Revealing a sharp songwriting instinct and unfolding a distinct indie rock influence, the Secret Machines unveil singular scenarios and refined tunes within the alternative pop/rock scene. Guitarist Benjamin Curtis, Drummer Josh Garza, and Brandon Curtis (vocals, bass, keys) formed the Secret Machines in the midst of summer of 2000, in Dallas, TX. The trio swiftly managed to create its own sounding marks, mostly due to a common musical and band experience. Before forming the Machines, the Curtis brothers played with the punk rock squad Ufofu; in addition, Brandon’s also a regular headliner of the Dallas underground music scene, namely through his active participation in projects such as captain audio alongside Garza. After several months of rehearsals and recording sessions in Chicago with engineer Brian Deck, the Machines offered their debut disc, the EP September 000, in March of 2002. After touring throughout much of 2002, the band returned to their adopted hometown of New York City and began recording the debut full-length for Reprise with producer Jeff Blenkinsopp. The album Now Here is Nowhere was released in May of 2004. This was then followed up by their second full length album Ten Silver Drops, released in April 2006 to mixed critical responses.
While working on their third album, Benjamin left the band to continue his work with School of Seven Bells, a new project with members of the disbanded On!Air!Library!. Josh and Brandon have been joined by guitarist and vocalist Phil Karnats, restoring the band to a three-piece.
The Secret Machines are featured on the soundtrack for Universal’s movie musical, “Across the Universe”.
In 2008, the Secret Machines joined the ranks of other iconic artists such as NIN, Radiohead, and Pearl jam, who are putting their music out without the support of a major label. Having recently parted ways with Warner Brothers, their follow up album to 2006’s Ten Silver Drops will be self-released on TSM Recordings on October 14, and features 8 new tracks: ‘Atomic Heels’, ‘Last Believer’, ‘Drop Dead’, ‘Have I Run Out’, ‘Underneath The Concrete’, ‘Now You’re Gone’, ‘The Walls Are Starting to Crack’, ‘I Never Thought To Ask’ and ‘The Fire Is Waiti
After much press speculation and heresy, er...hearsay... here's the REAL story, as only the band can tell it. As they prepare for their upcoming UK/EU tour and to celebrate the release of their third album, Secret Machines (featuring 2 bonus tracks), in the UK - the band have spoken publicly for the first time since the departure of former guitarist Benjamin Curtis.
"Secret Machines is supposed to be a vehicle for us to be ourselves and play and do what we wanted to do, and that's why Ben left." - Brandon Curtis
"I wouldn't have joined them if they hadn't been open-minded in that way." - Phil Karnats
"We wanted someone who could just grab it. We're really tough musicians, if you can play, cool - if not, get the hell outta here. Phil can hang." - Josh Garza
Released today on the band's social network www.thesecretmachines.com, the uncensored video clip of Brandon, Josh and Phil - who speaks out for the first time on camera - reveals what really happened, why Benjamin left, and how they rose above uncertainty to continue the musical revolution known as The Secret Machines.
Check out the never-before-seen-footage , Part 1 in a series. Shot in hi-def by Susan Stahman and Howard Berger, courtesy of PalmDoorFilms.
https://secretmachines.lnk.to/awake
Now Here Is Nowhere
Secret Machines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nearly nowhere
Found, unearthed
A moment burst with all of us
Relfecting dust in the oh, most high (oh, most high)
As morning light bled
Over glass white
Burned out daylight
As I turned, it thurst its softly worn
The newly born
In the hardly there (hardly there)
Who rests
In dust?
Who moves
In air?
(Our lives
Erased
Our lives
Erased
Our lives
Our lives
Our lives)
Swollen nowhere
Breathes,
Laughs
Don't you see?
All this time (all this time)
All this space (all this space)
All these words
(Our lives
Our lives)
(Swollen nowhere
Breathes,
Laughs
Don't you see?)
(All this time
All this space
All these words)
The song “Now Here Is Nowhere” by Secret Machines is an exploration of existentialism and the human experience. The opening lines, “Aging eyesore, nearly nowhere, found unearthed,” set the tone for an introspective examination of the human condition. The lines evoke a sense of abandonment and alienation, with the singer feeling like an “aging eyesore” in a world that is “nearly nowhere.” As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the transience of life, with the lines “our lives erased” repeated throughout the song.
The chorus is particularly poignant, with the lines “Who rests in dust? Who moves in air?” serving as a meditation on mortality. The song seems to suggest that while our physical bodies may return to dust, our souls or spirits live on in some way. The line “swollen nowhere breathes, laughs, don't you see?” reinforces this idea. Despite the sense of desolation and emptiness conveyed throughout the song, there is also a sense of hope and wonder. The lines “all this time, all this space, all these words” suggest that there is meaning to be found in the human experience, even if it is ultimately fleeting.
Line by Line Meaning
Aging eyesore
An old and unsightly object that has been neglected and abandoned over time.
Nearly nowhere
A place that is almost insignificant or unnoticeable, but still exists.
Found, unearthed
Discovered and brought to light after being hidden or buried away for a long time.
A moment burst with all of us
An intense and powerful moment that was shared by everyone present and felt deeply.
Reflecting dust in the oh, most high (oh, most high)
The dust is illuminated by the sun, making it appear to be reflecting light like it's up in the sky.
As morning light bled
The sun is rising and spreading its light across the sky like a wound bleeding out.
Over glass white
The sunlight is shining over a white or reflective surface, such as a window or mirror.
Burned out daylight
The sun has reached its peak and is now slowly fading away as night approaches.
Plain and just
Simple and straightforward, nothing out of the ordinary or unexpected.
As I turned, it thurst its softly worn
As the artist turns to look at something, it becomes more noticeable and present, though it still looks old and worn down.
The newly born
Something that is brand new and fresh, as if just born.
In the hardly there (hardly there)
Something that is barely there or almost imperceptible, but still exists in a tangible way.
Who rests
In dust?
Who or what is buried and at rest, covered by a layer of dust?
Who moves
In air?
Who or what is moving through the air around us?
(Our lives
Erased
Our lives
Erased
Our lives
Our lives
Our lives)
Our lives are fleeting and temporary, disappearing as soon as they happen, but still leaving an impact and legacy behind.
Swollen nowhere
Breathes,
Laughs
Don't you see?
Even the most insignificant and unnoticeable things around us have a life and energy of their own, if we only take the time to recognize it.
All this time (all this time)
All this space (all this space)
All these words
Time, space, and words are all infinite and seemingly boundless, yet at the same time, they are limited and fleeting, making them even more precious and valuable.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BENJAMIN DAVID CURTIS, BRANDON CURTIS, JOSH GARZA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind