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
Then
On the Rocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in the snow
But my feet are not as deep as I used to know
But that's okay
I'm not alone
Everyone just needs some space now and then to grow
Oh
I feel like coming down
And I don't wanna chase it but I do
And I'm running all around
Finding something else to do
And I want it so bad
And I'm going so mad
But I feel like coming down
I know I'm wrong
I know you're right
But all this arguing's just wasting more sunlight
So leave it be
We'll be alright
We just need a little space now and then to find
That we're climbing, we're climbing but
Oh
I feel like coming down
And I don't wanna chase it but I do
And I'm running all around
Finding something else to do
And I want it so bad
And I'm going so mad
But I feel like coming down
The lyrics of Then by On the Rocks touch upon the theme of personal growth and the need for space within relationships. The singer is walking home in the snow, using this physical journey as a metaphor for their emotional journey. They acknowledge that they are not as deeply affected by their surroundings as they used to be, indicating a sense of detachment or change. Despite this, they accept it and embrace the fact that everyone needs space to grow individually.
The chorus expresses the conflicted emotions of the singer. They feel the desire to come back down from their metaphorical climb, perhaps indicating a longing for the familiar or the comfort of old habits. They acknowledge this but also acknowledge that they can't help but chase it, suggesting a struggle between what they want and what they should do. They find themselves running around, seeking distractions or alternative paths, but deep down, they still want what they were initially pursuing. The repetition of the phrase "I feel like coming down" highlights their continuous battle with this internal conflict.
The second verse focuses more on interpersonal relationships. The singer, admitting their own faults, recognizes that arguing is only wasting time and energy. They understand that in order to find a resolution, they need space to breathe and reflect. They reassure that with some distance, everything will be okay. The repetition of "we're climbing, we're climbing but" emphasizes the continuous journey towards personal growth and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walking home
I am heading back to where I belong
I'm in the snow
I am facing challenges and difficulties
But my feet are not as deep as I used to know
But I am not as entangled or overwhelmed as before
But that's okay
But it's fine
I'm not alone
I have company and support
Everyone just needs some space now and then to grow
Everyone requires some distance occasionally to develop and evolve
And I'm climbing, and I'm climbing, but
And I am striving, and I am striving, yet
Oh
Oh
I feel like coming down
I feel like giving up or losing hope
And I don't wanna chase it but I do
And I don't want to pursue it, but I still do
And I'm running all around
And I am frantically searching
Finding something else to do
Trying to find an alternative course of action
And I want it so bad
And I desire it intensely
And I'm going so mad
And it is driving me crazy
But I feel like coming down
But I feel like giving up or losing hope
I know I'm wrong
I am aware that I am mistaken
I know you're right
I know that you are correct
But all this arguing's just wasting more sunlight
But all these disputes are simply wasting more time
So leave it be
So let it go
We'll be alright
We will be fine
We just need a little space now and then to find
We simply require some distance occasionally to discover
That we're climbing, we're climbing but
That we are striving, we are striving yet
Oh
Oh
I feel like coming down
I feel like giving up or losing hope
And I don't wanna chase it but I do
And I don't want to pursue it, but I still do
And I'm running all around
And I am frantically searching
Finding something else to do
Trying to find an alternative course of action
And I want it so bad
And I desire it intensely
And I'm going so mad
And it is driving me crazy
But I feel like coming down
But I feel like giving up or losing hope
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jacob Keplinger, Justin Siegel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jeanne-flo
♫♪♫ And on their album "The Fifth" , their voices seem like musical instruments ... Pure perfection when they sing "Then" ♫♪♫ ....
TJ BO
wow....great job...that was awesome ive been trying to figure out an a cappella arrangement for this song and you guys nailed it....awesome job
stickchick1
Wow oh my god, I love you guys! I am a part of an all girls acapella group at George Mason University and I think I talk for all of us saying y'all got some talent :) <3's from VA
Ale de las Fuentes
awesome guys! i really love that song <3
K-LaLorraine92
Amazing <3
Henry Sena
great... i will send to all my friends... wonderful performance
mercersweetie
that was beautiful :)
Blairjaguar
thanks for sharing. love this song.
Brittany Adams
goosebumps!
K-LaLorraine92
LOVE YOU GUYS! <3