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.

Settle Down
White Arrows Lyrics

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All the time we spent
So the story goes
It's like i said it happened all before
That's how it goes
It's gonna take you to the edge of town it goes down you left me alone
Figured i should go go go now before you get home
I saw the time we drew
You never said that you would settle down

And now i'm keeping myself far away from you
In a town where i'm going to
That's how it's always been
It happened before
The time passes slowly now
I laid on the floor
Maybe go for a run instead

I just sat and stared at the wall
It's better than that like when you wait wait waited to talk

Overall Meaning

The song Settle Down by White Arrows is about a relationship that has ended, but the singer is still holding on to the memories of the time spent with their former partner. The opening lines, "All the time we spent, so the story goes, it's like I said it happened all before," suggests that the relationship had a sense of deja vu, as if they had been through this before. The singer is resigned to this fact, acknowledging that "That's how it goes."

The rest of the lyrics detail the singer's struggle to move on from the relationship. They feel abandoned and left alone, as their former partner moves on with their life. The line "You never said that you would settle down" could refer to a promise that was made by the ex-partner that they wouldn't commit to anyone or anything, or perhaps it's a reference to the idea of settling down in a more stable and serious relationship. The singer, on the other hand, is keeping themselves far away from their ex and is going to a new town to start over.

The chorus of the song suggests that time passes slowly for the singer, as they lay on the floor watching the minutes tick by. They can't bring themselves to do anything productive, so they simply stare at the wall. The song ends with the line "like when you wait wait waited to talk," which implies that the singer is waiting for their ex to come back and talk to them, but they know deep down that it's never going to happen.

Line by Line Meaning

All the time we spent
Reflecting on the past experiences and moments shared together.

So the story goes
Implying that the situation is familiar and has occurred before.

It's like I said it happened all before
Reiterating the feeling of déjà vu and familiarity.

That's how it goes
Accepting the way things unfolded and understanding the natural order of events.

It's gonna take you to the edge of town it goes down you left me alone
Recounting how the subject left the artist alone in a difficult and unfamiliar place.

Figured I should go go go now before you get home
Acknowledging the need to leave quickly and avoid confrontation.

I saw the time we drew
Subtly alluding to a previous occurrence that brought the singer and subject together.

You never said that you would settle down
Addressing the subject's lack of commitment and unwillingness to settle into a serious relationship.

And now I'm keeping myself far away from you
Describing the artist's distance and reservations towards the subject due to past experiences.

In a town where I'm going to
Hinting at a new place or opportunity that the artist is looking forward to.

That's how it's always been
Acknowledging how past experiences have set the stage for the present situation.

It happened before
Confirming the feeling of familiarity and recognition in the current situation.

The time passes slowly now
Reflecting on how time seems to move slower during a difficult or stagnant period.

I laid on the floor
Painting a picture of physical and emotional exhaustion or defeat.

Maybe go for a run instead
Suggesting a healthier coping mechanism or diversion from negative thoughts.

I just sat and stared at the wall
Highlighting the feeling of being stuck or trapped in a negative headspace.

It's better than that like when you wait wait waited to talk
Comparing the current situation to a past situation where waiting for resolution was more difficult or uncomfortable.

Contributed by Camilla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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