The Radio Dept. is a Swedish dream pop band signed originally signed to Lab… Read Full Bio ↴The Radio Dept. is a Swedish dream pop band signed originally signed to Labrador Records and now release under their own label, Just So!. They have released four full length albums, and a series of singles and EPs. The band originated in Malmö, Sweden.

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.

Pulling Our Weight
The Radio Dept. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In time we might walk the straight line
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:]

And even in time
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]

Overall Meaning

The Radio Dept.'s song Pulling Our Weight is a nostalgic tune, filled with emotions of reminiscing on the past and the unpredictability of the future. The opening lines "In time we might walk the straight line, but with memories of a grapevine" suggest the idea of trying to move forward but being held back by memories of the past. The use of the word 'grapevine' can be interpreted as a reference to gossip or rumors that can distort the truth, which ties in with the theme of uncertainty explored throughout the song. The next line "A guitar, as we came close from far, forgot about the war" speaks of the healing power of music and how it can bring people together and bridge divides.

The chorus "And even in time, we'll give in to crime, we'll be on the line, pulling our weight" touches on the idea that even when we try to move forward, we may still be drawn to our old ways or habits, hence "we'll give in to crime." "We'll be on the line, pulling our weight," suggests that we'll still have to work hard to maintain our progress and that even small changes require effort.

The second verse "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" speaks of the power of shared experiences and the hope of finding love that feels like it's been dreamed of. The line "in the great divine" could be interpreted as fate, destiny or a higher power bringing people together.

Overall, The Radio Dept.'s Pulling Our Weight is a wistful, reflective song about the struggle to move forward while still being anchored to the past and the unpredictability of the future.

Line by Line Meaning

In time we might walk the straight line
With time, we may adhere to conventional behavior and expectations.

But with memories of a grapevine
Despite being surrounded by rumors and gossip.

A guitar, as we came close from far
An instrument that brought us together from a distance.

Forgot about the war
We put aside any conflicts or issues that may have arisen.

We barely touched
Our physical interaction was minimal.

As if being watched
We were alert and cautious with our actions.

And even in time
Despite the passage of time,

We'll give in to crime
We will succumb to breaking the norms and expectations of society.

We'll be on the line
We will be teetering on the edge or boundary of acceptable behavior.

Pulling our weight
Taking responsibility for our actions and contributing to our relationships.

Many miles from where I'm sleeping
While I am far away and dreaming.