(antiMusic) Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Amanda Kelly frontwoman for experimental electro rockers House of Badger tells us about "Vultures" from their new album "Death Birds". We now turn it over to Amanda for the story:"Vultures" started out as a completely improvisational jam that Liam and Charlie were doing. Liam was playing drums and Charlie was messing around with his old Moog synth with some sort of trigger effect, as well as working his theremin through some delay, and playing his bass. It was sounding really percussive and cool. As soon as they got into it, they stopped after about 60 seconds, and I breathlessly exclaimed, "PLEASE don't stop!" They looked at me silently, and started the jam up again.
As I listened, I drifted away in my mind. I sat alone in the studio for days afterwards composing the keyboard and vocal parts. I began thinking of the mental illnesses that strike humanity, and the false labels we use to divide ourselves from one another, and to distinguish ourselves above others.
I think of a "vulture" as a person who takes advantage of others and sucks them dry, in the belief that we live in a world of "eat or be eaten." Often these individuals suffered massive amounts of abuse as a child; however, rather than learning to grow and evolve as a human being, they continue the cycle of negativity by perpetuating abuse upon other humans as they grow older. A "vulture" is often a narcissist. A narcissist believes that all actions taken by others relate to the narcissist. Narcissists are often paranoid in a delusional manner, because in their mind, everything, absolutely everything, relates to THEM. Therefore, the first line I say, "I've been cast away
and it's off the records now
when they're trying to get you" embodies the past hurts and present paranoia of these narcissistic vultures. They are "trying to catch you" and hurt you, like they themselves were hurt, long ago, and they will stop at nothing, for they cannot stop.
Conversely, it is arrogance to separate ourselves and to distinguish ourselves from the rest of humanity in assuming that "people with mental illnesses are inferior to 'us.'" It is the same arrogance that guides the United States, for example, to believe, arrogantly, childishly, and destructively, that perpetuating violence upon another culture is okay, because "our ideals are better than theirs," and, "the only reason that they are attacking us is because they are jealous of our culture or freedom." Therefore, the chorus of "Someday, we'll change our ways," states that as human beings, we are all the same
. And if one of us is a vulture, then ALL of us are, in some way. Also, it's a sarcastic comment. "Someday we'll change our ways," but right now, we're too lazy to care, or to take action, or to contribute to positive change. Instead, we'll sit back, and do nothing.
Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story before the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album - right here!
