Musician/Producer Reacts to "Little Boy in the Grass" by AURORA

[@TheVirtualWatcher]

Aurora does like to leave room for interpretation with her songs but she posted this on Facebook in 2015:- "Today is the day. 22nd of July. It's been 4 years since you left us. Since all of you left us. how time flies, we even find ourselves forgetting for a moment, nearly moving on.. Not because we forget you, but because we remember to live. But know that I will always remember you, and everyone that went down with you. I will think of love, and send love to those who needs it this today. I hope no one is crying alone. Rest in peace my friend. You are free now. "Little boy in the grass" There are interviews on KZbin where she is asked about the song and yes, it is about the Utøya massacre in 2011 and to someone important to Aurora who passed away that day. When pressed on the subject in one interview I listened to, but have not managed to find again, she agreed that they could have been described as girlfriend and boyfriend at the time ...

[@Einyen]

From an article from 2019, translated from Norwegian: " - And then I had someone I was very close to who died on Utøya. A boy I was in love with. He was wonderful. - Were you his girlfriend? - We were probably that, even though I was very young then. I was 15 when he passed away. He was 17. "

[@TheVirtualWatcher]

@@Einyen That sounds like the one I'm thinking of.

[@leod2408]

Aurora wrote the song right after the Norway attack 22.7.2011,where one of her best friends was killed by a Nazi sympathizer. Aurora was only 15 yo then.. incredible singer and songwriter!

[@TomTomson81]

It is the massacre, written for the bereaved as a consolation, that their children are now in a better place. Particularly noteworthy is the line "finaly I am over" and the twist that comes at the very end. The bereaved tell themselves that they are finally over it. They talk themselves into it in order to be able to go forward to the next day. But in the end, Aurora only sings "Finaly I am...". This shows that they are just words and the feeling speaks a different language.

[@dansegelov305]

To my Celtic ears, Aurora's 'keening' voice during the last chorus is heartbreakingly mournful. Every bit as powerful as Dolores O'Riordan or Sinead O'Connor at their best. It's so honest in its expression of psychic pain. I have seen an interview where Aurora mentions the Utoya Massacre in relation to this song, but she didn't say anything about her friend. Of course that doesn't mean it's not true, she rarely states exactly what the meaning of her songs are. I just don't know where that part of the story originates from.

[@joskogeler6421]

Somewhere she commented that she didn't know about her making all these guestures. Now that she is more aware and experienced, the movements are gone, or they are at least more controlled. But, what I wanted to comment was that I love these old recordings. Her voice was maybe less perfect, but definitely more emotional and distinct

[@timgrodesky4694]

I would tend to believe this is based on the massacre and whether she did or didn't know someone personally doesn't change the fact that this song has genuine empathy for such a tragic event. Never have I seen anyone emote such sorrow so beautifully as she tries to work through her own grief right before our eyes, A folk song in every sense of the word. And another example of not only her talent but everyone who helped capture this moment in one take. Amazing....I would recommend looking at her entire session at Christines Radio Festival for A Different Kind of Human, Exist for Love etc. It really highlights the great musicians she works with to make her shine.....

[@timgrodesky4694]

This performance is so personally intimate and soul exposing I sometimes feel guilty watching....

[@rockape1954]

She is other worldly. and she goes off to that world when she performs.

[@StrateleStudios]

Yes!!!!!!

[@hakanandersson1276]

Hello! The amount och emotions and expression in this song is overwhelming and the rawness OMG!!! Till next time

[@Smaugyyy]

That's a beautiful, sad song where she puts a lot of emotion into, you can see it means a lot to her. I also wonder how they got the sound that clear on this lake, obviously there have not only talented singers but also sound engineers in Norway. If you are in the mood of another slow and sad, but magical love song featuring Aurora, I would recommend you to have a listen to Sondre Lerche feat. Aurora - Alone in the Night. He grew up in Bergen/Norway too.

[@StrateleStudios]

“Alone” goes up on the channel May 12th 9am (PST). ☺️

[@Smaugyyy]

@@StrateleStudios Oh that's great news, hope you enjoyed it!

[@bjornarsimonsen7592]

Thank you :) Very emotional and touching song.

[@ironkim3998]

“When will my healing come”🥺💔So much emotion. She is such an empath for all mankind. Beautiful person beautiful song! Very impactful! Thank you!

[@Geralt26]

Love it. It is probably my favorite performance of this song. Technically you could say that Nidorasdomen version with choir and full instruments should be better (and I also love Nidarosdomen one) but in this one (strip down, acoustic and raw version) the emotional charge is enormous. And it is one of the Aurora qualities I love. About the meaning I always believed that is is about Utoya massacre but of course only Aurora can tell definitely and she is often enigmatic about meaning of her songs as she wants for everyone to find his/her own interpretation ;). And this performance on a boat also make sense for me as Utoya is a island. Anyway even now I found this info: In a Facebook post in 2015, Aurora referred to the Utøya massacre in 2011 and to someone important to Aurora who passed away that day. She wrote: "Today is the day. 22nd of July. It's been 4 years since you left us. Since all of you left us. how time flies, we even find ourselves forgetting for a moment, nearly moving on.. Not because we forget you, but because we remember to live. But know that I will always remember you, and everyone that went down with you. I will think of love, and send love to those who needs it this today. I hope no one is crying alone. Rest in peace my friend. You are free now."

