The name of the group is derived etymologically from Swedish liquor Brännvin, a style of spirit best described as low-grade vodka. The name originated as a joke associated with the taupe-coloured Volkswagen Camper Van owned by Bergen in the mid-1990s which was said to run solely on bran flakes, brännvin and brand recognition when carrying the artists on tour around Canada.
1994–1996: Formation
In 1994, James Di Salvio (b. November 28, 1972) had received a royalty cheque for work on a remix he had done on a track for Quebec songwriter Jean Leloup, and invited his friend E.P. Bergen (b. 13 April 1972) to "come help him spend the money".[2] The two got together in Manhattan and coined Bran Van 3000 in 1994. Di Salvio was a video director and asked E.P. to come teach him how to produce tracks with a sampler and turntables. Together they went and bought studio equipment in Times Square. E.P. returned to Montreal and immediately co-wrote/produced a single with Jean Leloup called: "Johnny Go". E.P. invited James to come over and record his first ever rap on that song. It later went to number one in the Quebec charts. James Di Salvio also directed the music video. This was in effect the first ever Bran Van 3000 collaboration.
Together James and E.P. went back to New York to record "Forest" and "Ma Chambre" for Jean Leloup's platinum album "Le Dome". These tracks were very successful, leading to a record deal with Audiogram Records. Together with Haig V, they co-produced the first BV3 album. Jean Leloup gave "Forest" to Bran Van 3000. Bergen started a cover of "Come On Feel The Noise" with plans to have Sara Johnston sing on it. Di Salvio discovered Liquid. In 1996, the album was almost finished. As a joke, James and E.P. sent a demo of the unfinished songs "Drinking In LA", "Couch Surfer" and "Everywhere" to the Canadian Music Week contest. Bran Van 3000 came in first place with another act (Jack Rustle), but got disqualified because there was no real band to perform the showcase. They finished the album and E.P. started auditioning the touring band that included Gary Mackenzie, Nick Hynes and Rob Joanisse.
1996–1999: Glee
Bran Van 3000 finally released their first single, "Drinking in L.A.", in February 1997 in Canada. In April of the same year, the band released their first album, called Glee. The record went gold in 1998 and won a Juno Award for best alternative album. It contained 17 tracks, one of them entirely in French called "Forest" featuring Jean Leloup. "Afrodiziak", produced by E.P. Bergen sold 100 000 copies in Germany with EMI and appeared in the movie XChange. The song "Everywhere" was featured on the soundtrack to the film Practical Magic and "Drinking in L.A." was featured in the soundtrack to Playing by Heart. "Ceci n'est pas une chanson" (later "Une chanson") contains the main melody of "Perfect" song from The The.
In March 1998, Glee was released internationally albeit some changes: "Ceci n'est pas une chanson" became an instrumental simply called "Une chanson"; the French song, "Forest", was reworked with several English verses. The international version has 19 tracks. Previously unreleased songs are "Rainshine", "Carry On" and "Old School".
After signing with Capitol Records, Bran Van 3000 began a massive touring schedule. It started across Canada, then zigzagged across the United States in Bob Dylan's Tour bus. Every day, the band was waiting for confirmation of show dates. The dates were sometimes confirmed the day before and the band would have to drive for ten hours to the next gig, only to find the posters rolled up in the coat check of many venues instead of on the walls. This inadequate tour planning forced the band to play in front of 20 to 50 people a night. Things eventually got better.
In Europe, EMI booked the band months ahead of time so that there was adequate promo. The band enjoyed larger crowds and got the rockstar treatment in every country in Western Europe. They also opened up for Massive Attack, Björk in sports arenas, as well as Pulp and Moby when they got back home.
In July 1998, "Drinking in L.A." reached No. 36 in the UK Singles Chart,[4] becoming their first transatlantic hit. In August 1999 the single was re-released after the song was featured in a popular TV commercial for Rolling Rock, and peaked at No. 3 in the UK.
2000–2001: Discosis
In 2000, E.P. Bergen temporarily quit Bran Van 3000 to make a solo record: Airport Lounge and work on HBO movie scores: "Dead Awake" starring Stephen Baldwin and "Swindle" starring Tom Sizemore and Dave Foley of The Kids in the Hall.
In the summer of 2001, Bran Van 3000 released the album Discosis. The song "Astounded" featured the final recorded performance from soul legend Curtis Mayfield before his death and became the most successful Canadian single by the collective. Other collaborators on the album were Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour and reggae artist Eek-a-Mouse. The song Go Shopping was featured on the soundtrack to the Mexican film Y tu mamá también.
2002–2006: Hiatus
In the summer of 2002 the band's Web site indicated that it was not working on new material or touring, nor did the band at that time had any plans of doing so.
