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.
Supercomputer
Neva Dinova Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got the facts and the figures
Typed 'em in with my fingers
Got to Google a question 'bout the QuickTrip's nitrate
Fair it ain't with the mud and the paint
You created the world
From the dirt to the girl
Impressive I'm colored so I can't get a job
But you can see where it's headed
I want a new world and I'm gonna try
To type in the numbers right and build us a sky
And then divide it by seven so we can get us some light
So we can see what we're doin' when we're doin' what we're doin'
I want a new world, and I feel terrible
I was punching the figures in and forgot a variable
But, fuck it, it's done, it's time to make me a son
I got the fear and the pain, it's time to pass it on
Whoa, supercomputer please grant me my wishes
Take care of my granny and plant me some fishes
Oh, mercy mercy, I'm on my knees,
You make me a world all just to please you
We're starving beneath you, them zeroes can't cut it
But I'm a fan of the ones but you're all so fickle 'bout
Watching the veins as the blood just trickles out
I'm gonna sing a song,
And it will break your soul
The opening verse of Neva Dinova's "Supercomputer" tells the story of a protagonist who is completely reliant on his technological devices to understand the world around him. With his "silicone jacket and flat glass screen," he harnesses the vast resources of the internet to answer his every question, even searching for details about the nitrate of a gas station. There is a sense of unease in the lyrics, as the singer reflects on how he is "colored so he can't get a job" and how he feels embarrassed about his reliance on technology. He speaks of wanting to build a new world, free from the limitations and imperfections of the current one. This desire seems to come from a place of dissatisfaction, as if his constant engagement with technology has left him feeling disconnected from the physical world and aching for something more meaningful.
Despite his desperation and desire for change, the singer is also plagued with self-doubt. In the chorus, he pleads with the "supercomputer" to grant him his wishes and create a world that will please him, even as he acknowledges that he is "starving beneath" it. It seems that while technology has the power to connect us to information and resources that were previously unimaginable, it also has the power to leave us feeling small and insignificant in the face of its limitless potential.
The final line of the verse, "I'm gonna sing a song / And it will break your soul," is both melancholy and hopeful. It suggests that even in a world that is dominated by technology, there are still opportunities for individuals to connect with one another on a deeper level, to express their emotions and desires in a way that can reach across the barriers of screens and circuits.
Line by Line Meaning
With my silicone jacket and my flat glass screen
With my electronic devices in tow, I'm prepared with all the necessary data.
I got the facts and the figures
I've compiled all the relevant information and statistics.
Typed 'em in with my fingers
I input the data manually by typing it in.
Got to Google a question 'bout the QuickTrip's nitrate
I needed to use the search engine Google to find information about the QuickTrip's nitrate.
Fair it ain't with the mud and the paint
Life is not always easy or straightforward; there are often struggles to deal with.
You created the world
Humankind is responsible for the way the world functions now.
From the dirt to the girl
The universe was created from scratch and took time to reach its current state.
Impressive I'm colored so I can't get a job
The artist has limited career opportunities due to societal prejudices based on their race.
And I'm embarassed, I said it
The artist is not confident about his position and admits to feeling ashamed.
But you can see where it's headed
Despite the uncertainty, the artist is optimistic about the future.
I want a new world and I'm gonna try
The singer is motivated to enact change and revolutionize the world.
To type in the numbers right and build us a sky
By inputting the correct metrics, the artist hopes to create something spectacular and inspiring.
And then divide it by seven so we can get us some light
The scientific calculations and numerical processes used will hopefully result in tangible, positive results.
So we can see what we're doin' when we're doin' what we're doin'
The singer wants all the work and effort to have a visible impact and influence on their surroundings.
I want a new world, and I feel terrible
The singer is ashamed of the current state of the world and wants to change it for the better.
I was punching the figures in and forgot a variable
The artist recognizes that making mistakes in the process is part of the scientific method and is willing to learn from it.
But, fuck it, it's done, it's time to make me a son
Despite potential hiccups, the artist is prepared to continue with their work and create something tangible and meaningful.
I got the fear and the pain, it's time to pass it on
The struggles and challenges the singer has faced will likely inform their creation and inspire others regardless of whether it yields immediate, visible results.
Whoa, supercomputer please grant me my wishes
The singer acknowledges the power and influence of technology in enacting change and making a difference.
Take care of my granny and plant me some fishes
The artist asks the supercomputer to help take care of their family and sustain the environment.
Oh, mercy mercy, I'm on my knees,
The artist is humbled by the task at hand and is showing deference to a higher power in order to accomplish it.
You make me a world all just to please you
The artist sees the creation of a better world as something that not only benefits humanity, but also would be a source of pride for the creator.
We're starving beneath you, them zeroes can't cut it
Despite advancements in technology, hunger and poverty remain ongoing issues that need to be addressed.
But I'm a fan of the ones but you're all so fickle 'bout
The artist prefers dealing with actual and tangible results, while recognizing that it can be difficult to achieve due to changing circumstances.
Watching the veins as the blood just trickles out
The struggle to achieve a better world is not just emotionally draining but can also take a physical toll on people's lives and well-being.
I'm gonna sing a song,
The singer is going to use their creativity to further their message and ideas.
And it will break your soul
The singer hopes that their song will be thought-provoking and emotional enough to inspire others to join their cause.
Contributed by Noah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.