Armed with compelling hooks wrapped in sophisticated songwriting, The Blood… Read Full Bio ↴Armed with compelling hooks wrapped in sophisticated songwriting, The Bloodsugars have the uncanny ability to inspire even the most cynical audience members to get up and dance. Their infectious grooves and eclectic mix of influences make for an irresistible combination. The quartet connects all the dots between indie rock and 80’s synth pop – gluing them together with clever arrangements and relatable lyrics.

Diagnosed with diabetes at the age of nine, Jason Rabinowitz has always had a craving for sweets. With schoolchums Brendan O’Grady on bass, Matt Katz on synths, and David Beauchamp on drums, he turned that craving into a sonic wedding cake with the formation of The Bloodsugars. After recording BQEP Beauchamp has parted ways with the group to focus on his duties in The Jeffrey Lewis band. However, the Bloodsugars have been blessed with the addition of Kenneth Salters behind the kit. In addition to maintaining the band’s remarkable chemistry, Rabinowitz describes their newest member as one of the best musicians he has ever played with.

On BQEP, The Bloodsugars’ mastery of songwriting and arrangement manifests in the form of six songs that are each equally unique as they are instantly accessible. Navigating each track is like being a kid on Christmas morning, unwrapping gorgeous melody after melody, being both surprised and thrilled with each new discovery. Though Rabinowitz tended to bring rough versions of the final tunes to his bandmates, The Bloodsugars are a truly collaborative project and each song came to life after all four members fleshed out their parts. “Usually the band creates the song again after it’s been created,” Rabinowitz explains. “Like a makeover for its public life.”

The record was mixed by the highly accomplished Dan Hetzel (Jennifer Lopez, Blondie, Ginuwine), who managed to provide breathing room for all four members to shine while ensuring that their output coalesced into a unified sound at all times. O’Grady takes the box that most bassists are placed in and rips it into shreds. Besides fulfilling his role of snugly locking in with Beauchamp, he is also constantly providing inventive melodic counterpoint, adding a layer of depth to every song. Beauchamp has the immaculate precision of a drum machine and an endless arsenal of creative rhythmic variations. On the keys, Katz not only complements Rabinowitz’s vocals with equally compelling and memorable hooks, but also adds textures that transport the band into multi-dimensional territory. Rabinowitz’s angelic croon has a tremendous range that can shift from a soulful purr into full on rocking-out mode on the turn of a dime. Moments such as his seamless shift into falsetto during the climax of fan favorite “Bloody Mary” are sprinkled throughout each song, always providing a satisfying sense of catharsis.

Some of the standout moments include the serene backup-vocal harmonies on “Uh Oh,” which play with negative space while fitting together like puzzle pieces, as well as the existential yet relatable lyrics of “Purpose Was Again.” Another lyrical highlight is on the aforementioned “Bloody Mary,” in which Rabinowitz passionately denounces George W. Bush as a tyrant, deceptively wrapped in some of the band’s sweetest melodies.

Gigging around their hometown of New York City, The Bloodsugars consistently squeeze enthusiasm out of the most jaded scenesters, surprised to hear dance music that engages their minds as well as their feet. Why? Because people who “don’t like to dance” just haven’t found the right band yet; because every song should have at least three hooks; and because when The Bloodsugars pass through your town, they won’t leave without painting it blood red.

Self-Control
The Bloodsugars Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, the night is my world
City light painted girl
In the day nothing matters
It's the night time that flatters
In the night, no control
Through the wall something's breaking
Wearing white as you're walkin'
Down the street of my soul

You take my self, you take my self control
You got me livin' only for the night
Before the morning comes, the story's told
You take my self, you take my self control
Another night, another day goes by
I never stop myself to wonder why
You help me to forget to play my role
You take my self, you take my self control

I, I live among the creatures of the night
I haven't got the will to try and fight
Against a new tomorrow, so I guess I'll just believe it
That tomorrow never comes
A safe night, I'm living in the forest of my dream
I know the night is not as it would seem

I must believe in something, so I'll make myself believe it
That this night will never go

Overall Meaning

In The Bloodsugars song Self-Control, the singer describes how the night is their world and how the city lights paint a beautiful picture of a girl walking down the street of their soul. The night time is depicted as the time when nothing matters and everything is flattered by the darkness. However, something is breaking through the wall, and the girl takes control of the singer's self. The singer is entirely under her spell, living only for the night and forgetting their role. They don't wonder why this is happening to them, but they understand that they are creatures of the night who are unable to fight against a new tomorrow. They will just have to believe that the tomorrow never comes.

The lyrics of Self-Control depict a restless and uncontrollable desire that leads the singer to give up everything they hold dear. The song describes a sense of surrender that is beyond their control, leading them to a world that is painted by the city lights. It is a world that is seductive, dangerous, and seemingly without consequences. The singer is lost in their dream world, where nothing from the reality can touch them. While the song describes the dangers and problems of living a life without control, it is also an ode to the beauty and allure of the night that draws people in.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, the night is my world
The singer feels most alive and fulfilled at night.

City light painted girl
The beauty and energy of the city at night.

In the day nothing matters
The singer finds daytime dull and unremarkable.

It's the night time that flatters
The artist feels the night sky and darkness flatter them and their surroundings.

In the night, no control
The artist feels like they have no control over their actions at night.

Through the wall something's breaking
The singers hears something dangerous happening close by.

Wearing white as you're walkin'
Someone is walking around at night wearing white clothing.

Down the street of my soul
The artist perceives their inner self as being like a street that someone is walking down.

You take my self, you take my self control
The artist feels that they have lost control of themselves to someone else.

You got me livin' only for the night
The artist's life is focused on the night and ignores the daytime.

Before the morning comes, the story's told
The singer's life and experiences happen entirely at night.

Another night, another day goes by
The artist's days are unremarkable, but their nights are always eventful.

I never stop myself to wonder why
The singer doesn't question their lifestyle or actions at night.

You help me to forget to play my role
The singer feels like they are escaping from their responsibilities and obligations through their night life.

I, I live among the creatures of the night
The singer feels like they are one of the 'creatures' that come out at night (party animals, club-goers, etc.).

I haven't got the will to try and fight
The artist feels powerless to change their lifestyle or habits.

Against a new tomorrow, so I guess I'll just believe it
The artist doesn't have much hope for the future, but tries to convince themselves otherwise.

That tomorrow never comes
The singer feels like tomorrow never actually happens (since they are always focused on the night).

A safe night, I'm living in the forest of my dream
The singer feels like they are living in a dream or fantasy during the night.

I know the night is not as it would seem
Despite the beauty and allure of the night, the artist is aware that it is not always safe or ideal.

I must believe in something, so I'll make myself believe it
The artist feels like they need to believe in something (even if it's not entirely true or accurate) to get through life.

That this night will never go
The artist wants the night to last forever, since it's the only time they feel truly alive.

Writer(s): Giancarlo Bigazzi, Raffaele Riefoli, Steve Piccolo

Contributed by Amelia E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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