They have released three studio albums to date - Problems (2007), Head of the Hawk (2009) and Company (2011). The band formed in 2002 and began their career playing improvised hip-hop sets in small bars.
Bluejuice released their debut album Problems in 2007 after two EPs and constant touring. Problems was well received by Rolling Stone magazine in Australia, which awarded the album a four out of five rating.The band's first single, "Vitriol", enjoyed airplay on the Australian national radio network Triple J, being the second most popular track in 2007 and ultimately reaching No. 11 in the annual Triple J Hottest 100 countdown in 2007. "Vitriol" ranked number 67 in the Australian Rolling Stone Magazine's 100 Best songs of 2007. The video clip for "Vitriol" won best clip at Sunscreen Video Awards in 2007.
The video clip for "The Reductionist", the second single from Problems, was Rage "Indie Clip of the Week" in January 2008. The third single, "Phantom Boogie," received substantial airplay on Triple J. All three singles were produced by Genevieve Maynard.
In 2009, Bluejuice signed to the Australian record label Dew Process and recorded their second studio album at Big Jesus Burger in Sydney with producer/mixer Chris Shaw (Bob Dylan, Public Enemy, Super Furry Animals, Weezer). Lead single "Broken Leg" debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number 47 on 23 August 2009. They released the album Head of the Hawk on 18 September 2009, and it debuted at No. 37 on the Australian Albums Chart. "Broken Leg" eventually peaked at No. 27 on the Australian Singles Chart, supported by a music video directed by Samuel Bennetts, as well as reaching No. 5 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2009. The band performed the song on Channel Seven's Sunrise and Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports.
The second single from Head of the Hawk is "(Ain't) Telling the Truth", which was added to Triple J airplay. The band have also been nominated for two ARIA Awards in 2009 for Best Breakthrough Artist (Single) for "Broken Leg" and Best Video for "Broken Leg". The "Broken Leg" video was directed by Sammuel Bennet and was shot at the Metro in Sydney with the local skipping team called (in video) "Shimmer Extreme" led by the coach TK. "Broken Leg" was also voted No. 1 on Rage's inaugural "Rage FIFTY" in 2009.
On the Grand Final (part 1) episode of the AFL Footy Show, Hawthorn Football Club players Ben Stratton, Jarryd Morton, Matt Suckling and Liam Shiels re-enacted the popular video clip to "Broken Leg" live as part of the 2010 Player Review.
On November 11, 2011, Bluejuice released their third album, Company. The first single 'Act Yr Age' was co-written by Sparkadia's Alex Burnett. The closing track, 'On My Own' was co-written by The Presets' Julian Hamilton.
In January 2012, Bluejuice once again completed their annual Sizzling Summer tour with dance act The Aston Shuffle. They also played both Big Day Out and Groovin' the Moo festival tours.
Aspen
Bluejuice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Exercise and therapy, endless possibilties
So it's funny I'm still sleeping in
Girl I am still missing you
I can't take the interview
I don't know what else to do
What's happening New York
Cause I can hear them calling
What's happening New York
What's happening New York
None the loose, school girls and me
Exercise and therapy, there is nothing on TV
So it's funny I'm still sleeping in
Girl I am still missing you
I can't take the interview
All my friends are moving too
What's happening New York
Take a holiday
Cause I can hear them calling
What's happening New York
What's happening New York
Take a holiday
Cause my life turned out boring
What's happening New York
What's happening New York
Days gone by the same again
Days gone by the same again
You and I are separate
And sometimes I can't stand the wait
I've got to get away
Phone all night and sleep all day
Well that doesn't sound like paradise to me
Take a holiday
Cause I can hear them calling
What's happening New York
What's happening New York
Take a holiday
Cause my life turned out boring
What's happening New York
What's happening New York
What's happening New York
What's happening New York
What's happening New York
Give me aspen in New York
The lyrics to Bluejuice's song Aspen New York describe a sense of being stuck in a rut and dreaming of a change of scenery. The singer is surrounded by young girls and has access to exercise and therapy, but is still sleeping in and missing someone. There is nothing on TV and the singer's friends are moving away, leading them to question what is happening in New York. The chorus repeats the refrain of "take a holiday" because the singer is feeling bored and unfulfilled in their current life.
The second verse repeats the description of the singer's situation, with the addition of feeling separate from someone and unable to stand waiting for a change. The line "phone all night and sleep all day" suggests a sense of disconnection and desperation. At the end, the singer repeats their desire to go to Aspen, as if it is a solution to their problems.
Overall, the song expresses a feeling of restlessness and dissatisfaction with one's current circumstances. The setting of New York serves as a symbol of a city that is supposed to be full of excitement and opportunity, but for the singer, it feels empty and unfulfilling. The repetition of the phrase "What's happening New York" suggests a sense of confusion and frustration at not being able to find what they are looking for.
Line by Line Meaning
None the loose, school girls and me
There is nothing else to do, so I'm hanging out with some school girls.
Exercise and therapy, endless possibilties
Trying different things to fill the void.
So it's funny I'm still sleeping in
Despite having possibilities, I'm still feeling lost and sleeping in late.
Girl I am still missing you
I'm still missing someone who is no longer with me.
I can't take the interview
I'm struggling with the common pressures of adulthood.
All my friends are moving too
Others in my life are changing and moving on.
What's happening New York
I'm questioning the direction of my life in New York City.
Take a holiday
I need a break from my current situation.
Cause I can hear them calling
Others in my life are encouraging me to take a break and make a change.
Cause my life turned out boring
My life is lacking excitement and novelty.
Days gone by the same again
Every day seems to be the same repetition.
You and I are separate
I am no longer with the person I miss.
And sometimes I can't stand the wait
I'm tired of waiting for things to get better.
I've got to get away
I need to escape my current situation.
Phone all night and sleep all day
My current routine is not fulfilling.
Well that doesn't sound like paradise to me
My current life doesn't feel like the dream it once was.
Give me aspen in New York
I want something new and different, like Aspen in New York.
Contributed by Allison M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.