Modwheelmood's music is composed of Cortini’s carefully structured analog synths and loops with Hillström’s raw, riffing guitars and ambient guitars, depending on the mood. The experienced duo exercises restraint, never allowing the guitars to overpower the synths, and offering provocative vocal melodies that add just enough depth to create well rounded, richly textured arrangements.
Born and raised in Italy, Cortini’s family encouraged his interest in music from an early age. Cortini’s father played guitar, and his mother often listened to bands such as the Beatles, who Cortini agrees had an influence on his songwriting. Other songwriting influences include Cat Stevens, Francesco De Gregori, and Depeche Mode. From a programming perspective, Cortini recognizes Alva Noto and Brian Eno as influential in his development. In addition to songwriting, Cortini is a seasoned live musician, having toured with such bands as The Mayfield Four, and is currently lending his talents as a keyboardist to Nine Inch Nails.
Hillström grew up in a small village in Sweden. His pursuit of music began early, playing saxophone in jazz orchestras in the afternoon and learning Iron Maiden riffs in the evening. Eventually, his desire to play music for a living led him to the U.S., where he met Cortini. Hillström is the former guitarist of Abandoned Pools and has also worked with producer Patrick Leonard. Hillström’s guitar playing is reminiscent of Radiohead guitarist Johnny Greenwood.
Modwheelmood’s second EP, Enemies & Immigrants was released in August 2006 on Buddyhead Records. Although they have many influences, both Cortini and Hillström agree that Enemies & Immigrants doesn’t necessarily reflect those influences. Hillström notes that there are decidedly more acoustics on this EP than the first, to give the tracks more of a lush, earthy, percussive sound. He adds that the material on the new EP took shape just from sitting in a room full of gear with open minds and the objective of “making music that meant something to us.”
Modwheelmood borrows their name from the mod wheel, a controller typically mounted at the left end of the keyboard that is used for modulation. It can provide positive or negative values. It can be easily raised or lowered at the artist’s whim.
www.modwheelmood.com
www.buddyhead.com/recordings/
www.myspace.com/modwheelmood
Sleep
Modwheelmood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take the time
What's up with you my friend?
I think it's all the same
I wish that I could help you
I wish that I could help you with your mind
Well, come on
It's been some time
Goodbye, it's not an easy thing to do
And pardon me if I don't see your point of view
I've been inside the red room
I break the shit you've been through
All the tears and all those years
I wish that I could help you
I wish that I could touch you
Why do you sleep? No one wants to sleep.
Why do you sleep? No one wants to sleep.
Why do you sleep when no one wants...
What do you dream? I don't want to see
Why do you sleep? I don't want to sleep.
Why do you, why do you, why do you, why do you
Why do you sleep when no one wants...
Still the same
Therefore getting used to what I do
And I don't see I still can't feel your point of view
I'm stuck in freakin' lamewood
It's running into circles
It's been a dream, it's been for real
I wish that I could go through
I wish that I could go through
Why do you sleep? No one wants to sleep.
Why do you sleep? No one wants to sleep.
Why do you sleep when no one wants...
What do you dream? I don't want to see
Why do you sleep? I don't want to sleep.
Why do you, why do you, why do you, why do you
Why do you sleep when no one wants...
When no one wants....
Rejected, here I am I'm innocent, I'm innocent
Rejected, here I am I'm innocent, I'm innocent, innocent, innocent
So let me ask once again:
Why do you sleep? No one wants to sleep.
Why do you sleep? I don't want to sleep.
Why do you sleep when no one wants...
What do you dream? I don't want to see.
Why do you sleep? I don't want to sleep.
Why do you? Why do you? Why do you? Why do you?
Why do you sleep when no one wants...
Why do you sleep? No one wants to sleep.
Why do you sleep? I don't want to sleep.
Why do you sleep when no one wants...
What do you dream? I don't want to see.
Why do you sleep? I don't want to sleep.
Why do you? Why do you? Why do you? Why do you?
Why do you sleep?
Why do you sleep?
Why do you....
