About Me
- Name: Shawn Harris
- Location: Oakland, CA
I am a louse, and I am lovely.
Previous Posts
- Mother Effervescent
- Rejected Color Names for Crayola Brand Crayons
- These Boobs Aint Gonna Paint Themselves
- Tips For Optimizing Existence, #218
- Pass the time, or let the time pass us?
- www.thematches.org
- You’re in Trouble
- Let Down Your Skin
- Dave Matthews: Not Even a Contender!
- At least We're Better Than Dave Matthews at Someth...
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94 Comments :
"a pendulum sway between hope and despair"
I'm so excited for this album!
the world is yours, people just haven't looked out the window yet.
The work ethic of Shawn Harris is amazing.
" I'd given up for fucksake, and I'd never written so feverously in my life."
I can definitely relate to this.
Decomposer is amazing, and I had no idea how it could get better.
Then I heard To Build a Mountain
and then Their City.
You guys will get what you deserve soon enough.
Well, I've yet to be disappointed be you guys, so I'm looking forward to the new album. I'm excited to see how your sound has evolved even further.
omg. shwn. nooo.
aa band in hoope is sucjh a emo name. abandon hope is more matches themed i think. itll be gr8 its a respectable name, though its kinda emoa nd i hat eppl calling them emos casue emo "culture" per say is fake
I usually keep my blog comments really short..but this blog made me really sad. Every single one of your albums have been beautiful and unique. You guys have a real gift for making amazing music. Maybe the world doesn't appreciate your music like they should...yet...but they will.
For now, your fans(and you have a hell of a lot of them)will continue supporting you. To us you are bigger than The Beatles :)
The Matches > every other band
Fact.
I disagree, Chris.
A Band In Hope has the complexity of a double meaning.
Abandon Hope has just one meaning, and a rather "emo" one at that.
Anyway, like Mal said, every new song is so impressive. I can't wait for the album as a whole.
Gah! Pure ridiculousness! I love decomposer! Its still by far my favorite album EVER out of any band or artist I've listened to. I'm so sorry you guys were disappointed about the record sales! Ugh, and now I've gone a tad ranty and feel weird. It just pains to me to see any of you upset by the sales when the album is such a masterpiece. I suppose in short what I'm trying to say is that, its important that you boys know that no matter what the receipts say, you guys put out a simply and positively amazing album. and i still appreciate every bit of time and effort put into it each and every time its played.
- joey
What i find funny about "Journeys to self realization" is that, you need to accept the fact that people are everchanging. The process between EVDKTL and Decomposer was natural change, and being a supporter of "Advancement" (And Chuck Klosterman put it) It was a welcome growth into my cd collection. But the acceptance of change is a hard one, and i can only hope that you are just able to grow and take the change as a blesing, and not a melancholy roadblock. We are changing with you, and i can assure you, we will stick by you and your creative intent. I mean, we are just human's looking for creative plugs. And you guys have proven that you do infact "Bleed Creativity"
xo
M
A Band In Hope, like Aladdin Sane? Do you look up to David Bowie influentially? Or is this just coincidence?
Isn't becoming an adult fun? It happens to the best of us eventually. You may not be where you want to be yet, but like someone told me, you're "closer though".
"To us you are bigger than The Beatles"
No one ever will be.
But your pretty damn close...
(and thats coming from somebody who doesn't listen to pop-punk often)
"I really thought that Decomposer was the best thing I would ever make."
It is the best thing I've ever heard.
What i find funny about "Journeys to self realization" is that, you need to accept the fact that people are everchanging. The process between EVDKTL and Decomposer was natural change, and being a supporter of "Advancement" (And Chuck Klosterman put it) It was a welcome growth into my cd collection. But the acceptance of change is a hard one, and i can only hope that you are just able to grow and take the change as a blesing, and not a melancholy roadblock. We are changing with you, and i can assure you, we will stick by you and your creative intent. I mean, we are just human's looking for creative plugs. And you guys have proven that you do infact "Bleed Creativity"
xo
M
Agreed with every word here.
