Unmistakably Nordic in flavor, Sofia Talvik somehow still conforms to American interpretations of her own original music, a North Sea siren blending sparkle and melancholy, creating a special niche of folk music.
Hey, it’s Christmas soon and I know for sure that in Sweden they have a massive amount of snow right now.
I’m currently having a few days off on my US tour before Christmas, so now I’m hiding away from the cold down in California. I’ve done a couple of concerts around San Diego and I wanted to share some Christmas spirit with my audience. On the last concert I did, I recorded this video of my song “When Winter Comes“. It’s not really about snow or winter, but I thought it was fitting for this time of season.
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.
In today’s window I’m making some Swedish Glögg! It’s super easy and you can make it at home!
Here’s what you need for the Glögg: 2 cinnamon sticks 8 cloves 4 Allspice/cardamom seeds a small piece of sliced fresh ginger 1-2 pieces bitter orange / orange peel 1 bottle of red wine 5 oz brandy 2 table spoons of sugar
To give you a break from all the Santa Clauses and elfs on TV I’m sharing my very own Drivin’ & Dreaming show in this window of the Christmas Calendar. During 2012 I have been touring all over the US and for a while I was ambitious to film and edit it as well. Here’s 10 episodes covering the Drivin’ & Dreaming tour 2012 from North Carolina all the way to Illinois.
You’ll get to see White Trash McGywer fix the RV when it breaks down, follow us backstage, meet a lot of wonderful people and of course enjoy a lot of great music by me and many other artists and bands. It’s been such an adventure and I’m so happy I got to share it with all of you!
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!
Jens and Gustaf
Gustaf Waesterberg: Chef with a special love for organic food turned photographer. Jens Skrubbe: Beer sommelier and bar manager at Pressklubben in Stockholm.
