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.
The Seven Sisters
Rainer Maria Lyrics
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but it's got the properties of water - transparent as glass
your goodness is coiled like a fist,
holed up in the back of the attic,
crouched like a cat
you said i look like a stone sinking
but i am a constellation cut out in the sky
and if i have stopped burning
and should i feel cold and far?
and should i feel weightless?
i imagine safety in the stars
'cause you make so many wishes.
do you ever hear what the stars are saying to you?
The lyrics to "The Seven Sisters" by Rainer Maria describe the desire to be surrounded by goodness, but the realization that it is not always easily visible. The mention of the properties of water as being transparent like glass is a metaphor for how one's goodness can be hard to see or detect. The reference to goodness being coiled like a fist and holed up in the back of the attic, crouched like a cat, could symbolize how it can be suppressed or hidden away.
The singer then addresses a comment about looking like a sinking stone, asserting that they are actually a constellation cut out in the sky. This infers that while they may feel low and insignificant, they still have their own presence in the world that shouldn't be disregarded. The following lines of questioning whether this presence will be recognized during their lifetime highlight a fear of insignificance, which contrasts with the previous assertion of being present in the sky. The mention of feeling cold and weightless implies detachment and isolation. However, they imagine safety in the stars, as they have cosmic significance and the power to grant wishes. This final question "do you ever hear what the stars are saying to you?" is left unanswered, leaving the listener to contemplate what this means to them.
Line by Line Meaning
want to see your goodness around me
I wish to experience and witness your kindness in my surroundings
but it's got the properties of water - transparent as glass
Your goodness is fluid and delicate, with clarity and purity like water
your goodness is coiled like a fist,
Your kindness is hidden and tucked away inside, tightly balled up like a clenched fist
holed up in the back of the attic,
It is kept secluded and out of reach, in the farthest, least accessible part of the house
crouched like a cat
Like a feline, it is crouching and poised, ready to pounce or retreat
you said i look like a stone sinking
You perceive me as sinking or falling, burdened by weight or pressure
but i am a constellation cut out in the sky
Despite your observation, I am still as visible and radiant as a group of stars in the sky
and if i have stopped burning
If my light and energy have faded away
will you know in your lifetime?
Will you be aware of my disappearance or loss in your lifetime?
and should i feel cold and far?
If I feel distant or disconnected from you, will you feel that as well?
and should i feel weightless?
If I feel ungrounded or untethered, will you sense my lack of stability?
i imagine safety in the stars
I find comfort and security in the constellations and celestial bodies above
'cause you make so many wishes.
You make many wishes and seek guidance from the stars
do you ever hear what the stars are saying to you?
Do you ever listen to and interpret the messages and signs from the stars?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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