Miniature Tigers' sound was forged in the bedroom of frontman Charlie Brand, only to quickly outgrow the space, with the band soon finding itself on stage, in the studio and signed to Phoenix’s Modern Art Records in short order. Brand’s lyrics – a mix of deeply personal insights and playful references to the disparate cultural artifacts that have informed his existence – and effortlessly constructed indie-pop arrangements have made fans in his native Phoenix and beyond. The fans stretch to Los Angeles, where Brand reconnected with drummer, collaborator and fellow charter member of the band Rick Schaier while living in Hollywood, and far beyond thanks to the Internet, which it seems people are into these days.
Miniature Tigers’ debut album "Tell it to the Volcano" runs the lyrical gamut, taking inspiration from and referencing TV’s Lost (which rates a Dharma Initiative sticker on Brand’s acoustic) as easily as it probes the joy and heartbreak of Charlie’s own life, while managing not to take itself too seriously. Brand wrote the album while on the lam – not from the law, but rather from a relationship he described as "brutal." He left Phoenix to clear his head, landing in Los Angeles and collaborating with his friend Rick to complete the long-gestating album. It was his catharsis – with cannibals and volcanoes stepping in for the real-world problems that had both beset and inspired him. In the end the album represents Charlie’s effort to codify, examine, and ultimately move past a 2-year stretch of his life.
Charlie and Rick are joined in their live incarnation by friends and collaborators Lou Kummerer on bass and Lawrence Hearn on lead guitar and keyboards, for performances that seem to give equal time to playing songs and intra-band joking. They aim for a controlled chaos aesthetic that eschews "auto-pilot" at all costs.
In an effort to further confound the expectations of those around the band, they chose to have their video directed by someone who had never helmed one before…or at least never an authorized music video. The band tapped "Yacht Rock" creator JD Ryznar to direct their video for Cannibal Queen in the hopes he would recreate the magic of his wildly popular Internet video series. Ryznar quickly assimilated the band’s aesthetic and turned in a video equal parts "Weird Science" and "Frankenstein," to the band’s delight.
Lolita
Miniature Tigers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only seventeen
Saw you in some kind of
Gypsy crystal ball wet dream
Wild curly hair
A face that doesn't care about me
No, you're reading a book outside
When you go to your dark place, I
Wanna look in your light
Wanna look around inside your head
Wanna turn on your light
Late afternoon
Up there in your room
Heard you humming something
Softly to yourself awake
When you go to your dark place
I wanna look in your light
Wanna look around inside your head
Wanna turn on your light
I wanna really get it and I can't relate
I just wanna lock myself away
Only wanna spend my time with you
Only wanna do what you wanna do
And I don't know what I want from you
Not sure if I wanna stay with you
I can't take my mask away
When you go to your dark place, I
Wanna look in your light
Wanna look around inside your head
Want to turn on your light
I wanna really get it and I can't relate
I just wanna lock myself away
Only wanna spend my time with you
Only wanna do what you wanna do
And I don't know what I want from you
Not sure if I wanna stay with you
I can't take my mask away
I wanna really get it and I can't relate
I just wanna lock myself away
Only wanna spend my time with you
Only wanna do what you wanna do
And I don't know what I want from you
Not sure if I wanna stay with you
I can't take my mask away
The song Lolita by Miniature Tigers is about a speaker who is attracted to a young and wild girl who is only seventeen years old. The singer finds her fascinating and mesmerizing, and he sees her as a mysterious and ethereal figure, almost like seeing her in a "gypsy crystal ball wet dream." Despite the girl's indifference to the singer, he still wants to indulge in her world and get to know her better, looking into her "light" and exploring her thoughts and emotions.
The singer admits to wanting to hide away from society and spend all his time with her, doing whatever she wants to do. However, he also realizes that he doesn't know what he wants from her, unsure if he wants to stay with her or not. The lyrics suggest some kind of internal conflict within the singer, as he is drawn to her youth, beauty, and unpredictability, but also seems to understand that he cannot handle her completely, as he is unable to take off his "mask." The song captures the feeling of infatuation and desire, but also acknowledges its limitations and complexities.
Line by Line Meaning
Red headed and sweet
Describing the physical appearance of a young lady who has red hair and is charming in nature.
Only seventeen
Addressing the age of the girl being referred to, who is in her teenage years.
Saw you in some kind of Gypsy crystal ball wet dream
Imagining the girl as a romantic or mystical figure seen in a dream-like state.
