Matt & Kim (also typeset Matt and Kim) are an indie dance duo which formed … Read Full Bio ↴Matt & Kim (also typeset Matt and Kim) are an indie dance duo which formed in Brooklyn, New York, United States in 2004. The band consists of Matt Johnson (vocals, keyboards) and Kim Schifino (drums, vocals). They have released six studio albums: Matt & Kim (2006), Grand (2009), Sidewalks (2010), Lightning (2012), New Glow (2015), and Almost Everyday (2018).

Matt and Kim released their first album, Matt & Kim, on October 26, 2006. The album sold modestly, primarily at live shows. Many indie fans praised their music, and the two gained popularity through their many outgoing tours. Following the release of their first album, Matt and Kim began playing high profile music festivals, such as The Siren Music Festival and Lollapalooza. The duo signed with Fader Label and their second album, Grand, recorded in Matt's childhood bedroom at his parents' home in Vermont, was released on January 20, 2009. A video for one of the album's highlights, "Lessons Learned", in which the duo strips nude in Times Square, was shot during a very cold winter day in February 2009.

On November 2, 2010, the duo released their third album, Sidewalks. Co-produced by Ben Allen, Oliver Strauss and Matt, the album as a whole adopted a more refined, yet dense hip-hop influence in comparison to the previous two, while still maintaining the upbeat and party-esque style they are known for. Matt and Kim headlined two U.S. tours in support, in Fall 2010 and again during May/June 2011. They also played numerous festivals including Australia's Big Day Out, Japan's Fuji and V in the UK. In addition, they played at many American colleges, worked extensively through Europe and South America and, in Fall 2011, they supported Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance on select dates. Although not officially released as a single, the song "Good for Great" received significant airplay in some markets, and was ranked #65 on Boston station WFNX's Top 101 of 2011 list.

On June 22, 2012, Matt and Kim issued a brand new track, "Let's Go" as a digital single, meanwhile, the band put finishing touches on their fourth full length album, Lightning, released on October 2, 2012. The single, "Let's Go", peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. On June 25, 2012, the duo uploaded a video to their YouTube channel featuring ball handler Pat the Roc performing basketball tricks as "Let's Go" plays in full. Then on September 4, 2012, the duo released a lyric video for another new song on the album, "Now". On October 1, 2012, "Overexposed", "Not That Bad", "Much Too Late", "Ten Dollars I Found", "Tonight", "It's Alright", "I Said" and "I Wonder" were released on YouTube as official first listens. Matt and Kim premiered their official music video for "Let's Go" via the Funny or Die website in November.

The full-length album got a digital/CD/vinyl release on October 2, 2012 and the band began their official US Fall Lightning Tour the next day in Burlington, Vermont. On February 5, 2013, Matt and Kim kicked off their US tour with Passion Pit. While on tour, the official music video for "It's Alright" was released on February 25, 2013, featuring Matt and Kim in a choreographed dance routine in bed. In March 2013 Matt and Kim wrapped their US tour and performed at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida before heading to Australia for a three-week tour at the end of April.

In May, Matt and Kim announced their touring schedule for summer 2013, starting with a show at the Great GoogaMooga in Brooklyn, NY on May 18, 2013. In June, Matt and Kim performed at Free Press Summer Fest, Sandy Parts Festival, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Firefly Music Festival, Summerfest and Party in the Park. In July, they played at the Keloha Music & Arts Fest and the Forecastle Festival. In August, they played at Lollapalooza in Chicago. In October, they played at Corona Capital, in Mexico City.

On January 13, 2015, Matt and Kim released the single "Get It" in promotion of their fifth album. Along with this, they also released Spring tour dates, an album pre-order, and a lyric video to accompany the single. "Get It" received mixed reviews from fans as it ventures away from their past DIY sound. On February 10, 2015 Matt and Kim released the promotional video for the single "Hey Now" through their official VEVO Youtube account. On February 24, 2015, the band released "Hoodie On" through their official VEVO account. On April 7, 2015, Matt and Kim released the full album and held an in store performance at Amoeba Music's Hollywood store to celebrate.

5K
Matt & Kim Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Fifteen years old, picking out the same old clothes
While these posters are wallpaper for those with the same goal
She'll try out on on the day after today
And she dreams of the 5k

The calendar's set stone
Now cracked in half

Dwyer said, you look talented to me
Join the team and get up at five with babes in briefs
Candy bars, metals, trophies and stressful days
Still she dreams, dreams of 5k

Dwyer asked, "Why did you give up on me?"
"I've got these dreams and no idea what I want to be"
Different place fast turn over has gone away
But still she dreams of 5k

The calendar was set in stone
Now cracked in half but not unknown

Records broke yesterday
If only there was still a 5k

Overall Meaning

Matt & Kim's song "5K" is a melancholic and nostalgic reflection on the past, on opportunities lost, and on unfulfilled dreams. The lyrics show a young girl, probably a runner, who has been pursuing her passion for running by participating in the 5K race. The girl is fifteen years old and still doing the same things she has been doing for years on end - picking out the same old clothes, and decorating her room with posters of famous athletes, who share her dream of achieving success in the 5K race. The song highlights the importance of perseverance in chasing one's dreams, even if it seems like they are out of reach.

The song follows the story of a girl who once had a chance to be a part of a running team. She is urged by a person named Dwyer to join the team, who tells her that she looks talented to be part of the team. The girl takes the chance and every day wakes up early to train and works hard to achieve her goal. She dreams of winning the 5K race and the importance it holds for her in her life. But eventually, she gives up on her dreams and aspirations, leaving her feeling lost and directionless. The calendar, which once held the promise of the future, is now cracked in half, representing how her dreams were shattered.

Matt & Kim's "5K" is an emotional appeal to anyone who has ever felt the sting of failure or regret. The song's melancholic and nostalgic tone highlights the importance of chasing one's dreams, persevering in the face of adversity, and never giving up on one's goals. The 5K race represents something different for everyone, but the overarching message of the song remains the same: hold on to your dreams, work hard to achieve them, and never give up on what you truly love.

Line by Line Meaning

Fifteen years old, picking out the same old clothes
At the age of fifteen, she keeps wearing the same clothes while surrounded by posters of people with similar aspirations.

While these posters are wallpaper for those with the same goal
Everyone with the same goal looks up to these posters as a source of inspiration.

She'll try out on on the day after today
She plans to audition for something the next day to fulfill her dream.

And she dreams of the 5k
She dreams of running a 5k race, a goal that motivates her every day.

The calendar's set stone
Her schedule is pre-planned and does not have room for changes.

Now cracked in half
Something has caused a change, and her schedule is no longer set in stone.

Dwyer said, you look talented to me
Dwyer sees potential in her and invites her to join a team.

Join the team and get up at five with babes in briefs
She joins the team and trains with other female athletes who wake up at five in the morning.

Candy bars, metals, trophies and stressful days
The journey to achieving goals involves rewards like candy bars, medals, and trophies, but also difficult days filled with stress.

Still she dreams, dreams of 5k
Despite the challenges, she still holds onto her dream of running a 5k race.

Dwyer asked, "Why did you give up on me?"
Dwyer wonders why she stopped pursuing her dream with him.

"I've got these dreams and no idea what I want to be"
She confesses her struggle with not knowing what her ultimate dream or purpose is.

Different place fast turn over has gone away
Her life has taken a different turn and the fast-paced environment she was in is no longer present.

But still she dreams of 5k
Despite the changes, she still holds onto her dream of running a 5k race.

The calendar was set in stone
Her schedule was once again planned and did not have room for changes.

Now cracked in half but not unknown
Her schedule has changed once again, but this time she is aware of it.

Records broke yesterday
New records were set recently.

If only there was still a 5k
Despite the new records, she wishes that there was still a 5k race she could participate in.

Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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