1) Broken Records (Edi… Read Full Bio ↴There are two different bands with this name:
1) Broken Records (Edinburgh)
Broken Records formed in 2007 in Edinburgh, Scotland. They use their different musical backgrounds and a wide variety of instrumentation to compliment the eclectic sound they create.
Their 2007 self released debut ‘gig’ EP created a genuine music industry buzz around the band. Drowned in Sound said of the release, “This is magical, engrossing and wholly enveloping, genuinely and excitingly bursting with commercial potential.” They refined their sound throughout 2007 and 2008 with numerous gigs throughout Scotland, including support slots with Idlewild, Sons & Daughters and Editors.
They released their highly acclaimed debut 7" single, “If the News Makes You Sad Don't Watch It”, on London based indie label Young Turks in April 2008. This received plaudits from such varied publications as NME, The Guardian, Drowned in Sound, The Sun and The Times. Radio 1’s Steve Lamacq made it his single of the week and Huw Stephens invited them to do a session for Radio 1 at Maida Vale. Limited releases of singles “Slow Parade” and “Lies” led to a scramble of album deal offers, with the band excited to sign to the prestigious 4AD label. They rounded off the year by playing at the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party and being tipped for 2009 in Q magazine, The Times and News Of The World amongst others.
In January 2009 they recorded their debut album, “Until The Earth Begins To Part” at Monnow Valley Studio in Monmouth with producer Ian Caple (Tricky, Tindersticks, Yann Tiersen). The album was released on 1st June 2009 to wide praise, and live performances in support of it garnered 5-star reviews in both The Guardian and The Times. Summer saw them perform at many UK and European festivals including Glastonbury, T in the Park, Haldern Pop Festival and a main-stage slot at Latitude. The successful summer culminated in an invitation to support The National at their Royal Festival Hall show in London, followed by their own sold-out show at The Queens Hall in Edinburgh.
Broken Records spent the Autumn touring Europe and the UK as well as releasing the “Out On The Water” EP in November. Early 2010 found them making their well received live debut in the US at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. Their music was also featured in episodes of the TV dramas “Skins” and “Lost”, and once again appeared as support to The National on part of their European ‘High Violet’ LP tour in July. In August the band also announced the move from being a seven-piece band to a six-piece for with the departure of Arne and Gill, and the introduction of new member, Craig Ross taking up bass and guitar duties.
Oct 2010 saw the UK/EU release of their second album, “Let Me Come Home” along with single “A Darkness Rises Up” which was recorded in Glasgow with producer Tony Doogan (Mogwai, Delgados, Belle & Sebastian,). Once again the album received great reviews across press, including an 8/10 in NME and a B playlist on BBC 6 Music for the single amongst others. This was backed by a co-headline European tour alongside US band Freelance Whales and the single release of “You Know You’re Not Dead”.
In March 2011 they embarked on their debut US headline tour to coincide with the North American release of "Let Me Come Home". As well as performing several sold-out shows they recorded radio sessions for WNYC in New York, The World Cafe in Philadelphia, and Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW in LA. The third single "The Motorcycle Boy Reigns" will be released on May 16th and the band will be playing several festivals across Europe throughout the summer.
http://www.brokenrecordsband.com
2) Broken Records (Sweden)
Story of the band:
In the autumn of 2003 Erik and Johan started to fumble some songs together in Johan´s narrow apartment in Majorna, Gothenburg. Low-key, lo-fi acoustic music with close harmony and a richness of melody came out of these experiments.
The technical incompetent duo borrowed a portabel digital studio and managed, somehow, during winter and spring 2004, to record around thirty songs. Some of these recordings were spread among friends and family and resulted in an appreciated debut live performance at a student´s pub in april.
Henrik, with his white Fender Stratocaster, came along in the autumn of 2004. There were now three songwriters in the band, with a broad taste in music, and the sound was widened with a more “mature” feel to it.
Plenty of rehearsals, a handful of live performances and some easy-to-forget home recordings later, contact was made with Daniel Y. During a weekend in july 2005, in a small cellar studio in Guldheden (Goldmoor), Gothenburg, he recorded three songs with the trio. They ended up on Broken Records first official CD-R: “The Goldmoor Sessions/The Livingroom Sessions” 2006.
