The band line-up stayed stable for the release of the next album, named after a Dario Argento's film, "Suspiria", which is where the bands full sound was realized. A spin-off band, "The Waltzing Maggots" were gigging around this time, taking their name from the bizarre tracks "Widdle Biddle and His Waltzing Maggot", and "Willie Biddle in His Watery Grave".
Around the time of their third album, "Fairytales of Slavery", they said they wanted to create music that evoked a "seductive garden of earthly delights, full of color and chaos". For the release of the "Peepshow" single the band actually played naked in the window of one of the main record stores in London with the windows blocked out apart from a peephole apparently...
The band took a hiatus after the release of "Fairytales of Slavery" during which founder member Katharine Blake formed the wildly successful all girl band Mediaeval Baebes who debuted at number 1 in the classical charts with their "Salva Nos" album.
Miranda Sex Garden then reformed and released in 2000 the best album of their career, the aptly named "Carnival of Souls", featuring the bands swan song "Without Trace". The band also contributed a song to a Radiohead tribute entitled "Exit music for a film".
After this the Mediaeval Baebes took over as Katharine's main concern, and MSG fell into a slumber.
In 2006 Ben Golomstock released a solo album under the name Stories from the Moon which featured members of Miranda Sex Garden, Mediaeval Baebes, Queen Adreena, Colt, etc. which highly reprized the traditional MSG sound.
In 2007 Katharine Blake released her first solo album, "Midnight Flower", and In March 2009 Jocelyn West released her solo album, "Salt Bird".
Members:
The members in the group have changed significantly over time; only Katharine Blake remained in the group for their entire run.
The performers on their last album, Carnival of Souls, were:
Katharine Blake - vocals, violin, keyboards, recorder (1991-2000)
Trevor Sharpe - drums (1992-2000)
Ben Golomstock - guitar, keyboards (1992-2000)
Teresa Casella (ex-Mediæval Bæbes) - bass guitar (2000)
Mike Servent - keyboards (2000)
Barney Hollington (The Urban Voodoo Machine) - violin and Hammond organ (2000)
Former members:
Jocelyn West (Jocelyn Montgomery) - vocals (1991)
Kelly McCusker - vocals, violin (1991-1993)
Donna McKevitt - vocals, viola (1992-1994)
Hepzibah Sessa - vocals, violin, keyboards, percussion (1994)
Discography:
Albums:
1991 - Madra
1992 - Iris (EP)
1993 - Suspiria
1994 - Fairytales of Slavery
2000 - Carnival of Souls
Singles:
1991 - Gush Forth My Tears
1993 - Play
1993 - Sunshine
1994 - Peep Show
2000 - Tonight/Sex Garden
Exit Music
Miranda Sex Garden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the drying of your tears
today we escape we escape
pack and get dressed
before your father hears us
before all hell breaks loose
breathe keep breathing don't lose your nerve
breathe keep breathing i can't do this alone
a song to keep us warm
there's such a chill such a chill
and you can laugh a spineless laugh
we hope your rules and wisdom choke you
and now we are one
in everlasting peace
we hope that you choke that you choke
we hope that you choke that you choke
we hope that you choke that you choke
The lyrics to Miranda Sex Garden's song "Exit Music" paint a picture of two people trying to escape a difficult situation, presumably a repressive society or family. The opening lines, "wake from your sleep, the drying of your tears, today we escape we escape," suggest that the characters have been through some kind of emotional trauma and are determined to leave it behind. They hurry to pack and get dressed before the father finds them, indicating that they are doing something they know he would disapprove of.
The atmosphere of the song is tense and urgent, with the repeated refrain of "breathe keep breathing don't lose your nerve, breathe keep breathing I can't do this alone" serving as a kind of mantra to keep the characters focused and grounded. The request for a song to keep them warm further underscores the sense of danger and vulnerability they are experiencing.
The final lines of the song are a powerful denunciation of the forces that have driven them to this point, wishing ill on those who have been choking them with their "rules and wisdom." The repeated phrase "we hope that you choke that you choke" is a harsh but cathartic expression of the rage and frustration they feel.
Line by Line Meaning
wake from your sleep
Start paying attention and become conscious of your situation.
the drying of your tears
Stop mourning and grieving over what has happened in the past.
today we escape we escape
Today, we will get away from this oppressive environment that is causing us emotional harm.
pack and get dressed
Prepare yourself and gather your belongings for our departure.
before your father hears us
Let's leave before we are caught trying to escape by a figure of authority.
before all hell breaks loose
Let's evacuate before chaos and disorder ensue.
breathe keep breathing don't lose your nerve
Stay calm and collected, don't panic or lose your confidence.
breathe keep breathing i can't do this alone
Stay relaxed, I need your support and assistance to overcome this challenge.
sing us a song
Please provide us with some comfort and solace through music.
a song to keep us warm
A song that can provide us with emotional warmth and comfort during our escape.
there's such a chill such a chill
The environment around us is cold and unwelcoming.
and you can laugh a spineless laugh
You may attempt to belittle or undermine us, but we will not be intimidated.
we hope your rules and wisdom choke you
We wish that your strict rules and rigid thinking lead to your downfall.
and now we are one
We are united in our decision to leave this situation and find a better future together.
in everlasting peace
We strive for a future that is filled with tranquility and serenity.
we hope that you choke that you choke
Our wish for your own failure and suffering still stands.
we hope that you choke that you choke
We will not be silenced in our desire for you to be held accountable for your actions.
we hope that you choke that you choke
We refuse to let the oppression of our present hold us down any longer.
Writer(s): Philip James Selway, Edward John O'brien, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Thomas Edward Yorke, Colin Charles Greenwood Copyright: Warner/Chappell Music Ltd.
Contributed by Gabriella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kevin
on Fear
I always thought that the last two lines were:
"Afraid to laugh, afraid to cry,
Afraid to love, afraid to try.