2006–2007: Rosé
Unbeknownst to fans in 2006, E.P. Bergen contacted Audiogram and the publishers to obtain the initial financing of a third album. It was later announced that BV3 was working on a third album, Rosé, which was released in Canada on October 30 and in the US on November 27, 2007. Rosé was co-produced by James Di Salvio and Sara Johnston with the collaboration of Fatlip, Max-A-Million, Swanza, Chris Opperman, Noel Osborne and others. The album was written in Los Angeles and was recorded at Depeche Mode's studio and in Hollywood at Steve Vai's Studio. On July 1, 2008, the original group got back together, on stage, at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, playing songs from Rosé as well as some of their previous hits, in front of a crowd numbering around 180,000.
2010–2012: The Garden
After the death of his friend and father, Bobby Di Salvio, James got the collective back together and confirmed a new album on August 2010. "The Garden" was released on October 19, 2010. Since then Di Salvio and parts of the group are touring through Montreal and Canada, collaborating with different singers and instrumentalists like Pierre-Luc Cérat, Nick Hynes, Pascal Lepage Stéphane Moraille.
Couch surfer
Bran Van 3000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you can take a trip around the world without leaving your easy chair.
Couch Surfer
Together with everything and nothing between us,
You are the whole soul goal me you,
Universal universal union,
Journeying harmony, journeying harmony.
The ecstasy is voyaged through swaying, interplaying,
Perennial gardenia gardens,
Flowing into fuscia fountains,
Leaping into warm purple pink gaseous fumes, purple pools,
Moving in, undulating emanating jewels,
Into a timeless spaceless place.
Couch surfer (such a cute face)
I'm surfing, couch surfing
Move into your house, I'm a couch surfer
Move into your house,
I'm a couch surfer,
Yeah, but I don't mean to be,
Somebody took my keys,
I'm a couch surfer.
Well I'm locked inside the Holiday Inn and I'd like to get out with just a little bit of rain,
Down and down and down and out,
but I don't give a damn.
Can I crash at your place again?
Just one more night?
Couch surfer
I'm couch surfing, I'm a couch surfer
Locked on the inside,
I'm locked in but you locked me on the outside,
Inside of no longer me,
Move to tears beyond into a pond of cool quivers,
My being shivers,
I'm pure energy beyond the sun,
I'm utterly complete union.
I'm a couch surfer
Mind if I eat those chips?
Oh that's okay,
I don't like salt and vinegar anyways.
No no no, I didn't use pay-per-view.
I figured it was free.
Yeah, I'm going.
I'm a couch surfer, couch surfing
The lyrics of "Couch Surfer" by Canadian band Bran Van 3000 are a mix of dreamy prose and a commentary on contemporary culture. The song starts by referencing the growing accessibility of music and sounds through technology, and how one can explore the world sitting in one's "easy chair." However, the rest of the lyrics seem to follow a stream of consciousness narrative, with the singer talking about moving into other people's houses, being locked in Holiday Inn, and asking if they can crash at someone's place for one more night.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on modern relationships, where the singer talks about being whole with someone yet being a couch surfer, meaning one who easily moves from one place to another without any real attachment, looking for temporary comfort. The lyrics talk about universal union and a timeless spaceless place, perhaps hinting at the idea of finding a sense of belonging in non-materialistic things. The line "mind if I eat those chips" could be interpreted as someone trying to find familiarity and comfort in the little things in life rather than being focused on goals and material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
By sampling the wealth of music and sound effects available on audio fidelity stereo disks
Through the use of technology, we can experience music and sounds from around the world while remaining in one place.
You can take a trip around the world without leaving your easy chair.
Without physically travelling, one can experience the world through music and sounds.
Together with everything and nothing between us,
Despite apparent differences, we are connected as one.
You are the whole soul goal me you,
Together, we complete each other's souls.
Universal universal union,
We are one with the universe.
Blending in matter,
Our existence is intertwined with the universe.
Journeying harmony, journeying harmony.
We are on a journey to find harmony within ourselves and with the world around us.
The ecstasy is voyaged through swaying, interplaying,
We can experience ecstasy through movement and interaction.
Perennial gardenia gardens,
We experience beauty and tranquility in our surroundings.
Flowing into fuchsia fountains,
We are surrounded by vibrant colors and flowing water.
Leaping into warm purple pink gaseous fumes, purple pools,
We embrace the mysterious and mystical elements of the universe.
Moving in, undulating emanating jewels,
We recognize and appreciate the beauty in all things.
Into a timeless spaceless place.
We transcend time and space in our search for inner peace and harmony.
Move into your house, I'm a couch surfer
I am in need of a place to stay.
Yeah, but I don't mean to be,
I did not intend to intrude.
Somebody took my keys,
I am in a state of displacement due to unforeseen circumstances.
Well I'm locked inside the Holiday Inn and I'd like to get out with just a little bit of rain,
I am stuck in a hotel room and would like to leave if at all possible.
Down and down and down and out,
I am feeling lost and uncertain about my situation.
Can I crash at your place again?
May I please stay at your home again?
Mind if I eat those chips?
May I please have some of your chips?
Oh that's okay,
You may have the chips.
I don't like salt and vinegar anyways.
I do not particularly enjoy that flavor of chips.
No no no, I didn't use pay-per-view.
I did not access any additional paid services.
I figured it was free.
