The child of musicians, they started writing and playing music at the age of four. They studied violin, viola and composition at the Purcell School before being offered a scholarship to attend the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to study composition. Levi performed as a DJ and MC around the UK garage and grime scene in London, and released a mixtape titled Filthy Friends, which was posted on their Myspace page in 2006. For Filthy Friends, they enlisted the help of friends and musicians of various backgrounds including MCs Baker Trouble, Brother May, Man Like Me & Ghostpoet, singer-songwriter Jack Peñate, jazz band Troyka, London pop-band Golden Silvers, producers Kwes. and Toddla T. Following its release, Filthy Friends became sought after on the London club scene.
While a student at Guildhall, Levi was commissioned to write an orchestral piece for the London Philharmonic Orchestra which was performed at the Royal Festival Hall in April 2008.
Levi formed a band called The Shapes, which includes Raisa Khan on keyboards and Marc Pell on drums. They signed to Accidental Records who released their debut single "Lone Ranger" in May 2008, followed by "Golden Phone" in August 2008. With the Shapes, Levi's focus has been on experimental pop music. Most of this music prominently features an acoustic half-guitar with various non-standard tunings, extensive distortion, and use of noise and found-object elements, as well as occasionally unusual time signatures. Despite these experimental leanings, the artist categorizes her output with The Shapes as pop music.
Their debut album, Jewellery, produced by influential electronic musician Matthew Herbert, was recorded around Mica's composition studies at Guildhall School. Advance copies of the record reached the press in early 2009, and generated positive feedback. In the wake of this growing buzz, Micachu and the Shapes were signed to Rough Trade, who released Jewellery on 9 March 2009. Drowned In Sound consequently hailed the record as "thrillingly improbable pop made by a grade-A maverick."
Levi describes the music they performs with The Shapes as "pop", without many of pop's defining characteristics (obvious choruses and accessible lyrics). They often use unorthodox instruments, many of which are homemade. These include a modified guitar played with a hammer action, called a 'chu', and a bowed instrument fashioned from a CD rack. This multitude of objects, varying from broken bottles to a vacuum cleaner, help Mica achieve their distinctive and unique sound. They also own a 3rd bridge Home Swinger built by Yuri Landman.
They produced the very effective horror-like music to the 2013 Jonathan Glazer's movie Under the Skin.
Top Floor
Micachu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wondering why?
I often look into the sky
Oh I want to jump into the white sky
But I never try
The lyrics to Micachu's song Top Floor are quite enigmatic and can be interpreted in several ways. On the surface, it seems like the singer is on the top floor of a building, contemplating jumping into the sky. This can be read as a metaphor for feeling disconnected and discontent with the world and longing for an escape. The line "wondering why?" suggests that the singer might be questioning the purpose of their existence and feeling lost. Looking up at the sky could signify the hope for something greater or the desire to transcend the earthly limitations.
However, the next line "But I never try" changes the tone of the song. It shows that the singer is not willing to take the plunge or make a change. This could be read as a manifestation of fear, self-doubt or a lack of motivation to change. Alternatively, it could also mean that while the singer may have the urge to escape or find meaning, they are content with staying put and observing the world from a distance.
Overall, Top Floor is a melancholic yet intriguing song that delves into the complexities of human emotions, aspirations, and limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm on the top floor
Whenever I'm on the highest level of a building
Wondering why?
Feeling confused or uncertain about something
I often look into the sky
Frequently gazing up at the clouds or stars above
Oh I want to jump into the white sky
Expressing a strong desire to leap into the clear, open air
But I never try
Despite the urge, never actually attempting to take the risk
Contributed by Ian D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.