Between 1999 and 2002, Perri released a series of 12"s (by Cog, Dot Wiggin, and Polmo Polpo) on his own Audi Sensa label. These early Polmo Polpo tracks were compiled and re-issued on CD in 2002 by Alien8 Recordings, after which Perri began work on a proper full-length, issued by Constellation in 2003.
In recent years, Perri has been singing original songs either solo (employing kick drum and guitar) or with a rotating cast of improvisers in a project under his own name. A self-released CDr of such recordings was re-issued by Constellation in 2006, featuring re-interpretations of tracks from his Polmo Polpo oeuvre, marked by vocals and live group playing - and notably, no 'electronics'. A full-length recording of brilliant new tunes was released on Constellation in the autumn of 2007, where one can hear musical influences as diverse as post-tropicalia Caetano Veloso, Vanguard-era Skip James (and his weary falsetto), and the 60s-era axis of hybrid songwriters like Tim Buckley, Tim Hardin, Harry Nilsson and Fred Neil. All of this filtered through the beautifully cracked musicianship of some of Toronto's finest young avant and improv players, and guided by Perri's wonderful melodic sense and brilliant lyrics.
Perri has toured extensively as Polmo Polpo, was part of the Constellation European Roadshow in 2004, was invited to Winnipeg's 'Send+Receive' festival that same year, and played Montreal's 'MUTEK' electronic music festival in 2005. Sandro has also performed at 'All Tomorrow's Parties' (UK), 'Domino' (Belgium), 'Printemps Du Bourges' (France) and 'Klangtransfer Ost-Fest' (Germany). Sandro has played and released music as part of Glissandro 70, Double Suicide and Dot Wiggin. Other past and present collaborators include Great Lake Swimmers, Eric Chenaux, Adam Marshall, Andre Ethier, Sawako, Detective Kalita/The Michael Parks, Andy Swan, Barzin, The Singing Saws and Tinkertoy.
Behind the board, Perri has engineered, produced or mastered recordings by Alex Lukashevsky, Deep Dark United, CJ Boyd, Off The International Radar, Castlemusic and more. He has also remixed material for the likes of Stephen Malkmus, Under Byen, Ultra Red, Greek Buck, Nilan Perera and Luis Jacob. He does most of his production work out of his Toronto home studio, The Honey Pot.
In 2016 he released the collaborative electronic album Off World 1, with a follow-up album simply entitled 2 released in 2017. In 2018 he released In Another Life, an experiment in "infinite songwriting" which consisted of two long tracks.
Family Tree
Sandro Perri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it lingers on, as you can't
break a bond so long;
and, in the meantime,
you get clean
as you take your time,
tracing the bloodline
through flesh on the vine
under the family tree,
beyond the leaves you can't see
(and how unwillingly)
you let your seeds grow-
there they go,
leaving you to sow
bereft are your leaves,
beset with weeds
and, in your descendancy,
define a picture of needs
that should never have been
no, they should not,
cos it was
not created for you
to empty your blood upon-
you got your own
and i feel empty,
as i see i'm not much farther.
you run for cover with the island daughter;
here in your mirror, we're getting smaller.
and it's healthy,
but it's killing me to bother
you run, full of the feathers of a father,
a sister, brother; now me, your mother
The lyrics to Sandro Perri's song "Family Tree" explore the complexities of family relationships and the legacy passed down from generation to generation. The first verse acknowledges that even when devotion fades, the bond of family continues, as it is deeply rooted and spans across time. The second verse delves deeper into the themes of heritage, ancestry, and the burdens inherited from those who came before. The metaphor of the family tree represents the interconnectedness of generations and alludes to the idea that we are the products of our past.
The chorus speaks to the struggle of parenting and the responsibility of maintaining a family legacy. The singer reflects on their own emptiness and distance from their family and the pain they feel at seeing the same patterns play out with the next generation. The last line, "now me, your mother," subverts expectations and flips the traditional gender roles, highlighting the complexity and variety of family structures.
Overall, the lyrics of "Family Tree" are introspective, contemplative and offer a nuanced exploration of the joys and struggles of family life.
Line by Line Meaning
though devotion is gone,
Even though the loyalty is not there anymore,
it lingers on, as you can't
It still remains because you cannot
break a bond so long;
Break a long-lasting relationship;
and, in the meantime,
Meanwhile,
you get clean
You become pure
as you take your time,
As you go at your own pace,
tracing the bloodline
Tracking the lineage
through flesh on the vine
By examining the physical appearance of family members
under the family tree,
Under the tree that represents the family
beyond the leaves you can't see
Past the branches that cannot be seen
(and how unwillingly)
(Against your will)
you let your seeds grow-
You allowed your children to grow up
there they go,
Off they go
leaving you to sow
Leaving you to plant
bereft are your leaves,
Your branches are barren
beset with weeds
Overgrown with unwanted things
and, in your descendancy,
In your descendants,
define a picture of needs
Create a description of necessities
that should never have been
That should never have existed
no, they should not,
No, they shouldn't
cos it was
Because it was
not created for you
Not made for you
to empty your blood upon-
To spill your blood for
you got your own
You have your own family
and i feel empty,
And I feel hollow,
as i see i'm not much farther.
As I realize that I haven't gone much further.
you run for cover with the island daughter;
You seek shelter with your child who lives on an isolated island;
here in your mirror, we're getting smaller.
In the reflection, we are shrinking.
and it's healthy,
And that's good for you,
but it's killing me to bother
But it's painful for me to be involved,
you run, full of the feathers of a father,
You flee, with the attributes of a parent,
a sister, brother; now me, your mother
A sibling, and now me, your mother.
Writer(s): Sandro Perri
Contributed by David D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Irco Arff
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