Originating from Portland, Oregon, NTNT started out as the brainchild of Dustin Brown. With their 2012 debut, I’ll Find You in the Colors, in tow, the group are ready to release their latest, And Then the Moon, on February 24, 2014. What started as a side project began to grow into something much larger in a short period of time. As Brown had the desire to perform the songs live, he sought different musicians before meeting Ryan Berry (Drums, Samples) and Chad Van Dyke (Guitar).
And Then the Moon proves to truly be an act of love and labor. Writing over 50 tracks and recording in his living room, Brown settled on 5 pieces for the EP because of their congruence. Each piece is a depiction of the next direction that Brown had wanted to take the band, as well as the honest representation of his emotional makeup throughout the last year and a half. Each of the songs are individually inspired, yet the concept remains strong and bound. The pieces have the strength to stand on their own, and blend flawlessly when placed together. The lyrics on And Then the Moon, reflect a journey of birth and re-awakening, putting everything into focus for not only this record, but for the next as well.
NTNT have been featured on MTV’s Awkward with “The Climb,” have supported Vacationer and Gentlemen Hall, appeared on PDX Pop Now! 2013 Compilation, and have had several songs used for Forever 21, Nokia, and Monster Energy amongst others.
Ranging in influences from The Mars Volta, Empire of the Sun, M83, Toro Y Moi, Passion Pit and Mew with a twist of 80’s nostalgia, this unique combination creates a sound that is very much their own. For Brown’s love for rhythm, combines with his ear for a great track, which has helped build the sound of the band today. Berry draws most of his inspiration from Hip Hop, Rap and Funk, dubbing his own style, “Hip Pop.” Laced with synths, samples, guitars and drums, NTNT blend each element with musical perfection, as Brown has named their sound “Sunshine Thump.”
The Way Back
NTNT Lyrics
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I'm tied in, and tried on
If you don't let it go in time it might itch
To be gone, I guess I always get what I want and never want what I've got
I guess I always get what I want and never want what I've got
Can you take what I have?
Tied into. Tried on and dragged your feet along
So I got us here on my own
Died inches right after, I thought I heard in laughter
" Take me all the way back home, All the way back home"
If carded inside, here
And you don't rebelieve. So brought it in, I'd fear
Could it be, my love, that I want everything that you've got
I guess I'm always getting what I want, I never want what I've got
Can you take what I have?
Tied into, Tried on and dragged your feet along
So I got us here on my own
Died inches Right after I thought I heard in laughter
"Take me all the way back home, all the way back home"
Giant: When sitting in a hole your head still shows
Giant: When squishing in the townlight, no one knows?
Giant: Defiant
Giant: Giant
The lyrics of "The Way Back" by NTNT depict a sense of dissatisfaction and longing for something more. The opening lines "I'm like a stain. Faded over time" suggest a feeling of being worn down or forgotten. The subsequent lines "If you don't let it go in time it might itch" indicate a desire to move on from the past and not dwell on it.
The repetition of the phrase "I guess I always get what I want and never want what I've got" furthers the theme of restlessness and a constant search for more. The lines "Can you take what I have?" suggest a willingness to sacrifice one's own possessions or desires for something else, highlighting the desire for change and new experiences.
The chorus, "Tied into. Tried on and dragged your feet along. So I got us here on my own. Died inches right after, I thought I heard in laughter. 'Take me all the way back home, All the way back home'" can be interpreted as a reflection on the journey of life and how one's decisions can lead to both success and failure. The desire to go back home implies a feeling of nostalgia or a need to return to a simpler time before the burden of responsibility set in.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm like a stain. Faded over time
I feel like an unwanted presence that has lost its relevance with time.
I'm tied in, and tried on. If you don't let it go in time it might itch
I feel trapped and worn out. If you don't get rid of this feeling on time, it will cause irritation.
To be gone, I guess I always get what I want and never want what I've got. Can you take what I have?
I wish to disappear. I realize that I always crave for more and never cherish what I have. Do you want to have what I have?
Tied into. Tried on and dragged your feet along. So I got us here on my own. Died inches right after, I thought I heard in laughter. 'Take me all the way back home, All the way back home'
I feel stuck in this situation that I got us into. I did it all on my own, but as soon as we made some progress, it all came crashing down. I thought I heard a voice that wanted to go back to where we started from, where it felt like home.
If carded inside, here. And you don't rebelieve. So brought it in, I'd fear
If you look deeper within me, you'll see my vulnerable side. However, if you don't acknowledge its existence, it'll make me more scared to show it.
Could it be, my love, that I want everything that you've got. I guess I'm always getting what I want, I never want what I've got. Can you take what I have?
It occurred to me, my dear, that I crave for everything that you possess. It's a pattern where I always get what I desire but end up not valuing it. Would you be willing to trade what you have for mine?
Giant: When sitting in a hole your head still shows. Giant: When squishing in the townlight, no one knows? Giant: Defiant. Giant: Giant
These lines from the song 'Giant' do not relate to 'The Way Back.' They seem to be separate lines without a clear connection to each other or the rest of the song.
Contributed by Eli P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.