From an early age Roel kept himself busy with finding new sounds and creating music. As GOSTO he and his live band melt the worlds of acoustic and electronic music together into one dubby trip-hop sound; raw, dark but still colourful.
Inspired by traveling, chaos and love as well as artists such as Flying Lotus, James Blake, Thom Yorke and Jeff Buckley, GOSTO balances between fragile melodies and electronic extravaganza. In his song writing, he thrives to let you experience the thin line between simplicity and complexity. GOSTO takes you to places that you seem to recognize, but not yet have been before.
Roel’s band exists out of musicians how create a tight sound, despite of their totally different background. These four virtuosos have the ability play a ground shaking energetic but still very controlled live-show. Expect thrilling melodies, catchy vocals and deep, deep synths.
In June 2014, GOSTO released his debut EP (premiered on Noisey) and was amongst others support act for How to Dress Well.
GOSTO can be seen at several festivals and at different clubs.
GOSTO band:
Roel Vermeer: Vocals, synths & samples
Mats Voshol: Drums
Reindert Kragt: Bass & synthbass
Luc Schouten: Guitar
http://www.gostomusic.com
I Knew You Better Before
gosto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before you wore my t-shirt
When you didn’t need to call in to check in on me
When you didn’t need commitment
Closer when we had the distance
When we only had the weekends, I’d miss you all week
Before we were closer
Before you had keys to my door
I knew you better before
When we didn’t have the pictures
Before the pillows and the whispers
When we didn’t have to tell all our friends who we were
When we didn’t need the whiskey
Before the memories and the history
When we didn’t need to question the way that we were
Wonder if we could reverse this
Consequences of the first kiss
Back when you were just a question that moved in to me
Back before I knew the answer
Knowing what was coming after
Wish that you were still the dancer that danced just for me
In "I Knew You Better Before," Gosto reflects on a past relationship that has changed and evolved over time. In the first verse, the lyrics express a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time when their connection was effortless and uncomplicated. The absence of words suggests a deep understanding and intimacy that transcended verbal communication. The mention of the singer's t-shirt signifies a level of familiarity and comfort, indicating when their relationship became more personal and intimate.
The second verse continues to explore the idea of change in the relationship. The lyric "When you didn't need commitment" hints at a time when both individuals were more independent and less tied down to each other. The phrase "closer when we had the distance" suggests that the physical separation between them paradoxically brought them closer together emotionally. The limited time they spent together during weekends led to a heightened sense of longing during the rest of the week.
The chorus emphasizes the contrast between the past and present. The singer acknowledges that their relationship has gone through significant changes, stating, "I knew you better before." This line reflects a sense of disappointment or longing for the simpler times when their connection was more authentic and pure.
The third verse delves into the external factors that have affected the relationship. The absence of visuals, such as pictures, pillows, and whispers, suggests a time when their love wasn't as outwardly demonstrated or reliant on exterior influences. Not having to declare their relationship to friends indicates a time when their bond didn't need external validation. The mention of whiskey alludes to memories and experiences that have blurred their connection and brought about doubt and uncertainty.
The bridge introduces the possibility of reversing the changes and consequences that have unfolded. The singer reflects on how the first kiss unleashed a series of events that have altered their relationship. They express a desire to return to a time when their partner was still a mystery to them, symbolized by the line "back when you were just a question that moved in to me." The lyrical longing for the past is reinforced by the desire for their partner to remain the same dancer who performed solely for them, suggesting the loss of uniqueness and exclusivity within the relationship.
Overall, "I Knew You Better Before" is a reflection on the transformation of a relationship over time and a longing for the simplicity and authenticity of its earlier stages. The lyrics convey a desire to recapture the connection and understanding that was present before various external influences and complexities altered their bond.
Line by Line Meaning
When we didn’t need words
When our connection was so strong that we could communicate without using words
Before you wore my t-shirt
Before you became so intimately involved in my life, when our relationship was more casual
When you didn’t need to call in to check in on me
When trust and understanding were so strong that you didn't feel the need to constantly check on me
When you didn’t need commitment
Before the stage where you desired a committed relationship, when we were more carefree
Closer when we had the distance
Ironically, our emotional bond felt stronger when we were physically apart
When we only had the weekends, I’d miss you all week
During the time when we could only spend weekends together, I would long for you throughout the entire week
Before we were lovers
Before our romantic involvement started, when we were simply friends or acquaintances
Before we were closer
Before we reached a deeper level of emotional closeness and understanding
Before you had keys to my door
Before you became a significant part of my life, when you didn't have access to my personal space
I knew you better before
I had a deeper understanding of who you were before our relationship evolved and changed
When we didn’t have the pictures
Before we started capturing moments in photographs, when memories were purely in our minds
Before the pillows and the whispers
Before the intimacy and vulnerability that came with sharing a bed and whispered conversations
When we didn’t have to tell all our friends who we were
Before we felt the need to define our relationship to others, when it was more private and personal
When we didn’t need the whiskey
Before we relied on alcohol to create a sense of intimacy or to cope with the challenges in our relationship
Before the memories and the history
Before we accumulated a collection of shared memories and experiences that shaped our relationship
When we didn’t need to question the way that we were
Before doubt or uncertainty crept into our relationship, when we were more confident in our connection
Wonder if we could reverse this
Contemplating the possibility of going back in time and undoing the changes that altered our relationship
Consequences of the first kiss
Reflecting on how the initial kiss between us led to the subsequent events and consequences that followed
Back when you were just a question that moved in to me
Looking back to a time when I was uncertain about my feelings for you, when you were still a mystery
Back before I knew the answer
Before I truly understood my own feelings for you and before I knew the outcome of our relationship
Knowing what was coming after
Aware of the eventual changes and challenges that would come as our relationship progressed
Wish that you were still the dancer that danced just for me
Longing for the early stages of our relationship when you were full of enchantment and made me feel special, like a dancer performing exclusively for me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Roel Gosto Vermeer, Benny Sings, Will Knox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Digi Spec
Please upload the full song to youtube so I can share it around the globe. It's one of the best songs I've heard all year.👍 Don't be shy and don't be greedy.🙂
GOSTO
Thanks you so much! DONE!