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.
I’m nearing the end of my book. In fact, I’ve already written everything that is going to be in there ( … I think … I keep remembering new funny stories all the time). Now I’ll have to do the less fun work of proof reading and editing, but I’m very lucky to have my friend Jenny help me with the proof reading.
I’m also in the process of deciding which songs will be on the live album. It’s going to be amazing. The sound is so great, just like you were there in the room.
IMPORTANT: The Book can only be pre-ordered and will NOT be available after July. It’s a limited edition print so it will only be printed in as many copies as ordered. So be sure to order your copy today.
It’s been quite the learning process to write a book, even though there are many pictures I’m now on page 293. I started out just writing the stories and then it was like I found my voice and I had to go back and rewrite most of the stories in the first part of the book.
Sometimes I’ve been banging my head against the wall, especially when I have a great story and no great picture. In those cases I just decided to let the story speak for itself, even though pictures speak a thousand words. I’m so happy that I will get my printer sent down from Sweden this week so that I can print the pages. I feel like you never see the stuff you did wrong until you see it on a printed page, it’s just so easy to miss stuff on a computer screen.
A huge thank you to all of you that have contributed to this project!
Please spread the word and let your friends know that they can get the acoustic download “There’s A Man In A Smiling Bag” for just $5 up till August 1st. Oh by the way, if any of you missed it, the book is a pre-order only. That means that you won’t be able to buy it after the Kickstarter project closes on August 1st, so if you want a copy you should get it now.
The pre-order for the live album and the book will be open until August 2nd, but even if you order now you will not be charged until August 2nd when the pre-order closes. Note that pre-order is the ONLY way to get the book and it will only be printed in a limited edition. So after August 2nd, there will be no way and nowhere to get a copy unless you pre-ordered.
The order is made via Kickstarter and Amazon, so if you have shopped at Amazon before it will be easy as pie to just log in and order. (If you are unsure how to order, here’s a video that will guide you.
Everyone who places an order for the live album or the book will get a complimentary download of the acoustic version of my album “The Owls Are Not What They Seem” direct to your email.
Some info about the album and the book:
Drivin’ & Dreaming – One artist’s odyssey through America
I spent a year and a half from 2011 to 2013 traveling across America in an old RV, playing over 250 shows in 37 states. I named the tour “Drivin’ & Dreaming”. During the tour I met amazingly wonderful, weird and inspiring people, and I got to see and experience every corner of the US.
This book is the product of all the stories and pictures from the “Drivin’ & Dreaming” tour that I collected along the way. The book is in coffee table format with beautiful pictures and funny short stories. You will be able to open the book to any page and just start reading. It will be around 200 pages and you’ll get to experience the life on the road, breakdowns, the wonderful people that came to our rescue, weird gigs, breathtaking places and smiling faces. The book also contains a collection of my favorite recipes that we cooked in the RV.
Drivin’ & Dreaming LIVE – full length album (CD)
We recorded almost all of the 250+ shows on the tour and have chosen the best of the best to be featured on this live album. If you weren’t able to make it to any of the concerts, here’s your chance to experience it, just like you were there in the room with me. All the recordings on the live album were recorded with room microphones and direct sound from the board. The final product will be a high-quality live album mixed and mastered from these source recordings. Many of you asked about the Swedish folk song that I sang on the shows, this song will be featured on the album!
You can get the book + live album for $100 (including shipping in the US, +$5 for outside the US) or the live album alone for $25. There is also a possibility to get some other cool stuff, like your name in the thank you notes in the book. Check it out here!
When the pre-order closes on August 2nd the album and the book will be sent to the printers. You will have your copy approximately a month later.
In today’s window I’m making some Swedish Glögg! It’s super easy and you can make it at home!
Here’s what you need for the Glögg: 2 cinnamon sticks 8 cloves 4 Allspice/cardamom seeds a small piece of sliced fresh ginger 1-2 pieces bitter orange / orange peel 1 bottle of red wine 5 oz brandy 2 table spoons of sugar
I had a great time in Illinois and did a lot of radio and interviews. Here’s a few of them.
Sofia Talvik in the River Cities Reader
[quote] With her light, airy soprano and haunting, faraway melancholy, it’s easy to imagine Talvik herself hypnotizing crowds in a small-town biker bar, right before vanishing into the ether (…) continue reading here [/quote]
Mike Schulz, River Cities Reader
Sofia Talvik in Quad Cities Dispatch Argus
[quote] In 2008, Ms. Talvik became the first Swedish female singer to play the Lollapalooza festival. This year, she was showcased at the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, Tenn., and South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. (continue reading here) [/quote]
Last night I played at the Fresh Brewed Coffee House in Myrtle Beach, SC and when they heard that I had a few days off they kindly invited me to do another show on Monday January 9th. So around 5.30pm I’ll play some songs in the front room.
If you can’t catch me in Myrtle Beach you might want to try South Port, NC where I’m playing January 11th at the Playhouse 211.
I also did a house concert in Hartsville the other day. I think house concerts are the best because they’re so intimate and you get to meet so wonderful people. It’s really easy to host a house concert too and I’ll come and play in your living room if you want to. Here’s some simple guidelines for how you host a house concert: how to throw a house concert
If you decide this is something you would like to do; check out my concert schedule to see when your state is listed and then go here to contact me.
Here’s some pics from the house concert in Hartsville.
Sofia Talvik live at Artsville House ConcertsNice ambience at Derrick's houseHosting a house concert is an awesome way to experience music in your own home
