Check out a Studio 360 segment on Swedish pop featuring interviews with José González and members from Shout Out Louds and Peter Bjorn and John: https://studio360.org/episodes/2008/04/04/segments/96110

MP3: September Malevolence - Who watches the watchmen?

Another week, another chapter in our ongoing 2008 Göteborg music spotlight. This week's guest: Martin Lundmark from September Malevolence/A TenderVersion Recording.

So what's up with the Gbg postrock scene anyway? Does September Malevolence consider themselves a part of that? Does it even exist?

Well no, I don't really think there's a specific scene for postrock here, the city is too small. There are some bands though, and I guess we all more or less know each other, but scene? Nah.

How would you say the music scene in Gbg compare to other cities in Sweden? What makes Gbg better (or worse) in comparison?

I think it's pretty good, there are loads of bands here. It's also far more diverse than people in general believe. The underground is so much better than the mostly boring bands that get media attention...

As far as TenderVersion goes, do you consider yourself a regional label, dedicated to documenting the local scene? I know you have those shitheads Scraps of Tape from Malmö on your label, but let's forget about them for now, especially that Johan guy. How important do you think it is that there are labels around to do that?

Haha... everybody knows Johan's a dick! I haven't really thought of TenderVersion as being a regional label, and now that Audrey is spread around the country and I've signed Yamon Yamon from Sthlm, I guess it's not the case. It kind of was in the beginning when Once We Were, Audrey and September Malevolence all lived in Göteborg though. The main focus for TenderVersion has always been to get outside of Sweden, that's where the action is.

Jerry Bowman seems to resent me calling him a scenester in an earlier entry of this Gbg spotlight series (see here and here). Was I off-base? What's his deal anyway? Pen Expers are not a good band.

Well, I've only read his blog a few times. And scanning through it now to be able to answer this question, I think you are right. And we don't share the same musical taste for sure. File under: Yawn...

What do you see as the future of the Gbg music scene? Any upcoming trends to keep an eye on?

Hm, that's a tricky one. I hope to see more experimental stuff coming out of Gbg soon. That would be awesome! And that they get some attention mediawise! The 40-year olds at GP write about Håkan Hellström and Kent, the 30-year olds write about Hästpojken... not my cup of tea. What we need now are some passionate kids with a taste for the new and eclectic! Rise above the mainstream, anyone?

And as for September Malevolence, what are your upcoming plans? Care to share a new song?

Well, the new album is released May 30th in Europe and a bit later in Japan. We are hitting the road for three weeks in May/June doing our 5th European tour and are hoping to go to Japan later this year. Basically we want to tour as much as possible... why don't you hook us up in the US dude? ;)

I've attached "Who watches the watchmen?", the first track from the upcoming CD/LP "After this darkness, there's a next". It's a killer!

Indeed it is...

September Malevolence - Who watches the watchmen?

AllAboutJazz talks to renown Norwegian jazz pianist/composter Tord Gustavsen: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=28796

The Washington Post Express talks to In the Country sideproject Ballrogg: https://www.readexpress.com/read_freeride/2008/04/from_the_depths_ballrogg.php

Check out a Digfi studio session with Swedish artist Action Biker: https://www.digfi.com/default.aspx?id=11704

MP3: Nybakat! - Fjäriln vingad syns på Haga

It's no secret that I'm fond of folk-influenced jazz (and other music), as I've touched on the subject many, many times. I love the ways old melodies come alive in new contexts, bridging the gap between old and new. But while I know why I'm drawn to it, I've often wondered where the musicians themselves get their influence and inspiration. So when I received a few CDs from pianist/bandleader Ira Mogilevsky recently, I decided to track her down and find out where she's coming from.

From Russia to Israel to Sweden? Why end up in Stockholm? What brought you there and is it everything you hoped it would be?

My family moved to Israel from Russia in 1991 when I was 16 y.o. Actually, the final "switch" from classical music to jazz happened to me in Israel. I studied in Jerusalem Academy of music with Slava Ganelin, widely known on the international contemporary jazz scene. This wonderful musician and inspiring teacher has been guiding me in the world of music for many years. He was the one who first suggested the idea to try "something new and fresh" and continue my education abroad. Stockholm was the best choice for me at that time: I have heard about very high level of Swedish jazz (it has appeared to be very true!), Sweden seemed enough far and different from Israel to make me feel the freshness of change. Besides that, The Royal College of Music in Stockholm offered me a really interesting and flexible program. So, I ended up in Stockholm and live and work here since 2002. I didn't have so many expectations, just wanted to explore the world and test my own "limits". I am at the middle of this adventure and many exciting things happen to me here in Sweden music-wise.

