The first incarnation of what would later become the Nields came together in 1987 in McLean, Virginia, when Nerissa Nields met David Jones, a theater student, and the two of them started a band with Nerissa's sister Katryna. David changed his last name to Nields after marrying Nerissa.
1994 proved to be a watershed year for the Nields, with the band changing from a three-piece folk group to a five-piece rock band. The new members of the band were Dave Chalfant (bass), who Katryna had met in college, and Dave Hower (drums), a friend of Dave Chalfant's. Dave Chalfant also produced the band's album released that year, Bob on the Ceiling, which was named for a friend of Katryna's. This album featured a mix of the acoustic material that the Nields had previously specialized in and a more rock-oriented sound that would become their trademark. With their new sound, the Nields received critical acclaim, and quit their day jobs to become full-time musicians.
Their 1995 EP Abigail, named for Katryna and Nerissa's sister, would be the last self-released Nields album. In 1996, they released Gotta Get Over Greta on the independent Razor & Tie record label. The album was re-released in 1997 with three bonus tracks on Guardian, a division of Elektra Records. The group felt that with a major-label deal, they were on the brink of superstardom: they had a considerable grassroots following, and a mailing list that had tens of thousands of names and was growing continuously.
Unfortunately, the group suffered a number of setbacks the next year. Guardian folded, leaving them without a record label, and their tour van (nicknamed Moby) was growing increasingly unreliable. While they needed a new van urgently, their financial situation made it impossible for them to afford one. To raise money for the van, they self-released an album called Mousse (the nickname for Dave Chalfant's sister Andromache) and held a special 'Jam for the Van' concert where they debuted that album. As a result of that concert, the Nields were able to purchase a new van, which they nicknamed Nessie. They were also able to secure a new label, Zoë, a division of Rounder Records. All Nields records released since, except one, have been released on that label. Over the next three years, the Nields released two more records (Play and If You Lived Here You'd Be Home Now), and in 1999 Katryna Nields and Dave Chalfant got married, becoming the second married couple in the band after Nerissa and David Nields.
Although the band enjoyed a moderate degree of success, they remained in the red fiscally due to the high expenses they incurred (salaries for the band members, salaries for their manager, maintaining their van, lodging, etc.). Furthermore, the group was getting older, and people wanted to settle down and start families. The limits of what could been done in a 3-minute pop song also rankled some, who wanted to explore deeper themes. The combination of these factors led to the band's breakup in 2001. Their 2001 album, released that same year, was a two-disc album titled Live From Northampton. Like their 1993 album, it was recorded at the Iron Horse Music Hall, and was self-released by the band. The band ceased in 2001.
During the mid-2000s, the band occasionally performed shows, and, from 2006, went on the release a series of albums.
Art of the Gun
The Nields Lyrics
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Holding court over a bottle of gin
He says, "You don't know what it's like to be me"
She says, "No, don't talk to me like I'm dumb"
He says, "Shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up
You don't understand the art of the gun"
He broke his fingers when he hit the wall
He says, "You're much too nice for me to believe"
She says, "Oh, you think I think this is fun?"
He says, "Leave me alone leave me alone
You can't understand the art of the gun"
She says, "Nothing's shot except our love"
She says, "Oh, you think I think you have won
The art of the gun"
The Nields’ song Art of the Gun offers a contemplative exploration of domestic violence and self-destructive behavior within a relationship, delving into the complexities of power dynamics, communication, and emotional abuse. The lyrics describe a tense moment in which an argument between two partners escalates to violence, with the male partner expressing a desire to be understood and respected for his ability to use a gun, while the female partner tries to reason with him and find a way out of the situation.
The opening lines of the song introduce the characters and their conflict, as they sit together drinking gin and engaging in a heated discussion. The male partner expresses frustration at not feeling acknowledged or validated, and lashes out aggressively, telling the female partner to shut up and insisting that she doesn’t understand “the art of the gun.” This phrase can be interpreted in a few ways, as a reference to the skill and precision required to use a gun, or as a metaphor for the sense of power and control that comes with wielding a weapon.
As the argument continues, it turns physical, with the male partner punching a wall and injuring himself. The female partner rushes to his aid, showing empathy and care, but he responds with skepticism and suspicion, believing that she is being insincere or is unable to truly understand his mindset. The lyrics suggest that this pattern of behavior has become a cycle, with the partners unable to break free from their roles and unable to communicate effectively.
The refrain of the song, in which the female partner insists that “nothing’s shot except our love,” suggests a recognition of the damage that these arguments are causing to their relationship, and a desire to find a way to end the cycle of violence and hostility. The song ultimately seems to offer a plea for greater empathy and understanding between partners, even in moments of anger and frustration.
Line by Line Meaning
Funny how this begins
The situation that they are currently in is unexpected and strange.
Holding court over a bottle of gin
Drinking alcohol and discussing a serious matter.
He says, "You don't know what it's like to be me"
Feeling misunderstood, the man tells the woman that she cannot relate to his experiences.
She says, "No, don't talk to me like I'm dumb"
The woman tells the man not to speak to her condescendingly.
He says, "Shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up
You don't understand the art of the gun"
The man becomes defensive and tells the woman forcefully to be silent as he believes she cannot comprehend the complexity and danger of guns.
He broke his fingers when he hit the wall
The man was so upset that he accidentally hurt himself.
She got a towel and put in ice from the refrigerator
The woman tries to help the man by getting him something cold for the pain and swelling in his hand.
He says, "You're much too nice for me to believe"
The man feels unworthy of the woman's kindness and doubts her sincerity.
She says, "Oh, you think I think this is fun?"
The woman becomes frustrated that the man does not appreciate her help and care.
He says, "Leave me alone leave me alone
You can't understand the art of the gun"
The man pushes the woman away and tells her to go away as he believes that she cannot comprehend his passion for guns.
She says, "Nothing's shot except our love"
The woman realizes that their relationship is what is being damaged in this situation.
She says, "Oh, you think I think you have won
The art of the gun"
The woman believes that the man is so obsessed with guns and winning that he is willing to sacrifice their relationship for it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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