In 1990, Coomes, Weiss, and Brad Pedinov formed the band Motorgoat. The band released two self-released cassettes and one 7" single before dissolving in 1993. Quasi started recording as a duo in 1993. They played with various additional musicians in early live appearances, but eventually settled on playing live as a duo as well. They self-recorded and self-released a cassette and a CD in 1993. They recorded R&B Transmogrification in the Portland band Pond's basement recording studio and released it on Up Records in 1997. They released two more albums with Up: Featuring "Birds" in 1998 and Field Studies in 1999; both albums were recorded at Jackpot Studios in Portland, Oregon.
In 1998 and 1999 they toured the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Japan opening for and serving as the backup band for Elliott Smith (who Coomes had played with in Heatmiser) as well as touring on their own in the U.S. and Europe. In 2001 They home-recorded The Sword of God and released it on Touch & Go. Quasi had been somewhat political since its inception, but their opposition to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq showed through in a straight-forward way with the release of Hot Shit! in 2003, particularly in the songs "White Devil's Dream" and "Master and Dog." When the Going Gets Dark followed in 2006, released on Touch & Go in the U.S. and Domino Records in Europe, as with Hot Shit!.
In Spring 2009, the band announced that they had signed to the Kill Rock Stars label, and were due to release their already recorded next album in the latter half of the year. That album, entitled American Gong, was released February 23, 2010 to generally favorable reviews. It was their first and only album to feature third member Joanna Bolme. Following a tour of Japan, Europe, and the United States in support of the full length, Bolme left the band. A duo again, Sam and Janet are recording material for a new album.
Clouds
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Disperse & recoagulate.
Breathing in & out,
There is nothing more.
I am mist, you are steam
We are clouds.
We are drifting away.
In one of many heavens
We dream perfect music,
We hang from our tails.
In one of many hells
We sharpen up our horns
Plotting our revenge while
Waiting to be born.
Particles of light & particles of matter
Come together for an instant, then scatter
The lyrics of Quasi's song Clouds seem to explore the transient nature of existence and the cyclical patterns of life. The opening lines describe the way in which molecules dissipate and then coalesce once more, evoking a sense of impermanence and constant flux. The next few lines depict the act of breathing in and out as a simple and essential activity that ultimately defines our existence.
The chorus then comes in, with the repetition of the phrase "we are clouds" highlighting the idea that we ourselves are as ephemeral and fleeting as clouds in the sky. The image of mist and steam merging into each other further reinforces this sense of fluidity, while the idea of drifting away suggests a sense of detachment or aimlessness. The reference to "one of many heavens" and "one of many hells" adds a spiritual dimension to the lyrics, hinting at the concomitant ideas of afterlife and reincarnation.
The next two lines describing the dreaming of perfect music and the sharpening of horns in preparation for revenge use vivid imagery to continue the exploration of the cyclical nature of existence. Finally, the last line about particles of light and matter coming together and then scattering once more ties back to the opening theme of molecular dissolution and re-formation.
Line by Line Meaning
Molecules dissipate,
The tiny particles that form matter break apart and spread out.
Disperse & recoagulate.
The particles then come back together, sometimes forming into larger formations.
Breathing in & out,
The process of inhaling and exhaling is a constant reminder of our existence.
There is nothing more.
This is all there is - the cycle of life and death.
I am mist, you are steam
We are both ethereal, constantly changing and transitioning.
We are clouds.
Together, we are a beautiful, ever-shifting force of nature.
We are drifting away.
We are constantly changing and moving, yet remain connected in some way.
In one of many heavens
There are countless possibilities and realities that exist beyond our own.
Blue light prevails
One such reality may be a peaceful, serene world filled with clear blue light.
We dream perfect music,
In this reality, music is all-consuming and perfect in every way.
We hang from our tails.
Even in this world, there is still a sense of instability, of being unanchored.
In one of many hells
Another reality may be a place of pain, punishment and suffering.
We sharpen up our horns
In this world, we must be aggressively defensive in order to survive.
Plotting our revenge while
In this world, there is a sense of injustice and a desire for retribution.
Waiting to be born.
This is a place of struggle and harshness, where new life is hard-won and precious.
Particles of light & particles of matter
All things in existence are made up of either light, matter, or a combination of both.
Come together for an instant, then scatter
All things are in a constant state of flux, coming together and then breaking apart again quickly.
Contributed by Jayce W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tûññêlrãt
I love Elliott Smith and Quasi, and i don't think one is better then the other, but rather that there both perfectly detached from each other while remaining eerily close
Jekyl Whispy
Tûññêlrãt Idk Quasi much beyond this song yet, but both of their versions are just lovely. it is a wonderful song & they both show it respect for that.
Jekyl Whispy
my intro to this song was Elliott Smith's cover, which, even in hindsight, I think is excellent. but this song is just beautifu & succinct. i think it may be one of my favorites. i dont think i can describe how it makes me feel. its got that psychedelic kinda intensity of language that could almost seem like terror if it weren't just a tremendous lidless eyeful of being alive. or w/e. beautiful. thanks
EpicShibe XD
Sleep is when we blink.
EpicShibe XD
right?
xdBox
I wonder what it'd sound like if ES made a electric version instead
schaefersmann
wow, sam coomes ruuuuuuuules
mah boh
@benfq1 I prefer Quasi's too.
ernestfag hemingwayfag
this is beautiful (':
Paddy Theosophist
@xXpitselehXx by my calculations, there should be another two 0's. ;-)