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.
In 2006 my Christmas single tradition started thanks to a collaboration with Swedish electronica artist Sophie Rimheden. Sophie was one of the artists who contributed to my album Street of Dreamix, a remixed version of my second album Street of Dreamsthat was released that same year.
Sophie and I decided to write a Christmas single together, doing something different from what we usually do. So we wrote and recorded “Xmas on the Dance Floor” a pop/disco/electronica song about dancing you ass off at Christmas, under the name “Sofia & Sophie”.
Sophie has since released a bunch of albums, most recently an album “HAJ” and a book called “Elektronika Drottning?” (the album is included in the book). Sophie also has her own Christmas Calendar called Sound Calendar that you can check out here!
Here’s the Christmas single that started it all, I give you: “Xmas on the Dance Floor” by Sofia & Sophie
Giving away digital Christmas gifts is totally in style this year so I figured I would give you the opportunity to send a FREE download of my Christmas album to a friend!
It’s no secret I think remixes is a really cool thing. It’s just so different from my own acoustic style and it’s always so interesting to hear how other people interpret my music. So this year I asked Sami Sirviö, guitarrist in Swedish rock band Kent to make a remix of my new Christmas single and he said yes. If you’re Swedish you probably don’t need me to introduce Sami to you, since Kent is one of Sweden’s biggest rock bands, but for the rest of you Sami is probably the next Nobel Prize winner (at least after this remix right? I hear it can cure cancer too!).
Kent have been Sweden’s darlings since 1995 when they released their first album, and I was of course a big fan like everyone else. Sami was one of the founding members and has also produced other artists as well as doing a few remixes here and there.
In today’s window I offer you “One Last Wish for Christmas Remixed” by Sami Sirviö. You can listen below or click the player to download for free. Enjoy folks!
A couple of years ago I wrote a soundtrack to a Swedish short film called “Vit som snö” or “White as snow” in English. Neither the movie or the song is made for Christmas, but the lead motive could actualy pass for one of my Christmas songs, so I decided to share a download with you, as well as the short film (which unfortunately doesn’t have any English subtitles). Click the player below to listen or download here: http://soundcloud.com/makakimusic/vit-som-sn
Click here to listen to/ download the song
The movie is about 12-year-old David whos grandfather is terminally ill. David decides that he needs to save him and embarks on a quest to find a way to save him from death. On his quest he meets the mysterious Viggo who takes him around to different rooms and people in the hospital to find an answer he probably already knows. Can you talk to death?
The movie is made by Carolina Rung and Anna Eliasson graduates at the Stockholm Film School in 2008.
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.
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.
