We decided to delve into some more rootsy and organic Swedish music for you, and bring you a bunch of artists worth checking out when it comes to blues, folk and other more retro sounds.
First off, we would like to direct your attention to Ida Bang & The Blue Tears, a Stockholm band fronted by singer/songwriter Ida Bang, whose intense vocals give the songs a lot of power. The musicians behind her are John Bernström and Leo Henriksson on guitar, Patrik Engström on bass and Leo Sund on drums. The band was formed in 2013 and they have made a name for themselves especially as a live band at clubs and festivals. You could catch them live on the 22nd February at Fasching, by the way.
The band have an album coming out on 1st February and on it they are mixing more genres than before, beside blues including old school R&B, soul and rock, with inspiration from artists like Alabama Shakes, Larkin Poe, Hozier, Bonnie Raitt, and more. The second single Not The Same is out now – find it on the playlist below. And here is a video for a string arrangement of the first single Everlasting Friend.
In the indie folk genre we are really liking this song called Home from Simon Alexander, who hails from Sweden’s west coast. His voice is full of emotion and the sound is influenced by the likes of Hozier, Matt Corby and Neil Young. Hear another of his latest tracks, Slide, in the playlist below.
The playlist we have put together includes more organic Swedish music you should give a listen to. We have picked Gothenburg-based Maple & Rye, who get their inspiration from the likes of The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons and The Tallest Man on Earth. Listen to their wonderful harmonies on Hymns of Poseidon.
Dennis Hollstrom & The Ponies bring us more melancholy and traditional American style folk on their tune Lost. The musical influences can be found from the likes of Ryan Adams and Willie Nelson, and the lyrics tell about small town life in southern Sweden.
Stockholm singer-songwriter Elsa Åborg creates a special atmosphere on I cave and her voice carries the tune backed by acoustic guitar.
We also added Marlene Oak‘s latest – you can read more about it in our feature. And we did not forget the self-acclaimed Saddest Girl in Sweden, Sarah Klang, who has released a new single called Call Me.
Swedish singer-songwriter Hayesville is currently based in Cologne, Germany and has recently released an album. He plays all the instruments on the recordings himself, from ukulele to tremolo guitar to the Swedish nyckelharpa.
Swedish folk pop trio Crying Day Care Choir has recently released two new tunes to follow up their second album, and we have put Hey Sugar on the playlist.
Former Idol winner and professional football player Kevin Walker has released his first new tune in a while and it’s got quite a bit of foot-stomping and hand-clapping folk influences, in a very catchy tune.
And we couldn’t make this playlist without our big folk pop favorites Smith & Thell… make sure to listen to more of their music than just Forgive Me Friend. 😉 And do check out our concert review.
Featured image of Ida Bang & The Blue Tears by Kitty Lingmerth
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