The Radio Dept.

The Radio Dept.

The Radio Dept. is an indie pop band from Lund, Sweden, active since 1995. Their sound is associated with dream pop and shoegaze as well as indie pop and electronic music.

Formation and membership

The group forms in Lund in 1995, although it also has links to Malmö through its early history. It begins with Johan Duncanson and Elin Almered, who are school friends. Over time the line-up changes frequently, and the band’s history includes periods when the core project is reduced to only a small number of members. Martin Larsson later plays with Duncanson, and in 2001 Lisa Carlberg joins on bass, Per Blomgren on drums, and Daniel Tjäder on keyboards. By 2006 the line-up centres on Johan Duncanson, Martin Carlberg, and Daniel Tjäder. Other members associated with the group include Elin Almered, Per Blomgren, Lisa Carlberg, Kim Sjölander, and Max Weiland.

Name and early releases

The band name comes from a gas station and radio repair shop in Lund whose sign reads Radioavdelningen, meaning “The Radio Department” in Swedish. The group records early material in domestic and informal settings, including friends’ living rooms, homes, warehouses, demo studios, and schools. Their recordings attract attention through the music magazine Sonic, which includes them on a free sampler CD.

Labels and discography

The Radio Dept. first release material on its own label, Slottet, which the band creates and manages. That label is used for early EPs such as Against The Tide EP and Annie Laurie EP, and later for occasional quick or free releases such as Bachelor Kisses. The band also releases music through Labrador, which becomes its main home, and has releases connected with Shelflife, Rex Records, XL Recordings, Track & Field Records, and Pony Canyon. Their work includes four full-length albums, together with a series of singles and EPs. Key releases mentioned in the group’s history include Lesser Matters, Pet Grief, Where Damage Isn’t Already Done, Why Won’t You Talk About It?, Ewan, and the special edition of Pet Grief issued in Japan.

Line-up changes and label history

Elin Almered leaves before the recording of the debut album Lesser Matters, though she still appears on vocals for “Strange Things Will Happen”. Per Blomgren leaves before the release of Lesser Matters, after which the band uses digital assistance for drums and percussion. Lisa Carlberg departs after This Past Week EP as the group moves away from needing a dedicated bass player. The band receives interest from major labels after its self-released records and favourable local press, but it signs with Labrador instead. The group is also associated with short-term partnerships with XL Recordings and Track & Field Records, as well as distribution through Shelflife for Lesser Matters.

Other associations

Three Radio Dept. tracks appear in Sofia Coppola’s film Marie Antoinette: “Pulling Our Weight”, “Keen on Boys”, and “I Don’t Like It Like This”.