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.
Your True Name
The Radio Dept. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They will force the door
Any time now
Any time
Just kick it right down
Pin us to the floor
Any time now
Any time
And they call you delusive
But I always knew your name
And they call you abusive
But I always knew your name
Past the frontline
Way beyond the gore
Biding time now
Biding time
Past expecting
We will reach that shore
Any time now
Any time
And they call you delusive
But I always knew your name
And they call you abusive
But I always knew your name
And they call you delusive
But I know you'll never do me no harm
And they call you abusive
But I always knew your name
The Radio Dept.'s song Your True Name has lyrics that speak of resistance in the face of oppression. The repetition of the phrase "any time now" sets a sense of urgency, that something is about to happen. They will force the door, they will pin us to the floor, yet there is a sense of determination to fight back, to kick the door right down. Perhaps, the door is a metaphor for the barriers that are preventing the oppressed from achieving their goals or dreams.
The singer of the song knows the true name of the person that is being called delusive and abusive by the oppressors. It's a sign of solidarity that the singer has always known their true name, suggesting an acknowledgement of the person's inherent value and identity beyond the labels that have been hurled upon them. Despite what the oppressors say, the singer believes in this person and knows that they will never do them any harm.
Later in the song, the lyrics mention "past the frontline" and "way beyond the gore." This paints a picture of a battlefield, a struggle between the oppressed and oppressor. The lyrics then say that "past expecting we will reach that shore," which might refer to success - that there is a promise of a better future despite the current difficult circumstances.
Overall, the song is an anthem of resistance in the face of oppression, urging the listener to fight back, never give up and remember their true name.
Line by Line Meaning
Any time now
It could happen very soon. Any moment.
They will force the door
Someone will come in forcefully.
Any time now
It could happen very soon. Any moment.
Any time
It could happen immediately or later.
Just kick it right down
They will enter very aggressively and break through.
Pin us to the floor
They will forcefully hold us down on the ground.
Any time now
It could happen very soon. Any moment.
Any time
It could happen immediately or later.
And they call you delusive
They accuse you of being deceptive or misleading.
But I always knew your name
But I always knew who you really were.
And they call you abusive
They accuse you of being harmful or violent.
But I always knew your name
But I always knew who you really were.
Past the frontline
We have gone beyond the place where the fighting or conflict is happening.
Way beyond the gore
We have gone way farther than the violence and bloodshed.
Biding time now
We are waiting patiently, but expectantly.
Biding time
We are waiting patiently, but expectantly.
Past expecting
We have gone beyond what we thought would happen.
We will reach that shore
We will eventually arrive at our destination or goal.
Any time now
It could happen very soon. Any moment.
Any time
It could happen immediately or later.
And they call you delusive
They accuse you of being deceptive or misleading.
But I always knew your name
But I always knew who you really were.
And they call you abusive
They accuse you of being harmful or violent.
But I always knew your name
But I always knew who you really were.
And they call you delusive
They accuse you of being deceptive or misleading.
But I know you'll never do me no harm
But I am confident you will never hurt me intentionally or unintentionally.
And they call you abusive
They accuse you of being harmful or violent.
But I always knew your name
But I always knew who you really were.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jens Carlberg, Karl Duncanson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aonghas
Any time now they will force the door
Any time now, any time
Just kick it right down, pin us to the floor
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always knew your name
And they call you abusive
But I always knew your name
Past the front line, way beyond the gore
Biding time now, biding time
Past expecting we will reach that shore
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always knew your name
And they call you abusive
But I always knew your name
And they call you delusive
But I know you'll never do me no harm
And they call you abusive
But I always knew your name
(But I know you'll never do me no harm)
Jeremy Langford
Lyrics!
Anytime now they will force atop
Anytime now, any time
Just can't keep right now
Pedals to the floor
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always need you near
And they call you abusive
But I always need you near
At the front line
Way beyond the goal(?)
Biding time now, biding time
As expected, we will reach that shore
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always need you near
And they call you abusive
But I always need you near
And they call you delusive
But I love you and you do me no harm
And they call you abusive
But I love you and you do me no harm
Thomas Andersen
Lyrics from genius.com with my additions:
Any time now they will force the door(?)
Any time now, any time
Just can't get right down
Pedals to the floor
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always need you near
And they call you abusive
But I always need you near
Pass the front line
Way beyond the cold(?).
Biding time now, biding time
As expected, we will reach that shore
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always need you near
And they call you abusive
But I always need you near
And they call you delusive
But I love you and you do me no harm
And they call you abusive
But I always need you near
And they call you delusive
But I always need you near
And they call you abusive
But I always need you near
And they call you delusive
But I love you and you do me no harm
And they call you abusive
But I love you and you do me no harm
st. drum
Any time now they will force a ???
Any time now, any time
Just can't right now???
Pedals to the floor
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always need you near
And they call you abusive
But I always need you near
At the front line
Way beyond the ???
Biding time now, biding time
As expected, we will reach that shore
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I love you and you do me no harm
And they call you abusive
But I love you and you do me no harm
Aonghas
Any time now they will force the door
Any time now, any time
Just kick it right down, pin us to the floor
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always knew your name
And they call you abusive
But I always knew your name
Past the front line, way beyond the gore
Biding time now, biding time
Past expecting we will reach that shore
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always knew your name
And they call you abusive
But I always knew your name
And they call you delusive
But I know you'll never do me no harm
And they call you abusive
But I always knew your name
(But I know you'll never do me no harm)
a XZ ROYAL MOUNTAIN
Saw them last night. One of my favorite bands ever. So chill and mellow. Sweeet.
Dip Ghosh
First Radio Dept song from their own label,....just love it😍😍😍
TyRobot
I needed some indie with a taste of shoegaze this morning... and I'm getting some seriously poppy "Nothing Ever Happened" Microcastle-esque sound from this track. Maybe that's just me? <3
LAteen
Thank God I love radio dept period
Kev Cricketfan
Gem of an indie pop track
Julio Chanona
Tuve un día de mierda como siempre y escuché esto y fui feliz, gracias TRD 🇸🇪
DaG AvArOo
Bela canção!!
Jeremy Langford
Lyrics!
Anytime now they will force atop
Anytime now, any time
Just can't keep right now
Pedals to the floor
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always need you near
And they call you abusive
But I always need you near
At the front line
Way beyond the goal(?)
Biding time now, biding time
As expected, we will reach that shore
Any time now, any time
And they call you delusive
But I always need you near
And they call you abusive
But I always need you near
And they call you delusive
But I love you and you do me no harm
And they call you abusive
But I love you and you do me no harm
Jeremy Langford
Just saw them in LA tonight and they played this song...so chill!