I haven’t even released “FOLK” yet, and already got a review. Check it out here: Lie in the sound
“Folk” will be released March 3rd, and you can pre-order your copy here!
Preview of “Folk”
New album out soon!
I’m so happy to announce that I will be releasing an extended EP in March! Pre-orders are up now!
In Swedish ”folk music” means ”traditional music”. If you play ”folk” in Sweden, you are most likely a whiz at the key-harp or the violin. For many years I’ve been a part of the folk scene, in the non traditional sense, and finally I thought I’d try to combine the two in a new way.
These are 6 old traditional Swedish folk songs in a more modern clothing. Bringing in musicians from Germany as well as Sweden, mixing it up with my own sound and my own visions, I combined the beauty of the old with the beauty of the new. The result is this extended EP – ”Folk”.
The name rings true in both Swedish and English, stating the new and the traditional genre but also brings in the meaning of the Swedish word which is ”people”. This is an album for the people. I hope you like it!
Live review from Berkely Bob’s Coffee House, AL
[quote] We had a full house of north Alabama bluegrass and folk music lovers and before it was over Sofia had them eating out of her hand. A standing ovation and encore followed. It was a great night and she is a great talent. [/quote]
Bob Keefe Music Director, Berkely Bob’s Coffee House, Cullman, AL
One week into the tour
I’ve had a pretty fab first week touring. We’ve been on the west coast of Florida and it’s been great. Not to mention the RV life. The RV turned out so nice after we fixed it up and it really feels like a home now. Especially since we got the brand new queen size bed and the cozy king size duvet. And it’s so nice to wake up to different places every day too. One day it’s on the beach, the next in a fruit tree garden. I’ve even overcome my fear of driving the beast.
This week I played at the Independent in Tampa and St Petersburg. Got invited to a real southern lunch at Otis and Sian’s place and was treated to a great massage at the Warm Mineral Springs where I did a sold out intimate concert at the spa café. Yesterday was a long day with two gigs. One in the daytime at the Flamingo Flea Market in Bonita Springs and later on a house concert followed by a bluegrass jam. Bluegrass seems to be the melody of this neighborhood and even though I tried to pitch in, I think I’d better stick to folk music. But Roger Borg who set me up with the gig treated us all to some awesome Swedish meatballs, so I felt right at home anyway.
Thanks to all who came out to see me this week. To everyone who has been so kind to invite us to their homes and to all the venues!
Don’t miss out on downloading me free Christmas single and support ActionAid in their fight against poverty here:
Thoughts about booking a tour
I’ve just started booking my US tour, starting in Florida in December, and first of all I have to say how amazed I am by these quadrillion of music venues. It seems like every café, restaurant, library and music lover hosts concerts. I’m also amazed how many of them are folk venues, or at least host folk music as well as other genres.
In Sweden nobody even knows what folk music is, here it’s fiddles and Orsa spelmän (if you all want to know what happened to ABBA after the 80’s). (I guess I’m not being totally fair because people here have heard Fleet Foxes and mostly the folk genre is called singer/songwriter here though I don’t think it’s totally right.)
Once in an interview the reporter asked me how I would define my music, and I answered “americana/folk”. When I read the published interview my answer was American funk. That says something about Sweden and folk music. But in the US, folk music almost seems like a cult. And here I am ordering feather hair extensions tuning my Luna guitar. I will probably fit right in!
So anyways, coming from a country that may be small but is really big when it comes to music export (again with the ABBA) I must say that Sweden is a puny country when it comes to live music. I was wondering the other day how many people would actually be confident enough to host a house concert here in Sweden. To actually let musicians and other people into their homes.. I mean what would the neighbors say???
So it’s really uplifting to see how many venues there are to chose from in the US. Unfortunately I’m not alone with this knowledge and I’m competing with so many bands. I just have to pray that I stand out in the crowd and that all these people will find it in their hearts to invite me to their homes, their cafés, libraries, galleries and what not.
And if you live in the US and want to host a house concert with yours truly, get in touch here http://book.sofiatalvik.com!