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.
Dragon
Neva Dinova Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's looking back at me
He's wondering what I'm thinking
And I'm wondering
When will I see you
I'm thinking of a woman
She's thinking of a man
It's not who I expected
When will I see you
Oh dear it's just a pickle
When you're feeling five feet skinny
No, please I can't have any more friends
When will I see you again
I finally met my demon
He really ain't that bad
He thinks I really need him
He cares that I've been sad
He scorns my recent heartaches
He makes a joke of that
Oh dear it's just a pickle
When you're feeling five feet skinny
No, please I can't have any more friends
When will I see you again
In Neva Dinova's song "Dragon," the singer seems lost and uncertain about various aspects of life. The first verse describes how the singer is looking at their dragon, which could symbolize inner turmoil or emotional baggage. The dragon is looking back at them, perhaps representing the weight of the past or the consequences of their choices. The singer wonders when they will see someone, possibly a love interest or a friend who they are missing. The woman they were thinking about does not reciprocate their feelings, leaving them disappointed and alone.
The second verse introduces a demon that the singer has met. Despite initial apprehension, the demon is not as bad as the singer expected. It seems the demon is a representation of the singer's inner voice, trying to convince them of self-pity and disappointment. The demon scorns the singer's recent heartache and dismisses it as a joke, and the singer seems resigned to accepting it as a "pickle" they must deal with. The final line reiterates the singer's longing for someone they have not seen.
Overall, the song seems to evoke a sense of aimlessness and uncertainty, with the singer struggling to find meaning or direction in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking at my dragon
I'm contemplating an imaginary creature, possibly representative of the challenges and obstacles in my life.
He's looking back at me
This challenge is staring me down, and acknowledging its existence is difficult.
He's wondering what I'm thinking
I'm deeply engaged in the process of contemplation and problem solving, and the challenge I face is equally perplexed by my reactions and emotions.
And I'm wondering when will I see you
At the core of my thoughts and emotions lies a desire to reunite with someone, possibly a lover or friend, and this longing is a distraction from addressing the challenge that confronts me.
I'm thinking of a woman
My thoughts have shifted from my imaginary dragon to a woman, possibly someone I desire and respect.
She's thinking of a man
This woman I'm thinking of is possibly preoccupied with her own desires and pursuits, possibly someone other than myself.
It's not who I expected
The outcome of this introspection and inquiry into my own emotions and relationships is not what I anticipated or hoped for.
She never called me back
This woman I'm thinking of has not responded to my advances or outreach, and this rejection is weighing heavily on my mind.
Oh dear it's just a pickle
This situation and all the emotions that come with it are actually quite trivial and petty.
When you're feeling five feet skinny
In times of emotional distress and vulnerability, it can feel as if you're shrinking or fading away, both physically and mentally.
No, please I can't have any more friends
I am overwhelmed and exhausted by the effort of maintaining relationships and social connections, and I need a break from all of it.
When will I see you again
Despite all the distractions and emotional turmoil, I remain fixated on this person I long to see again, possibly as a form of escapism or avoidance of my problems.
I finally met my demon
I have confronted the inner demons and negative thoughts that have been holding me back, and I now have a better understanding of myself and my limitations.
He really ain't that bad
Even though the journey of self-discovery and confronting negative thoughts was difficult and painful, I have come to realize that these demons are not as powerful or frightening as they initially seemed.
He thinks I really need him
Despite my newfound understanding and acceptance of my limitations, this inner demon still tries to convince me that I need its negative influence and self-destructive tendencies to function and survive.
He cares that I've been sad
This inner demon may be a manifestation of my own ego or self-doubt, but it appears to have some genuine concern and empathy for my emotional well-being.
He scorns my recent heartaches
On the other hand, this inner demon also has a tendency to mock or belittle my own attempts at self-improvement and emotional growth, possibly as a defense mechanism against change.
He makes a joke of that
This inner demon may be trying to protect me from further pain and disappointment by turning my own efforts at self-improvement into a joke, but this is ultimately a self-defeating and negative way of coping with life's challenges.
When will I see you again
Despite the progress I've made in confronting my inner demons and reevaluating my interpersonal relationships, I still feel a deep longing and desire to reunite with this person, possibly as a source of comfort and validation.
Contributed by Jake B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@youareian
so insanely gorgeous
@josephfrye1493
The 74 views on this song is a terrible tragedy.
@NeedleInTheHay1990
I'm looking at my dragon
He's looking back at me
He's wondering what I'm thinking, and I'm wondering
"When will I see you?"
I'm thinking of a woman
She's thinking of a man
It ain't who I expected, she didn't call me back
When will I see you?
Oh dear it's just a pickle when you're feeling five feet skinny
No, please, I can't have anymore friends
When will I see you again?
I've finally met my demon
He really ain't that bad
He thinks I really need him, he cares that I've been sad
He scorns my recent heartaches, he makes a joke of that
Oh dear it's just a pickle when you're feeling five feet skinny
No, please, I can't have anymore friends
Come on, when will I see you again?