Swedish~ Stereo~

Could there be any better New Year gift for schlager-fans than brand new single from Shirley Clamp? Brand new dance single in English!
Recently Shirley was working on her shape hard after she's got envolved in advertising company, she has obviously got quite thinner and looks gorgeous being ready to come back on the stage with a fresh stuff.
Her new single "Little By Little" was written by Oscar Holter and Jakke Erixson and it's definitely Shirley you've never heard before - much dancier and modern than old good Shirley-schlagers from previous albums, but it's still purest pop in its best with catchy guitar riffs in verses and shiny exploding choruses.
Single is officially out on January 9th but you can already check it online.

Shirley's Angels' single "Love In The First Degree" that we expected so much wasn't released and though girls have taken part in some Christmas concerts there's no sign of new releasing plans for them. However Shirley Clamp has recorded Bonnie Raitt's cover "I Can't Make You Love Me" for the latest Niklas Andersson's album and while waiting for her comeback we can turn our faces to a wonderful Shirley's eurodance-past.
Did you know Shirley participated in the band Metrix founded by Ace Of Base's Ulf Ekberg in 90s? Band consisted of 3 members - Shirley Clamp, Katie Shade and Cream. They've released just 2 singles - "Slow Down" in 1995 and "City Of Sin" in 1999 (Shirley was just on backing vocals for this one). There's no available clip of radio-edit for "City Of Sin" on youtube (only this mix) but you can check full version of "Slow Down" and even piece of music video below.

Whitney Houston's death has shaken up music world and many artists who were inspired by talent of this legendary pop-star pay tribute to the memory of Whitney.
Shirley Clamp has become one of such artists, she has visited Efter Tio to sing "I Will Always Love You" and it has become really touching version with Shirley's voice.

Ladies and gentlemen, here's the greatest schlager-medley I've seen so far! Melodifestivalen-stars have joined forces on Gaygalan to perform for Christer Björkman and it has turned to 15 minutes of schlager-classics from Shirley Clamp, Love Generation, Andreas Johnson, Sarek, Sanna Nielsen, Linda Bengtzing, Afro-dite, Jenny Silver, Malena Ernman, Swingfly, Måns Zelmerlöw, Charlotte Perelli. Incredible summarizing of the latest Melodifestivalen decade!

Swedish TV-channels keep presenting some nice music surprises and we've got pretty...unusual combination of artists from TV4. Shirley Clamp and Thomas Di Leva. Seems like this company was missing Dead By April to make idea of this concert even more weird but as Di Leva has become a new schlager-star and undoubtedly on the way to deliver new "Min Kärlek" we can see a point. TV4 has blocked whole concert from foreigners again so we can't watch everything Shirley has performed but still here are some videos appearing on youtube.

Kalle Moraeus is responsible for Christmas mood on SVT and he has got three incredible guests in a series of small acoustic performances you can watch online as well - Malena Ernman, Sarah Dawn Finer and Måns Zelmerlöw. We already start loving TV-Sarah and now absolutely sure she can be amazing host.

Shirley Clamp is one amazingly entertaining schlager-lady filling every her single performance with loads of humour and light energy.
Few weeks ago she was participating in Doobidoo making Dee Demirbag in a company of Per Andersson (you may recognize him from this year's Melodifestivalen) in a role of E-Type. And that was really funny!

What are you gonna do if you're 61 years old schlager-veteran and you're invited to the show where Eric Saade and Jedward use to perform? Well, you can try to sing Lady Gaga to keep it trendy and funny.
What if your angels have left you but you're gorgeous pop-diva with old Melodifestivalen hit still beloved by folk? Just do what you have to do, babe, and don't forget to make it all a bit more creative with, for example, Håkan Hellström's cover!
What if you're Takida and you've got to one stage with Christer Sjögren and Shirley Clamp? You're in trouble guys. It's Sommarkrysset. Probably the weirdest ever.

Christer Sjögren - Bad romance
Shirley Clamp - Min kärlek
Takida - Haven stay
Shirley Clamp - Kom igen Lena!

New day and new rare demo of Melodifestivalen classic hit but the same Shirley Clamp again. I guess you remember that Shirley was working in choir of Melodifestivalen and you could see her involved in Eurovision circus already in 2001 when she performed with Antique who received their bronze for "Die for You". Though I've just realized that the song I'm gonna give you a tip about sounds just like a sister of "Die for You", doesn't it? I mean "Efharisto" written by Ingela Forsman, Bobby Ljunggren and Henrik Wikström and performed by Bosson at Melodifestivalen-2004. Shirley was on demo of the song but I guess she wouldn't complain this song has gone to Bosson. Both Shirley and Bosson have got to Second Chance but when Bosson was left there, Shirley has reached final with "Min kärlek", has taken silver and has got eternal hit.