Wild curly hair
Further describing the girl's physical appearance, specifically her naturally curly hair that has a wild appearance.
A face that doesn't care about me
Expressing romantic interest in the girl, but realizing that she may not share the same feelings.
No, you're reading a book outside
Observing the girl from afar as she enjoys her own interests outside, possibly reading a book.
By yourself always
Noticing that the girl prefers to spend time alone rather than in the company of others.
When you go to your dark place, I
Wanna look in your light
Wanna look around inside your head
Wanna turn on your light
Expressing a desire to get to know the girl on a deeper, more personal level and to understand what makes her happy and fulfilled.
Late afternoon
Up there in your room
Heard you humming something
Softly to yourself awake
Creating a setting of the girl spending time in her own space, humming to herself and being lost in her own thoughts.
I wanna really get it and I can't relate
I just wanna lock myself away
Feeling a deep connection to the girl but not fully understanding her perspective or where she's coming from.
Only wanna spend my time with you
Only wanna do what you wanna do
Expressing an overwhelming desire to be with the girl and do things that make her happy.
And I don't know what I want from you
Not sure if I wanna stay with you
I can't take my mask away
Expressing uncertainty and hesitation about pursuing a relationship with the girl and being vulnerable.
Contributed by Avery N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jackiehahn5960
Red headed and sweet
Only seventeen
Saw you in some kind of
Gypsy crystal ball wet dream
Wild curly hair
A face that doesn't care about me
No, you're reading a book outside
By yourself always
When you go to your dark place, I
Wanna look in your eyes
Wanna look around inside your head
Wanna turn on your light
Late afternoon
Up there in your room
Heard you humming something
Softly to yourself awake
When you go to your dark place
I wanna look in your eyes
Wanna look around inside your head
Wanna turn on your light
I wanna really get it and I can't relate
I just wanna lock myself away
Only wanna spend my time with you
Only wanna do what you wanna do
And I don't know what I want from you
Not sure if I wanna stay with you
I can't take my mask away
When you go to your dark place, I
Wanna look in your eyes
Wanna look around inside your head
Want to turn on your light
I don't really get it and I can't relate
I just wanna lock myself away
Only wanna spend my time with you
Only wanna do what you wanna do
And I don't know what I want from you
Not sure if I wanna stay with you
I can't take my mask away
I don't really get it and I can't relate
I just wanna lock myself away
Only wanna spend my time with you
Only wanna do what you wanna do
And I don't know what I want from you
Not sure if I wanna stay with you
I can't take my mask away
@maleloera9717
I would die happily with this song playing in the background
@blizzardlol7625
The beginning is gorgeous, I wish we had a full version of that part of the song.
@cameronkarczewski1401
This is my favorite song, it's magical really
@MrLasercat
OH GOD, THIS SONG. UNGHHH, SO GOOD.
@Zzzk23
Ever feel like a song was written about you?
@jackiehahn5960
Red headed and sweet
Only seventeen
Saw you in some kind of
Gypsy crystal ball wet dream
Wild curly hair
A face that doesn't care about me
No, you're reading a book outside
By yourself always
When you go to your dark place, I
Wanna look in your eyes
Wanna look around inside your head
Wanna turn on your light
Late afternoon
Up there in your room
Heard you humming something
Softly to yourself awake
When you go to your dark place
I wanna look in your eyes
Wanna look around inside your head
Wanna turn on your light
I wanna really get it and I can't relate
I just wanna lock myself away
Only wanna spend my time with you
Only wanna do what you wanna do
And I don't know what I want from you
Not sure if I wanna stay with you
I can't take my mask away
When you go to your dark place, I
Wanna look in your eyes
Wanna look around inside your head
Want to turn on your light
I don't really get it and I can't relate
I just wanna lock myself away
Only wanna spend my time with you
Only wanna do what you wanna do
And I don't know what I want from you
Not sure if I wanna stay with you
I can't take my mask away
I don't really get it and I can't relate
I just wanna lock myself away
Only wanna spend my time with you
Only wanna do what you wanna do
And I don't know what I want from you
Not sure if I wanna stay with you
I can't take my mask away
@Zzzk23
Turning 18 tomorrow. Gotta listen to this
@chickadeewin
My favorite miniature tigers song ^_^
@lovingmom2cats2girlsx94
This song is written about the movie titled the same so if you come here from tiktok trying to make up something weird just don’t bother. It’s not some hidden weird message. People are so stupid.:
@fribbon7027
I hope everyone who commented under this song years and years ago is doing well