Production

Found this interview with Ed Buller via the Suede forum, and I think it'll be a nice read in between the Christmas celebrations.

I listen to the band...

An article with an interview that I enjoyed reading. I like it when it's about the band.
I think you would enjoy it too, so read it:
Not So Young, But Still Fighting: Suede Interviewed

Europe is our playground

Stockholm, then London, it was a perfect combination.

Cirkus in Sthlm is not a small venue, capacity of 1800 with standing area, but neither is it a big arena. It did give closeness to the band, which I like, at least for the standing crowd, at least for me.

The concert was wonderful and to be there with friends that have somewhat the same love for the band as I, it adds to the experience. 'Pantomime Horse' is still one of my favourites to hear live, of the slower songs. It just hits the body in a sensuous way.

I didn't have that much time to digest the concert afterwards since I was heading to London.

After a break of some shopping and a concert with The Radio Dept. at the Scala, it was time for my second Suede show in a week's time.

Since I love Dog Man Star with all my heart it was something extra to stand among the masses in front of the stage at the O2 hearing 'Introducing the Band' as intro to the band, after the obligatory 'Bodies' by Sex Pistols. It had been some years since the last time.

For me it almost felt like the concert had started in Stockholm and that it ended in London, that it wasn't any time in between. It's an odd but nice idea. They were both good shows, respectively, in their own way.

Two major things made the London gig special for me. Apart from the size of the arena, the gig being the last (?) one, and the fact that it was in London, the massive screen showing artwork from different albums and singles made the concert a greater experience. Additionally to hear 'To the Birds' at the end of the show, with the Drowners' artwork in the background made it truly beautiful.

Beauty in shape of t-shirts: Beautiful things

Time

It's time; soon it's time for yet another fantastic energy boost. It's time for every cell of the body to be loved; it's time to feel alive.

On Wednesday night I'll be singing, I'll be dancing, I'll be smiling, I'll be crying.

On Thursday morning I won't feel as heavy hearted as I was after the Albert Hall, 'cause on Tuesday I'll be in London, again, for yet another show.

Tuesday night will be magical.

What will happen thereafter, I don’t know?


Brittle Heart (BA)

Suede - the best of

Suede - The Best Of - Interview from 103 on Vimeo.
including some footage from the Albert Hall.
from The Quietus

Inspirational

Suede are to receive Q's Inspiration Award on Monday.

For all us suedeheads out there it's old news that this band has inspired a lot of people throughout the years, and still does. However it's nice that they will receive an official recognition for their existence and wonderful work. Maybe this award together with the current media coverage and the forthcoming "Best of" will spread their music even further and thereby inspire others...

For more information on this, go by the forum at Suede’s website.

Additionally, I’d like to suggest you read Thursday’s interview in the guardian, and do remember to scroll down to the comments, I especially recommend those by ‘Yuiko’.

Where I wish I'd been

When your favourite band is English and you're not an UK citizen, there're a lot of things you’ve missed out on. That’s life. Here’s a video from a gig I wish I’d been at.



Suede - 'Cheap' Live at the ICA

To see and hear more of Suede, go by their video channel.

In the airwaves

Within a week's time there have been two opportunities to listen to the song seen performed live in the youtube clip below. Q Radio has aired an interview with Mr Anderson and along with it Unsung was played. It wasn't the final version of the song, since the music for the forthcoming album hasn't been mixed yet, but it’s an interesting recording to listen to.

The show has been aired twice and won’t be aired again (?). However, as with many things played through the web, one can still listen to it. And, if one likes to read some thoughts about this and find some information on the interview, you should go by the forum at Brett’s website.

remastered, not new

the best of
It's a beautiful cover. Seems to fit both the season and the music.

Unsung

Lines

I know a girl laying down
she's sleeping weeks at a time
and when she wakes up she watches tv
counting cracks in the ceiling...

Girl laying down - Anna Ternheim

Musical love

I saw something this afternoon that made my heart happy. That doesn't happen that often. My eyes read the news which told that I will once more have the opportunity to experience a night of true electric passion.

