Known best for the Nobel Peace Prize, Sweden is slowly becoming an indie music giant. Today's Indie Spotlight features one of those bands who is making a mark in the indie scene.

   The Radio Dept. was formed in Lund, Sweden when two schoolmates got together to pursue their passion of music. Elin Almered and Johan Duncanson loved music so they formed Radioavdelningen which is Swedish for The Radio Dept. The band was named after a gas-stationed-turned-radio-repair shop in Lund.

    Well just like many bands, Elin and Johan stopped playing music together which put the band on about a three year hiatus. In 1998 Johan started playing music again with a musician by the name of Martin Larsson. In 2001 They decided to get serious which in turn led them to adopt two more players, Larsson's at the time girlfriend, Lisa Carlberg on bass - nice to have friends in high places - and drummer Per Blomgren. They also decided to keep the name The Radio Dept. Daniel Tjader joined them as well playing keys.

    Later on in 2001 the band gave Sonic Magazine a recording of some of their songs. It got such great feedback that it was featured on a music sampler disc they put out as well as having a review in the magazine. Because of this publicity, Labrador Records, one of Sweden's top indie labels, heard their song and immediately signed them. This was The Radio Dept.'s first step to making a name for their music. 

  While signing to Labrador some band changes were happening as well. Before the release of their album Lesser Matters, Per Blomgren left the band. And after the release of their ep, This Past Week, Lisa Carlberg left as well. The band made a statement saying they were heading in a more digital direction and they didn't really need a person to play bass or drums anymore.

  After these releases, the band continued on with worldwide recognition when three of their songs, "Pulling Our Weight," "I Don't Like it Like This" and "Keen on Boys," were featured on the soundtrack to Sofia Coppola's film, Marie Antoinette.

 Their second album, Pet Grief, was released in 2006. The distorted sound that had flooded their songs was now replaced with synthesizers. This was the new direction they wanted to head in with their sophomore release. The album did not reach the the rest of the UK 'till later that year. This album did not create the buzz they were hoping for and it was probably due to the fact they did not tour with this album. This album also got a lot of mixed reviews. However the internet did help The Radio Dept. gain more of an international following with this album.

  Fast forward four years and several singles and EP's, The Radio Dept. has been real busy in 2010. They started off the year releasing their third album, Clinging to a Scheme. They also silently released a single called "The New Improved Hypocrisy" and next week they will be releasing a new EP called Never Follow Suit (You can hear these two tracks at http://www.indierockcafe.com/artists-and-bands/ )

 Their sound is very 80's with an edge. I would say if you put the Joy Division, Pep Shop Boys and a little My Bloody Valentine in a blender The Radio Dept. is who you would get.  "The New Improved Hypocrisy" has a very trendy 80's sound with great synths and a nice guitar sound with soothing vocals. "Follow Suit" has a nice cure feel to it with some of the overlay elements. Vocally still brings the soothing sound to the soul.  I really dig The Radio Dept. and I think you would too. Check them out.

Rating RRR.7

http://theradiodept.com

The Radio Dept. is:

Johan Duncanson
Martin Larsson
Daniel Tjader

The Radio Dept. - "Pulling Our Weight" - Video