Tunnelbanan i London är inte särskilt handikappanpassad. Det finns inte rulltrappor eller hissar överallt. Ibland får man klättra uppför långa, lodräta trappor. Det är inte så kul om man har barnvagn, bagage eller har svårt att röra sig.

Häromdagen såg jag en kvinna i övre medelåldern med resväska som strandats vid botten av just en sådan trappa. Hon tittade från sin tunga väska till trappan som reste sig som ett berg framför henne, och tillbaka igen.

Då stannade en ung, stark engelsman.

– Ska jag bära upp väskan åt er? undrade han artigt.

Kvinnan svarade inte. Engelsmannen ställde samma fråga igen, med lite högre röst. Han trodde nog att hon inte hörde.

Då svarade kvinnan med omisskännligt kraftigt svenskt uttal:

– Nej tack, det går bra.

Engelsmannen trodde knappt sina öron. Och det gjorde inte jag heller. Det var så uppenbart att kvinnan knappt kunde klara att släpa sin väska uppför trappan.

Engelsmannen trodde nog han hade hört fel, för han erbjöd sig en tredje och sista gång.

Säg JA! tänkte jag.

– Nej tack, det går bra, envisades den svenska damen.

Medan jag travade förbi henne och hennes väska uppför trappan undrade jag varför hon hade avböjt hjälp. Och sedan kom jag ihåg att jag själv hade haft sådana tendenser när jag flyttade hit för fyra år sedan. Vad i hela friden är det i den svenska kulturen som gör att man har så svårt att ta emot hjälp av andra? Det här gäller absolut inte bara damer med väskor. Svenskar över huvud taget har svårt att ta emot hjälp som erbjuds.

Det där har jag dock lagt av för länge sedan. Inte bara för mig och min ryggs skull. Utan även för de artiga männens skull. Klart de ska få hjälpa till om de vill! Så att de får känna sig lite nyttiga. Herregud, det får väl vi fruntimmer bjuda på! Tänk vad glad, nöjd och duktig man själv känner sig när man har fått göra något för en annan person som visar tacksamhet. Nuförtiden ler jag alltid strålande, tackar uppriktigt, och på mina bästa dagar klipper jag lite med ögonfransarna också. Gullgubbarna.

Visit my blog: www.kristinasjogren.com

okay, so while not technically a cover by the shirelles (it was actually written by carole king and gerry coffin) everyone’s favorite swede, lykke li takes a somber stab at the song. her solo, piano-accompanied cover is as melancholy and doleful as lykke li can be which is saying a lot given how spritely she is live. it’s a beautiful take nonetheless and can be viewed by going to her site of clicking below.

lykke li on myspace

watch/download:

lykke li – will you still love me tomorrow

- sunbear

Parce que...

Lykke Li – Session acoustique

Lykke Li – Little Bit

Lykke li has been around for a while, but I have not gotten tired of this girl.

Om jag skulle välja vad jag tycker sämst om att göra, så skulle handla mat komma på första plats. Och därefter att ordna barnkalas. Jag är nu inne på fjärde barnets kalas, och oviljan inför denna uppgift verkar öka för varje år.

Varje år försöker jag övertala Nils att ha sitt kalas utanför vårt hem, till exempel på skridskorinken eller att vi tar med gänget på bio eller så.  Men han vill inte. Han vill ha det hemma.

Vad gör man med ett gäng skräniga åttaåringar i två timmar?

Förra året bakade vi pepparkakor. Det gick förvånansvärt bra med tanke på att vårt kök inte var färdigrenoverat som utlovat, utan vi fick baka i en liten campingugn i tvättstugan.

I år, har Nils bestämt, ska det bli skattjakt istället. Därefter utdelade han i bästa executive style förhållningsorder till mig: Skattjakten ska vara utomhus. Det ska finnas minst fem kartor innan barnen når fram till den egentliga skatten. I skattkistan ska det finnas en Lego-leksak till varje barn.

Lätt fixat. Jag har avsatt denna dag i kalendern till att gå ut och rekognosera och rita kartor. Önska mig lycka till.

