Könsförrädare have conquered … Read Full Bio ↴The revolution has not been cancelled.
Könsförrädare have conquered many Swedish hearts with a both loud and melodically warm guitar rock. The friends from Sweden dare to grapple with subjects such as gender and norms as well as right and wrong in these politically paralysed days.
Their debut album “Curse All Law” is produced by swedish indie icon Mattias Alkberg and was praised as one of the most promising new records of the year in Sweden. The buzz around the band resulted in a lot of live shows including concerts at major nordic festivals such as Way Out West, Roskilde Festival and by:larm, and as opening act for Glasvegas. Their first single “Raging River” got a lot of radioplay on Swedish national radio. And finally – as the band’s definite break through – Könsförrädare got a Swedish nomination to the prestigious Nordic Music Prize.
Könsförrädare plays with a punk approach that will probably remind listeners with large record collections of Sleater-Kinney and Sonic Youth. But the young band doesn’t need quick comparisons – they hold their own, and their songs speak to both the musical heart and the political commitment.
Coming from a small town in the northernmost part of Sweden Könsförrädare spent their youth playing together and came up with their sound – kind and violent with a dreamy twist. Their politically conscious and stylisticially refined lyrics makes it hard to separate pop from politics.
Könsförrädare is also a riddle, even in Swedish. Roughly translated it means ”gender betrayers”, and refers to a recent controversy in Sweden when a famous feminist politician said that women who sleep with men betray their gender. The band picked up the word Könsförrädare giving it a broadened, positive and sophisticated meaning – instead of using it as a demeaning word it is a transformational and creative possibility.
Könsförrädare is like the volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Impossible to pronounce but something you cannot miss out on.
Members: Janinne Sandström Oja, Måns Lundstedt, Alina Björkén och Robin Bernhardsson.
Raging River
Könsförrädare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rain on window windowpane
Give myself permission to yell
To act ways I'm taught not to
And it's so deep into the muscle the bone
My throat I go out get soaked
Stand by the ocean it's where I'm going
The river's raging inside me and it's me
Become the ocean
I hear it going strong
Raging raging river
A river going strong
Raging raging river
A new cut fill my marks and carvings
The water the sound
A river going strong
Raging raging river
A river going strong
Raging raging river
I hear it but you don't
My voice is strong and I mean what I say
That's not it
Not a reason
I don't make music with my crotch you don't
I cough try to spit out all the bad thoughts
I'm a river now and I'm strong
You can't walk on me you'll drown
You're no Jesus I can see the sea I see it
A river going strong
Raging raging river
A river going strong
Raging raging river
A river going strong
Raging raging river
A river going strong
Raging raging river
The lyrics of Könsförrädare's song "Raging River" depict the internal struggle of someone who has been taught to repress their emotions and desires, but who is now tapping into a deep anger and need for expression. The rain on the windowpane is a metaphor for the tears and cathartic release that the singer is experiencing. They give themselves permission to yell and act in ways that are not considered socially acceptable - this is emphasized by the line "To act ways I'm taught not to". The imagery of being soaked by the rain and standing by the ocean symbolizes a desire to let go and be one with their emotions, to become the raging river that is inside of them.
The lyrics also address the idea of ownership and control over one's body and sexuality. The singer asserts that they don't make music with their crotch, and that they are now a powerful river that cannot be walked upon. This could be interpreted as a rejection of cultural norms that limit women's agency and control over their own bodies.
Overall, the song can be seen as a call to action for anyone who feels constrained by societal expectations and norms to let go of their inhibitions and embrace the full spectrum of their emotions and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear it but don't see it
I sense something happening, but I can't physically see it.
Rain on window windowpane
There is rain falling on a window.
Give myself permission to yell
I am allowing myself to raise my voice.
To act ways I'm taught not to
I am going against what I have been taught to do.
And it's so deep into the muscle the bone
This feeling is ingrained deep within me, even in my bones and muscles.
My throat I go out get soaked
I am yelling so loudly that my throat is getting soaked with rain.
Stand by the ocean it's where I'm going
I am headed towards the ocean.
The river's raging inside me and it's me
I feel like there is a strong river within me, and it is a part of who I am.
And I'm supposed to rage and flow to the sea
It is natural for me to have intense emotions and to let them carry me towards my destination.
Become the ocean
I am striving to become the vast, powerful ocean.
I hear it going strong
I can hear the river flowing strongly within me.
Raging raging river
The river is fierce and powerful.
A river going strong
The river is flowing with great force.
A new cut fill my marks and carvings
The river creates new paths that fill in the marks and carvings it previously made.
The water the sound
The sound of the water is heard.
I hear it but you don't
I can hear the river within me, but you cannot.
My voice is strong and I mean what I say
I am speaking boldly and with conviction.
That's not it
That is not the full story or explanation.
Not a reason
There is no specific reason or cause for this feeling.
I don't make music with my crotch you don't
I am not purely an object of sexual desire, and neither are you.
I cough try to spit out all the bad thoughts
I am trying to get rid of negative thoughts and emotions.
I'm a river now and I'm strong
I now identify as a powerful, strong river.
You can't walk on me you'll drown
If you try to walk on me or control me, you will be overwhelmed by my intensity.
You're no Jesus I can see the sea I see it
You are not a savior figure, but I am able to see the vast ocean that I am headed towards.
A river going strong
The river's power and force continues.
Raging raging river
The river's intensity and strength is still present.
A river going strong
The river continues to flow with persistence.
Raging raging river
The river is still raging and powerful.
A river going strong
The force of the river is still present and powerful.
Raging raging river
The river continues to flow with intensity.
Contributed by Tyler M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
M J
Världsklass!!! Här är några som verkligen har lärt sig genren utan och innan och som ändå levererar högst personlig och originell musik. Det är ovanligt på riktigt!
Hannah Lawson
LOVE IT! Swedish, feminist, and good music. Just perfect. <3
Kira Nerys
Älskar det! Superfin låt.
Young_Neil
So indie, so true , so good ;)
Emma Louise
If I remember correctly, the video is made up of a few clips from the 1955 silent film Dementia/Daughter of Horror, an extremely bizarre, hour-long descent into psychosis.
Frompop2top
Great!
Dick Mcfaggetsen
:D