And aside from that, wow. I mean, I can't wait for this album. Thank you (for everything your band has gotten me through over the past few years, but mostly just in general), and I really do mean it when I wish you the best of luck in everything. Whatever that may mean for you.
I sound like I'm saying goodbye or something. Which definately isn't the case. It's closer to saying hello. I don't even know what I'm saying anymore, but thank you.
-Allyson.
"The minor fall, the major lift, the baffled king composing hallelujah..."
...Surrender, indeed.
Unfortunately, I doubt some, or most, will embrace the real meaning behind this (surely amazing) new album to come, if not just the name. But without, is there any real reason?
The world is yours, karma's just making us all wait for you to take it. You're one of the few and far between that truly does deserve it. The fact that you don't realize it makes it all the more true.
I'm glad you posted this, of course we're interested.
I hope things are coming together wonderfully, inside and out of the studio...
♥ V
"You're one of the few and far between that truly does deserve it. The fact that you don't realize it makes it all the more true."
true story.
And even at this point, you've come further than a lot of bands have ever come. Your fan base is dedicated, I assure you.
I do believe in Karma, and I do believe that everything will happen for you guys in every way imaginable. Just don't let it cloud your vision.
Also, I find the album title very fitting for the feelings you expressed here. If your new songs touch on similar subjects I am sure it will affect a lot of people. We all deal with wanting more out of life. Hope has been a hot topic with me lately, what it all really means. I actually just blogged about it a few days ago.
I like the white flag that is accompanying your "surrender". Maybe it's when we haven't the slightest hope that we get the biggest surprise. Perhaps it makes it all the more sweet in the end. They always did say you could taste victory.
Perhaps karma is building up in a sense that the reward will be greater than expected once you reap it. In other news, I am quite excited for the new album. I anxiously await for that day to arrive...
Oh! How the hell did I forget?!
I've been listening to Their City for like, hours, true story. Trying to figure out all the lyrics now...
I love it, somehow I see this being a very fun live song as well.
♥ V
i laughed a little when i did read it aloud. it's an awesome album title.
i loved E Von Dahl and when i heard decomposer i thought that was going to be The Album too, the one that would define The Matches, and would make everyone find you. but they will, don't a band in hope. (had to do it.)
really psyched about the new album, now more so than before.
Wow.
I would contribute with a wittier comment, but Miles just knocked me on my ass with one of his long emails. Definitely good news. :)
Too much, too fast doesn't last.
build it slow, build it strong, build it to last long...
Just because you don't get instant recognition for your hard work doesn't mean it won't come at all. It's all in divine timing. It will come, you will see, be patient. And when your wishes come true, I will definitely be in your face doing the "I told you so!"
its so refreshing to hear a honest rendition of a musicians struggle , none of the " we just want to make music " statements , which we all know arent true .
Decomposer was not appreciated as it should have been. I love that album.
Cannot wait for the new album :)
I didn't like the title when I heard it in May. I got the play on words, there was just something about it, like it had already been done. Every time I heard it mentioned I sort of
cringed and crossed my fingers you'd
go back to The Mad Silentist and 'abandon' the other title.
After this, not only do I understand the change but I think it fits perfectly. Well done, as always.
yo,
alright, so i see that you just happen to be using expensive programs. being in school and all, i'm not made of money. how the hell do you plan on paying for maya?!? do you deal drugs when not on tour?
anyway, i was just wondering what you used, because i have a time-based media class and we have to do an end of the semester project. i wanted to try my hands at animation.
warning: i may come to you with problems i need a fixin', or for tips you may have!
in exchange, the next time you're in toronto i will be treating you to some fine vegan dining. you have my word.
it sounds exciting.
i cant wait.
please forgive the consumer reports on decomposer because those who did come out buy it made it part of themselves.
ps... it took me a couple of minutes this time to realize the double meaning in "a band in hope". i like it.
