Merritt, who hails from Iowa City, had been putting together a band and sealed the deal to have Skylar, originally from Seattle, join him in creating TRAPDOOR SOCIAL while hanging backstage at a Death Cab for Cutie concert at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles. They are a powerhouse duo, playing off of each other’s very different personalities - Merritt’s darker, angst-driven creativity coupled with Skylar’s bright and dynamic performance. “There is a serious dark thing and a serious light thing happening in TRAPDOOR SOCIAL.” says Skylar. “Merritt derives creative energy out of stress and anxiety - his art thrives when he’s suffering. My way is bouncing, affectionate, super positive - I live to be on stage.”
The result is a lush, moody indie alt-pop experience where lyrics, melody and beat work intimately together to create a compelling and seductive melange.
TRAPDOOR SOCIAL makes its official debut with a six song EP Death Of A Friend,
due out October 2012. The songs were produced by Curt Schneider, with
Death Cab For Cutie drummer Jason McGerr playing on the tracks.
Video plays an important part of the creative process for TRAPDOOR SOCIAL. They are prolific, with outstanding clips for “Inertia” and “Death Of A Friend” released Summer 2012, and “Away” and “Like You Never” currently in production. "Video is another great canvas to paint on. It can connect the dots from different concepts in a very visceral way.” describes Merritt, who wrote, produced and performed in the video for “Inertia”. “As soon as the song is done, I immediately go to imagery.”
The songs on Death Of A Friend speak of love, emotion, introspection. “We want to eventually write an anthem for the renewable energy movement.” proclaims Skylar. “I had an epiphany when I saw the Harry Belafonte documentary ‘Sing Your Song’ while at the Sundance Film Fest last year. Harry was a star, but then also got into civil rights movement, using his clout to swing a big sword at those issues, dedicating the rest of this life to affect change. You can be a rock star and change the world - this is what I want to do. We have to become rock stars in order to get this message out, in order to get the work done that we want to get done.”
In the meantime, TRAPDOOR SOCIAL walks its talk, with continued involvement with green companies Farmscape and Agrisaurus, which Merritt helped create, and the development of an awareness campaign around solar and other renewable energy. “Life is about finding situations into which you can add love.” says Merritt. “I want to help get the message out that everyone should just do what they can!”.
TRAPDOOR SOCIAL inspires us with that message, loud and clear.
Away
Trapdoor Social Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kill you like a disease.
Fire in the sky
It's raining heavily.
There will come a time when you decide
It's fight or flight and you've had enough.
Something in your eye
Tells me what you need.
Some fresh air to breathe.
Leave it all behind and
Run away with me. (2x)
Chorus:
O-way-a
O-way-a
O-way-a
O-way-ahhh
Hit the gas and drive it
Like you stole the thing.
The melody's alive so
Let me hear you sing.
Feel your heart ignite, elevate,
Satellite, and float down again.
Free and feeling high
On new found clarity.
The sunny summer shines in solidarity.
Leave it all behind and
Run away with me. (2x)
Chorus:
O-way-a (I know you feel it now)
O-way-a (Come on I'll show you how)
O-way-a (Let it go and run away with me)
O-way-ahhh (2x)
Embrace the charge that's
Flowing through you.
Running down from high above.
Melt the pain away inside you.
Burning rubber, fueled by love.
Break away, no chance of stopping.
Liberation in your wake.
Feel the rhythm, heart is popping.
What's finally mine is yours to take. (3x)
Chorus:
O-way-a
O-way-a
O-way-a
O-way-ahhh
The song "Away" by Trapdoor Social is a powerful ballad about getting away from the monotony of everyday life and taking chances without fear of failure. The lyrics describe the weight of life's burdens, like traffic, and the danger of allowing them to consume an individual. The powerful imagery of "Fire in the sky, It's raining heavily" metaphorically represents the turmoil and chaos that can overtake one's life, making it so important to take a moment to breathe and find the accompanying peace. The song then goes on to describe the importance of seizing the moment and running away from the difficulties of life with someone else who understands the need to escape.
