After releasing their debut EP, ChooseYourWordsPoorly, on their own in early 2006 and establishing themselves as a popular draw on the local concert scene thanks in large part to Volkman's uninhibited and minimally clothed on-stage performance style, Nico Vega signed with MySpace Records, the new recording arm of the popular social networking site, for their second EP, 2007's No Child Left Behind. Their first full-length self titled debut album was released in February of 2009. It featured three songs produced by Linda Perry -- So So Fresh, Wooden Dolls and Gravity - while the rest were produced by Tim Edgar. The album was mixed by Tchad Blake. The band's popularity soared when they performed three songs on Last Call with Carson Daly in 2009.
Nico Vega toured actively in 2009 supporting their first album with acts such as former Bush singer Gavin Rossdale, Semi Precious Weapons, Neon Trees, Manic Street Preachers, and Shiny Toy Guns. In 2010 they toured with The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Metric, Sweethead, Saint Motel, and Imagine Dragons. In 2011 they toured with She Wants Revenge and Blondie. In 2012 they toured with Neon Trees.
The song "Beast" off Nico Vega's first self titled album was featured in a trailer for the video game Bioshock Infinite in October of 2012 creating a renewed interest in the track.
The band's sophomore album, titled We Are The Art, will be out in April of 2013 on Five Seven Music. We Are The Art was recorded in studios around Los Angeles as well as at Sonic Ranch Studios in Texas. It showcases the band's trademark blues-laden guitar rock, with soaring synths thrown in for good measure.
At the end of October 2012, Nico Vega debuted a video of the title track, We Are the Art, on Vice.com. It was written and directed by Daniel Epand, the band's drummer.
Living Underground
Nico Vega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We wear all our scars we stand up and we fight 4 what we choose.
We are in demand of a name we are children of a free world
We strip all our clothes expose our bones and lonely toes and lows.
These are the reasons why, we got everything in house
Grab the hand of the ones you love we are headed underground
We are in demand of a voice we are children of the parade.
We will overthrow those tired eyes and lizard spines and teeth,
And pray you better hold on to the love now.
The lyrics to Nico Vega's "Living Underground" describe a generation of individuals who are seeking the truth and fighting for their ideals. They are unafraid to display their scars and vulnerabilities, standing up for their beliefs and stripping away pretense. These individuals are seeking not only a voice, but a name and a place in the world as children of a free world. They are aware of the challenges they face, as represented by the references to dropping bombs and ducking down, but they hold onto the importance of love and connection to those around them.
The repetitive refrain "we are in demand" highlights not only the urgency and importance of their message, but also their sense of power and agency. The song encourages listeners to join in this movement, to grab the hands of loved ones and head underground together. The lyrics are fueled by a sense of defiance and rebellion against the status quo, calling for a revolution of the mind and spirit.
Overall, Nico Vega's "Living Underground" is a powerful anthem for a generation seeking to create a new world order, one that values authenticity, vulnerability, and love as essential components of our humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
We are in demand of the truth we're children of the new world.
We seek the truth and belong to a new generation that is reshaping the world.
We wear all our scars we stand up and we fight 4 what we choose.
We proudly show the wounds we've sustained and use our strength to defend our beliefs.
We are in demand of a name we are children of a free world
We desire an identity and belong to a society where we are free to express ourselves.
We strip all our clothes expose our bones and lonely toes and lows.
We bare our souls and vulnerabilities for the world to see, both the good and the bad.
These are the reasons why, we got everything in house
These qualities are what make us who we are and we possess all the necessary tools to succeed.
Grab the hand of the ones you love we are headed underground
Hold onto your loved ones as we navigate through difficult times and uncertain futures.
We are in demand of a voice we are children of the parade.
We demand to be heard and belong to a culture that celebrates diversity.
We will overthrow those tired eyes and lizard spines and teeth,
We will challenge those who are complacent and lack the passion to create change.
Hey we could drop bombs all day duck down to the ground
We are willing to engage in battle and endure hardship for our cause.
And pray you better hold on to the love now.
We urge people to value love and relationships amidst a turbulent world.
Contributed by Sadie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.