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.
Clouds
Neva Dinova Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's turn this world upside-down
When I think I'm dying
I laugh out loud
Come on storm, let's form our clouds
Uh huh
I seen the good ones
Come on storm, let's form our clouds
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Can you see the mountains
Can you see the birds
Can you feel the fountain
Can you feel the world
The song "Clouds" by Neva Dinova is a melancholic track that speaks about the desire to bring forth a change in one's life, a refreshing start. The lyrics implore a storm to form its clouds and turn the world upside-down. The words seemingly convey an unfulfilled life, a lack of excitement and spontaneity, and the need for a transformative event to pull the singer out of the rut they find themselves in.
The first verse, gets right to the point when it says, "Come on storm, let's form our clouds, Let's turn this world upside-down." It's a cry for something new, a way to shake things up when everything seems stagnant. But when the singer feels as though they are dying or trapped, they laugh out loud, indicating the audacity of emotions that they might be feeling. Despite asking for upheaval, the singer has come to an internal acceptance and sees the humor in their predicament, vocalizing this by laughing.
The second verse presents a stark contrast, "I seen the good ones, I seen them drown." The hopelessness that is implied is palpable, the singers having the knowledge that even when things are going well, it can all just end in despair. This verse reinforces the idea of needing to shake things up, to take a leap of faith to change one's life. The song ends with a few lines that seem to speak of the beauty of the world, the mountains, birds, and fountain, but yet still asks if we can feel the world. Again, a call for a transformational event to bring life into perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on storm, let's form our clouds
Let's create our own path and make changes in the world
Let's turn this world upside-down
Let's challenge the status quo and create something new
When I think I'm dying
When I feel overwhelmed and vulnerable
I laugh out loud
I find joy in even the toughest situations
I seen the good ones
I have witnessed talented and successful people
I seen them drown
I have seen those same people struggle and fail
Can you see the mountains
Do you appreciate the beauty and wonder of the natural world
Can you see the birds
Do you notice the smaller and simpler things in life
Can you feel the fountain
Are you in tune with your surroundings and emotions
Can you feel the world
Are you present and aware in the current moment
Contributed by Alice P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cassi Cas
It has been like 10 years and I am still in love with this song.
Brittany Cereghin
For real!
do0r
WHEN I THINK OF DYINGGGGG, I LAUGH OUT LOUDDDDDDDD
RookieTrucker
They just put up preorders for the vinyl 💘
Holly
Underrated band. Incredible music and vocals.
Coco B
Just saw this live last night and Jake could not have sang better. This show was fucking amazing.
Alex Zajacek
This is my new favorite song. way awsome band, I love their music. Every band on this damn record label is awsome. I raise my glass to you guys. Come on storm, lets form a cloud.
Coco B
this label didn’t leave any crumbs. I miss these days.
Concourse Studio
Bravo, Jake Bellows. This is a performance I will remember.
iamcoolalot
beautiful song.