Light Streams

Album: Violet Cries (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Esben and the Witch is a three-piece Gothic Rock band hailing from Brighton, England, comprising Rachel Davies, Daniel Copeman and Thomas Fisher. They make doom-laden arty rock, led by Davies' haunted vocals. The trio named themselves after a Danish fairytale.
  • This apocalyptic swirl of love and bereavement was inspired by the story of maverick scientist Nikola Tesla, who loved nothing more than feeding pigeons from his hotel windowsill. "He developed a close relationship with this one pigeon," explained Fisher to NME. "But one day it didn't come back, and he said he would never work again," adds Dan. "It was the deepest relationship he ever had."
  • The eccentric Tesla's life and work has fascinated a number of other musicians. Other songs inspired by the Serbian scientist include OMD's "Tesla Girls" and "Astro" by The White Stripes. Also the American hard rock band Tesla took their name from the electromagnetism pioneer.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.