Fortunately, that all began to change.
After having recorded and compiled their own record in 2001, the whisperings about Neva Dinova began to get louder. A copy of their debut effort found its way into the hands of respected indie label, crank!, who quickly signed the band and released the eponymous debut in 2002. The album was met with tremendous critical acclaim, including being lauded as a "Top 10 Release of 2002" by the Los Angeles Times. Though the band enjoyed one lengthy sold-out tour with Omaha heroes (and former crank! artists) Cursive, their remaining tour attempts were fraught with trouble and left the album floundering as simply a rare find amongst the musical cognoscenti; that is, until a long-standing hometown friendship catapulted Neva Dinova to the forefront of indie rock.
Neva Dinova's main songwriter, Jake Bellows, and indie rock hero Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes fame, had discussed a musical collaboration for years. With conflicting schedules, however, it never seemed to come to fruition. Suddenly in late 2003 Jake and Conor found themselves both in Omaha for weeks at a time. Conor and Neva Dinova with new drummer, Roger Lewis (also of The Good Life) quickly recorded six songs together, each writing three songs but playing on all six, and in mid-2004 crank! released the highly anticipated collaboration, "One Jug Of Wine, Two Vessels." The release was lauded as a masterpiece and began selling instantaneously, driven by acclaim from powerful media like MTV, Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Blender, Jane, Alternative Press and many others. The record skyrocketed up the college radio and Billboard Independent charts. Suddenly Neva Dinova was on the tips of people's tongues.
Just a few months later, Neva Dinova finished recording the eleven songs for their second full length, re-released The Hate Yourself Change. From the first listen it is clear that Jake Bellows' songwriting has matured and flourished. The many who were overly impressed with Neva's work on "One Jug..." will be blown away by the new release. His uncanny ability to subtly integrate infectious melodies into non-traditional rock song structures continually sets him apart from indie rock’s numerous songwriters, as a writer who will stand the test of time. And when he belts into the power of "It's a dream" (from "The Blackest Heart"), one can't help but feel light-headed with anxious energy. And the Iggy Pop-meets-Leonard Cohen pop infectiousness of "A Picture In Pocket" will have you hitting the repeat button on your stereo incessantly.
In 2007, Neva Dinova signs with Saddle Creek Records (home of; Bright Eyes, The Faint, Cursive, The Good Life, and more). Neva Dinova is currently recording their new record/label debut. More information on the new album soon.
It's 2008, "You May Already Be Dreaming" is now out. It is an album of lush, relaxing and fluid dreams, and is now out on Saddle Creek Records. Check it out.
(SADDLE CREEK WEBSITE) Neva Dinova are treasured heroes of the Omaha music scene. Originally started as an impromptu songwriting collaboration between guitarist and vocalist Jake Bellows and bassist Heath Koontz, the two eventually got bored of their basement seclusion and decided to enlist the support of others. What they created was a five-piece musical tour de force, that includes guitarists Tim Haes and Mike Kratky, and drummer Roger Lewis (also the drummer for Saddle Creek's The Good Life). After years of playing around the mid-West, the five-piece have developed a loyal fan base and spawned an ever-expanding audience. Sonically, the presence of three guitarists has allowed for rapid development of the band's trademark sound, marked by swirling countermelody and assorted textures. It is around this musical fabric that Bellows' truly inspiring, poetry-based lyrics are centered and from where the Neva Dinova critically acclaimed signature sound has developed.
A Picture In Pocket
Neva Dinova Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My face all calloused, emotions hid
I've run out of luck
I will not fucking try
She keeps me close to her heart in a locket
I keep her close to my cock on a picture in my pocket
I cannot stop, no matter how I try
But don't make a sound, don't make a face
I get so down, I'm headed straight
Into the burning town on the interstate
I'm going down, I'm going down
The kids are gonna love what you've done
The kids are gonna love what you've done
The kids are gonna love what you've done
What you've done
What you've done
I can not close my eyes, I'm driving
Half this journey is behind him
Gonna keep my eyes pinned on these blinding stars
I'm gonna keep my eyes pinned on these blinding stars
I'm gonna keep my eyes pinned on these blinding stars
The kids are gonna love what you've done
The kids are gonna love what you've done
The kids are gonna love what you've done
What you've done
What you've done
The lyrics of Neva Dinova's "A Picture In Pocket" tell the story of a man who is leaving Arizona, burdened by the weight of his past actions, with his face hardened and his emotions hidden. He has given up on his luck and on trying to change his circumstances. However, he finds comfort in a picture of a woman he keeps close to his genitals, and she keeps a locket with his picture close to her heart. He seems to be aware that he is headed towards a burning town on the interstate, but he cannot stop himself from going down that path.
The lyrics also mention the kids who are apparently going to love what the singer has done. This part of the song is not very clear, though it suggests that he might have done something risky or dangerous that will impress the minors. Furthermore, the lyrics mention the blinding stars that the singer is determined to keep his eyes pinned on. This line could be interpreted as the only glimmer of hope left in his life, the only thing worth focusing on in a predictable and monotonous existence.
Overall, "A Picture In Pocket" paints a picture of a man who has given up on himself, who is running away from his problems, but still finds solace in the memories of a woman he loves.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm leaving Arizona for the things that I did
I am departing from Arizona because of the actions I have taken
My face all calloused, emotions hid
My face has become toughened and my feelings are concealed
I've run out of luck
I have exhausted my good fortune
I will not fucking try
I refuse to make an effort
She keeps me close to her heart in a locket
She keeps me near to her affectionately in a small ornamental case
I keep her close to my cock on a picture in my pocket
I hold an image of her near to my genitals in my pocket
I cannot stop, no matter how I try
I am unable to cease, regardless of my attempts
But don't make a sound, don't make a face
However, please do not make any noise or facial expressions that would reveal my actions
I get so down, I'm headed straight
I become so depressed, I am heading directly
Into the burning town on the interstate
Towards the blazing municipality on the main road
I'm going down, I'm going down
I am collapsing, I am collapsing
The kids are gonna love what you've done
The children will enjoy what you have accomplished
I can not close my eyes, I'm driving
I am unable to shut my eyes; I am operating a vehicle
Half this journey is behind him
Half of the travel has been completed
Gonna keep my eyes pinned on these blinding stars
I will continue to fix my gaze on these dazzling stars
The kids are gonna love what you've done
The children will enjoy what you have accomplished
What you've done
The things that you have accomplished
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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