The story is based around the world of a fictional character named Grace, who on the eve of her 50th birthday begins to question her happiness and the choices she's made in her life. When she receives news that her estranged father, a failed inventor, has died, she returns to her childhood home to help settle his affairs. While cleaning out his study, she uncovers early designs for a paper raincoat, the invention on which he staked their family fortune, and that subsequently tore the family apart when it failed to sell. She is flooded with intense memories of a pivotal day in that very room, when she made the conscious decision to give up on her dream of becoming a writer in order to avoid the disastrous effects that happened as a result of her father’s choices. She starts to question whether there might have been a better way for her life to unfold, and decides to find out by rewriting her own story in a novel she titles The Paper Raincoat.
The songs are a cinematic blend of pop-folk orchestral arrangements, peppered with electronic textures, and overflowing with unforgettable melodies. "Our goal was to create songs that were enjoyable on any level…” adds Alex. “…Catchy and meaningful enough for listeners to relate to whether they knew the back-story or not. Once they liked the music, we felt discovering the story hidden inside the songs would only increase their connection to them."
Alex and Amber have been collaborators and friends for several years, starting with a chance meeting at a wintry show in Buffalo NY and Amber's subsequent decision to become the first official stalker of Alex's previous band, The Animators. Nowadays, both Amber and Alex are experienced and thriving musicians in their own right. Amber is creating an international buzz as a solo artist with over 1,000,000 plays on MySpace, three month-long European tours, the most recent with guitarist/songwriter Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, Amos Lee), and a First Place Award in the International Songwriting Competition (Lyrics), which was judged in part by her musical hero, Tom Waits. Amber's new record will be released this summer, and she will be touring all over the nation and again in Europe this Fall. Alex has since signed up on the long waiting list to stalk her in return.
Meanwhile, Alex has been cultivating a reputation as a sought-after artist, composer and producer in NY and LA. His former band, the Animators, achieved much national attention and critical acclaim before their 2007 breakup. He now writes, performs and records with several prominent NYC artists, including Vienna Teng (Rounder/Universal), and will co-produce her upcoming record this spring. His original score for the play, Everyman For Himself won a 2006 LA WEEKLY THEATER AWARD for best original music. Alex co-produced Amber's first solo record in fall 2004, as well as her 2006 EP, Unfinished Art, as well as produced and arranged the Paper Raincoat's debut EP.
The group celebrated the release of Safe in the Sound in March with a string of concerts at the Hotel Café in Los Angeles, Canal Room in NYC, and Club Passim in Boston. IndieSoundsNY.com describes their live show as “bringing a sense of wonder and whimsical optimism into life.” Rubarth adds, “The live shows are quirky, too, with all of the different instruments and harmonies. It feels cinematic… but not in a goofy way.” New York is quickly embracing the band and in just a few months they have graduated from selling out 2 NYC residencies at Rockwood Music Hall, to booking their follow-up show at Bowery Ballroom at the end of July. The band is being embraced out of the gates by industry and fans alike, and in addition to having music currently under consideration for TV/film placements, one can expect to see their touring schedule come alive in late summer.
Rewind
The Paper Raincoat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
when the red light turns on count in all let it roll
we'll do it all live and commit to one take
kick your shoes off it's time are you ready to play?
you can stand against the wall or else get in real tight
just give it your all and if this one's not right
Rewind
rewind
rewind
back to the beginning
rewind
So I tore down my defenses and stood in the light
took off my hat, pushed it aside
the songs they hung heavy, exposed at the seams
like your old worn-down sneakers and corduroy jeans
the guitar was too down so I played the upright
but I played it all wrong and the click was too tight
Rewind
back to the beginning
rewind
rewind
back to the beginning
rewind
Tear out the pages
my heart races
take one big deep breath before we reset
you're pushing too hard now
soften the sound
remember the song you set out to do
Rewind
back to the beginning
rewind
rewind
back to the beginning
rewind
rewind
back to the beginning
rewind
rewind
back to the beginning
rewind
The Paper Raincoat's song "Rewind" is a song that talks about the process of making music, specifically the process of recording. The lyrics describe a desire to capture the essence of a performance in one take, giving it an authentic and raw quality. The first verse lays out the plan to do just that, by recording live and committing to one take. The singer encourages others to let go of their inhibitions and give it their all. The chorus, with its repeat of the word "Rewind," serves as a metaphorical call to go back to the beginning and try again if things didn't work out the first time.
The second verse describes the experience of recording, tearing down one's defenses and exposing oneself to the proverbial light. The symbolism of taking off one's hat is noteworthy; it could represent removing one's protective veneer or opening oneself up to vulnerability. The "songs they hung heavy, exposed at the seams" is also symbolic of the fragility of the creative process. Just like the songs, the artists who create them are also exposed and vulnerable. The mention of "corduroy jeans" and "old worn-down sneakers" are interesting descriptions that serve to remind us that authenticity is the key to the creative process.
The bridge serves as a reminder to pause and take a breath when things get too intense. The singer reminds the others to remember the original song and not push too hard, otherwise they might lose the essence of the original vision.
Line by Line Meaning
You said let's go to tape cause it catches the soul
You suggested recording with tape because it captures a raw, emotional quality
when the red light turns on count in all let it roll
When the recording light comes on, count in and start the song without hesitation
we'll do it all live and commit to one take
We're going to perform the song live and stick with the first complete take
kick your shoes off it's time are you ready to play?
Relax and get comfortable, it's time to start playing the music. Are you mentally prepared?
you can stand against the wall or else get in real tight
You can choose to stand back and watch or join in and get close to the music
just give it your all and if this one's not right
Put all of your effort into the performance and if it's not perfect, we will try again
So I tore down my defenses and stood in the light
I let my guard down and positioned myself in front of everyone to perform
took off my hat, pushed it aside
I removed my personal belongings and focused solely on the music
the songs they hung heavy, exposed at the seams
The songs were intense and highlighted the imperfections
like your old worn-down sneakers and corduroy jeans
The songs were reminiscent of old, comfortable items like worn sneakers and corduroy jeans
the guitar was too down so I played the upright
The guitar didn't sound right, so I switched to playing the upright bass
but I played it all wrong and the click was too tight
I made mistakes while playing the bass and the metronome click was too rigid
Tear out the pages
Start fresh and remove any prior performances
my heart races
My heart is pounding with excitement and anticipation
take one big deep breath before we reset
Take a moment to breathe and prepare before starting again
you're pushing too hard now
You're trying too hard to make it perfect
soften the sound
Make the song more gentle and less aggressive
remember the song you set out to do
Don't lose sight of the original intention and emotion behind the song
Contributed by Eliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.