Swedish~ Stereo~

Lately Petra "September" Marklund was mostly hidden from cameras and a huge Swedish public attention she had in 2011 after Så mycket bättre success. The reason is that she was in the studio recording new album with Kent's Jocke Berg. The album that was planned to be out already this year (October 24th is release date for now) under Petra's own name and to become a quite darker than September's music with references to a sound of Coldplay, Florence and the Machine and Depeche Mode.
While we're waiting for Petra's album here is the song she was working with Michel Zitron (Save The World, Jennie Let Me Love You, Fade Into Darkness, If Only You) and his constant collaborator Tobias Gustavsson.
Songwriting team has joined forces with the project Lissi Dancefloor Disaster from Uppsala and come out with a great electropop-gem "Singing My Heart Out" based on a Miike Snow-breathing keys leading us through an utterly dramatical tune creating a very dark and special atmosphere with Josefin's vibrating vocals.
If this is direction Petra Marklund currently goes in her own stuff I absolutely don't mind and can't wait for her new album even more impatiently.

Third video from the latest September's album "Love CPR" was shot for the latest summer single "Party In My Head" and this one seems to be the most dynamic, entertaining and contains sort of thousand of characters and stories. Petra looks absolutely adorable, very beautiful and fresh.

Weekend comes early on Swedish Stereo, we had no mix nights for ages so here we get a bunch of interesting remixes for some actual releases to talk about.
Adam Rickfors who never dissapoints us with his works has made much more dreamy mix than he use to deliver of the latest Gravitonas' single "Lucky Star" moving a bit in Avicii trend of soft not aggresive radio-friendly sound.
Soundfactory has become part of the team responsible for Man Meadow's comeback with single "Eaten Alive" arriving with a solid schlageristic dose on his new mix.
And finally we get a nice edit of recently unleashed September's "Me & My Microphone" video with probably the best remix of this song from Casado & Daif - explosive and clubby.

Every year since September we get a lot of schlager-rumors getting wild flowing around and collecting the most pop-actual artists into speculations lists of Aftonbladet and Expressen. As you understand loads of these rumours never happen but at the same time we get a solid bunch of artists which are later officially confirmed so at least half of final list is already expected.
We didn't get speculations season started quite long this year though (except previously discussed Nina Söderquist, Lili & Susie, Timoteij and H.e.a.t. with Erik Grönwall) but today Aftonbladet has revealed utterly exciting list of artists willing to participate in Melodifestivalen-2012.
- Charlotte Perrelli is eager to come back to the contest working this year with her previous Melodifestivalen-winning entry "Hero" songwriter Fredrik Kempe.
- Helena Paparizou who was haunted by Christer Björkman many years has finally sent few songs.
- E.M.D.'s Erik Segerstedt and Mattias Andréasson have sent solo-songs, it's not clear if Danny wants though. Seems like he didn't send any songs himself but doesn't mind to participate if he'll be invited by SVT.
- Rebound's Eddie Razaz and Rabih Jaber are also eager to participate solo and both have sent songs.
- Magnus Carlsson who sent entries recent years without any luck was working this time with new songwriter supposedly on Melodifestivalen-stuff.
- Another Alcazar-member Lina Hedlund was looking for songs to partiipate in Melodifestivalen with while band is on a hold since this summer.
- Martin Rolinski who was ready to partiipate in MF-2011 has refused when Christer Björkman wished him to change the song, it has opened a spot for Anders Fernette, now Martin is ready for comeback.
- Few songwriters have written songs for Ace Of Base's Jenny Berggren this year.
- Molly Sandén is looking for the right song to make comeback.
- September's participance is quite possible but depends on if her new material will succeed in USA as it's more important goal for her to work on.
You can check articles here and here.

After a huge hit "Mikrofonkåt" has become for September in Sweden artist is trying to push it internationally and here we get a brand new video for track's English version "Me and My Microphone".
Video is pretty simple and enjoyable showing Petra dancing in elevator and making party on the rooftop, nice work to deliver ouside. We're still sceptic about this choise not seeing magic of "Mikrofonkåt" working for non-Swedish audience but let's see what will come out of this.

Here I've got something perfect for your Saturday night, guys!
What can happen when epic club hit with completely alright but not properly epic vocal line meets another hit with crazy good vocal line performed by one of Sweden's best singers?
Something much poppy and catchy than the first one but more epic and dancey than the second one. One of the best mashups I've heard in recent weeks.

