Barthel and Carter were friends since junior high school. Barthel pursued a visual arts degree while Carter formed the experimental band Grand Habit. In the summer of 2007 they reunited and worked on finishing some beat ideas Carter made earlier. The duo was originally called Charlie Everywhere when performing around the Saratoga Springs area on the local label Sub-Bombin Records. When they signed to BBE Records they changed the name to Phantogram, to avoid legal issues.
In March 2009, they self-released a five song EP, Phantogram EP, which featured four songs that ended up being on the full length. In the same year they released another EP, Running From the Cops on BBE Records.
The band's debut album Eyelid Movies was released in September 2009, on BBE Records in Europe, and in February 2010, on Barsuk Records in the US. The album received generally favorable reviews. The singles "Mouthful of Diamonds", "When I'm Small" and "As Fas As I Can See" supported the album.
Phantogram have supported acts such as Metric, The xx, J-Live, Brazilian Girls and have toured with The Slip, Zero 7 and Minus the Bear.
Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter were inspired by artists like J Dilla, Serge Gainsbourg, My Bloody Valentine, Madlib, Sonic Youth, The Beatles and David Bowie.
In 1 November 2011, the band issued the EP Nightlife. This EP includes the single "Don't Move".
The duo collaborated with Big Boi from OutKast on three songs from his second studio album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors: "Objectum Sexuality (feat. Phantogram)", "CPU (feat. Phantogram)" and "Lines (feat. A$AP Rocky & Phantogram)". Phantogram are also credited as producers for the song "Objectum Sexuality".
Official site: http://www.phantogram.net
K.Y.S.A.
Phantogram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the eye of a hurricane, eyed. And I tried.
Death. Never have I seemed so touchable.
I'm a dart caught in your cables eye. And I tried.
[Chorus:]
(I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't)
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
(I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't)
Keep yourself alive.
(I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't)
For a minute...
(I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't)
So brave, will you wanna hurt your face tonight.
In a hall walking to the bright light, dissect belt.
Chafe me, cause you know it's not the end of us.
I'll be gone until you get it right.
Impossible, impossible, impossible.
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
(I won't give, I won't give, I won't give, I won't.)
Keep yourself alive
(I won't give, I won't give, I won't give, I won't.)
Keep yourself alive
(I won't give, I won't give, I won't give, I won't.)
Keep yourself alive.
(I won't give, I won't give, I won't give, I won't.)
For a minute...
[Chorus]
The lyrics to "K.Y.S.A" by Phantogram depict a sense of struggle and resilience in the face of challenges. The opening lines, "Air. Never ever seemed so far away," convey a feeling of isolation and distance. The mention of the eye of a hurricane symbolizes being caught in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. The phrase "And I tried" suggests a persistent effort to overcome these obstacles.
The second stanza delves deeper into the theme of mortality and vulnerability. The line "Death. Never have I seemed so touchable" reflects a heightened awareness of one's mortality and the fragility of life. The metaphor of being a "dart caught in your cables eye" implies being trapped or controlled by external forces. Despite this, the singer again emphasizes their determination to persevere with the refrain, "Keep yourself alive."
The chorus, repeating the line "Keep yourself alive," serves as a mantra or affirmation to stay strong and resilient. It indicates a refusal to succumb to circumstances or give up. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of self-preservation and survival.
Overall, "K.Y.S.A" explores themes of isolation, vulnerability, and the relentless pursuit of resilience in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Air. Never ever seemed so far away.
The feeling of distance and separation is overwhelming.
And the eye of a hurricane, eyed. And I tried.
Despite being in the midst of chaos and turmoil, I made an effort to stay strong and focused.
Death. Never have I seemed so touchable.
The concept of mortality feels remarkably close and tangible.
I'm a dart caught in your cables eye. And I tried.
I feel trapped and helpless in the gaze of your influence, yet I still made an effort to resist.
(I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't)
Keep yourself alive
I refuse to abandon myself and will fight to stay alive.
(I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't leave, I won't)
For a minute...
Even for a brief moment, I won't give up or let go.
So brave, will you wanna hurt your face tonight.
Are you brave enough to face the consequences and confront your true emotions tonight?
In a hall walking to the bright light, dissect belt.
In a vulnerable state, walking towards an uncertain future with the weight of self-analysis.
Chafe me, cause you know it's not the end of us.
You intentionally provoke and irritate me because deep down, you know our connection is not over.
I'll be gone until you get it right.
I will distance myself from you until you understand and rectify the situation.
Impossible, impossible, impossible.
The situation or task at hand feels insurmountable and unattainable.
(I won't give, I won't give, I won't give, I won't.)
Keep yourself alive
I will continue to fight and preserve my own existence.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ALAN MAMAN, JOHN BARRETT, JAKE PORTRAIT, JOSHUA CARTER, JOSH CARTER, JOHN BARRET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind