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
Too Late
Modwheelmood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
let me take away what I left in you
even though I lost my chances
I guess that's what I might go through
can't deny what's getting wasted
It's not enough to keep me there
Even though I stumble down
It's all for today
I'm getting nervous and pretentious
A few more things that lead to insanity
Even though it is obsession
I guess I'll pick it up for you
I'm growing tired of little chances
It's not that hard to understand
It's all about reaching out and grab my hand
And when I go away it'll be too late
It seems the thing that I would do
Didn't really mean to hurt you
I just got out from what you think
The lyrics to Modwheelmood's song Too Late tell the story of someone who has lost their chances with their romantic partner, but still wants to make things right. The singer acknowledges that they have wasted opportunities with their partner, but despite stumbling down, they are still trying to reach out and grab their partner's hand. The singer admits to being nervous and pretentious, which has led to some form of obsession that they will pick up for their partner. They feel that they are growing tired of little chances and that it is not that hard to understand what they want.
The repeated phrase "it'll be too late" emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the fear of losing their partner. The singer also wants to make it clear that they did not mean to hurt their partner and that they got out from what their partner may be thinking. This could imply a misunderstanding or a lack of communication between the two. Ultimately, the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to regain their lost chances with their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you wanna hear a story?
The singer is asking if the audience wants to listen to a story.
let me take away what I left in you
The singer wants to relieve the audience of the emotional impact that his previous work had on them.
even though I lost my chances
The singer admits that he has made mistakes and missed opportunities.
I guess that's what I might go through
The singer accepts the consequences of his actions.
can't deny what's getting wasted
The singer cannot ignore the thing that is being wasted.
It's not enough to keep me there
The singer feels that there is not enough to hold him there.
Even though I stumble down
The singer may stumble, but he still tries to move forward.
It's all for today
The singer is living in the present moment.
I'm getting nervous and pretentious
The singer is anxious and pretentious.
A few more things that lead to insanity
The singer feels that a few more things could lead to madness.
Even though it is obsession
The singer admits that he may be obsessed.
I guess I'll pick it up for you
The singer is willing to make an effort for the audience.
I'm growing tired of little chances
The singer is becoming frustrated with minor opportunities.
It's not that hard to understand
The singer feels that it is not difficult to comprehend.
It's all about reaching out and grab my hand
The singer wants the audience to reach out and connect with him.
And when I go away it'll be too late
The singer fears that by the time he leaves, it will be too late for the audience to connect with him.
It seems the thing that I would do
The singer believes that what he would do is obvious.
Didn't really mean to hurt you
The singer did not intend to cause harm to the audience.
I just got out from what you think
The singer wants the audience to know that he is different from what they may think.
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.