Just because you were not appreciated by the faceless contributors of the Billboard charts does not mean you weren't / aren't appreciated by the glowing faces of the many fans you guys you have already inspired for life.
It took years for Einstein and Van Gough to be appreciated for their work, your time will come, it's inevitable. Hang in there.
W.
I agree with marieeeee, "a pendulum sway between hope and despair" sounds like something that would go into a press package. And though I thoroughly enjoy "A Band In Hope" (clever phonetic pun) I was hoping more for something along the lines of "Hearts That Hate."
Oh, sigh. I was so in love with "Mad Silentist," too, but...I agree with Steph, I suppose. A rockin' album by any other name will still rock just as hard. (And Shakespeare turns in his grave yet again...sorry Willy.)
'I was hoping more for something along the lines of "Hearts That Hate."'
hahahaha please.
This post has been removed by the author.
" I'd given up for fucksake, and I'd never written so feverously in my life."
it's desperation. a need to be remembered for something better.
well, for me atleast. you fight so hard after you give up (or if you know you'd never had a chance) because you don't want to sink under and lose yourself to yourself and what's already been done and set, even if you think it's the best you could ever have.
but I'm hyper-excited for the new album, decomposer was epic, and this sounds like it's going to be too.
I know it must be incredibly frustrating when you try so hard and don't get what you wanted in the end. It happens to the best of us. You just have to remember what amazing, dedicated fans you have that are out there promoting for you and would do anything for you guys.
I can't wait for the new album. I hope that you do achieve the success you and your band deserve.
I'm going to echo Lauren's sentiment of still using The Mad Silentist for something. It's too good to go to waste.
oh fuck. Lauren didn't actually say that here. That's what I get for having too many Matches related windows open on Mozilla at one time.
summary: Please use The Mad Silentist for something in the near future and make Lauren and others happy. end.
I can wait to hear it! I'm sure after the release of this CD the world will belong to The Matches.
I am SO excited for the new album.
Decomposer is still my favorite CD. (in fact, in Biology, we keep talking about decomposers, and Everytime we do, I start singing a random song from the album)
I'm going to scribble the new title all over my binder like most do with silly crushes.
Who has time for those when I have to keep up with thte matches?
I'm so ecstatic about this damn album. It will surely be epic.
i really love the way u talk a lot shawn.
its the best ive ever heard. us hould write a book (or my college essays/recommendation letter. haha. jk. not aobut the book though.
EXTRAORDINARILY excited for a band in hope
rock on 4ever and ever!
I'm trying to collect my thoughts on this post. just know that we all believe in you (why else would we comment every.single.post?)
in my case, you help me through the day...it sounds super cheesy but i guess i should say that you guys helped me get through a speech i had to do for a class...i was super nervous but then i started singing "salty eyes" under my breath and got one of the best grades in class (thanks for that)
please also know that a seat at the top of the charts will never replace the loads of devoted fans.
dont give up. ever. please
we (or maybe just i) need you more than you know
Shawn -
The rest of the world might not realize it, but your band is one of the very FEW original ones out there. I absolutely love listening to every second of every minute of every song. There's creativity in every one. Not a single song makes me want to go..."I've heard this a thousand times, sung in different voices." Because it's just not true. Your writing style is *insert-a-whole-another-amazing-synonym-here* I don't know how to say it in any other way, so...
Thank you so much for making music. Keep amazing me.
Shawn, I can honestly say that I could sit down and listen through both E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals and Decomposer completely and enjoy and sing and mouth along to every second. A lot of fans tell you this here, I mean, we're fans, but I honestly think that the Matches has what it takes to make it to the top.
It is pure, beautiful, good music, and all it will take is for one song to spread like wildfire through the radio stations or MTV.
BTW: I can't waitttt for the new album! I think Mad Silentist is a pretty cool name as well as A Band in Hope, but I have to admit that I like the former more. No matter the title I'll fall in love with it like the other two though. :D
that made me sad :( You deserve so much more than you're getting.
You always amaze me. Like how you have completly given up, yet you can't stop writing. That makes perfect sense...only in the mind of Shawn Harris. I can't wait for the new album!
You have a sound that is unlike any other band I have ever heard, just give the masses a bit more time before they fall down and worship you at your feet.
it may be selfish of me, but i love the fact that the "charts" and mainstream pop culture haven't found you just yet. no need to stress about what "they" think. the ones that won't always come and go (true fans) have known for a long time now.
from what i've heard of the album thus far i wouldn't doubt if "they" catch on soon.
amazed.
pshhawww. Decomposer is one of the best albums... ever. Seriously. And I mean I've heard people say that they didn't like it because it was different from E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals. That's why it was amazing. You guys can make any type of music and I'll still love it. It's because The Matches can pull that kind of stuff off. The songs on Decomposer were so unique. It really made me respect you more than I already did. Pretty much you can make a song totally off the walls and I would still love it. Some people can't appreciate that kind of talent. Whatever. E. Von Dahl is amazing. Decomposer is really amazing. A Band In Hope will be even more amazing. The End.
Woah, it took me a while to get the double meaning of "A Band In Hope." I thought Mad Silentist was better at first, but wow, that's genius. The new album is going to be great! :]
i cannot express how excited i am.. to build a mountain made me soo thrilled that another album was soon to be released.. i still havent heard their city, but i am soo excited its not even funny. i cannot wait and am soooooo ecstatic
i still have my heart set on Pastor Johnny Yue Killed the Matches.
does the wizard wish us not to see shawn's writings?
Hahaha, this new edited version might just top the original.
Your creativity just astounds me, really. Even when you erase something it's both funny and ingenious.
aawwww dammit.
I'm glad I got to read it at least once.
:(
never again
awww man
its gone that sucks
Why did you do that? It was an expression of what you felt and it was real. I'm a little confused. :/
So the wizard got to this before I could comment the original. Damn the school internet filters. Thats really disappointing =(
Anyway, I happen to think that a chart with artists like Soulja Boy couldn't ever be better than the love and devotion that your fans have.
I personally hate when a song or band becomes popular so everyone loves it and your thrown in with the rest of them even if you've been with the band since the start.
Wizzizzarddd.
Is this an Epitaph thing?
Were we not supposed to see it yet?
Thanks for sharing it :)
In a few albums time you'll be popular enough to be on the radio and everyone will scramble to buy Decomposer so they can say "pfft, I like the old school Matches"
Please dont ever change.
Hahahhaha did someone leak some secrets that weren't supposed to be leaked?
Another thing that I wanted to tell you in my previous post is that sometimes, being huge isn't all it's cracked up to be. Your shows are amazing. Every fan I've ever met of yours has been so nice and sweet. At your concerts, everyone's face is glowing, and everyone's singing every word, and everyone's so into it. Most importantly, everyone's there for the music that they love. Not gonna lie, you lose some of that as success takes hold. Your privacy is non existant anymore. I'm sure everyone knows all this, but just saying, i LOVE your fanbase right now, it's one of the few fanbases out there that I am completely proud to be a part of.
You'll gain thousands of great fans if you get this success, you'll get your music more widely heard, and you'll get money.
You'll also gain thousands of fans that you might not want to have, and that population could overshadow the real fanbase. This is just me, as a fan, talking about not wanting to lose you guys to the intense demands of the mainstream.
But you deserve it more than any other band that I can think of, and I sincerely hope that this album is the big one for you guys.
/adding onto post above-
And I also WANT the world to hear what you guys have to offer.
Because you have something different and beautiful. It's refreshing.
I never thought I'd be thankful to AP.net, but.. if it weren't for them, I would never have gotten to read it!
I can't even imagine how amazing the new material will be.