How did you first become interested in Swedish/Scandinavian folk? What do you think are the similarities between it and other Eastern European/Russian folk traditions that you are familiar with?

One of my first jobs in Sweden was comping the amateur choir. I was very impressed to see how people love singing their folk songs and hundreds - years - old psalms. It is something that I haven't seen either in Russia nor in Israel. I tried to play these tunes in my own way, as any jazz musician would probably do. Some people thought it sounds very fresh and unique. That's how "Nybakat!" band started. (means "fresh-baked" in Swedish)

Probably the fact that I wasn't familiar with traditional performance of Swedish folk music let me approach this material in a quiet free way without a fear of "breaking a taboo". Apparently I broke quite many "traditions" by using odd rhythms, freely changing characters and styles of the songs. Once it even led to a confusing situation: I wrote a very happy up-tempo arrangement for an old psalm "I himmelen, I himmelen" ("in heaven") and after some months realized that it is a funeral psalm!

I must admit that Swedish audience has appeared to be very open minded and supportive regarding my experiments with their folk music!

There are certainly some similarities in the melodism and "modes" of Swedish and Eastern European folk songs. I'm not an expert in folk music, but I think the reason is long- time cultural and historical connections.

In fact, our alternative and humoristic solution for the problem of the funeral psalm mentioned above, was to present it as an Ukrainian folk song "Carnaval" (there is no such a folk song as there is no Carnival in Ukraine!).

Probably the melodic "mode" of this Swedish song was so close to the Ukrainian, that no one felt any suspicions. Perhaps that's good proof for the similarity in folk music traditions.

Of the songs on the Nybakat! CD, is there one piece that's a particular favorite?

Frankly speaking, I like all of them. Probably because I am emotionally involved. In my opinion they are quite different and it's impossible for me to pick up the best. Well, may be it is a mission of independent reviewers to choose the "best", "worst" and "in between". I must say that a great contribution to the CD of Nybakat! were songs and arrangements of the saxophone player Björn Dahlberg and creative approach and support of drummer Vlad Nedelin and bass player Markus Hängsel.

Naturally, I understand your reluctance to pick favorites, but how about I rephrase it- if you had to pick one song and one song only to show listeners what Nybakat! was about, which song would that be?

Hmm..... in this case maybe "Fjäriln vingad syns på Haga"

A fine choice, as far as I'm concerned! Listen below...

Nybakat! - Fjäriln vingad syns på Haga

MP3: Samtidigt Som - För jag tror att ingen annan kan känna såhär för dig

This week's guests in our ongoing Göteborg spotlight series is Samtidigt Som.

How long have you lived in Gbg? What brought you there and what's keeping you from relocating elsewhere?

We're all from the GBG area and all of us has always lived in or really close to the city. We really love GBG and as a band who sings in Swedish, there's really no place else. GBG has been the major city for music in Sweden for several years and still is. It's a city with a strong identity and legacy music wise. The alternative in Sweden would be Stockholm (Malmö doesn't have a music scene worth mention) and it's no point to relocate since Stockholm is cold and soulless. And they have the worst football teams.

Your music reminds me a lot of classic Gbg indierock- is this something that you are aware of? Do you think there's an important legacy of Gbg music to live up to? What other influences do you draw from?

There is no doubt that we are strongly influenced by GBG indierock. For instance, our debut-EP are recorded and produced by old Bad Cash Quartet guitarist Kalle Von Hall. The thing was, when me (Erik Grahn, guitar) and bassist Erik Weiman were beginning to talk about forming a new band together again, things that came up was that we shouldn't try to complicate things, keep it simple and pure and don't be embarrassed of our influences. I think that both me and Erik have strong sense for melodies and even if you can hear that we're from GBG, which we're very proud of, I think you can hear that it is Samtidigt Som. Basically we just want to play fast and loud because it's more fun that way.

