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)
The Letter
Melodime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but I hear you're doing fine
I get some news on you every now and then
I don't know quite why I'm writing
There's just a few things on my mind
but surely not the words of what we could've been
If I told you how I'm getting by today
I know you know me, and you know I have my days
but lets be honest, was the life that I lived fair?
please be honest, I need to know to get somewhere
yeah, lets be honest, you'll never read this
so who cares
You see I met myself this new gal
who resides in Arlington
She's got this heart I can't explain, its just so real
I'm doing everything I can now
to fill her heart again
and kiss the lips of fate with every ounce of what I feel
I knew the day would come
when I would sit down here and write your last song
I've learned from mistakes for futures sake
and I learned who I'm singing for
This girl deserves it, she deserves my very best
and here I stand to be the man I'm meant to be
See, I had fallen
but luckily life is full of second and third chances
so I can keep on tapping through the different dances
with this angel by my side, my heart demands this
so if you read this, fare thee well
Let's be honest
You're never honest, no
Let's be honest
In Melodime's song The Letter, the singer is writing to an old flame whom he hasn't seen in a while. He lets her know that he's heard news of her and that he's been doing fine himself. However, he admits to having some things on his mind that he needs to get off his chest. The singer questions if the life he used to live was fair and asks the old flame if she believes him when he says he's doing well. He also introduces a new girl in his life who he claims to be in love with and explains that he's doing everything he can to be the man he's meant to be for her.
Furthermore, the singer admits that the old flame will probably never read the letter, and he doesn't really care. He says that this new girl deserves his very best and that he's learned from his past mistakes. The singer has alluded to the fact that he has changed and has found someone who he truly loves. The song goes beyond just a letter to an old flame and delves into themes of self-reflection, change, and new beginnings.
In conclusion, the song's lyrics are rich in emotional depth and show how the singer has grown and matured since his past relationship. The melody compliments the contemplative tone of the lyrics, and on top of that, the background instrumentation creates an earnest and reflective atmosphere that will leave the listener with a sense of hope and optimism.
Line by Line Meaning
Well hello darlin', it's been awhile
Greetings! It's been some time since we last spoke.
but I hear you're doing fine
I've heard that you're doing well.
I get some news on you every now and then
Every so often, I receive updates about you.
I don't know quite why I'm writing
I'm not entirely sure why I'm composing this letter.
There's just a few things on my mind
However, I have some things I need to impart.
but surely not the words of what we could've been
Definitely not referring to what could have been with us.
If I told you how I'm getting by today
If I shared how I'm managing nowadays,
would you believe me? I think you would
do you think my words would ring truthfully? I surmise you would.
I know you know me, and you know I have my days
You understand me, and how occasionally difficult I can be.
but lets be honest, was the life that I lived fair?
But let's truthfully ask ourselves, was my former existence impartial?
please be honest, I need to know to get somewhere
Please tell me candidly, I must know to progress in life.
yeah, lets be honest, you'll never read this
Yes, let's be honest, it's highly unlikely you'll ever read this letter.
so who cares
It hardly matters, then.
You see I met myself this new gal
I recently crossed paths with a new lady-love.
who resides in Arlington
She's a resident of Arlington, Virginia.
She's got this heart I can't explain, its just so real
I cannot find the words to describe the authenticity of her heart.
I'm doing everything I can now
Currently, I'm exerting myself entirely
to fill her heart again
To replenish her heart and nourish her love.
and kiss the lips of fate with every ounce of what I feel
To embrace fate completely with all that I possess within me.
I knew the day would come
It was inevitable
when I would sit down here and write your last song
That I'd sit and write my closing message to you.
I've learned from mistakes for futures sake
I've taken heed of my errors for the sake of tomorrow.
and I learned who I'm singing for
I've come to understand who my voice should sing for.
This girl deserves it, she deserves my very best
This woman deserves the best of me.
and here I stand to be the man I'm meant to be
Here I'm standing, prepared to be the individual I'm intended to be.
See, I had fallen
I had experienced a fall
but luckily life is full of second and third chances
But fortunately, life permits us multiple chances for redemption.
so I can keep on tapping through the different dances
Therefore, I'll continue on, going through life's various dances.
with this angel by my side, my heart demands this
With my angelic partner by my side, my heart demands this of me.
so if you read this, fare thee well
So, if you do stumble upon this message, farewell to you.
Let's be honest
Let's speak truthfully...
You're never honest, no
However, you're not typically truthful.
Let's be honest
Let's speak truthfully...
Contributed by Hannah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.