VNV Nation's inspiration was originally the clash of the modern and classical European cultures, where mythology and technology live in an uneasy fusion, but this has since broadened to encompass a world view. The music ranges from electronic dance music to ballads and classically inspired music. Inspirations are taken from a wide range of styles including contemporary underground club culture, industrial, trance and classical music. The lyrics draw on philosophy, religion, literature, art, politics and different forms of symbolism, although VNV Nation does not advocate any ideology. It is a metaphor for expression. The letters VNV stand for "Victory Not Vengeance". The meaning behind this stylised motto is that one should strive to achieve, not sit in bitter regret.
VNV Nation's first releases were in 1990 with two self produced vinyl releases, "Body Pulse" and "Strength of Youth" (which are now long deleted with Ronan Harris himself not having a copy). After working on some VNV Nation tracks and supporting Nitzer Ebb on tour whilst living in Toronto, Canada, Ronan returned to London and released some tracks on sampler CDs. This caught the interest of German label Discordia and in July 1995, "Advance and Follow" was released. At around about the same time, Mark Jackson joined the band.
In January 1998, VNV Nation signed with the German label, Off Beat Records, releasing their second album "Praise the Fallen" in June 1998 and the EP "Solitary EP" in September 1998. With VNV Nation increasing in popularity, they began their first headline tour in Germany in September 1998.
In 1999, the Off Beat label collapsed, leading to VNV Nation (along with other artists such as Covenant, Suicide Commando and Velvet Acid Christ) collaborating with Stefan Herwig (a former A&R manager with Off Beat) to create Dependent Records. In late 1999, the album "Empires" was released, staying at number 1 in the German Alternative Chart (DAC) for seven weeks, and winning the award for DAC Album of the Year.
From "Empires" two singles were released "Darkangel", which tops the DAC for 5 weeks in mid 1999 and "Standing", which stays at no.1 in the DAC for 8 weeks in early 2000 (the maximum a single can remain in the DAC) winning a German Alternative Music Award for most successful single of 2000 and sharing the place for most successful single in the DAC's history with the Chemical Brothers. A limited edition of the "Standing" single was also released entitled "Standing / Burning Empires" which contained alternate versions and remixes by VNV Nation of tracks from "Empires". This remains one of the most sought after VNV rarities, fetching large sums on auction sites, although it has recently been released on iTunes to allow casual listeners to purchase it.
In March 2001, "Advance and Follow v2" was released as a limited edition, which was a remastered and partially re-recorded version of the original 1995 album "Advance and Follow". The band were never particularly happy with the first album due to it being recorded in less than a week, so the release was seen by the band as a way to put that right.
In October 2001, VNV Nation embarked on their "Futureperfect" tour of Europe and North America, promoting the album "Futureperfect" which was released in January 2002. It reached number 25 in the full German Album Charts, with the single "Beloved" reaching number 60 in the full German Singles Chart. Following the release of "Beloved", VNV Nation part ways with Dependant and create their own label "Anachron Records".
In June 2003, the Honour 2003 EP is released, promoting the "Pastperfect" live DVD, which following many delays and problems was finally released in May 2004. Following this the rest of 2004 and beginning of 2005 was spent producing the album "Matter and Form", which was released in April 2005. Preceeding the album release, one of the tracks "Chrome" was sold in March 2005 as a download on the VNV Nation website, as well as iTunes.
In April 2007, the album "Judgement" was released, and an extensive world tour in support of the album followed. In January 2009, VNV Nation published their plans for 2009 on their website, indicating that the long delayed "Reformation" EP would be available, but now as a full "CD Pack". Also due for release in 2009 is the new album entitled "Of Faith, Power and Glory".
In November 2017 Mark Jackson left the band to "pursue other paths in life".
To read more about Ronan Harris and his motivations behind the band and 2009's "Of Faith, Power and Glory," please visit http://www.dieselpunks.org/profiles/blogs/interview-ronan-harris-of-vnv
Space & Time
VNV Nation Lyrics
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And tracing lines to what connects me and binds me to
Images of the remote and never-changing
Grand designs, style and grace
And am I
Lost in thoughts on open seas
Let the currents carry me
Another life or another dream
No turning back, face the fact
I am lost in space and time
Turning here, looking back in time
One and all let us celebrate the rise and fall
Celebrate the life and times of splendor
Desire and love constant and never-changing
The flow of times, closed in lines
Can't tell if I'm just
Lost in thoughts on open seas
Let the currents carry me
If I could would I remain
Another life or another dream
No turning back, face the fact
I am lost in space and time
Turning here, looking back in time
Lost in thoughts on open seas
Let the currents carry me
If I could would I remain
Another life or another dream
No turning back, face the fact
I am lost in space and time
Turning here, looking back in time
Lost in thoughts on open seas
Let the currents carry me
If I could would I remain
Another life or another dream
No turning back, face the fact
I am lost in space and time
Turning here, looking back in time
In VNV Nation's song "Space & Time," the lyrics seem to express a sense of detachment and introspection as the singer delves into their thoughts while contemplating their place in the world. They contemplate tearing apart the lives and times of familiar faces, trying to understand what connects them to the images of the remote and never-changing grand designs, style, and grace. The singer is lost in thoughts on open seas and dreams of another time, seemingly struggling to come to terms with the fact that they are lost in space and time.
The chorus emphasizes the idea of being lost, unsure of one's place in the world, and feeling a sense of unease as they try to navigate their way through life. The verses seem to contrast this by expressing a desire to celebrate life's rise and fall and cherish the constant of desire and love. The melody and instrumentation match the reflective mood of the lyrics, with a slow and steady beat accompanied by atmospheric synth sounds.
Line by Line Meaning
Tear apart the life and times of familiar faces
Examining the histories and experiences of the people we know
And tracing lines to what connects me and binds me to
Identifying the common threads that link together my own life and the lives of others
Images of the remote and never-changing
Visions of far-off places and times that remain eternally unaltered
Grand designs, style and grace
Elaborate plans and creations imbued with elegance and beauty
And am I
Prompting introspection about one's own place within these concepts
Lost in thoughts on open seas
Feeling disconnected and adrift, lost in contemplation
Let the currents carry me
Allowing oneself to be guided and moved by external forces
If I could would I remain
Wondering about the possibility of staying in a particular moment or place forever
Another life or another dream
Considering the potential for alternate realities and paths not taken
No turning back, face the fact
Acknowledging that there is no going back, and that one must confront the present and future
I am lost in space and time
Feeling untethered and disjointed from the constructs of physical reality
Turning here, looking back in time
Reflecting on past experiences and choices
One and all let us celebrate the rise and fall
Contemplating the cyclical nature of life's ups and downs, and finding joy in both
Celebrate the life and times of splendor
Honoring and cherishing the moments of greatness and beauty in life
Desire and love constant and never-changing
Recognizing that certain emotions and feelings remain steadfast even as everything else changes
The flow of times, closed in lines
The passage of time becoming a rigid and unchanging construct
Can't tell if I'm just
Uncertainty about one's own state of being and understanding
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RONAN HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind