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.
Can't Be Guilty
The Radio Dept. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then I'll be dreaming
Don′t wake me, I'm not even here
Not even death could lay his hands on me
I'm fast asleep and can′t be guilty
Wake me when the dust has settled
Is there anything that′s left?
Kill me if there's cause for weeping
Until then, I will be sleeping
Not even death could lay his hands on me
I′m fast asleep and can't be guilty
Please don′t let me know what's coming
If you should find a way to
Not even if it comes for us
Cause by the time that it does
It will be so much stronger than the two of us
You could close your eyes and go to sleep with me
As long as we do we can′t be guilty
The lyrics to The Radio Dept.'s song "Can't Be Guilty" evoke a sense of escapism and a desire to avoid the harsh realities of life. The opening lines, "If I'm innocent when I dream, Then I'll be dreaming," suggest a longing to exist in a dream-like state where the troubles of the world can be avoided. The singer is pleading not to be awakened, indicating a preference for living in this dream state and avoiding the responsibilities and consequences of being present in reality.
The phrase "Not even death could lay his hands on me" further emphasizes the desire for detachment from the real world. The singer believes that even death cannot affect them because they are deeply immersed in their sleep, suggesting a sense of invincibility or a belief that troubles cannot touch them in this state. They declare themselves to be "fast asleep and can't be guilty," highlighting their desire to escape from any sense of wrongdoing or remorse.
The lyrics continue to emphasize the desire for ignorance and unawareness. The singer asks to be woken when the "dust has settled," implying a preference to be shielded from the chaos and uncertainties of life. They want to be given the truth directly, indicating a readiness to face whatever may be left after everything has calmed down. However, they express a willingness to be killed if there is a legitimate reason for sorrow, suggesting a resignation to the possible consequences of their actions.
In the final verse, the singer pleads not to be informed about what is coming, emphasizing their desire to remain ignorant and shielded from the realities of the world. They caution against even knowing if something is approaching because, when it finally arrives, it will be stronger than they are and may overwhelm them. The closing line, "You could close your eyes and go to sleep with me, As long as we do we can't be guilty," suggests a shared desire to escape reality together, finding solace in a shared dream state that grants them immunity from guilt and responsibility.
Line by Line Meaning
If I'm innocent when I dream
If my dreams depict a version of me that is free from guilt
Then I'll be dreaming
Then I'll continue dreaming
Don't wake me, I'm not even here
Don't disturb me, as I feel detached from reality
Not even death could lay his hands on me
No harm, not even death, can touch me
I'm fast asleep and can't be guilty
As I'm deeply asleep, there is no room for guilt
Wake me when the dust has settled
Wake me when everything has calmed down and resolved
Then just give it to me straight
Then tell me the truth directly without any sugar-coating
Is there anything that's left?
Is there anything remaining or unchanged?
Kill me if there's cause for weeping
If there's a valid reason for mourning, then end my life
Until then, I will be sleeping
Until that moment, I will continue sleeping
Please don't let me know what's coming
Please spare me from knowing what lies ahead
If you should find a way to
If you happen to discover a method to prevent it
Not even if it comes for us
Not even if it approaches us
Cause by the time that it does
Because when it eventually happens
It will be so much stronger than the two of us
It will be significantly more powerful than both of us combined
You could close your eyes and go to sleep with me
You can shut your eyes and fall asleep alongside me
As long as we do we can't be guilty
As long as we remain in this state, we won't be burdened by guilt
Writer(s): Karl Duncanson
Contributed by Asher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.