Belleruche released a series of three extremely limited 7” records on their own Hippoflex Recording Industries label before signing with Tru Thoughts. These individually numbered 45’s (with hand screen-printed sleeves) quickly sold out in the UK’s independent record stores and attracted a cult following in the UK and Europe, having been hand-distributed by the band at gigs.
In 2007 Belleruche signed to Tru Thoughts and their debut album Turntable Soul Music was released in July of the same year, gaining admiring reviews both at home and abroad and becoming the fastest-selling debut album in the label’s history.
The songs on ‘Turntable Soul Music’ were written in train carriages, dubious minicabs and pub backrooms around the UK whilst the trio gigged everywhere they could. The songs were then forged and reworked in the band’s electrifying live shows. From their initial sunday residency in the Salmon and Compass in Angel, London to gigs all over Europe, Australia and Asia. ‘Turntable Soul Music’ is like a weird trawl through a dusty basement full of the best records you’ve never heard of, whilst a voice you can’t quite pin down sings hooks you can’t forget.
Their live show marks them apart, using only a turntable, sampler, guitar and microphone, they combine to produce something markedly different. Sounding at once both weird and distinctive, but at the same time musical and compelling, they have played at venues as diverse as Montreux Jazz Festival, The Dance arena at Glastonbury, and many underground nightclubs.
In October 2008 Tru Thoughts released The Express, the bands second album. Following on from the live songwriting and broken leads ethic of Belleruche's debut, 'The Express' has maybe a tougher sound.
Their latest album 270 Stories - including the singles Clockwatching, Fuzz Face and 3 Amp Fuse - was released in October 2010. The band will be playing festival dates this summer and touring the new album in autumn.
Kathrin deBoer
Raised on a pirate boat sailing the South Pacific Ocean, with only Billie Holiday and Spanky Wilson records for company, Kathrins voice carries the soul of the wind off the cape mixed with the grit of illegal Polynesian rum bars. Lyrics written in bottles cast into the sea found their way into three continents; Kathrin jumped ship and found London.
Ricky Fabulous
Leo. Baby. Following an adolescence chasing girls and heavy rock bands, Fabulous found himself trapped working for a Maltese gangster in a frozen northern town. Whilst keeping warm locked in a damp basement, he found a stack of quarter inch tapes and discovered the work of Grant Green and Django Reinhardt, which gave him the energy to slip out of town, heading south on a freight car clutching a false identity and a forty-year-old guitar.
DJ Modest
Growing up in the deep south, in engine oil and mud, Modest discovered hiphop on a stolen radio, sneaking into clubs through broken windows to hear more. Building turntables and mixers from scavenged electronic gear and two stroke engines, he created a soundsystem and played unlawful hiphop parties in strange woodlands to farmers. He coaxes twisted Bluenote solos and broken drums from Shure m44-7s whilst drunk on moonshine.
Backyard
Belleruche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To carry through
Give me the breath
To do what I got to do
Give me the strength
To carry through
Give me the breath
I understand that the world is bigger
Than I ever thought possible
I recognize my action knock on you
Even if I've never met you
I don't have to see you to know you exist
I don't have to meet you to feel your suffering
Want to make a difference don't know where to start
Well it ain't in oblivion
You're not at the bottom
You're not at the top
You're just part of something bigger than all of us
Collectively we choose, what
Give me the strength
To carry through
Give me the breath
To do what I got to do
Give me the strength
To carry through
Give me the breath
To do what I got to do
There comes a time when all the lights are on
When the time is right to start things off
That's time that you're got to get along
Bare down, bare down
There are times that I can't quite explain
Why it works and why it can't be the same
How it's going to be, the future's not clear to me
And we're stuck in this like everybody else
Trying to find away that doesn't step on toes
I'm happy to get along minding my own
Head down, head down
Give me the strength
To carry through
Give me the breath
To do what I got to do
Give me the strength
To carry through
Give me the breath
To do what I got to do
Oh give me the strength
To carry through
Give me the breath
To do what I got to do
Oh give me the strength
To carry through
Give me the breath
To do what I got to do
The song "Backyard" by Belleruche is a powerful message about the importance of strength and determination in tackling the challenges that we face in life. The singer starts by asking for the strength and breath to carry through what they need to do. The lyrics then touch on the idea that the world is bigger than we often perceive it to be, and that our actions can have an impact on others, even people we've never met. Despite living in a world that can often feel overwhelming, the singer encourages listeners to take action and recognize their role within something greater than themselves.
The song's instrumental accompaniment reflects this message, with a driving beat and a mesmerizing, looping melody that moves steadily forward. The chorus repeats the same lines twice, building in intensity and urgency each time. The lyrics touch on the idea of timing, implying that there's a right moment to begin making a difference. The singer recognizes the complexity of the world and the uncertain future that lies ahead, but still implores us to keep moving forward and striving for progress. Ultimately, the song is a call to action, encouraging listeners to find the strength within themselves to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me the strength
Asking for inner strength to carry out actions
To carry through
To follow through with intentions
Give me the breath
Asking for support and endurance
To do what I got to do
To complete necessary tasks and goals
I understand that the world is bigger
Realizing the vastness of the world and its complexities
Than I ever thought possible
More than what was originally comprehended
I recognize my action knock on you
Aware of how one's actions impact others
Even if I've never met you
Acknowledging the existence of others even if unknown
I don't have to see you to know you exist
Accepting the reality of others beyond physical interaction
I don't have to meet you to feel your suffering
Empathizing with the pain of others without direct contact
Want to make a difference don't know where to start
Desire to enact positive change without knowing how to begin
Well it ain't in oblivion
Making a difference requires awareness and action
You're not at the bottom
Acknowledging one's place in society
You're not at the top
Recognizing the existence of those above, equal, and below oneself
You're just part of something bigger than all of us
Understanding individual actions contribute to a larger whole
Collectively we choose, what
Making decisions together as a society
There comes a time when all the lights are on
Opportune moment to take action
When the time is right to start things off
Acting at the moment when it is most suitable
That's time that you're got to get along
Working together in harmony towards common goals
Bare down, bare down
Digging in and committing to the task at hand
There are times that I can't quite explain
Situations that are difficult to comprehend and articulate
Why it works and why it can't be the same
Questioning how things are functioning and why they cannot continue
How it's going to be, the future's not clear to me
Uncertainty about what the future will hold
And we're stuck in this like everybody else
Feeling trapped in the same societal system as others
Trying to find away that doesn't step on toes
Seeking a solution that is respectful to others
I'm happy to get along minding my own
Content with going with the flow and focusing on personal endeavors
Head down, head down
Staying focused and avoiding unnecessary distractions
Oh give me the strength
Reiterating the need for inner strength
To carry through
To follow through with intentions
Oh give me the breath
Reiterating the need for support and endurance
To do what I got to do
To complete necessary tasks and goals
Contributed by Madelyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.