Category: Swedish Music

Robyn wins bigtime at the Swedish Grammis!

The Grammis are the major Swedish music awards. Sweden makes a lot of good music so this is probably one of the more important music award shows. Is it any surprise Robyn won 4 gongs, seeing as she is just about the biggest export from Sweden right now (bar IKEA)? Full list of winners is:
Best album: Robyn – Body Talk
Best artist: Robyn
Best song: Robyn – Dancing On my Own
Best group: Johnossi – Mavericks
Best folk/visa: Blandade Artister – Sonja Åkesson Tolkad Av
Best hardrock/metal: Watain – Lawless Darkness
Best jazz: Dan Berglunds Tonbruket – Tonbruket
Best songwriter: Klas Åhlund & Robyn – Body Talk
Best female artist: Robyn – Body Talk
Best male artist: Håkan Hellström – 2 Steg Från Paradise
Best newcomer Oskar Linnros – Vilja Bli
Best producer: Red One
Best international success: Red One
Best lyrics: Håkan Hellström – 2 Steg Från Paradise
Best urban/dance: Familjen – Mänskligheten
Best Innovator: Iamamiwhoami

The top 10 most illegally downloaded albums, tracks, and music videos of 2010

Albums:

10. “Aphrodite” ― Kylie Minogue
9. “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” ― Kanye West
8. “Recovery” ― Eminem
7. “Body Talk” ― Robyn
6. “Speak Now” ― Taylor Swift
5. “Can’t Be Tamed” ― Miley Cyrus
4. “Pink Friday” ― Nicki Minaj
3. “Teenage Dream” ― Katy Perry
2. “Bionic” ― Christina Aguilera
1. “Loud” ― Rihanna

Tracks:

10. “We R Who We R” ― Ke$ha
9. “Roman’s Revenge (ft. Eminem)” ― Nicki Minaj
8. “Can’t Be Tamed” ― Miley Cyrus
7. “Only Girl (In The World)” ― Rihanna
6. “Whip My Hair” ― Willow Smith
5. “Not Myself Tonight” ― Christina Aguilera
4. “Love The Way You Lie (ft. Rihanna)” ― Eminem
3. “California Gurls (ft. Snoop Dogg)” ― Katy Perry
2. “Greatest” / “Then You Love Me” ― Lady Gaga
1. “Telephone” ― Britney Spears

Videos:

10. “Commander” ― Kelly Rowland
9. “Runaway” ― Kanye West
8. “Love The Way You Lie (ft. Rihanna)” ― Eminem
7. “Can’t Be Tamed” ― Miley Cyrus
6. “Whip My Hair” ― Willow Smith
5. “Baby (ft. Ludacris)” ― Justin Bieber
4. “California Gurls (ft. Snoop Dogg)” ― Katy Perry
3. “Not Myself Tonight” ― Christina Aguilera
2. “Alejandro” ― Lady Gaga
1. “Telephone” ― Lady Gaga & Beyonce

The full list can be found on iLeaks website here.

Swedish hip hop gets political

By Looptroop Rockers: ‘ Following the latest election in Sweden (September 19) we wrote, and recorded this song – responding to a racist party being voted in to the Swedish parliament in particular, and to the extreme right wing winds blowing over European and world politics in general. The feelings of frustration and anger had to be channeled some way, and the very day after the election we met in the Wax Cabinet studio to voice our opinion about history repeating itself, and Sweden being an even colder country this fall…’ Check out here.

Robyn covers the best Prince song of all time

Wow. Woow. Wooow. When Doves Cry is probably the best thing to come out of the 80’s, and Robyn is probably one of the best things to come out of the 90’s, so you know… I don’t know where this sentence is going to be honest, I’ve had some wine. This is pretty amazing though.

Live: Robyn at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to see Robyn and she rocks it every single fucking time. I do remember seeing her at a tiny venue in Camden more than 3 years ago, before ‘With Every Heartbeat’ was even released and feeling happy for her that she managed to sell out the entire Shepherds Bush Empire tonight. The pics look crap because she moves so much it was impossible to get a decent shot with my camera! Support DJ set by Rebecca & Fiona was also really excellent.  More pics on my Flickr.

I think I’ll post up some current favourite electropop Swedish tunes later on in the week.

I’m going to Melodifestivalen Final!

The final of Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s biggest TV show, always airs live on my birthday weekend. And for years, I’ve wanted to go and see the show- the aim is to find year’s Swedish Eurovision entry. But the scale of events is just enormous. Some reckon it’s bigger than Eurovision itself. Unlike other Eurovision countries, Sweden’s selection is a big deal: if you’re not already a huge pop star in Sverige then you’ve got no chance of competing. Regional heats are broadcast from January to March in cities across Sweden (all held in arena’s naturally), until the final in mid March at the Stockholm Globe (home to Eurovision 2000). And I’m gonna be there!

Erik Hassle due to release new EP!

My favourite ginger Swede pop sensation Erik Hassle is releasing a new EP, Taken, on 6 October in Sweden. Contains some old and new tracks. Super exciting!

1. Taken (Still In My Blood)
2. Standing Where You Left Me
3. Last Rider
4. If It Takes All Night
5. Family Affair
6. Taken (Still In My Blood) (Original Version)
7. Standing Where You Left Me (2010 Version)

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Live: Liam Bailey and Rosanna at Gold Dust

These two artists are tipped to be very very big in the next year- and both were featured on this blog a while ago. Rosanna‘s set was great- she blends melodies with electric synths in a way on Swedes know how to do. Liam Bailey was also excellent- although some of the things he came out with between his songs were a bit OTT, verging on the off-putting. But his talent is pretty amazing and definitely worth checking out!