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.
Limelight
Belleruche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Round thirty two to fifty minutes awaits the next fool
Limelight wrong or right what will you choose
Time to shine show your wares and your attitude
It's all you got
It's all you wanted
It's all you got
It's all you wanted
Ingenious manufacture and a five page exposé
Babe in the woods time to write a book
Rack up a line of nothingness a scent of insignificance
Draws you in numbs your soul are you willing to trade
Your time for greenbacks that won't ever come to warm you
Got you jumping hoops the more you get the more you need
It's all you got
It's all you wanted
It's all you got
It's all you wanted
It's all you got
It's all you wanted
It's all you got
It's all you wanted
It's a battle choose your battle something got to give
Make for the trenches before you lose it all and give in
Wear your heart on your sleeve leave it out to dry
Who would have known how good it feels to leave your neck on the line
It's all you got
It's all you wanted
It's all you got
It's all you wanted
It's all you got
It's all you wanted
It's all you got
It's all you wanted
The song Limelight by Belleruche seems to be a commentary on the entertainment industry and society's obsession with fame and success. The opening lines describe the rush and pressure of being in the limelight, with the choice to either fight or flee. The reference to "thirty two to fifty minutes" implies a limited time frame for one's moment in the spotlight. The chorus repeats the idea that being in the limelight is all that the person has and all that they wanted, suggesting that it can be both all-consuming and ultimately unsatisfying.
The second verse describes the ways in which people might strive for fame or attention, whether it be through a manufactured scandal or by writing a tell-all memoir. The line "rack up a line of nothingness" suggests the idea of chasing a high or addiction, and the lyrics also touch on the sacrifice of one's soul for the sake of success. The bridge encourages the listener to choose their battles carefully and to protect their vulnerable heart, but also alludes to the allure of putting oneself on the line and the thrill of risking everything for recognition.
Overall, the song seems to suggest a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing fame and the emptiness that can come with it. It presents the idea that success and attention may only be fleeting, and that ultimately what is valuable is staying true to oneself and protecting one's own well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
Limelight blind sight caught you fight or flight
Being in the public eye has made you feel exposed and vulnerable, and now you have to decide whether to face the scrutiny head-on or retreat.
Round thirty two to fifty minutes awaits the next fool
Time passes quickly in the spotlight, and soon enough someone else will be in your shoes, facing the same decisions and pressures.
Limelight wrong or right what will you choose
Now that you're in the limelight, you have to decide what kind of person you want to be and what you're willing to do to succeed.
Time to shine show your wares and your attitude
This is your chance to show the world who you are and what you're capable of. Don't hold back.
It's all you got
You don't have anything else to offer but yourself and your talent.
It's all you wanted
Despite the challenges and pressures, this is what you've been working towards and dreaming of.
Train crash addict get your picture on the front page
The media loves a spectacle, and they'll stop at nothing to get a sensational story or photo.
Ingenious manufacture and a five page exposé
Some people are willing to do whatever it takes to get attention and make a name for themselves, even if it means manipulating the truth.
Babe in the woods time to write a book
When you're new to the industry, it's easy to be taken advantage of or misled. But now it's your turn to tell your story and share your perspective.
Rack up a line of nothingness a scent of insignificance
Sometimes success can feel empty, especially if you've compromised your values or lost sight of what's truly important.
Draws you in numbs your soul are you willing to trade
The lure of fame and fortune can be seductive, but at what cost to your integrity and well-being?
Your time for greenbacks that won't ever come to warm you
Money can't buy happiness or fulfillment, no matter how successful or wealthy you become.
Got you jumping hoops the more you get the more you need
Once you start down the path of seeking external validation and material success, it can be hard to stop or be satisfied with what you have.
It's a battle choose your battle something got to give
Being in the public eye can feel like a constant struggle or competition, but you have to decide what's worth fighting for and what you're willing to sacrifice.
Make for the trenches before you lose it all and give in
Sometimes the best thing to do is retreat from the spotlight and regroup before you lose yourself completely.
Wear your heart on your sleeve leave it out to dry
Being vulnerable and authentic is a risk, but it's also what connects you with your audience and makes your work meaningful.
Who would have known how good it feels to leave your neck on the line
Taking risks and putting yourself out there can be scary, but also incredibly rewarding and fulfilling in unexpected ways.
Writer(s): Richard Carr, Kathrin Wollermann, Tim Godwin Copyright: Third Side Us Publishing O.B.O. Full Thought Pub
Contributed by David H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.