2012 has started at the same amazing pace as 2011 for Scala & Kolacny Brothers, with a tour of Northern Spain, dates in Belgium, Germany, Italy and Ireland, an upcoming trip to Korea as well as TV appearances at ITV's Dancing On Ice (UK) and at the famous San Remo Festival... But 2011 was the breakout year for Scala & Kolacny Brothers as they conquered the United States and Canada with a major tour, in support of their first North American CD release, including headlining stages at SXSW and Coachella. This success was immediately followed by a first record release in the U.K., a sold out show at London's Union Chapel in June and a triumphant “special guest” performance at the Latitude Festival, where they played the prestigious Sunday noon slot. In June the group headlined at the Heineken Dia De La Musica in Madrid, in November the album ‘Scala & Kolacny Brothers’ was released in Italy, where it immediately hit the top 10 (!) and in December the group returned to 4 sold out shows in Berlin, as well as a Radio Eins very special-alternative-Christmas-songs special. 2011 has brought Scala & Kolacny Brothers the status of international phenomenon and it all seemed to start with a simple email.
When the email arrived in May 2010, the Kolacny brothers thought it was some kind of joke. “Yeah”, the brothers thought, “right.” But the request was genuine. And the film turned out to be The Social Network. It transpired that the director, David Fincher, is a huge fan.
The song in question is a hauntingly beautiful acoustic reworking of Radiohead¹s Creep. In July 2010, two months after the brothers received the email, the Social Network trailer was released. The powerful music was center stage, heightening a growing sense of unease like a chorus of fallen angels.
Like the film itself, the trailer has been a huge global hit more than 250m people have seen in the Cinema, on TV or online. Thanks in part to the subsequent buzz on social media, traffic to the brothers’ website went through the roof: their interpretation of Creep is an internet phenomenon, watched in various forms well over 25m times.
A record-label bidding war erupted in America but the brothers chose to sign with Atco, a subsidiary of Warner, with whom they had been negotiating. They released an eponymous album in in the US in March in the US and in the UK and most of the rest of Europe - 6 June 2011 (on Wall Of Sound). Italy followed in November of this year and the album was re-released in December in the UK, with two additional titles. In 2011 Scala & Kolacny Brothers also released 2 acclaimed video clips, for their versions of Use Somebody (directed by Inti Calfat) and Everlong (directed by Mark Woollen, who also directed the The Social Network trailer).
In September Scala & Kolacny Brother’s version of U2’s With Or Without You, was featured in the trailer for Season 2 of the British hit drama series Downton Abbey (broadcast in the USA on PBS where Scala & Kolacny Brothers also have their new special ‘Live From Bruges’ airing from December). And in December Scala’s version of Last Christmas was used in the trailer for the Downton Abbey Christmas special, while the group performed at Downton Abbey’s VIP Christmas special launch party in London.
But even with numerous TV shows (including 'the Simpsons'!) using Scala & Kolacny Brother’s music in 2011, it was the Social Network trailer which shone a spotlight on the unique musical project that is Scala & Kolacny Brothers an indie-rock choir, comprising of the two Kolacny brothers, Steven and Stijn, and Scala, their all-girl choir. Steven plays the piano, Stijn conducts the choir. The brothers usually work with 20-30 singers, aged 16-26, at a time, but these days have more than 200 girls on their books, ensuring plenty of cover for their increasingly busy schedule.
Scala & Kolacny Brothers take rock and indie songs and reinvent them as elegiac hymns to breathtaking effect with the piano often the sole accompaniment to the voices. On occasion they also use drum machines, sequencers and synthesizers, and also often perform with a full rock band.
The new album includes versions of Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana), Champagne Supernova (Oasis), With or Without You (U2), Use Somebody (Kings of Leon), Everlong (Foo Fighters) and more. Creep also features, as do three original compositions Seashell, Masquerade and Our Last Fight.
Rock and indie music works best because “the beating heart of the songs is often very black and very emotional, and the female voices of the choir add a certain melancholic touch”, says Stijn. “Sometimes they bring out whole new dimensions in the songs our version of Nothing Else Matters could be
classical music; its sound is nothing to do with Metallica anymore.” Other influences range from Sigur Ros to Nirvana and include the dark electro-pop of Goldfrapp and Depeche Mode, and the brooding mini-symphonies of Massive Attack.
Perfect Day
Scala & Kolacny Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
drink sangria in the park
And then later when it gets dark
we go home
Just a perfect day
feed animals in the zoo
Then later a movie too
Oh, it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spent it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
you just keep me hanging on
Just a perfect day
problems all left alone
We can do this on our own
it's such fun
Just a perfect day
you made me forget myself
I thought I was someone else
someone good
Oh, it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spent it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
you just keep me hanging on
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
"Perfect Day" is a song that speaks of a day that is flawless in every way possible, where everything falls into place in the most ideal way. The lyrics describe the different experiences of a couple spending the day together. The first verse talks about drinking sangria in the park during the day and then heading home as the sun sets. The second verse speaks about going to the zoo to feed animals, watching a movie together and then heading home. Both verses tell a story of a day spent with a loved one and how perfect it is.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the perfection of the day and how grateful the singer is for the person who spent it with them. The line "You just keep me hanging on" suggests that the person they spent the day with is essential to their happiness and well-being.
The final verse seems to break off from the rest of the lyrics by bringing in the theme of consequences. It repeats the phrase "You're going to reap just what you sow" three times, suggesting that everything they do has a consequence, and they will eventually have to face it.
Overall, "Perfect Day" is a song about ideal escapism with a loved one, a day where everything seems to go well, but it reminds us that we must face the consequences of our actions eventually.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a perfect day
A day that is absolutely perfect with no issues or problems.
drink sangria in the park
Enjoying a refreshing drink with friends or loved ones in a peaceful outdoor environment.
And then later when it gets dark
After enjoying the day, moving on to the nighttime activities.
we go home
Returning to the place where one feels safe and comfortable.
feed animals in the zoo
Spending time with animals, enjoying their presence and beauty.
Then later a movie too
Enjoying a relaxing pastime together, still in the presence of each other.
and then home
Returning to a place where they both feel loved and secure.
Oh, it's such a perfect day
Expressing appreciation for a day that is filled with happiness and contentment.
I'm glad I spent it with you
Acknowledging the importance of sharing time and experiences with loved ones.
You just keep me hanging on
Highlighting the fact that the company of a loved one brings comfort and happiness.
problems all left alone
Putting aside all worries or issues for the day and just enjoying each other's company.
We can do this on our own
Reinforcing the idea that they have each other and can handle anything together.
it's such fun
Expressing how enjoyable it is to spend time together without any outside stresses.
you made me forget myself
Feeling so comfortable and at ease with a loved one that one forgets about their own problems or worries for a moment.
I thought I was someone else
Feeling a sense of transformation in the presence of a loved one, and being reminded of how wonderful one can feel.
someone good
Feeling a sense of positivity and satisfaction within oneself.
You're going to reap just what you sow
A warning about the consequences of one's actions - that they will ultimately receive what they deserve.
You're going to reap just what you sow
Emphasizing the importance of acting wisely and making good choices, because the consequences will return to the individual in due course.
You're going to reap just what you sow
Encouraging individuals to do good and have integrity, as they will be rewarded with positive outcomes.
You're going to reap just what you sow
Reiterating that individuals are responsible for their own actions and outcomes in life.
Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.