[@tinntinnamp]

YES! I'm so glad you listened to this one, absolutely the most heart wrenching things I've ever heard, and beautiful at the same time. It's something you can literally tell it's pure emotion

[@glacieractivity]

Aurora was surprised when watching herself on early videos. She even tried to counter-act it by moving more like a "pop artist" as an experiment before realizing that to "act" hindered her music. She is hinting at this legacy in the official video for "no cure for me".

[@tmasessa]

I just love how much you get and appreciate her. I’ve always heard it was about that massacre in Norway. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Looking forward to that request you granted me for It Happened Quiet. 😬

[@unculturedswine2154]

Idk which version u requested but he’s gonna do my request of the entire nidorosdomen concert which has one of auroras best versions of it happened quiet in my opinion

[@tmasessa]

@@unculturedswine2154 mine was for live at The Current. I think that’s the best one imo. Looking forward to the whole concert you requested too though. He’ll love it.

[@unculturedswine2154]

@@tmasessa I like that one aswell but I just prefer the one from Nidorosdomen

[@StrateleStudios]

FYI, “Live at the Current” version will go live on May 19th, 9am (PST). The full Nid. Concert will be showing on Patreon later this month or first part of June. I intended to bring it over to KZbin at some point after that.

[@tmasessa]

@@StrateleStudios Sweet!!! Thanks again, Jeff.

[@HalkerVeil]

As others posted the source, it's true. This is about one of three close people she has lost. The other two are from other events in life. She's been through a lot for her age. Might be why she has fans ranging from teen girls to old vets.

[@sapphosmuse1243]

What I appreciate about Aurora is that every time she performs a song it’s a different experience. This acoustic version is so good but my fav is always going to be the one live from nidarosdomen because it’s so epic plus there’s a choir lol. As for whether or not Aurora knows how she looks when she sings-she doesn’t. Especially back then when this video was made. She said so herself in an interview that she made the mistake of watching herself perform once and was shocked to see what she looked like- I don’t remember the exact quote. But I personally love the way she moves and the way she disappears into the music. Great choice for a reaction! Looking forward to Nidarosdomen!

[@tinntinnamp]

This version is the best to me, just true feeling and pure natural beauty. The nidarosdomen is filled with theatrics, which diminish aurora's talent and song meaning, in my opinion. I think the concert is beautiful and sounded great, but everyone seems impressed because there is a choir/orchestra. That is something that happens all the time and is the basis for most random music in movies and shows, it's just blah to me. Like loud music and choir doesn't mean emotion to me, it's so overdone. To each is own though of course!

[@sapphosmuse1243]

@@tinntinnamp you make good points :) I do like this acoustic version very much…I just like the more epic flowing sound of the Nidarosdomen version a tiny bit more. In general, I think I prefer when music has a faster tempo with less breaks in the vocals…but that’s just my ADHD and OCD running the show. This version is definitely amazing also and I do agree with you that louder doesn’t always mean better.

[@nateped1]

@Stratele Studios #SocietyOfAdvancedMusicalThought Thank you for doing my reaction. I absolutely love this version, it's so interesting it being in a boat with such great sound. The Nidarosdomen version is fantastic as well. It was hard to chose a song for you because there are so many great ones. I don't see this get a lot of attention so I had to. Another less viewed, but great song ls is Animal Soul. Hopefully that one will come up someday. If not definitely check it out on your own. Thanks again. I appreciate ya!

[@timgrodesky4694]

Animal Soul P3 session is my favourite version. Great recommendation !

[@StrateleStudios]

I was happy to do this one! I am constantly surprised by Aurora! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@nateped1]

@@timgrodesky4694 thanks! Yeah when she sings about seeing the light through her mother's skin and she looks up. This is crazy, but I almost think she is remembering it lol.

[@timgrodesky4694]

@@nateped1 She tends to use that word a lot in her songs with great effect and especially in Animal Soul.

[@justjulie37]

Beautiful song. And when you do the Nidarosdomen concert you will hear a different version of this song. Both are fabulous.

[@StrateleStudios]

I’m looking forward to hearing that version as well!

[@TyInEngland]

One of my favourites, thanks Jeff!

[@StrateleStudios]

You are very welcome!

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

Some how I don't think she was over it. You just have to look at her when she sings. The boat and water are obviously very relevant to the back story.

[@mad6457]

found the following on this song: In a Facebook post in 2015, Aurora referred to the Utøya massacre in 2011 and to someone important to Aurora who passed away that day. She wrote: "Today is the day. 22nd of July. It's been 4 years since you left us. Since all of you left us. how time flies, we even find ourselves forgetting for a moment, nearly moving on.. Not because we forget you, but because we remember to live. But know that I will always remember you, and everyone that went down with you. I will think of love, and send love to those who needs it this today. I hope no one is crying alone. Rest in peace my friend. You are free now."

