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.
Scratch My Soul
Belleruche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm giving up on us
'Cause I'm so damn lonely again
And you're so out of touch
Is it not obvious
Not clear enough
That this won't do
I know you want to be, but you ain't
I know you'd like to be, but you can't
I know you would do, but you don't
So tell me where it leaves me
It leaves me without you
You say you don't understand
And say we will be fine
Deny we got a problem on our hands
But none the less apologise
But before you do, come and understand why
I know you want to be, but you ain't
I know you'd like to be, but you can't
I know you would do, but you don't
So tell me where it leaves me
It leaves me without you
Oh without you
You may be something to so many
And say you want to be everything to me
I've been calling out to you
But you don't hear
And now my hands are tied
And I cry at the thought of losing you
But I'm lonely with or without you
I know you want to be, but you ain't
I know you'd like to be, but you can't
I know you would do, but you don't
So tell me where it leaves me
Oh yeah
I know you want to be, but you ain't
I know you'd like to be, but you can't
I know you would do, but you don't
So tell me where it leaves me
Oh yeah tell me where it leaves me
Oh well tell me where it leaves me
It leaves me without you
"Belleruche's song Scratch My Soul" is a song about a relationship that is falling apart. The lyrics explain how one person in the relationship is more committed to making it work, while the other person seems to be checked out. The first verse expresses the loneliness that the person is feeling and how the other person in the relationship is not providing any comfort. The second verse highlights the frustration and confusion the person experiences as they try to make sense of what is happening.
The chorus is the crux of the song, as it repeatedly emphasizes the disappointment and sense of abandonment the person feels. Even though there is love in the relationship, it is not enough to overcome the lack of effort from the other person. The third verse showcases the dynamic of how one person in the relationship is providing more effort and support than the other, leading to feelings of being ignored and unheard. The bridge concludes the song with the person acknowledging their sadness but also accepting that they will have to move on without the other person.
Overall, "Scratch My Soul" is a poignant and relatable song about the struggles of relationships and how it can be challenging to let go of a significant other despite their lack of effort.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not giving up on you
I haven't stopped hoping for you
I'm giving up on us
But our relationship isn't working
'Cause I'm so damn lonely again
And I'm feeling alone all over again
And you're so out of touch
And you seem so disconnected
Is it not obvious
Isn't it easy to see
Not clear enough
But maybe I need to explain more
That this won't do
That things can't continue like this
This waiting on you
I can't go on waiting forever
I know you want to be, but you ain't
I understand you wish you could be, but you're not
I know you'd like to be, but you can't
I realize you may want to, but you're incapable
I know you would do, but you don't
I get that you have the ability, but you're not taking action
So tell me where it leaves me
So what does this mean for me?
It leaves me without you
It means I'm left without you
You say you don't understand
You claim you don't comprehend
And say we will be fine
And suggest we'll work things out
Deny we got a problem on our hands
You dispute that we're facing issues
But none the less apologise
But regardless, you still say you're sorry
But before you do, come and understand why
But first, try to comprehend what's really happening
You may be something to so many
You must mean so much to others
And say you want to be everything to me
And claim you want to be everything to me
I've been calling out to you
But I keep reaching out to you
But you don't hear
And yet, you don't seem to listen
And now my hands are tied
And now I feel powerless
And I cry at the thought of losing you
And I'm heartbroken by the idea of losing you
But I'm lonely with or without you
But the truth is, I'm lonely either way
Oh yeah
It leaves me without you
It means I'm without you
Oh well tell me where it leaves me
So please let me know where this leaves me
Contributed by Nathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.