Rockbjörnen-2011 candidates are revealed this year and you know what I think looking at Best male category? Seems like Swedish girls audience's getting more powerful and wilder these days, when Eric Saade, Danny, Ulrik Munther and Ola (honestly I sent my vote for Danny, yes, but...) are best male artists of Sweden seems like it shows that this category (of young pop-chaps) gets loads of commercial potential these days in Sweden, will next Melodifestivalen get pop-guy vs. pop-guy next year again?
Alright, moving to other candidates - Tove Styrke, Veronica Maggio, Takida, In Flames, Ola, Eric Saade and Ulrik Munther have gor two nominees. We're personally glad to see September, Eric Amarillo, Dead By April, Roxette, Adele and Jedward in nominees as well (Tokio Hotel again? They've won two of last year's nominees. Have they even released anything since that?). Though there's loads of commercial pop it absolutely doesn't mean it will win (m)any categories but you can affect it voting here.

Today Sommarkrysset was visited by another three popular pop-guests of different genres - September, Anne-Lie Rydé and The Moniker.
The Moniker with newly grown huge beard was performing his Melodifestivalen entry "Oh my God!", Anne-Lie Rydé was singing medley of her old classic hits and September... It was all about September for us!!! God bless Swedish TV for inviting Petra as with Allsång På Skansen's performance this was another one for a long time when Petra could present "Party In My Head" and "Mikrofonkåt" with big dancers gang making fab choreography and looking absolutely amazing! It's just too good, check yourself.

September - Party in my head
September - Mikrofonkåt
Anne-Lie Rydé - Medley
The Moniker - Oh my God!

Remember few days ago I've presented snippets of mixes for a new September's single "Party In My Head". Full versions have surfaced very soon and they are absolutely adorable.
Our fave here is Adam Rickfors' one though Coucheron mix is not that worse actually and Punchy remix is quite interesting. Ah, we love them all and you can choose your fave right now!

It feels like September's comeback in the end of last year has gone not quite like it was planned but not bad at all.
Petra Marklund's first fresh single "Resuscitate Me" was released simultaneously with her incredible explosion "Mikrofonkåt" in Sweden. It has built strong Swedish hit-base with "Kärlekens tunga" and post-Så Mycket Bättre‏ duo with Petter "Baksmälla".
Now September's back to presentation of her original English "Love CPR"'s material and next single to be released is "Party In My Head" co-written (just like "Resuscitate Me") by Wayne Hector, Cutfather and Lucas Secon with Daniel Davidsen and Peter Wallevik.
Initially last September's album was all about Patric Sarin + Jaakko Salovaara produced "Heat Rising" and "My Emergency" for me - absolutely mindblowing powerful dance-tracks that I still do hope will be released as the next singles.
"Party In My Head" is not that sort of songs striking you directly, it's modern disco-track softly charming with special mix of lyrics, Petra's attitude and gentle electonic sound. It's purring, it's light and it's finally winning you over.
Below you can check samples of coming mixes pack (from here) and they sound more than promising!
Currently September's on tour across Sweden and if you miss September live below you can check lovely set shot in Borås, thanx for the tip to our lovely friend Nata.

Could you refuse spending day with September? Though just for 30 minutes? No? I knew you couldn't! Me too.
SVT offers possibillity to go with Petra to ELLE awards, check music archive and make a small acapella performance on a street of Stockholm's Gamla Stan collecting money for Nacka music school in recent episode of Dom Kallar Oss Artister. The latest you can check right below but I recommend you to watch whole episode here.
Another my tip is Petra's performance with Martin Björk singing Oasis' Wonderwall. In the very beginning of September's career they did performance for tv-show together but we could check only very short episode, now you can enjoy it in full version.

Petra "September" Marklund who releases 4th album "Love CPR" already in 2 days on Monday today has visited studio of Nyhetsmorgon to perform two of her last singles "Resuscitate Me" and "Me and my microphone" (Mikrofonkåt) with live arrangement.
"Mikrofonkåt" has become triple platinum (!!!) hit spending 11 weeks on #1 of Swedish chart and still can come back after album's release, it's gonna be really interesting will Swedish folk get new album with so massive love they showed to Petra on "Så Mycket Bättre" show, we're gonna know very soon.
For now we can check Petra's live performance that's as enjoyable as it always was - right from the first album 7 years ago (February 11th 2004 by the way), Petra was amazing live performer making every show very special and enjoyable, this one is not exception. You should also check September singing these two songs at NRJ Live in Finland and recent acoustic performance for Press2Play.
Samples of "Love CPR" are already available on youtube but we will keep our judgement before we'll hear whole songs.

