chris cunningham: guitar, piano, bass, violin, mandolin, x… Read Full Bio ↴Band Members:
chris cunningham: guitar, piano, bass, violin, mandolin, xylophone, paranoid words, intrusive gestures.
brantley duke: singing, xylophone, percussion, looking good
matt badger: Lt. Commander of percussion
Bio:
After teaching overseas in the Marshall Islands, Chris Cunningham returned to Seattle in 2008 and met Brantley Duke, a local record engineer and musician. Within two months of their introduction, the pair began writing and playing music together. They shared a common interest in darker sounding melodies combined with intricate vocal harmonies.
In the spring of 2009, a talented Seattle drummer by the name of Matt Badger was introduced to Chris at a show. After a 5 minute conversation, Matt was invited to join the project.
The trio spent the summer of ‘09 practicing and writing together, then began recording what would become their first full-length, a 14 track album titled “Demons and Lakes.”
Since the album’s release in January 2010, Ravenna Woods has been enjoying a large amount of local support, consistent airplay on Seattle’s KEXP 90.3, and very favorable press (local and international).
Ravenna Woods was awarded the title of ‘Best Acoustic Indie Band of 2010’ by Seattle Magazine, and got voted into KEXPs top 90 albums of 2010.
Ravenna is currently wrapping up their upcoming effort – “Valley of the Headless Men.”
The sound can best be described as innovative acoustic indie music that weaves together haunting vocal harmonies, complex finger picking, and unconventional percussion into complex song structures.
An Atoll
Ravenna Woods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People – living good and living right; they′re just taking walks and having talks
Through the days and nights...
Waking up in the middle of the night – you'll hold the spear and I′ll be shining the light.
Little lanterns on the ocean side, floating down a star lit trail in the dead of the night...
They shared every last thing that they had, so we shared our lives together -
Through the good and bad.
I had many laughs and even fights – I had parents, friends and relatives
I remember a little girl that died, went to her funeral – her relatives were right by her side.
Playing music in my old classroom;
Students sneaking outta their dorms just to catch a tune.
Gotta keep the little kids in school
To learn about the politics of old men, guns and rich fools...
The lyrics of Ravenna Woods's song "An Atoll" describe a small village in the middle of the ocean where people live a simple life, taking walks and having talks through the day and night. The verses evoke a sense of community and togetherness that is rare to find in modern times. The chorus talks about waking up in the middle of the night to hold a spear and shine a light while little lanterns float down a starlit trail in the dead of the night. The residents of the village shared everything they had so that the singer could share their lives together, through the good and bad. The singer reminisces about having parents, friends, and relatives on the island, and even shares memories of a little girl who died.
The lyrics then take on a darker tone as the singer talks about the need to keep little kids in school to protect them from the politics of old men, guns, and rich fools. The song ends with a reference to playing music in an old classroom while students sneak out of their dorms to catch a tune. The lyrics suggest that the simple life of the village, with its sense of community and togetherness, is a rare and treasured thing that must be protected from the greed and corruption of the outside world.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a little village that I saw in the middle of the ocean.
The singer has seen a small village located in the middle of the ocean.
People – living good and living right; they′re just taking walks and having talks Through the days and nights...
The people in the village are happy and peaceful, spending their days and nights walking and talking.
Waking up in the middle of the night – you'll hold the spear and I′ll be shining the light. Little lanterns on the ocean side, floating down a star lit trail in the dead of the night...
The singer and another person are awake in the middle of the night, with one holding a spear and the other shining a light. They see little lanterns floating on the ocean, creating a trail of light.
They shared every last thing that they had, so we shared our lives together - Through the good and bad.
The villagers are so generous that the artist and their companions also shared their lives with them, both in good times and bad.
I had many laughs and even fights – I had parents, friends and relatives On that little island.
The artist had many experiences on the island, including moments of joy and conflict, along with their family, friends, and loved ones.
I remember a little girl that died, went to her funeral – her relatives were right by her side.
The singer recalls attending the funeral of a young girl on the island, with her family members present.
Playing music in my old classroom; Students sneaking outta their dorms just to catch a tune.
The singer and others played music in a classroom, with students sneaking out of their dormitories to listen.
Gotta keep the little kids in school To learn about the politics of old men, guns and rich fools...
The artist believes it is important for children to stay in school to learn about politics, including the actions of wealthy, armed individuals.
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.