Punk, Jazz, & Interpretive Dance

A couple more music related things have happened in Luleå recently.The big thing was the opening of Kulturens Hus, above, the new concert hall complex, with gallery space, cafes, and the town library. Admittedly some people were not impressed, with at least one letter in the local newspaper saying "why the hell should my taxes be going towards this 'kultur'; I hate music and dance and will never go there". Ah, the enlightenment hasn't penetrated every cranny up north.

The most disappointing thing about the building is the name. After the regional newspaper held a naming contest to give the "culture house" a cool name the committee decided on calling it just "the culture house". Though taking a leaf our of Jeff Kennets' book for naming everything "Melbourne-this" and "Melbourne-that" I was going to suggest The Luleå Culture House. Or even The Melbourne Culture House... and rename Skeppsbrogatan (Shiping bridge Road) Melbourne Boulevard...

But plenty happens here. The first thing I went to see was Magnus' band (one of the trumpeteers from Luhrarne). Seeing as he turned up to our Kent-Albinz gigs, we thought we should reciprocate. But what he didn't tell us was that he was playing as part of International Women's Day celebrations, at the end, and we would have to sit through over an hour of poetry and bad interpretive dance with a woman, a chair, and a piece of cloth. Now I am more than happy to support the cause and see new things, but I am so over sitting through this kind of stuff; the dance consisted of walking around the chair (representing the journey?) , covering with the cloth (abandonment?), uncovering the chair (newly opened eyes in a new land, freedom from repression?) and then tipping the chair over (the unresolved angst of blah blah blah blah blah blah). Sorry, it didn't do it for me.



I think this kid said it all - the sound engineers needed a bit more practice - everything was too loud, and the balance within the band was awful.

Then two weeks ago came the Swedish Jazz Celebration to Luleå. And some big name artists. Here is Robert Nordmark, who had a beautiful tone and control.

Randy Brecker was the headlining act, playing with the Norbotten Big Band. Famous funk trumpeter from the 70s and on, he played using a lot of guitar pedal effects to alter the trumpet sound. I didn't think it worked so well - it just sounded like a synthesiser so could have been anything. But they played some great, funky tunes, and the NBB under Tim Hagans is always a tight unit.

Randy & Tim

Bobo Stenson Trio

Kristian Harborg

Nils Lindgren is possibly the James Morrison of Sweden, the family friendly jazz muso most Swedes are most likely to have heard of. Famous for his special red trombone, he also sings and has done musicals and stuff. Unfortunatley he sang alot at this concert, which was a pity because his funky trombone playing is smooth and sweet and I would have liked to hear much more.

The last bit of kultur I have experienced is 70's punk legends (in Sweden) Asta Kask. My first rock gig in Luleå; it was cool. But I had kinda forgotten that there would be cover bands and stuff, even here, so got there too early, and was surrounded by 16 year olds, and quite a few mohawks, heaps of peircings and studded jackets and paint splattered, torn jeans. The crowd was small, and so was the mosh pit, but that didnt stop 5 foot high 15 year old girls getting amongst it. Boy did I feel old! The youngest kids there were probably about 10, sans parents, but there were a few oldies who were around 'back in the day' also. I didn't really understand much of what was being sung, except for a couple of lines such as "kill kill kill", and "I smell corpses and want to stomp on your head". And some political stuff about "the corporation". Youtube them at will. I think the song Blitzkrieg is in English, but I cant really tell.

We will die together

A Vikings Funeral - Sir Frank Dicksee

To counter the schlager of the previous post, a I thought I would finally post this song, which was the "catchy, feelgood song of the winter" for me. It is chirpy,singable, and has been stuck in my head for ages, coming out at various inappropriate times. It is called Vi kommer at dö tillsammans, du och jag" ("We're going to die at the same time, you and I").

It is by Sakert, headed by the indie darling Annika Norlin. This is her Swedish band project, and she has an English band called Hello Saferide which can be found around the net.

Yes, it is a bit lite, but it's cool, and the clip is fun.




