In 2005, the band recorded their debut album, Good and Reckless and True, with producer Jay Joyce in Nashville, TN. The next few years were spent touring and honing their live sound. In 2006, the band won an Independent Music Award for the song "Ordinary." Later that year, the band signed with Vanguard Records.
In 2007, the band re-released Good and Reckless and True on Vanguard, and released a limited-edition acoustic album. This latter album, available only at shows, was affectionately titled The Brooklawn Sessions, referring to the house where Tim and then bass player Chip Johnson lived and recorded the album. On April 10, 2007, the Alternate Routes performed their single "Time is a Runaway" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
In 2008, the band recorded their follow-up LP, Sucker's Dream, again with Jay Joyce in Nashville. While waiting for its release in February 2009, the band recorded a five song EP, The Watershed EP, at Tarquin Studios with producer Peter Katis in their hometown of Bridgeport.
In 2010, longtime band member Chip Johnson left the band to pursue his home studio, Alpine Red.
The Alternate Routes parted ways with Vanguard Records in 2010 and shortly headed back to Nashville to begin work on their third studio album, Lately. Produced by Teddy Morgan at Barrio East in Nashville over the course of 6 weeks, the album featured drummer Richard Medek and multi-instrumentalist Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket.
“The way that I make is my own, but I know what I’m in for,” sings Tim Warren, front man and co-founder of The Alternate Routes.
Whatever fate has in store for this promising young band, it’s sure to make for a good story…and an even better song. Since 2002, The Alternate Routes have never been afraid to roll the dice during their brief and turbulent journey, always relying upon their heartfelt brand of music to pull them through the ups and downs that come with the territory. It’s a trait evident in their powerful Vanguard Records debut, Good and Reckless and True, a memorable, incredibly confident opening statement from a band that takes nothing for granted.
Warren recalls the initial meeting with his future songwriting partner/lead-guitarist, Eric Donnelly, between classes at Connecticut’s Fairfield University. “Eric and I appreciated the same things about music,” Warren says. "When we started out, we didn't really fit in anywhere. We played everywhere we could, at bars, clubs, coffee shops …but we always believed in what we were doing. We believed our music was important and we’ve never lost that feeling.”
The duo’s path crossed with that of bassist Chip Johnson during a brief residency in the Boston area. He was a skinny, mild-mannered presence—a kid who could pick up any instrument and make it his own. “I always say that Tim and I had the songs, but we didn’t have a band until we met Chip,” says Donnelly.
The months following Johnson’s arrival were important ones, the trio hung onto their music, their ideals, refining their sound and never lost focus. They turned each humbling moment into a lesson, each gig into a learning experience and established the all-or-nothing attitude that has come to define them.
Desdemona
The Alternate Routes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear you mourning at the dawn
Desdemona, ask which side
Of all this lying are you on
Did you build yourself a runway?
Did you tell yourself tomorrow?
Did you cry?
When you tell yourself that everything's alright?
Cause I see a distance in your smile
And what your Mondays have become
Could be the rest of your life
Desdemona, you're not dead yet
No it's not wrong
If you want everything in life under the sun
Under the sun
Desdemona, you're in love
Do not forget about yourself
Desdemona, bring the people
That you love inside your hell
Cause you are younger in the eyes of those who see you
Please forget about the time
Throw yourself out on these brave and empty branches
In the winter waiting high.
Everybody's out there killing time
But I will be damned to lets you stand here killing mine.
Don't you know we're gonna change a whole world the day
We stop waiting on the world to change
Desdemona, we are not so very different
Do you see?
At the moment braver still
Than what our minds let us believe
Even the walls the will surround you
Somehow steady by your very own hands
I don't know just how to change you
All I know is how to tell you that you can
Cause I'll never tell you how to live
But you keep on telling me
That's just the way it is
Desdemona more then anything I know
Never tell yourself that's just the way it goes
I know it goes
But what do I know
The song "Desdemona" by The Alternate Routes is a motivational anthem that encourages the singer named Desdemona to break free from her self-imposed limitations and take control of her life. The lyrics urge her to ask herself which side she is on and to help herself along the journey. The song suggests that Desdemona is mourning at the dawn, which may imply that she is feeling regretful about something in her life. The songwriter asks if she has built herself a runway, told herself tomorrow or cried. These lines suggest that Desdemona might be hesitant in taking action and may be prone to procrastination.
The songwriter mentions that Desdemona is in love and must not forget about herself. The lyrics urge her to bring the people she loves inside her "hell" which means the difficult phase of her life. The song encourages Desdemona to forget about time and throw herself out on "these brave and empty branches" in the winter waiting high. These lines suggest that Desdemona must take risks and not hesitate in starting anew. The song suggests that Desdemona can change herself and her situation if she wants to by reminding her that she is younger in the eyes of those who see her.
Overall, the song has a hopeful message that encourages the listener to live their life to the fullest and take control of their destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
Desdemona, help yourself
Encouraging and empowering Desdemona to take control of her own life and choices.
I hear you mourning at the dawn
Acknowledging and empathizing with Desdemona's feelings of sadness and despair.
