Nic DiPace (vocals and guitar), and Ryan Antolino (guitar) formed Wilderness of Tekoa in 2004, with Philip Pattison (bass) and Philip Turner (drums) later joining the band to complete the current lineup. After just over a year of writing, recording, and playing live, Tekoa had put together an independent EP and a live show that was beginning to attract attention. In that time, they won The Hard Rock Café sponsored, Battle of the Bands in Ft. Lauderdale, they were chosen to play 103.1 The Buzz FM’s Bake Sale with Staind and My Chemical Romance, and played 88.1 Way FM’s Boonaducious Festival with Toby Mac and Audio Adrenaline. These high-profile events led to discussions with both independent and major labels impressed by their mature songwriting and passionate vocal delivery reminiscent of U2 and Coldplay.
In the spring of 2006, Wilderness of Tekoa signed with Northern Records and began intense work on their debut, The Skies Pale in Comparison, and prepared to embark on their first national tour that will take them from coast to coast and back again over a period of two and a half months.
The Skies Pale in Comparison was recorded by the band in Florida and mixed by Andrew D. Prickett (Kevin Max,The Violet Burning, and The Lassie Foundation) at Northern Records. The band cites a wide range of influences that have contributed to the sound of this record. Ryan has a strictly indie diet, Nic loves Coldplay and Death Cab for Cutie, and Philip loves Ben Folds and Foo Fighters. These varied influences lead to performances that can effortlessly move from tenderness to aggression without it feeling contrived.
One of the most emotionally stirring tracks on the record, the song Your Place in the Ground, goes straight to the heart of infidelity in the home and the impact it has on a child dealing with the emotional fallout. In the song Asleep, the line“Will we all find sleep if we loose it all for nothing?” describes the need for faith in a way that hits close to home for the members of the band. “We are giving up every material possession in our lives and what we all know, for something that may or may not give us any rewards that we can see or touch.” The defining theme emerges in the track called Sunbeam. The lines “Oh who am I, this breath of fading mist? Where do I stand on this speck of heaven's dust? . . . The cosmic deaf into the listening” speak of how we are so small in relation to the known universe and the awe that is felt when considering the magnitude of the Creator of it all. According to the band, “It is a simple song about our awe of Him.”
Explaining the title of the record, the band says, “We recently found the Hubble website with all the images they've captured, some of which just blew our minds. And even still, we just think that The Skies Pale in Comparison to who He is, and who we are in Him.”
Elevate
Wilderness of Tekoa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We think so much, we leave it at home
Lose the salt, slipping fast
Can't forget what we are made of
So you say what we want to
But we'll wait on how to
And you'll say that we've lost you
Arguments left alone
Wait on words not our own
Elevate to use this height
Let's not forget what we are made of
So you say what we want to
But we'll wait on how to
And you'll say that we've lost you
But we'll say its all up to you
And you say,
We'll wait
You say,
Its all up to you
So you say that we fight to
But we'll wait on how to
And you'll say that we've lost you
But we'll say its all up to you
Is there anybody out there that feels this pain
Anybody out there who knows this name
I heard that you needed someone
The song “Elevate” by Wilderness of Tekoa conveys the idea of staying true to yourself and not forgetting your roots. The lyrics express the notion that we often carry around our material possessions but forget to embrace our true selves. The phrase “lose the salt, slipping fast” implies that we are losing our essence and becoming something we are not. The song urges us to remember our true identity and not let today’s materialistic world influence us.
The chorus of the song “So you say what we want to, but we'll wait on how to” is a call to action for listeners. It asks us to think before we speak or act, that we should wait before making any decisions or actions. The song suggests elevating ourselves to a higher level by using our thoughts and words wisely. It urges us to not forget what we are made of and to use that as a tool to elevate ourselves.
In the last verse, the song addresses the pain that many people feel when they are forgotten or left alone. The lyrics “Is there anybody out there that feels this pain, anybody out there who knows this name, I heard that you needed someone” conveys a sense of empathy and provokes listeners to consider those who may be going through tough times. The song encourages us to reach out and help those in need.
Line by Line Meaning
We carry on what we own
We continue with our possessions
We think so much, we leave it at home
We contemplate too much and forget to apply in our actions
Lose the salt, slipping fast
We're losing our essence and moving away from what defines us
Can't forget what we are made of
We mustn't forget our origin and core values
So you say what we want to
Others often impose their opinions on us
But we'll wait on how to
We'll take our time to decide what's best for us
And you'll say that we've lost you
Sometimes we feel abandoned by those who once supported us
But we'll say its all up to you
But ultimately it's up to us to take control of our own lives
Arguments left alone
We leave conflicts and disputes unresolved
Wait on words not our own
We listen to others instead of using our own voice
Elevate to use this height
We must rise above and grow from our experiences
Let's not forget what we are made of
Let's remain true to ourselves and our values
Is there anybody out there that feels this pain
Who else can relate to what we're going through?
Anybody out there who knows this name
Who else understands the identity and struggles we face?
I heard that you needed someone
I heard that you needed a support system
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jacob R
Saw these guys perform at the venue I was volunteering for in Iowa back in 2006. They affected me enough to check back on them 6 years later. They were even more incredible live. Glad to see songs on Youtube finally. Thanks for that night, and the memories.
Zaile45
This is on iTunes I believe and more bands that are the same genre (MATH ROCK) would be "Look Mexico" and "This Town Needs Guns." Good stuff, and its wonderful seeing that someone has good taste in music.
sublemon311
great song, thanks for posting!
Cast Sanchez
omg please i wanna here more shit like this! this is great! its so chill..
Michael West
Um ahhhhhhmazing.
iParty
@jeffreymahmoudi hell yea