Three
(October 28 & November 18-19, 2006)
Three is a magic number, they say. And during three days in October & November 2006 so it seemed: The three members of Broken Records headed for Music a Matic studios at Tredje (3rd) Långgatan in Gothenburg to record three songs. With Thomas Andrén's spot-on ideas and delicate hands a richer and warmer sound was born. In organic and earthy Nearby Hills the band deals with the members obsession with kite flying. Anne - a song frequent on the band's live set list - finally gets all dressed up in full costume. Titte Carlsson joins the band on backing vocals on Desperado; a song starting in old time Broken Records style but finishing off the Three-sessions in grand style.
http://www.brokenrecords.se
http://www.myspace.com/brokenrecordsgbg
The Motorcycle Boy Reigns
Broken Records Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because I don't know your name
To the ocean we will go
If the land won't stop us first
So kiss yourself for life
From the threats you can't bend
Oh, of all the things we have done
So we sing at the source that we love
We were young and we don't know your name
Do you ever sit and stare?
The quickening of time
Is there something else for us?
Or a line we'll never cross
So we sing at the source that we love
We were young and we don't know your name
The lyrics to Broken Records' song "The Motorcycle Boy Reigns" touch on themes of uncertainty, fear, and the search for something more meaningful in life. The opening line, "Sing yourself to sleep because I don't know your name," speaks to the idea that the singer feels disconnected or uncertain about their connection to others. They offer the suggestion to "sing yourself to sleep" as a way to cope with these feelings of detachment.
The next line, "To the ocean we will go if the land won't stop us first," implies a sense of adventure or a desire to escape. The singer seems to suggest that they are willing to leave behind the familiar and comfortable in favor of the unknown. However, they acknowledge that there are obstacles that may prevent them from reaching their destination.
The chorus, "So we sing at the source that we love, we were young and we don't know your name," further emphasizes the idea of uncertainty and the search for something more. The "source" could refer to any number of things, from a person to a place to a belief or concept. The repetition of "we don't know your name" highlights the idea that the singer feels disconnected or unsure of their place in the world.
The second verse continues with these themes, asking "Is there something else for us? Or a line we'll never cross." The singer seems to be searching for answers, wondering if there is more to life than what they have experienced so far.
Overall, "The Motorcycle Boy Reigns" is a poetic exploration of uncertainty and the search for meaning in life. It speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with questions of identity and purpose, and offers a hauntingly beautiful reflection on these themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing yourself to sleep
Calm and soothe yourself in solitude.
Because I don't know your name
I'm a stranger to you and we're not close.
To the ocean we will go
We'll travel to the vast, unpredictable sea.
If the land won't stop us first
Unless obstacles prevent or hinder us.
So kiss yourself for life
Cherish and love yourself daily, forever.
From the threats you can't bend
Facing insurmountable dangers and challenges.
Oh, of all the things we have done
Despite all our accomplishments and efforts.
It doesn't seem good enough
It still feels inadequate or lacking.
So we sing at the source that we love
We express our passion and devotion for what inspires us.
We were young and we don't know your name
We were inexperienced and unaware of our own identity and others'.
Do you ever sit and stare?
Have you ever paused and pondered your existence?
The quickening of time
The increasing pace and urgency of life passing by.
Is there something else for us?
Is there a greater purpose or destiny for us?
Or a line we'll never cross
Or a boundary we'll never surpass or overcome.
So we sing at the source that we love
We express our joy and enthusiasm for the origin of our inspiration.
We were young and we don't know your name
We were naive and unfamiliar with the identity of that which motivates us.
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANDREW KEENEY, ARNE KOLB, DAVID FOTHERGILL, DAVID SMITH, IAN TURNBELL, JAMIE SUTHERLAND, RORY SUTHERLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abraham Rod
I still enjoy this after 10 years damn, gave me great high school days.
s4shk0
i've loved them since i first found out abt them in 2011 and still wish more people knew about them. jamie's voice is beautiful, their lyrics and music are amazing
the deeliciousplum
This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. I love the feel that they are sculpting.
macgiollabuide
4AD is bringing great music to music lovers everywhere, I hope you go from strength to strength without ever losing your soul. Wonderful album by Broken Records, just a joy!
Krisztina Csiki
Wonderful song, reaches the deepest layers of my soul.
David Kelly
Great tune guys....heard last night on radio.....keep up the good work
Geenah
Amazing. I listen to Broken Records everyday.
Jhonata Alves
I would love to see a show of them here in Brazil
Sebastian Nutzlos
so glad to see that this label still works... i am a fan of THIS MORTAL COIL and all these "old" artists... miss them so much... best wishes and all success for these great new musicians!!! t...OM from berlin
AdamSaturOfficial
That drum beat makes the song, IMO. Loves it. :)