The chorus of the song is a repeated "O-way-a" pronounced in a slow, almost meditative chant-like fashion, which is why the song can be seen as an anthem for the generation that desires to break free of the average life society promotes. The lyrics encase hopeful tones, empowering the listener to feel free and take control. The verse about the "Melody's alive" signifies that music can be an empowering tool to escape the banality of everyday life. When the melody of the song hits, it "ignites, elevates" and the listener feels the motivation to take off and fly away.
Finally, the song captures the essence of freedom with the lyrics "Embrace the charge that's flowing through you. Running down from high above. Melt the pain away inside you. Burning rubber, fueled by love. Break away, no chance of stopping. Liberation in your wake. Feel the rhythm, heart is popping. What's finally mine is yours to take." The lyrics describe the power that comes with taking risks, from pursuing what one desires without regretting it, no matter the cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Traffic on your mind
Your thoughts are congested.
Kill you like a disease.
It's mentally killing you.
Fire in the sky
The brilliant golden sunset in the sky.
It's raining heavily.
It's pouring down like it will never stop.
There will come a time when you decide
One day you'll make the choice.
It's fight or flight and you've had enough.
You'll either fight or give up.
Something in your eye
There's a glimmer of hope in your eyes.
Tells me what you need.
It speaks to me about what you want.
A lover by your side and
With someone whom you adore beside you
Some fresh air to breathe.
It's time to take a break in nature.
Leave it all behind and
Just forget the world and
Run away with me. (2x)
come with me to escape
Traffic on your mind
Your thoughts are congested.
Kill you like a disease.
It's mentally killing you.
Fire in the sky
The brilliant golden sunset in the sky.
It's raining heavily.
It's pouring down like it will never stop.
Hit the gas and drive it
Drive as quickly as possible and
Like you stole the thing.
Drive it like it's not yours.
The melody's alive so
The song has energy to it.
Let me hear you sing.
Sing your heart out to me.
Feel your heart ignite, elevate,
Sense your heart catch fire and elevate,
Satellite, and float down again.
Then descend to the earth.
Free and feeling high
Feeling free and lifted
On new found clarity.
With newfound understanding.
The sunny summer shines in solidarity.
The sun shines brightly, and everything seems to align.
Leave it all behind and
Just forget the world and
Run away with me. (2x)
come with me to escape
O-way-a
This is a refrain that has little meaning.
O-way-a
This is a refrain that has little meaning.
O-way-a
This is a refrain that has little meaning.
O-way-ahhh
This is a refrain that has little meaning.
Embrace the charge that's
Accept the electrical force that's
Flowing through you.
Flowing around and through you.
Running down from high above.
Descend from up above, roaring down.
Melt the pain away inside you.
Melt the pain you feel within.
Burning rubber, fueled by love.
Drive recklessly with passion.
Break away, no chance of stopping.
There's no stopping us now.
Liberation in your wake.
You will liberate others as you move forward.
Feel the rhythm, heart is popping.
Hear and feel the beat, and your heart is thrilled.
What's finally mine is yours to take. (3x)
You can have whatever you desire.
O-way-a
This is a refrain that has little meaning.
O-way-a
This is a refrain that has little meaning.
O-way-a
This is a refrain that has little meaning.
O-way-ahhh
This is a refrain that has little meaning.
Contributed by Logan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Angel Cruz
Traffic on your mind
Kills you like a disease.
Fire in the sky
It's raining heavily.
There will come a time when you decide
It's fight or flight and you've had enough.
Something in your eye
Tells me what you need.
A lover by your side and
Some fresh air to breathe.
Leave it all behind and run away with me
Leave it all behind and run away with me
O-way-a
Hit the gas and drive it
Like you stole the thing.
The melody's alive so
Let me hear you sing.
Feel your heart ignite, elevate,
Satellite, and float down again.
Free and feeling high
On new found clarity.
