The first one is them looking out, the second is us looking in. I think this shows the shift of perspective in the Trench era from a place of exclusive introspection to exploring how others can help and support you and learning how to let others in. This is given extra significance by the image shown in the eye, of clips from the Jumpsuit music video, prominently featuring the Banditos on the cliff, a visualization of the hope that can be offered by others, even when it's hard to receive.

When Jumpsuit came out, there was some confusion about the line "I'll be right there, but you'll have to grab my throat and lift me in the air if you need anyone; i'll stop my plans, but you'll have to tie me down and then break both my hands if you need anyone," and the confusion makes sense because the whole thing is contradictory and misleading. For a while I thought that maybe Tyler's blurry was taking over every other line, a more selfish part of him, wanting to stay safe and not help. It still didn't quite make sense. What made me realize what it really meant was a tweet by Camden Hooper (a wonderful bean with wonderful music, check her out). She compared this line to the plight of Bucky Barnes, having his mind taken over by forces outside of his control. This made me realize that Tyler was not adressing his loved ones, or us, the clique, but talking directly to Nico and the bishops. During the part of the music video where this is being sung, Tyler is being smeared and starting to follow the bishop's horse, forgetting who he is. And because of the way it sounds, soft and gentle, that makes it hard to figure out that Ty is adressing the one he hates. "I'm right behind you, i'm following you. I'll be right there to serve you and remove my true self from the equation." But then, almost to himself, of maybe someone else speaking over him, reminding him who he is, "But it'll be over my dead body. You will have to rip my identity out of my cold, dead hands. I'll be right there with you, but you'll have to kill me first."

I expected my concert to be emotional. I expected to cry. But I was so not prepared for the celebration of life that happened in that room. It was ANYTHING but sad. I listened to literally thousands of people commit to staying alive, even when still inside the walls of their cities, their DEMAs. I sang at the top of my lungs the songs that have given me a safe place, a better lens through which to see the world. It was a party, and I don't usually like those, but it was my kind of party. There was so much substance to everything. I have spent so many hours watching concert vids, listening to interviews, memorizing song lyrics. But that night everything became real to me. I felt invited in to something bigger than myself. Ty and Josh are people. Just people who give a stage to bigger things. We are all putting on this show together. I didn't just come to see them, I came to dance with them, sing with them, laugh with them. There is a conversation going on here, and I am so grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity to be a part of it.

Clancy

          But the thing is, I don’t know anyone in person who really feels the same way.  I have friends who like TOP, but no one who has listened deeply and has investment in this. And it’s not like TOP is all that I can talk about; I try and keep my relationship with this band really healthy, it’s just that I REALLY like talking about it.  And here, there’s other people who do, too.  So this is just a place to express my thoughts, emotions, and ideas surrounding this band and what they do. So if you wanna listen and discuss, let’s frackin go. I love all of you, and I can’t wait for the conversations that await us.

Welcome to trench.