Lördag kväll, när alla har gått hem, ska jag tillbringa i sängen med en whisky. Om jag har överlevt, vill säga.

Nils och jag ska hämta bilen som varit på service i Putney. Vi går ner till High Streeten för att ta bussen. Jag läser på anslagstavlan. Buss nr 337 går rakt igenom Putney, och vidare mot Clapham Junction.

Perfekt, tänker jag. Vi ska ju en bit förbi Putney centrum.

Efter ganska lång tid kommer buss 337. Vi kliver på.

”En vuxen till Putney”, säger jag, som hör till den gammaldags sort som köper biljetten på bussen, till många förarens resignerade förtret.

Föraren betraktar mig sorgset.

”Jag ska inte till Putney”, säger han.

”Va”, säger jag. ”Är inte det här buss 337?”

”Jo”, svarar han. ”Men jag kör inte till Putney i dag.”

Jag stirrar förvånat på honom. Bussen är full med folk som tydligen inte ska till Putney med Putney-bussen.

”Du får ta nästa 337”, säger han tröstande. ”Den går nog till Putney.”

”Okej”, säger jag förvirrat och drar med mig Nils av bussen igen.

Vi väntar en stund till. Sedan kommer buss 337 igen. Vi kliver på.

”Går du till Putney?” undrar jag misstänksamt.

”Klart jag går till Putney!” svara föraren. ”Det här är ju buss 337!”

”Hm”, säger jag och betalar mina två pund.

Vi kliver upp på övervåningen, och bussen kör mot Putney. Vi har bra utsikt, och Nils är nöjd. Sedan stannar bussen lite före Putney centrum. Föraren hojtar:

”Excuse me, men nu får alla gå av! Nu kör jag inte längre! Ändrade förhållningsorder!”

Han viftar menande med sin mobiltelefon. Det är tydligen från den de ändrade förhållningsorderna har kommit.

Folk börjar klaga:

”Men jag ska ju till Clapham Junction!”

Föraren rycker axlarna:

”Tyvärr. Alla måste av här. Vill ni åka vidare får ni vänta här på nästa buss 337.”

Vi kliver allihop ut på gatan. Buss 337 kör vidare mot Clapham Junction ­– tom.

”Det är bara en liten bit kvar att gå för oss”, säger jag tröstande till Nils.

Outgrundliga äro 337’ans vägar. Vilket mysterium.

Nils gillar glitter. För något år sedan var vi i en butik där Nils ville köpa en glittrig silverportmonnä.

”Är den till din flickvän?” frågade tjejen i kassan flirtigt.

”Nä”, sa Nils. ”Den är till mig.”

”Va”, sa tjejen. ”Är inte den lite för girly för dig?”

”Nähä då”, tyckte Nils.

Tjejen sneglade uppfordrande på mig, men jag rörde inte en min. Han får köpa hur mycket glitter han vill, bara han använder sina egna veckopengar.

Tjejens ogillande min sa tydligt: Jaha, en blivande bög, den där.

Nu är det så att jag inte bryr mig ett smack om Nils framtida sexuella läggning. Sånt där sköter folk bäst själva. Men det är ju kul att han gillar glitter. Därför tog jag med honom på Victoria & Albert Museums maharadja-utställning häromdagen. Det gillade han. Diamanter, rubiner och smaragder stora som ankägg. Och inte en i taget heller, utan i hela klasar: fästa på bälten, svärdsskidor och halsband av typen som täcker hela bröstet.

Nils stod länge framför de allra glittrigaste och kontemplerade hur det kan finnas så stora ädelstenar. De fjuttiga briljanterna på mina ringar, som han tidigare beundrat, är numera deklasserade till småskit.

