Small Black started with a name and worked backwards: a housemate of singer/multi-instrumentalist Josh Kolenik came up with the moniker on a cold Portland, Oregon night. The name stuck when he returned to Long Island, New York and began collaborating with Ryan Heyner, an area musician and former member of the hardcore band Silent Majority who shared friends with Kolenik. The pair holed up in the attic of the beach house and surfboard shop Kolenik's uncle owned to record songs with vintage keyboards and samplers, spending late 2008 and early 2009 recording as Uncle Matt made surfboards underneath them.
Though Kolenik had played in several bands before Small Black, the mix of shoegaze and synth pop he and Heyner hit upon felt special, and the group's lineup was complete once bassist/guitarist Juan Pieczanski and Jeff Curtin from Kolenik's previous band, Slowlands, joined to bolster production and fill out their live act. Small Black released their self-titled five-song EP on their own CassClub label in October 2009, and released the U.K. single "Despicable Dogs" as well as a video for that song featuring Uncle Matt soon after. Following their performances at that year’s CMJ Music Marathon, Small Black signed to Jagjaguwar Records, which reissued the band’s debut EP with two bonus tracks in 2010. That year, they also released a split single with the like-minded Washed Out, with whom they also toured. New Chain, the band's first full-length, boasted a slightly more polished sound that reflected their consistent touring as well as their interest in hip-hop and arrived in October 2010. In late 2011, the band offered the Moon Killer mixtape as a free download from their website. The collection of new material was built on samples ranging from Pere Ubu to Nicki Minaj and featured multiple drop-ins from Das Racist MC Heems as well as remixes from Star Slinger and Phonetag.
After spending much of 2012 on the road, Small Black returned with May 2013's Limits of Desire, a more sophisticated-sounding set influenced by Talk Talk and the Blue Nile. They covered the latter band's classic "Downtown Lights" on the following year's Real People EP, which had a more dancefloor-oriented style and featured vocals from Frankie Rose. Small Black's passion for sophisti-pop grew on October 2015's Best Blues. Recorded by the band in their Brooklyn home studio and mixed by Nicholas Vernhes at the Rare Book Room Studio, the album included contributions from trumpeter Darby Cicci of the Antlers and vocalist Kaede Ford. Soon after Best Blues' release, Kolenik's Uncle Matt passed away, and the memory of him inspired many of the songs on Small Black's fourth album. Arriving on 100% Electronica in April 2021, the reflective Cheap Dreams found the band returning from their hiatus with an extra dose of goth to their synth pop reveries. In 2023, Small Black looked back with a pair of archival releases. They commemorated the tenth anniversary of Limits of Desire with a deluxe edition of the album, and also issued a deluxe version of their debut EP that included previously unreleased songs from their early beach house sessions.
Biography by Heather Phares for ALLMUSIC
Driftwood Fire
Small Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for the right?
didn't expect anybody else
out tonight
thought I left you in the basement
buffing out the dings
you're never gonna get out there
keep on
riding the storm
keep on
riding where you are
driftwood fire
on the shore
seen from the water
driftwood fire
on the shore
seen from the water
stitching up a leg wound
underneath the boardwalk
still can smell the rain
a good month
didn't pay the rent
sleeping in the parking lot again
doesn't make you crazy
maybe you were out there?
maybe i was out there?
just keep on riding
where you are
driftwood fire
on the shore
seen from the water
driftwood fire
on the shore
leads you from the water
driftwood fire
leads you
from the water
leads you
from the water
leads you
from the water
"Driftwood Fire" by Small Black encapsulates a reflective and emotive landscape, weaving together themes of isolation, longing, and resilience. The opening lines introduce a sense of presence and anticipation. The phrase "you know I'm here for the right?" implies a commitment or a sense of purpose, suggesting that the singer is in a place for a reason, even if it’s not immediately clear what that reason is. The mention of not expecting anyone else out reinforces a feeling of solitude, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of connection and emotional ties. This duality of being present for the right reasons while also feeling the weight of loneliness invites listeners to ponder their own experiences of searching for meaning in moments of isolation.
As the narrative unfolds, the lyrics reveal a metaphorical layer through the imagery of being left “in the basement” and “buffing out the dings.” These lines could signify a personal struggle or an attempt to overcome past wounds and imperfections. The suggestion that "you're never gonna get out there on that thing" implies a situation where someone feels stuck or hindered, perhaps by their own fears or circumstances. This juxtaposition between the desire to move forward and the reality of feeling trapped creates a tension that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced moments of inertia in their life. The urgency to confront the storm—whether it be emotional turmoil or external chaos—is emphasized through the repeated encouragement to "keep on riding the storm" and "riding where you are." This repetition serves as a mantra of sorts, underscoring the resilience necessary to navigate personal challenges.
