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.
07. Every Time
The Radio Dept. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll drink some other time
One night out
You won't miss out on much
I won't be heald responsible this time
It's not my fault if you don't change your mind
This problem's yours not mine
You always find
Someone to pin things on
Just don't make me responsible this time
It's not my fault if you don't change your mind
The Radio Dept.'s song "Every Time" is a melancholic reflection on the idea of responsibility and blame in a relationship. The lyrics reveal a sense of frustration coming from the singer, who seems to be caught in a cycle with their partner. The first two lines, "Change your mind, we'll drink some other time," suggest that the singer is trying to push their partner to reconsider their position on something. However, they seem to have given up, as they claim that "You won't miss out on much", implying that the thing they were going to do together was not that important after all.
The chorus then comes in, with the singer asserting that they will not be held responsible for their partner's decision. They declare, "It's not my fault if you don't change your mind," indicating a sense of exasperation with their partner's blameshifting. The second verse continues this theme of frustration, with the singer telling their partner that "This problem's yours, not mine" and accusing them of always seeking someone to blame. The final lines of the song repeat the chorus, with the singer begging their partner to change their mind and not blame them for the outcome.
Overall, "Every Time" is a powerful reflection on the dynamics of responsibility and blame in relationships, with the lyrics capturing an intense struggle between two people. The melancholic mood of the song, combined with the singer's haunting voice and the atmospheric instrumentation, creates a sense of emotional weight that lingers long after the track has finished.
Line by Line Meaning
Change your mind
Please consider your decision once again
We'll drink some other time
We can hang out on some other occasion to avoid any issue
One night out
A single night spent together
You won't miss out on much
You won't be missing anything significant
I won't be heald responsible this time
I can't take the blame for this anymore
It's not my fault if you don't change your mind
I cannot be accountable if you don't reconsider your decision
This problem's yours not mine
The issue you're facing is your responsibility, not mine
You always find
You have a habit of
Someone to pin things on
Blaming someone else for things that are not their fault
Just don't make me responsible this time
Please don't hold me accountable for this
It's not my fault if you don't change your mind
It's not my mistake if you don't alter your opinion
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHAN DUNCANSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind