1) a British band based in London
1) a British band based in London
2) an American indie-roots band from Minneapolis
1. The Pines are a collaboration of the songstress Pam Berry and Joe Brooker of The Foxgloves .
Matinée Recordings
2. Rising out of the prairies of the Midwest, The Pines are one of the most distinct and powerful indie-rock/Americana groups to hit the national scene in years. Emerging from the same Minneapolis music world that spawned such notable acts as The Jayhawks, The Replacements and Bob Dylan, The Pines have gathered a stunning line-up of musical talent, in both their live shows and on record, that has gained them a faithful and growing following.
Frontmen Benson Ramsey and David Huckfelt share a common musical language rooted in the songs and songwriters of their native Iowa, while each bringing a distinct voice and sensibility to the sound that Rolling Stone senior writer David Fricke called “quietly gripping” stark-country. The mysterious sound of The Pines fuses Benson’s ethereal, otherworldly, heart-piercing songs with David’s earthy, darkly romantic and rough-hewn visionary tales. With masterful guitar work, beautiful vocals and the graceful keyboard and vocal additions of Benson’s brother Alex Ramsey, the core of The Pines’ sound captivates and elevates with rare intimacy.
Surprisingly, David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey actually began their musical partnership in Arizona, where they both lived in a Mexican barrio and first began playing together. The son of Greg Brown’s producer and sideman Bo Ramsey, Benson was reared on folk and blues music and continues to let those influences shine, even on louder electric songs. David also had a deep love for traditional music, and together the two of them started crafting songs that evoke the ancient, while incorporating newer rock and pop sounds.
Committing to a musical career together, Benson and David returned to their Midwestern roots and moved to Minneapolis, where they slowly grew their band to include banjo player Michael Rossetto (Spaghetti Western String Co.), drummer J.T. Bates (Michel Portal, John Gorka), bassist James Buckley (Ed Harcourt, Daniel Johnston, Dosh), guitarist Jacob Hanson (Halloween, Alaska) and Benson’s brother Alex Ramsey on keyboards.
Creating quite a buzz around the Twin Cities and across the Upper Midwest, The Pines caught the attention of acclaimed indie label Red House Records and signed with them in 2007, releasing their breakout album Sparrows in the Bell, named one of the top roots releases of the year by Q Magazine. The Pines wowed audiences at the 2008 South By Southwest (SXSW) and were named one of the musical highlights by CMT.com. They followed up this success with Tremolo, an album that garnered rave reviews in magazines like Rolling Stone and got airplay on tastemaker stations such as KCRW and The Current. It landed them coveted performances on Daytrotter.com and Bob Harris’ popular BBC show, winning them new fans across North America and Europe. A great live act whether performing as a stripped-down trio (David Huckfelt, Benson Ramsey and Alex Ramsey) or as a full rock band, The Pines’ devoted cult following and has led them to share the stage with such diverse acts as Jolie Holland, The Arcade Fire, Iris DeMent, Mavis Staples, Bon Iver and The Holmes Brothers.
Rise Up and Be Lonely
The Pines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
they stole them when they found the gold
well a broken little treaty holds the proof
Now it's snowblind madness on the plains
I clamor for a purer strain
well you don't need many words to speak the truth
Where daisies burn and kisses fade
from lack of light in heart and mind
cold hymns explode and voodoo scenes erupt in time
I make my way in leaves and roots
I'm trembling in my travelin shoes
I don't believe, but I believe I'll dust my broom
Rise up and be lonely
Stripes on my shoulders, chains on my feet
all the money in the world is a lame retreat
from the shelter behind our eyes
Look now the sun hangs like a thief
over branches leaf to leaf
and I'm out walking
under corporate criminal skies
Rise up in the morning
Rise up and be lonely
The Pines's song "Rise Up and Be Lonely" has an intense, political message. The first verse talks about the theft of land from Native Americans by colonizers who brought about snowblind madness on the plains. The singer clamors for a purer strain and states that the truth does not need many words. This is a sentiment that can be applied to the struggles of Indigenous peoples across the world who have been silenced by colonizers. The phrase "Rise up and be lonely" speaks to the idea that those who stand up for what they believe in are often alone in their efforts.
The second verse talks about a world where love fades and hymns explode, possibly referencing the decline of organized religion. The singer makes their way through leaves and roots, perhaps symbolizing a return to nature or spirituality. They are trembling in their "travelin shoes," suggesting that they are on a journey or a quest for something. The line "I don't believe, but I believe I'll dust my broom" is a reference to an old blues song, which could mean that the singer is finding comfort in music as they navigate through their own struggles.
Overall, "Rise Up and Be Lonely" speaks to the idea of standing up for what you believe in despite feeling alone in the fight. The song touches on themes of colonization, spirituality, and the power of truth. It suggests that those who are brave enough to question the status quo will find their own path and make their voices heard.
Line by Line Meaning
Whose woods these are I think I know
I am aware of who owns this land
they stole them when they found the gold
The land was taken from its original owners after gold was discovered
well a broken little treaty holds the proof
There is evidence in a treaty that has been violated
Now it's snowblind madness on the plains
There is chaos and confusion in the territory
I clamor for a purer strain
I am searching for a better situation or environment
well you don't need many words to speak the truth
The truth is simple and doesn't require a lot of explanation
Rise up and be lonely
Take action and embrace your solitude
Where daisies burn and kisses fade
Where love fades and beauty is lost
from lack of light in heart and mind
Because of emotional and mental darkness
cold hymns explode and voodoo scenes erupt in time
There are violent and unsettling outbursts
I make my way in leaves and roots
I navigate through nature to find my path
I'm trembling in my travelin shoes
I am anxious and unsure on my journey
I don't believe, but I believe I'll dust my broom
I am doubtful but still taking action
Stripes on my shoulders, chains on my feet
I am trapped and oppressed
all the money in the world is a lame retreat
Wealth cannot provide true escape or freedom
from the shelter behind our eyes
The only true refuge is within our own perspective
Look now the sun hangs like a thief
The daylight is fading away
over branches leaf to leaf
I observe the natural world
and I'm out walking
I am exploring my surroundings
under corporate criminal skies
The businesses and structures around me are corrupt
Rise up in the morning
Start each day with determination and energy
Rise up and be lonely
Embrace your solitude and take action for yourself
Contributed by Christian W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.