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.
On my US tour I’ve had the privilige to play with some really talanted people. One of them is Michelle Lewis, a singer/songwriter based in Boston, MA and today’s window is a special greeting from Michelle to all of you. This is a video of Michelle singing “In The Bleak Midwinter”. Michelle’s albums, the perfect gift to anyone who already has everything, are available at http://michellelewismusic.com/wordpress/store/. If you want to enjoy Michelle’s beautiful music in your home, she’s also taking requests for house concerts for 2013. You can contact her through her website http://michellelewismusic.com/.
My favorite food on the Christmas dinner table is the Swedish Christmas ham, but I know that a lot of people out there prefer to not eat meat for Christmas. One talanted artist that was a guest on my Xmas Calendar in 2009 showed me some great ways to celebrate Christmas without meat, and I decided to share that episode with you guys as a re-run.
Stiko Per Larsson is a great Swedish artist who is not only a vegetarian, but also have a habit of doing long walking tours. He’s walked all over Scandinavia playing his music. Check out his music and upcoming gigs here!
A few days ago I released my yearly Christmas single. It’s called “One Last Wish For Christmas” and it’s recorded partly in the US and partly in Sweden (thank you internet). The single has been very well received and here’s a selection of quotes from some writers around the globe:
[quote] “One Last Wish For Christmas” has the feel of a simple and intimate Indie Folk song while simultaneously being rich, full, and immediately pop accessible. It’s sort of Hank Williams meets the Pogues “Fairytale Of New York”, but much prettier. (…) It’s just wonderful! [/quote]
[quote]One Last Wish for Christmas” is “a story about love, loss, and afterthought at Christmas.” It is heartbreakingly beautiful, and like many of her songs, it stays with me long after I’ve finished listening to it.”[/quote]
[quote] During the years I’ve fallen in love with her beautiful alternative folk songs. Especially with the sad ballad Snowy White River (2009). This year I’m pleasantly surprised to learn that Sofia has returned to her roots.” [/quote]
Every year on Christmas I write small Christmas Poems on the presents to my family. The poems are small cute clues to what the present might be and we read them out loud so everyone can try to guess whats inside.
I want you to join me and write some clever and cute poems this year. Enter my Christmas Poem Competition and write a poem for a present to a family member or friend and I will choose a winner. Encourage your family members to do it as well, maybe it will become a tradition in your family as well!
You might also use it for shopping inspiration, maybe you will find a few things that are just begging for a poem. You don’t have to be Dickens and nothing really has to rhyme. Just give it your best shot and have a good time! Hey, what do you know, there’s a poem right there!
Welcome to my 2012 Christmas Calendar! Through-out December 1st-25th I will do fun Christmassy things everyday and you can follow the calendar here on my website, on Facebook or you can get it straight to your inbox every day by clicking on the link below!
So for the first window of my calendar I’m giving you my new Christmas single “One Last Wish For Christmas”. Every year I release a new original Christmas single. It’s always for free, but you can choose your own price if you want to pay for it anyway. A huge thank you to my wonderful band back in Sweden who have done an amazing job recording and mixing the single; Joakim Lundgren my co-producer, perkussionist, backing strings arranger, mixer and masterer, Marcus Högquist on guitar, Christian Hörgen on cello, Janne Manninen on bass and Kristoffer Jonsson on trombone.
And thank you to all of my friends and fans who supported my tour this year! I hope you all enjoy this little token of appreciation. Merry Christmas!