Lykke Li

Earlier I posted a couple of tracks by the hip hop artist, Drake.  One of them was a song called “Little Bit.”  That song is a remix of a song by Swedish singer-songwriter, Lykke Li.  She has one album out called Youth Novels which was released last year in 2008.  Her style is definitely a little bit off the beaten path, and she is certainly kind of a weirdo, but I like her work.  I listened to as much Lykke Li music as I could find, and really did enjoy most of it.  I listened while I was sitting in my dorm room drawing in my sketch book, most of the records were pretty chill and perfect for this.  Check out the video below.  Its of Lykke Li and her two man band performing one of her singles, “I’m Good, I’m Gone.”  Once again, kinda weird, but totally legit, I think!  The song has a sweet feel and its just pretty  cool to see them just being….creative, or something……

Para ser bem sincera, I’m Good, I’m Gone foi a minha música do mês. E quem a canta é a sueca Lykke Li. Aliás, o cd Youth Novels é digno de download.

A música dela as vezes é animada, as vezes é fofa, as vezes é surpreendente (fica a dica para This Trumpet in my Head) e, as vezes, não sei porque diabos me lembra a La Roux (mas é só um devaneio da minha cabeça).

KCRW (89.9 MHz FM) is a public radio station broadcasting from the campus of Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California, carrying a mixed NPR news, talk radio and freeform music format. A network of repeaters and broadcast translators allows the station to serve the Los Angeles metropolitan area and other communities in Southern California. The station has also become widely known because of nationally distributed programming, streaming Internet radio broadcasts, and podcasts.

KCRW is known for broadcast of cutting edge music, as well as originating numerous news-talk-information and cultural programs that are distributed nationwide.

Sebastien Tellier – Sexuality

Une heure

Divine

Fingers Of Steel

La Ritournelle

L’amour et la violence

Vidéo : Emission (22.09.09) with Sébastien Tellier

Lykke Li - Youth Novels

Hanging High

Dance, Dance, Dance

Vidéo : Emission (04.08.09) with Lykke Li

Angus and Julia Stone – Just A Boy

Hollywood

Silver coin

Private Lawns

Mango Tree

The Beast

What you wanted

Wasted

Just a Boy

Here we go again

Vidéo : Emission (09.03.09) with Angus and Julia Stone

LYKKE LI is my pick for artist of the week. At only 22 years old this Swedish born sultress has developed a style of sound only the grooviest of people can appreciate. Her music is a mix of soul, electro and powdered-sugar pop that transforms your mind and takes you to elevations you could never imagine. Recently, I saw her perform at All Points West and her rendition of Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” was all the rage that night. She blows my mind!! I play her music whenever I go longboarding in the city. Her album “Youth Novels” was released in May 2008, but critics have finally started to pay attention. This is the artist to watch!

• De la Coachella aux Eurocks Lykke li a su nous emmerveiller et nous convaincre qu’elle avait un talent fou.

• De son vrai nom Timotej Zachrisson, cette Suedoise pleine de coeur et d’originalité grimpe, grimpe, grimpe. Avec son 1er et unique album (pour le moment) Youth Novels paru en 2008, elle nous embarque dans son petit monde où la musique sonne comme joie, gaiété, enfance et parfois tristesse.  Les rythmiques sont enfantines, envoutantes et marquées par un beat etonnement entrainant! Et sa voix… Je vous la conseille avec Let it Fall, Dance dance dance (Avec Bon iver) et Until we bleed de kleerup (qui n’est pas sur son Album). Souriez c’est Lykke li.

Extrait : Let it fall ♪

Extrait : Dance, Dance, Dance ♪

www.myspace.com/lykkeli

http://lykkeli.com

Again this is hardly new: but I don’t know how many people heard this, either.  (Thus risking the cultural irrelevance I so richly deserve.)

Also, the song is irresistible.

UPDATE: Also:

Hove's second stage

Blogging for Spoonfed

The 3rd annual Hove Festivalen opened to glorious sunshine on the south Norwegian coast yesterday as 12,000 revelers made the journey to attend the festival that the likes of Jay Z, Franz Ferdinand and the Ting Tings have declared “the best festival on earth”.

Franz Ferdinand headlined the main stage yesterday and treated the crowd to a raucous set that ran the full gamut of their hit laden back catalogue as well choice cuts from their third album ‘Tonight’. In supremely relaxed mood the Scotsmen got particularly rapturous reactions for ‘Take Me Out‘ and ‘Ulysses’ . The band had spent the afternoon cruising the coastline and then grilling their fresh catch on the backstage BBQ, so it was no wonder that the band were in benevolent form when they hit the stage in the quasi twilight of Norwegian high summer.

Elsewhere on the site Jesse from Eagles Of Death Metal was heard berating over eager press hounds with the killer phrase, “this ain’t Vietnam son, there are rules!” Though he could have been referring to his strict regime of chatting to every lady that he came across. What the man sings onstage in songs like ‘Just 19’, he lives everyday. The Eagles headlined the second stage set in a stunning natural amphitheater. The band are a strange proposition, there can be no doubt that the majority of interest in the band came from the fact that it was one Josh Homme sitting in on the drum stool. Yet Mr Homme is not a touring member of the Eagles Of Death Metal and so no matter that Jesse is full of infectious charisma, coming across like a southern fried Andrew WK, after 30 minutes you just can’t help but notice that the songs start to drag out a little. They need a couple more albums in them before they can really command a festival headlining set, but in a short sharp shock you won’t find a band trading better good time rock’n’roll at the moment.

Lykke Li

Before the Jesse good time show Swedish songsmith Lykke Li took to stage. Lykke often gets lumped in with a raft of female singer songwriters and artists breaking through at the moment. Little Boots, who plays here Wednesday, Ladyhawke, Lady GaGa (Is there an L rule at the moment?) but increasingly she is demonstrating that she is in a league of her own. With a set that included all the best moments from her 2008 debut ‘Youth Novels’ she provided the perfect soundtrack to the onset of the slow sunset. More like fellow Swede fever Ray than Ladyhawke, and with more of the experimental grace of Bjork than Lady GaGa, Lykke Li is an elfin-noir pop princess, creating glacial soundscapes over which to implore, chide and seduce lovers past and future.

Earlier in the afternoon British contingent the Ting Tings and White Lies both took to the mainstage. The Ting Tings are imbued with a kooky pop sensibility that lends itself perfectly to the Scandinavian outlook, though the White Lies, looked a little less comfortable clad in pure black, bringing their Joy Division inspired nu-gloom to a field that was at the time approaching bone meltingly hot temperatures. I want to like White Lies, I really do, they are perfectly nice folks, but everytime I see them live the generic nature of their music keeps creeping back in. I used to fill the void for Interpol albums with Editors records, now White Lies seem to be aiming firmly at the gap for Editors fans but with the Birmingham boys making a come back this year and Interpol in the studio rehearsing new songs White Lies should be wondering who will be listening to them come christmas.

Alongside a line up that over the next 4 days includes the likes of Faith No More, The Killers, Slipknot and Fleet Foxes Hove is a festival that likes to combine green issues and forward thinking technologies. This year sees the introduction of a completely cashless site where an Oyster card like system is used to pay for all food drink and merchandise also allowing you to cash in unused points at the end of the festival meaning no more attempts to try and get through 50 beer tokens on the last night for fear of being left with useless tokens!

Not only this but the catering has been so good that even the vegetarians in the party have been fully satisfied. How will we ever go to another festival again?!

View from the bar

The other day I found this video of her performing Dance, Dance, Dance with Bon Iver and realised I have yet to write anything here about Lykke Li, even though I think she’s fantastic… Enjoy!

Uhh, what a great little performance that is. And just so you know, with a (free) vimeo account, you can download that video from it’s source. Everytime I watch it I’m compelled to listen to the album. Which is also damn good.

Remixers also seem to love her, have a looky here and you’re sure to find tons of remixes, some interesting, others just pretty cool. I recommend the Knocked Up Rodeo Remix/Kings of Leon cover. And after listening to many many remixes, I finally bought the album Youth Novels, and was not disappointed. I just think there’s something so refreshing and different about her.
Also, I can’t wait to see her at Electric Picnic, looking through other Lykke videos out there suggests it’ll be worth the wait!

Visit Lykke’s website or myspace.
Buy her music from iTunes or whatever.

Dance, Dance, Dance

Little Bit – CSS Remix

I´m Good I´m Gone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30fSrn7MlmU

Little Bit

A reader from Mexico City sent me an e-mail these couple of days, he asked me what my Top 10 Albums from 2008 would be. They’re not in order, I love ‘em all, and the reason why they’re here is beacuse they’re innovative and are remarkable in their own ways. Luckily, I’ve found a torrent link who has them [and a whole lot more!], hope you like it.

