Bechtolt was born in Astoria, Oregon and began playing music as a teenager, dropping out of high school to play drums in his brother's touring punk band. He started working with electronics in the late 1990s and began releasing solo records under the name YACHT in 2003. Nearly all of his recordings have been distributed by both Marriage Records and States Rights Records.
Claire Evans came of age playing in bands in the underground noise scene of Los Angeles, and was part of the Portland-based The World Court. She has presented her PowerPoint performances at MoMA PS1, The Kitchenand the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art and has collaborated with Bechtolt on literally hundreds of projects since they met in 2004.
In 2003, Bechtolt was commissioned to create a full length audio/visual electronic pop opera by the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA). He performed with his group The Badger King with bandmate Marianna Ritchie (a Wolf Colonel and Dear Nora alumnus who went on to record alone as Manta, and then Mantar).
In 2006, Bechtolt collaborated with Khaela Maricich as half of the pop group The Blow to release Paper Television. Bechtolt toured extensively with The Blow, providing beats and backup vocals until quitting the band in 2007 in order to focus on his work in YACHT.
In January 2006, Bechtolt was commissioned for two performances for the New York based art and technology platform Rhizome, as part of their "Crap-tops vs Laptops" show. In February 2006, he performed at the Museum of Modern Art's P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center and produced an hour-long internet radio program with Clear Cut Press; a Northwest-based publisher of new literary work.
In 2007, for the release party for YACHT's album I Believe In You. Your Magic Is Real, Bechtolt performed a concert on an actual yacht on the Willamette River in Portland.
The 2009 release, See Mystery Lights, was the first to feature Claire Evans as a group member.
YACHT live performances include dancing as well as elaborate PowerPoint presentations. Bechtolt documents his professional and sometimes personal life via video, text, and images on his blog.
In 2010, YACHT expanded to include The Straight Gaze; a backing band of 2 additional members. Bobby Birdman plays bass guitar and sings backing vocals while Jeffrey Jerusalem plays drums. In this incarnation Bechtolt and Evans both play instruments.
Bechtolt is a co-founder of the Portland-based popular blogging web community Urban Honking as well as the producer, editor, cameraman and a writer of The Ultimate Blogger.
Both Bechtolt and Evans are vegans.
Sites: YouTube, SoundCloud, Discogs, Wikipedia, Twitter and www.teamYACHT.com
Holy Roller
Yacht Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A rocket's just a slow bomb,
In my pocket is a new psalm,
And I'm ready to be winning, winning.
While the wheel is turning, turning,
Best thing now's to glass half-full-it,
Get my ass up to the pulpit.
While the wheel is coming, coming,
Everyone loves someone,
But the universe loves no one.
So you better give the people something.
While the wheel is rolling, rolling,
I'm a roller but I'm holy.
I'm controlling my world slowly.
And the cops keep on patrolling, 'rolling.
Don't you worry about God up above.
We're gonna live life in,
Don't you worry about God up above.
We're gonna live life in LOVE!
While the wheel is tilting, tilting,
It's not my job to be humble,
All that mountains do is crumble.
But my people, they just keep on building.
While that wheel is tipping, tipping,
Now the End Times are beginning,
I can hear the angels singing!
Don't laugh. I am not kidding, kidding.
While that wheel is broken, broken.
Time to drown my fears in napalm,
disappear from here and get gone!
Cause the prophet he has spoken, spoken, spoken.
Wow, my head is spinning, spinning!
You didn't read this in the Bible
When I lead people, it's tribal.
We'll show you what you get for sinning.
Don't you worry about God up above.
We're gonna live life in,
Don't you worry about God up above.
We're gonna live life in LOVE!
How very much I've tried
To give you a good life.
I haven't seen nobody
Yet that didn't die.
How very much I've tried!
Don't you worry about God up above.
We're gonna live life in,
Don't you worry about God up above.
We're gonna live life in love!
In YACHT's song Holy Roller, the lyrics describe someone who is both powerful and righteous, an individual in control of their destiny while also being in tune with higher powers. The artist creates a juxtaposition between spinning wheels and rockets as symbols of uncertainty and fear, and the comfort that comes from having faith in something greater than oneself. The song advocates for living life to the fullest without wallowing in worry or self-doubt, and instead embracing the power of love as a guiding light.
Throughout the lyrics, the artist plays with metaphorical language to communicate a message of empowerment and self-confidence. The line "I'm a roller but I'm holy" suggests a reference to roller derby, where participants wear protective gear and compete on an oval track, but ultimately prioritize team success over individual achievement. The song's overall message seems to be that while life can be complicated and full of uncertainty, embracing an attitude of kindness and love can help us navigate whatever challenges come our way.
Line by Line Meaning
While the wheel is spinning, spinning,
While things are changing and uncertain,
A rocket's just a slow bomb,
Things that seem incredible can become destructive,
In my pocket is a new psalm,
I have a new message to share with the world,
And I'm ready to be winning, winning.
I am confident in my ability to succeed,
Best thing now's to glass half-full-it,
It's best to have a positive attitude,
Get my ass up to the pulpit.
I need to step up and take a leadership role,
Gonna set those benches burning, burning.
I am going to inspire people to take action,
Everyone loves someone,
People are capable of love and connection,
But the universe loves no one.
The world is indifferent to our desires and needs,
So you better give the people something.
You need to offer value and meaning to others,
I'm a roller but I'm holy.
I am confident and righteous in my actions,
I'm controlling my world slowly.
I am taking control of my own life and destiny,
And the cops keep on patrolling, 'rolling.
Even in the face of opposition, I am staying strong and true to my beliefs,
Don't you worry about God up above.
Don't worry about the afterlife or divine judgment,
We're gonna live life in,
We will focus on the present and make the most of it,
We're gonna live life in LOVE!
Love and connection are the most important things in life,
While that wheel is tipping, tipping,
As things are becoming more chaotic and uncertain,
Now the End Times are beginning,
A major crisis or change is imminent,
I can hear the angels singing!
I am optimistic and see positive outcomes ahead,
But my people, they just keep on building.
In the face of adversity, my followers are resilient and resourceful,
Time to drown my fears in napalm,
It's time to face my fears head-on and take drastic action,
Disappear from here and get gone!
I need to leave this situation behind and find a new path forward,
Cause the prophet he has spoken, spoken, spoken.
I have a message to share that is powerful and true,
You didn't read this in the Bible
My message is unconventional and outside of mainstream belief systems,
When I lead people, it's tribal.
My leadership style is focused on connection and community,
We'll show you what you get for sinning.
Those who resist or oppose us will face the consequences of their actions,
How very much I've tried,
I have put a lot of effort and energy into making a difference,
To give you a good life.
My goal is to improve the lives of others and make a positive impact on the world,
I haven't seen nobody yet that didn't die.
We are all mortal and will eventually face death,
Don't you worry about God up above.
Don't be consumed by fear or worry about the afterlife,
We're gonna live life in,
We will focus on the present and make the most of it,
Don't you worry about God up above.
Don't be consumed by fear or worry about the afterlife,
We're gonna live life in love!
We will prioritize love and connection in all that we do,
Lyrics © IMMORTAL MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: CLAIRE LOUISE EVANS, JONATHAN WARREN BECHTOLT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JohnDoe-qx8ze
This is one of my favorite songs