Desdemona, ask which side
Urging Desdemona to take a stance and be honest with herself about what she truly believes.
Of all this lying are you on
Asking Desdemona to examine the lies that she may be telling herself or others, and to consider whether she wants to align herself with truth or falsehood.
Did you build yourself a runway?
Questioning whether Desdemona has created an escape route or coping mechanism for herself.
Did you tell yourself tomorrow?
Asking whether Desdemona has convinced herself that things will magically get better with time.
Did you cry?
Acknowledging the emotional pain that Desdemona may be experiencing.
And are you dressed in hesitation
Asking whether Desdemona is holding herself back due to uncertainty or doubt.
When you tell yourself that everything's alright?
Challenging Desdemona's belief that she can just ignore or suppress her problems instead of facing them head-on.
Cause I see a distance in your smile
Noticing that even when Desdemona smiles, there is a hint of sadness or inauthenticity behind it.
And what your Mondays have become
Reflecting on the monotony or dissatisfaction that Desdemona may feel in her daily life.
Could be the rest of your life
Warning Desdemona that if she doesn't make a change now, she may be stuck in this unfulfilling cycle forever.
Desdemona, you're not dead yet
Reminding Desdemona that she has the power and potential to make positive changes in her life and the world around her.
No it's not wrong
Encouraging Desdemona to follow her dreams and desires, even if they seem unconventional or risky.
If you want everything in life under the sun
Affirming that Desdemona has the right to aspire for and pursue all of the possibilities that life has to offer.
Desdemona, you're in love
Acknowledging Desdemona's feelings of love, but warning her not to lose sight of herself in the process.
Do not forget about yourself
Urging Desdemona to prioritize her own needs and desires, rather than sacrificing them for the sake of others.
Desdemona, bring the people
Encouraging Desdemona to share her life and struggles with others, and to seek support and connection.
That you love inside your hell
Suggesting that Desdemona's troubles and challenges can actually bring her closer to those she cares about, rather than pushing them away.
Cause you are younger in the eyes of those who see you
Noting that Desdemona may be perceived as naive or inexperienced by others, but that this can also be a source of strength or a fresh perspective.
Please forget about the time
Encouraging Desdemona to let go of her anxieties or worries about the future, and to focus on the present moment instead.
Throw yourself out on these brave and empty branches
Urging Desdemona to take risks and try new things, even if they seem daunting or uncertain.
In the winter waiting high.
Suggesting that even in the darkest or coldest times, there is still hope and potential for growth.
Everybody's out there killing time
Noting how many people waste or squander their time without realizing or pursuing their true passions or goals.
But I will be damned to lets you stand here killing mine.
Asserting that the singer will not let Desdemona's pessimism or passivity drag them down or hold them back from their own ambitions or dreams.
Don't you know we're gonna change a whole world the day
Believing that Desdemona and others have the power to make a difference and transform society if they work together and pursue their ideals.
We stop waiting on the world to change
Challenging the common mindset of inaction or apathy, and urging people to take action and make change happen themselves.
Desdemona, we are not so very different
Emphasizing the artist's empathy and camaraderie with Desdemona, and encouraging her to realize that she is not alone in her struggles.
Do you see?
Asking Desdemona to recognize the shared humanity and experiences that connect people across different backgrounds.
At the moment braver still
Recognizing and applauding Desdemona's courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Than what our minds let us believe
Challenging the self-limiting beliefs or doubts that often hold people back from reaching their full potential.
Even the walls the will surround you
Acknowledging that Desdemona may face obstacles and barriers in her life, but that these can be overcome or even used as a source of strength.
Somehow steady by your very own hands
Emphasizing that Desdemona has agency and control over her own life, and that even the things that seem beyond her control are influenced by her actions and choices.
I don't know just how to change you
Admitting that the artist does not have all the answers or solutions for Desdemona's problems, but still wants to offer support and encouragement.
All I know is how to tell you that you can
Affirming Desdemona's potential and ability to thrive, even in the face of adversity or uncertainty.
Cause I'll never tell you how to live
Respecting Desdemona's autonomy and independence, and acknowledging that she must make her own choices and follow her own path.
But you keep on telling me
Noticing how even as the singer tries to empower and encourage Desdemona, she may still struggle with self-doubt or uncertainty.
That's just the way it is
Recognizing the fatalistic or defeatist mindset that often holds people back from striving for change or pursuing their goals.
Desdemona more then anything I know
Affirming the singer's strong connection and empathy with Desdemona, and the sense of shared struggles or experiences that they both face.
Never tell yourself that's just the way it goes
Urging Desdemona to reject fatalism or resignation, and to instead believe in her own power and potential to create change and shape her own future.
I know it goes
Acknowledging the challenges and uncertainties that are inherent in life, but still encouraging Desdemona to persevere and work towards meaningful goals and ambitions.
But what do I know
Humorously acknowledging the limitations of the singer's own knowledge or understanding, and inviting Desdemona to draw her own conclusions and pursue her own path.
Contributed by Kaelyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.