The Fabric is a 9-piece funk and soul band… Read Full Bio ↴1)Australian Soul/Funk groups
The Fabric is a 9-piece funk and soul band from Melbourne that have attracted quite a following since they began gigging in mid-2013. Their brand of soul is fronted by the cosmic voice of songstress, Angie McMahon, and their killer four-man horn section, and they have a built a reputation as one of Melbourne’s most soulful and tightest bands. Their intricate songwriting is skillfully juxtaposed with a blast of energy and intensity as the sheer numbers creates a well-blended wall of sound. In July 2014 they launched their debut self-titled EP, which featured the lead single, ‘Cold Shoulder' which received wide-praise.
2)American Synthpop group
In fifty years, The Fabric's music could be generated by genetic algorithms, implanted neural nets and artificial intelligence. They could perform in high-resolution, full-immersion virtual reality and could project hypersonic auditory beams customized for each individual member of their audience. However, in today's terabyte age, The Fabric crafts songs from beating hearts and esoteric minds, manufactured through analog and digital synthesizers and laptop computers.
"We wanted to make a record that reflected the chaotic changes that are happening in the world today," says Joe Sikes, lead vocalist. The Atlanta-based trio's sophomore effort, We Operate Machinery, is a 15-song opus about love and humanity in the age of technological advancement. We Operate Machinery is an evolutionary leap from The Fabric's first effort in 2007, Man vs. Prototype. "The first album was a throwback. It was an ode to electronic bands and influences like Depeche Mode and Massive Attack," says producer/programmer Sharaab. "We had just begun working together, but with time we developed an original voice."
The song Tragedy, the first single on We Operate Machinery, exemplifies this fusion of experience and technique. It uses the sound of a crashing hard drive to capture the lamentations of a disintegrating relationship. The concept of data loss as heartbreak also is reflected in songs such as Release, Best Intentions and the album's emotional centerpiece, Meaningless.
Other tracks on We Operate Machinery address the rapid progress of technology. The proto-industrial Songs of The Sun describes how ancient cultures employed tools to manipulate their world. Can't Stop and Lunar Influence theorize how modern society relies on technology to survive. Meanwhile, the electro-disco Frozen Lake prophesizes a dystopian future where technology becomes our master instead of our servant.
While contemporaries twiddle knobs and stare white-facedly at their laptop screens, The Fabric seizes the attention of its audience with theatrical displays uncustomary of its genre. Lovers of electronic music rarely have seen a stage presence like this. A vibrant vocalist, Sikes belts lyrics into the mic and writhes across the stage. Meanwhile, Sharaab and keyboardist Jeremy Frank, behind their bank of synthesizers, drum machines and laptops, provide their own undulating rhythms. The splattering, colorful array of video projected imagery onto the three band members is what transforms an ordinary performance into a truly evocative event.
Cold Shoulder
The Fabric Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sky-high opinion and you speak like there's something to prove
Well, how can you believe that you matter as much as you do?
You ask the devil in your doorway,
Don't he know you're above all the rules?
I'm not here, I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
(Horn break)
Though you try to hide it, I'm not blind, I know you're afraid
You haven't got a clue you're going backwards, it drives me insane
Oh, it drives me insane!
I'm not here, I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
You say there's not a doubt about it, I'm the one that you want
But you don't even know me, you've gone at this all back to front
Maybe I'll put you on a pedestal the moment that you walk away
But you're dragging out the inevitable;
I will give you no reason to stay, stay stay
I'm not here, I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
Oh no, no
I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
The Fabric's Cold Shoulder is a song that highlights the singer's frustrations with their partner's attitude towards their relationship. The first verse suggests that the partner is boastful and arrogant, speaking as if they have something to prove. The singer questions the partner's belief that they matter as much as they think they do and suggests that they are above following rules. The chorus serves as a warning to the partner, stating that they are headed for a "cold, cold shoulder" because the singer is not willing to be walked all over.
The second verse reveals that the partner is afraid and unaware of their backwardness in the relationship. The singer is frustrated by this and calls it insane. The partner claims to want the singer, but the singer points out that they don't know them at all. The chorus is repeated, with the singer refusing to be walked over and warning the partner that they are headed for a cold shoulder. The final lines suggest that the partner may be dragging out the inevitable end of the relationship but that the singer is not giving them any reason to stay.