I already had one night to look forward to, in December. Now I have two. Or, I will have, as soon as I get my hands on a ticket.

I will once more stand in a crowd of dedicated people and feel the magic, the excitement in the air. My body will once more become energized with this wonderful music, live. I will once more enjoy the sensation of this musical love hitting my heart and spreading to my entire body.

I will sense it, see it, hear it, breathe it, and touch it, the music that I love.
www.suede.co.uk

This song

When it's summer, on a day like this, I think this is a perfect song to listen to as the summer breeze moves my hair. However, when autumn has arrived it is a song made for the leaves changing colour, and then, when the cold wind is blowing on a winter’s day, this is a song to warm my ears.

Whatever season, whatever moment, this song shares its beauty and caresses my body. This song is for now and tomorrow and it carries the memories of yesterday. This song is:



A fantastic song by Suede and a beautiful video by Simon Gilbert. See more att SuedeVideo.

Some Suede for Midsummer

Fantastic treats for suede suckers...

Check out:
The Suede Video Channel

Below a nice comment from the man compiling all the material...

Re: Suede's You Tube Channel

Posted by: Simon Gilbert

Date: June 16, 2010 03:33PM

Smash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There will be no DVD film then?

Oh but there will be.. these are just some little teasers for you all until its all done..

Read more at: forum.suede.co.uk 

Shaking on the scene

I just must mention this, to spread the word, or to spread the music...

I have thought about that I need to write about things and music that aren’t related to my favourite band but it seems almost impossible to accomplish. Yes, this post is yet another one with s u e d e in mind.

At one of the sites that I've linked to at the further-page, A Different Place, I found this other link that I want to share. If you're interested in a nice bootleg recording of the Albert Hall gig, you definitely should click on to: Tea with Tufty. Need I say more? Oh, that lovely night on March 24. Now you can listen to it again, and again, and.. I think you get the idea. And you can find some other interesting stuff there too.

To end this post, a hello and welcome to P3 Pop and any of P3 Pop's twitter-followers that might have found this blog through their tweet the other day. Thank you for mentioning my blog, and yes I am a regular when it comes to listening to the show, at least I used to be and now I’m trying to be one.

On the radio

I'm currently listening to a long-time favourite of mine when it comes to radio shows. It’s Swedish Radio’s P3 Pop. I used to listen to it every Monday night between ten and midnight when I was in my teens, and later on too. It was two hours of ‘my kind of music’. Music that wasn’t played that often on day time radio and new music that I probably wouldn’t have come across if it wasn’t for this programme.

The years I started to listen to this show was in the days before the Internet. No, not really, but it was before Internet was accessible to almost every person at home or at work. Because of that, radio was still an important source for hearing music, especially new music. Specific radio shows, music magazines and a few tv-shows, those were my major sources for new and interesting music.

At present I can’t see myself without using the Internet. However, all the accessibility that the net provides also makes me forget about my favourite music show that still runs every Monday night. At times I come to think of it and listen to the most recent shows that are available for re-listening, but then, some weeks on, my mind focuses on something else and I forget about listen to the show, live on the radio or on the Internet. It's a shame really. This evening I’ve spent some of my time listening to the show from this Monday, but tomorrow I’ll probably be doing something totally different and some time will pass before I’ll put some time aside to listen to P3 Pop again. That’s how it goes, I guess.

Because you're worthless

I bought this single most for fun, because I love vinyl and thought it would be nice to have something more of The Tears.

Yesterday I wrote about the aesthetics of this green record, and I hadn’t listened to it by then. I did however listen to it later on, when the darkness had entered my living room. Now, I don’t know how many times I have listened to it, the b-side that is.

What an amazing composition it is! I have listened to this song, ‘Because You’re Worthless’, in the same way that I used to listen to Brian Eno’s version of ‘Introducing the Band’ (b-side on ‘The Wild Ones’ single 1994). I have listened to it over and over again, almost making it mantra-like, though it is difficult to manage that with a song just about five minutes long. ‘Eno’s Introducing the Band’ is about fifteen minutes long, if I remember correctly, so it’s a bit easier with that one.

