White Arrows may never divulge the source of their strange magic, but it's … Read Full Bio ↴White Arrows may never divulge the source of their strange magic, but it's hard not to picture a mystic dance floor hidden in the midst of a tropical rainforest. The Los Angeles, California, band stands at these balmy crossroads like a vision from an alternate reality: classic without leaning on nostalgia, visionary but not unfamiliar. What should be a collision of sounds and styles—ritualistic rhythm and four-four thump, synth sequences and strummed guitars, garage-y grind and airy atmosphere—is, in this quintet's capable hands, a fluidly seething whole. Call it Psychotropical pop, something both busy and breezy Call it Paul Simon in space (others have). Call it what you will. This is White Arrows.

The White Arrows story begins with a blind boy. Singer Mickey Church was born seeing the world as an impressionistic smear. His vision was righted at age 11, but his imagination ran wild for the intervening years. Since he couldn't make out those around him, he assumed they couldn't see him either. He rode made-up horses and sung songs that didn't exist. His memory of growing up in L.A. is confined to smells, sounds and swaths of fuzzy color. Mickey's father, a student of African percussion, encouraged him and his little brother Henry to pick up instruments as kids, so they played what was around. With family back east, Mickey eventually left for NYU, and unexpectedly wound up with a degree in shamanistic ritual.

Mickey's studies led him to examine the thin line that separates genius from insanity in art, and inspired him to create music that blurred familiar borders. In a Bowery basement, he made what would become the White Arrows EP—demos that took on new life once he returned home. Soon, Henry picked up the sticks. Their old friend J.P. Caballero joined on guitar, with Andrew Naeve on keys and beats, and Steven Vernet on bass. The five bonded over a shared love for sensory overload both aural and visual—essential to the White Arrows live show. And with only a 7-inch to sell, they toured with Cults, Those Darlins, and the Naked and Famous, played Sasquatch, opened for Weezer, and held residencies at home and in London.

Late last year, however, the guys decided it was time to slow down. They've since been holed up in L.A.'s canyon country recording the songs that will make up their debut LP. Inspired by RAC's propulsive dance mix of their angular banger, "Coming Or Going," they challenged the Portland remix geniuses to produce the entire White Arrows album due out this summer. RAC agreed, and the first fruits of their labors come via an April digital EP led by "Get Gone," the kaleidoscopic single that pits Mickey's transcendent croon against a bursting blend of elements both organic and electronic. When all's said and done, you'll be as likely to find White Arrows playing Coachella as Electric Daisy Carnival. In either case, expect to sweat.

Scream
White Arrows Lyrics

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I was pushin'
Yet all I see
I was pushin' but you pushed it back on me
You're thinking something
Hard to define
I kept on searching boy but nothing came to mind

I wanna make you scream

I'll give you everything

I was looking
There through the trees
I looked away you know it never comes with these
Look to the maker
So I can find
I felt it coming but I couldn't see the sign

I wanna make you scream
I'll give you everything
I wanna make you scream
I'll give you everything

It doesn't matter what I wanna do
It's gonna be with you
It doesn't matter what you say
You know it's gonna be that way

And when I go there
I go with you
And when I go there
I go with you

I wanna make you scream
I'll give you everything

I wanna make you scream
I'll give you everything

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of White Arrows's song "Scream" describe the singer's desire to make someone scream in ecstasy. The first verse talks about the singer trying to push their desires forward but being pushed back on by the other person. The lyrics suggest that the other person is thinking about something that is hard to define, which makes it difficult for the singer to fulfill their wishes. The second verse talks about the singer looking for a sign to show them the way forward but being unable to find one. The chorus of the song repeats the line "I wanna make you scream, I'll give you everything" which reinforces the idea that the singer is trying to fulfill their desire.

The lyrics of the song suggest an intense desire to achieve something that is not easy to achieve. The idea of making someone scream emphasizes the intensity of this desire. The feelings described in the song are universal and will resonate with many listeners who have experienced similar emotions. The lyrics are cryptic and leave a lot of room for interpretation, which can make the song more engaging for the listener. Overall, the song is a passionate plea that is laced with desire and longing.

Line by Line Meaning

I was pushin'
I was trying hard

Yet all I see
But I couldn't see any progress

I was pushin' but you pushed it back on me
I was trying hard but you were not cooperating

You're thinking something
You have something on your mind

Hard to define
But you can't put it into words

I kept on searching boy but nothing came to mind
I tried to figure it out, but couldn't find an answer

I wanna make you scream
I want to excite you, make you feel alive

I'll give you everything
I'll put in all my effort to make it happen

I was looking
I was searching

There through the trees
In the midst of confusion

I looked away you know it never comes with these
I got distracted, but inspiration never comes easily

Look to the maker
I need to seek guidance from a higher power

So I can find
In order to discover the answer

I felt it coming but I couldn't see the sign
I sensed a breakthrough, but couldn't figure out what it was

It doesn't matter what I wanna do
My desires are irrelevant

It's gonna be with you
As long as you're involved

It doesn't matter what you say
Your objections won't stop us

You know it's gonna be that way
It's inevitable

And when I go there
When I enter that state

I go with you
My mind is focused on you

I wanna make you scream
I want to electrify you

I'll give you everything
I'll put in all my effort to achieve that goal

Writer(s): Michael Dylan Schiff, Richie James Follin, Jimmy Messer, Andrew Robert Naeve

Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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