“i used to live in england” by supermodel*

 

     The vocal delivery is deadpan, while the lyrics delivery sharp cultural observations. The dry-yet-high-impact lyrics are included at the bottom of this post. supermodel* is the project of artist and producer Frankie Beanie, who used to live in England. He is originally from Virginia, but moved to Liverpool at age 18. In 2024, he relocated to Los Angeles.
 
     The project is driven by 5 rules:

  1. don't try and be "cool"

  2. steal everything

  3. all lowercase, always

  4. don't overthink shit

  5. always talk about fight club

     Beanie says:
  “The rules are there to stop me from making boring shit. supermodel* has to feel stolen, stupid, instinctive and raw – like it’s breaking its own logic. a reminder not to take it too serious and just make the best shit possible. the lowercase thing is just cause it looks better. i just decided i wasn’t going to compromise anymore. i wasn’t going to hide behind some “cool guy” aesthetic or act like i don’t give a fuck about my art when i obviously do. make the best shit possible and put it in lowercase. that’s supermodel*"
 
      “i used to live in england” by supermodel*

Website: https://www.supermodelsupermodel.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supermodelsupermodel

Lyrics of “i used to live in england” by supermodel*
I used to live in England
I used to shop at Tesco’s and buy meal deals
And I used to say “Go Tesco’s” instead of “Go to Tesco’s”
I used to spend late nights at Spoons
Only the good ones
 
I used to live in England
I used to go to the Jacaranda and
Watch shitty bands that wanted to be
Oasis
And I used to wish I had a bunch of rings like them
So then I bought a bunch of rings and I felt like a poser
In an Urban Outfitters hoodie
 
I used to live in England
And for one summer I got super into garage music
So now I can be the guy in LA that says “GARage” instead of “garAGE”
Even though I still have tеrrible taste in garage
Causе it was just one summer
 
I used to live in England
And I was signed to the same label that put out Skepta
Except when I first signed I didn’t know who that was
And I just pretended
Everyone around me told me it was cool so I was like “Oh it must be
Cool”
And I guess it was
 
I used to live in England
I used to say “cheers” whenever I went anywhere
But now when I hear an American say “cheers” I think that’s fucking
Weird
The worst is when they say “mate”
I never did that
Not once
 
I used to live in England
And everyone would always ask me
“How’s London?”
Even though I didn’t live in London
I never understood that
Geography's not that hard
Just look at a map
Sometimes Americans are dumb
Bells
 
I used to live in England
No really
I used to live there
I used to take the train from Liverpool to London
For like 65 pounds
It was great
 
I used to live in England
And apparently Ross from The 1975 liked my band
But I don’t know if that’s true
I never met him
Maybe it was
Who knows
Let’s go with it
 
I used to live in England
And Ross from The 1975 said my band was the best band he’d ever
Heard in his entire life
And I was like
Ross man
Your band is pretty good too
I like that one song
 
I used to live in England
I used to live in England
Then I moved to Los Angeles
I was doing like a opposites thing
I don’t know
 
Dance

Finding Melody in the Broken

      This post features songs from bands that include the term “Broken” in their band names.

     Broken Back is based in Saint Malo, France. Broken Back is the performance name of Jérôme Fagnet, a singer and songwriter perhaps most aligned with the Folktronica genre.

     "Wind Says Low" by Broken Back
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrokenBackMusic 

Lyrics of "Wind Says Low" by Broken Back
Morning breaks, the road's long
Shadows stretch where I belong
Every turn hide the sun
I take a step, but I come undone
 
Map is torn, the trail's gray
Miles weigh like damn stones
Dreams I held drift away
Oh God I am tired to walk alone
Oh yes I am tired to walk alone
 
But wind says low: carry on
Night is slow, but it's not gone
I may bend, I may fall
But still the path will find it all
Yeah still the path will find it all
 
Heading on my way
But Moon hide its face
Still I move, come what may
Cause I know light waits in some place
 
Map is torn, the trail's gray
Miles weigh like damn stones
Dreams I held drift away
Oh God I am tired to walk alone
Oh yes I am tired to walk alone
 
But wind says low: carry on
Night is slow, but it's not gone
I may bend, I may fall
But still the path will find it all
Yeah still the path will find it all

     Broken Social Scene is a Canadian (Toronto) indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members. The credits for the recently released single “The Call” identify:
   Andrew Whiteman - Vocals, Organelle, Trez
   Jill Harris - vocals
   David Newfeld - bass, electric guitar, drum machine
   Justin Peroff - drums
   Evan Cranley- trombone, percussion
   David French - sax
   Rachel McLean - percussion, hand claps
   Charles Spearin - synth, trumpet
 
     “The Call” by Broken Social Scene

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brokensocialscene/
Website: https://brokensocialscene.ca/
Bandcamp: https://brokensocialscene.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “The Call” by Broken Social Scene
I doubted I was alive
dreaming only
she said to not just describe but
be something holy
I read the verse in her eyes
It’s real experimental
It’s on a different level
she’s my favourite rebel
I heard my name
I held my breath
Glistening sweat on the back of my neck
keep up! keep up!
Because we are what we are stripped down to
elemental scar that needs you, feeds you
Forget the mind, the body’s wearing thin
your bones and your skin
and you must follow them
I heard my name
I held my breath
Glistening sweat on the back of my neck
Let me hear the call
“We’re going!”
Either restless or reborn, we’re going
 
She’s my favourite rebel
she’s holy and austere
something about the claim of the breath that
glistens like sweat on the back of my neck.

