When Kitty Wu first stepped onto the Scandinavian indie scene with the rele… Read Full Bio ↴When Kitty Wu first stepped onto the Scandinavian indie scene with the release of their debut “Privacy”(2001), the band instantly drew attention from both critics and music fans alike.
The strong sense of urgency surrounding the band, and the honest, yet ambitious sound of the album was convincing and quite unexpected, coming from a first-time act. The album earned the Danish band rave reviews, as well as a prestigious spot on the Roskilde festival’s legendary main stage.
For their next album Kitty Wu teamed up with renowned producer Rob Ellis, known for his many years of collaboration with PJ Harvey. Ellis would prove to be a key character in the band’s storyline, and helped shape and sharpen the sound and identity of Kitty Wu.
With “The Rules of Transportation”(2003) Kitty Wu grew into their own and perfected their specific brand of poetic and alternative rock. The album also saw Robert Lund gaining a position as a deeply fascinating singer and songwriter.
Ellis returned to produce “Knives and Daggers”(2005), a detached diary of city living and the chilling culmination of Kitty Wu’s foray into dark minimalism.
Both albums were critically acclaimed and gave the band a loyal underground following, helped by a reputation as an exiting live act, earned through touring - both headlining as well as supporting acts like Brendan Benson and Muse.
Now Kitty Wu is back with “Someone Was Here”, an album that bares witness to the many changes that has taken place inside the band - changes that have pushed Kitty Wu into new sonic territory and created a hectic energy within their sound.
Since releasing their last album, Kitty Wu have parted ways with bass player Samuel Helles (who left for family reasons). The departure of Helles initially sent shockwaves through the tightly knit unit, but when the dust settled, they found that being forced to rethink the band, allowed them a new freedom which created a massive sense of electricity throughout the process.
“Someone Was Here” is the sound of conflict. Noise driven guitars and beatstructures are in a constant clash with Robert Lund’s atmospheric and ghostly vocals. This intentional fight creates a nervous, driven energy and a truly hypnotic soundscape, underlining the abstract and poetic lyrics about loss and departure.
Most of the self-produced album was recorded at Studio R, a converted warehouse in the industrial part of Copenhagen. Lund subsequently laid down the complex and evocative vocal arrangements by himself, during nightly sessions in the band’s own studio, Chapter 11. The vocals, which are a defining element of “Someone Was Here”, also draws a crooked line to some of the unorthodox influences behind the album - among them Simon and Garfunkel’s classic “Bookends”.
The album was mixed in London by Guy Fixsen (My Bloody Valentine, Breeders, etc).
“Someone Was Here” is Kitty Wu at their best and most ambitious, and places them at the forefront of a thriving and exciting Danish music movement. “Someone Was Here” is handled in Denmark by A:larm Music, whose roster includes Danish acts like Mew, Efterklang and Sune Wagner of Raveonettes.
The album is available on cd / limited vinyl / download

Kitty Wu is:
Robert Lund – Vocals/Guitars Allan Schøneberg – Bass Claus Bergmann – Drums

Keyhole Nothing
Kitty Wu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

On amateurs' command
Sweaty nervous hands
An armyless campaign

A hammer driving nails
A joke on someone else
Your really crack me up
Oh how you crack me up

Hold my position
But I will not calm down
The price of admission
Is I will not calm down

The teeth behind the smile
The predatory drive
The prices cut the sale
The cowards' razortail

Hold my position
But I will not calm down

The price of admission
Is I will not calm down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kitty Wu's song "Keyhole Nothing" seem to describe a person who is experiencing some level of anxiety or nervousness. The opening lines, "On amateurs' command / Sweaty nervous hands / An armyless campaign" suggest that this person is perhaps being directed by others or feels like they don't have a clear sense of purpose or direction. The following lines are somewhat cryptic, with references to hammers, jokes, and predatory behavior seemingly out of context. However, the repetition of the phrase "Hold my position / But I will not calm down / The price of admission / Is I will not calm down" suggests that the person is determined to stay put and not give in to their fears or doubts. The closing lines about "the cowards' razortail" could be interpreted as a kind of warning to anyone who might challenge or threaten this person.

Overall, the song seems to be about the tension between fear and determination, and the struggle to maintain composure under pressure. The references to predatory behavior and razors could also be seen as allusions to the danger inherent in the situation, and the need to be alert and aware at all times.

Line by Line Meaning

On amateurs' command
Following orders from people who are inexperienced

Sweaty nervous hands
Feeling anxious and unsure, resulting in clammy palms

An armyless campaign
Attempting to achieve something without the support or resources necessary to do so

A hammer driving nails
A forceful and direct approach to getting things done

A joke on someone else
Finding humor in belittling or mocking others

Your really crack me up
I find your behavior or attitude so amusing that it causes me to laugh

Oh how you crack me up
Expressing amusement towards someone's behavior

Hold my position
Maintaining one's current state or attitude

But I will not calm down
Despite the request or expectation to do so, I will not become less agitated or emotional

The price of admission
The cost of participation or involvement

The teeth behind the smile
The hidden aggression or malice that a person may conceal with a friendly demeanor