The Motet is a world-class ensemble that whips audiences into a whirling frenzy using sheer impromptu force. With their spontaneous and textured rhythms and hard-driving beats, the band creates a repertoire between themselves and the audiences that is rarely seen in today's manufactured rock. The Motet consecrates the ground on which dance music meets free-form improvisation, allowing a diverse audience to become immersed in their eclectic sound. "Our tendency to avoid being pigeon-holed is a reflection of who we are as musicians," said Watts. "We try to be open-minded about how we approach different genres and traditions."
With its 6th release, Dig Deep, The Motet once again proves that it is a group
committed to exploring and pushing the sonic envelope, while still remaining committed
to the musical traditions that have defined their sound. A heavy-horned afrobeat
influence countered with a textural blanket of electronica, this album showcases the
talents and strengths of the cast of characters that drummer and producer Dave Watts has
assembled. Keyboardist Joey Porter lays down the funk under the coursing melodies of
saxophonist Dominic Lalli in pure Motet fashion, with the ever-driving beats of Watts’
masterful rhythmic production pushing the music through sonic peaks and valleys that
tantalize and invigorate listeners. If you’ve loved The Motet for years or are just tuning
in, listen up. You won’t be disappointed.
The Motet is known for its revolving musicians and a breadth of musical influences,
and Dig Deep plays to the strengths of many former and current members. Bassists
Garrett Sayers and Paul McDaniel both shine brilliantly on Dig Deep, adding the sonic
drive that is characteristic of The Motet’s sound, which has steadily morphed and evolved
over the last ten years. Sayers’ bass solo on ‘Guru’ is a perfect example of his technical
virtuosity, and with this, Watts as a producer has captured a quintessential Motet
moment. The title track ‘Dig Deep’ showcases another side of The Motet low-end,
heavy-bass sound, with McDaniel laying down raw grooves in an open section that is
peppered with Watts’ sonic explorations.
Longtime fans of The Motet will be happy to hear Jans Ingber’s voice on ‘Push,’ a
track that was born from an improvisational moment during the band’s New Years 2009
show. Last featured on The Motet’s 2000 release Play, Beth Quist’s soaring vocals are
highlighted on the Fela Kuti track ‘Kalakuta Show’ and the tune ‘The Luxury of Doubt,’
a collaborative effort with Watts. Throughout Dig Deep, percussionist Scott
Messersmith adds his signature textural rhythms, anchoring the evolutionary sound of the
band in its Afro-Cuban and West African roots. His contributions are particularly salient
in the afrobeat tunes ‘Mighty’ and ‘Roforofo Fight.” Guitarists Mike Tiernan and
Zivanni Masango both add their talents on Dig Deep, as do Danny Sears on trumpet and
John Stuart on baritone saxophone.
With this mix of talented musicians contributing to the album, it is no wonder that Dig
Deep sounds as good as it does. But at the helm is drummer Dave Watts, simultaneously
embodying the roles of bandleader, musician, composer, and producer. It is Watts’
creative imagination that drives Dig Deep, mixing recorded and sampled tracks that
seamlessly carry the music forward throughout the album. As a drummer, Watts has
been called “the human metronome.” His sense of timing and polyrhythmic
understanding is what has made him a force in the live music scene for over twenty years.
Dig Deep is his most in-depth exploration into production work thus far. Watts has
amply represented the layered electronica-funk vibe that has begun to characterize The
Motet’s sound over the last few years, and he has truly “dug deep” to bring you Dig
Deep.
Dig Deep is available for FREE DOWNLOAD at myspace.com/themotetmusic
Death Or Devotion
The Motet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aimed at my core
I give her my word
But she only want more
One minute she loved me
It suits me fine
Next minute she casts me out and says she aint got no more time
Everyday we wake to play this game
I wrote these lies and fearsome tries cause soon I know we'll see
Death or devotion
Are 'bout to take right over, take right over me
She give me good lovin'
I took the morning light
Think she houdini's
For 'bout over three nights
But when she returns
With big smiles of gold
I cant get enough of her
But I say only this is lookin' real old
Everyday we wake to play this game
But I wonder are we wasting too much time
I wrote these lies and fearsome tries cause soon I know we'll see
Death or devotion
Are 'bout to take right over, take right over me
Right over me
You been making me wait too long
Everyday we wake to play this game
But I wonder are we wasting too much time
I wrote these lies and fearsome tries cause soon I know we'll see
Death or devotion
Are 'bout to take right over, take right over
Everyday I wake to play this game
But I wonder are we wasting too much time
I wrote these lies and fearsome tries cause soon I know we'll see
Death or devotion
Are 'bout to take right over, take right over me, me, yea yea yea
The Motet's "Death or Devotion" is a song about a toxic relationship that is both addictive and damaging. The lyrics talk about a woman who has a hold on the singer, with her loaded gun aimed at his core, making him want to give her everything he has. However, despite his best efforts, she only wants more and constantly shifts between loving him one minute and then casting him out the next, leaving him wondering if they are wasting too much time. The singer acknowledges that the relationship is based on lies and fears, and that they are playing a dangerous game that will ultimately lead to either death or devotion.
The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship where one person has all the power and makes the other person feel powerless. The repeated line "Everyday we wake to play this game" emphasizes the cyclical nature of their relationship and how they are constantly trying to win each other over. The metaphor of death or devotion conveys the extreme emotions and potential consequences of staying in a toxic relationship.
Overall, The Motet's "Death or Devotion" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing someone to have too much power over you, and the importance of recognizing when a relationship is not healthy.
Line by Line Meaning
She got them loaded
She has a loaded gun aimed at me
Aimed at my core
The loaded gun is aimed directly at my vital organs
I give her my word
I promise her something
But she only want more
However, she is not satisfied and wants more than what I promised
One minute she loved me
She used to love me
It suits me fine
It was good for me
Next minute she casts me out and says she aint got no more time
Suddenly, she rejects me and claims she has no more time for me
Everyday we wake to play this game
We go through this same routine every day
But I wonder are we wasting too much time
I question if we are wasting our time with this repetitive behavior
I wrote these lies and fearsome tries cause soon I know we'll see
I express my lies and fears in anticipation of what is to come
Death or devotion
Either death or loyalty will emerge
Are 'bout to take right over, take right over me
Either one of those outcomes will strongly affect me
She give me good lovin'
She provides me with enjoyable romantic experiences
I took the morning light
I embraced the early morning sunlight
Think she houdini's
I suspect she has suddenly disappeared like the famous magician Houdini
For 'bout over three nights
For approximately three nights
But when she returns
But when she comes back
With big smiles of gold
With an extravagant amount of joy
I cant get enough of her
I am unable to resist her
But I say only this is lookin' real old
However, it is starting to become repetitive and dull
You been making me wait too long
You have been taking too much time to fulfill your promises to me
Everyday I wake to play this game
I go through this same routine every day
Are 'bout to take right over, take right over me, me, yea yea yea
Either death or loyalty will strongly affect me, and I am anticipating it soon
Contributed by Sarah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@miranaratsiky797
real stevie wonder vibess !!! keep it going guyssss !
@mattofafnir5654
Just saw their sticker on the back of a car in Peachtree City and found this! Awesomeness! Nice funky groove! Can’t wait to sample other tracks. Already forwarded to people in CA OK PA and KS.