[@StrateleStudios]

So very sad

[@johnmarston6645]

Thank you for yet another reaction on Aurora :) Please please react to the Nidarosdomen Concert! It is a whole experience to be witnessed. I saw you had reacted to one if not multiple of her performances from Nidarosdomen, however it would definitely be worth checking it out , the whole thing

[@StrateleStudios]

Hi John! Yes, I will be doing that concert soon, on Patreon first. At some point I will bring it over to KZbin for everyone to view. Thank you! 🎊

[@johnmarston6645]

​@@StrateleStudios You know you won't be disappointed :) Looking forward to get our manly tears running yet again

[@Eunos_FD3S]

woah, this song is some kinda mood.

[@StrateleStudios]

Yes!!!

[@lillm6874]

Great reaction as always 😍 This is definitely about the massacre. Yeah, it’s pretty amazing that she’s performing in a little boat😍😍 About the song: n a Facebook post in 2015, Aurora referred to the Utøya massacre in 2011 and to someone important to Aurora who passed away that day. She wrote: "Today is the day. 22nd of July. It's been 4 years since you left us. Since all of you left us. how time flies, we even find ourselves forgetting for a moment, nearly moving on.. Not because we forget you, but because we remember to live. But know that I will always remember you, and everyone that went down with you. I will think of love, and send love to those who needs it this today. I hope no one is crying alone. Rest in peace my friend. You are free now." “Little boy in the grass” AURORA

[@StrateleStudios]

These words are so heart wrenching. 🥲

[@lillm6874]

@@StrateleStudios So true💔🥲

[@andreasclaussenwahl5518]

According to NRK p3 Auroara started writing the song whn she was ten. It does not say whwn it was finished but this was well before the massacre.

[@goeranm55]

Many of Aurora's songs have a quite general relevance for our weaknesses and strengths as humans. In a TV interview (Swedish TV, but I lost the reference) she said that her songs have different meaning for different persons and that, that is the strength of poetry and music in general. Just look at "Little boy in the grass" , "The river", "Murder song" (which except the direct relevance to herself also can be seen as mankind murdering mother nature). Can I, in the sad note, also suggest "Why did you have to leave?" kzbin.info/www/bejne/raO0i3mujKZge7M&ab_channel=HannChan which is a song that doesn't have an official video, but my suggestion is a good unofficial one. The song is fantastic and also display the same agony as in "Little boy". Borderline intentional disharmony, which is something she really masters

[@StrateleStudios]

Beautiful song 🥹

[@sizzlemann]

Love seeing that purple. Miss that axe.

[@StrateleStudios]

Great color on that axe

[@lisedonsgrnning6518]

…..🥺😭❤️💔💜 …..

[@StrateleStudios]

I know

[@kittypewpew]

She said in an interview that she once watched her show, and she was like "am I having a seizure or something?" because she doesn't remember doing the hand emotes and stuff :p

[@StrateleStudios]

Omg 😂🤣😂🤣 gotta love her hahaha

[@kittypewpew]

@@StrateleStudios Look at aurora doing this cute sound check kzbin.infoUgkxsE6Zl7uqDHRNtUPAbzS3m_MhpTSaKBxY You should check out the whole concert if you have time!

[@Einyen]

@@StrateleStudios Here is one interview from Nov 2016 when she mentions it, it is a hilarious comment: youtu . be / BNIUD9f4Szk&t=5m11s - I really love your music, but seeing you live was really a big draw for me, you are very physical live, and you almost seem to transform yourself when you sing, when you can feel it. - I know I use my hands a lot. I didn't know in the beginning that I did, and when I watched a video of myself for the first time, by mistake and I will never do that again I swear to myself, I was very terrified. I look like I'm possessed. - It is very endearing, and it's very authentic....It just seems very natural. - It feels nice, I think it is necessary. It's kind of like being asleep having a very strange dream, and you do things without even knowing it, and it would look very strange from the outside. I have so many emotions and opinions and words inside this tiny body, and I think every time I get the chance to get them out, and there is only like...and they all have to come out this tiny mouth, and I guess I just have to use every tool I have to help like the emotions come out alive my body I guess.

[@StrateleStudios]

Wow…hahaha…that’s great! 😄

[@montreauxs]

Hey Stratele. Make sure you check out Polyphia's new song, just released 2day, called Playing God. You're welcome. :)

[@StrateleStudios]

Oh cool thanks!

[@RunarNyrud]

22 july 2011 is the darkest day in Norwegian history in my opinion. Horrible..

[@bryanharrison3134]

utoya massacre because of politics ridiculous poor aurora lost a friend there and I feel her pain

[@StrateleStudios]

So sad

[@AvaNightingale]

Not because of politics, because of Nazi's. Let's not mince words.

[@montreauxs]

Reaction Please?