"It's a new day and a new chapter for this band," exclaims an obviously excited Rutz. "We have a new sound, a new direction, a new feel, a new member, a new label and new management, so it felt like our old skin didn't completely contain what we do now, nor did it do this band justice anymore."
Though the players brainstormed for months before making the moniker switchover, they wanted a title that wouldn't be tied to any preconceived notions or specific music industry connotations. Originally, VOTA didn't have a meaning, instead creating a blank canvas for the listener to interpret, though a longtime listener soon pointed out an alternative meaning anchored in faith.
"One of our fans did a Google search and found out it does have a spiritual meaning, which is an interesting nod to God's sovereignty," explains Maranville. "VOTA is a Latin root word that stands for a collection of vows before God, which echoes our goals of using this music to His glory."
Outside of ministry intentions, the group's self-titled debut is loaded with artistic innovation, taking cues from the players' previous alternative dichotomy, plus additional influences ranging from dance poppers Maroon 5 to ethereal rockers Augustana. Add in a return outing with famed producer Nathan Dantzler (Relient K, Audio Adrenaline, Tree63) and VOTA brilliantly straddles the line of current and timeless.
"We really tried to throw the rule book out the window with these sessions and we tried to look at each song specifically and give them what they needed," offers Olesen. "We stretched our limits in every sense even down to the way we recorded. A lot of times a band records the drum tracks, then bass, then guitar and then vocals, but we took it one song at a time, which made the process more expensive, but artistically it was great to freshly move to each element. In the end, all the tracks have a wonderful diversity, which allows you to listen all the way through and put on a nice iPod shuffle mix."
Adding Friesen not only added an extra layer of paint to the band's dynamic, but also a brand new instrument in the form of keyboards. Though those sounds appeared on older albums and in concert, they share double billing with the guitars on this endeavor, putting a bit more groove in the step of these Nebraska natives.
"We had honestly been looking for the past three or four years for somebody to fill this part and we knew Riley was a real answer to prayer," ruminates Rutz. "He fit the profile we were looking for perfectly, we get along so well and he lives in Lincoln, NE, which just reaffirmed it for us!"
Beyond the studio, that fleshed out sound has expanded on stage, leaving VOTA a force to be reckoned with either in headlining, festival or even outreach styled environments such as on its onoing 180 Tour a public high school assembly program designed to encourage students in their character and decision making. The foursome's veteran status certainly doesn't hurt, with Olesen serving as arguably the most explosive rock n' roll front man in recent memory.
"Part of what we're tying to do is take the live show to another level, and now with four members, we're giving the audience an even more engaging show," Olesen adds. "We bring all our own sound and lighting on the road and we take the show really seriously, plus its been really encouraging to have support from our fans right from the get go of performing the new songs."
There's no doubt anyone leaving a VOTA show will be thoroughly entertained, but outside of a mere performance spectacle, there's a much more introspective thread that runs through the guys' sets. Besides showcasing a relatable message that runs the gamut of personal and spiritual relationships, plus being lights in even the darkest corners of society, members' humanitarian interests are also major components.
"We're interested in moving beyond just the music, which you can see in something like our partnership with Food For the Hungry and everything that's continuously being out on the 180 Tour, our commitment to encourage students through the 180 Tour" muses Maranville of the endeavor they started in 2006. "We want to offer students and listeners of all ages to consider how they can make a positive change in this world, whether that be by lending a helping hand or just living a life of character and integrity on a daily basis."
Olesen echoes those sentiments, also adding the gang's earned additional wisdom through experience, along with ongoing faith refinement. "We're not looking to be defined by being musicians and rock n' roll and we hold on loosely in that sense," he sums up. "Now that we're not 16-year-olds wanting to be rock stars, we're sensitive to where God wants us and I think that's given us a mature focus to kind of break the mold of going through the motions- whether that be with the way me make music, the 180 Tour and how we interact with everyone we meet along the way."
www.votaband.com
Be Mine
Vota Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
I hereby declare I'm on my knees
I'm crazy in love, crazy in love with you
How did I survive before
You took over my heart
Nothing in life I want more
These four words I've got to say to you
Please hear me now
CHORUS
Be mine for life (4x)
How did I live life before
You took over my heart
Nothing in life I want more
To be in your arms
These four words I've got to say to you
Please hear me now.
CHORUS
The lyrics to VOTA's song Be Mine speak of a declaration of love and devotion to someone. The opening lines, "Here ye, here ye, your attention please" indicate a formal and public declaration. The countdown from 10 to 1 builds anticipation, leading to the declaration of being "on my knees" and "crazy in love" with the person addressed in the song. The singer then reflects on how their life was incomplete before this person came along and took over their heart. The repetition of the phrase "nothing in life I want more, to be in your arms" emphasizes the desire for physical closeness and emotional connection with the person they love. The chorus - "be mine for life" further reinforces the singer's commitment to the person they love and their desire for a lifelong partnership.
Overall, the song is a beautiful expression of romantic love, with a strong focus on commitment and passion. The lyrics are simple and direct, conveying a message of deep and abiding devotion. The repetition of key phrases and counting down from 10 to 1 adds to the emotional intensity of the song, building to a powerful declaration of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Here ye, here ye, your attention please
Listen up, everyone, I have something important to say
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
I'm counting down to express the urgency of my message
I hereby declare I'm on my knees
I'm confessing my love and vulnerability to you
I'm crazy in love, crazy in love with you
I'm deeply and passionately in love with you
How did I survive before
My life was incomplete and unbearable without you
You took over my heart
You became the center of my universe and the source of my happiness
Nothing in life I want more
You are my greatest desire and the only thing that really matters to me
To be in your arms
Being close to you and feeling your warmth is my ultimate dream
These four words I've got to say to you
I need to express my feelings in the simplest and most powerful way possible
Please hear me now
I'm begging you to pay attention and understand the depth of my emotions
Be mine for life (4x)
I want to spend the rest of my life with you and cherish every moment together
Contributed by Mackenzie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Haven
Love this song!!!!!!
Katherine Bruton
I just got to hear one of their concerts and they played a new song that he wrote about his daughter. Its so sweet! Its about how he doesn't have enough time in the day and he wants to be able to play with his daughter instead of work all the time
dancingsoftball51
i love this song!! :) :) thanks for the lyrics :)
Brittany Wiles
<3 this song
Madeline Brink
I saw Vota yesterday. I got to meet them cuz my church helped raise for the 180 tour and i volenteered! :):):)
Morgan Paaige
They were at my skool today, and will be tn!:)
RooAcademy
This band is GRREATTTTT :DDDD
Madeline Brink
@kat100283 I heard that too. Everyone thought it was sooo sweet!!
victoria Pittari
@levimariah i love superchick and barlowgirl! dude you are so lucky you are able to see them! :D
Don't Access
they in my town earlier this week