In October I wrote about Pachanga, as they invited us to a party at Möllevången. I’m happy to be able to present here a couple of new tracks I have received from them.

You will recognise Pachanga in these songs, when they first speed up with “Kula i huvudet” (“Bullet in the head”). It feels a little like a messier and more angry Dan Hylander, when he was most heard of during the eighties.

In “Fri & ut” (“Free & Out”), though, we meet a calmer Pachanga, like some lo-fi Möllevångian americana.

Listen here to the tracks:

Kula i huvudet
Fri & ut

You’ll find Pachanga on Myspace

Svedberg & the Hillside Stranglers was formed in 2007 in Stockholm by Niklas Svedberg, vocals and Erik Svensson, guitar/banjo. Today the band has 5 members and they have just released their selftitled debut EP.

Their music feels a little like a marriage between different styles like pop, americana, rock, some jazz and blues, but I don’t think it feels unfocused; their sound and style is recognised from song to song. Even though they use banjo, horns and mix in other styles, my thoughts often go to the beatlesque pop of the sixties as I listen, an impression that’s also emphasised by Niklas Svedberg’s vocals.

After having played mainly in the Stockholm area up until now, they are now set to play in more areas in Sweden to spread their music. A trip to Germany is also coming up. To listen to more tracks, buy their EP and follow the band, you should visit Svedberg & the Hillside Stranglers on Myspace.

I’ll Ask For Nothing
Someone Else, Somewhere Else

We all need some breathing space somtimes, a moment where we can sit down and just look out the window, maybe daydream a little, maybe just watch what’s happening outside and just be. I find this space when i listen to Lovisa Samuelsson. Maybe it also helps that two of her songs are called “Andrum” (“Breathing Space”) and “Fönsterplats” (“Window Seat”). :-)

Backed by piano or guitar and sometimes a cello she performs soft, beautiful jazz ballads. Listen here below, and if you’d like to listen to more songs you can visit Lovisa Samuelsson on Myspace. There you can also buy her EP.

Andrum
Drunken Heart Song
Fönsterplats

After listening to Best-of Christmas albums too many times, too many Christmases, I thought it would be nice to find some new favourites. And why not start looking among all the artists we have presented here at Meadowmusic?

So, here’s a collection of new christmas songs, and I hope that you too will find some songs that gives you that extra Christmas atmosphere.

Merry Christmas!

ad dios, the masters of ambience have created their own version of an old Christmas carol. On their site you can also download the wav-file of the song and a cover, so that you create your own Christmas gift.
Once In Royal David’s City

The Deer Tracks
Christmas Fire

Twiggy Frostbite
Lanterns & Stars

Mikael Herrström (with his own version of Hanoi Rocks’ song. Mikael will be presented in an upcoming post.)
Dead By X-mas

Maini Sorri, buy her Christmas EP here.
Our River Runs On Christmas Night

Strangers In Wonderland
Flickan i fönstret

Christian Björklund and Chuck Dread
O, helga natt (Chuck Dread remix)

Pär Enqvist Band
Blir det nån jul i år?

SvenStures Poporkester, the children’s pop band, world famous in Skåne, Sweden, also gives away their new album for free download. If you’d like to listen to the songs you can visit their site. (in Swedish)
Nissarnas A-lagskapten

Already after a few beats in the first song, I’m caught by Nina Christensens emotional vocals. She gives a full expression to the music, strongly, playfully and stretches the melodies to new forms.

It’s difficult to describe Skilla’s music. I can’t find any direct references to use here. Well, you can’t deny that there is a lot of folk music influences here and besides the melodies the violin makes this even more obvious. Mix that with pop, drama, dreams and playful melodies and you’ll come somewhere close to a description.

Best, though, is if you listen for yourself and feel their music, because this is music you really feel:

Tragic Song:

Summer In December
Sun In the End of Today
Tragic Song

The songs come from Skilla’s debut album, which was released earlier this year. If you want to listen more and know more about Skilla, then you should visit their Myspace page and Skilla’s site.