The chorus, revolving around "driftwood fire on the shore, seen from the water," introduces a striking visual metaphor that embodies the themes of both transience and solace. Driftwood evokes notions of remnants, things that have washed ashore, suggesting a connection to past experiences and the natural cycle of life. The fire implies warmth and light, a spark of hope amidst the uncertainty of the sea, which can symbolize both obstacles and the vastness of one’s journey. This repeated imagery of the driftwood fire seen from the water offers a dual perspective—one that suggests looking at life from both the shore, as an observer, and from the water, as a participant. This interplay captures a sense of duality in the human experience: the desire to belong while simultaneously grappling with feelings of displacement.
The latter part of the lyrics introduces a sense of vulnerability and the struggle to make ends meet, with references to a "leg wound" and sleeping in a parking lot. These elements create a gritty realism that starkly contrasts the more ethereal imagery of the driftwood fire, underscoring the hardships that the singer faces. The juxtaposition of physical pain and emotional resilience highlights the complexity of navigating life's challenges. "Maybe you were out there? maybe I was out there?" reflects a longing for connection and understanding amidst shared struggles. The repeated calls to "keep on riding where you are" suggest an acceptance of one’s current situation, encouraging a form of perseverance in the face of adversity. As the song loops back to the driftwood fire, it reiterates that, despite the chaos and uncertainties, there is always a light guiding one away from the water—a beacon of hope that resonates throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
you know I'm here
You are aware of my presence in this moment.
for the right?
I am here for a purpose that feels just and true.
didn't expect anybody else
I was surprised to find that I am not alone in this experience.
out tonight
It's an unusual night to be in this place, perhaps under the stars or in the open.
thought I left you in the basement
I believed I had put our past behind us, buried in a forgotten part of my memory.
buffing out the dings
I was trying to smooth over the flaws and imperfections of our past.
you're never gonna get out there
You may struggle to step into the world beyond your current circumstances.
on that thing
In reference to the vehicle or method that might take you there, which seems inadequate.
keep on
Continue to persevere and move forward despite challenges.
riding the storm
Navigating through the tumultuous and unpredictable parts of life.
keep on
Persist in your journey.
riding where you are
Stay steadfast in your current situation, making the best of it.
driftwood fire
A flickering source of warmth and hope, made from fragments of what has washed ashore.
on the shore
Positioned at the edge of the land, where the familiar meets the unknown.
seen from the water
Perceived from a perspective that feels distant yet intimate, offering a broader view.
driftwood fire
The same source of hope and resilience, representing both beauty and survival.
on the shore
Again, rooted in a place that is both a refuge and a boundary.
seen from the water
Viewed from an alternate angle that offers fresh insights into its significance.
stitching up a leg wound
Healing from past traumas, mending what is broken and damaged within.
underneath the boardwalk
In a hidden or overlooked space, symbolizing life's overlooked struggles.
still can smell the rain
The lingering scent of nature's cleansing, a sign of renewal and emotional depth.
a good month
A time filled with positive experiences, perhaps contrasting with current circumstances.
didn't pay the rent
Facing the harsh reality of financial struggles and instability.
sleeping in the parking lot again
Returning to a state of displacement, finding temporary refuge in an unwelcoming space.
doesn't make you crazy
These experiences, while difficult, do not define your mental state or sanity.
maybe you were out there?
Wondering if you were also navigating through your own challenges and uncertainties.
maybe i was out there?
Reflecting on the shared journey and mutual experiences of struggle.
just keep on riding
However uncertain, maintain momentum in your journey through life.
where you are
Continue to exist and thrive in your immediate environment, embracing the moment.
driftwood fire
A signal of endurance and warmth, marking the presence of life's influence.
on the shore
Celebrating a place where the past and future collide in a gentle embrace.
seen from the water
The observation grows richer when viewed through the lens of life’s currents.
driftwood fire
Emphasizing its importance once more, a reminder of resilience amid struggle.
on the shore
Once again underscoring the significance of being anchored in this place.
leads you from the water
Guiding you toward new directions and possibilities beyond the turbulence of life.
leads you
Offering continued guidance and support through life’s transitions.
from the water
Transcending the confines of familiar struggles, pushing you forward.
leads you
Reinforcing the notion of guidance that is ever-present in life's journey.
from the water
Imploring you to rise above, allowing the journey to evolve beyond what is known.
leads you
A reminder that hope and resilience continuously direct our path.
from the water
Reiterating the importance of transcending past difficulties in pursuit of growth.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JEFFREY CURTIN, JOSHUA KOLENIK, JUAN PIECZANSKI, LINDSEY FRENCH, RYAN HEYNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@spectrebeast
this song gets better every time i hear it. idk how i went through half of 2021 without discovering this...no less than 2 weeks before I'll see them live.
@dreamwalker3737
Take me back in warm 2021
@familydude51
Best song on the album
@joejoecolombo
CANT WAIT FOR NEW ALBUM!!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!
@virtualgal7912
SAME AND I AGREE
@pathogensmusick
I've been waiting five years for a new album of the dreamy melancholy brilliance that is Small Black.
@VLuch
space music. my favorite track in 2021
@spexto1284
Late night, walking home vibes
@coreyerickson795
Another masterpiece by Small Black
@Cicada_3301Project
Al Always , a drug for my spirit.
sounds like a mix between THE SHAMEN and FULL MOON SCIENTIST. Regards from Chile.