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.
The City Limit
The Radio Dept. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It’s too safe
And we’ve only just met
I’ll rephrase
Please just drive
The city limit’s fine
And then I’ll make my way
Lead the way
Just drive
The city limit’s fine
We’re inside
Don’t drop me off just yet
Spend some time
Cause we’ve only just met
We’re way behind
Please just drive
The city limit’s fine
We’re inside
Just drive
The city limit’s fine
We’re inside
In The Radio Dept.'s song "The City Limit", the singer is urging their escort not to drop them off yet, as they are not quite ready to let go of the night's euphoria. They feel that it is too early to depart, as they have only just met and the energy between them is still buzzing. Rather than part ways, they implore their partner to continue driving, insisting that the city limit is sufficient and that they will make their way from there. The singer is uncertain whether they want to leave or stay, but they ultimately decide to soak up the moment and embrace the possibility of something more.
Line by Line Meaning
Don’t drop me off just yet
Hold off on leaving me here for now
It’s too safe
It’s too early to leave my comfort zone
And we’ve only just met
Our relationship is too new for us to end it now
I’ll rephrase
I’ll change my request
Please just drive
Please keep going
The city limit’s fine
We don’t need to go too far out of the city
And then I’ll make my way
Eventually, I’ll find my path
But I could always stay
I’m open to sticking around here longer
Lead the way
Show me where to go
We’re inside
We’re still in the city
Spend some time
Stay a bit longer
We’re way behind
Our relationship hasn’t progressed as much as it could
Just drive
Keep going
Contributed by Nolan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
soldierturnscientist
I love the way the vocals just seem to glide over the top of the music, it's beautiful
Alexandre Poulin
one of the greatest songs ever
Reason4Termination
Shoegaze. Never leave home without it.
troll face
E
King Redox
Yes
ToastySNXZ
Hi
João Pedro
I won't, don't worry
Gabriel Douek
Cloaker We know that Cloaker, chill out
Bianca Irina Punturiere
this song gets to me every time
GICAIRO GIIVIERO 🖤
I was literally walking 2 miles to work back and forth for about 7 months and I would play this walking dealing with this illness in my body