From the Paulsonisaband.com web site:

In May of 2004, the future loo… Read Full Bio ↴From the Paulsonisaband.com web site:

In May of 2004, the future looked bright to the members of Paulson. Alex Burton (Bass), Logan Laflotte (Vocals), Jeff Widner (Drums), Mike Smeen (Synths) and Jesse Burton (Guitar) had just signed with respected indie Initial Records and were preparing to re-release their original demo as a makeshift debut LP, Variations.” Despite the low budgets and daunting obstacles, the group commited itself to touring full-time, quitting jobs and dropping out of college.

Fast forward 18 months. Poised to release their sophmore album, it's almost impossible to recognize the formerly fresh-faced group. Since last year they have endured the abrupt closing of their label (who neglected to provide even a single press release or advertisement in support of their debut), a protracted legal
dispute to recover their record and win release from their contract, the departure of long-time girlfriends who objected to their obessive touring schedule, and their eventual redemption in signing to Long Island-based One Day Savior Recordings (Boys Night Out, Juliana Theory, Hopesfall).

In the last year they have performed over 250 shows in 34 states and Canada, touring with the likes of Senses Fail (Vagrant), Midtown (Columbia), Moneen (Vagrant), Bear Vs. Shark (Equal Vision), Folly (Triple Crown), Far-less (Tooth & Nail), The Break (Ferret), Jenoah (Drive-Thru), Endicott (Equal Vision), and many others, despite having no booking agent or management. They have also appeared on major festivals like The Bamboozle, The Warped Tour, Worcester Skate Fest, Flipside Festival and done prominent one-offs with bands like Brand New, Something Corporate, Fall Out Boy, The Starting Line and many others. Selections from their debut can be heard on MTVʼs Real World, major radio stations like NYCʼs K-Rock, and on the upcoming “Taste Of Chaos” DVD.

Having never been in a proper studio, the band was thrilled to finally enter the legendary Camp Street facility in Cambridge, MA with producer Mike Poorman (Tsunami Bomb, Hot Rod Circuit). The result is a radical departure from their previous effort. Where “Variations” was disjointed and aggressive, their new album, entitled “All At Once,” is focused and subtle. Gone are the screamed vocals and power chords; instead the listener finds a wash of keyboards and computer sequences, tight, dancey drums and even a lap steel solo. Odd time signatures still abound, but compelling vocal harmonies and mature songwriting are the focus. The artwork, inspired by Japanese modern artist Takashi Murakami, is further evidence that this is a band who continues to stand apart from the pack.

Poised on the threshold of their albumʼs November 8th release, the band is optimistic that their most difficult days are behind them. Having finally made the record they were burning to make, and assured of their own unflinching work ethic in the face of any obstacle, the future for Paulson continues to shine brightly.

Some of the members brand new band Future of the Party with some of the Houston Calls members.

Slow Down
Paulson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I learned to breathe underwater
When I turned nine
I had to learn how to save myself
I'm still alive

How does it feel to be 20 or 25?
Well I can hardly remember, I just survive

So when we met I was startled, I finally awoke
Blew out a breath full of water now that I'm not alone
I got a taste of the surface, I can't let it go
I used to sink but now I float

Slow down, stop rushing this
It feels like nothing else matters now
Love and lust can co-exist, so let's take our time

You said the days are getting shorter and you were right
'Cause all the stars were appearing, they multiplied

And so the more surrendered, the farther we fell
It was either you or the moment or both that I held?
As we descended on each other it got harder to tell
And now I can't control myself

Hearts that race and breath that stains

Covers ours to wear
So when we wake up underwater, I'll be there

Overall Meaning

In the first few lines of the song "Slow Down" by Paulson, he talks about learning to breathe underwater when he was nine years old. To most people, this line can be interpreted literally, but it can also mean a metaphorical sense of surviving through difficulties. Despite the line "I'm still alive," it is evident that the difficulties he went through left a lasting impact on him. When he met someone special, he felt like he was finally awakening from the past and could breathe without any difficulties.

When he talks about the stars multiplying, it can mean that he was starting a new world with a special person. The more they surrendered, the harder they fell. They could not control themselves, and their hearts raced as their breaths intermingled. The line "So when we wake up underwater, I'll be there" signifies that he is willing to be with the person he met through thick and thin.

Overall, the song Slow Down highlights the importance of taking things slow, especially when it comes to love. The past experiences may have been tough, but it is essential to enjoy the present moments and not rush into things.

Line by Line Meaning

I learned to breathe underwater
I became adept at surviving and adapting to overwhelming or challenging situations at a very young age.

When I turned nine
I was just a child when I first encountered intense difficulties that required me to learn challenging skills.

I had to learn how to save myself
I was responsible for my own survival in situations where others might have been able to help me, but could not or did not.

I'm still alive
Despite the many challenges and obstacles that I've faced, I've managed to survive and thrive in many ways.

How does it feel to be 20 or 25?
I feel like I've been through so much already that I can barely keep track of what's happened in my life, let alone how old I am at any given moment.

Well I can hardly remember, I just survive
My focus is on staying alive and keeping my head above water, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

So when we met I was startled, I finally awoke
Meeting you was a major wake-up call for me, causing me to see things in a new light and re-evaluate my priorities.

Blew out a breath full of water now that I'm not alone
I finally feel like I can breathe a little easier and let go of some of the burdens that have been weighing me down, now that I have someone to share them with and to support me.

I got a taste of the surface, I can't let it go
I've experienced what it's like to be free and happy, and I've come to realize that I want more of that in my life rather than just struggling to survive.

I used to sink but now I float
I used to feel like I was drowning in my problems and my life, but now I feel like I can stay afloat and maybe even swim a little.

Slow down, stop rushing this
Let's take our time and not make any hasty decisions or moves that we'll regret later.

It feels like nothing else matters now
Our love and connection are so intense and consuming that it feels like nothing else in the world really matters anymore.

Love and lust can co-exist, so let's take our time
We can have both physical desire and deep emotional connection, as long as we're willing to be patient with each other and not rush things.

You said the days are getting shorter and you were right
Time seems to be moving faster and faster, and it feels like we don't have much of it left to waste or squander.

'Cause all the stars were appearing, they multiplied
The more we connect and share our feelings, the more we seem to be surrounded by beauty and wonder, almost like a constellation of stars shining around us.

And so the more surrendered, the farther we fell
The more we let go of our fears and inhibitions, the more we felt like we were falling into a deep and intense connection with each other.

It was either you or the moment or both that I held?
I'm not sure if I'm more in love with you or with the incredible experience of being in the present moment with you, or if they're both intertwined and inseparable somehow.

As we descended on each other it got harder to tell
Our passion and intensity grew so strong that it was hard to separate our individual desires from our shared experiences and emotions.

And now I can't control myself
I'm so overwhelmed by my feelings for you that I feel like I'm losing control of my own emotions and desires.

Hearts that race and breath that stains
Our hearts are beating so fast and our breathing is so heavy and labored that it feels like we're leaving a mark on each other that will last forever.

Covers ours to wear
Our love and connection are like a shield that we wear to protect ourselves from the difficulties and challenges of life.

So when we wake up underwater, I'll be there
No matter how hard things get or how much we feel like we're drowning, I'll be there to help you, support you, and keep you afloat.

Contributed by Ellie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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