Tilly and the Wall sprang out of Omaha in 2001 - a Midwestern band of like-minded friends with pockets full of melodies, and a lot of pockets. The serendipitous result of five Omaha residents with a penchant for the same classic '60s pop, boy/girl harmonies and Americana folk records, Tilly and the Wall celebrates the petulant, determined, feisty nature of youth. They rejoice in tales of dreams followed, mistakes made, and hearts broken.
Tilly and the Wall released their debut album, Wild Like Children, in June 2004 on Conor Oberst's label, Team Love. Neely and Jamie were once in a band with Conor before he became known worldwide as Bright Eyes. Derek and Nick moved to Omaha from Atlanta, Georgia. Upon meeting, it was as if long-lost friends had found each other: without a doubt, the Tillys were born. Once the songs were written, Conor agreed to helm the production duties, and hence, Wild Like Children was unleashed on the world. As one of the first albums released on Team Love, Tilly and the Wall set a precedent for the label's identity: original, smart, exciting and, above all, easy to sing along to. The record consisted of 11 perfectly formed songs bursting with enthusiastic hyperactivity, while emanating a bitter sweet melancholy of long lost summers and misguided first loves. In front of a backdrop of sunshine, rain and snow, Tilly and the Wall sang songs about loving and kissing, dancing and drinking, staying and leaving, driving and talking, sleeping and dreaming, all set to the tap-tap-tapping of Jamie's toes. The press from sea to shining sea fell in love instantly.
And so, the Tillys went to meet their adoring fans, playing shows throughout America with the likes of Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley, The Go! Team, Pedro the Lion, Of Montreal and more. When not on the road, the band began working on the follow-up to Wild Like Children, simply titled Bottoms of Barrels. Recorded over three weeks in October and November 2005, the album was recorded by AJ Mogis, brother and mixed by studio co-hort to Bright Eyes' Mike Mogis. Bottoms of Barrels sees the Tillys taking their signature sound to the next level. The choruses are more rousing, the tapping more intense, the instrumentation fuller, each sound painting broad brush strokes across your speakers. Longtime friend Nate Walcott contributes a bit of trumpet, while other friends have added drums, accordion and cello. A couple of tracks even feature the vocal styling of University of Nebraska's own choir Trip the Light Fantastic, bolstering Neely and Kianna's dulcet harmonies. Bottoms of Barrels fully demonstrated the importance of Tilly’s “we” perspective – with a gang full of voices, the band made strong declarations about love, freedom and their own place in the world. The album took the band on travels they had only dreamt about, resulting in extensive tours throughout Europe, Australia, Japan and even Iceland. They also played their first-ever sets at major music festivals, including the Reading/Leeds Festival, Coachella and Japan’s Summer Sonic. By the middle of 2007, they returned home to Omaha to begin work on their next long-playing record, having amassed legions of fans, as well as frequent flyer miles, across the entire globe.
Their 2008 record, which has no title but is represented by the shape o (the cut-out shape framing the handmade cover artwork for the record), was produced by acclaimed producer Mike Mogis through the harsh Nebraska winter of 2007. o sees Tilly and the Wall redefining their sound, taking bigger, bolder steps towards experimentation while maintaining the elements that have always made them who they are. o draws on everything from nature to magic, from sex to astrology, with a larger focus on percussion, rhythm, harmonies and kaleidoscopic melodies, yet ultimately still sounds like our five musical friends from Omaha.
Their album Heavy Mood was released in 2012. They broke up soon after that. Vocalist Kianna Alarid joined the Kansas City band Yes You Are. A retrospective album I Want to F*ck It Up (Tilly and the Wall 2002-2013) is planned for 2020 on the Team Love label.
