I. In the summer of 1999 Leonardo Silva and Peter Hollens met in a University of Oregon writing class. Their common passion for singing inspired them to start a vocal group. That winter, Pete and Leo gathered a small and talented group of 6 music lovers for their very first rehearsal. On the Rocks was born.
Known as the first official collegiate a cappella group in Oregon, On The Rocks began a tradition of excellence in a genre that was previously unheard of in the Northwest. Since 1999, several other groups, including University of Oregon’s Divisi and Oregon State’s Outspoken have followed their lead and joined the fast-growing A cappella community.
OtR has established itself as one of the top a cappella groups in the nation. Their current repertoire ranges from contemporary pop to doo-wop classics to holiday standards and the occasional original piece. OtR is comprised of mostly undergraduate students and usually consisting of 9 – 12 members. Every fall and spring, an extensive audition process is held to find quality replacements for graduating members in 4 different vocal categories-, tenor, baritone, bass and vocal percussion. Auditioning students are evaluated on tonal memory, solo talent, blending ability and, of course, personality. Once the new members are chosen, OTR can be heard singing every Friday @ the EMU amphitheater and around campus at various events throughout the year. Aside from hosting quarterly concerts, they have toured the West Coast and have visited the east coast often, and Canada. They have performed with the professional quartet the Coats and at various a cappella festivals all over the west coast.
In 2002 OtR placed 3rd at the International Competition of Collegiate a cappella and returned the next year in 2003 to place 2nd out of hundreds of groups. During the competitions they took in more than a dozen awards including, Best Soloist, Best Vocal Percussion, Best Arrangement and Best Hair. They have appeared live on the NBC Today show, along with other various semi-national news stations such as WB news @ 10 on “Toni Time”.
Every year in the winter since their inception OtR has been invited to sing the National Anthem at the UO Basketball Games in Mac Court. Their performance has been broadcast on UO radio to several thousand listeners and was received with uproaring praise from the appreciative 7,000 fans and radio commentators alike.
OTR has also reached viral status with their YouTube videos of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," and is probably best known for their version of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance," which reached 7.5 million views on YouTube. OTR has toured all over the US and Canada. The group travels to Berkeley, CA for the West Coast A Cappella Showcase every year. OTR has toured San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, New Haven, and Boston, and hope to tour more in the future. In 2010, OTR was featured on the second season of the hit NBC show "The Sing-Off".
Since it’s inception, On the Rocks has released two albums:The self titled OTR – 2002 and Backgammon Sessions – 2003. They are finishing up their latest CD, soon to be released in fall of 2005. Awards for their recordings include a selection on the 2004 BOCA compilation album (Best of Collegiate A Cappella). The selected track was Yellow off the Backgammon Sessions album and it was also chosen as the runner-up best male song of the year by CARA (Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards) Their most recent CD, Full Coverage includes tracks from such artists as Mr. Mister, Justin Timberlake, Rufus Wainwritght, and more. On the Rocks A cappella can be contacted via email at uoontherocks@hotmail.com.
II. On The Rocks
Colorado rock has a distinctive sound, identified by a blending of acoustic and electric guitars and an emphasis on tight vocal harmonies. No band around present this as powerfully as 'On the Rocks'. Add to the mix, dynamic rhythms and emotional originals, and you have the recipe for a band on the rise. Frontman Shawn Wright's gravely voice and passionate performances move audiences to frenzied levels, then gently brings the house down with love songs, such as 'til the end' or a power ballad like 'something more than this'. His sense of humor shines through with songs such as 'nailed your best friend'. Nn lead guitar is Ohio born Mike Princehorn. He cut his rock and roll teeth in the northern Colorado area. His versatile styles keep up with the bands ever-changing moods through each set. His strong vocals are heard on front as well as in harmonies. He's no shrinking violet, evident when harmonizing with Shawn's powerhouse vocals. Also a song writer, original material seems limitless. Arriving all the way from Detroit is bassist Sonny Lentz. He brings a streetwise edge and Motown influences to the music. Combining blues, rock, soul, country and reggae, his rhythms keep the songs, and the audience, moving. He contributes original material that is provocative and somewhat unpredictable. Rounding out the quartet is Colorado's own Norris Jones on drums. Norris has played with northern Colorado favorites 'canebrake run', Walt Jenkins, Liz Barnez, and 'harmony road'. His jazz and infusion roots add a cool and diverse bottom to the passionate original material. He is dynamite on the rockin' tunes as well. As word spreads, the band's calender is filling up. They are playing regularly up and down the front range, and extending into Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana.