     The Broken View, is an independent alternative rock band originating in Saratoga Springs, NY. The band was formed in 2018 by singer/song-writer Austin Kranick and drummer/producer Tyler Hayes. The two quickly bonded over their shared love for intricate songwriting and  lyricism while working together on Austin’s solo project at the time
 

     “Nobody Knows (Who She Is)” by The Broken View

Website: https://www.thebrokenview.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrokenview/

     “I Want To Hold You (Forever)” by The Broken View

Lyrics of “Nobody Knows (Who She Is)” by The Broken View

Poor man
He's changed his ways
Poor man
Makes you wonder what went astray
 
Got a new girl
She weighs heavy on his mind
Yeah, he'll swap the button up for leather
And only small talk about the weather
 
She's got a hold on him
Tighter than a noose
Whispering pretty little evil thoughts
He's feeding a love that will eat him alive
And who she is, nobody knows
 
She comes in, dressed in burning red
No one dares to meet the eyes
Fear she'll take thеm with him to the end
The violеnce he feels
In silence is surreal
You know he'll love her till the end
 
She's got a hold on him
Tighter than a noose
Whispering pretty little evil thoughts
He's feeding a love that will eat him alive
And who she is, nobody knows
 
She's got a hold on him
She's got a hold on him
She's got a hold on him
Tighter than a noose
Who she is, nobody knows

     Broken Chanter is a project based in Glasgow, UK. The project is spearheaded by David MacGregor, but he typically recruits talented musicians.
 
     “Shake It To Bits” by Broken Chanter

Website: https://www.brokenchanter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrokenChanter/

“18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October

 

     A band’s “sound” is sometimes characterized by a specific instrument, such as the jangly 12-string guitar of early releases from The Byrds. Other times, the “sound” is based on a distinctive framework, such as the minimalist Bluesy Garage Rock of The White Stripes. For Blue October, their songs have wide-ranging musical styles and lyrical messaging, but the unifying energy lies in the charismatic, deeply emotional vocal deliveries.

 

Blue October at The Fillmore
in San Francisco 2017

     Blue October’s 2006 album “Foiled” exemplifies the diversity. In celebration of the twenty-year anniversary, the band is sharing videos of selected songs, releasing the first-ever vinyl of the album, and touring in Europe and then North America. Scheduled visits include San Francisco and Sacramento. The full schedule of the FOILED tour is available at https://www.blueoctober.com/tour-dates.
 
      “Hate Me” showcases the 2006 album. The song is an admission of drug addiction and depression, as well as an urging to “hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you.” The song begins with an actual voicemail from the mother of frontman Justin Furstenfeld. She expresses concern in her voicemail as to whether Justin has been taking his medications.
 

Blue October at Mountain 
Winery 2024

     Blue October recently shared a new video for “18th Floor Balcony,” which is also from the “Foiled” album. In contrast to “Hate Me,” the song is about vulnerability, trust, and that rare moment of finally feeling safe enough with someone to open up. Yet, the video is dark and open to interpretation, perhaps because fans of Blue October understand and embrace pain that is part of appreciating the emotional experiences relating to the band's music. The video shows Justin watching himself from afar while he creates, then investigates, and finally sanitizes and mourns a murder of a loved one – as if witnessing relationship destruction caused by your dependence on drugs.  
 
     In March, the band shared a new music video for "Congratulations" which kicked off the anniversary year. That video is also included in this post.

     “18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueoctober
Website: http://www.blueoctober.com/
 
Lyrics of “18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October
I close my eyes
And I smile, knowing that everything is alright
To the core, so close that door
Is this happening?
 
My breath is on your hair, I'm unaware
That you opened the blinds and let the city in
God, you held my hand
And we stand
Just taking in everything
 
And I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both, flying away
 
So we talked about mom's and dad's
About family pasts
Just getting to know where we came from
Our hearts were on display
For all to see
I can't believe this is happening to me
 
And I raised my hand as if to show you that I was yours
That I was so yours for the taking
I'm so yours for the taking
That's when I felt the wind pick up
I grabbed the rail while choking up
These words to say and then you kissed me
 
I knew it from the start
My arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both, flying away
 
And I'll try to sleep
To keep you in my dreams
'Til I can bring you home with me
I'll try to sleep
And when I do I'll keep you in my, dreams
 
I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
And your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
So here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, yeah
 
I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
And your head is on my stomach
No, we're not going to sleep, sleep
 
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, we're both
Flying away
 

     “18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October