“A Ted Gärdestad on drugs that has listened to much on Beach Boys and Beatles.” Gustav Spetz describes his music. A funny and rather fitting description I think. Gustaf is the former singer, songwriter and piano player of Eskju Divine, a band which he has now left to try on his own.

And he makes his debut with the new album “Good Night Mr Spetz” (Imperial Recordings). For you who, like me, like classic pop songwriting, this is sweet as candy. With the piano as a base he builds a bright and uplifting album, often often grand, but sometimes more subtle. The melody hooks are right there in the choruses and the licks, just like they should. A really interesting album, which is definitely worth checking out if you like classic pop with some indie feeling in it.

Gustav is now on tour with in Sweden together with Jonathan Johansson and the next gig is tomorrow at Debaser in Malmö. And in May he will countinue his tour on the other side of the world, in Japan.

Listen more to Gustav Spetz on Myspace. On Smartassradio you’ll also find a radio interview with Gustaf.

You and Me:

Burn It, Crush It Smash It
Dewdrop (with Gabrielle Frödén)

I listen to “Blow My Mind” with Susanne Jonsson singing, and it feels like I’m sitting on a soft soul pillow, comfortable and pleasant in every way. The feeling of the seventies’ soul a la Stevie Wonder in a symbiosis with Susanne’s sensitive vocals, like a more souly Carole King with jazz vibes. Perfect. Just listen for yourself in three great soul tracks below.

Here I also have to mention her partner, co-musician and co-producer Stefan Jernståhl, a fantastic musician, whom we find behind the keyboards and many other instruments. For many, Stefan is well known as a musician after his work with a long row of great artists, like for example Eric Gadd, Robyn, Stephen Simmonds, Nils Landgren, Salem al Fakir…well maybe it’s easier to mention those he hasn’t played with.

Visit Susanne at her site, where you can read more about her, listen to more tracks and also download a bunch of great songs. You’ll also find her on Myspace.

“The Universe” live:

Blow My Mind
‘Round Summertime
Believin’

One Two One Two’s consists of Daniel Bärjed, Mikael Läht and My Larsson. They say that they have a desire for experimentation and want to try many styles. And that really shows! It’s wonderfully surprising to go from track to track and discover what they are up to next.

Even if I find a common atmosphere in their music, a dreamy, mellow feeling, sometimes theatrical, I find it hard to describe them. Maybe something of the vibes from Bowie’s alternative tracks from the early seventies, mixed with psychadelia and grand pop. But it’s still isn’t enough, so I hope you listen for yourself in the tracks below. I think this is a really interesting band. Please tell me what you think in the comments.

Listen to more music on One Two One Two’s Myspace page.

The Wheel
Last Waltz
Cigarettes On My Mind
Enemy to Society

Last summer Christian wrote about Pär Enqvist and his album “Här och nu” (“Here and Now”), an album that summarized some of his music as a solo artist up until the formation of Pär Enqvist Band a couple of years ago. The members of the band today are Pär Enqvist, vocals and guitars, Söhren Dahlgren, guitars, Patrik Johnsson, guitars, Hans Müller, bass and Rickard Ahl, drums. It was decided that the band’s debut EP was to be released on the net, for free downloading, and also that it would be done here at Meadowmusic, which, of course, I am more than pleased with.

Take a moment to enjoy the band’s rock and country rock-steaming music. I have seen the band live a couple of times and I can assure you that this really is a live band, with all that comes with it, so it’s no coincidence that the recordings was done in a way to emphasize the live feeling of the music, which led to a sound that reminds me of Neil Young’s Zuma recordings.

You’ll find more music on Pär Enqvist Band’s site and on Myspace. I also have to mention that the band is now in the studio to record a new album, which will be released this spring.

Slugger
City
Fly din väg
Allt och mycket mer

Natubella is the argentinian that changed hemispheres and settled down in Sweden. With her base in Sweden she’s is about to launch the new album “Little Devil. It will be released the 27th of February and a large part of the album is produced by Povel Ohlsson (Navid Modiri & Gudarna).

I would say that her style consists of one part of Madonna, one part of Goldfrapp, some part of Gwen Stefani, a lot of attitude, distorted guitars and electronica that stands out. Heavier dance beats are mixed with softer pop tracks. Below you can watch the video for TDG, from the coming album, and listen to and download two additional songs.

Interestingly “Athene’s Hymn” and “Evolve or Wait”, both have their origin in Natubella’s obvious fascination for computer games. “Athene’s Hymn” was created after a collaboration with the biggest profile in World of Warcraft and celebrate the character “Athene” from the game, while “Evolve or Wait” is a tribute to the game “Spore“.

I also just had to show you another version of the song “TDG”. The swedish theremin-player Pekkanini has made a cover of the song, which you can watch below!

If you’d like to know more about Natubella and taste more of the tracks from the album”Little Devil”, you should visit Natubella’s site. You’ll also find Natubella on Myspace.

TDG (from “Little Devil”):

Pekkanini – TDG:

Evolve or Wait
Athene’s Hymn