How friendly is the local scene? Is it easy for a new band such as yourselves to get noticed?

I think that it's probably friendlier than many other places. There are a few really good clubs where most of the scene hang out. In a way you can see that a new generation is growing and taking more space, it's about time that a new generation steps forward.

With bands like us, Almedal, Boat Club and My Darling You!, I think that our small label Luxury done a great job, and it is, togheter with the club "Svanen" at Jazzhuset, the two most important things for having the good scene we have.

I think that it's quite easy to get noticed in GBG if you're good. I know loads of bands that been playing for ages without getting anywhere simply because they're not good enough, but in contrast, you have us who got a record deal after our first gig. Of course, I'm quite sure playing the way we do helps us, we give 110% when we play live and we do really catchy songs. But that is what we want to do and if people like it, I wont have some pretentious idiot telling me that we get everything for free and that we do brainless music (which we do, but we like it brainless).

Are there any rivalries or are other bands generally happy to help eachother out?

I'm a strong believer in helping each other out. I don't believe you can compete in music and I hate when I hear people trash talk other bands just because they doing better then them. GBG is to small for rivalry and to keep our position as Sweden's music city number one, we should all just try to promote other good bands.

What are the advantages of being an artist in Gbg? Disadvantages? Is there anything that the city is lacking?

The good thing about GBG is that it's small. The bad thing about GBG is that it's small. It's good in that sense that it never gets too elitist, but bad that sometimes it feels like a small group of people have way too much power over the scene. If it was bigger, it would be easier to fight that. But as I said before, a new generation is on its way and it's inevitable for us not to take over.

Got a song you'd like to share?

If it should be a song of ours, I would say our new single "Constant in motion". That one sounds really GBG. And a song from another GBG band would be "No time for us" by Broder Daniel. It's one of my favourite songs ever and still gives me the shivers.

Unfortunately, "Constant in motion" was not available to me at press time, but since I strongly feel that Samtidigt Som is worth hearing, here's "För jag tror att ingen annan kan känna såhär för dig" instead.

Samtidigt Som - För jag tror att ingen annan kan känna såhär för dig

The Washington Post Express talks to Norwegian artists Silje Nes: https://www.readexpress.com/read_freeride/2008/03/girl_in_shadows_silje_nes.php

Antenna interviews Danish metal act Mercenary: https://www.antenna.nu/?p=51

The latest edition of Pitchfork's "Show No Mercy" metal column features interviews with Disfear and Meshuggah: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/49453-column-show-no-mercy

The SF Guardian talks to Jens Lekman: https://www.sfbg.com/blogs/music/2008/03/sxsw_jens_lekman_makes_it_up_a.html

MP3: Pistol Disco - Beat of the tune

The Göteborg spotlight series continues! This week's guests: Pistol Disco.

How long have you lived in Gbg and what keeps you there?

Alex: All my life, and what's keeping me here is Mikael. But I will probably move to Stockholm soon since my girlfriend is getting homesick.

Mikael: Lived here all my life, too. The idea of leaving has crossed my mind. But not yet.

You guys seem to gain appreciation from both the indie/pop and the avant/experimental scene. Is there any side that feels more "at home" to you? Or are the lines so blurred that it doesn't even matter?

Alex: I guess its so blurred it doesn't really matter

Mikael: Our "home", music-wise, has always changed and scattered (in a good way).

I noticed that you appropriated the Broder Daniel logo on your myspace page - is there a certain Gbg musical heritage that you are trying to play up?

Alex: Haha, no not really. Well, Broder Daniel has always been an exciting band, but we dont really play up any kind of heritage. We really like their music and the logo rip is more or less an homage. We played in France two years ago and the French thought the logo was really funny since "PD" (pronounced PeeDee) in French means "pedophile".

Mikael: Henrik, the singer of BD, once saw us wearing the 'PD' pin. Everyone was drunk, and I tried to explain to Henrik that 'this is a tribute, nothing else'. Of course he didn't belive me. But I was telling the truth, because I like that band, especially at pre-parties.

Are there any other cities in Sweden that you think have impressive music scenes? What about internationally?

