Under Byen (Danish for "Below the City") are known for producing their own unorthodox interpretation of rock (but it could also be indie, folktronic, trip-hop, post-rock or... something else). They rarely use guitars. Instead their soundscape is dominated by piano, cello, violin, electrically-distorted saw, organ, drums and percussion. A somewhat different vein of post-rock, infused with jazzy, folky and classical elements. An important part of the music is also the voice of Henriette Sennenvaldt, whose poetic Danish lyrics add a further mysterious allure to the mix.
The 1999 debut album "Kyst" impressed music critics, who applauded the band for creating their own style and tone. The second album "Det er mig der holder træerne sammen" (2002) was equally praised and has grown to become a hallmark for the band and helped reach a wider audience in Denmark and elsewhere. In 2004 it was re-released outside Denmark.
In 2006 the band released their album "Af Samme Stof Som Stof" to rave reviews.
Far from being a mainstream act Under Byen has nevertheless attracted a growing devoted fan base following the release of their two albums and intense live shows.
Under Byen's influences are very diverse. Leadsinger Henriette Sennenvaldt has been quoted as saying she was inspired by traffic. And if "Kyst" would be said to have a theme it would probably be water and harbours. They rarely cite any direct musical influences, but on occasion band members have expressed their fondness for artists such as Stina Nordenstam, Björk, Tori Amos, Sigur Rós, Tom Waits, Mogwai, Mark Hollis and Talk Talk. The band also have strong similarities with Portishead
They are from Aarhus, Denmark.
Members
* Henriette Sennenvaldt – vocals, lyricist
* Rasmus Kjær Larsen – pianos
* Nils Gröndahl – violin, saw, lapsteel, a variety of guitar pedals
* Morten Larsen – drums
* Sara Saxild – bass
* Anders Stochholm – percussion, accordion, harmonica, guitar
* Stine Sørensen – drums, percussion
* Morten Svenstrup – cello
Former members
* Katrine Stochholm – composer, melodica, backing vocals, piano
* Myrtha Wolf – cello
* Thorbjørn Krogshede – composer, piano, bass clarinet
http://www.underbyen.dk
Pilot
Under Byen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
hemmelige brud
Usynlig og næsten usårlig
i din maskine
Du var min
pilot
Så pur når du skar himlen op
Vi var ingen andres
Ingen andre
Så mine blonder i instrumenternes
bløde blus
Vi var som ingen andre
Den tomme luft
bærer endnu dit mærke
Dine perfekte snit lagt i ilt
The lyrics of Under Byen's song "Pilot" are poetic and metaphorical in nature, as they describe a relationship between two people as if they were a pilot and their secret bride. The first verse states "Jeg var din hemmelige brud / Usynlig og næsten usårlig / i din maskine," which can be translated as "I was your secret bride / Invisible and almost invulnerable / in your machine." This can be interpreted as the woman being subservient to the man and him being the one who controls the relationship.
The chorus, "Vi var ingen andres / Ingen andre / Så mine blonder i instrumenternes / bløde blus / Vi var som ingen andre / Den tomme luft / bærer endnu dit mærke / Dine perfekte snit lagt i ilt," roughly translates to "We were no one else's / No others / So my laces in the instruments' / Soft blouse / We were like no one else / The empty air / Still carries your mark / Your perfect cuts laid in oxygen." This can be interpreted as the couple feeling isolated from the rest of the world and their relationship being all-consuming. The man's "perfect cuts" and the woman's "blondes in the instrument's soft blouse" could symbolize his control over her, as if she is incorporated into his machine.
Overall, the lyrics of "Pilot" depict a relationship in which the man is the dominant figure and the woman is subservient to him. The metaphor of a pilot and his bride reinforces this dynamic, as it implies that the woman is under his control and incorporated into his machine. The chorus suggests that their relationship is all-consuming and isolating, as if they exist in their own world beyond anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Jeg var din hemmelige brud
I was your secret bride
Usynlig og næsten usårlig i din maskine
Invisible and almost invulnerable in your machine
Du var min pilot
You were my pilot
Så pur når du skar himlen op under al radar
So pure when you cut through the sky undetected
Vi var ingen andres
We were no one else's
Ingen andre så mine blonder i instrumenternes bløde blus
No one else saw my lace in the soft glow of the instruments
Vi var som ingen andre
We were like no one else
Den tomme luft bærer endnu dit mærke
The empty air still carries your mark
Dine perfekte snit lagt i ilt
Your perfect cuts etched into the oxygen
Contributed by Hailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ariel irusta
beautiful