Urgency
Tilly and the Wall Lyrics
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Young kids stealing cars and having switchblade fights
Two little kids out selling lemonade in the sun
If you want them raised right you I guess you start them young
A homeless woman walking around in the snow
Tired father at the bus stop hey bus driver take him home
Boy down at the corner store copping some smokes
In a sea of perfect stripes it's hard to stay afloat
Oh man I feel it in the streets
All the people they're rhyming
They're stomping their feet
Got the shake of the grass roots beat
There's a preacher down on 24th and farnam street
Where the shattered glass is lying always glittering
And a prostitute with money spilling out her hands
Both screaming about some high tide rising
A protester's sandwich board in the park
Said you know the world is big and got a loose heart
You've only got what you've just polished clean
So you either start screaming or start singing
The song "Urgency" by Tilly and the Wall is an emotive and poignant reflection on the struggles of everyday people. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of life in the city, where car alarms blare and children engage in dangerous activities. Amidst this chaos, we see glimpses of hope, such as two kids selling lemonade in the sun or a tired father waiting for the bus. The urgency of the situation is palpable, and the lyrics suggest that action is needed to address the problems facing society. The line "In a sea of perfect stripes it's hard to stay afloat" speaks to the pressure to conform and the difficulty of maintaining individuality in a world that demands conformity.
The urgency is also reflected in the music, with stomping beats and shake of the grass roots rhythm. The song describes a preacher on 24th and Farnam Street, where the shattered glass is always glittering, and a prostitute with money spilling out of her hands. Both are screaming about some high tide rising, symbolizing the growing unrest in society. The song ends with a call to action, urging listeners to either start screaming or start singing, suggesting that we can make a difference if we take action in our own way.
Line by Line Meaning
A chorus of car alarms, shoes on the powerlines
The chaos and disorder in the streets where people have tossed their shoes over power lines as well as the frequent blaring of car alarms everywhere.
Young kids stealing cars and having switchblade fights
Describing the dangerous atmosphere where children are involved in illegal activities on the streets.
Two little kids out selling lemonade in the sun
Amidst all the chaos and confusion, there are still some innocent children who choose to spend their time selling lemonade under the sun.
If you want them raised right you I guess you start them young
The idea that parents should start teaching their children right and wrong from a young age so that they grow up to be responsible adults with strong values.
A homeless woman walking around in the snow
Observing the difficult living conditions of a homeless woman who is forced to walk in the snow with no place to call home.
Tired father at the bus stop hey bus driver take him home
Highlighting the struggles of a tired father who needs a break and is waiting at a bus stop, hoping to catch a ride home.
Boy down at the corner store copping some smokes
Showing a young boy engaging in vices such as smoking, which often stem from being exposed to the negative aspects of his surroundings.
In a sea of perfect stripes it's hard to stay afloat
With so many people trying to look perfect and fit in with society, it's difficult to stand out and maintain a sense of individuality.
Well the urgency
Expressing the need for urgent action in response to the problems seen in the environment portrayed in the song.
Oh man I feel it in the streets
The turmoil and stress can be felt in the streets of the town where people are struggling with their own problems.
All the people they're rhyming
Despite their differences, everyone is united in their struggles and concerns, which is reflected in the way they speak and relate to each other through rhyming.
They're stomping their feet
The people are showing their frustration and anger through actions like stomping their feet and protesting.
Got the shake of the grass roots beat
The movement to make change is coming from the bottom up, from the ground level where ordinary citizens are taking action.
There's a preacher down on 24th and farnam street
Drawing attention to a religious leader who is out in the streets trying to make a positive impact on the community.
Where the shattered glass is lying always glittering
In a place where there is evident destruction and damage, the broken glass always seems to shine in the light, reflecting hope for a better future.
And a prostitute with money spilling out her hands
Describing a woman engaged in prostitution whose primary motivation is the desire for money and a better life.
Both screaming about some high tide rising
Even with different motives and lifestyles, both the religious preacher and the prostitute recognize that something dangerous and unstoppable is happening and needs to be addressed.
A protester's sandwich board in the park
Pointing out a protester's sign in a public place where people gather to make their voices heard and demand change.
Said you know the world is big and got a loose heart
The protester emphasizes that the world is unstable and full of suffering, which calls for everyone to band together and come up with a solution.
You've only got what you've just polished clean
Highlighting the importance of taking care of oneself and one's surroundings to create a positive and productive life.
So you either start screaming or start singing
Encouraging people to take action by speaking out, protesting, or being involved through positive means like music and art, in order to make a difference in the world and create a better future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHARLES WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind