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.
Today’s window is a special Christmas card to you all from my friend Dusty Monroe. It’s a special Christmas song about Rudolf, our favorite theme this winter ;). He’s sending it to you as a free download powered via Soundcloud!
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]
December 13th is the celebration of Saint Lucia in Sweden. We usually celebrate by having a “Lussetåg” a Lucia parade, but instead me and Sweden’s sweetest jazz singer Anna Christoffersson are going to teach you how to bake Swedish Lucia Saffron Bread. We’re also going to sing you a Christmas song!
Still haven’t figured out what to get your lovers for Christmas and missed out on my special Christmas offer a few days ago? Don’t fret! Anna have some excellent albums that will make great Christmas gifts to anyone with good taste in music! Go here to get Anna’s albums: American iTunes Swedish iTunes
Tune into Chicago radio show “Noteworthy” on UIC radio (The official Illinois University radio) tomorrow Monday July 23rd at 5:30pm. I’ll be chatting about the tour and might even play at tune or two. You can listen through their website.
After the show, make sure you get on the bus to the Elbo Room where I’ll be performing at 10pm. Chicago based cellist Ian Maksin will be doing a set at 9pm so don’t miss that! We’ll also play a few tunes together! I can’t wait!
I’ve done a couple of radio shows the last weeks so I figured I should put up a post for those of you who missed them when they aired.
On June 14th I visited Bostons #1 music show Dropping Knowledge WMBR 88.1 FM and played a couple of songs. If you missed it you can listen here! (don’t be alarmed when it wants you to download, it’s just a little file so that you can stream it in iTunes)
[quote] In short, Sofia Talvik has the talent, but she also has something far rarer in an artist—boundless determination, and a genuine love of performance over fame. [/quote]
That’s what Left End WERS 88,9 FM wrote after having me over for some songs and a chat on June 24th. You can read the whole (awesome!) article here!
You can also listen to the show here or just listen to it by hitting play below: