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.
Cameras
Matt & Kim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the bridge we'll meet up tonight
Black pants, red sweatshirt and brown bags
Above the East River's northern lights
You see what I see
I thought it make believe
On my street
Old cement makes for
A solid place to lay
Bed of light grey
My bed of light grey
While I know it's letters
That can spell
I hear now it's words that can say
I decided to start writing less
And I'm talking more everyday
Sixteen of our friends
A five seat bright red van
Curbside view
Turn off of Grand
Pound my steering wheel
We yell to the windshield
I'm finally home
I'm finally home
No time for cameras
We'll use our eyes instead
No time for cameras
We'll be gone when we're dead
No time for cameras
We'll use our eyes instead
I see flashes of gold
Every single car alarm we hear
We'll steal and throw through their window
My water comes straight from the tap
And those bottles are all just for show
I see that we're made of
More then blood and bones
See we're made of
Sticks and stones
Don't forget to breathe
Need locks for your keys
Don't forget to breathe now
Forget to breathe now
No time for cameras
We'll use our eyes instead
No time for cameras
We'll be gone when we're dead
No time for cameras
We'll use our eyes instead
I see flashes of gold
No time for cameras
We'll use our eyes instead
No time for cameras
We'll be gone when we're dead
No time for cameras
We'll use our eyes instead
I see flashes of gold
No time for cameras
We'll use our eyes instead
No time for cameras
We'll be gone when we're dead
No time for cameras
We'll use our eyes instead
I see flashes of gold
The song "Cameras" by Matt & Kim captures the moments between two lovers as they witness the beauty of life together. The lyrics describe a night out with friends by the river under northern lights, and the simplicity of laying on a bed of light gray cement. As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that the couple puts down their cameras and focuses on experiencing the world through their own eyes instead of capturing it through a lens. The line "No time for cameras, we'll use our eyes instead" emphasizes this point.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that we are made of more than just blood and bones. We are made of "sticks and stones," meaning we are also made up of our experiences and memories. The line "We'll be gone when we're dead" further emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and experiencing life while we can.
In the end, the song is a celebration of life, love, and the beauty that surrounds us. It encourages us to put down our devices and fully experience the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun's going down let's get together
On the bridge we'll meet up tonight
As the sun sets, it's time to unite with friends on the bridge for a night out together.
Black pants, red sweatshirt and brown bags
Above the East River's northern lights
On the way to meet up, the singer describes the scene of the East River with colorful clothing and bags set against the northern lights.
You see what I see
I thought it make believe
Watched the sunrise
On my street
The singer shares a moment with someone special, watching the sunrise on their street and realizing that sometimes what they see actually exists in reality.
Old cement makes for
A solid place to lay
Bed of light grey
My bed of light grey
Despite the roughness of old cement, it serves as a reliable foundation for the artist's resting place, which happens to be a light grey color.
While I know it's letters
That can spell
I hear now it's words that can say
The artist reflects on the power of words, realizing that while letters can spell things out, it's the words put together that truly convey meaning and expression.
I decided to start writing less
And I'm talking more everyday
The singer shares the choice to speak more and write less as a means to better connect with others and experience life in the moment.
Sixteen of our friends
A five seat bright red van
Curbside view
Turn off of Grand
They pack into a cramped van with a view of the city streets and make a turn off of Grand, getting ready for the night ahead with their friends.
Pound my steering wheel
We yell to the windshield
I'm finally home
I'm finally home
The artist expresses excitement and relief, pounding the steering wheel and yelling with friends as they feel at home in the moment together.
No time for cameras
We'll use our eyes instead
No time for cameras
We'll be gone when we're dead
No time for cameras
We'll use our eyes instead
I see flashes of gold
The chorus emphasizes the importance of experiencing everything life has to offer through their own eyes and not just through a camera lens. They know they can't take anything with them when they're gone and so choose to see the flashes of gold in the world around them.
Every single car alarm we hear
We'll steal and throw through their window
My water comes straight from the tap
And those bottles are all just for show
The artist takes a rebellious tone, suggesting they might throw car alarms through windows and acknowledging their own preference for tap water over bottled water.
I see that we're made of
More then blood and bones
See we're made of
Sticks and stones
The singer reflects on the idea of being made up of more than just biological matter, recognizing the importance of their experiences and environment that also shape who they are.
Don't forget to breathe
Need locks for your keys
Don't forget to breathe now
Forget to breathe now
The artist reminds themselves and others to take a deep breath and appreciate the present moment, while also acknowledging the need for practical things like locks for keys.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KIMBERLY ANN SCHIFINO, MATTHEW WESLEY JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LukePackenham
it has been like 10 years since I listened to matt and kim. They are so good
@sidvacant9382
True definition of underated.
@py2724
It’s good to be back isn’t it!?! 😝🤪
@MonkeyRaptor001
Just heard them in something and had flashbacks to finding them the first time. Time to revisit!
@keithbiddle4552
You ain't Wrong ❤
@Moviesan69
I expected a video about love. What I got was a video about true love instead.
@Raze7888
lol, awsome
@milliealderman9796
Amen.
@sapphiresillyfool5045
Dead!! ☠
@patrickvarah5970
Spot on