For an English version, another band has done a cover and it can be heard on their myspace page below (use the music player on the right hand side):

http://www.myspace.com/theanimalfiveplease


Their English Text (from what I can tell, a pretty good translation):

We're Going to Die at the same Time

Dancing close to you. I was supposed to be at home by 4 but stayed and time just flew I hardly had the guts to say hi to you.
I'm quite young you are older than me but I smoke one pack a day so lets say "even Steven" baby

We're Going to Die at the same time you and I

A dog I knew he died a week ago and a few days later his doggie friend he passed to cuz there's no point in being without a best friend I didn't get it then but now I see who it's going to be

We're Going to die at the same time you and I

Inhale exhale I breathe like a pervo in the presence of you
To tired for concealment and stating the obvious hey don't come closer
Please come closer, come on real close

Brains with the same beat we´ve been there done that but not really factually we hide in irony we are breaking free at the same pace (that's enevitable) just hold on tight tonight

We're Going to die at the same time you and I

Schlager "Musik"

Yeah, I know it is old news now in Sweden, but I have some catching up to do: in addition to our band concerts, the other major music event in Sweden was the Melodifestival, a music competition over about 2 months where Sweden's representative to the Eurovision Song Contest is chosen.

Again I found myself on the wrong side of the cultural Göta canal: I just haven't been able to get a gripa on just how much (or not) it is loved in Sweden. How much sarcasm should I use when discussing its "merits"?

Otherwise known as the Schlagerfest (schlager is the name for this specific type of Europop), which occupies a special place in the hearts of Swedes. Last year, people who did not seem at all interested in the competition (when I asked about it) came to my house to watch a DVD, but in fact we had to delay it because Swedish final was on telly at the same time. Not only did we have to watch it, we had to judge and give points to each of the 10 acts on both song and presentation. These same people were too cool to admit going to watch the Eurovision final a few weeks later, but in fact they not only watched it but these cool-cats actually voted in the final to help Finnish monster rockers win.

So a couple of weeks ago I bumped into some of the guys from the Kent Albinz Jazzorkerter in town and we had a coffee, I asked them what their plans were for the evening. All were going to go home and watch the heats of the Melodifestival. "What" (nicely shortened to "Va?" in Swedish). I was confused. I always used irony and sarcasm when talking about the quality of the schlagerfest so of course asked "no, really, what are you going to do tonight?". But they were serious. These are people whose musical tastes I generally admire, and people who openly and with great vehemance go on and on about how much they hate Carola (schlager princess who represented Sweden last year and who releases an annual album, including christmas albums etc.). But then when it actually comes to tv, they all stay home and watch with fascination. Yes, sometimes they watch just to hear how bad it can be, but still, 8pm on a Sat night is a precious time. Nothing else good is scheduled for TV, no other plans are made.

I was at home that night, turned on the TV, and halfway through the first song couldn't bear so channel surfed until I found a Metallica documentary on MTV. Much better.

But I did go to a mates place to watch the final. How could I not? At the ICA (7-eleven equivalent) there was a long queue of people with (light) beer and chips with 10 mins to go till start time, and then it emptied out. The TV audience was almost 1/3 of the entire population of Sweden. And the winner - well you can judge for yourself (video below). I am absolutely positive the first few lines come from a McDonalds or KFC ad from Aus from a while ago. If anyone can tell me, I'd really appreciate it.


I may have some probs embedding the video, so here is the link to it on youtube in case it isnt there below:
The Ark - The Worrying Kind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oKXIAqwujo




And if you want a reminder of the very-un-schlager song that won it for Finland (for the first time ever) last year, here it is: But just because it's not schlager, doesnt mean it's good!
Lordi - Hard Rock Halelujah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgENuff5VAA




There is actually a cool thing I like in the music video for the song - the chorus of cheelearders screaming the background harmonies when Lordi enters! (Hmmm, zombie cheerleaders...)
Lordi - Music Viceo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POO33XjtAws