Midlake is an American rock band from Denton, Texas, that formed in 1999. T… Read Full Bio ↴Midlake is an American rock band from Denton, Texas, that formed in 1999. The band first gained popularity in Europe.

Midlake began in 1999 by a group of jazz students at the University of North Texas. The original lineup consisted of Tim Smith (vocals, guitars, keyboards), McKenzie Smith (drums), Paul Alexander (bass), Eric Nichelson (guitar), and Evan Jacobs (keyboards). Their initial work (under the working name The Cornbread All-Stars) consisted of funk/jazz explorations heavily influenced by Herbie Hancock.

Later the band began to lean more toward an indie rock sound. Tim Smith quit playing saxophone and began writing songs that were heavily influenced by bands such as Jethro Tull, Radiohead, Travis, and Grandaddy. Smith says about that: "We don't want to get called a Radiohead rip-off band. I think Radiohead is a lot closer to my natural tendencies as a songwriter than a band like, um, Jethro Tull. I listen to way more Jethro Tull than I do Radiohead these days, but I could write 10 Radiohead songs before I could write one Jethro Tull song. I want to sound more like Jethro Tull, but I just can't. That's a big struggle."

Jacobs left the band and Eric Nichelson took over on keyboard. Jason Upshaw joined the band as a guitarist. Live recordings from this period, recorded at Denton's Panhandle House studio, were never released as the band felt they had moved beyond the material.

Soon before their debut EP, Milkmaid Grand Army, was recorded, Upshaw was replaced on guitars by Eric Pulido, a longtime friend of drummer Smith, to form the current lineup. Their debut full-length album, 2004's Bamnan and Slivercork, was recorded at home in Denton, Texas and mastered at Abbey Road Studios. It showed a move in the direction of lo-fi psychedelic electronica, embracing influences such as Grandaddy and The Flaming Lips. The album even caught the ear of skateboarder-turned-actor Jason Lee, who produced and directed the music video for the song 'Balloon Maker', and who continues to support and promote the band.

In 2006, after nearly a year and a half of recording and re-recording, they completed their second release for Bella Union – The Trials of Van Occupanther. The album was met with generally positive reviews.

The 3rd album release by the band is called The Courage of Others. It was released on February 1, 2010. The album sleeve pays homage to Andrei Rublev, a 1966 film by Russian writer and director Andrei Tarkovsky.

In this album Smith focusing on the human condition, death, courage (as per the album’s title), and nature. The band put aside the wonderfully corny synthesizers they used on the last record in favor of a 100-percent organic approach that fits their bearded poets of the mountain image. The album received overwhelmingly positive review.

www.midlake.net

Fortune
Midlake Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Down to the valley where the fortunes grow
Down to the free
That gathered holy 'round the fire that grows so well

On with the laughter when the work is done
It is what it is
A passing work of human hands where faults abound

While the rains would come
While the end was unknown
Nothing had proved too much
No path was solely my own

Most of the daylight nothing filled my mind
Quiet was I
And I was held away from evil that spoke my name

All he was wanting was a bumbling man
I wouldn't go
Wanting only to feel the time around me stay

While the rains would come
While the end was unknown

Nothing had proved too much
No path was solely my own

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song "Fortune" by Midlake speaks to the idea of going down to the valley where the fortunes grow, where one can be free and in the company of others who gather around the fire. It's a place of camaraderie and joy, where laughter fills the air once the work is done. The lyrics suggest that everything is what it is, and that humans are prone to making mistakes, but that they should always strive to make things right again. They should keep moving forward, even in the face of adversity, knowing that they don't own any path in life. It's about being content in the moment, no matter what the future may hold.

The lyrics also suggest a sense of isolation and quiet contemplation. The singer is a person who is often alone with their thoughts. They are introspective and philosophical, staying away from evil forces that might try to steer them in the wrong direction. The lyrics imply that the singer was approached by someone who wanted to take advantage of their naivety and lack of experience, but the singer refused to be swayed. They wanted to remain in this moment and cherish it, rather than be caught up in someone else's schemes.

Line by Line Meaning

Down to the valley where the fortunes grow
Going to a place where wealth is abundant and attainable

Down to the free
Going to a place where freedom is sought and cherished

That gathered holy 'round the fire that grows so well
A group of people coming together in worship or celebration of something thriving

On with the laughter when the work is done
The joy that comes after a fulfilling task is complete

It is what it is
Accepting something for what it truly is, without denial or false hope

A passing work of human hands where faults abound
Something created by humans is temporary and imperfect, riddled with errors

While the rains would come
Even during difficult times or challenges

While the end was unknown
Even during uncertainty or an unpredictable future

Nothing had proved too much
Everything thus far has been overcome or conquered

No path was solely my own
The journey taken was shaped by external factors or others' influence

Most of the daylight nothing filled my mind
Most of the day was spent in a state of emptiness or lack of thought

Quiet was I
Content in solitude or peaceful silence

And I was held away from evil that spoke my name
Protected from negativity or harmful influences that attempted to infiltrate

All he was wanting was a bumbling man
A person of little intellect or grace was desired

I wouldn't go
Refusal to conform or change oneself for another's sake

Wanting only to feel the time around me stay
The desire to freeze or prolong a moment in time for personal satisfaction

While the rains would come
Even during difficult times or challenges

While the end was unknown
Even during uncertainty or an unpredictable future

Nothing had proved too much
Everything thus far has been overcome or conquered

No path was solely my own
The journey taken was shaped by external factors or others' influence

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERIC NICHELSON, ERIC PULIDO, MCKENZIE SMITH, PAUL ALEXANDER, TIM SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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