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.
promise
Rivulets and Violets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reaching my soul
My love awakens me with just one touch
And I'm waiting and I'm waiting
For the dawn
Do not be afraid you will not suffer shame
Do not fear disgrace you will not be cast down
Though the mountains be shaken
And the hills removed
Yet my unfailing love for you
Will not be shaken
Nor my promise of peace removed
I rest in the shadow of your wings
My refuge my home
Touching me stirring me
The song "Promise" by Rivulets and Violets speaks about the experience of unconditional love and the promise that accompanies it. The lyrics describe a love that awakens and stirs the soul of the singer, providing them refuge and comfort. The singer is waiting for the dawn, perhaps symbolizing a new beginning, as they are reassured that they need not fear or be ashamed, and that the unfailing love that they have been promised will endure even in times of trouble.
The metaphor of mountains being shaken and hills being removed reinforces the idea that life may bring challenges, but the promise of love and peace will stay unshaken. The lyrics are likely inspired by Bible verses and religious motifs, as the phrase "rest in the shadow of your wings" references the Psalm 17:8, where the writer seeks the Lord's protection. The song's soothing melody and soft vocals convey a sense of calm and security, even amidst chaos or fear.
Line by Line Meaning
Stirring inside of me
I feel a deep stirring within myself
Reaching my soul
This stirring is touching the very essence of who I am
My love awakens me with just one touch
This stirring is fueled by the love that I feel, which has the power to awaken me with a single touch
And I'm waiting and I'm waiting
I am filled with anticipation and waiting patiently
For the dawn
For a new beginning, for a new day to start
Do not be afraid you will not suffer shame
There is no need to fear, for you will not be humiliated or tormented
Do not fear disgrace you will not be cast down
There is no need to be ashamed, for you will not be rejected
Though the mountains be shaken
Even if everything around me seems to fall apart and crumble down
And the hills removed
Even if the solid and stable parts of my world are taken away
Yet my unfailing love for you
Even through the toughest times, my love for you remains steadfast
Will not be shaken
My love is unshakeable and constant
Nor my promise of peace removed
My promise to bring you peace, despite the hardships, still stands
I rest in the shadow of your wings
I find comfort and security in your protective presence
My refuge my home
You are my safe haven, my dwelling place
Touching me stirring me
You have the power to move me and awaken feelings within me
Contributed by Connor P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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