The band's distinct sound is a mixture of Doss and Hart's experimental tendencies. This chemistry is evident in their albums given that some tracks are 2-3 minute pop songs, while others are electro-acoustic collages ranging in length from 2 seconds to 10 minutes, and differing in content from vibrant horns to near silence. Furthermore, the band released a record of experimental electro-acoustic music, The Late Music, Volume One, under the name The Black Swan Network, in 1997. Another Black Swan Network release, a 7" EP on the Happy Happy Birthday to Me label, appeared in 2000, though it did not feature Bill Doss. In October 1997, a "collaborative" LP between The Olivia Tremor Control and The Black Swan Network was released, originally as a tour-only item, and later put out as a CD by Flydaddy, which gave the record the title, The Olivia Tremor Control Vs. The Black Swan Network,' though the band had never wanted the record to be named as such. The band was influenced by the odd quality inherent in dreams and asked their listeners to send in tapes describing their own, examples of which can be heard in the final track of Black Foliage and the OTC-BSN collaborative LP.
The members of The Olivia Tremor Control embarked on a variety of different projects before and after the band broke up. Eric Harris released a record under the name Frosted Ambassador and later two CD-R releases under his own name on Cloud Recordings, the label founded by Fernandes and Hart in the wake of OTC's demise. Pete Erchick released two records, Individualized Shirts and Special Fanfare For Anything, under the name Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't. Bill Doss followed OTC by putting out records as The Sunshine Fix, a name he had used years before. The Sunshine Fix has evolved from a recording project to a formal working band. Hart's post-OTC project, Circulatory System, has taken a similar route. The self-titled 2001 LP continued the melding together of pop and experimental traditions the OTC had worked on and won high accolades from the press. While the follow-up is still in the works, the band continues to play live shows in Athens and occasionally elsewhere.
In 2005, the Olivia Tremor Control temporarily reunited, solely for live shows, at the behest of the All Tomorrow's Parties festival. They appeared at a UK version of the festival, preceded by warm-up shows in Athens and London; that summer, they again played Athens, at the Orange Twin Conservation Community, as well as gigs in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and L.A.
In May 2009, Will Hart said in an interview that the band had recently re-entered the recording studio: "We've got two songs for the next Olivia record, in my opinion. They're on Bill's hard drive."
In March 2011, Elf Power drummer Derek Almstead confirmed that he was engineering and playing percussion on the new record and that new material would be debuted at All Tomorrows' Parties later in the year. In addition to this, they have released a song titled "North Term Reality" under Olivia Tremor Control for AUX Vol. 2.
On August 30, 2011, the band premiered a new song, "The Game You Play is In Your Head Parts 1, 2 &3" and announced they planned to have a new album out later in 2011. Tour dates for Winter 2011 were also announced.
The death of Bill Doss was announced on July 31, 2012.
Spring Succeeds
The Olivia Tremor Control Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i stretch myself up
and have a look around
this whole world
carry me like the wind
cause i'm a seed to be thrown
when you hear the sound you'll know
i'm swaying here beneath the climb
fish sign daisy
breaks the earth
and grows beside me
when you hear the sound you'll grow
and take a little time for yourself
when you hear the sound you'll glow
and take a little time for yourself
The Olivia Tremor Control's song "Spring Succeeds" is a beautiful and poetic meditation on growth and introspection. The opening lines describe a seedling that has just sprouted from the ground, stretching upwards to take in its new surroundings. The metaphor of the seedling is then extended to the human experience, suggesting that we too are like seeds that have been thrown into the world, carried by the wind and left to grow where we may.
Throughout the song, there is an emphasis on taking time for oneself and listening for the sound of growth and transformation. This sound is both internal and external, and can be found in the swaying of the plants and in the rhythms of the natural world. The repeated refrain of "take a little time for yourself" is a gentle reminder to slow down, tune in, and allow ourselves the space to change and evolve.
Overall, "Spring Succeeds" is a deeply contemplative and introspective song that encourages us to connect with the natural world around us and to embrace the process of growth and change.
Line by Line Meaning
i spring up from the ground
I emerge from beneath the earth's surface
i stretch myself up
I extend my body upward to its full height
and have a look around
I observe my surroundings
this whole world
The entire planet
carry me like the wind
Transport me effortlessly through the air
cause i'm a seed to be thrown
I'm a small embryonic plant, ready to be scattered
when you hear the sound you'll know
If you listen carefully, you'll comprehend
take a little time for yourself
Make sure to give yourself a break
i'm swaying here beneath the climb
I'm gently moving back and forth near a steep surface
fish sign daisy
A particular species of flower with markings resembling a fish
breaks the earth
Emerges from beneath the soil
and grows beside me
Flourishes nearby
when you hear the sound you'll grow
Hearing something specific will help you develop
when you hear the sound you'll glow
You'll shine radiantly upon hearing a certain noise
and take a little time for yourself
And be sure to grant yourself a moment of respite
Contributed by Julian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.