bôa is a British alternative rock band formed in London in 1993 by drummer … Read Full Bio ↴bôa is a British alternative rock band formed in London in 1993 by drummer Ed Herten, keyboard player Paul Turrell, and guitarist/vocalist Steve Rodgers. Bôa's current lineup consists of Jasmine Rodgers (vocals), Steve Rodgers (vocals & guitar), Alex Caird (bass), and Lee Sullivan (drums & piano). The band progressed from a funk band to a rock band over the years. They produced two major albums, Twilight in 2001 and Get There in 2005. The band was originally signed by Polystar in Japan and produced their first album Race of a Thousand Camels in 1998. However, the band decided to change labels and signed with Pioneer LDC (now called Geneon) to produce their album Twilight in 2001.

They have released three full length CDs, one EP and one single. They are most widely known for the song "Duvet", which was used as the theme song for the anime series Serial Experiments Lain. As a result, they are fairly popular among anime fans worldwide; in particular, they performed in a live concert at the anime convention Otakon in 2000.

Their first full-length album was released in Japan in 1998 and titled "The Race Of A Thousand Camels." In 2001, the album was released in North America under the name "Twilight." It contained extra songs not found in the initial Japanese release.

After long delays by Pioneer's record label, bôa set up their own record label, "Boa Recordings", in 2003 and began recording their new album, "Get There", released in February of 2005.

The band is currently on hiatus until further notice.

(Note that bôa is not to be confused with the Korean pop artist BoA.)

bôa was formed in 1993 by original drummer, Ed Herten. Ed had played in several bands including "Delirious Groove", from whom he recruited Paul Turrell (keyboards) and "Draggin' Bones", from whom he recruited Alex Caird (bass). Ed had also been to school with Steve Rodgers, who soon joined bôa on guitar and vocals.

"Fran", an early song penned by Ed and Paul, had a chorus which lent itself to a female vocal. Steve's sister, Jasmine Rodgers, then just 16 years old, was persuaded to record a vocal on an early recording. This happened a number of times until Jasmine was eventually persuaded to become a full member of the group.

bôa actually started out as a funk band and soon recruited Ben Henderson, who had played in the band "Doctor Sky" with Alex, on saxophone.

1994
After several months of intensive songwriting and practicing, bôa played their first gig at "The Forum" in London. The gig was the first of many great live successes (and a few early disasters!)

In summer 1994, Ed left the band to concentrate on his studies, but remains a good friend of the rest of bôa to this day. After a couple of drummers were tried out but, for one reason or another, didn't work out, bôa found themselves with a gig to play and no drummer. Alex persuaded the drummer of yet another ex-band, "Chapter 6", Lee Sullivan, to help out. Lee's debut was a great success and he soon became bôa's permanent drummer.

Ed's laid back feel had worked perfectly with bôa's early funk songs. However, Lee brought a more powerful, rocky feel to the band and the songs naturally followed suit. Consequently, saxophone became somewhat surplus to requirement and Ben switched to guitar.

1995
This was a good year for bôa - they played many successful gigs including a short tour of the South of England which ended in two performances at the Glastonbury festival, where they were chosen as the focus of a TV documentary about the festival that was shown on the London art/music magazine show, "Shift".

The members of bôa were so pleased with the way the band was going that Jasmine delayed studying for a degree, Alex dropped out of his and Paul quit his full time job as a computer salesman (he didn't like it much anyway!) and moved to the spiritual home of bôa, the incredible town of New Malden.

1996
A relatively quiet year for bôa in which they received considerable interest from British record companies but no actual offers of deals. Salvation came in the unlikely form of an offer of a deal from Japanese company, Polystar Records, which bôa signed.

In December, bôa went into Red Bus Studios, London with producer Darren Allison (who has also worked with Skunk Anansie and The Divine Comedy) and recorded three songs: "Twilight", "Deeply" and "Elephant".

1997
Production of the bôa album was delayed by Polystar but the remainder was recorded in September at "Monnow Valley Studios" with producer Neil Walsh. It was mixed at PWL studios (Manchester) in November by Neil Walsh and Jason Barren.

1998
The bôa album was finally released by Polystar in the second half of the year under the dubious title "Race of a Thousand Camels" (inspired by a dream of Jasmine and a computer game written by Paul). Jasmine and Steve went to Japan to promote the release with some TV and radio appearances though the rest of the band were not invited by Polystar. Polystar also failed to fulfil contractual obligations to release the album in America and Europe. The song "Duvet" was released as a single.

1999
Despite to this day owing money to bôa, Polystar finally did something to help rather than hinder the band when they secured the use of the song "Duvet" as the theme tune to Serial Experiments' anime "Lain". This led to DJ Wasei remixing "Duvet". The show won several awards in Japan and has become hugely popular with anime fans around the world, most notably the USA. This web site suddenly became inundated with notes of appreciation for the song "Duvet". Paul and Alex wrote to Pioneer-USA, distributors of Lain, and discovered they too had received many enquiries about bôa.

Meanwhile, bôa were working with producer Stuart Epps and recorded some new material including an acoustic version of "Duvet" and the song "Drinking". The "Tall Snake E.P." was released in Japan featuring all three versions of "Duvet" and two songs ("Little Miss" and "Two Steps") than had been intended as B-sides of further promotional singles in Japan that Polystar had failed to release.

2000
Ben left bôa to concentrate on his other band, "Moth", in which he plays with his wife, Tina.

2001
bôa's debut US album "Twilight" was released on March 27th 2001. bôa played a mini-tour of Los Angeles in April and hope soon to perform a promotional tour. They are well on the way to completing a second album. The future looks bright....

Paul Turrell
Sadly, after much soul-searching, Paul has deciced to leave the band in order to pursue other interests. We wish him all the best and ask you all to wish him congratulations for his wedding to Jai-un and further congratulations for their forthcoming little one!

In August, bôa were tempted away from songwriting for a moment when they were invited to play at the Animefest in Dallas, Texas where they were treated to a fantastic audience and good Texan Beer, all in all a good one.

2002
bôa were scheduled to record their second album for Pioneer but due to a series of re-shufflings in the record company the album has been delayed for the moment. bôa, however have enjoyed writing more and more songs, only stopping for a break in June when Alex went to Australia for a couple of months travelling and Jasmine went to the Far East.
In September bôa supported Bad Company on their UK tour playing in Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester, London, Birmingham,Sheffield, Nottingham and York. The tour was brilliant and bôa are back in gigging mode and planning many for the next year!

2003
BOA record the new album in Southampton, England. The album is entirely self-funded and the band set up a record label, Boa Recordings.

2004
The album is then mixed and mastered and finally titled Get There!

2005
Boa have finally accomplished what they set out to achieve.

Originally, this was just a simple wish like all bands to record the next set of songs that all musicians feel compelled to write. However, like all bands again, Boa met with a series of delays and eventually decided that doing it on their own would be the best course of action.

As a result, a record label, Boa Recordings was set up and Get There was recorded, mastered and is out on the 1st. We wish to thank all of you for waiting so patiently and supporting us so marvellously.

Daylight
bôa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Daylight, and the night that flows away
Chase the light
Send it back to the day
(Soon the day will fade to gray
Watch the light slowly fade away)

You in my memories
Like the wind

Stir the autumn leaves
(You must be on your guard
Watch the dark when we will part)

I will send for you
Chase the clouds
Throw them up to the sky
(I will be by your side
Like the wind
Stir the autumn leaves)

Call for the wind to blow the moon
Hold her face, long for her embrace
(There will be much to fear
Guard your heart
Keep it by your side)

I call for daylight
I will call for daylight

I have need of the light
Bring it soon
Call the ones we know
(There will be a time to choose
Choose it well
This will be your path)

Hold the light in your heart
See the night
Let it glow
(Shape a bird to fly away
Send it far
Tell it where to go)

I will call the moon
(I will hold the moon)

See the day begins again
Find the truth hold it close to you
(There will be a time to choose
Hold your heart
Throw it up to the sky)

I call for daylight
I will call for daylight
I will call for daylight
I will call for daylight, daylight
I will call for daylight

Daylight...

Daylight will show...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to bôa's song "Daylight" express a sense of hope and determination despite obstacles and the inevitability of change. The first stanza reflects a sense of urgency to capture and hold onto the light, both literal and figurative, before it's gone. The second stanza is more introspective, with the singer reflecting on memories and relationships that are no longer present. The third stanza shifts to a more proactive stance, with a determination to bring the light back and overcome fear and uncertainty. The final stanza brings a sense of closure, with the day beginning again and the singer seeking truth and clarity through the darkness.

Overall, the lyrics suggest a desire to not let the darkness and uncertainty of life overwhelm and control us. Through determination and perseverance, we can find and hold onto the light and move forward despite the challenges we may face.

Line by Line Meaning

Daylight, and the night that flows away
The transition from night to day symbolizes the passing of time.

Chase the light
Pursue happiness and light in life.

Send it back to the day
Pass on the joy and positivity to others.

Soon the day will fade to gray Watch the light slowly fade away
Appreciate the moments of happiness in life as eventually they will fade away.

You in my memories Like the wind Stir the autumn leaves
The memory of someone still lingers in the mind and heart, stirring up emotions like the wind stirs autumn leaves.

You must be on your guard Watch the dark when we will part
Be cautious and careful when parting ways with someone.

I will send for you Chase the clouds Throw them up to the sky
I will do whatever it takes to bring you happiness and light, even if it means chasing the impossible.

I will be by your side Like the wind Stir the autumn leaves
I will always be there for you, in memory and in spirit.

There will be much to fear Guard your heart Keep it by your side
In times of uncertainty, protect your heart and emotions.

I call for daylight I will call for daylight
Yearning for a brighter, happier future.

I have need of the light Bring it soon Call the ones we know
I need the light and happiness now, and will reach out to those who can help provide it.

There will be a time to choose Choose it well This will be your path
Eventually, you will have to make choices that shape your future, so choose wisely.

Hold the light in your heart See the night Let it glow
Keep hope and positivity in the heart, even in dark times.

Shape a bird to fly away Send it far Tell it where to go
Create a new path for oneself, let go of the past, and move forward.

I will call the moon (I will hold the moon)
I will reach for the impossible and hope for the best.

See the day begins again Find the truth hold it close to you
Embrace the new day and find truth and meaning in life.

Hold your heart Throw it up to the sky
Take a leap of faith and follow the heart.

I call for daylight I will call for daylight I will call for daylight I will call for daylight, daylight I will call for daylight
Continued hope and yearning for a brighter, happier future.

Daylight...
A symbol of hope and positivity.

Contributed by Kylie S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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