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.
Balancê
Belleruche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like everybody else
Seems like you're building mountains
And always making the little things swell
Now did you ever think there could be a better way
Or maybe it's time for you to make a charge
Strip it all back look in each direction
Well now you couldn't be more different
To a very good friend of mine
Always telling me you've got to take the rough
With the smooth and never failing to remind me of this
Whenever, whenever, I'm down
You got to take the rough with the smooth
Yeah you got to take the rough with the smooth
Oh you got to take the rough with the smooth
Yeah you've got to take the rough with the smooth
Rough with the smooth
You got to take the rough with the smooth
Yeah hey hey hey
With the smooth
Well I hear you've got problems
Just like everybody else
Seems like you're building mountains
And always making the little things swell
Well you couldn't be more different
To a very good friend of mine
Always telling me you've got to take the rough
With the smooth and never failing to remind me of this
Whenever, whenever, I'm down
You got to take the rough with the smooth
Yeah you got to take the rough with the smooth
Yeah you got to take the rough with the smooth
Yeah you've got to take the rough with the smooth
Rough with the smooth
You got to take the rough with the smooth
Yeah hey hey hey
You got to take the rough with the smooth
You got to take the rough with the smooth
You got to take the rough with the smooth
You got to take the rough
The lyrics in Belleruche's song "Balance" speak to the idea of navigating the challenges we face in life and maintaining a sense of balance amidst it all. The opening lines acknowledge that everyone has problems, and suggests that often we can make those problems bigger than they need to be, causing unnecessary stress and worry. The lyrics then offer a solution, encouraging the listener to strip things back and look at each situation from different angles to find a simpler, easier way forward.
The chorus reinforces the message of the song, reminding us that life is full of ups and downs and we need to be able to take the rough with the smooth. The repetition of the phrase "you've got to take the rough with the smooth" highlights the importance of this idea, emphasizing that it's something we must always keep in mind. The song is ultimately a call to find balance and perspective in a world that can often feel overwhelming and chaotic.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I hear you've got problems
The singer acknowledges that the listener is experiencing issues.
Just like everybody else
The singer notes that having problems is a universal experience.
Seems like you're building mountains
The singer observes that the listener is making small problems seem bigger than they are.
And always making the little things swell
The artist notes that the listener is causing minor issues to become more significant.
Now did you ever think there could be a better way
The artist wonders if the listener has considered alternative methods of dealing with their problems.
Or maybe it's time for you to make a charge
The singer suggests that the listener take action to address their issues.
Strip it all back look in each direction
The singer advises the listener to take a step back and reassess their situation from all angles.
Loose the bags, it may just take you to an easier place
The artist suggests that the listener let go of unnecessary burdens in order to find a more comfortable situation.
Well now you couldn't be more different
The artist notes that the listener's perspective is unique and contrasting to another person they know.
To a very good friend of mine
The artist is recalling someone close to them who has a different outlook on life.
Always telling me you've got to take the rough
The singer's friend emphasizes the importance of enduring difficult situations.
With the smooth and never failing to remind me of this
The artist's friend consistently reinforces their viewpoint about embracing both good and bad experiences.
Whenever, whenever, I'm down
The singer is informing the listener that during difficult times, they remember the words of their friend.
You got to take the rough with the smooth
The singer reiterates their friend's advice that one must accept both the positive and negative aspects of life.
Yeah you got to take the rough with the smooth
The singer repeats their friend's philosophy about the necessity of experiencing both good and bad.
Oh you got to take the rough with the smooth
The artist emphasizes the importance of embracing both pleasant and unpleasant aspects of life.
Rough with the smooth
The artist summarizies the sentiment of the song, that one must accept both the good and the bad experiences in life.
You got to take the rough with the smooth
The singer reiterates their friend's advice that the listener must be willing to accept both positive and negative outcomes in life.
Yeah hey hey hey
The singer adds an exclamation to their point.
You got to take the rough with the smooth
The artist repeats their friend's advice that one should accept both the good and bad parts of life.
You got to take the rough with the smooth
The artist repeats the central theme of the song.
You got to take the rough with the smooth
The artist emphasizes that one must accept both positive and negative experiences.
You got to take the rough
The singer reiterates their friend's advice that one should accept adversity in life.
Contributed by Sophia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.