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.
Bird Mess
Belleruche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll stay home
And make a little mess
Two hearts colliding
Well it's doomed
You're gonna get yourself in a mess
Hopes and expectations leave you
Go your way and I'll go mine
So we'll never ever have to cross
Once upon a time I'd say
Rest your feet and weary head
Close your eyes and make yourself warm in my bed
Once upon a time I'd say
Rest your feet and weary head
Close your eyes and make yourself warm in my bed
Well I won't listen
I won't even take your call
No I won't listen
I won't even take your calls
Don't care, won't go nowhere
I'll stay home
And make a little mess
Two hearts colliding
Well it's doomed
You're gonna get yourself in a mess
Hopes and expectations leave you
Ever so confused
Go your way and I'll go mine
And we'll never ever have to cross
Once upon a time I'd say
Rest your feet and weary head
Close your eyes and make yourself warm in my bed
Once upon a time I'd say
Rest your feet and weary head
Close your eyes and make yourself warm in my bed
Well I won't listen
I won't even take your call
No I won't listen
I won't even take your calls
Warm in my bed
Once upon a time I'd say
Rest your feet and weary head
Close your eyes and make yourself warm in my bed
Once upon a time I'd say
Rest your feet and weary head
Close your eyes and make yourself warm in my bed
The lyrics of Belleruche's song "Bird Mess" speak to the aftermath of a failed romance. The singer declares that she doesn't care and won't go anywhere, opting to stay home and make a little mess. She warns that when two hearts collide, it's doomed, and that hopes and expectations can leave one feeling confused. The singer suggests that the best path is for each person to go their own way and never cross paths again, so as not to make a mess.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that the singer will stay home and make a mess, but adds the image of two hearts colliding, which reinforces the idea that relationships can be messy and complicated. The second verse harkens back to a time when the singer would invite her former lover to rest their feet and weary head, and make themselves warm in her bed. However, the singer notes that she won't listen to this person or take their calls anymore.
The lyrics of "Bird Mess" suggest a certain resignation and acceptance of the way things have turned out. There is a hint of bitterness in the singer's voice, but mostly there is a sense of moving on and being content in one's own company.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't care, won't go nowhere
I'll stay home
And make a little mess
I don't care about going anywhere, I'd rather stay home and create a little chaos.
Two hearts colliding
Well it's doomed
You're gonna get yourself in a mess
Hopes and expectations leave you
Ever so confused
Go your way and I'll go mine
So we'll never ever have to cross
Our love is a disaster waiting to happen. Your hopes and expectations will leave you confused. Let's go our separate ways, so we never have to face the consequences of our actions.
Once upon a time I'd say
Rest your feet and weary head
Close your eyes and make yourself warm in my bed
I used to offer comfort and warmth in my bed, but those days are gone.
Well I won't listen
I won't even take your call
No I won't listen
I won't even take your calls
I refuse to listen to your pleas for reconciliation.
Warm in my bed
Once upon a time I'd say
Rest your feet and weary head
Close your eyes and make yourself warm in my bed
Again, I used to offer comfort and warmth in my bed, but that's not the case anymore.
Contributed by Hannah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DoraSometimes
Love them since they've released their first album...
@BigHagy76
Same. A friend has just reminded me on Facebook of the Tru Thoughts label. I'm sitting listening back now and must dig out my back catalogue of all these albums 👌