Alex: I have no idea, really. But when we toured through Europe I was really impressed with the art scene that seems to be growing like weeds through concrete. Dennis Tyfus and all that stuff, people just going bonkers and doodling down whatever hits their mind. Really exciting stuff! Music wise, hmm, I guess Portugal became more attractive since Panda Bear moved there.

Mikael: I think Malmö has a great music scene, keeping in mind that Malmö is smaller than Gothenburg. Malmö has a number of interesting venues and the people arranging clubs seem a little more unpretentious and laid back than their Stockholm and Gothenburg counterparts. Other than that, I don't really know which place to go in this country, except my hometown. I guess you have to dig deep down the internet, there are different underground-ish festivals happening during summertime all around Sweden.

Alex: Yeah ,what Mikael said, Malmö is really great. The guy who made our latest cover art is from Malmö, His name is Rasmus Svensson (Push the Button) and don't you forget it! Also our dear friend Jason used to live in Malmö, he is now back in the states and is gonna release our next next album on his label Ormolycka. And we have to give a shout out to our label Celebrity Lifestyle Recordings (Stockholm), they are the best.

Do you have a particular song that you feel is reflective of the city?

Alex: Not really, but we have this new tune that is really great, we are recording in a studio now ("wow" I know!). Mattias Persson is the producer and he is a bless from heaven, I never knew we would have such luck to be produced by such an understanding and talented person.

Mikael: I am very happy with the drums in this track. Mattias Persson really knows the art of recording sound.

Pistol Disco - Beat of the tune

Pitchfork does the guest list thing with Danish act Slaraffenland: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/44518-guest-list-slaraffenland

Check out an interview with IAT.MP3 artist Björn Kleinhenz at German site StyleSpion: https://stylespion.de/15-1-fragen-an-bjoern-kleinhenz/1674/ (in English)

MP3: Love & Happiness - Stop, wait or go

I think it's fair to say that Jerry Bowman is a Göteborg scenester. I know that many people bristle at the term, but really, how else do you describe someone who is not only a prominent member of the local media, but also a show promoter and respected blogger? And yes, this week's guest in our ongoing Gbg-spotlight series. I mean no disrespect! So with that, on to the questions!

How long have you lived in Gbg? What brought you/keeps you there?

I've been walking the streets of Göteborg since 2001, when I got a job here. I'm from a small town on the west coast of Sweden, where everybody dreams about Göteborg. I pictured the city in a romantic haze, and when I moved here that image turned out to be true. I'm staying because I've found my home.

Do you think that there's a particular Gbg sound or attitude? If so, how would you describe it? Any prominent examples you'd like to cite?

There is no Göteborg sound. That's a myth created by the media. I think it's more of an attitude, a feeling of being the underdog. No one has ever really called Göteborg an underdog though, it's more of a self-inflicted position. People in Göteborg like to be the dirty, obnoxious dog compared to Stockholm. I think that Göteborg is more open to music that speaks from the heart. The bands just let it flow, they don't really give a shit about what's 'right' or 'wrong'.
A few examples are: Autisterna, Pen Expers, They Live by Night, Peter Sjöholm, Mormors Systrar and Cobra Charlie.

What is it that makes Gbg different from other major Swedish cities?

What sets Göteborg apart from all other Swedish cities is that, statistically, one person gets hit by a tram here every day of the year. We live in constant fear of these huge monsters! And fear generates creativity and fellowship!

How about if you were hosting an out-of-town visitor- what are the must-see places you would take them?

I would take him or her to the harbour. We have the biggest harbour in Scandinavia and it's located right in the city center (there are both pros and cons about that). Harbours are exciting. I would show the visitor the 'Broder Daniel-crane' and where they shot the video for "Shoreline". Then we would go to see a concert, of course. Hopefully Koloni would be arranging something that evening. If not, I would take my guest to Klubb Sandviken, the club run by me and my girlfriend. Needless to say, it's the best club in town. :-)

I know are a champion of many local Gbg acts- who are a few (more) of your current personal favorites?

Love & Happiness, Tilde Hjelm, a guy called Jesper from Frölunda (a Göteborg suburb) and Pats, the singer from Hospitalle who is now writing songs in Swedish. The last two have no MySpace pages... yet.

Of those favorites, got a particular song you'd like to share?

"Stop, wait or go" by Love & Happiness.

Listen below...

Love & Happiness - Stop, wait or go