5 star review for TOANWTS

5 stars from CDbaby
5 stars from CDbaby
5 stars from CDbaby

Indie distributer CDbaby just recently chose my new album The Owls Are Not What They Seem as their editor’s pick, gave it 5 stars and wrote this lovely review!

[quote] In 2008, Sweden’s Sofia Talvik put out an impressive album — Jonestown — which wowed me with its lush
orchestrations and catchy, melancholic 60’s-pop songs, tunes that wouldn’t have been out of place on any of Goldfrapp’s NON-disco albums. The following year, Talvik released an equally ambitious, subtly-searing album called Florida that was haunted by the ghosts of Dustbowl folk and countrified Southern Gothic. In 2011, the prolific indie-songstress put out 4 EPs that previewed remixed versions of songs that would end up on this year’s full length, The Owls Are Not What They Seem. The new record is a departure for sure — still catchy in its way, though the earworms have more room to sprawl— still lush, though the flute and string accompaniments are more restrained and the tremolo guitars serve only as punctuation. What’s different this time around? Mood: Owls is a slow-burning folk pop gem that wanders and searches as if dreaming itself into being. Think Nick Drake, Kings of Convenience, and Blue-era Joni Mitchell. Talvik’s voice can be both rich and whispery, and each breath seems to bend toward some hidden sadness, as if tugged by an undercurrent we can’t quite see; but we feel its force as the music unfolds, swirls, and closes around us.[/quote]

Chris R. CDbaby

 

Check it out here!

Sofia Talvik’s Xmas Calendar 2012 #18

Sofia Talvik's Xmas Calendar, window 18
Sofia Talvik's Xmas Calendar, window 18
Sofia Talvik’s Xmas Calendar, window 18

I knew I couldn’t be the only Swedish artist to tour the US in an old van! So today’s window is a Christmas card from another Swedish band who also like to do that. Folk-Rock band Secret Circus who are kindly sharing their song “Waves” as a free download with all the followers of my Xmas Calendar!

Secret Circus was started by twins Klas and Joel Åhman in 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden. The maiden voyage sent the brothers bumming around Europe, playing their way from town to town. They immediately discovered that music was their calling and decided to give music their all. They quit their jobs and spent the following year writing and recording their debut album “This is Secret Circus“.

Every year they flee the cold winter of Sweden and spend the season in their studio in Roswell, NM where they’ve recorded most of their material. And on January 18th I’ll be joining them for a concert in Roswell, NM (aliens anyone?) so don’t miss out on that if you’re in the neighborhood. Go to https://sofiatalvik.com/gigs for details.

Go here to download “Waves” by Secret Circus, choose your own price or get it totally free!

Merry Christmas from us all!

Merry Christmas from Secret Circus
Merry Christmas from Secret Circus

Did you miss a day in the calendar? See all the windows in the Xmas Calendar here: https://sofiatalvik.com/julkalendern

Sofia Talvik’s Xmas Calendar 2012 #9 Christmas remix by Kent’s Sami Sirviö

Sofia Talvik's Xmas Calendar, window 9

Sofia Talvik's Xmas Calendar, window 9

It’s no secret I think remixes is a really cool thing. It’s just so different from my own acoustic style and it’s always so interesting to hear how other people interpret my music. So this year I asked Sami Sirviö, guitarrist in Swedish rock band Kent to make a remix of my new Christmas single and he said yes. If you’re Swedish you probably don’t need me to introduce Sami to you, since Kent is one of Sweden’s biggest rock bands, but for the rest of you Sami is probably the next Nobel Prize winner (at least after this remix right? I hear it can cure cancer too!).

Kent have been Sweden’s darlings since 1995 when they released their first album, and I was of course a big fan like everyone else. Sami was one of the founding members and has also produced other artists as well as doing a few remixes here and there.

In today’s window I offer you “One Last Wish for Christmas Remixed” by Sami Sirviö. You can listen below or click the player to download for free. Enjoy folks!

Sami Sirviö
Sami Sirviö

Did you miss a day in the calendar? See all the windows in the Xmas Calendar here: https://sofiatalvik.com/julkalendern

 

Praise for “One Last Wish For Christmas”

Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!

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]

Read the full review at Stubby’s House of Christmas (blog)

 

[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]

Read the full review at Free Christmas Music (blog)

 

[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]

Read the full review at Lie in the Sound (German blog)

You can listen below and click the player to download the single for free or “pay what you want”. Merry Christmas!

SF top picks and Cali dates!

SF picks this week!

I’ve hit California and I’ve already done a few shows around the northern part, but I have many left. I hope to see you in San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and San Diego in the near future. Here’s some of my upcoming dates, to see all my upcoming gigs go to https://sofiatalvik.com/gigs. Note that the selection below is only a handfull of the upcoming gigs around CA.

The San Francisco Chronicle has also chosen my gig in Oakland tonight at Disco Volante and my gig at Amnesia Bar in SF on the 30th as their top picks for this week! The show at Amnesia will also be the 200th gig on the tour so please bring all your friends and come celebrate with me!

 

[quote] An understated, folky Swedish singer-songwriter who alternates between beatific odes and disturbingly dark musings, Sofia Talvik possesses a voice that’s translucent, soft and deceptively cool. [/quote]

SF Gate

Tips! If you get tickets early you can take part of some great discounts and special offers!

Oakland
Thursday, 10/25, Disco Volante, Time: 8:00 pm. $5

San Francisco

Tuesday, 10/30, Amnesia Bar, Time: 9:30 pm. GET TICKETS

San Luis Obispo

Saturday, 11/03, Kreuzberg Cafe, Time: 8:00 pm.

Los Angeles

Thursday, 11/08, The Coffee Gallery Backstage, Time: 8:00 pm. $15

Thursday, 11/15, Hotel Café, Time: 7:00 pm. GET TICKETS

San Diego

Wednesday, 11/21, Lestat’s Coffee House, Time: 9:30 pm. GET TICKETS

SF picks this week!
SF picks this week!