Collectors Choice Music: On The Rocks - Intoxicated
Collectors Choice Music: On The Rocks
Discogs: On The Rocks - Mamonama
Afloat
On the Rocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like I calmed the ocean still and put the waves to sleep
But the tides are changing, no it ain't the same
There lies a faith in the absence of control they say
One step forth, and I try to get back
A coward's fear on trail with the weakest faith in man
You call me out my comfort, you call me out the boat
[Chorus]
Sometimes I am lost on the open water
Sometimes I am thrown by the wind and the waves
Sometimes I'm swimming in the deep end
Can I stay afloat, stay afloat
The ocean is deep below my feet
Afraid of what's to come, so I slowly start to sink
I was waiting for my ending, but then you grab my hand
Just like I knew you would, you would
Sometimes I am lost on the open water
Sometimes I am thrown by the wind and the waves
Sometimes I'm swimming in the deep end
Can I stay afloat, stay afloat
In the rain, there is a storm, barely breathing as I paddle
I am sinking- does it matter?
In my final breath, my only hope , you come to save me
Sometimes I am lost on the open water
Sometimes I am thrown by the wind and the waves
Sometimes I'm swimming in the deep end
Can I stay afloat, stay afloat
The lyrics of On the Rocks’s “Afloat” describe a journey of self-discovery and faith. The singer is drifting with the wind, but the tides are changing and he is afraid. He is called out of his comfort zone and onto the open water, where he struggles to stay afloat. Throughout the song, he is searching for a sense of control, but finds that faith in the absence of control is what keeps him afloat. In the final moments of the song, he is saved by someone he trusts, showing that having faith in others is just as important as having faith in oneself.
The metaphor of being afloat in the open water is a powerful one, representing not only the physical journey of being tossed by the wind and waves, but also the emotional journey of navigating life’s challenges. The singer’s fear and uncertainty are palpable in the lyrics, but ultimately he finds a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The chorus repeats the theme of sometimes feeling lost or overwhelmed, but the singer asks himself if he can stay afloat despite everything that comes his way.
Overall, “Afloat” is a song about finding the strength to keep going even when the odds seem against you. It’s about having faith in yourself and in others, and about not being afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone. It’s an empowering message that is sure to resonate with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Floating with the wind, I am drifting east
I am aimlessly wandering, guided by the winds and headed towards the east
It's like I calmed the ocean still and put the waves to sleep
I feel like I have the power to make the sea calm and still, as if putting it to sleep
But the tides are changing, no it ain't the same
Things are no longer the way they used to be and I can feel a shift in the atmosphere
There lies a faith in the absence of control they say
There's a belief that true faith is found in letting go of control
One step forth, and I try to get back
I take a step forward in an attempt to move ahead, but end up falling back
A coward's fear on trail with the weakest faith in man
I am plagued by fear like a coward, and have very little faith in myself
You call me out my comfort, you call me out the boat
You challenge me to step out of my comfort zone and abandon my usual ways
To walk on my own alone, alone
To move forward on my own, with no one to rely on
Sometimes I am lost on the open water
At times, I feel lost and directionless in life
Sometimes I am thrown by the wind and the waves
I am sometimes overwhelmed by the challenges life throws my way
Sometimes I'm swimming in the deep end
I find myself in deep waters, with no easy way out
Can I stay afloat, stay afloat
Will I be able to keep myself from sinking and stay afloat?
The ocean is deep below my feet
I find myself standing on the edge of something vast and dangerous
Afraid of what's to come, so I slowly start to sink
Fear overcomes me and I begin to sink deeper into uncertainty
I was waiting for my ending, but then you grab my hand
I had given up hope and was ready to accept my fate, but you come to my rescue
Just like I knew you would, you would
I always had faith in you and knew you would come through for me
In the rain, there is a storm, barely breathing as I paddle
I am struggling to keep myself alive amidst all the chaos and turbulence around me
I am sinking- does it matter?
I am gradually losing hope and wonder if it even matters anymore
In my final breath, my only hope , you come to save me
At my lowest point, you are my only hope and savior
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SHELDON THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind