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.
For Jasmine
bôa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching the way you watch people do
The things that they do
As you grow older - learning
Child understanding
About the way that a soul on a soul on a soul can be born
Can be beautiful
I see the smile that lights your face
When you understand and realise,
Oh child, in this world
Strange how we forget the things that made us first smile
Ho hey, never stop learning
Ho hey, never stop wandering
Baby's growing older
Oh my child never stop learning
And I'm learning too
About the way that people do
The things that they do
Never meaning to hurt anyone
But we all do things we regret
And wish we'd never done
Oh child, and there you are
Wandering through the garden of life
Picking up flowers and eating them
And the world will smile when you smile
And we all have smiles inside of us
Ho hey, never stop learning
Ho hey, never stop wandering
Baby's growing older
Oh my child never stop learning
Now baby, baby, yeah- don't you ever stop learning
Baby, baby, yeah - don't you ever stop learning
The song "For Jasmine" by Boa is a heartfelt tribute to a child and the innocence that comes with it. The lyrics reflect on the way children view the world and how they learn through their experiences. The first verse starts with the singer watching the child and how they watch people. The child's understanding of the world is also explored, and the singer notes that it can be beautiful. The child's smile and happiness when they learn something new is also acknowledged, and the singer reminds us how important it is to never forget the things that make us smile.
The second verse reflects on the singer's own journey of understanding how people behave and how we all make mistakes. The child is then compared to a wanderer, enjoying life and picking up flowers in the garden of life. Finally, the chorus urges the child to continue learning and wandering, even as they grow older, and the singer reminds them how much they are loved.
The song is a poignant reminder of the beauty of childhood and the importance of always learning and growing. It also celebrates the resilience and joy of youth, even in the face of challenges. Overall, "For Jasmine" is a touching tribute to the innocence and wonder of childhood, and how it can inspire us to be better people.
Line by Line Meaning
I am watching you
I'm observing you with awe and wonderment.
Watching the way you watch people do
I'm intrigued by how you observe others.
The things that they do
Their actions and behaviors.
As you grow older - learning
As you mature, gaining knowledge and experience.
Child understanding
The innocent clarity of a child's perspective.
About the way that a soul on a soul on a soul can be born
On how our existence is interconnected and beautiful.
Can be beautiful
It's a wonderful and magical thing.
I see the smile that lights your face
The joy and brightness that radiates from you.
When you understand and realize
When you gain insight and awareness.
Oh child, in this world
Oh, dear child, in this vast and complicated world.
Strange how we forget the things that made us first smile
It's curious how we tend to overlook the simple and joyful things that once made us happy.
Ho hey, never stop learning
To always keep learning and growing.
Ho hey, never stop wandering
To keep exploring and discovering.
Baby's growing older
Time is passing by quickly as you develop and mature.
Oh my child never stop learning
Oh my dear child, always continue seeking knowledge and wisdom.
And I'm learning too
I'm also gaining knowledge and insight.
Never meaning to hurt anyone
Nobody intentionally wants to cause pain to another person.
But we all do things we regret
However, we're all human and make mistakes that we feel sorry for.
And wish we'd never done
We reflect on our choices and wish we had acted differently.
Wandering through the garden of life
Venturing through the various experiences of life.
Picking up flowers and eating them
Enjoying the beauty and sweetness of life's offerings.
And the world will smile when you smile
Your happiness will radiate and spread positivity around you.
And we all have smiles inside of us
We all have the potential for joy and happiness hidden within us.
Now baby, baby, yeah- don't you ever stop learning
Dear child, please never stop seeking knowledge and wisdom.
Baby, baby, yeah - don't you ever stop learning
My dear child, always have a thirst for knowledge and understanding.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aly
on Twilight
i love this song sm