Sam- Piano/Organ/BGVs
Tyler- Drums/Perc.
M… Read Full Bio ↴Brad- Vocals/Guitar
Sam- Piano/Organ/BGVs
Tyler- Drums/Perc.
MELODIME (mel·o·dime - [mel-uh-dahym] - /’mɛlədaɪm/) is an award winning band from Northern VA. The band began entertaining crowds large and small in the fall of 2005. Since, they have gained attention, winning Washington DC’s acclaimed battle of the bands and having their hit Sweet Contentment played on two episodes of Fox TV’s So You Think You Can Dance.
MELODIME, a band of brothers from a farm outside Washington D.C., were taught at a young age not to despise small beginnings. From a humble upbringing to lowly tavern shows they’ve fought an uphill battle to become one of the premier bands in the metropolitan area. Their cross-genre sound, a great catalogue of songs and a dynamic live show have garnered them the attention of the industry and music fans of all ages.
Before playing under the glamorous lights of respectable clubs like The 9:30 Club (DC) or The Bitter End (NYC), MELODIME (Bradley, Sam, and Tyler) sharpened their skills in one of the least glamorous places imaginable: the hayloft of the family barn. In the sweltering heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter, the boys emulated the sounds of Tom Petty, Dave Matthews Band, and The Goo Goo Dolls for none other than a heard of horses in the surrounding fields. From there, they transitioned into playing in church bands which keyboardist Sam Duis said, “…was a great experience. You’re constantly playing with a different group of people and songs, which requires you to be flexible and learn fast. Also, to read and play according to the atmosphere of the room and then see the effect your musical gifts can have on people is an incredible thing.” Those influences, both musical and non, are a huge contributor to MELODIME’s songs, image and work ethic today.
Having backgrounds in a wide variety of music, MELODIME has landed on a clean, polished sound they’ve termed “Southern Fusion”: rootsy, colorful and pleasing to those who hold an appreciation for the past, while simultaneously being catchy, contemporary and original. Their live performance is a point of strength as they achieve with 3 guys (without the aid of backing tracks) what many 4 and 5 piece bands struggle to. The sound is full, energetic and refined, commonly praised as being “better than the cd”.
Their debut album, “Memories in the Form of Sound”, received high praise from hometown fans with energetic, feel-good tunes like “Somebody” and won the hearts of their neighbors to the south with the ode to Tennessee, “Orange People”. The ballad, “Sweet Contentment”, was featured twice on FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance and caught the attention of critics and listeners worldwide. With producer Jim Ebert (Butch Walker, Meredith Brooks, Madonna) at the helm, MELODIME’s sophomore studio album highlights a tremendous maturity in the lives and songs of the band. “With ‘Memories’, we needed a CD to sell at our shows so we rushed to give them the songs we had at the time.” – Tyler Duis. “This time around we had plenty of original material to choose from, to write, to re-write... to round out a solid record that is truly us and that we’re incredibly proud of.” – Bradley Rhodes. The album is expected to release in the spring of 2011. In addition to the studio albums, MELODIME has an ongoing series of recordings titled “The B.Room Diaries” which has given life to fan favorite tunes such as “High & Low”, “Sailboats” and “Start the Day Early”. Compilation Vol. 1 is available on iTunes and limited edition CD while Vol. 2 is currently being released song by song through free digital downloads.
MELODIME has shared the stage with bands such as:
· Matt Nathanson
· The Alternate Routes
· The Dirty Guv'nahs
· Green River Ordinance
· Carbon Leaf
· The Ready Set
· Stephen Kellogg
· Locksley
· We Shot the Moon
On stages such as:
· The 9:30 Club (DC)
· Mercury Lounge (NYC)
· The Bitter End (NYC)
· Rockwood Music Hall (NYC)
· The State Theater (Falls Church, VA)
· IOTA Music Club (Arlington, VA)
· Kirk Avenue Music Hall (Roanoke, VA)
· Jammin’ Java (Vienna, VA)
· Double Door Inn (Charlotte, NC)
· The Basement (Nashville, TN)
Halo
Melodime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With an ice cold sweat and a bulletproof vest
I'm shaking now, I confess
Who would put to the test a well-groomed mess like me
I have a tendency of running from things
A strung out junkie that the preacher couldn't reach
But you never thought to give up on me
I lift my head just like you said
I dust off my halo
I feel the beat beneath my feet
And I hear the echo
I speak to those with the unclean hands
The radiant souls that the world has damned
The untold story of the misjudged man
Says it ain't too late to live the next day's plan
A broken spell, a conquered hell
I'm building kingdoms now from this abandoned town
A severed will, restored and filled
With help from the angels I can fly now
I start again
The lyrics to Melodime's song Halo are rich and multi-layered, describing a journey of personal growth and redemption that is both introspective and universal. The song opens with the singer metaphorically boarding a train heading west, filled with trepidation and a sense of invincibility provided by the purchase of an ice-cold sweat and a bullet-proof vest. The lyrics suggest that the character has been through some tough times, and may even be struggling with addiction or other personal demons that make him feel like a "well-groomed mess." Despite this, the character has the courage to face his fears and take a leap of faith, embarking on a journey of transformation that will require him to confront his limitations and embrace his true potential.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on his own tendency to run from difficult situations, describing himself as a "strung out junkie" that even the preacher couldn't reach. However, he also acknowledges that someone in his life was willing to stick by him and help him find his way back to the light. In the chorus, the singer exhorts himself to lift his head and dust off his halo, to embrace the rhythm of the world and the echoes of inspiration that can be found all around us. By speaking to those with "unclean hands" and radiant souls, he affirms his commitment to overcoming personal demons and sharing his story of triumph over adversity with others.
