Long time friends and former band mates, Brooks Cullum (vocals/guitar), and Pedro Aida (guitar, backing vocals) formed the framework of Roslyn in 2007 and rounded out the line up by adding fellow Richmonder Alex Smith (bass) and Pennsylvania native Greg Butler (drums) in mid-2008.
In the few short months that Roslyn has been a fully-functioning, rockin' foursome, they have played all of Richmond's premier venues, including The Canal Club, Toad's Place, and the recently reopened National Theater. They have also released a 4 song sampler from their upcoming full-length "On Display", recorded at Aida's own Detached Sound Studio.
Richmond radio station Y101 has featured Roslyn single "Suicide Girl" on it's local music show Community Service, as well as having them perform live acoustic on the show. Roslyn also took part in the Y101 Rock Off, an annual event by the station, where local bands compete to open for a national act. With few live performances under their belt at the time, Roslyn beat out over 20 already established Richmond bands, making it to the final round and ultimately receiving second place over all. They were also featured in a video from local band showcaser Streaming Richmond and have been profiled in Style Weekly Magazine and most recently in WORK Magazine.
Aida and Butler, in a previous band (River City High), appeared on MTV's Dew Circuit Breakout, performing live in the MTV Times Square Studios. The band won the competition.
As 2009 begins, Roslyn plans to take the opportunity to sit down to write new material since adding new members and work towards releasing a full length record. This year can only hold great things for Roslyn - with rock & roll in their blood and the utmost quality in their musicianship, the sky is the limit for this Richmond foursome.
Bon Iver & St. Vincent
Roslyn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aren't we just terrified?
Shale, screen your worry
From what you won't ever find
Don't let it fool you
Don't let it fool you down
Down's sitting round, folds in the gown
Sea and the rock below
Cocked to the undertow
Bones, blood and teeth erode
With every crashing node
Wings wouldn't help you
Wings wouldn't help you down
Down fills the ground, gravity's proud
You barely are blinking
Wagging your face around
When'd this just become a mortal home?
Won't, won't, won't, won't
Won't let you talk me
Won't let you talk me down
Will pull it taut, nothing let out
The lyrics of Roslyn's song Bon Iver & St. Vincent are quite cryptic, and they leave much for interpretation. The song explores the themes of fear and worry, the erosion of time on human beings, and the power of gravity. The opening lines, "Up with your turret / Aren't we just terrified?" allude to the idea of protecting oneself from external threats, yet the underlying sense of fear remains. The second line, "Shale, screen your worry / From what you won't ever find" speaks to the fact that sometimes the things we worry about are things that we have no control over and may, in fact, never occur.
The chorus, "Don't let it fool you / Don't let it fool you down / Down's sitting round, folds in the gown" is a message of hope amidst the sense of despair. The lines, "Sea and the rock below / Cocked to the undertow / Bones, blood and teeth erode / With every crashing node" describe the relentless impact of time on human life, and how ultimately, everything will be erased with time. The lines, "Wings wouldn't help you / Wings wouldn't help you down / Down fills the ground, gravity's proud" speaks of the power of gravity, and how it ultimately affects everything, including humans.
The last few lines, "You barely are blinking / Wagging your face around / When'd this just become a mortal home? / Won't, won't, won't, won't / Won't let you talk me / Won't let you talk me down / Will pull it taut, nothing let out" express the thoughts of the singer who refuses to be talked down by their fears and anxieties. The final line, "Will pull it taut, nothing let out," is a message of resilience and determination to conquer one's fears and not let them affect one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Up with your turret
Raise your head up high
Aren't we just terrified?
Are we not all afraid?
Shale, screen your worry
Hide your worries like a layer of rock
From what you won't ever find
From what you will never discover
Don't let it fool you
Do not let it deceive you
Don't let it fool you down
Do not let it bring you down
Down's sitting round, folds in the gown
Depression is lurking around, weighing heavy on you
Sea and the rock below
The ocean and the solid ground underneath
Cocked to the undertow
Pulled in the current's strong force
Bones, blood and teeth erode
Our physical selves slowly break down
With every crashing node
With each wave that hits
Wings wouldn't help you
Even if you had wings
Wings wouldn't help you down
They would not keep you from falling
Down fills the ground, gravity's proud
Depression takes over, anchored by gravity
You barely are blinking
You are hardly even reacting
Wagging your face around
Putting on a fake smile
When'd this just become a mortal home?
When did this earthly life become our only concern?
Won't, won't, won't, won't
I will not
Won't let you talk me
I will not let others influence me
Won't let you talk me down
I will not let others bring me down
Will pull it taut, nothing let out
Will keep it together, not letting anything show
Contributed by Noah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Your-Local_Gamer
The song "Rosyln" by Bon Iver & St. Vincent is open to interpretation, and different listeners may find different meanings in the lyrics. However, here is a possible interpretation:
The lyrics evoke a sense of fear and uncertainty. The imagery of being up in a turret and feeling terrified suggests a feeling of vulnerability and being on guard. The line "Shale, screen your worry from what you won't ever find" could mean hiding worries or fears from something that will never be discovered or resolved.
The song mentions dancing and folds in a gown, which could represent a moment of escape or distraction from the underlying anxieties. However, the references to the sea, rock, bones, blood, and teeth eroding suggest a sense of decay or impending destruction.
The line "Wings wouldn't help you down" could imply that even with the ability to fly or escape, there's no way to avoid facing the challenges or consequences. The mention of gravity being proud reinforces the idea of being pulled down or grounded.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The line "When'd this just become a mortal home?" suggests a realization of the transience of human existence.
The repetition of "Won't let you talk me down" could indicate a refusal to be discouraged or influenced by negative forces. The final line "We'll pull it taut, nothing let out" could symbolize holding everything tightly together, not allowing emotions or vulnerabilities to be exposed.
Overall, the song seems to explore themes of fear, uncertainty, mortality, and the struggle to maintain resilience and inner strength in the face of challenges.
@AuroraVibes
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@dheasilalahi9695
😀🙂 my life full of smile :)
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🦋
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⛓ ;-;
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@rusting.console7397
who misses the time when you didn’t even know about depression. biggest regret is wanting to grow up.
@unknown-lj6og
i remember wanting to grow up
@faze_kicker1097
ikr.
@LeNoir0497
I liked your comment because it'll be your 1k likes ;)
Btw , how do you live before knowing about depression? I mean idk about depression cause back then mental illnesses were severely stigmatized we only know about schizophrenia, but looking back yeah i do have depression since i was a kid, only difference is that I'm diagnosed at 18, but it's been around since i was 5, 24 now and still under medications.. well most of it thanks to my broken family..
I really wonder how or what 'normal' to others feel like.