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.
Midnight Directives
Owen Pallett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My blood is a red-winged bird.
The way will be lit by the bridges we burn, oh.
And come, tornado!
Carry me away from the croft.
Ruffle my hair, bear my body aloft, oh.
As the cutlass came down on a Saturday night,
Called away into service, for a clerical life.
Left an un-planted field, left my daughter and wife.
Thought I was a sad-boy.
Now I know, I know, I know I was wrong.
Since you came along, I can see how content I had been.
It'll drive a man crazy to age from the outside in.
But I have a plan, it's a trick with a prick of a pin.
And as the cutlass came down on a Saturday night,
Left an un-planted field, left my daughter and wife.
Called away into service, for a clerical life.
Left an un-planted field, left my daughter and wife.
For a man can be bought, and a man can be sold,
And the price of a hundred thousand unwatered souls
Is a bit of meat and a bit of coal.
It's a bit of meat and a bit of coal.
It's a little bit of meat and coal.
The opening line "Cross her off the shortlist" suggests the singer is rejecting someone from his potential partners. The following line "My blood is a red-winged bird" could refer to the adrenaline rush he is experiencing from this decision. He sees burning bridges as a necessary sacrifice for a fresh start, and asks for a tornado to take him away from his past life. The line "Ruffle my hair, bear my body aloft" could be interpreted as a desire to let go of his past and start anew.
The second half of the song narrates the story of a man who had to forgo his personal life for a clerical job. He realizes he had mistaken his dissatisfaction with his professional life for personal sadness, until he meets someone who helps him understand the difference. He mentions a plan that involves a "trick with a prick of a pin" which could refer to a drastic change he is planning for himself.
The repeated lines of "And as the cutlass came down on a Saturday night, Left an un-planted field, left my daughter and wife. Called away into service, for a clerical life" underscores the loss of personal freedom that clerks and soldiers often experience. The last verse that ends with "It's a bit of meat and a bit of coal. It's a little bit of meat and coal" could be interpreted as a commentary on how people can be sold and bought similar to goods, reducing their value to the bare minimum of survival needs.
Line by Line Meaning
Cross her off the shortlist.
Exclude her from consideration.
My blood is a red-winged bird.
I feel light and free.
The way will be lit by the bridges we burn, oh.
Our path forward will be illuminated by the destruction we leave behind.
And come, tornado!
I welcome the chaos and upheaval that may come.
Carry me away from the croft.
Take me away from this mundane life.
Ruffle my hair, bear my body aloft, oh.
Lift me up, make me feel alive.
As the cutlass came down on a Saturday night,
As violence and destruction occurred.
Left an un-planted field, left my daughter and wife.
I abandoned my responsibilities and loved ones.
Called away into service, for a clerical life.
I was forced into a mundane and unsatisfying job.
Thought I was a sad-boy.
I believed I was unhappy.
Now I know, I know, I know I was wrong.
I realize how content I was before.
Since you came along, I can see how content I had been.
You have made me appreciate what I had.
It'll drive a man crazy to age from the outside in.
The physical decline of aging can be mentally challenging.
But I have a plan, it's a trick with a prick of a pin.
I have a scheme to distract myself from aging.
For a man can be bought, and a man can be sold,
People can be manipulated.
And the price of a hundred thousand unwatered souls
The cost of neglecting people's needs.
Is a bit of meat and a bit of coal.
It takes very little to satisfy some people's basic needs.
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-vq3lk
This is my favorite song.
@TRClockwork
Playing this song for my school band. Goin be hype
@pepaxxxsvinka3379
got a video?
@moatrboat
this album is so amazing
@martinaban1197
I love this guy!
@pawibe
this and the new sufjan stevens are very similiar. and both absolutely amazing.
@Armistice0
WHAAAAAT that's awesome
@Koopgeminikiller
OPENED UP FOR GRIZZLY BEAR LAST NIGHT IN IOWA CITY! Pleasant surprise!
@Kittypetmeow
Brilliant.
@Beagelking
I friggin' love it!! Y^Y