L.O.V.E Archives - Page 6 of 6 - Sofia Talvik - Americana / Folk with Swedish Roots

May 24, 2011April 26, 2018

Interview with the producer of “O – part two of L.O.V.E”

O -part two of L.O.V.E is being released June 6th and we chained the producer to the wall for a while to get the truth out of him about the new EP…

Hi Joakim Lundgren, producer of “O – part two of L.O.V.E”! You’re the second producer in line to write a chapter in our book of L.O.V.E, how do you feel the progress has been so far?
Good! We’re done with mixing and mastering and I hope that it will spread like wild fire and be much appreciated.

What was your main inspiration for the sound of this EP?
I wanted to make a totally synthetic sound image around Sofias straight melodys and her clear voice, making an EP with almost no live elements but with big syntheseizers and plick plock drums …

… since that didnt happened at all, I wound up with the complete opposite. I still think the melodys are surrounded by big things in a good way, but Its all with guitars and piano instead of synths. The way the songs sounded to me, this was the natural way to record it.

What do you do when you’re not producing Sofia Talvik EPs?
I play the drums, teach youngsters in music programs and drums and I recently found a very nice music studio to be in, since then I’ve been doing some producing and recording.

How do you feel that this EP will be different from Sofia’s previous albums?
It’s Louder.

Which is your favorite of the four songs and why?
”King of the willow tree”.
It’s a simple and beautiful melody with lyrics that reminds me of my sami-childhood on the great plains of Lappland.

If this would be a soundtrack to a movie, which movie would that be?
”For a few dollars more”

What is your favorite part of producing music?
When your listen to a melody of something for the first time, you have so many directions, tempos and ways to begin doing things. I like the part when you just decide the way, based on guts instead of bad influences.

Tell us your favorite songs right now.
”Wichita Lineman” Tony Joe Whites version
”Gubben i lådan” Daniel Adams Ray

Thanks for the chat! We really look forward to hearing the result!
Thank you!

February 14, 2011September 8, 2012

“L” is here! Happy Valentine’s!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I’m so happy to announce that we are releasing “L – Part One of L.O.V.E” – the first of four EPs in the L.O.V.E saga today on Valentine’s Day!

First of all I would like to say thank you to all my fans who have made this EP possible by taking part of the production through pledgemusic.com. It’s been great having you along on the journey and I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.

DOWNLOAD “L – Part One of L.O.V.E” HERE!

Here’s some pictures of the unique merch you guys ordered, all of it custom made for the release. I’ve been busy as a bee the last couple of days manufacturing all the goodies that will be sent to you this week. All pledgers also get the digital download today in your inbox!

Custom made EPs by Sofia Talvik — The only physical copies were the preordered ones

Pär Henriksson by Sofia Talvik, Acrylic on canvas — Pär pledged for "I will paint your portrait" and this is how it turned out, Acrylic on canvas

Oliver by Sofia Talvik, Acrylic on panneau — ... as did Oliver, Acrylic on panneau

Randy by Sofia Talvik, Acrylic on Panneau — ..and the last one to pledge for a portrait was Randy

Screen printed "L"-tshirt — I've screen printed each and every one of the tshirts

Screen printed posters by Sofia Talvik — I also screen printed 8 uniqe posters in red, black and gold

January 22, 2011January 22, 2011

Exclusive interview with the producer!

For the 4 EPs I’m releasing this year I’m using 4 different producers. And not any producers but the 4 guys in my backing band also known as The Tallboys. The producer for my first EP “L” is Christian Hörgren. Christian has been with me for more than 5 years and can be heard playing cello on all my previous albums. Here’s a little interview with the man in charge.

Hi Christian Hörgen, producer of the first EP in the L.O.V.E saga! How does it feel to be the first of 4 producers involved in this project?
– I’m pleased, honored and very excited. I think this is a great idea to let the members of the band take care of one recording each. It forces you to really make a statement about the song, not only your single part.

Is this your debut as a producer or are you in fact a veteran?
– I have produced several albums with my own bands and projects, but never for another recording artist.

How come you decided to do this and are you excited about the EP?
– How can I say no to such a flattering offer, Ha! To be honest, It was a tough decision to make since I’m on a parental leave with two kids. It’s always hard to make everything you dream of doing actually happen. But this time, together with some help, support and understanding from my wife and kids, we actually pulled it off.

What’s your main inspiration as a producer?
– I like to work with acoustic instruments, and I like weird instruments. I also like clear and simple ideas, and how you can question those ideas by making small changes in the arrangement of the song. I’m no big fan of an artificial studio sound in the Phil Spector tradition. I’m more into traditional, or even vernacular music superimposed with art music, like the things Jimmy O’Rourke is doing. Or Wilco.

What do you think will be different with this EP from Sofia’s previous albums?
– It’s really hard to tell. It’ has the airy and clean sound from the first records, paired up with the sweet americana vibe on the recent ones. I have tried to do it my way, not Sofia’s way, Ha!

You have played with Sofia for many years, how does it feel to be the producer as opposed to a musician working with a producer, and will you be as hard on yourself as you are on the other musicians?
– It’s a big privilege to help Sofia develop her great songs in my way. It has been so fun, yet difficult and very challenging.

Which instruments will you be playing on the EP?
– I play the kalimba (african thumbs piano), autoharp (American folk zither), electric and acoustic cello, piano, Fender Rhodes, hammond organ and I also made some field recordings.

Do you think that you and the other producers will create very different EP:s or will they sound alike?
– My friends in the band are so talented. I’m sure they will do it in their completely different way. But I have no idea what it will sound like, Ha!

If you had an unlimited budget, what would you do?
– I would hire Brad Mehldau, Bill Frisell, Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson to do the instrumental parts, playing Sofia’s songs together with the Brodsky String Quartet. I would ask Danny Elfman to do the arrangements, or perhaps Stephen Sondheim. To be honest, that sounded more like Brewster’s Millions. There is no clear connection between budget and quality. I would rather have unlimited time than budget.

We thank Christian for the chat and look forward to hearing the result of his hard work!