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.
Someone's Trippin'
Neva Dinova Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How you didn't call it back
And you didn't wanna talk
Found my mission
Ain't no one on the side
And i do not want to fight you
I seen you comin' Jill
You're swimmin'
In the slipstream of the ----
Flyin' off another ----
One dragon
Like the one i tried to kill
When you loved me still
But you don't want me still
Now . . .
I'm dreamin'
Gettin' better all the time
That life's not --- fight
And i went someplace to hide
And the ----ivory
Tell you now
The lyrics of the song "Someone's Trippin'" by Neva Dinova are open to interpretation, and can be analyzed in different ways. One possible interpretation is that the singer is reflecting on a past relationship, where the other person did not call back or want to talk. The singer has found a new purpose or "mission" in life, and wants to avoid fighting with the other person. The chorus of the song talks about the singer being on top of a hill, looking down at someone who is "swimming in the slipstream" and "flying off" another "dragon" - this could be a metaphor for someone who is struggling or lost, while the singer has moved on.
The second verse of the song talks about the singer dreaming and getting better all the time, and wanting to escape from the "fight" of life. The mention of "ivory" could be interpreted as a reference to the piano, which is often made of ivory keys and is a symbol of music and creativity.
Overall, the song is a reflective and introspective piece that explores themes of love, loss, and personal growth. The lyrics use vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the singer's emotions and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone's trippin'
It seems like someone is experiencing confusion or disorientation.
How you didn't call it back
Referring to a failed relationship or communication where someone didn't return a call or message.
And you didn't wanna talk
The other person involved in the failed communication didn't want to discuss the matter further.
Found my mission
The singer has discovered their purpose or goal in life.
Ain't no one on the side
The singer is currently unattached and doesn't have anyone on the side.
And i do not want to fight you
The singer doesn't want any conflict or arguments with the person being addressed in the song.
I'm livin' up on top a hill
The singer is now living a better life, having reached a higher status.
I seen you comin' Jill
The singer has noticed or observed someone named Jill approaching.
You're swimmin'
Referring to someone who seems to be struggling or floundering in their life.
In the slipstream of the ----
The missing word implies a possible addiction or harmful behavior, and the person named Jill is being pulled along with the person engaging in that behavior.
Flyin' off another ----
Further describing the person who is engaging in the harmful behavior, they are also taking risks and living dangerously.
One dragon
Metaphorically referring to a problem or challenge that the singer has overcome or tried to overcome in the past.
Like the one i tried to kill
This dragon represents a challenge that the singer attempted to face or defeat in their past but was not able to.
When you loved me still
The singer's former love was present during this time when they tried to defeat their dragon.
But you don't want me still
The person who was once the singer's lover is no longer interested in them.
Now . . .
Denotes a change in the present situation or a pause in the narrative.
I'm dreamin'
The singer is experiencing a dream or hoping for something that is not currently possible.
Gettin' better all the time
The singer's life is improving over time.
That life's not --- fight
The missing word suggests that the singer is realizing that life isn't always a struggle or a battle.
And i went someplace to hide
The singer needed a break or to remove themselves from a situation to find solace.
And the ----ivory
The missing word suggests that the singer is experiencing some form of bliss or happiness.
Tell you now
The singer is addressing someone directly and wants to communicate something important.
Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.