The sunny summer shines in solidarity.
Leave it all behind and run away with me
Leave it all behind and run away with me
O-way-a (I know you feel it now)
O-way-a (Come on I'll show you how)
O-way-a (Let it go and run away with me)
O-way-aaaa
O-way-a (I know you feel it now)
O-way-a (Come on I'll show you how)
O-way-a (Let it go and run away with me)
O-way-aaaa
Embrace the charge that's
Flowing through you.
Running down from high above.
Melt away the pain inside you.
Burning rubber, fueled by love.
Break away, no chance of stopping.
Liberation in your wake.
Feel the rhythm, heart is popping.
What's finally mine is yours to take
Embrace the charge that's
Flowing through you.
Running down from high above.
Melt away the pain inside you.
Burning rubber, fueled by love.
Break away, no chance of stopping.
Liberation in your wake.
Feel the rhythm, heart is popping.
What's finally mine is yours to take
Embrace the charge that's
Flowing through you.
Running down from high above.
Melt away the pain inside you.
Burning rubber, fueled by love.
Break away, no chance of stopping.
Liberation in your wake.
Feel the rhythm, heart is popping.
What's finally mine is yours to take
O-way-a
midsinlol
My mom recently saw them live, they actually do the whistling live, she said it was really impressive how clear it was and how difficult it is to whistle after straining your voice a bunch
pepper
I remember when I used to hear this all the time on jango and couldn't believe that you weren't big yet. This song is still amazing as ever. I hope you guys get the recognition you deserve.
Chase Victory
Literally won't stop telling friends about you till you guys get a billion views. You guys make some dope ass music. Great moves, keep it up, proud of ya.
Zülhun
I've just found YOU GUYS And I AM SO GLAD FOR THAT!
Kiarahope Oberholzer
Love the song and energy they put into this ❤️
Marília Carvalho
this is SO GOOD. i cant believe ive never heard of this amazing band. im so in love!
TonyContorno
Just heard this in Saint Louis on the local college station. I tend to listen to them for good new music. This certainly fit that category!! I'm going to spread the word in STL!!
Angel Cruz
Traffic on your mind
Kills you like a disease.
Fire in the sky
It's raining heavily.
There will come a time when you decide
It's fight or flight and you've had enough.
Something in your eye
Tells me what you need.
A lover by your side and
Some fresh air to breathe.
Leave it all behind and run away with me
Leave it all behind and run away with me
O-way-a
Hit the gas and drive it
Like you stole the thing.
The melody's alive so
Let me hear you sing.
Feel your heart ignite, elevate,
Satellite, and float down again.
Free and feeling high
On new found clarity.
The sunny summer shines in solidarity.
Leave it all behind and run away with me
Leave it all behind and run away with me
O-way-a (I know you feel it now)
O-way-a (Come on I'll show you how)
O-way-a (Let it go and run away with me)
O-way-aaaa
O-way-a (I know you feel it now)
O-way-a (Come on I'll show you how)
O-way-a (Let it go and run away with me)
O-way-aaaa
Embrace the charge that's
Flowing through you.
Running down from high above.
Melt away the pain inside you.
Burning rubber, fueled by love.
Break away, no chance of stopping.
Liberation in your wake.
Feel the rhythm, heart is popping.
What's finally mine is yours to take
Embrace the charge that's
Flowing through you.
Running down from high above.
Melt away the pain inside you.
Burning rubber, fueled by love.
Break away, no chance of stopping.
Liberation in your wake.
Feel the rhythm, heart is popping.
What's finally mine is yours to take
Embrace the charge that's
Flowing through you.
Running down from high above.
Melt away the pain inside you.
Burning rubber, fueled by love.
Break away, no chance of stopping.
Liberation in your wake.
Feel the rhythm, heart is popping.
What's finally mine is yours to take
O-way-a
Cinthia Álvarez
I'll never understand why I love your music so much.
Alan Mcintyre
I love trapdoor social...its all I listen to at work.