Pallett has been noted for their live performances, wherein they play the violin into a sampler controlled by foot pedals, which then loops back one or more of the previously played musical phrases as they play additional parts simultaneously. Pallett has also performed with more traditional string quartets as backing musicians.
Owen believes their work is somewhat influenced by their sexuality, saying "As far as whether the music I make is gay or queer, yeah, it comes from the fact that I'm gay, but that doesn't mean I'm making music about it." in a recent interview.
"I'm taking a cue from Joel Gibb," Pallett begins, "he and I are very different people, and we're very different in terms of the way we've assessed our sexual identities, but one thing I really respect about him is that his music has less to do with his identity and more to do with the more interesting aspects of himself", states in an earlier interview in Toronto's NOW Magazine concerning Owen's sexual identity and its use in their music.
On 12 February 2005, their debut album, Final Fantasy Has A Good Home, was released by the recording club Blocks (sometimes referred to as 'BlocksBlocksBlocks'), a cooperative, Toronto-based record label of which they are a member. A second album is entitled "He Poos Clouds", and inspiration for the songs are based on the eight schools of magic used for Dungeons & Dragons and how they relate to modern times. It is released under Tomlab.
Owen's previous projects included a 3-piece Toronto-based band, Les Mouches, now defunct. Pallett is still a member of another Toronto band called Picastro. They have also recorded and toured with The Hidden Cameras and Arcade Fire. One of Owen's songs, "This Is the Dream of Win & Regine", was inspired by the principal members of the latter group, Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, and a Dntel song of a similar name ((This is) The Dream of Evan & Chan). Owen also co-wrote the orchestral arrangements for both of Arcade Fire's albums, along with Régine Chassagne.
Keep The Dog Quiet
Owen Pallett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This union is cage about a cage about a cage.
And this, and this town too.
I'll see you once in a while but I can't be seen with you.
This place is a narrative mess.
The floor a tangle of bedsheets and battered sundress.
The ink has dried in the well.
The journey once was consequential,
When will you silence your hounds?
The eldest sons to the altar of the Eternal Sound.
Their blood is spilled at the dawn.
A nation bound to your will, still, the violin plays on.
Plays its devotional song.
Once it was, once it was so essential,
Now: sequential, sequential, sequential, sequential.
The lyrics of Owen Pallett's song "Keep The Dog Quiet" are open to multiple interpretations, but a central theme is the feeling of being trapped, oppressed, or limited by one's surroundings. The opening line, "My body is a cage," suggests a feeling of physical confinement, but this is quickly expanded to include the larger environment, which is described as a "cage about a cage about a cage." The repetition of the word "sequential" in the final line of each stanza underscores a sense of monotony or repetition, as though each day is just a continuation of the last.
The second verse introduces a religious theme, with a reference to "the altar of the Eternal Sound" and "devotional song." The singer seems to be addressing someone who has power over others, demanding that they "silence your hounds" and stop the bloodshed that is implied in the phrase "their blood is spilled at the dawn." However, the final line of this verse implies that even the beauty of music is tainted by this oppressive regime, as "the violin plays on" despite the violence around it.
Line by Line Meaning
My body is a cage.
I feel trapped and confined, unable to fully express myself or escape the constraints that are holding me back.
This union is cage about a cage about a cage.
This relationship is suffocating and feels like it has no escape, as if there are layers upon layers of confinement and restriction.
And this, and this town too.
Not only am I feeling trapped in this relationship, but the place in which we live also adds to this feeling of confinement and limitations.
I'll see you once in a while but I can't be seen with you.
I may occasionally spend time with you, but I cannot be seen in public with you due to the judgement and expectations of society around us.
This place is a narrative mess.
The story and history of this place is convoluted and confusing, with little clarity or coherence in the events that have taken place here.
The floor a tangle of bedsheets and battered sundress.
The physical space surrounding me is chaotic and disordered, with evidence of past events and emotions strewn about haphazardly.
The ink has dried in the well.
The creativity and inspiration that I once had has dried up and is no longer available to me.
The journey once was consequential,
There was a time when every step I took felt important and meaningful, with clear consequences and outcomes as a result of my actions.
Now: sequential, sequential, sequential, sequential.
But now my life feels routine and monotonous, with each day blending into the next in a seemingly endless cycle of repetition.
When will you silence your hounds?
When will you stop allowing your followers and supporters to attack and criticize others who do not share your beliefs or opinions?
The eldest sons to the altar of the Eternal Sound.
The most devout and dedicated followers are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to ascend to a higher level, where they will be united with the supreme truth and source of all being.
Their blood is spilled at the dawn.
Those who make this sacrifice do so at the beginning of a new era, symbolizing a rebirth or renewal of the movement or cause they are a part of.
A nation bound to your will, still, the violin plays on.
Despite the fact that many individuals and groups are willing to submit to your authority, there are still those who continue to resist and make beautiful music in the face of oppression and control.
Plays its devotional song.
This music is not just an act of defiance, but a deeply spiritual and meaningful expression of their devotion to a higher cause or ideal.
Once it was, once it was so essential,
There was a time when this movement or cause was vital and necessary, with a sense of urgency and importance that inspired many to join and support it.
Now: sequential, sequential, sequential, sequential.
But now the movement has lost its vigor and passion, becoming just another routine and repetitive aspect of life that does not inspire the same level of dedication or commitment.
Contributed by Cooper T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yonayris Paulino
I love owen pallett for his unique style of playing the violin and more when he sings at the same time, I admire you so much, keep it up! ... God bless your talent haha
MrJacobrabbit
Yeah
moonstruckfaye
I love his sense of rhythm...manipulates my heartbeat.
dulcebellum
poor owen. he sounded very ill, but he still pulled off a breathtaking performance! <3
Nicole
"haha, the end!" ...oh Owen, how I love you
emmaeliina
I love him.
inth erein
Totes amazeballs.
andreabubus
@Thelyingcabbage Perhaps... but certainly his musical ability is great !!
Peter Hulo
@andreabubus Really? I really do like his voice, and many do as well., and his range is impressive as well. Soprano A in falsedo and the Ab above middle C in chest voice! I think he was just a little ill for this one.
Jack Evans
'Hahaha... the end!'