I assumed the service was included with the room.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BERNARD GUNTHER, DUANE LARSON, ERIC PIERRE BERGEN, JAMES DI SALVIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bonkisama
By the sampling the wealth of music and sound effects
Available on audio fidelity stereo disks
You can take a trip around the world
Without leaving your easy chair
[Sara Johnston:]
Couch surfer
[Verse 1: James Di Salvio]
Together with everything and nothing between us
You are the whole soul goal me, you
Universal universal union
Blending in matter, journeying harmony
(Wooooooo!)
Journeying harmony
The ecstasy is voyaged through swaying, interplaying
Perennial gardenia gardens, flowing into fuscia fountains
Leaping into warm purple pink gaseous fumes, purple pools
Moving in, undulating, emanating jewels
Into a timeless, spaceless, placeless place
[Chorus]
Couch surfer, couch surfer
(Such a cute face)
Couch surfer, couch surfer
(I'm surfing)
Couch surfer, couch surfer
(Couch surfing)
(Move into your house)
I'm a couch surfer
[Post-Chorus: James Di Salvio]
Now move into your house, I'm a couch surfer
Yeah, but I don't mean to be
Somebody took my keys, I'm a couch surfer
(Couch surfer)
[Verse 2: James Di Salvio]
Well, I'm locked inside of the Holiday Inn
And I'd like to get out with just a little bit of rain
(Down and down and down and out, but I don't give a damn)
Can I crash at your place again? Just one more night?
(Couch surfer)
I'm couch surfing, I'm a couch surfer
(Couch surfer, couch surfer)
Locked on the inside
I'm locked in but you locked me inside
(Couch surfer)
Inside of no longer me
Move to tears beyond into a pond
Of cool quivers, my being shivers
I'm pure energy beyond the sun, I'm utterly complete union
I'm a couch surfer, mind if I eat those chips?
Oh, that's okay, I don't like salt and vinegar anyways
(Couch surfer)
No no no, I didn't use pay-per-view, I figured it was free
Yeah, I'm going, I'm a couch surfer, couch surfing
bonkisama
By the sampling the wealth of music and sound effects
Available on audio fidelity stereo disks
You can take a trip around the world
Without leaving your easy chair
[Sara Johnston:]
Couch surfer
[Verse 1: James Di Salvio]
Together with everything and nothing between us
You are the whole soul goal me, you
Universal universal union
Blending in matter, journeying harmony
(Wooooooo!)
Journeying harmony
The ecstasy is voyaged through swaying, interplaying
Perennial gardenia gardens, flowing into fuscia fountains
Leaping into warm purple pink gaseous fumes, purple pools
Moving in, undulating, emanating jewels
Into a timeless, spaceless, placeless place
[Chorus]
Couch surfer, couch surfer
(Such a cute face)
Couch surfer, couch surfer
(I'm surfing)
Couch surfer, couch surfer
(Couch surfing)
(Move into your house)
I'm a couch surfer
[Post-Chorus: James Di Salvio]
Now move into your house, I'm a couch surfer
Yeah, but I don't mean to be
Somebody took my keys, I'm a couch surfer
(Couch surfer)
[Verse 2: James Di Salvio]
Well, I'm locked inside of the Holiday Inn
And I'd like to get out with just a little bit of rain
(Down and down and down and out, but I don't give a damn)
Can I crash at your place again? Just one more night?
(Couch surfer)
I'm couch surfing, I'm a couch surfer
(Couch surfer, couch surfer)
Locked on the inside
I'm locked in but you locked me inside
(Couch surfer)
Inside of no longer me
Move to tears beyond into a pond
Of cool quivers, my being shivers
I'm pure energy beyond the sun, I'm utterly complete union
I'm a couch surfer, mind if I eat those chips?
Oh, that's okay, I don't like salt and vinegar anyways
(Couch surfer)
No no no, I didn't use pay-per-view, I figured it was free
Yeah, I'm going, I'm a couch surfer, couch surfing
threephazer
I bought Glee when I was 17. Almost 10 years later it still makes me happy and is hugely creative work of musical adventure.
Plasternik
I remember when I listened to the album for the first time. Borrowed it in an evening from a friend, and just couldn't stop! It's also one of the rare bands I can listen to all the time without getting bored. I am your state of mind.
Samsa Päivätie
I love this band! Great stuff!
phan tastic
yep the accoustics on this album should be celebrated the whole thing is classic~even if you have to couch surf or accidentally hit this on the jukebox, love it
maskof
Extremely cool video and song. I remember buying this disc when it came out in (1997?). I used to play it over and over again at the store where I worked.
Michael Hayes, Jr.
So many good memories of this song. Eating rolls, beans, e, Adam, whatever you wanna call it, I was doing some couch surfing myself and had many many couch surfers myself. Always welcome to stay especially since I got a big couch
Leo
i love this song and this band!!
Superbooord
"Bran Van 3000 - Glee" must be my most played CD ever.
RedandBlue Bulldog
Spent a good bit of my twenties, and even thirties couch surfing. It was a good time.