The song Sleep by Modwheelmood seems to be about someone who is struggling to understand and connect with another person who is going through a difficult time. The opening lines suggest that the person needs to let go of their inhibitions and become more open-minded in order to understand what is going on. Later in the song, the person reflects on how it's been a challenge to say goodbye to someone and how they don't quite see things from the other person's point of view. However, despite this distance, the person wants to help and be there for the other person.
The chorus asks the question "Why do you sleep when no one wants to sleep?" This could be interpreted in a few ways. It could suggest that the person is metaphorically "asleep," or unaware of what is happening around them. Alternatively, it could be a nod towards insomnia, as sleeping when no one wants to suggests that the person is struggling to fall asleep even when they want to. The lines "What do you dream? I don't want to see" hint that there may be some unpleasant things happening in the other person's mind during their sleeping hours.
Overall, the song appears to be a plea for understanding and connection. The singer wants to help the other person in some way, but feels like they're not quite there yet. The repetition of the chorus and the final lines suggest that there is an ongoing struggle to connect deeply with another person.
Line by Line Meaning
Take some wine to open your eyes
Have some wine to see things clearly
Take the time
Take the necessary time
What's up with you my friend?
How are you doing, my friend?
I think it's all the same
I think nothing has really changed
I wish that I could help you
I wish I could be of assistance to you
I wish that I could help you with your mind
I wish I could alleviate your mental troubles
Well, come on
Let's go
It's been some time
It has been a while
Goodbye, it's not an easy thing to do
Saying farewell is difficult
And pardon me if I don't see your point of view
Forgive me for not understanding your perspective
I've been inside the red room
I have been in my own personal hell
I break the shit you've been through
I understand the hardships you have faced
All the tears and all those years
All the sadness and all those years that passed
Why do you sleep? No one wants to sleep.
Why are you wasting your time sleeping? No one wants to sleep their life away.
What do you dream? I don't want to see
What do you dream about? I don't want to see because it may be painful
Still the same
Things have not changed
Therefore getting used to what I do
Therefore getting accustomed to how I handle things
And I don't see I still can't feel your point of view
I still cannot understand your perspective
I'm stuck in freakin' lamewood
I am stuck in a bad place
It's been a dream, it's been for real
It has felt like a dream but it is real
I wish that I could go through
I wish I could endure what you are going through
Rejected, here I am I'm innocent, I'm innocent
Rejected, here I am, I did nothing wrong
So let me ask once again:
So I will ask one more time:
Why do you sleep? No one wants to sleep.
Why are you wasting your time sleeping? No one wants to sleep their life away.
Why do you sleep when no one wants...
Why are you sleeping when you could be doing something productive?
Why do you sleep? I don't want to sleep.
Why are you sleeping? I don't want to fall asleep like you.
What do you dream? I don't want to see.
What do you dream about? I don't want to see because it may be painful
Why do you? Why do you? Why do you? Why do you?
Why do you keep repeating this pattern?
Why do you sleep?
Why do you continue to sleep?
Why do you....
Why do you persist in this way?
Contributed by Alex J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
This Leprechaun Writes
Love Alessandro and Pele. Love this Band. Love the unique style. Miss you guys!!! ROCK ON!! (signed, a Bell Boy) :)
Andrei Zavalnyi
so young so talent as usually so sincere as usually He's big musician! God Bless Him!
Niko
Ironic you point that out - I find Modwheelmood harder songs to sing (on average) than Nine Inch Nails ones... odd, but in a good way.
Molly Monaco
god, his voice...who knew? thats it...my new fave band...just kidding...noone is better than T-Rez
RasecZero
A Really good song ; )
This Leprechaun Writes
PS, Thanks Modwheelmood for giving up your slot so we could play the Viper Room that time. So cool of you. God Speed!!
Stephane
pure genius
lorryltp
hey does anyone know where i can download their ep "?". i cant find it anywhere. i love modwheelmood so much and really wanna hear that ep.
dekacster
so awesome
Daniela
exactly these songs are best :))))))