From 2010 to this day, Raoul Vignal has been playing authentic, modern folk… Read Full Bio ↴From 2010 to this day, Raoul Vignal has been playing authentic, modern folk music. Forming the essence of his compositions, soothing vocals and delicate fingerpicking played on alternate tunings are Vignal’s trademark.
Shortly after the birth of his solo project at the age of 20, Raoul Vignal started performing live in venues and festivals throughout France, giving him a strong stage experience as a solo musician, whether playing for a small audience in intimate venues or captivating a larger crowd.
In 2013, the young musician left his hometown Lyon for a 2-year-long stay in Berlin, where he has been very active in the singer/songwriter scene, frequently performing in the numerous venues the city has to offer.
At the beginning of fall 2015, Raoul Vignal entered Klangbild Studios in order to record his first album, entitled ‘The Silver Veil’, with sound engineer Martin J. Fiedler. The 10 tracks featured on the LP demonstrate an intense acoustic style, carried by pared-down arrangements, with a slight nostalgic touch.
'The Silver Veil' has been released on French record label Talitres on April 7, 2017. Gathering critical acclaim, Vignal then set out on a year long european tour.
On May 2018, Raoul came back to Lyon, his hometown, in order to record his 2nd album, "Oak Leaf", in the Mikrokosm Studios. Both a continuity and a departure from his first full-length, "Oak Leaf" features his touring bandmates and other friends, allowing Vignal's music to explore new grounds of the loner psyche, and deepen the melancholic touch with the help of a richer sound.

Coastal town
RAOUL VIGNAL Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Another day gone by
Ending with the dive
Of light into the sea

Free bodies adorn
The beaming shores of town
Where salt meets the land

In place of buildings tall
Piles of deadly stones
Left families in ruin

Clouds on the move
Seagulls over roofs
Couples in the nude

Lovers embraced in their haven of grace
Then the tide made their child companion of the night
May the wisdom in her name come to light

May her ship sail home guided by
The steeple made of gold

Overall Meaning

In "Coastal Town" by Raoul Vignal, the lyrics capture a sense of tranquility and nostalgia tied to a coastal town. The song depicts the passage of time, as another day comes to a close with the sunset, symbolized by the "dive of light into the sea." This imagery speaks to the beauty and serenity of the natural world, as bodies of water meet the land, merging salt and land. The reference to "free bodies adorning the beaming shores of town" evokes a sense of freedom and liberation.

However, amidst the peacefulness, the lyrics also touch upon the hardships faced by the community. Instead of tall buildings, the town is characterized by piles of deadly stones, which have left families in ruin. This contrast between the tranquil nature and the remnants of destruction hints at a darker undercurrent within the town's history or perhaps alludes to the fleetingness and fragility of human endeavors.

The second half of the song introduces more vivid imagery, with clouds moving, seagulls flying over roofs, and couples enjoying moments of intimacy and vulnerability, being in the nude. There is a poignant line about lovers being embraced in their "haven of grace," emphasizing the refuge they find in each other's arms. Then, the tide makes their child a companion of the night, highlighting the ebb and flow of life and love, with its accompanying joys and challenges.

The closing lines speak of hope and guidance. They allude to a ship, possibly representing a metaphorical journey or the return of someone dear, being guided by a steeple made of gold. This suggests the presence of a guiding force, wisdom, or divine protection, ensuring a safe journey or a favorable outcome.

Line by Line Meaning

Another day gone by
Another day has come to an end

Ending with the dive
Ending with the descent

Of light into the sea
Of light disappearing into the sea

Free bodies adorn
Unrestricted bodies decorate

The beaming shores of town
The radiant shores of the town

Where salt meets the land
Where the sea salt meets the land

In place of buildings tall
Instead of towering buildings

Piles of deadly stones
Stacks of life-threatening stones

Left families in ruin
Caused devastation to families

Clouds on the move
Moving clouds

Seagulls over roofs
Seagulls flying above roofs