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
crumble
Modwheelmood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You will remember us
Don't be late
You don't be late with us
Need to try
You will remember us
Here today
You live today
Saturday is almost over
Getting high on stormy weather
Something to remember
A sunny day can make you crumble
Ask me why you don't feel better
Almost two feet underwater
Maybe you'll remember
Sunny days just make you crumble
Take the time
Your place is here with us
Don't be afraid
It will get easier
Come inside
You have to sleep with us
It's not too late
Don't be afraid
Saturday is almost over
Getting high on stormy weather
Something to remember
A sunny day can make you crumble
Ask me why you won't feel better
Almost ten feet underwater
No-one will remember
A rainy day lasts forever
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Goodbye summertime
Crumble
Stumble
Hollow
Swallow
Saturday is almost over
Getting high on stormy weather
Something to remember
Sunny days just make you crumble
Ask me why you don't feel better
Almost ten feet underwater
Remember
Goodbye summertime
The lyrics to "Crumble" by Modwheelmood speak to both the fleeting nature of time and the fragile state of the human psyche. The opening lines urge the listener to take their time and remember those around them, warning that being late or failing to try will result in regret. The chorus focuses on how a bright, sunny day can have a negative impact, making one feel like they are crumbling. The second verse urges the listener to come inside and sleep with "us," implying perhaps a sense of community or support for those suffering.
The repeated line "Saturday is almost over" suggests a sense of urgency, as if time is running out. The idea that a sunny day can make one crumble speaks to the notion that times of high expectations (such as summer, for example) can be sources of disappointment, while the line "a rainy day lasts forever" speaks to the opposite notion that times of low expectations can feel interminable. The "dream on" chant at the end of the song could be seen as an acknowledgement of the ephemeral nature of existence, with the command to keep dreaming despite this fact.
Overall, "Crumble" seems to be a meditation on time, memory, and mental health, with a focus on how even the most pleasant of experiences can sometimes cause us to feel like we are falling apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Take your time
Don't rush, slow down and be patient
You will remember us
Our presence will leave a lasting impact on you
Don't be late
Don't procrastinate or delay
You don't be late with us
Don't make us wait for you
Need to try
Make an effort and attempt something
You will remember us
We will leave a memorable impression on you
Here today
We are present and alive in the moment
You live today
Focus on experiencing and enjoying the present day
Saturday is almost over
The weekend is coming to an end
Getting high on stormy weather
Finding enjoyment in chaos and instability
Something to remember
An experience worth remembering
A sunny day can make you crumble
Even good times can have a negative impact on you
Ask me why you don't feel better
Questioning the inability to experience happiness
Almost two feet underwater
In a difficult or dire situation
Maybe you'll remember
Reflecting on past experiences
Sunny days just make you crumble
Positive experiences can have a negative impact on you
Take the time
Slow down and be patient
Your place is here with us
We want you to be a part of our group
Don't be afraid
Eliminating fear and anxiety
It will get easier
Things become less difficult over time
Come inside
Join us in our space
You have to sleep with us
Be close and intimate with our group
It's not too late
There is still time to join us
Saturday is almost over
The weekend is ending
Almost ten feet underwater
In an even worse situation than before
No-one will remember
The moment and experience will be forgotten
A rainy day lasts forever
Negative experiences can feel endless
Dream on
Keep dreaming and hoping
Dream on
Continue to have aspirations
Dream on
Don't give up on your dreams
Goodbye summertime
The season is coming to an end
Crumble
Fall apart or disintegrate
Stumble
Lose balance and trip
Hollow
Empty or lacking substance
Swallow
Gulp down or consume quickly
Remember
Don't forget or overlook
Goodbye summertime
The season is ending
Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nolen
God, I forgot how good this stuff was.. Time to put it back into the rotation.
Matteo Franceschi
I LOVE it.
Mom
The ending solo always gets me, ever since I heard it in the PtPv2 teaser... one of my favorite songs that I haven't heard in forever. Hello, old friend.
MyScorpion42
what is ptpv2?
GreatCollapsingHrung
@MyScorpion42Pearls to Pigs volume 2
Twiggy Goodfellow
I miss this band so much. I hope Pelle and Alessandro are doing well, and I hope they reunite some day to give us some live shows again!!!!!!
run2thestore
I listened to this song one late Saturday evening while driving through a snow storm in near-white-out conditions. "Saturday is almost over. Getting high on stormy weather" never felt truer to me.
rsownzuall
Amazing song, nothing else to say.
Thomas Price
one of my favorite songs.
artbridder
Especially the chorus!