I think the reason for me not listening to The Tears album that much is that I couldn’t relate to the songs, and to be honest it’s impossible not to compare those songs with the early Suede ones. It might be unfair to do so, but inevitably it happens if you’re an old Suede fan and you know their back catalogue by heart. If however the album would have sounded more like this b-side... Maybe I should listen to the album too. I probably haven’t listened to it that many times since it was released. Perhaps I’ll do that later.

Gorgeously green vinyl

About a week ago, I happened to enter the site of a record store that I hadn't visited for a very long time. I was probably looking for something. I don't remember what that might have been, but I do know what I found. Today I got my order by mail and even though I bought several records, there was one that made this purchase somewhat special. I bought a 7" green vinyl.

Yes, this record store is one of those that sell vinyl and at times one can find some interesting stuff there, at least one used to. Since they seem to have made some changes at the site I don't really know how it is these days.

I was really looking forward to receive this record. To hold it in my hands, examine the sleeve and feel the vinyl. I really do love vinyl, for many reasons, the main ones being that the moment of listening to the music feels more 'exclusive', and that the artwork of the sleeve comes to its right. Of course I love the simplicity of mp3 and digital music, however, I'm one of those that still like to by a physical product (obviously) and when it is something produced by one of my favourite artists/bands, having it on vinyl adds extra value to the song/s.

Maybe you wonder, what's on the 7"? I haven't actually played it yet, but I'm going to, after I've posted this. The gorgeously (?) green vinyl is The Tears' single from 2005, i.e. "Lovers". I didn't listen to The Tears that much when Bernard and Brett released their album, and I haven't listened to any of the songs for many years, so it's going to be a special moment, without a doubt.

Pieces of my mind

So it's been a month.

You probably recognise the sensation: "has a month really gone by? What happened?" That's how I feel at the moment.

I read my posts that I wrote after coming back home a month ago. How the sadness was filling my heart and I couldn't come to terms with the fact that I could have had my very last experience of a live concert with Suede. Today I know that it's not going to be that way. Suede lives, in some way, for some time, and I've got tickets to their gig at the O2 arena on December 7.

I've got nothing else to say about it for now. How about listen to the playlist for the Albert Hall instead?

Clinging to a scheme & the S word

The soundtrack for this post is The Radio Dept.’s newly released album ‘Clinging to a Scheme’, more on that later.

First a short note about that I finally have got my t-shirt, probably one of the best looking ones. It’s the “two thousand and ten t-shirt”. It might be interesting to compare this one to the more "ancient" one from the early nineties, I’ve just added a photo of it to the ‘Beautiful things’ page. The latest one is surely less provoking. One more thought about this t-shirt; why does it always take such a long time to get something delivered from townsend-records?

As I wrote the other day, my greatest love in music will be doing another show, this one in December at the O2 arena in London. The tickets are on sale from tomorrow, however there were a pre-sale yesterday and guess what, I bought a couple. So, I’ll be heading for London in December again. It feels strange thinking about the concert now in April already...

Hopefully I’ll be going to some concerts in between now and December, however so far I haven’t planned any. The Radio Dept. are to play here on May 13, however it’s at a 'student place', and I’m not a student, so I’ll have to manage that somehow. It would be great to see them though.

‘Clinging to a Scheme’ Some of the songs I’ve already listened to quite a lot and I love them, like ‘David’ and ‘Heaven’s on Fire’. Now it’s time for the others as well.

To end this post I’d like to quote Brett Anderson. He’s on the go with he's solo work and says:

with all the fuss going on down the road i thought i'd let you know what's going on about the next solo record.
on monday, Leo and myself started writing properly together. we have about 15 backing tracks to work on , edited and compiled from the jam sessions in january .
things are already feeling good... the music is live and urgent and very inspiring to write to. so far we have 3 complete songs... one mid-paced, stately album opener called 'Unsung', a fierce rocker and a brand new untitled beast which i am writing parts for today and sounds a bit like 'Idiot' period Iggy.. dark, industrial and damaged.
no one who is interested in my solo stuff need worry that i am being sidetracked by the S word... my goal over the next few months is to crack on with album number 4 and hopefully have it ready by the end of the year. when it will be released i can't say but i do know it's going to be special. 

