Pico vs Island Trees, affectionately called “Pico” by their friends and fans, are some of the freshest faces on the growing Nashville pop scene. Their roots go deep; Bryan and guitarist Jeremy Bullock formed the band after a 7th grade talent show. The boys’ search for a band name ended when they watched a classroom film about the famous 1982 Supreme Court case against the Island Trees School District, which, according to the video’s main character, sounded "like a rock band." Pico vs Island Trees was born.
Over the next few years, Pico brought in bassist Brian Howell and toured extensively along the east coast, gaining a respectable following in their home state of North Carolina. In 2004 the band released their first full-length independent album, Just Wait. However, despite these small triumphs, the group had grown tired of operating as a ‘weekend band.’ With college plans looming on the horizon and mounting geographical challenges, Pico seemed to have reached a frustrating plateau.
The impasse that all bands dread was soon replaced by the opportunity which all bands dream of: Los Angeles producer David Kershenbaum (Duran Duran, Joe Jackson) heard one of their songs on the radio, loved it, and looked them up. In the blink of an eye the boys were on a plane to sunny California.
After 8 months of palm trees, click tracks, and mix downs, Pico had written and recorded a full album and were ready to hit the road with their full five-piece ensemble, with drummer Tommy Perkinson and keyboardist John Henry Trinko rounding out the lineup. The first song to emerge from the California sessions was the bossa-flavored “Open Doors”. Mixed by Mark Endert (Maroon 5, The Fray), the song has piqued the interest of both fans and industry types alike.
As the group settles into their new hometown of Nashville and awaits the release of their album, Pico vs Island Trees overflow with the optimism and energy that has made an indelible mark on their music -- and hopefully, your ears.
-A.W./G.B
Malibu
Pico Vs. Island Trees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the sunshine blocks all your rainy clouds
You just gotta get out of the in crowd
But you just can't walk away with a smile on your face
It's so desperate
Maybe I could be your best friend
We'll stay out all night and I'll watch you while you're sleeping
But I just can't walk away when the smile on your face
It's telling me
No one seems to know who you are like I do,
Talk to me, let me in your heart
Cause it's started to rain in Malibu
I can understand if you're frightened
Cause we all know what it's like to pretend
Now without a moment to waste
We should start our escape
And finally get away
With a smile on our face
Baby I know just the place
No one seems to know who you are like I do,
Talk to me, let me in your heart
Cause it's started to rain in Malibu
And I just can't walk away when a smile on your face
It's so delicate
No one seems to know who you are like I do,
Talk to me, let me in your heart
Cause it's started to rain, yeah it started to rain
No one seems to know who you are like I do,
Talk to me, let me in your heart
Cause it's started to rain, yeah it's hard to explain
We gotta get away to Malibu
The lyrics of Pico Vs. Island Trees's song Malibu convey a strong desire to escape from a situation that is no longer fulfilling or comfortable. It is addressed to someone who seems to be going through a similar experience, who is also feeling out of place and needs to break free from their current environment. The first stanza highlights the struggle and the conflict between the desire to leave and the difficulty of doing so. The second stanza brings up the idea of friendship as a way to alleviate the stress and make the journey more bearable. The chorus repeats the theme of understanding and the need to be let into the other person's heart, suggesting that there is a deep connection and a shared experience that no one else can comprehend.
The third stanza seems to suggest that the situation is becoming more urgent, as the rain starts to fall in Malibu, perhaps indicating a general feeling of sadness or disappointment. The fourth stanza proposes a solution: a shared escape to a place where they can finally be themselves and where the smile on their faces won't have to be forced. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, stressing the importance of the emotional bond between the two individuals and the need to leave the past behind.
Overall, Malibu is a song about empowerment, friendship, and the desire to find oneself. It conveys a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, and it encourages the listener to take charge of their own life and seek happiness on their own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you don't belong in this town
You seem to be out of place here.
Where the sunshine blocks all your rainy clouds
The town is full of sunshine and positivity, but it's not helping you.
You just gotta get out of the in crowd
It's time for you to break free from the popular crowd and be yourself.
But you just can't walk away with a smile on your face
Leaving is not easy, even though it might be necessary for your happiness.
It's so desperate
Your situation is urgent and you need to make a change.
Maybe I could be your best friend
I am offering you my companionship and support.
We'll stay out all night and I'll watch you while you're sleeping
I want to spend time with you and make sure you feel safe.
Cause you give me a lot to stare at
I am attracted to you and fascinated by your personality.
But I just can't walk away when the smile on your face
Leaving you behind is difficult, even though it might be necessary.
It's telling me
Your smile is a sign that you need help and support.
No one seems to know who you are like I do,
I understand you better than anyone else.
Talk to me, let me in your heart
Open up to me and share your inner thoughts and feelings.
Cause it's started to rain in Malibu
The sunny town is starting to feel gloomy and depressing.
I can understand if you're frightened
I know you might be afraid of change and uncertainty.
Cause we all know what it's like to pretend
We all have to put on a facade at some point in our lives.
Now without a moment to waste
We need to act quickly to make a change.
We should start our escape
We should leave this town and start a new adventure.
And finally get away
We can leave our troubles behind and start fresh.
With a smile on our face
We can be happy and hopeful about our future.
Baby I know just the place
I have a plan and a destination for our escape.
It's so delicate
Our situation is fragile and requires gentle handling.
Cause it's started to rain, yeah it started to rain
The bad weather is a metaphor for the difficulties we are facing.
Yeah it's hard to explain
Our situation is complex and not easy to understand.
We gotta get away to Malibu
We need to leave our current location and find a better place to start over.
Contributed by Chase E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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