With Ashlee’s Americana-rock influences an Jimmy’s Irish-folk roots, Matrimony blends modern anti-folk and indie rock in their debut EP “The Storm & The Eye” produced by Joel Khouri of Bright City Studios and self-released to critical acclaim in August, 2010.
Following the release, Matrimony toured across the country and shared the stage with acts including Mumford & Sons, Gillian Welch, Modest Mouse, Langhorne Slim and Nathaniel Rateliff.
In early 2011, Jordan, Alex and Shae joined Matrimony. With a common passion for songwriting and an original sound, the line up became complete.
Ashlee Hardee Brown - lead vocals and keys
Jimmy Brown - lead vocals and guitar
Jordan Hardee - mandolin, synth, banjo
Alex Watson - drums
Shae Wooten - bass
http://matrimonyband.bandcamp.com/
2. "Zeb Olsen recruited a bunch of cute art students, encouraged a noisy DIY punk ethic based on bands such as Pussy Galore and Beat Happening, and the cute but completely inexperienced art students took to their instruments. One misguided pop journalist known as David Nichols financed an album recording in 1989 and vinyl version of Kitty Finger was released and distributed by Waterfront Records. The band played some woeful and some inspiring shows in Sydney and imploded, as all the best bands do at one point. Kathleen Hanna, friend and band budddy of Zeb and longtime fan of Matrimony, facilitated the re-release of Kitty Finger on the Kill Rock Stars label in 1997. Lead singer and guitarist Sybilla Visalli ended her own life for reasons unknown in 1993 or 1994 or sometime around then. Shit. I should remember. Here's singer guitarist Polly's take on our history: "Zeb Olsen & I started ‘Matrimony’ in the summer of 1988, gosh, almost 20 years ago! I remember we used to rehearse at the ‘pie factory’ off Palmer St. in Darlinghurst. Our first attempts at song writing were with a drum machine then Stuart, Zeb’s brother played with us. A couple of rehearsals later my friends Sybilla, Michael & Dani joined ‘Matrimony’ was born. We really thought it was just for fun. At closer inspection it was a reaction to the men in bands all around us and how cool and untouchable they were to me as inner city rock stars. This was probably due to the heroin abuse and ‘boy’s club mentality’ of the time. I suppose, dare I say ‘Matrimony’ was my 18 year old’s take on feminism (Oh God)! Our gig’s were disastrous. God knows how we got any. The first was at the ‘Palace’ with ‘Lubricated Goat’ and other’s. I sang, oh fuck! I remember the motley crue of ‘men in bands’ (see above) egging us on and applauding us. Before every show Sybilla and I would get together work out what we were going to wear. That night in a wave of nerves we would innocently perform to a highly judgemental audience. Eventually we did get better and put out an album ’Kitty Finger’. I am immensely proud of this. It’s like my long lost baby years. A golden era of Sydney that does not exist any more. By 1990 it was over. A ‘rock & roll suicide’ touched us in 1992 with Sybilla’s death. I cried for a year. Love, Polly"" via Matrimony's bio at http://www.myspace.com/matrimony
How Do You See Me
Matrimony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're living our lives
What would it mean if you stared me in the eyes
Tell me how see me
How do you see me?
Cause we used to be the same
But now we're on opposite sides
Tell me how see me
How do you see me?
Tell me how see me
How do you see me?
Look me in the eyes
Tell me what said
Tell me how see me
How do you see me?
You're talking up a storm
What does it mean?
Your words are power
But you're using them for the scene, oh
None of us hanging out
What does it really mean?
You know all I really wanted was
Some kind of company, oh
Tell me how see me
How do you see me?
Tell me how see me
How do you see me?
Look me in the eyes
Tell me what said
Oh, and tell me how see me
How do you see me?
Dreaming of what used to be
Trapped inside our frozen scene
A fiery past and a family tree
Haunted by old memories
Dreaming of what used to be
Trapped inside our frozen scene
A fiery past and a family tree
Haunted by old memories
Tell me how see me
Tell me how see me
How do you see me?
Look me in the eyes
Tell me what said
Oh, and tell me how see me
How do you see me?
Tell me how see me
Tell me how see me
The lyrics to Matrimony's song "How Do You See Me" express a sense of disconnection between two individuals who were once alike, but have now found themselves on opposite sides. The opening lines establish that they are living in uncertain times, and implies that the development of this disconnect may be a reflection of the larger societal issues they face. The chorus poses the question "How do you see me?" as a plea for deeper understanding and connection, suggesting that the divide between them may stem from a lack of communication or empathy.
The second verse delves into the issue of language and communication. The use of words and the power they hold is explored, but the singer laments that they are being used for show rather than for meaningful connection. The line "none of us hanging out, what does it really mean?" suggests that although they may talk a lot, they are not truly connecting with each other. The final lines of the chorus, "Look me in the eyes, tell me what you see," show that the singer is looking for a more profound, genuine connection.
The bridge of the song repeats the lines "dreaming of what used to be, trapped inside our frozen scene." This repetition highlights the nostalgia and longing for a connection that once was, but has since been lost. The final repetition of "tell me how you see me" is a final plea for understanding.
Overall, the lyrics to "How Do You See Me" reveal a sense of alienation and disconnection in a world full of chaos and uncertainty. It suggests that communication and understanding are essential for deeper, more meaningful connections to be formed.
Line by Line Meaning
We're strangers in these times
We are unfamiliar with the current state of the world and how to navigate it
We're living our lives
We are each going about our own separate experiences
What would it mean if you stared me in the eyes
What significance or depth of understanding could be achieved if you really looked at me?
Tell me how see me
Share with me your perception of who I am
How do you see me?
What is your honest opinion of me?
Cause we used to be the same
We once shared commonality or understood each other
But now we're on opposite sides
Now we differ in some way, perhaps in opinion or life situation
Look me in the eyes
Give me your full attention and openness
Tell me what said
Share with me what you are thinking or feeling
You're talking up a storm
You are speaking a lot or very passionately
What does it mean?
What message or emotion are you trying to convey?
Your words are power
Your speech holds weight or influence
But you're using them for the scene, oh
But you are making a show or spectacle out of it rather than using your words for constructive communication
None of us hanging out
We are not spending time together
What does it really mean?
What is the true reason or implication behind this absence?
You know all I really wanted was
My true desire was simply
Some kind of company, oh
To have someone to share experiences or emotions with
Dreaming of what used to be
Reflecting on a past time or relationship
Trapped inside our frozen scene
Stuck in a moment or memory that we can't move past
A fiery past and a family tree
Our shared heritage and history is intense or passionate in some way
Haunted by old memories
Tainted by the impact of past events or experiences
Writer(s): Ashlee Brown, Jimmy Brown, Matrimony
Contributed by Austin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.