The Eames Era were a Baton Rouge, Louis… Read Full Bio ↴Louisiana, USA (2002 - 2008)
The Eames Era were a Baton Rouge, Louisiana based indie pop quintet founded by New Orleans guitarists Grant Widmer and Ted Joyner. The band started its way in 2002, Grant and Ted's junior year at Louisiana State University, when the two former high school friends enlisted drummer Greg Gauthreaux and bass player Brian Waits to form "The Double Zeros". Singer Ashlin Phillips auditioned for the band in December 2002, after work had begun writing and practicing for the band's first gig. The band's name honors famed designers Charles and Ray Eames.
By 2003 the now complete lineup became "The Eames Era" and had begun recording a 3-track demo in Grant's garage. Later that year the band signed on to the C Student Records label to release their first single "Could Be Anything" April 2004. After winning an award at the university's annual independent film festival they embarked on their first tour along the east coast. Upon returning the band released "The Second EP" on the C Student label.
The album's lead track Could Be Anything was featured on the Abercrombie & Fitch website and two television shows (Grey's Anatomy and Falcon Beach) and had received major airplay on college radio stations nationwide. In October 2005, shortly after graduating from Louisiana State University, the band released their full-length debut Double Dutch. The week of the album's release, the band's tour bus got in an accident with a military truck on the way home from a photo shoot, thus canceling a tour booked for November that year. The military truck was only in the area for Hurricane Katrina aid, making the whole event even more painful for the Louisiana based band, who were surely affected from the hurricane.
In 2007, The Eames Era won $2500 in the Yaris SXSW band video contest. . In April 2007, the band released its second full-length album, "Heroes and Sheroes." The song "When You Were a Millionaire" from that album was featured on MTV's new reality show "I'm from Rolling Stone", running at the beginning and end of each of the ten episodes. That song as well as "Watson On Your Side" have videos made by Untucked Films.
In April 2008, Grant Widmer wrote music blog The Rocklist Society to let them know the band had decided to go their separate ways: "That's right, The Eames Era are no more. Ashlin and Greg moved to Chicago in the past few months and they are on to other things. Ted, Brian and I have also moved to New Orleans and we are hard at work on a new album. As I said before, Brian got married this week and his life has been very busy so it's still unclear what kind of role he'll have in the new group. But Ted and I have been traveling to record with Daniel Black, the producer of our last album, in D.C. since January. We are about 1/3 finished and hope to be all done in May. Then it will be time to tour for a while."
Benjamin
The Eames Era Lyrics
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We know all about you
How charming is that?
But I wonder if we waited longer
Will we get more than we expect?
Well the first thing that you learn
All misplaces that is constantly a change
And the districts change their names
And when you're lost we'll track you down
Bring you back on solid ground
Let you know you'll always be found
Just sleep on it
For a little bit
Let the feeling grow
I can agree
It surprises me
That it feels like home
And when townies all look the same
While college can get insane
We still always remember your name
(Good one)
Why don't you show us how it's done?
Call a spade a spade
And a gun a gun
You tried too hard to prove yourself to us and
You seem to have impressed everyone
They'll only miss you a certain degree
'Cause it'll still feel like you didn't leave
'Cause you still belong to me
Why don't you sleep on it for a bit
Let it all sink in
You should relish your accomplishments, oh Benjamin
When you go and go and come so long it shows
Fall asleep you know it shows
Why don't you keep on going when you get there?
The Eames Era's song "Benjamin" seems to be a tribute to the eponymous Benjamin, who appears to be someone who has accomplished a lot in their life. The lyrics refer to Benjamin having "a lot to show" and how "charming" he is, but also hint that maybe there is more to him than meets the eye. The second stanza seems to suggest that Benjamin is someone who has learned that change is constant and that even cities and districts love to switch things up.
The chorus is particularly poignant, with its message of letting feelings grow and finding a sense of belonging. There is a sense of comfort and reassurance in the lyrics, particularly when the song talks about how even if Benjamin gets lost, he will always be tracked down and brought back to solid ground. The lyrics also suggest that even though Benjamin may leave, he will always belong to the people and places he has left behind.
Overall, "Benjamin" seems to be a song about the complexity of identity and the idea that even though someone may have accomplished a lot in life, there is always more to discover and understand about them.
Line by Line Meaning
Benjamin, you've got a lot to show, it seems
We recognize your potential for greatness and are eager to see what you have to offer.
We know all about you
We are familiar with your accomplishments and reputation.
How charming is that?
Your charisma is impressive and attractive.
But I wonder if we waited longer will we get more than we expect?
Perhaps by delaying expectations, we may be pleasantly surprised with even greater achievements.
Well the first thing that you learn, all misplaces that is constantly a change
One of the initial lessons in life is that everything is constantly changing and evolving.
All cities love to change up paces, And the districts change their names
Cities tend to have rapidly changing trends and even rebrand themselves to stay current.
And when you're lost we'll track you down, Bring you back on solid ground, Let you know you'll always be found
We'll be there to guide you back towards success and assure you of your relevance in our lives.
Just sleep on it, For a little bit, Let the feeling grow
Take some time to reflect and allow your passion to develop.
I can agree, It surprises me, That it feels like home
Your contributions have made a significant impact and are welcomed as a part of the community.
And when townies all look the same, While college can get insane, We still always remember your name
Despite the challenges and monotony of daily life, you will continue to be remembered and valued.
(Good one)
An exclamation of satisfaction or admiration.
Why don't you show us how it's done?, Call a spade a spade, And a gun a gun
Don't hold back or try too hard to impress. Be straightforward and honest in expressing yourself.
You tried too hard to prove yourself to us and, You seem to have impressed everyone
Your straining to impress may have been unnecessary, as your natural talents have already won over your audience.
They'll only miss you a certain degree, 'Cause it'll still feel like you didn't leave, 'Cause you still belong to me
Although you may be physically absent, your impact and legacy will continue to be felt.
Why don't you sleep on it for a bit, Let it all sink in, You should relish your accomplishments, oh Benjamin
Take some time to appreciate your hard work and achievements.
When you go and go and come so long it shows, Fall asleep you know it shows, Why don't you keep on going when you get there?
Even when you are tired or feel like giving up, push through and keep striving towards your goals.
Contributed by Tyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.