In 1994 Masaki, one of the primary songwriters for Rivulets, w… Read Full Bio ↴:THE PAST
In 1994 Masaki, one of the primary songwriters for Rivulets, was playing guitar in various San Francisco based bands. At this time Rivulets was a studio only affair. Consisting of Masaki, Mark Blasquez and Nicki Wilson, the band released their first album, which was self-titled, on Eden Records. The album was primarily instrumental, and proved to be a critics favorite. But by 1995 Masaki was involved full time with another band, Dime Store Prophets.
The Dime Store Prophets schedule kept Masaki from focusing on Rivulets for a number of years. And for good reason, their hectic touring schedule took them all over the US several times and to Europe twice. Their 2 full-length albums: 1995's "Love Is Against The Grain", and 1997's "Fantastic Distraction", received critical acclaim, as the songwriting team of Masaki and Justin Stevens proved to be a powerful creative force. Dime Store was voted by BAM magazine to be one of the Bay Areas best local bands, and they were able to share the stage with a diverse selection of bands including: Sixpence None The Richer, Chris Isaak, Better Than Ezra, The Stray Cats, X, Mudhoney and many others. Masaki also met Jen Hollingsworth at a Dime Store show in Seattle; Jen would later become one of the vocalists and songwriters for Rivulets. By 1998 Dime Store decided to disband, leaving behind 2 albums, and possibly leaving Masaki more time to concentrate on Rivulets.
But Masaki did not find himself with an excess of time to work on his own band; instead he found that his skills as a producer and studio engineer were in great demand. He began focusing on producing records in 1998, working with a number of bands including Five Iron Frenzy, The W' s, Dryve, The Echoing Green, and others. Masaki also played violin, which was actually his first instrument, on albums by Dime Store and Dryve. When he wasn't producing records he would concentrate on Rivulets, which by this time included Masaki and Jen as the chief songwriters, and Sam Hernandez (formerly of Dime Store Prophets) on bass. In addition, Robyn Spitzer and Mindy Verdecchio joined the band as vocalists. With these musicians Masaki began working in earnest on the Rivulets album whenever he was not busy producing other bands. It became his labor of love, and by early 2000 the new Rivulets and Violets album, "Promise", was finished.
The addition of 3 female vocalists and new collaborations between Masaki and Jen has changed the overall sound of Rivulets quite a bit. As Masaki says, "I always wanted to have vocals more incorporated with the music. The first record was very experimental for me, and the vocals were an afterthought. The writing process for "Promise" was very different with Jen being a songwriter and lyricist, she helped to bring in the idea of vocals." Building on a strong musical foundation of drums, bass, guitar and violin are vocal harmonies which illuminate the album with a message of hope and love, of adoration and devotion, of peace, and of promise.
:THE PRESENT
Rivulets and Violets is currently on haiatus due to time constraints of Masaki and Jen, however there are talks of writing new songs as soon as time becomes available. Masaki is also trying to find time to remix the original album.
Touch
Rivulets and Violets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You say you are just thinking
Nothing that you want to share with me?
Do you still care?
Where is your heart?
Just tell me
Is there someone else?
Don't you want me?
What's the meaning of your silence?
Could this be the end?
There is no time for conversation
You don't even touch me
Where is your heart?
Just tell me
Is there someone else?
Is there someone you're loving?
Don't you want me?
Do-dooo-doo-doo-a-do-dooo-do-do
What's the matter with your expression?
You say you're just thinking
Nothing that you want to share with me?
Do you still care?
What's the meaning of your silence?
Could this be the end?
There is no time for conversation
You don't even touch me
The lyrics to Rivulets and Violets' song "Touch" convey a sense of confusion and disappointment in a relationship. The singer is trying to reach out to their partner, asking them to share what is on their mind and expressing their own feelings of doubt and insecurity. The repeated questioning of "where is your heart?" and "don't you want me?" highlight the fear of being not wanted or loved by the other person.
The use of silence and lack of touch as symbols throughout the song adds to the message of disconnection and distance in the relationship. The final line of the song, "you don't even touch me" captures the heartbreak of feeling emotionally and physically abandoned by someone you care about.
Overall, "Touch" is a poignant exploration of the complexities and challenges that can arise in relationships. The lyrics capture the raw emotions of love, doubt, and longing, and the music accompanies these lyrics with a haunting, contemplative melody that leaves a lasting impression.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the matter with your expression?
What is troubling you? Your face tells me there is something wrong.
You say you are just thinking
You claim that you are lost in thought, but I sense there may be something you are keeping from me.
Nothing that you want to share with me?
Is there something troubling you that you don't want to tell me?
Do you still care?
Is our connection still meaningful to you?
Where is your heart?
Where does your true loyalty lie?
Just tell me
I implore you to honestly communicate with me about your feelings.
Is there someone else?
Do you have romantic emotions towards another person?
Is there someone you're loving?
Is there another person who is capturing your affection?
Don't you want me?
Do you have desire for me in your heart?
What's the meaning of your silence?
Your quietness is alarming, and it makes me think that there is more you are not expressing.
Could this be the end?
I fear that this lack of communication and intimacy could signify the end of our relationship.
There is no time for conversation
Our busy lives have left us with little opportunity to discuss the things that matter.
You don't even touch me
Your lack of physical touch is leaving me feeling neglected and alone.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Marley, Neville Livingston, Peter Tosh, Rita Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind