One of our favorite rising groups over here at Highlight is the band Histories. The Emo-alternative outfit from Springfield, MO has been hard at work for the past year on their first full length. After long anticipation and and dedicated songwriting, the band released their album this past Friday, featuring their hit tune, “Cicada.” Recently, the band opened up to us about the track and its impact on themselves and the album. You can check out the track and the entire album, Victor Lu, here.
First of all – There’s nothing quite like strenuous, asocial labor to A. Pay the Bills B. Increase Health and C. Reduce Stress (even if that means you’ve got to get sober). Work may never be fun, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be stimulating.
The concept for Cicada, though, was written at the beginning of the year when I was working for a potash mine in New Mexico. Although the work could, at times, be physically demanding, it was not nearly as mentally draining as my previous, minimum-wage, job delivering sandwiches. I had fewer distractions and a lot more “free time” up in my head, finding myself, daily, dwelling on thoughts of all the people who’ve influenced me over time. I owe all of my positive characteristics to people that I seldom, to never, talk to anymore, and no one’s to blame for that; it’s just life. The older and busier we get, the harder it is to focus on anything that’s not right in front of us.Anyway, my goal with this song was to convey that they were still on my mind/heart and to serve as motivation in overcoming the pride/vices/excuses that prevent us from reconnecting. Time heals all wounds, and most of the people who’ve ever loved us are typically only a phone call away.
Lyrics
You’re on the wrong side of loyalty, tumblin’ weed.
I misplaced all my defense with your consistency.
Maybe your word exists, but others supersede.
You’re on the wrong side of loyalty, weathering chalk.
Recall my childhood; can’t find your name at all.
You could be overturned without a second thought.
All the hardships faced, the love that was claimed, the capacity too full to handle more pain-
few to object if I decide to harbor such disdain,
but I’ve seen it crease about a thousand times.
Nevermind honor unclear-
only welcome with half sincerity (time can take it out of you)
Be the same every time that I see you,
humorous and deteriorating,
holding onto the skins of cicadas forever, just in case.
Hear me out, I allude to the fine print.
Common ground drifting ever-so distant,
hoping not to be perceived any different.
Indebted lives ingrained
Atlantic tie-off
Virtuous steps on the stones I laid down;
no time to skip.
Background noise
Couldn’t hear what was said fabricating memories with Lee’s Summit kids’ all-encompassing cliques.
Celebrate on May 31st only to communicate progressively worse, just moments before we begin to disperse.
I’m on the wrong side of loyalty and losing my mind;
maybe just losing touch with every division sign.
It’s never too late to extend salutations while we’re all still alive.
If you could be the same…
Assurance is lost with variant thoughts.
We’re subject to change, but don’t think that I ever forgot.
It’s somewhere in the carport attic I keep all my stuff in back on Edmondson.
Be the same. I will be the same. I can be the same when I see you.
Thoughts exchanged, telepathic brains
I’ll always be the same when geography allows.
