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.
This Time Around
The Radio Dept. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And to be young is to be right
You never had to prove your loyalty
Now you want to know when I'm off my hunger strike
You were always treated like royalty
You say it's not a song
That will prove them wrong
This time around
You feel old like the fight
Learning new ways to be right
And how to cope with disloyalty
It's not a song
That will prove them wrong
This time around
All the things we hoped for
They are gone
They have sailed across the sea
And all the things we tried for
They're gone
They're gone this time around
This time around
You're young like tonight
And to be young is to be right
You never had to prove any loyalty
But we dreamt of a war
On that night and in that car
We made a promise
Do you recall?
It's not a song
That will prove them wrong
This time around
In this song, The Radio Dept. explores the concept of youth and the challenges that come with growing older. The opening lines suggest that youth is synonymous with being right, while growing older means needing to prove oneself to others. The second stanza highlights the idea of coping with disloyalty - the heartbreak and complexities that come with relationships and trust. The song shifts to a nostalgic tone, longing for the past and the things that are now gone, perhaps reflecting a lost innocence or a struggle to move on from the past.
The chorus repeats the phrase "this time around" as a refrain, suggesting that despite past failures or struggles, there is always a chance to try again and do better. The final lines recall a specific moment of promise, but again emphasize that it is not a song that will prove anyone wrong - actions speak louder than words.
Overall, This Time Around is a thoughtful exploration of the challenges of growing up, navigating relationships, and finding purpose and meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
You're young like tonight
You feel youthful and energetic, ready to conquer the world and make your dreams come true.
And to be young is to be right
Your youthful enthusiasm and optimism make you believe that you are always in the right, that anything is possible.
You never had to prove your loyalty
Your privileged status has shielded you from having to earn people's trust and respect, making you somewhat entitled.
Now you want to know when I'm off my hunger strike
You finally realize that your actions have consequences, and that you need to show consideration and compassion for others.
You were always treated like royalty
You have been pampered and catered to all your life, and have come to expect nothing less from the world.
You say it's not a song
You believe that music alone cannot change the world, that it takes much more than that to make a real difference.
That will prove them wrong
That will silence your critics and naysayers, and show them that your vision and ideals are valid and achievable.
This time around
This time, you are determined to make a lasting impact, and to realize your dreams and aspirations no matter how hard it may be.
You feel old like the fight
You have grown weary and jaded from the constant struggles and disappointments of life, and wonder if it's all worth it.
Learning new ways to be right
You are exploring different perspectives and insights, hoping to find a better path to success and fulfillment.
And how to cope with disloyalty
You are coming to terms with the fact that not everyone will always have your best interests at heart, and figuring out how to handle such situations.
All the things we hoped for
All the dreams and aspirations we had in the past, the things we wanted to achieve and experience.
They are gone
They have vanished into thin air, never to be realized or fulfilled.
They have sailed across the sea
They have become distant and unattainable, like a ship that has sailed away from the shore and disappeared into the horizon.
And all the things we tried for
All the efforts and hard work we put in to achieve our goals, striving to make our dreams come true.
They're gone
They have evaporated, like a mirage in the desert, leaving us disillusioned and disheartened.
They're gone this time around
This time, we have lost our faith and hope, and feel like giving up altogether, wondering if we will ever succeed or find happiness.
But we dreamt of a war
Despite our setbacks and disappointments, we still have the courage and determination to fight for what we believe in and what we want to achieve.
On that night and in that car
We shared a moment of passion and inspiration, when our spirits were high and we felt like we could conquer the world.
We made a promise
We pledged to ourselves and to each other that we would never give up, that we would keep striving and fighting no matter how hard things got.
Do you recall?
Do you remember that moment of hope and inspiration, when we felt invincible and unstoppable?
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.