Few weeks ago disc with rare demos of Melodifestivalen was released in deluxe-pack celebrating 10 years of new schlager-era and as we expected it turned to be full of goodies which has started to leak already few years ago though and I think some of them worth separate article like for example demo Fredrik Kempe recording his hit of Melodifestivalen-2005 "Du och jag mot världen" (co-written by Fredrik with Bobby Ljunggren and Henrik Wikström) with Shirley Clamp, finally song was performed with another schlager-diva Sanna Nielsen and has reached the final (Sanna always does) but here we can check how it sounded initially (+ how it did later). Not that it's too different from what we've heard before but definitely Shirley brings her own personality into this track and itäs really interesting to listen.

Have I promised not to finish with Christmas updates?
Sanna Nielsen, Shirley Clamp and Sonja Aldén were one of artists in special demand this Christmas. Their album "Vår Jul" has reached #6 of Swedish album chart and it's still at #12 after 2 month of sales. Not #1 like year before with their "Our Christmas" but still good sign for Sanna and Shirley as public faves pretending to get folk's love through their votes during Melodifestivalen. I guess I shouldn't describe again how enjoyable this trio singing Christmas songs, they really are, watch below. But I'd like to give you a tip about another new band Gentlemen appearing this year and performing at Christmas Bingolotto as well.
Gentlemen is a band consisting of three respectable artists in respectable age who have left their marks in Swedish music in the past but have left their bigger achievements for the later.
Fredrik Willstrand participated in Melodifestivalen-1986 and released 3 albums in 80ies. Micke Grahn was involved in leading Fame Factory, played in many huge musicals like "ABBA the True Story", "Sol vid och vatten", "Fame" and since 80ies worked with many popular Swedish artists. Stefan Nykvist also played in many big musicals like "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Sol, Vind och Vatten", worked with some world artists like Liza Minnelli and loads of Swedish ones (Sarah Dawn Finer, Jill Johnson, Patrik Isaksson, Sanna Nielsen, Eric Gadd). You could see Stefan as backing singer at Melodifestivalen and in live band of popular Rix FM festival. Being on one of those concerts I can say that I was really impressed how Stefan warmed up public singing some world hits with tonnes of energy and charm of Cheshire cat.
Year before Gentlemen have released album "Awaken Me" - very Josh Groban mostly musical-ballad adult album that you're gonna like if you listen to Josh, Canadian tenors and by the way producer of "Awaken Me" worked as well with Garou so you can get whole picture and watch their performance of "Silent Night" right below.

Christmas weekend continues with some Swedish stars live performances dedicated to celebration.
Today I'd like to share with you live set from holy schlager-trio Sanna Nielsen, Shirley Clamp and Sonja Alden who participated in SVT's Luciamorgon with Darin (I showed you his "O Holy Night" before). Girls performed together classic Lucia song "Så mörk är natten" a cappella and acoustic version of Christmas song "Tänd ett ljus" written by Niklas Strömstedt and Lasse Lindbom in 1987 and becoming later Swedish Christmas claassic hit covered by many different pop-artists. Sonja also performed "Pie Jesu" solo souding very spiritual and strong with choir and acoustic sound of Kungsholm's church. By the way as you probably already know Sonja is pregnant with her first baby from her boyfriend Jörgen Karlsson and wait for baby in May, here you can watch her pic with already belly getting round. Tomorrow SVT will show Christmas music show with Sonja's participance in 18.10 of local time.

3 weeks ago Ola's new album debuted at #3 of Swedish chart (unfortunately not #1 that it deserves but still good result for label that just started its work) so we keep geting pieces of Ola everywhere.
Week ago we've got ability to see him with amazing Shirley Clamp in tv-show Doobidoo where they performed Lisa Nilsson's classic hit "Varje gång jag ser dig", loveliest performance of two loveliest artists!
Also recently Ola has uploaded new photosession to his Facebook page and now it's out in video with "All Over The World" as soundtrack, this is as enjoyable 1:30 of your time as whole new music video could be. Check it!

Probably I could not to write about amazing trio of Martin Stenmarck, Linda Pritchard and Jessica Marberger performing at "A Grand Evening" Christmas show...


...though I guess you remember I commpensated it with news about Sanna Nielsen, Shirley Clamp and Sonja Aldén Swedish Christmas album "Vår Jul"...


...and Måns Zelmerlöw who will release his first Christmas album and (I haven't told about it) will join girs in Christmas tour second year in a row, this time with help of Brandur and Björn Kjellman...


But these great news have arrived just now!!!


New Malena Ernman's Christmas album "Santa Lucia" will be released on November 17th and officially it's the most exciting Christmas release I've ever heard about!!! In Christmas period Malena will be touring a lot and to understand how heavenly can Malena sound with this sort of song check her performance at Nordiske Julkoncert year ago.

Autumn has just started and we've already got whole bunch of planned exciting album-releases, I should collect all of them in one post.
- Magnus Carlsson's new album "Pop Galaxy" will be released already on September 22th but before we'll get another single "The Best In Me".
- It's just few days till new Ola's album "Ola" (September 15th).
- Erik Hassle's EP with 4 new songs is planned for the end of September.
- Nanne Grönvall's album "En Rastlös Själ" is ready to hit shops on October 6th.
- After 6 years Stephen Simmonds releases new album "Anomie" in October.
- Jennie Berggren's album "My Story" release was moved to October 13th.
- A little bit earlier Ace Of Base will release album "The Golden Ratio" on September 24th with first single "All For You" planned to be released already today.
- Caroline af Ugglas after huge success of previous year is back with new album planned for September 22th publishing as well book "Hjälp, vem är jag?" (Help, who am I?)
- EMD's album "Rewind" release was firstly carried from August 25th to the end of October but now you can find its release in some shops marked with December 31th.
- Albums from Linda Pritchard, Titiyo, Tove Styrke, Lisa Miskovsky, Love Generation, second EP from Gravitonas and Christmas album from Måns Zelmerlöw are to be expected.
- Sanna Nielsen's just released her last single "Part Of Me" and ready for new release of Christmas album with Shirley Clamp and Sonja Aldén, this time due to title "Vår Jul" (translation of English title of previous album "Our Christmas" that obviously says tracklist won't be different in common) it's gonna be in Swedish.
- Amy Diamond after 5 studio-albums is ready for compilation "Greatest Hits" that will be out on November 3rd.
Not enough to be excited? It's alright, it's just the first days of Autumn ;)

Autumn is the hottest time for speculations in media about who will participate in next Melodifestivalen and therefore who will be those top-pop-artists appearing whole next year on different live events, releasing fresh music stuff and spreading all over magazine's covers here and there. Sure you shouldn't believe in everything that press claims but as usually most of revealed comes true all these rumours turned to be utterly exciting when you see some really interesting names in lists.
Aftonbladet reported today that Danny is ready to perform solo at Melodifestivalen and looking for the right song able to win whole contest (before he participated as part of EMD in 2009 and took 3rd place of the final). Among other possible names are participants of 2009 Lili & Susie, runner-ups of 2008 Sanna Nielsen and 2004 - Shirley Clamp, winner of MF-1996 One More Time re-united in the final of MF-2010 and by rumours being rejected already some years. As well Aftonbladet's sources report that Lasse Stefanz (very popular dansband-group that had to perform with "Den första kyssen (Sweet Kissin' In The Moonlight)" in 2009 but refused and the song was given to Thorleifs) are 100% gonna participate, dansband being quite popular genre in Sweden didn't do well on Melodifestivalen last years (Thorleifs, Highlights and Scotts have failed to get to the final). Anders Fernette received songs from many songwriters and currently is looking for the right song to perform also. After last two years when three final spots were conquered by Idol-participants and this year contest was won by Idol-Anna Bergendahl Mr. Björkman doesn't seem to be positive about big quantity of Idols on MF saying that exploring different genres Idol-artists need more time to find themselves after.
Below is the list of artist who are rumoured to be in Christer Björkman's wish-list:
Timo Räisänen
Ace of Base
Laleh
Sahara Hotnights
Maia Hirasawa
Elena Paparizou
Lisa Nilsson
Mauro Scocco (as songwriter)
Robyn (as songwriter)
Sofia Jannok
Annika Norlin
Magnus Carlson

Artists who want to participate and plan to send songs:
Sara Varga
Marie Picasso
Rebound
Marie Serneholt
Magnus Carlsson
Le Kid
Timoteij
Sarah Dawn Finer
Elisabeth Andreassen
Linda Bengtzing

Yesterday was obviously lucky night for Oskar Linnros and Tokio Hotel, both managed to won in two categories being logicaly joined by Robyn and Kent as most respectable artists who didn't fall out of the spot last months. Lars Winnerbäck took his sixth Rockbjörnen, this time as Best male artist and victory in new category Best festival was given to Peace & Love. The Ark, Erik Saade, Tove Styrke and Hoffmaestro performed at the stage and as you can see on the picture above star guests had a lot of fun that was able to watch during awards.