Overall, the lyrics to Halo are deeply moving and inspirational, reminding listeners that we all have the power to overcome our limitations and become the best versions of ourselves. The song is an ode to personal growth and resilience, and a reminder that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always a path to the light.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, i bought a ticket on a train bound west
I took a big step to leave and start anew.
With an ice cold sweat and a bulletproof vest
I feel both scared and prepared for what's to come.
I'm shaking now, I confess
I admit my fear and uncertainty.
Who would put to the test a well-groomed mess like me
I'm not perfect, but I hope someone will give me a chance to prove myself.
I have a tendency of running from things
I tend to avoid problems or difficult situations.
A strung out junkie that the preacher couldn't reach
I was at my worst and felt helpless.
But you never thought to give up on me
Despite my flaws, someone believed in me and stuck by my side.
I lift my head just like you said
I follow the advice of someone who helped me.
I dust off my halo
I try to leave my past behind and start fresh.
I feel the beat beneath my feet
I feel alive and energized.
And I hear the echo
I hear the reverberation of my actions and thoughts.
I speak to those with the unclean hands
I speak to those who have done wrong in the past.
The radiant souls that the world has damned
I see the good in people who have been rejected or judged by society.
The untold story of the misjudged man
The untold story of people who have been misunderstood and mistreated.
Says it ain't too late to live the next day's plan
It's never too late to change and start living better.
A broken spell, a conquered hell
I've overcome a dark period in my life.
I'm building kingdoms now from this abandoned town
I'm creating a better life for myself from a difficult situation.
A severed will, restored and filled
My motivation and determination have been renewed and strengthened.
With help from the angels I can fly now
I'm grateful for the support and guidance I've received, and I feel free and empowered.
I start again
I've moved on and am ready to begin a new chapter in my life.
Contributed by Gianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mymelodime
+Shalean Faniel
Well, i bought a ticket on a train bound west
With an ice cold sweat and a bulletproof vest
I'm shaking now, I confess
Who would put to the test a well-groomed mess like me
I have a tendency of running from things
A strung out junkie that the preacher couldn't reach
But you never thought to give up on me
I lift my head just like you said
I dust off my halo
I feel the beat beneath my feet
And I hear the echo
I speak to those with the unclean hands
The radiant souls that the world has damned
The untold story of the misjudged man
Says it ain't too late to live the next day's plan
A broken spell, a conquered hell
I'm building kingdoms now from this abandoned town
A severed will, restored and filled
With help from the angels I can fly now
I start again
@michaeltrout1994
This doesn't matter to anyone else but this song played on the best night of my life. In a stuffy club with a bad audience, no one dancing or singing despite the beautiful music, I made my boyfriend dance with me. We slow danced to upbeat music as I stared into his eyes, laughing and smiling as he blushed. I'll never forget the feeling of him in my arms beneath the low lights, the beat ringing in my ears. I will never doubt how lucky I am as long as I have him and I just want to thank you guys for making that night so memorable.
@LEILABARBOSA1
Amazing band!
@juancarlosgomezmayorga2909
A great song, and beatifull
@jesham139
This is the first video to make me cry in a LONG time. Today, it has been eleven months since my last drink. I am an instant fan.
@theresasummer9454
Can't wait for yall to come back to Franklin County! ❤️
@andresummers6791
The video is awesome and the song kicks ass.
@eddieclift4342
Great song and awesome vocals !!
@jean-christophenormandeau2319
incredible song don't stop the greatness!
@kellylenore
Brad, this is great! Gave me goosebumps 💕😎
@MaggieBeexD
It's so amazing <3