From playing local gigs at ski resorts in exchange for free lift tickets, the band is composed of Michael Kang (acoustic/electric mandolin, electric guitar, and violin), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Bill Nershi (acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, and electric slide guitar), Kyle Hollingsworth (piano, organ, Rhodes, and accordion), and Keith Moseley (bass guitar), and, in 2006, Jason Hann (auxiliary percussion).
The String Cheese Incident has been described as a democratic ensemble rather than a band, since all of the members contribute their own original compositions to the group’s burgeoning library and share the vocal burden on a number of cover versions as well as their own songs. If a de facto leader had to be named, such a title would probably fall upon Nershi, who is responsible for the bulk of the group’s original song library.
From their management, Madison House Inc.:
"The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America’s most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 6 albums, 3 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 14 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.
When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.
Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On the Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band.
The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band’s right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning’s Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year’s and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators."
Some side groups are eoto, zilla with Jamie Janover, Zuvuya, Honkytonk Homeslice, Billy nershi's Plue Planet, Pangaea, The Trancident & Keller Williams with Moseley Droll and Sipe
Close Your Eyes
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing going to bring him down
His father was a man who worked so hard
Never could be around
Mama always wanted the best for him
Mama said make me proud
Too much, too fast, too little, too late
It all goes round can't get away
Chorus:
Close your eyes and look inside
And see what you can find
Open your mind and take the time and learn from soul
Loves the kids, loves the wife
And wonders if there's more
Looks around and sees his friends
All been done before
Goes to church on the holidays
Looking for something to light his way
Living for then and not for now
He wants to be free but he doesn't know how
Chorus x2
Open wide
From Deep Inside
Open wide
He lost his way he's off the path
Got to keep moving can't go back
Where he is and where he was
Will never be the same
The freedom that he searches for
Has no key, it's an open door
The love he needs and hopes to find
Has been with him all the time
Chorus x 2
Open Wide
From Deep Inside
Open Wide
All he knows is what he sees
So much more behind the scenes
Open wide
The String Cheese Incident's song "Close Your Eyes" presents a story about a man who has worked hard to reach the level he is at today. He comes from a family where his father was always working, and his mother wanted him to succeed. However, no matter what he achieves, he always feels there is something more out there for him. He loves his family, but he wonders if he can find something more meaningful.
The chorus of the song suggests that he needs to stop looking outside himself for fulfillment and instead look within. By closing his eyes and looking inside himself, he will find what he is looking for. He needs to open his mind and take time to connect with his soul, which will show him the path to true happiness.
The song speaks to the universal human desire for inner peace and the search for a purpose in life. It encourages the listener to take a moment to reflect and connect with their own soul and to move beyond the externalities to search for what they truly want in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Work his whole life to get where he is
He spent his life working towards his current position
Nothing gonna bring him down
He is determined and will not be deterred by anything
His father was a man who worked so hard
His father was a hard worker
Never could be around
But he was not around much
His mama always wanted the best for him
His mother had high expectations for him
Mama said make me proud
She wanted him to make her proud
Too much, too fast, too little, too late
It is all a cycle that cannot be escaped
It all goes round can't get away
Life is a cycle that cannot be avoided
Close your eyes and look inside
Take a deeper look within yourself
And see what you can find
And discover what you are truly made of
Open your mind and take time and learn from the soul
Expand your mind and learn from your inner being
Loves his wife and loves the kids
He deeply cares for his family
And wonders if there's more
But wonders if there is more to life
Looks around and sees his friends
He sees his friends and peers
All been done before
Who have all gone through the same experiences
Goes to church on the holidays
He goes to church on special occasions
Looking for something to light his way
Seeking guidance and direction for his life
Living for then and not for now
He is living for the future, not the present moment
He wants to be free but he doesn't know how
He desires freedom but does not know how to attain it
All he knows is what he sees
He only understands what is visible to him
So much more behind the scenes
But there is much more going on beneath the surface
Open wide, crawl deep inside
Take a deep and introspective dive into yourself
He lost his way he's off the path
He has strayed from his intended path
Gotta keep moving can't look back
He must keep pushing forward and not dwell on the past
Where he is and where he was
His current and past situations
Will never be the same
Are different and unchangeable
The freedom that he searches for
The freedom he desires
Has no key, it?s an open door
Does not have a simple solution, but rather is already accessible
The love he needs and hopes to find
The love he craves and seeks
Has been with him all the time
Has been inside him all along
Close your eyes and look inside
Take a deeper look within yourself
And see what you can find
And discover what you are truly made of
Open your mind and take time and learn from the soul
Expand your mind and learn from your inner being
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dana Wright
on Water
“Phosphorescent, luminescent, nature’s show astounds me”
Dana Wright
on Water
“Cicadas, in minor, all sing a melody so inventing” 100% correct.