Wanna get the latest singles from September and Petter ("Backsmälla"), Ulrik Munther ("Boys Don't Cry"), Tim Berg ("Seek Bromance (Avicii Vocal Edit)") and many-many other artists which you don't know yet but can discover yourself without my help?
echolize.com in collaboration with Universal Music provides ability to download this tracks absolutely for free, payment is just watching ads-video during download. So come here, register and get it all.
By the way nice reason to tip you with last year dance-sensation Tim Berg (or Tim Bergling as it's his original name). Tim is DJ from Stockholm that delivered one of the biggest export club-hits of Sweden "Seek Bromance" (obviously Swedish House Mafia influenced floorfiller) in 2010 initially releasing it as instrumental track but soon getting attention of international audience charting well in European charts and even getting into the bright spot of attention in UK pushing out afterwards vocal version of track and touring all over the world whole last year. You can check video for "Seek Bromance" right below.

Usually December is a month when Idol-winning single collects #1 places week by week but nothing can't push September's hit-single "Mikrofonkåt" from 6th week at #1! Loads of positive reviews in media and massive audience reaction - seems like Petra Marklund never was so much popular in Sweden. So label wisely doesn't lose this wave and develop some new promo-steps to squeeze everything out of this success.
Before we've got English version of Mikrofonkåt and now we receive whole 8-tracks pack of mixes - Mick Kastenholt & Andrew Dee mix (completely crazy club track made for blasting dancefloors), Alex Lamb mix (another great wave-growing track from chill-out part to high-tempo dance mix of Swedish House Mafia class), Punchy mix (this time urban-smelling in verses track with jumping beat and loud dance chorus) and Casado & Daif mix (darker club mix with tasty electro-layers and gorgeous dance-beat). You can listen to all mixes except Punchy below.

First season of series Så mycket bättre is over and in the last episode artists were singing versions of their own songs in versions close to original in duets with another artists. Di Leva performed his hit "Vad är frihet" with Lasse Berghagen who also performed his entry on Melodifestivalen-1973 "Ding Dong". Di Leva appeared another time in duet with Plura singing old Eldkvarn's (Plura's band) song "Alice". Plura helped to Petter with the song "Gör min dag" (originally performed by Petter with Magnus Carlson). Lill-Babs and Christer Sandelin united singing Lill-Babs' "Jag vill leva". September appeared twice on the stage - with Petter making mix of her version of "Satellites" and version performed earlier by Petter. As well with Christer she has made Style's "Luften darrar". Another warm and adorable evening finishing one of the most successful tv-shows of the year and hope next year we'll get not worse team of artists bringing this lovely atmosphere and many nice covers.

September enjoys first place of her hit-cover "Mikrofonkåt" third week in a row, that looks like incredible success being her first #1 in Sweden ever and the song has got English version "Me And My Microphone" and already tries to break through in UK. You can check stream from Record Of The Day site right below.

Debut season of Så Mycket Bättre presented whole series of hits firstly from Petter who was the first of participants shooting with loads of his covers in iTunes chart but then came Petra "September" Marklund and she has torn the chart for real with her cover for Petter's "Mikrofonkåt" and it wasn't her last success as another two covers "Vem Ska Jag Tro På" and "Kärlekens Tunga" being released a bit later joined "Mikrofonkåt" - invincible #1 place of iTunes chart (and already double #1 in common chart) in Top-5. So Petter and Petra decided to unite their forces releasing brand new single "Baksmälla" together and premiered it on the radio today!
"Baksmälla" sounds exactly like you could expect from September new Swedish electro side, it's less dancey than "Mikrofonkåt" and more urban in Petter-style with a bit more commercial wrap that can allow this song to get even longer life on Swedish radiostations. Cold dance electro sound with Petra's intimate vocals and Petter's rap - it's all there, it all works and it's just created to be a hit!

Recently I told you about Caroline Roosmark's amazing calendar where she involved such stars like Anna Bergendahl, Darin, Helen Sjöholm and Nanne and here goes another cool calendar from Djurens Rätt (organisation fighting for animal rights) with loads of another popular artists like Linda Sundblad, Marie Picasso and Caroline af Ugglas, below you can watch whole set of photos, they're in small size but you can check brilliant pics of September-mermaid, Adam Tensta and Thomas Di Leva in a better quality.