Ok, so I was in the middle of commenting the original when my computer decided to kick me off of the page I was going to comment on. I had a copy on another page though, so I can still read the original! *does happy dance*
Anyways- Even though no one else can read it, I'm going to comment the original. Though I do adore The Wizard's evil genious abilities.
My original comment (I've learned with old computers, you have to copy before you minimize):
Oh my.
I really am at a lose of words.
I mean, everything I could say would either come out wrong or has already been said.
I suppose I'll give it a shot and acutually put it as what I said instead of anonymous, as I always do.
I'm not sure if it will help you think possitive on that whole bad record sells thing. But one day I was thinking of what I wanted with my life. And I posted it in a myspace blog and all my friends that read it commented about how it helped them through something. What, I don't know, but if getting it out helped me and helped those like 10 people, maybe it will help you.
In the blog I covered why I was upset (mom problems, child abuse that I saw at Waffle House, favoritism, discrimination, and so on) and then went on a rant saying that everyone should just stay niave and live that ideal 'perfect' life that was put out in The Brady Bunch and Leave It To Beaver. And then it went on to say that I don't want the 'perfect' life because it would be boring but I don't want the drama that is caused in normal life.
Now this is the part that helped me and my friends.
I said that I just want to do something I'd enjoy. That takes me everywhere. Keeps me away from Hopkinsville, Kentucky (where I'm from but don't live). And helps me make my life seem meaningful. I want people to remember me for SOMETHING when I die. I want to die knowing I helped someone. Knowing I changed someone's life. I want people to remember me for doing something meaningful. I want to make a dent in society. Just a dent. Nothing major. I want my name in there. I don't want to be rich or famous. I don't want everyone to know my name. I just want some people to know my name and, when asked about me, have them say "Leslie? Leslie McAwesome? Haha, she's GREAT! A real life savor. If it wasn't for her, I don't know what I would've done."
I'll quote my friend Niki to explain how it helped my friends.
"yeah
i think that is what we all want really.
Not to be big and famous with the world.
but to be big in famous with your friends.
thanks leslie.
i was stuck and this helped push me out of that quicksand.
thanks babe."
Thats an exact quote. =^]
So yeah
Just think of your music as helping someone, making dent in society, and being important to people.
I'm not sure if it makes a difference but you're really important to me.
I listen to The Matches EVERY day, I come to this blog EVERY day, and I quote you EVERY day.
I know if someone told me that, I'd feel happy to have put a dent in their life (or in your case... a mountain) but thats just me.
I sort of rambled but I felt really strong about it. I mean, I don't want anything bad to happen to The Matches and even if you're writing more when you've practically given up, the fact that you practically gave up is scary.
...and I like A Band In Hope. =^] It's cool. And the short version would be ABIH... sounds nifty! Haha. =^D
And To Build A Mountain is a BEAUTIFUL song and I LOVE it. It makes me feel all warm and cuddley inside like home. Like Salty Eyes makes everyone feel like they belong. Like all your songs make me feel and warm and cuddley.
I'm constantly amazed by you.
You happen to be a part of my favorite band, I've never heard anything like your music, it is just so much better than anything out there. Decomposer is definitely different than EVDKTL, but it is still a brilliant musical creation (that's vague, but I'm not going to write an entire album review in this blog comment).
I can't wait for the next album, but I will never stop listening to the other two.
And if you're worried about your album sales, fuck that (excuse my vulgarity), but you have one of the most dedicated fan bases I've ever seen or been a part of. Size doesn't matter. Eventually you'll be "bigger" than the Beatles, but don't forget to appreciate what you have right now.
Sorry wizard, but I can see through walls.
Hahahahah. Hail to the Wizard!
"Your creativity just astounds me, really. Even when you erase something it's both funny and ingenious."
I'll second that! Never ceases to amaze me...
♥ V
haha miles, i guess shawn wasnt supposed to post that. o0 well i got it anyway.
am very glad I got to read this before the Wizard came and defiled this piece.