By the way, if you want to get in touch with me, e-mail is: dudu_lavigne_45@hotmail.com.

________________________________________________________________

Um leitor da Cidade do México me enviou um e-mail esses dias, me perguntando quais seriam os dez melhores álbuns de 2008, na minha opinião. Eles não estão em ordem de preferência [por que adoro todos indelevelmente] e os escolhi por serem de alguma maneira inovadores e inesquecíveis. Com sorte, encontrei o link de um torrent que tem todos eles [e mais outros 40!]. Espero que gostem e opinem.

Aliás, se quiserem entrar em contato, meu e-mail é: dudu_lavigne_45@hotmail.com.

_________________________________________________________________

In Ghost / Colours pour Cut Copy

Favorite song: Hearts on Fire

Vampire Weekend pour Vampire Weekend

Favorite song: Blake’s Got A New Face

Weird Era Continued pour Deerhunter

Favorite song: Operation

Microcastle pour Deerhunter

Favorite song: Nothing Ever Happened

Crystal Castles pour Crystal Castles

Favorite song: Crimewave

Where You Go, I Go Too pour Lindstrøm

Favorite song: The long way home

Santogold pour Santogold

Favorite song: Say Aha

Lie Down In The Light pour Bonnie “Prince” Billy

Favorite song: You want that picture

Hercules and Love Affair pour Hercules and Love Affair

Favorite song: Blind

Youth Novels pour Lykke Li

Favorite song: Little Bit

Click here to get them all.

Clique aqui pra pegar todos.

Youth Novels – 2008

So, all of my hundreds of followers may have noticed that I didn’t complete a full week’s worth of blogs last week. My sincere apologies to everyone in Austin for the stomping riots that ensued as a result: buildings burned, mailboxes were bashed, and women and children were sent fleeing from the angry mobs. Never fear – I was just real busy and now shall remedy and soothe by completing my prior week’s reviews with Lykke Li’s Youth Novels.

What is with the Swedes? Who knew that the stunningly beautiful country, home of delicious meated gravy-smothered balls would become such a hotbed of young, talented, and creative musicians like the Shout Out Louds and Peter, Bjorn and John? When I heard that Bjorn Yttling had worked with Lykke Li, both producing and writing for Youth Novels, I decided to
purchase the album and give it a listen.

The first thing you notice is Lykke’s voice. She sounds like a little girl, and the spoken word first track, “Melodies and Desires” is purposefully provactive, playing on her vocal quality for a disturbing, trance-like affect. Like other spoken word tracks, it’s hard to listen to this more than once. Thankfully, the album picks up steam with the sweet, albeit a little precious, “Dance, Dance, Dance”. Youth Novels is impeccably produced by Bjorn, with precise and sparse instrumentation that never detracts from Lykke’s vocals, but also keeps her high, sometimes affected voice from becoming less than charming. “I’m Good, I’m Gone”, “Let It Fall”, “Tonight”, and “Little Bit” are all good examples of this, showcasing Bjorn’s expertise with melody.

About half of the tracks feature Lykke venturing into experimental territory, with the stalking “Window Blues”, “This Trumpet In My Head”, and the hollow sadness of “Hanging High”. Songs like “Complaint Department” and “Breaking It Up” give off dance vibes until you realize there is hardly any music happening under the background vocals. It’s to Lykke’s credit that she doesn’t allow herself to be classified in any one category of pop and is willing to carve out a distinct place amidst a plethora of young female artists. Youth Novels relies on her ability to deliver a lyric and capture the dramatic emotion of youth, and is successful on those counts. That, and the top production value, are the best reasons to keep this album in your playlists.

So, I was for some random reason watching the Carson Daly show the other night… Thursday to be exact, which I almost never do, but I’m glad I left the TV on. I discovered this wonderful Swedish girl Lykke Li. Her album “Youth Novels” is now out in the US. She performed at Coachella this weekend as well. I’m gonna work on gathering up some vids from that tonight or tomorrow so I can get a look at the best shows. Please let there be good quality on YouTube so I can live vicariously!