Marina Schiptjenko (Vacuum, BWO)
Dennis Lyxzén (Refused)
Thomas Di Leva
Marie Picasso
Britta Persson
Adam Tensta
Patrik Arve (Teddybears STHLM)
Linda Sundblad
Caroline Af Ugglas
September
Khoma
Regina Lund

September already second week holds the first place of Swedish chart with her new hit "Mikrofonkåt", but this week her comeback single "Resuscitate Me" has also made debut in chart but only on #45 though.
Great way to keep public dragging more of September's previous hits to iTunes chart was to show September's evening in "Så mycket bättre" show last Saturday so that time all participants were making covers on her songs.
Thomas Di Leva has delievered indie-version of the biggest international September hit "Cry for you". Petter's gone raggae sampling Petra's voice from "Satellite" with nice summer-pop feeling. Lill-Babs' blues cover was one of the most unexpected performances "Looking for love" and afterwards Petra joined Lill-Babs making this cover even more amazing. Plura otherwise has made expected guitar-pop cover of Petra's first hit "La La La (Never Gonna Give It Up)" sounding a lot like his previous covers. Lasse Berghagen revealed that it was oficially first time he was singing in English and performed cover for "Because I love you" that will be included in compilation of Så mycket bättre. Another cover to be released on forthcoming compilation is Christer Sandelin's "Can't get over" that was as well real highlight of the evening in anthemic a bit ABBAesque cover with beautiful piano part and dynamic instrumental part in common.
This weekend Petra had to make cover herself as it was Plura's evening and Petra delievered pretty amazing electropop cover for "Kärlekens tunga" that together with "Mikrofonkåt" and "Vem ska jag tro på?" will be included in compilation. Lill-Babs went ballad with "Håll huvudet högt", Petter was rapping with "Fulla för kärlekens skull", Christer Sandelin was rocking with "Pojkar pojkar pojkar", Lasse Berghagen made pleasant retro-cover of "Somliga går i trasiga skor" and Thomas Di Leva presented melodic and expressive pop-rock cover of "Kungarna från Broadway".

September celebrates her first #1 hit in Sweden "Mikrofonkåt", before only "Satellites" managed to reach #4 but participation in popular tv-show Så mycket bättre has really pushed her hard (due to Aftonbladet's poll around 70% of readers from more than 7000 voters think that Petra's covers are even better than her own songs) and Petter's cover made by her debuted right on the 1st place of Swedish chart.
Great time for starting promoting new solo-stuff and September is finally presenting new single "Resuscitate me" to the world and makes it with a whole bag of goodies with video and mixes for this song.
"Resuscitate Me" video was directed by Patric Ullaeus, Petra appears in it with new short hairdo dancing with cables attached to her hands and saving her soul when body needs some resuscitation with warm love memories. September who likes to play with dark lyrics in dance music ("Until I Die", "R.I.P.", "Flowers on The Grave" etc.) keeps dancing on a broken glass bringing together dramatical keys with life-asserting club beats and does it in her own recognizable way constantly attracting attention of pop-fans around the world.

Along with video full packed single with extended mix and also mixes from Buzz Junkies and Moto Blanco finally has seen the light. Moto Blanco provided slightly trancey light radio-track when Buzz Junkies has made club delight but still very poppy track with loud layers and heavy dance beat.

Going back to Så mycket bättre - theme of the latest show was dedicated to Christer Sandelin's covers (Style's vocalist) and as we guessed right Petra was singing "Vill Ha Dig" but in pretty original version as dark pulsating and hypnotizing electro-track with a beautiful strings section, we really hope it will be released on forthcoming compilation of Så mycket bättre. Petter has made another beautiful electronic version of "Hjärtats ensamma slag". Thomas Di Leva presented cover for one of the latest Style hits "Vill ha dig igen" in very close to original synth sound. Lill-Babs with "Fantasi", Lasse Berghagen with "Dover Calais" and Plura with "Den hon vill ha" kept it on more retro-field.

Last week many of "Så mycket bättre" participants released digitally their covers (actually everyone but Plura) that turned to be quite logical promo-decision and though Petter took whole 3 singles to iTunes Top-10, chart was waiting for Petra "September" Marklund, her cover of Petter's song "Mikrofonkåt" has become real hit among tv-audience and when finally it was released on iTunes it's taken just few hours to reach #1 and right now it's still there!
If the highest September's entry in basic Swedish chart was "Satelites" (#4) can "Mikrofonkåt" beat it? I think yes and it's even more amazing start of new September's career stage in Sweden than we could imagine.
Already this Friday September will release her brand new single (along with music video) "Resuscitate Me" that we exclusively presented to you in its full version few weeks ago, so here's the time for another exclusive thing - new monster hit of September in Sweden "Mikrofonkåt" - great club track with infectious tune and heavy dancefloor base. Everything in best traditions of September so you're gonna enjoy it!