1. Matrimony is a what can be best described as a modern folk/alternative r… Read Full Bio ↴1. Matrimony is a what can be best described as a modern folk/alternative rock band that began as a husband and wife duo in 2009 out of Charlotte, North Carolina.

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

Southern Skies
Matrimony Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Day by day I watch the sun fall down over what i know as a southern town.
I like the way it looks when it's going down.
Late at night I get behind the wheel on a wide open road where nobody ever goes.
I like the southen roads, I like the way they roll.
we share southern skies.
we share southern skies.
All fired up we're gonna pass the cup.
Holding up a moment gonna live it up.

Take off your sunday best and tear it up.
and tear it up.
I can't forget the place that i come from.
I've been here so long these people are my home.
I like it feels when I'm with my own.
Yeah I like the way it feels.
Catch the southern soul, the southen soul, southern soul.
Catch the southern soul, the southern soul, southern soul.
We share southern skies.
we share southern skies.
we share southern skies.

we share southern skies.
we share.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Southern Skies by Matrimony speak of a deep connection with the American South. The song begins by describing how the Southern sun falls down over a Southern town, and the singer likes the way it looks when it’s going down. This statement signifies that the singer is fond of the Southern way of life and possibly the scenery. The song goes on to describe the singer’s affinity for open roads, which no one ever travels. It is a way for the singer to get away from the complexities of life and enjoy the Southen roads' simplicity. The singer proclaims their love for the Southen roads and how they roll.

The chorus of the song declares that the people sharing the Southern skies are in the same boat. It shows that people from the South share a bond that comes from living in the same region. The second part of the chorus repeats this sentiment, emphasizing how everyone shares this bond. In the second verse, the singer speaks of being all fired up and living life to the fullest with a group of friends. They implore their friends to take off their Sunday best and tear it up. It shows that life in the South is about community, fun, and togetherness. The Southern soul mentioned in the song refers to the vibe of the South, which is less about individualism and more about community.

Overall, the lyrics of Southern Skies by Matrimony illustrate a deep sense of appreciation for the people and scenery of the American South. The song is an ode to the Southern way of life and the unique bond shared by those who call it home.

Line by Line Meaning

Day by day I watch the sun fall down over what i know as a southern town.
Every day, I observe the beauty of the sunsets over the familiar southern town.

I like the way it looks when it's going down.
I find beauty in watching the sunset.

Late at night I get behind the wheel on a wide open road where nobody ever goes.
During the late hours of the night, I enjoy driving on scarcely-traveled southern roads.

I like the southern roads, I like the way they roll.
I appreciate the scenic nature of southern roads.

we share southern skies.
We are united by the shared experience of seeing the southern skies.

All fired up we're gonna pass the cup.
We are enthusiastic and ready to celebrate.

Holding up a moment gonna live it up.
We are pausing to savor and enjoy the current moment.

Take off your sunday best and tear it up.
Loosen up and enjoy yourself.

I can't forget the place that i come from.
My roots and origin are always with me.

I've been here so long these people are my home.
The people around me are my family.

I like it feels when I'm with my own.
I feel comfortable and happy when around my community.

Catch the southern soul, the southen soul, southern soul.
Embrace and understand the unique culture and spirit of the south.

We share southern skies.
We are all connected by the beauty of the southern skies.

we share.
We are united as a community.

Contributed by Carter E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.