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!

The big 100

Sofia Talvik is doing her 100th gig on the tour tonight
Sofia Talvik is doing her 100th gig on the tour tonight
Sofia Talvik is doing her 100th gig on the tour tonight

Today May 29th I’m doing the 100th gig on the Drivin’ & Dreaming tour! We’ve had such a journey, been all through the deep south, in Texas for SxSW and back to the east coast, and now we’re hitting number 100 in New York City tonight at Pianos (7pm).

The tour has been amazing so far. I’ve experienced so much and met so many wonderful people. But it’s by no means over. We’re fully booked until August in NY, MA, ME, CT, PA, OH, IL and IA and we will keep on trucking towards the west coast. I hope to see so many more friendly faces and keep spreading my music like a wildfire over the US. If you haven’t got my new album yet there’s a limited amount of physical CDs for sale here!

Tonight only there will be free Drivin’ & Dreaming t-shirts for everyone (first come first served) so don’t miss out on celebrating my 100th gig with me at Pianos in NYC!

Here’s a selection of what people has said about my shows so far:

[quote] Of all the voices – and man, they seem to issue them at birth to Swedish women – Talvik has the most faith in hers in an “I don’t need a theatrical gimmick” kind of way.” [/quote]

– Austin Chronicle

 

[quote] Listening to her music, an otherworldly edge, surprising twists and powerful, haunting vocals make her much more than just another pretty folk-pop-acoustic performer.”[/quote]

– Atlanta Retro

 

[quote] Sofia Talvik is absolutely freaking gorgeous, and her charming stage presence drew me in, all the more. Not only is she a great singer, she fingerpicks her acoustic flawlessly, reminiscent of the steady subtle perfection of Nick Drake’s Pink Moon. [/quote]

– RVA Magazine, Richmond, VA

RVA Magazine hearts Sofia Talvik

Sofia Talvik Live - photo by Tyler M. Conta

RVA Magazine in Richmond did this nice write up about my gig there last week. The gig was put together by the guys behind Radio Rubber Room so that made the gig extra great! I hope I get to come back to Richmond, VA for some more gigs in the future!

[quote] Despite being a solo act, Talvik’s technical assistant/husband worked wonders for her already perfected sound, providing well-placed vocal harmonies, doublings, and effects. Sofia Talvik is absolutely freaking gorgeous, and her charming stage presence drew me in, all the more. Not only is she a great singer, she fingerpicks her acoustic flawlessly, reminiscent of the steady subtle perfection of Nick Drake’s Pink Moon. Talvik announced with assurance that she would “perform the rest of her set naked if everyone was quiet.” I must wave an incredulous finger at those who did not find this compelling enough. Come on people! Sigh… maybe next time. [/quote]

Dan Mulrooney, RVA Magazine

Sofia Talvik Live - photo by Tyler M. Conta
Sofia Talvik Live - photo by Tyler M. Conta

Florida – Playlist #4

Today’s play list is compiled of male singers only (except me then). It contains a few of my fave bands like Kashmir, Mew and Nick Drake! Perfect for a Saturday afternoon!

Florida – Playlist #4
Sofia Talvik – In the eye of the storm
Nick Drake – River man
Kashmir – Mantaray
Josh Ritter -Girl in the war
Band of Horses – Saturday kitchen
Mew – Sometimes life isn’t easy
The Essex Green – Sixties

CDbaby – editor’s pick

CDbaby writes me in their email: “We’re *really* picky about what we feature. We get about 200-250 new albums a DAY coming in here now, (about 200,000 total), and yours is one of the best we’ve ever heard.”

Read the full review here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/sofiatalvik3

CdBaby about Sofia Talvik
SOFIA TALVIK: Jonestown
Fresh from a powerful performance at 2008’s Lollapalooza festival, Sweden’s Sofia Talvik is now poised to conquer the States with the release of her devastatingly beautiful third album. It’s a record of staggering elegance, with the faintest trace of Scandinavian twee and youthful exuberance. (Timpani, crisp castanets, tambourine, all the toys and tricks to put some bounce in your step.) But those forces are tempered by a subtle melancholy that slowly drips down the lonely walls while you listen until, by the last song, you’re drowning in a warm, welcome bath of sad sounds, syrupy string sections, and round, resonant horns. She combines modal chord changes and beautiful 60’s euro-pop production with the gentle singing of a 70’s folk songstress. Her voice shines through the dark tones of dramatic, lush orchestrations and the haze of reverb like a ray of liquid luminescence. “Jonestown” will remind you of Goldfrapp, Pulp, Nico, Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Belle & Sebastian, Aimee Mann, Tori Amos, Burt Bacharach (I could go on and on!), and yet it sounds entirely original and, more importantly, rings true.

author: Chrisr at CD Baby