...with that being said, I do love the Wizard, and find this to be quite amusing.
"make a sound that no one's ever heard/and i hope we get what we deserve."
My original thought was that the wizard went over it to get rid of the negativity but I could be wrong. I am just confused. I am having a bad day and shall shut up now.
..what the h? that makes me soo sad that i can't read that. grr. an btw, i had two of the most awkward conversations about your band with random strangers today. one girl had heard of you guys but referred to your music as "different" (wtf?) and the other woman was a middle aged lady at the wic office who read my matches shirt an then of course asked what "type of music" you guys played to which i replied "uhm...it's kinda alternative-punk-rock?" followed quickly to supress her cringe by "but they have a waltz!" :) just thought i'd let you know!
shawn harris, i will pay you $1000 to repost the original! i want to read it sooo badly you have no idea.
The Wizard got here before I did.
So I could guess on what a wonderful thing to say.
So when all else fails I'll say what feel right.
If you ever feel lonely just remember your under the same sky as me.
When I first read this, it me made me sad. I hope that you know Decomposer is an AMAZING album. Maybe it didn't reach as many people as you had hoped, but for the ones it did, it made quite an impact and we love it to death. I cannot wait to hear the new one. I'm already in love with Their City.
am i the only one who hasn't heard
'their city' yet?
No, I haven't heard it yet.
...I didn't get the memo that we could hear it. *tear*
New album? Even the idea fills me with glee.
Dammit! DAMMIT! DAMMIT! I say again DAMMIT! I always come to these things last!
Luckily I came across the thread that held the Yankees leak late but stiiiiiiiill.
I've been hearing all this talk about a song called Their City, yet I haven't heard it. Anyone know where I could sneak a peak? O_o
I have heard To Build A Mountain though. Amazing song. mmmhmm
hey sarah!
go to the punk the clock myspace and tehre is a preview with the first like 25 seconds or so...then add me
www.myspace.com/hopewellchick08
:)
that is if you have myspace...which im assuming you do
If you haven't heard it yet, and the preview isn't enough, I highly suggest going out and buying the compilation.
You will be glad you did.
Thanks for the info, I really really would like to get my hands on the compilation now. The preview simply isn't enough. D:
oh and Katie I entered the link on myspace but it keeps telling me this: Invalid Friend ID.
This user has either cancelled their membership, or their account has been deleted.
*shrug*
my myspace if you want to try and find it is myspace.com/orangeyouscared
it would have helped if id given you teh right url haha
anyways...i added you instead
well I suppose I'm glad I was able to read this before the Wizard came, haha nice.
for those of you that didn't get a chance to read it, you can google "a band in hope matches" and find it. i think it says, "the matches post an update AbsolutPunk.com" it's probably not supposed to be there, either but it is.
I've followed your work from the beginning and I swear, it's the best I've ever heard. Your true fans will continue buying your stuff. Wouldn't you prefer that rather than the random groupies who stalk the Billboard's Top 100 charts latching on to your wonderful talent and sucking you dry, stealing the magic that should be preserved for the true Matches fans? Don't fret that you haven't made it onto VH1's hit lists, with teenie boppers nation-wide cramming themselves into your concerts just to say that they've seen you live. Those aren't fans. Fans are the people who've been there and watched you, eagerly waiting for CD releases, stalking your blog. Chin up, Shawn Harris.
Underestimating the wizard.
Tsk tsk.
-Alison
I never got to read it . . .
Hey Leah! Go here!
About 10ish posts down.
People all around the world love The Matches -and I'm not talking about the Christian band; I'm talking about you, Shawn Harris. You amaze, elate and inspire so many.
I'm in the UK, and I've talked to friends in Japan and the U.S. about "my favourite band; The Matches". They agree; you definately deserve this world.
But, you know, if this world isn't yours just yet, you're still living and breathing art and have a cult following of devoted fans.
We don't like to hear that you're upset.. Don't abandon hope.
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