Best female artist: Robyn
Best male artist: Lars Winnerbäck
Best group: Kent
Best concert: Tokio Hotel
Best festival: Peace & Love
Best Swedish song: Oskar Linnros – ”Från och med du”
Best international song: Tokio Hotel – ”World Behind My Wall”
Best breakthrough: Oskar Linnros

So here is the best Swedish song of the year due to Rockbjörnen's opinion. Well deserved, so we send congratulations to Oskar!

During Stockholm Pride week Linda Bengtzing, Anna Bergehdahl, Jill Johnson, Sarah Dawn Finer and Magnus Carlsson gave English interviews to oikotimes and great news are that both Magnus and Linda are definitely want to come back to a big spotlight of future Melodifestivalen. Linda seems to be especially eager about comeback. Unfortunately Sarah is not so eager about it but doesn't want to say she'll never do it again. Well, you'd better check it yourself right below.

And you can also check some well-recorded performances during last week. Second record of Rebound's performance is a bit distorted with agonizing dying fans but this is what actually makes me laugh to tears everytime I hear it.

Just a few weeks left before one of the main cultural events of this year in Sweden - marriage of princess Victoria and Daniel Westling and Stockholm's already preparing for this royal celebration. This Sunday when Sweden will be celebrating National Day (as always with some exciting open-air concerts in Stockholm) 2-weeks festival LOVE Stockholm 2010 will start with different activities all over the city and will finish on 19th June in a day of Victoria's wedding. These days Stockholm will see performances of artists like Darin, Carola, Alexander Rybak, Anna Bergendahl, Timoteij, Salem Al Fakir, Erik Grönwall, Orup, Martin Stenmarck, Moto Boy, Ola, Cookies N Beans, Shirley Clamp, Anne-Lie Rydé, Sanna Nielsen, Fibes, Oh Fibes!, Alice Svensson, Rebound, Nanne, Rigo, Amy Diamond. Check information about festival here and watch trailer of festival with Linda Sundblad's "Making Out" as soundtrack.

I'd like to put your attention on one interesting show being popular in Sweden in 90s. Sure many of you know about Fame Factory (talent-show in the beginning of 00s) and artists which came from it (Linda Bengtzing, Sandra Oxenryd, Magnus Bäcklund, Mathias Holmgren...) but then many of these singers were already not newcomers for Swedish audience participating before in show "Sikta mot stjärnorna". The aim of participants was to imitate different big stars and the winner of every show qualified to the final. The winner of the final was sent to European final. In this amazing show you could see Sandra Oxenryd as Carola, Magnus Bäcklund as Tom Jones, Mathias Holmgren as Nick Kamen, Cecilia Vennersten as Mariah Carey, Caroline Wennergren as Ella Fitzgerald and you can also watch yourself performances of Linda Bengtzing doing Lene from Aqua, Shirley Clamp doing Maria McKee, Bosson as Michael Jackson and Date as Take That.

Annual tv-show "Inför ESC 2010" currently takes place on SVT-channel. Every week you can see experts panel discussing songs of different participants of upcoming Eurovision. This year you can see among experts Marie Serneholt, Kayo Shekoni (ex-Afro-dite), Lena Philipsson, Thomas Lundin (Finnish artist and tv-host), Rennie Mirro (musical artist and brother of Sarah Dawn Finer), Christer Björkman is host of the show as always. In a third part of the show experts were amazed the most by Israeli singer Harel Skaat and on the other hand left Slovenian representatives - Ansambel Roka Žlindre & Kalamari without any points at all. In the end of the show experts revealed their favorite Melodifestivalen-songs who didn't manage to win the contest. Marie and Mirro chose "Moving On" by Sarah Dawn Finer, Thomas - Shirley Clamp's "Min Kärlek", Kayo - Alcazar's "Not a sinner nor a saint" and Lena - Nanne's "Håll Om Mig". You can see this episode here and see results below. Next week we'll see the last of 4 episodes.

By the way for all Eurovision followers now you can read official blog (in Swedish) of Swedish delegation where you'll find posts by both Christer Björkman (head of delegation) and Edward af Sillén (scriptwriter and director of Melodifestivalen) about everything regarding Anna Bergendahl's and her team's trip to Eurovision in Oslo.