One For The Team is a Minneapolis-based indie rock band on The Militia Grou… Read Full Bio ↴One For The Team is a Minneapolis-based indie rock band on The Militia Group, the creation of band frontman Ian Anderson (guitar and vocals). Other members are Grace Fiddler of The Battle Royale (keys and vocals), John Krueger (bass), Elliot Manthey (drums), and Bill Caperton (guitar). The band has released:

Good Boys Don't Make Noise (2006)
Build It Up (2008)

It’s not every day that a beach record is birthed on the tundra. One for the Team’s sophomore release, “Build It Up,” is a record chock full of loud, sunny, sparkling, pop-gems of an alarmingly contagious magnitude with constant dueling male/female vocals and enough harmonies to melt the icicles from the Minnesota winter that created it.

While the record was written by Ian Anderson quietly on an acoustic guitar in his bedroom, it was assembled and shaped by a group of friends who took what once were introverted, gentle songs, to the extroverted, poppers that they now are.

However, the lighthearted exuberance felt on “Build it Up” did not happen overnight. For years, Anderson worked in the shadows, running seemingly endless musical projects from behind the curtain. From starting the tremendously successful Afternoon Records, a publicity firm, a popular music blog all while maintaining his position as patriarch of the youthful Minneapolis music scene, Anderson spent a long time out of the spotlight prior to this release.

One for the Team’s first album, “Good Boys Don’t Make Noise,” was written, performed, and recorded almost entirely by Anderson in the midst of this hubbub. It was a lonesome process of late night weekends involving only a basement, a computer, and perhaps Star Wars playing on mute on a television nearby.

So it may come as somewhat of a surprise to see Anderson letting go of the reins, stepping out from behind the curtain, and embracing the lights head-on. Along with lead singer and keyboard player Grace Fiddler, drummer Elliot Manthey, bassist John Krueger, and lead guitarist Bill Caperton, One for the Team are ready to step out together with their new record, having found a happy vehicle to do so in Long Beach, California record label The Militia Group.

It’s not easy to concede control for someone like Anderson, who is accustomed to steering the whole ship. But then, maybe that’s a lot of what this record is about: growing up, letting go, getting let down, learning from your losses, being happy just to be here with the people you love and admire. That’s all here. And it’s all been done.

But what's different about One for the Team is the way in which they refuse to wallow in their own small private miseries. They would rather blast an enormous ray of sunshine into dark closets, crush the doors down with unruly guitar crunch, and throw a wicked picnic with all their friends afterwards. This record and this band want to bring the party to your house. They want you to step out of whatever shadows you're hiding in, sing tunes, smash guitars, bang on drums, and let it all go.

This band isn't about a posture of cool or seeking credibility through meaningless weirdness. They are taking the music that has always brought them joy and imbuing them with the unique vision that comes from living in the snow for most of the year. Get out your balaclavas and your speedos because One for the Team has been partying since yesterday.

YouTube Channel: youtube.com/onefortheteammusic
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AIM: OFTTparty

Apples
One For The Team Lyrics

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Oh, hey, yeah, where's it at, where you been?
Well, thanks, man, I've been out with some friends
Now I won't take it too hard

I guess that's what it's like when you're being real strong
Act like it's nothing when you're asked what is wrong
Now I can see it's gone

I know, I know, it's better than before
I know, I know, it's better than before

Yeah, man, now I'll wait for you here
I'll put it together over a couple of years
I'll be ready when you get home

I'll build it up, build it up, build it up strong
So you know where you stand when you're gone
No, I'm gonna bring it back

I know, I know, it's better than before
I know, I know, it's better than before

I know what you put you through
That'll all include anyone but you

I know what you hold onto
That'll all include anyone but you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of One For The Team's song Apples is an introspective take on how people behave when they are strong and facing difficulties. The song opens up with a conversation between two friends, where one is asking the other where they have been, and the response suggests that the person was out with friends. The next line says, "I won't take it too hard," which seems like the person is trying to be strong and is putting up a brave front. The singer also realizes that when someone is acting strong, it's effortless to ask them what's wrong since they evade it, and the situation ends up dissipating.

The second verse sees the singer speaking about how waiting for someone to come home becomes a vital aspect of their life. It's like the person can't move on and wants to hold on to something, so they construct a life around the absence of the person. The singer says that they'll put it together over a couple of years and be ready when the person comes home. They're building a life to cushion the person's return so that they feel comfortable when they come back.

The chorus speaks about how despite everything, the singer is aware of the positive change in their lives and understands that it's better than before. The song seems to be about resilience and understanding that things do get better even though it doesn't always seem like it.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, hey, yeah, where's it at, where you been?
Greetings, where have you been lately?

Well, thanks, man, I've been out with some friends
I was hanging out with friends. Thank you for asking.

Now I won't take it too hard
I won't feel bad

I guess that's what it's like when you're being real strong
Being strong means pretending everything is okay.

Act like it's nothing when you're asked what is wrong
Pretend that nothing is wrong when someone asks.

Now I can see it's gone
I now realize that it's over.

I know, I know, it's better than before
I understand it's an improvement from before.

Yeah, man, now I'll wait for you here
I will wait for you here.

I'll put it together over a couple of years
I will work on building something over the next few years.

I'll be ready when you get home
I'll be prepared for your return.

I'll build it up, build it up, build it up strong
I will make it strong and stable.