Check out the performance from the show, look around her MySpace, and then download her album!

Currently listening to Lykke Li. This acoustic version is great. She’s an original, with such a pretty voice.

Maame x

[The Chimes- February- by Sarah Sunderman]

also published on Conversantlife.com – http://www.conversantlife.com/music/why-we-like-lykke-li

“Swedish people are so cool!” shouted 21-year-old fan Sena Serna over the loud music. “She exudes coolness!”

Such was the attitude of the crowd gathered at the Glass House on Feb. 17 to catch Swedish pop star Lykke Li on her U.S. tour for the debut 2008 album “Youth Novels.”

Timotej Zachrisson, known as Lykke Li, has quickly risen to iconic status both in Sweden and the U.S. with the release of her album, her live YouTube performances and her collaborations with renowned artists such as Bon Iver, Shout Out Louds, Santogold, and Kanye West.

Lykke Li seamlessly blends pop, hip-hop, dance, groovy jazz, and soulful R&B, into her own conglomerate style, with her catchy lyrics adding a girlish charm complementary to her vocals.

The show opened with Swedish husband-wife duo Wildbirds and Peacedrums, who mixed haunting drumbeats with trilly and soulful vocals. Spectators watched, amazed at front-girl Mariam Wallentin’s voice, while others bounced along with her. Toward the end of their set, Wallentin approached the edge of the stage, mic-less, crooning a sorrowful, acapella song. The ballad then broke into a drum medley led by lanky drum artist Andreas Werliin, soon joined by Wallentin banging on cymbals with her glittery drumsticks.

Wildbirds and Peacedrums, their name epitomizing of their sound, ended their set with a literal bang of the drums, Wallentin throwing her drumsticks to the ground.

After a brief set change, the musical intro to “Melodies & Desires,” the first song on the album, repeated overhead while the crowd looked around in anticipation for Lykke Li’s appearance. Finally, Li strutted on stage, accompanied by three scruffy band-mates in suit coats.

Much to the audience’s satisfaction, she opened her set with “Dance. Dance. Dance.” Her little voice sang, while she danced and shook the chains and bells around her neck, only stopping to hum a melody on her kazoo.

Next, the idolizing crowd pushed forward during the groovy “I’m Good, I’m Gone,” dancing and singing along. Li’s stage presence was commanding, with the audience responding to the line, “Yeah I know your hands will clap,” as she moved to the beat, flipping her long ponytail and playing with her wavy taffeta scarf.

She was a dramatic performer, using expressive hand motions during songs like “Hanging High” and “Little Bit,” her intense brow peering over the mic to sing the line, “I would give anything to have you as my man.”

“We’re gonna have a Swedish techno party,” Li said at the beginning of the heated electro anthem “Complaint Department,” resulting in a crowd-wide dance party led by Miss Li, using the whole stage as her personal dance floor.

Just when Li could not be anymore impressive, she performed her rendition of Kings of Leon’s “Knocked Up,” her body winding and swaying in front of the astonished audience.

After covering Lil Wayne’s “A Milli,” with which she proved that a Swede can rap, Li ended her set with “Breaking It Up” complemented by a disco ball over the bopping crowd.

She made her exit holding a megaphone high above her head. The crowd screamed for an encore and she returned, tossing water on the crowd saying, “You seem a bit tired.” She then “lullabied” a couple bars of “Tears on My Pillow,” leading into the touching song “Tonight,” which matches the theme of youthful innocence in her album “Youth Novels.”

“I hate to leave you all unsatisfied,” Li said at the conclusion of the song. “I’m going to sing a song we can all sing along to.”

She officially ended the show covering A Tribe Called Quest’s “Can I Kick It?” with the audience echoing back “Yes you can!”

As her exit music (which sounded like an old spiritual) played, the lights went up over the venue full of fans amazed by her mesmerizing performance.

“Her music is really different,” said Hannah Harris, a freshman at Pasedena City College.  “She’s unique and we really like her style. I’ve never heard anyone like her.”