
If I look amazing always
If I always look incredibly beautiful or impressive
You've always looked that way
You have always appeared in this stunning manner
Though it's just your opinion
Although this is just your subjective viewpoint
It's still yours to say
You still have the right to express it
It's true
It is a fact
That I'm amazing next to you
That I appear exceptionally impressive or extraordinary when compared to you
and it's true
and it is also a fact
that just your presence pulls me through
that simply being around you helps me overcome challenges
And inspires
And motivates or encourages
My desires
My aspirations, wishes, or longings
When you're gone
When you are not here
My heart breaks on and on and on
I feel immense sadness and pain repeatedly
No One can stay that way
No one can maintain such a state indefinitely
Will you still love me
Will you continue to love me
When I fade away
When my attractiveness or brilliance diminishes
There is a child inside me
There is an innocent and vulnerable part of me
Who functions out of fear
Who operates or behaves based on fear
Though you shouldn't come closer
Although you should not get too close
You should still stay here
You should still remain present or by my side
I know you feel alone here
I understand that you feel lonely in this place
I'll never let you be
I will never allow you to feel isolated
If I have faith in you
If I trust and believe in you
Will you have faith in me?
Will you also trust and believe in me?
I only speak for a reason
I only say things with a purpose or justification
I just grew up that way
I was raised in a manner that shaped my behavior
When I'm around you
When I am in your presence
There's still more to say
There are still additional things to express or communicate
There is a secret magnet
There is an unknown force or attraction
in only you and me
between solely you and me
Though hidden on the inside
Although it is concealed internally
Its not hard to see
It is evident or obvious
Your eyes reflect the season
Your eyes mirror the current time or phase
Of course my favorite one
Undoubtedly my most preferred one
Though I've known you for lifetimes
Even though I have known you for an extended period
We have just begun
Our journey or relationship has only just started
I've spent my life constructing
I have devoted my life to building
The walls that protect me
The barriers that shield me
They are transparent as far as you can see
They are clear or see-through as far as your vision allows
I've had a revelation
I have had a moment of sudden realization
I've had a prophecy
I have had a prediction or insight
All your mistakes
All the errors or faults you have made
have led you to me
have guided you to me
I've never been so forward
I have never been this direct or straightforward
Never so direct
Never this honest or blunt
I am a woman
I identify as a female
With something to protect
With something important to safeguard
I have no need for oracles
I do not require prophets or seers
to tell me what I know
to inform me of what I am already aware of
That you still love me
That you continue to have affection for me
more than you can show
more than you can express or demonstrate
I've never been called out
I have never been called out or challenged
In such a truthful way
In such a direct and honest manner
With no words to hold back
Without any words being restrained
what I'm trying to say
what I am attempting to convey
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michelle Macedo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
#JOYKIDS FUN & Motivational VIDS
That's the true persuade of real manifestation of faith in God. This is powerful....
Leonard Skosana
let's all be clear here.... his life was not easy even today. just like the children of Israel The red Sea the desert and many things happen to them just like Bishop macedo. we must trust in GOD in all sessions special this sessions ( last days )