Unmistakably Nordic in flavor, Sofia Talvik somehow still conforms to American interpretations of her own original music, a North Sea siren blending sparkle and melancholy, creating a special niche of folk music.
RVA Magazine in Richmond did this nice write up about my gig there last week. The gig was put together by the guys behind Radio Rubber Room so that made the gig extra great! I hope I get to come back to Richmond, VA for some more gigs in the future!
[quote] Despite being a solo act, Talvik’s technical assistant/husband worked wonders for her already perfected sound, providing well-placed vocal harmonies, doublings, and effects. Sofia Talvik is absolutely freaking gorgeous, and her charming stage presence drew me in, all the more. Not only is she a great singer, she fingerpicks her acoustic flawlessly, reminiscent of the steady subtle perfection of Nick Drake’s Pink Moon. Talvik announced with assurance that she would “perform the rest of her set naked if everyone was quiet.” I must wave an incredulous finger at those who did not find this compelling enough. Come on people! Sigh… maybe next time. [/quote]
Thanks for watching the first episode of my Drivin’ & Dreaming show. This is the second episode of the show and we’re going through the Smoky Mountains, the RV breaks down, we show up one day early for a … well watch it and you’ll see. Please keep sharing to keep viewings up. I’ll keep doing the show as long as I have enough viewers 🙂
Big thanks to everyone in this episode White Horse, Black Mountain, The Acoustic Coffee House in Johnson City, TN 202 Market in Roanoke, VA and Beliveau Estate in Blacksburg, VA. You can see pictures from all my shows on my Facebook page here!
As usual all music in the episode can be found here! Help me keep the “Drivin’ & Dreaming Tour” on the road. Donate Gas, Food and Beer – Click this link and follow the instructions http://pic.twitter.com/7dEothYK
The Drivin' & Dreamin Tour took us to the mountains in ViriginaSofia Talvik live at White Horse Black MountainWhite Horse Black Mountain
“…Not dread but a connection with our past is what we feel, a thread running back to the artless creatures we once were when we first heard the oboe-like notes from the Great Horned Owl. In Paleolithic times, we suspected omens in its voice, heard in it questions we were unable to articulate, but which have stayed within us, incomplete and taunting. We are certain that ancient, taloned bird sees what we do not, knows what we never will. And some night, silent as a gliding feather, its immensity will engulf us at fireside to tell us things we want to know as well as those we don’t. In the shadowed forest we’re pulled by that lurking and alluring ghost and we are enthralled.”Welcome to Twin Peaks: Access Guide to the Town
2011 was a busy year for me. I worked hard to get an artist visa to the US, preparing for a tour that might go on for as long as two years. At the same time I wrote and recorded a new album. Now that I’ve landed in my tour in the US it’s also time for my new album to land. “The Owls Are Not What They Seem” is a collection of 12 new songs. My musical journey started out in 2004 when I recorded Blue Moon and me and my musicians all gathered in a basement studio in Stockholm recording acoustically and almost all the instruments at the same time. After that I tried a more common way of recording in layers, adding instruments upon instruments. For my third album I hired a producer, Tobias Fröberg and for my fourth album Florida i experimented with a bigger soundscape with more drums than I had ever used before.
For “The Owls Are Not What They Seem” I went back to basics. After having done an acoustic solo tour for my album Florida Acoustic in 2010 I felt I was in my best element when I was playing and singing at the same time without the restrains of headphones and click-tracks. So I decided to make an ablum that was the essence of that me. Just something I could record in my bedroom without the pressure of a big production, time and opinions from others. All the songs on “The Owls Are Not What They Seem” are recorded that way. Me – playing and singing at the same time, then sparsely adding other instruments to enhance and highlight where I thought it was needed. My goal was to keep it down and make an acoustic album with a live, organic feel to it. I had no interest in changing the world or inventing something new. I just wanted to make a beautiful acoustic album. And here it is: “The Owls Are Not What They Seem”
You can now pre-order the album here. You’ll get a free track straight away. Physical signed albums will only be available through my website until the release. I also have two special guests on the album; Martin Hederos is playing the piano on “Nothing quite so gentle” and Pontus Borg has lent his voice to “7 miles wide”. Please hit the share button to tell all your friends.
As you know I got three different Limited Edition Boxes on my private shop that include some really nice stuff. But since all of you don’t want the exclusive stuff I got another way for you to pre order the new album.
You can now pre order unsigned CD’s directly from one of Sweden’s largest online retail stores Bengans.se.
Pre order "Florida" from Bengans.se
They ship worldwide and you will get the album on the release day 12:th of May. I will also reward those that pre order from Bengans.se by giving you a download code to the acoustic version of the album.
Just contact me with the order confirmation at info(at)makakimusic.se and I will send you the code to the download on the release day.
I just got this lovely review from Ninthspace! Thank you so much! 🙂
“I guess, by the time a musician gets to their third album they know whether it’s going to work out for them. Not writing, recording and touring as a hobby, but embracing their talents and working with something that’s turned out to be innate to their existence. There are perhaps a handful of musicians that I could categorise in such a way.
With the release of Jonestown, Sofia Talvik easily gets over the idea of the difficult third album (younger sibling of the difficult second album) and turns out a collection that eclipses her first two. Opening track and lead single As Summers Pass recalls the past with its acoustic progressions, but the subsequent song My James Dean is astonishing.
Because it’s not what you’re expecting. Sure it has these synth pads that appear to hang over from its predecessor, but the guitar loops lower, more geared towards grooving. The best way I can describe it is the merging of the droning synth-rock of Stereolab and the sub-Spektor inclinations of El Perro del Mar with piano too.
Over the top of this comes Sofia’s outstanding vocals and a plaintiff declaration that I’m not that special. But she is.
