In 1995, The Radio Dept. was formed by Elin Almered and Johan Duncanson (who were old school friends). The name was taken from a gas station/radio repair shop in Lund, Sweden, which had a large sign with the name Radioavdelningen, ("The Radio Department" in Swedish) hanging outside their shop.
Since 1995 members have been coming and going and at some points there has never really been a Radio Department at all.
Martin Carlberg and Johan Duncanson started playing together in 1998 and decided to use the name The Radio Dept. Since then the band has done lots of gigs and lots of recordings. The Radio Dept. recorded 4-tracks in friends' living rooms or at home, in smelly warehouse, in demo studios with blinking fluorescent lightning and at schools.
In the autumn of 2001 Lisa Carlberg and Per Blomgren (Bass & drums respectively), joined the band and they started rehearsing in the way bands so often do. Soon afterwards they were all joined by Daniel Tjader on the keyboards. Their recordings were sent to the music magazine Sonic and got a nice review. They were also on the free CD sampler that comes with the magazine. That's where Labrador Records discovered and learned to love the band. Now they're a part of Swedish indie label, Comings and goings
Original band member, Elin Almered, left the band before the recording of The Radio Dept.'s debut (lesser matters), but still made an appearance singing vocals for "Strange Things Will Happen".
Per Blomgren, Drummer, left the band before the release of Lesser Matters. The band opted instead for digital assistance with regards to drums & percussions for their songs.
Lisa Carlberg, bassist, departed from the Radio Dept soon after the release of "This past week EP". The band no longer felt the need for a member that solely specialized in bass. The band was taking a new direction and preparing for their second album, "Pet Grief", which wouldn't require a member that played bass guitar.
The current line up of the band is:
Johan Duncanson (Guitar & Vocals), Martin Carlberg(Guitar) and Daniel Tjäder (Keyboards & Synth) (2006).
More details can be found on the radio dept. website: theradiodept.com.
Record Labels.
Slottet:
Created in 2001, this is the Radio Dept's original label. Created & managed by the band themselves. They published and distributed their own recordings in order to spread their music to the world.
The "Against The Tide EP" & coveted "Annie Laurie EP" were both released on this label in 2002.
At sporadic moments over the years, whenever the band have wanted to release something quickly or for free, they'd do so through the Slottet label (e.g. bachelor Kisses in 2008).
Labrador :
After the success of the self released records and some glittering reviews in local publications, several major labels came calling. The Radio Dept. rejected most of these offers and instead signed with Labrador records. Although the band don't consider themselves connected ideologically or musically with Labrador and the other bands on the label, they have much respect for the label which has officially become the home of The Radio Dept.
Shelflife records:
Shelflife are an american indie label that operate on a similar philosophy to that of Sarah Records. They select highly innovative, creative & melodic bands and offer them transatlantic distribution. Several labrador bands had achieved success through shelflife, so it seemed an obvious choice to use them again for the distribution of 'Lesser Matters'. No futher Radio Dept records were released through shelflife.
Rex records:
Rex records was an London based experimental indie label started by an ex-XL employee. The aim was to release demos and promote leftfield indie music. Only two Radio Dept. records were released on Rex, Why Won't You Talk About It and the rare Liebling 7".
XL Recordings:
During 2004/05, XL funded, distributed and promoted The Radio Dept.
During this short partnership 4 records were released. Lesser Matters, Where Damage Isn't Already Done, Why Won't You Talk About It? and Ewan. A short european tour was organised for the band as well as lots of press and an appearance on an XL compilation with the likes of Ratatat & MIA.
Track & Field Records:
Track & Field are another London based record label that took a chance on The Radio Dept.
In 2006 Track & Field were employed to distribute Pet Grief in the UK. They also promoted the band and planned for an extensive UK tour. This plan was abandoned and a series of special one-off London shows were organised to supplant the tour.
Pony Canyon:
After years as an experienced distributor of DVD's & kids toys, Pony Canyon, tried their hand at promoting & distributing indie records. So far they've only distributed a special edition of Pet Grief in Japan.
Soundtrack
Three tracks by the Radio Dept. have been featured on the Sophia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette (2006). They are: Pulling our Weight, Keen on Boys, I Don't Like It Like This.
01-Pulling Our Weight
The Radio Dept. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But with memories of a grapevine
A guitar, as we came close from far
Forgot about the war
We barely touched
As if being watched
[Chorus:]
We'll give in to crime
We'll be on the line
Pulling our weight
Many miles from where I'm sleeping
You share laughter in the evening
As do I, in the great divine
Yours is mine
We'll find love
The kind we're dreaming of
[Chorus]
The lyrics to The Radio Dept.'s song 01-Pulling Our Weight describe a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time. The first verse talks about walking a straight line but being distracted by memories of a grapevine and a guitar. The war is forgotten, and the two people are drawn together, but they barely touch, as if being watched. The chorus suggests that even though they may try to do the right thing, they will eventually give in to crime and be on the line, pulling their weight. The second verse continues with the theme of distance and longing, with the singer being many miles away but still feeling a connection with the other person, who shares laughter in the evening. They both dream of finding true love.
Overall, the song seems to be about the universal human experience of feeling disconnected and longing for connection with others. The lyrics are dreamy and poetic, with a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. The music is similarly ethereal, with wispy synths and a slow, steady beat that creates a sense of floating.
Line by Line Meaning
In time we might walk the straight line
At some point, we may start to follow the straight and narrow path in life.
But with memories of a grapevine
However, we still hold on to rumors and whispers from the past.
A guitar, as we came close from far
Bringing us together, music bridged the distance between us.
Forgot about the war
Our differences were set aside and prior conflicts were momentarily forgotten.
We barely touched
Our physical contact was minimal, almost as though someone was keeping watch over us.
As if being watched
The feeling of being observed continued to linger, making us cautious.
[Chorus:] And even in time We'll give in to crime We'll be on the line Pulling our weight
Despite trying to make progress, we may still make mistakes and find ourselves in difficult situations where we must take responsibility and work hard to make things right.
Many miles from where I'm sleeping
While I am far away, you are still living your life and experiencing joy without me.
You share laughter in the evening
You are surrounded by friends and loved ones and are able to enjoy carefree moments of happiness.
As do I, in the great divine
Although we may not physically be together, we still share a sense of spirituality and connection.
Yours is mine
Our lives are intertwined, and we share experiences and emotions with each other.
We'll find love
Despite challenges and setbacks, we will seek out and discover true love.
The kind we're dreaming of
This love is the one that we have always hoped and longed for, and we are willing to fight for it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHAN DUNCANSON, MARTIN LARSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind