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.
Love From Below
Neva Dinova Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so hard hard hard
It's so hard to love your body from the ground
Got my foot on the gas
I'm cruising around
I'm looking for something
Something to find
I can't shake it
Think I'm the strongest
Think I can make it
It's so hard hard hard
It's so hard hard hard
It's so hard to love your body from the ground
Got both shoes on
I'm breaking a sweat
I'm walking through traffic
Like I'm a prophet
There's no one to stop it
Soon as the rain calls
I slip on a shadow
I'm siccing my brain on
It's so hard hard hard
It's so hard hard hard
It's so hard to love your body from the ground
It's so hard hard hard
It's so hard hard hard
It's so hard to love your body from the ground
In "Love From Below" by Neva Dinova, the lyrics seem to center around a struggle with self-love and self-acceptance. The repetition of the line "It's so hard to love your body from the ground" highlights this struggle, as the persona seems to be trying to come to terms with their physicality. The lines "Got my foot on the gas, cruising around, looking for something to find" suggests that the persona is trying to distract themselves from their insecurities, maybe by seeking external validation or material possessions. The following line "I've got an attitude, I can't shake it, think I'm the strongest, think I can make it" further emphasizes this idea that the persona is trying to put up a front of strength and confidence, but is finding it hard to shake off their negative self-perception.
The following lines describe the persona physically moving around, "breaking a sweat" and "walking through traffic," and ultimately falling down in the rain. This could be interpreted as a metaphorical journey toward self-acceptance, with the rain representing a moment of clarity or realization. However, the final repetition of the chorus suggests that the struggle with self-love is ongoing and difficult.
Overall, "Love From Below" seems to be a deeply introspective song about the challenge of accepting oneself and finding self-love.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so hard hard hard
Loving oneself is incredibly difficult and requires significant effort and dedication.
It's so hard to love your body from the ground
Feeling positively about oneself can be challenging, especially when starting from a place of insecurity or low self-esteem.
Got my foot on the gas
Feeling motivated and confident, ready to make progress in various aspects of life.
I'm cruising around
Moving through life with ease and without stress or worry.
I'm looking for something
Searching for a sense of purpose or fulfillment in life.
Something to find
Hoping to discover an answer or solution that will bring clarity or direction to life.
I've got an attitude
Feeling confident and self-assured, projecting a sense of strength and determination.
I can't shake it
These confident feelings and beliefs are deeply ingrained and difficult to change or overcome.
Think I'm the strongest
Believing in one's own abilities and strengths, feeling capable of handling anything that comes their way.
Think I can make it
Feeling confident in one's ability to achieve goals and overcome obstacles.
Got both shoes on
Ready to face any challenge or conquer any obstacle, fully prepared to put in the necessary effort.
I'm breaking a sweat
Putting in hard work and physical effort to achieve goals and make progress.
I'm walking through traffic
Navigating obstacles and challenges in life, moving forward despite difficulty or adversity.
Like I'm a prophet
Feeling a strong sense of intuition and insight, able to anticipate future events or outcomes.
There's no one to stop it
Feeling empowered and unstoppable, confident in one's ability to overcome any obstacle or challenge.
Soon as the rain calls
When life gets difficult or challenging, it can be tempting to give up or feel defeated.
I slip on a shadow
Feeling like one's own doubt or insecurity is weighing them down and holding them back, even when they are trying their best to move forward.
I'm siccing my brain on
Pushing oneself to think critically and creatively, always seeking new solutions and ways to overcome obstacles.
Contributed by Vivian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.