In its earlier days, the band had duel vocals performed by De Marrais and Fischer; later, De Marrais would become the lead vocalist in the majority of their songs. The band's many tours and intimate live shows at venues such as Brooklyn's Northsix (now Music Hall of Williamsburg), Washington, D.C.'s The Black Cat, Bowery Ballroom in NYC, and Chapel Hill's Cat's Cradle helped to grow its fan base and fuel album sales.
On November 6, 2006, the band announced, through Pitchfork Media, that the December 16th show at New York City's Bowery Ballroom would be their last. They played one more show on December 17th at Northsix, which De Marrais referred to as "home" because it also served as the band's rehearsal space.
The band reformed in 2014 with a reunion show at Bowery Ballroom on December 31. Additional shows were added for February 14 and April 18, 2015 at Lincoln Hall in Chicago and Union Transfer in Philadelphia, respectively.
In 2017 the band released S/T, their first album in 11 years.
Pincushion
Rainer Maria Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i sew steel wool blankets.
i press my hands to my eyes
to see the stars that guide me through my
anxiety.
nights navigating the ceiling.
there's no sense in
so set your sights on me.
it's hard to sleep
with miles ahead
bearing down on me,
and someone so intent on loving me.
who knows where my strength lies?
you're so assured,
with patient hands i can be lured.
darling my eternal no turns yes for you.
The lyrics of Rainer Maria's song Pincushion are highly introspective, reflecting on the anxieties and uncertainties that plague the singer. The first two lines describe the singer's unconventional sleeping arrangements - using a pincushion for a pillow and sewing steel wool blankets. These unusual choices suggest that the singer may be struggling financially or emotionally, unable to afford or access more comfortable alternatives.
The next two lines suggest that the singer has a tendency to retreat inward when overwhelmed by anxiety, pressing their hands over their eyes to find solace in the stars. There is a sense of isolation in this image, as the singer is navigating their own internal landscape rather than seeking comfort from others. This idea of navigating independently is reinforced in the following line, which describes "nights navigating the ceiling". The use of the word "navigating" suggests that the singer is actively working to overcome their anxieties and find their way through difficult times.
The final lines of the song shift focus from the singer to a lover figure, addressed as "you". The singer acknowledges the challenges they face in maintaining this relationship - they have "miles ahead" of them and someone "so intent on loving [them]". However, they also express trust in this lover's ability to guide and support them, offering an "eternal yes" in return. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the suggestion that love can provide a source of strength and stability even in the most challenging of times.
Line by Line Meaning
i use a pincushion for a pillow.
I cannot find comfort in the usual things, even a pillow, which is why I have resorted to anything that might potentially help me sleep.
i sew steel wool blankets.
To shield myself from the harsh realities of the world, I have created my own protection by weaving materials that will provide warmth and security, even if they are not the most comfortable to rest on.
i press my hands to my eyes
to see the stars that guide me through my
anxiety.
When I am overcome with fear and worry, I close my eyes and focus on the imaginary constellations behind my eyelids that help calm me down and inspire me to keep going.
nights navigating the ceiling.
Sometimes, when I am lost in thought, I find myself staring at the ceiling, aimlessly drifting through my own mind, searching for a way out of my anxiety.
there's no sense in
traveling today in circles,
so set your sights on me.
Don't waste your time on aimless endeavors, instead focus on me, and I will help guide you towards a path that's worth pursuing.
it's hard to sleep
with miles ahead
bearing down on me,
and someone so intent on loving me.
who knows where my strength lies?
With so many obstacles in my way and a lover who is dedicated to me, it's hard to find the energy to keep going, and I question where I will get the strength to overcome these challenges.
you're so assured,
with patient hands i can be lured.
You seem so confident and sure of yourself that I find myself wanting to follow your lead, and I am willing to be patient while you guide me through the unknown.
darling my eternal no turns yes for you.
Even though I may have been hesitant in the past, I am willing to change my mind for you, and I am willing to explore new territories with you.
Contributed by Declan W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Erika Alvarez
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