Bjørn Bergene - Guitars
"Ralla" - Drums
… Read Full Bio ↴Ken Stringfellow - Vocals
Bjørn Bergene - Guitars
"Ralla" - Drums
Bård Helgeland - Bass
The Disciplines came from a fortuitous meeting: the singer of Briskeby, Lise Karlsnes, met the singer of The Posies, Ken Stringfellow, while the latter was entertaining an entire MTV music awards afterparty, taking requests at the piano (Ken was there playing with R.E.M., he is their keyboard player). This was in 2001, just after Stringfellow's second solo album, Touched, has been released, and he was pleasantly surprised to find someone requesting one his songs, a request he gladly granted. The two became friends and thru Lise Ken met the rest of Briskeby (Bjørn Bergene, guitarist; Bård Helgeland, bassist; and Claus Heiberg-Larsen; drummer) inviting them to the R.E.M. show in Oslo in early 2005. Bonds were solidified in a late night session at Teddys jukebox bar; promises were made and the one that was kept was that they would all do something musical together in the future. Luckily, the other, less noble, promises were forgotten by morning! R.E.M. returned to Oslo in the summer of 2005 and in the scant free hours between early morning arrival and the show, Ken went to a studio and fashioned a duet with Lise on what would become Briskebys most successful song, Joe Dallesandro. A hit song has a way of tying the participants together forever and this prospect was nothing but a great opportunity for making something entirely new out of this crossbred, thoroughbred, hybrid creature: part Norwegian, part American; part Briskeby, part Stringfellow et voila, the Disciplines were formed. They're still trying to decide what the music can be called. At turns rock, at turns torch song, at turns simple, at turns twisted around different styles. Based around the live band Stringfellow sings and plays electric piano; Bjørn plays guitar and sings; Bård plays bass, Claus Heiberg-Larsen plays drums. They don't do overdubs, and they also use the motto famously tucked into the sleeve of all the early Queen albums: no synths! The fact that the band hasn't played a show yet is moot. The recordings are a show, done live, in their rehearsal space, with all the tension and ferocity that a band usually thrusts forward towards the audience being jammed into a scant few microphones (god rest their souls). The name implies the band is itself the creation of four disciplined musicians. It certainly has a well-defined, adhered-to aesthetic. However, disciplines are also branches of knowledge and occasionally, a new discipline is formed when something too advanced, too specialized, and too unique to inhabit a previously known category, is created by drawing upon previously known fields of science. And thus, we present you, previously unknown to science, philosophy or history: the Disciplines.
Oslo
The Disciplines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were trying to straighten out my curse
I was walking the streets like this guy named Gandhi
I felt like a swine begging for pearls
But I promised you I'd see you again for sure
So I said
Hello, Oslo
Hello, Oslo
This time don't be so hard on me
This time don't be so hard on me
With you I never know a word that rates me
You could always shuffle your face somewhere
Your TV is hard it's driving me crazy
Oh but it's true that I d rather kiss them toe
I bless the body have me tie than not have felt
So I say
Hello, Oslo
Last time we met we didn't get along
Hello, Oslo
This time, don't be so hard on me
This time, don't be so hard on me
You know my love for you is real
You say I kept you up to late
Till there was nothing left to grey
Let's not get humble on the past
I had them here to raise a glass
To whatever moments may come away
There's just one thing for me to say
And that's hello, Oslo
Last time we met we didn't get along
Hello, Oslo
Next time I hope well get along
Hello, Oslo
Until we meet again I know we get along
Hello, Oslo
This time don't be so hard on me
Next time don't be so hard on me
The Disciplines' song "Oslo" is a song about second chances and reconnecting with someone after a year apart. The lyrics tell the story of a man who was lost and wandering the streets until somebody – likely the person he's singing to – helped him straighten himself out. He promises to see this person again and hopes for a better outcome in their reunion. The chorus of "Hello, Oslo" is a greeting to this person, who the singer did not get along with the last time they met, but hopes for a better outcome this time.
The song's verses reflect the singer's inner turmoil and his appreciation for this person who helped him. He acknowledges that his speech might not be good enough for this person, but also acknowledges that the person had his back when he needed it most. The bridge is a testament to the fact that despite their past, the singer's love for this person is true, and they hope to celebrate together in the future.
The song's message is one of hope for change and a better relationship, even if the past was not perfect. The use of Oslo, the capital city of Norway, gives the song an exotic feel, but the message is universal.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been more than a year since you grabbed me
It's been over a year since you tried to help me overcome my problems.
You were trying to straighten out my curse
You were attempting to fix my issues that seemed impossible to rectify.
I was walking the streets like this guy named Gandhi
I felt like I was walking the streets with no real destination, much like Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent activism.
I felt like a swine begging for pearls
I felt worthless, asking for things I did not deserve.
But I promised you I'd see you again for sure
I promised to meet you again in the future without fail.
Hello, Oslo
A greeting to Oslo
Last time we met didn't get along
Our previous meeting had not gone well.
This time don't be so hard on me
Please do not judge me too harshly during this meeting.
With you I never know a word that rates me
I am unsure what to say around you, as I fear I will be judged.
You could always shuffle your face somewhere
Your facial expressions can convey a variety of messages.
Your TV is hard it's driving me crazy
The noise from your TV is loud and bothersome.
Oh but it's true that I'd rather kiss them toe
I prefer to be put in a difficult situation rather than not experiencing it at all.
I bless the body have me tie than not have felt
I am grateful to have experienced something, even if it has caused me pain.
You know my love for you is real
I truly care for you and have a deep affection for you.
You say I kept you up too late
You claim that I kept you up too long.
Till there was nothing left to grey
Until there was nothing remaining to discuss or talk about.
Let's not get humble on the past
Let's not dwell on negative events from the past.
I had them here to raise a glass
I had friends here to celebrate with us.
To whatever moments may come away
Here's to whatever the future may hold.
Next time I hope well get along
I hope we will get along better next time.
Until we meet again I know we get along
I'm optimistic about our ability to get along in the future, whenever that may be.
This time don't be so hard on me
Again, please do not judge me too harshly this time.
Contributed by Christopher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.