“I had got to a point where I felt like I wasn't really given a proper opportunity to create music without having to worry about 3-4 other people's opinions or artistic flare being trampled on,” said Shaun. So was the birth of Projected Twin that allows Holton to create ‘band’ orientated music as a solo artist.
“I've always known what I wanted to hear. And beat boxing the drum part you hear in your head to your drummer doesn't often get the results you were aiming for. So I just hit sticks together and plucked strings until I started hearing the sounds I wanted to hear”.
After spending the most part of 2007 and 2008 performing full time all over the world including Oman, Thailand, Iraq, Indonesia and USA including a six-month residency at Dubai’s Hard Rock Café, Shaun returned to Australia with a renewed focus to cement his own blend of rock in what is to be his debut album.
The first taste of that was introduced in the form of debut single 'We Know It's True' which was made available for release on iTunes and quickly made its way into the top 50 charts of MP3.com.au and the top 5 of Triple J Unearthed!
The single had already started to attract fans in America when world famous YouTuber Cory Williams and Ryan Cyr flew Shaun to Los Angeles to direct an accompanying music video.
In 2009, Holton called the Adelaide Hills studio of XPM Productions home as he recorded and self-produced the tracks of Projected Twin’s debut album titled ‘Earth to World’ – a process that’s taken two years to complete and is to be the first of what Shaun hopes to be a three-part story. “I'm a big fan of conceptual albums and albums that are a body of work, not a collection of singles”.
‘Earth to world’ is a 55 minute musical landscape with the majority of the instrumentation performed by Shaun Holton himself. “Each song I write has its own character but when you put them in succession it becomes obvious that they are all pieces of a bigger picture. It's hard, it's soft, it's aggressive and then it's fragile”.
Whilst describing the sort of message he is trying to send to the world through music, Holton says, “I'm trying to get the idea out there that while our own lives are the most important things we know, there is so much going on that no one thinks about. I'm trying to get the idea out there that making a difference isn't just something people say on TV and in movies to make a good story, that it's actually achievable. The only thing that stands in our way of making things better not just for ourselves but for people we've never met is Doubt and Fear”.
Fast forward twelve months and Projected Twin’s YouTube channel was abuzz with over one million viewers and the support of over 16,000 subscribers. To this day, Holton’s YouTube channel stands as one of the top 20 Australian Music Artist channels of all time and residing within the top 50 Australian channels of all time. All this without the aid of a record label or management.
“It's been the best thing I've ever done. I had always hoped but never expected to be in direct contact with thousands of people who can relate to what I create and present to them”.
So how does Projected Twin come alive on stage? “[The Audience] become a part of something. Live PT shows are like a conversation between the stage and the crowd. At one moment we're all having a good time, chatting away and then there is a connection, you could hear a pin drop during a broken down verse, the guitar is muted and I’m singing a line a capella. It's a great moment I’ve been lucky enough to share many times”.
Now in 2010, supporters around the globe are eagerly awaiting the release of 'Earth To World'.
The Ritual
Projected Twin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am but a sickness and I won't deny it
Raised hands as victory smiles
A taste of richness, but I can′t define it
And you just tilt your head
You made it crystal, "Never again"
I went way too far
No one can ever know that, that you came here for the truth
It's habitual lies
I was right
To say that we've come this far
Proving just what you are
The ritual is in your eyes
I never lied,
I said that I′d run away
From all that I want it to be
The ritual is in your eyes
The ritual lies
It′s habitual lies
You said you'd come this far
Proving just what you are
The ritual is in your eyes
I never lied,
I said that I′d run away
From all that I want it to be
The ritual is in my mind
The ritual lies
Bring on the purge
The lyrics of Projected Twin's song 'The Ritual' seem to convey the idea of being caught up in a self-destructive cycle, one where the singer understands that they are responsible for their condition but cannot define it. The singer describes themselves as a sickness that refuses to acknowledge its own existence, similar to addiction or mental illness. Furthermore, the line 'raised hands as victory smiles' could be a reference to the facade that many people put up on their way to success, hiding their struggles and internal conflicts in lieu of presenting a victorious image to the world. While the singer struggles with their own inadequacies, the listener can sense that there are people around them who understand what's going on. With lines like "You made it crystal, 'Never again'" the singer acknowledges that their actions have been noted and others have marked boundaries.
