story Archives - Sofia Talvik - Americana / Folk with Swedish Roots

August 2, 2013

Thank you!

Two months ago I put up a Kickstarter project for a live album and a book about the US tour “Drivin’ & Dreaming”. I didn’t know if any of you would be interested in reading about it, after all, I posted a lot on Facebook and my website along the way. But not only did you show me that you wanted to read more about it, you showed me that you support me in what I do and want me to keep on doing it!

The book and the album was funded within 24 hours and now that the project is closed we almost tripled our goal. This has helped me to expand the book from the original planned 200 pages to 300 pages, filled with stories, pictures and recipes – and believe me I could have filled 1000, but 300 is not bad either. So this is me saying THANK YOU for your support, on the tour and now – after the tour.

The whole thing was such an amazing experience and I got to relive it all through making this book. I hope you will feel like it was you going on tour when you read it, and I hope you will love every story just as much as I love them and try all the recipes (especially the Swedish ones).

Some final editing is left for me to do before I send it off to the printer and it should be ready to ship to you in September. I hope you all have enjoyed your digital bonus album and have checked out the videos for all the songs (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL291E31BFD5CB9723).

If you haven’t watched it already, here’s the video diary I did while on the tour, ten episodes of gigs, driving, breaking down and having fun:http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL77033D15B65E7C84

Well, I suppose I need to get to work finishing all so you can get your goodies 😉

Thanks once again for your immense support!

xoxo
/Sofia

July 21, 2013

Last week to order the BOOK & LIVE ALBUM!

Dear Friends!

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.

Listen to a sample from the live album here:

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.

xoxo

December 15, 2012December 15, 2012

Sofia Talvik’s Xmas Calendar 2012 #15

Gustaf and Jens are two guys who just happen to love beer. Well tell me about a guy who doesn’t you might think, but seriously, these guys love beer so much they actually brew their own harvest beer once a year, and it’s so popular it sells out instantly in Sweden.

in 2011 Gustaf and Jens invited me to play at their outdoors pop up restaurant at Öland’s Harvest Festival, so now I figured I’d ask them if they would be a part of my Christmas Calendar. In this window Jens will show you how to make a Swedish Christmas drink with beer called “Mumma”. They will also give you a short history lesson, how about that!

You can find information about Gustaf an Jens and their yearly harvest beer here! If you go to their website you will also find the recipes of some of the delicious food they serve with their craft beer. I’ve typed up the recipe for Mumma for you below. I hear it especially tasty if you listen to my new Christmas single while you drink it! Enjoy!

Gustaf och Jens Mumma recipe!

11 oz lager beer
11 oz dark beer; stout or similar
8 oz sparkling water/mineral water (you can add some sugar to it to sweeten it up)
3 oz sherry
Stir and serve!

Gustaf Waesterberg: Chef with a special love for organic food turned photographer.
Jens Skrubbe: Beer sommelier and bar manager at Pressklubben in Stockholm.

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

December 4, 2012

Gig at December Nights on Friday the 7th

I’ve scheduled a last minute gig this Friday, December 7th at the yearly December Nights festival in Balboa Park with San Diego’s House of Sweden. The House of Pacific Relations is made up of groups like the House of Sweden from nearly 30 other countries. Many of these countries have cottages where the groups meet and carry out the objectives of the organization. The cottages are arranged in a ring that encloses a courtyard and stage where the performances are held.

Concert info:
December 7th, 7pm-7:30pm
Address: 1549 El Prado. San Diego
Stage is located near the cottages of House of Pacific Relations

Balboa Park December Nights, the nation’s premier holiday festival, will take place for the 35th consecutive year on Friday, Dec. 7, 5-10pm, and Saturday, Dec. 8, noon-10pm. As always, the event brings families and friends together to spread holiday joy, learn more about the cultural value of Balboa Park and kick-off the “most wonderful time of the year.”

Participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5-9 pm both evenings and more than 300,000 visitors are expected to experience the joy of San Diego’s largest free community festival. Those who attend will participate in a truly multicultural experience, enjoying food, music and entertainment from around the world.

Revelers can watch top-notch musical and dance performances, enjoy delicious and diverse food choices and help spread a heavy dose of holiday cheer. Some of the more well-known traditions include food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; the annual Santa Lucia Procession at the Plaza de California; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; and musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Del Cerro Baptist’s Christmas Story Tree, and more.

December 2, 2012December 9, 2012

Praise for “One Last Wish For 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!