Overall, the song is a powerful statement about standing up for oneself in a relationship and not tolerating mistreatment. It is a warning to those who may take their partner for granted or underestimate their value.
Line by Line Meaning
Pedal back, your bragging and your preaching has got me confused
Reconsider your boasting and teaching, as it is perplexing me
Sky-high opinion and you speak like there's something to prove
Your excessive self-confidence and manner of speaking suggest you have something to prove
Well, how can you believe that you matter as much as you do?
Why do you hold such a high opinion of yourself?
You ask the devil in your doorway, Don't he know you're above all the rules?
You seek validation by asking the devil if he recognizes your superiority and exemption from rules
Though you try to hide it, I'm not blind, I know you're afraid
Despite your attempts to conceal it, I perceive your fear
You haven't got a clue you're going backwards, it drives me insane
You're unaware that you're regressing, and this infuriates me
You say there's not a doubt about it, I'm the one that you want
You claim to have no doubt that I'm the one you desire
But you don't even know me, you've gone at this all back to front
You don't truly know me, and you've approached this situation in the wrong order
Maybe I'll put you on a pedestal the moment that you walk away
Perhaps I'll only see your worth when you're no longer present
But you're dragging out the inevitable; I will give you no reason to stay, stay, stay
However, you're prolonging the unavoidable; I won't give you any reason to stay
I'm not here, I'm not here to be walked all over
I refuse to allow you to treat me poorly
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
Your actions will lead to a cold, unresponsive reaction from me
Oh no, no I'm not here to be walked all over
Once again, I won't tolerate being mistreated
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
Your behavior will result in me rejecting you with a cold shoulder
Contributed by Molly P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kav Smith
Pedal back, your bragging and your preaching has got me confused
Sky-high opinion and you speak like there's something to prove
Well, how can you believe that you matter as much as you do?
You ask the devil in your doorway,
Don't he know you're above all the rules?
I'm not here, I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
Though you try to hide it, I'm not blind, I know you're afraid
You haven't got a clue you're going backwards, it drives me insane
Oh, it drives me insane!
I'm not here, I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
You say there's not a doubt about it, I'm the one that you want
But you don't even know me, you've gone at this all back to front
Maybe I'll put you on a pedestal the moment that you walk away
But you're dragging out the inevitable;
I will give you no reason to stay, stay stay
I'm not here, I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
Oh no, no
I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
Phoenix53
Found my new favourite song haven't stopped listening to it, it's so good there aren't words to describe it
B. Shaffer
Also just heard this from the SLV video just released here. Had to find out who it was. Has that old school 60's feel. Love it.
Chris Totten
Thanks to your fellow country people from Sailing La Vagabonde, I find myself here, loving this song.
Gary LeLacheur
I also like the electronic organ. It adds grandeur to the piece.
Belle Aydelotte
When i originally heard this song i thought it was florence and the machine for a little bit. Absolutely beautiful voice!
Kanishka Aluvihare
A masterpiece
Dilu Ali
Awesome!!!!!!!!!
Rodrigo Salgado
Awesome!!!!!!!!!
Gary LeLacheur
I don't know about Florence but Angie reminds me of Natalie Merchant at some moments.
Kav Smith
Pedal back, your bragging and your preaching has got me confused
Sky-high opinion and you speak like there's something to prove
Well, how can you believe that you matter as much as you do?
You ask the devil in your doorway,
Don't he know you're above all the rules?
I'm not here, I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
Though you try to hide it, I'm not blind, I know you're afraid
You haven't got a clue you're going backwards, it drives me insane
Oh, it drives me insane!
I'm not here, I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
You say there's not a doubt about it, I'm the one that you want
But you don't even know me, you've gone at this all back to front
Maybe I'll put you on a pedestal the moment that you walk away
But you're dragging out the inevitable;
I will give you no reason to stay, stay stay
I'm not here, I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder
Oh no, no
I'm not here to be walked all over
Oh you're headed, you're headed for a cold, cold shoulder