Alexander creates beautiful soundscapes by interweaving acoustic guitar, piano, electronics, ethereal samples, strings and hushed vocals.
In 2007 Jerome self-released his first set of home recordings (simply titled EP1) which sold out almost instantly thereby catalysing a conversation with the then newly-formed Dead Pilot Records about a re-issue.
Having discovered a commonly-shared ethos, Dead Pilot Records and Alexander decided to work together again for Message To Bears’ second release (Departures), an album which was overflowing with lush strings and saw the first introduction of voice into Jerome’s recordings. Limited to 500 CDs, the album was packaged in an organic case, wrapped in brown parcel paper and tied together with string. Every single copy also came with an individual, unique old photograph hidden inside. As with EP1, this became quickly out of print.
In the summer of 2009, Alexander played his first Message To Bears live show in Oxford with the help of his close friends playing a wide variety of instruments. They have since shared the stage with artists such as Nils Frahm and Olafur Arnalds.
January 2012 saw the release of 2nd LP 'Folding Leaves' through Dead Pilot Records (UK) and Nature Bliss (JPN).
Jerome released a new electronic EP under the alias J.R Alexander during December 2012 through Sound In SIlence Records.
Jerome’s 3rd full-length album entitled ‘Maps’ was released 12th November 2013, his first self-released album since his debut.
Bandcamp
The Tourist
Message To Bears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hoping it was me,
Now it feels it couldn't be,
Wanted to be free,
Oh I'm never far from home no more,
Painting in the stone,
Oh what if we could turn away,
Like birds in the rain
The lyrics of Message to Bears's song The Tourist takes the listener to a reflective and contemplative space. The opening lines, "Oh one of us I couldn't see, hoping it was me, now it feels it couldn't be, wanted to be free," speaks about a journey of self-discovery and longing for freedom. The singer is unsure of their identity and wishes to find themselves. However, as time passes, they realize that they cannot simply escape the pressures of society or their burdensome existence. The next line, "Oh I'm never far from home no more, painting in the stone," indicates that despite their desire for freedom, they feel trapped and burdened by the weight of their situation. Eventually, the last line, "Oh what if we could turn away, like birds in the rain," is a final cry for freedom, but understanding the futility of this desire.
Message to Bears's song The Tourist is a beautifully melancholic piece that speaks to the struggles of modern-day individuals in a highly demanding society. It speaks to the listener's desire for freedom and the complexity of the journey of self-discovery. It demonstrates the human experience of feeling burdened, lost and struggling to find a way out amidst the constant ebb and flow of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh one of us I couldn't see,
I couldn't identify which one of us was missing or lost.
Hoping it was me,
I was hoping that it was me who was lost or missing.
Now it feels it couldn't be,
However, now it seems like it is not possible for me to be lost or missing.
Wanted to be free,
I yearned for freedom.
Oh I'm never far from home no more,
I never stray too far from home anymore.
Painting in the stone,
I am making a permanent mark or impression, much like paint on a stone.
Oh what if we could turn away,
What if we had the option to turn away?
Like birds in the rain
Like birds taking flight to avoid getting wet in the rain.
Contributed by Taylor P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@raspberry481
What if us I couldn't see, hoping it was me?
Now I feel so capable, wanting to be free.
Never fall from holiness, painting in the stars.
What if we could turn around, like birds in the rain?
What if us I couldn't see, hoping it was me?
Now I feel so capable, wanting to be free.
Never fall from holiness, painting in the stars.
What if we could turn around, like birds in the rain?
What if us I couldn't see, hoping it was me?
Now I feel so capable, wanting to be free.
@madlife7274
putting this song make me talk to myself .. i talk about the story of my life.. the girl who broke my heart... cheated on me.. the friend ive lost.. and the mess ive been through my life .. and then say to myself. ive surpass all these pains... looking back on those thing for some reason brings tears to my eyes ..
@iUsedToBeAMusician
I forever associate this song with my road test. Because this kept me calm .
@cesagus2
Life is Strange!!!
@raspberry481
What if us I couldn't see, hoping it was me?
Now I feel so capable, wanting to be free.
Never fall from holiness, painting in the stars.
What if we could turn around, like birds in the rain?
What if us I couldn't see, hoping it was me?
Now I feel so capable, wanting to be free.
Never fall from holiness, painting in the stars.
What if we could turn around, like birds in the rain?
What if us I couldn't see, hoping it was me?
Now I feel so capable, wanting to be free.
@saravergaripakito333
sublime! i love message to bear' s music!
@oommggdude
I'm a bear and I approve
@andypeacock7230
What was the message?
@yourpurpose5548
I’m a bear also. I feel like I am a bear in my other life. Bears make me smile. 🧸
@sarahkaltenecker
beautiful!
@user-qq3zo3ey9v
Hermosa Cancion.