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.
So Fine
Bran Van 3000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
All those wonderful things you do
All those wonderful things you do
So fine, so fine, so fine what you do
Lean back in a Hollywood Bar
Seen a girl so fine like a Hollywood Star
She talkin' bout she new to the game and Just fluent (?)
So I'm all up in her ear like, "What's ya name?
Can I buy you a drink?" like my name T-Pain
My game is effective, my main objective
Is to get her back home, but she's so selective
I'm so protective, Magnums in the pocket
But damn, as she's rockin' them boots, I gotta knock it
It's going down if I can help it tonight
I let her know that I'm a playa because I felt it was right
Mr. Right Now, never spending nights alone
She don't trip, plus she's got a man at home
Now he gone, get the keys from the valet
It's just another night in LA
All those wonderful things you do
All those wonderful things you do
All those wonderful things you do
All those wonderful things you do
See what you mean baby. This is what I gotta say.
The lyrics to Bran Van 3000's "So Fine" are a classic representation of the charming nature of a man approaching a woman at a bar. The song's opening lines, "All those wonderful things you do, so fine, so fine, so fine what you do," serve as a compliment to the woman the singer sees across the room. The singer then leans back in a Hollywood bar, sees the woman and can't help but compare her to a Hollywood star. He approaches her, asks her name, and attempts to buy her a drink. The woman mentions that she's new to the game but fluent, which is a nod to her understanding of the ways men try to approach women in bars.
The rest of the song is a description of the singer's attempts to win the woman over, all while acknowledging that he is, in fact, a player. He has condoms in his pocket and admits that he wants to take her home. However, he also acknowledges that the woman is selective, which adds an extra layer of challenge to the situation. He wants to spend the night with her and demonstrates his charm with lines like "I let her know that I'm a playa because I felt it was right, Mr. Right Now, never spending nights alone."
Overall, the song serves as a positive, upbeat tribute to the art of approaching a woman in a bar. It's a classic example of the ways that music can capture and celebrate everyday experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
Expression of excitement and enthusiasm.
All those wonderful things you do
Referring to the desirable qualities and actions of the person the singer is interested in.
So fine, so fine, so fine what you do
Emphasizing the greatness and irresistibility of the person's actions.
Lean back in a Hollywood Bar
Describing the singer's setting and position in a place of glamour and luxury.
Seen a girl so fine like a Hollywood Star
Observing a woman who is exceptionally attractive and resembles a celebrity.
Step to her like, "Baby, how you doin'?"
Approaching her and introducing himself with a casual greeting.
She talkin' bout she new to the game and Just fluent (?)
She states that she is a newcomer to some aspect of the entertainment industry but is skilled at it.
So I'm all up in her ear like, "What's ya name?
Initiating conversation with the woman and asking for her name.
Can I buy you a drink?" like my name T-Pain
Offering to purchase a beverage for her, referencing a popular R&B singer T-Pain known for such lyrics in his songs.
My game is effective, my main objective
Asserting that his strategy and skills in flirting are successful, with the ultimate goal of taking her home.
Is to get her back home, but she's so selective
Expressing that the woman is cautious and particular about who she chooses to be with.
I'm so protective, Magnums in the pocket
Implying that the singer is responsible and prepared by carrying condoms in case of sexual activity.
But damn, as she's rockin' them boots, I gotta knock it
Revealing that the woman's attractive appearance is arousing him and leading him to pursue her further.
It's going down if I can help it tonight
Intending to have sex with her that evening if possible.
I let her know that I'm a playa because I felt it was right
Informing her that he is a smooth and experienced man who is able to attract women frequently.
Mr. Right Now, never spending nights alone
Identifying himself as someone who desires short-term, casual relationships and avoids being alone.
She don't trip, plus she's got a man at home
Noting that the woman may already have a significant other but is still interested in him.
Now he gone, get the keys from the valet
Suggesting that her partner is no longer present, so she can go home with him.
It's just another night in LA
Concluding that this type of behavior and encounter is typical and unremarkable in Los Angeles.
See what you mean baby. This is what I gotta say.
Addressing or responding to the woman he was pursuing earlier.
Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Written by: JAMES DI SALVIO, JAYNE HILL, ROBERT JOANISSE, SARA JOHNSTON, GARY MCKENZIE, DOMINIC HYNES, STEPHANE MORAILLE, STEPHEN JAMES HAWLEY, FATLIP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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