Markus and Michael Acher formed the group together with Martin Messerschmidt in Weilheim, near Munich. In 1990 they recorded their self-titled debut The Notwist, a grunge-metal oriented LP. 1992 saw the release of Nook, which has an indie rock sound, while their 1995 album 12 contains their first flirtation with electronica. Martin Gretschmann (aka Console) joined the group in 1997. Shrink, released in 1998, is a jazz-electro-rock album. The album Neon Golden (released in 2002) put them on the map for American listeners.
In 2003 the band started their own record label Alien Transistor and released a soundtrack for the movie Lichter by Hans-Christian Schmid. On September, 6th 2004 the EP Solo Swim came out, a collaboration between The Notwist, Console and Klimek, which is also the soundtrack for the documentary Kanalschwimmer by Jörg Adolph. Both EPs are only available on vinyl as is the latest EP by Rayon (Markus Acher), released in spring 2006.
Some of The Notwist's songs have been remixed by Four Tet, Manitoba, Console, Loopspool, and others. Singer Markus Acher collaborated with Anticon rapper/producer Alias on the song Unseen Sights.
The Notwist recently formed a supergroup with Themselves named 13 & God, whose eponymous debut was released in 2005. Other acts in which members of The Notwist are participating include Village of Savoonga, Tied & Tickled Trio, Lali Puna, Ms. John Soda, Potawatomi, Alles wie Groß, Ogonjok, Rayon, 3 Shades of Blues, Hometrainer, Bolzplatz Heroes, Alien Ensemble, and Schweisser.
In 2006, Messerschmitt left the band on friendly terms. Markus Acher stated that "it just didn't work anymore".
The Devil, You + Me and was released in Europe in May, 2008. On June 17, 2008 the album was released in North America on Domino Records.
2014 saw the release of Close to the Glass released in the US on Sub-Pop.
http://www.notwist.com
Members
* Markus Acher - guitar, vocals
* Michael Acher - bass
* Mecki Messerschmidt - drums
* Martin Gretschmann (aka Console) - programming
Your Signs
The Notwist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's fine until you know you're
here. And yur're alone inside this
head on
Yourshoulders
And then you're hard to find.
You get me by the neck.
You never change your signs.
In The Notwist's song Your Signs, the lyrics are a reflection on the feeling of being lost within one's own mind. It begins with a sense of comfort and ease, as the singer suggests that everything is "fine" until the realization sets in that they are alone in their thoughts, with nothing but their own head on their shoulders. From there, the tone shifts to one of frustration and confusion; the singer expresses difficulty in understanding their own thoughts and emotions, and feeling as though they are "hard to find." Despite this internal struggle, there is a sense of resignation; the singer implies that they have become accustomed to feeling this way, as they remark that "you never change your signs." This line could be interpreted as a reference to the singer's inability to understand their own emotions, as if they are unable to decipher the "signs" that their mind is sending them.
Line by Line Meaning
Your signs
The signals you send out
It's fine until you know you're here.
Everything seems okay until you realize you are present in this moment
And you're alone inside this head on your shoulders
You are by yourself in your thoughts and emotions
And then you're hard to find.
Once you retreat into your own mind, it is difficult to locate you
You get me by the neck.
You have a strong hold on me and my emotions
You never change your signs.
Your signals and behaviors remain constant, even if I wish they would change
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARKUS ACHER, MICHAEL-ANTON ACHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@martini00niebieski
this is the best song of the unknown songs. Love love love
@tehf00n
I have come back 3 years after my original post to say I have been looping this for 3 years straight and i am still not bored of it. Ok I haven't.... but considering the music that has come out of the past 3 years I should have !
@tehf00n
I can keep this song looping in winamp and code a website before I get bored of it. Its epic and good to see a contemporary band utilizing jazz properly in a song.
@FETA0ne
Die Bassklarinette Ist Hammer^^
@Meatloafbob7
I'm digging those vibes in the background
@sanram1591
Here courtesy of a 1998 airing of WNYU's "New Afternoon Show" of "Chemicals" leading me to buy the album. This song is my favorite in the album.
@rukkierukkers2638
eye got no time 2 twist... still cryin
@robertyounger5849
What’s up with the low amount of comments, this song has shaken my life up for the last 18 years I think
@LilikakiTsikris
κομματάρα !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@taniaotv1444
👍