The chorus of the song is quite straightforward and offers insight into the songwriter's worldview. The line "The ritual is in your eyes" is repeated three times and seems to encompass the idea that we are all bound by repetitive actions and that our tendencies and proclivities are present in our physical features, notably in our eyes. The singer seems wary of these habits and the way they play out in the world, as seen by the line "The ritual lies, It's habitual lies". In totality, the song sounds like a call to action, a plea to break free of the repetitive cycles that lead us towards self-destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m not the victim this time
I am taking responsibility for my actions and behavior in this situation.
I am but a sickness and I won't deny it
I recognize that I have negative qualities and tendencies that affect others around me.
Raised hands as victory smiles
Those around me may see me as successful or powerful, but I know the truth of my actions.
A taste of richness, but I cannot define it
I may have experienced success or pleasure, but I cannot fully explain or understand its value.
And you just tilt your head
You may not understand or agree with me, but you listen and observe my behavior.
You made it crystal, 'Never again'
You have made it clear that my negative behavior will not be tolerated or accepted in the future.
I went way too far
I recognize that my actions or behavior in the past have been excessive or harmful.
No one can ever know that, that you came here for the truth
I am keeping a secret about your true intentions or desires, and will not reveal them to anyone else.
The ritual lies
The deceptive behavior and patterns that we engage in regularly are harmful and unhelpful.
It's habitual lies
The lies and deception have become normalized and ingrained in our behavior, making them difficult to change.
I was right
I now see the truth or reality of the situation, which may have been different from my previous beliefs or assumptions.
To say that we've come this far
I acknowledge that we have made progress and reached a certain point in our journey or relationship.
Proving just what you are
Your behavior and actions have shown your true character or intentions.
The ritual is in your eyes
The recurring patterns of behavior and deception are visible and present in your demeanor or behavior.
I never lied
I have been sincere and truthful in my words and actions throughout this situation or relationship.
I said that I'd run away
I have expressed a desire to escape from this situation or relationship that is causing harm or negativity.
From all that I want it to be
I am running away from a version of reality or a relationship that I had hoped would be different or better than it is.
The ritual is in your eyes
The negative behavior and patterns are now evident in how you view and interact with me.
The ritual lies
The lies and deception are still present and causing harm in our relationship or situation.
Bring on the purge
I am ready to acknowledge and eliminate the negative behavior and patterns in our relationship or situation, no matter how difficult it may be.
Writer(s): Shaun Holton
Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shaun Holton
Yeah. I love the guitar playing in Opeth. YOu can definitely hear the influence on the solo.
Shaun Holton
That's awesome, dude! Just gotta keep doing it and doing it and doing it! You'll always want to be better, that's the key!
Shaun Holton
It's just a style of music I love. Progressive. Sometimes as an artist you just want to stay away from a 4 minute 2 verse, 3 chorus format.
Seifer Black
Just wow, Shaun this has to be one of the best tracks ive heard in ages, seriously amazing work dude, I even say its as good as a lot of Stonesours last album who are one of my favorite bands.
blueicewitch
Currently... this is my favorite song. :D Just 100% love it! A sample and a sign that this new album is going to be AWESOME!
Adhitthana
Just preordered the signed CD, I can't wait to hear it in it's entirety, I'm expecting greatness Shaun ^^ Ethan
PhoebeTigger
definitely one of the most laborious works. I LOVED the parts with the clear lyrics!! Such an angelic voice and abilities! <3 Sadly I do not understand why there's so many instrumentals. Great work, Shaun and everyone else who worked on this!
surfingwithET
This song has just an amazing sound! Definitely one of my favorites, keep up the good work Shaun!!
Doug Holmes
I love songs that break the genre confinements. Awesome blend, and of course awesome music as always Shaun. Looking forward to the album.
madedo63
Omg those first three minutes. IN LOVE with how heavy the guitar, bass and drums sound and the almost gental voice(s) are a beautiful contrast. And the rest, well thats bloody amazing too :)