Brett's "notes from the underground" can be found at the forum.

Now I’ll continue listening to The Radio Dept.’s Clinging to a scheme.

Music to my ears

It's been quiet here for some time. I haven't had that much to write about. Today there’re some interesting news and other things I’d like to share though.

I got an email this morning; it said that Suede are going to play at the O2 arena in London on December 7. That’s news indeed. Earlier on, some days after the RAH gig, it was announced that they’re going to play at the Smukfest festival in Skanderborg, Denmark on August 7. Two more Suede gigs in 2010 then, nice.

I do wonder, is there something about the number 7? It was seven years since they had played together before the Albert Hall gig, they’re playing on August 7 and then on December 7...

I have thought about going to Smukfest, but I don’t know, it seems a bit off. London is always nice, but the arena is a real big one. I read on the website that it has capacity for up to 20,000. As I think I’ve written before, I do prefer smaller venues. Well, I won’t decide upon this now. I’ll have to think about it for some time...

The other thing that really made me smile when I saw it was this clip that I found posted on the facebook group “We want a Suede @ Royal Albert Hall DVD!!!” today. Do join that group, if you like, it’s open for all. I don’t know if we actually can manage to get the TCT to release a DVD consisting of the whole Suede concert, but it’s worth a try.

The video that makes me smile is this one from the BBC. It’s Bernard Butler playing Animal Nitrate! He’s teaching us how to play it. I just love it! Watch it and I think you’ll agree!



To have Mr Butler as my guitar teacher, that would have been something. I guess this is as close as one can get to that. I definitely will take my guitar and play some. However, since I haven’t played on it for some time now I’ll be careful to play it far away from anyone else’s ears.

No need to argue

Some words about another song. It is strange how this song came to play a part in my life. I did at times put on this song by The Cranberries, on repeat, and I had it as a kind of mantra: chanting and filling the room... These moments were not healthy ones. My set of mind was often sad, dejected, or numb. At times these moments were also consisting of me acting out on the emotions hitting me.

I have not listened to the song for many years, but I know it by heart. Somehow, when I think about the song, and almost hear it playing in my head, I get a feeling of coldness. It is like when the snow has started to melt and you can tell that there is life beneath it. However, the few spots uncovering the earth only show the dead grass of the autumn. Even though the spring sun is shining at times, it is still cloudy and the cold wind is making you aware of the brisk truth of ugliness.
 
The Cranberries - No Need To Argue
(spotify)

Live to Tell

I recently purchased the compilation of Madonna's music videos on DVD, and it has got me thinking about her music and how it has been a part of my life growing up.

Live to Tell, I can’t remember when I heard the song for the first time. However, every time I hear it, it gives me a special feeling inside. I certainly heard the song before I bought her compilation album, the double-LP: 'The Immaculate Collection', but it was after listening to that album, several times, that the song got a specific meaning to me.

If I’m right, the album was released in 1990 and I probably bought it when it had been on the market for a while. I was quite a young teenager at the time and I don’t know how good my English was, probably not that good. At least I don’t think I really listened to the lyrics that carefully.

If English isn't your native language you’ll experience a song that’s sung in English differently. I think this also applies at present, when I'm an adult and claim to be fluent in the English language, fluent but not fully learnt. I can learn new things every day. If you have studied a language, this also applies to your own native language, you soon become aware that there’s a lot that you don’t know, and that there’s a lot you could learn. When it comes to lyrics, however, most people get them and they at times affect you instantly. Still, if the lyrics are in a second-, or third language, there’s always a filter for your perception of the song.

“I have a tale to tell, sometimes it gets so hard to hide it well /.../ I hope I live to tell, the secret I have learned, ‘till then, it will burn inside of me, the truth is never far behind, you have kept it hidden well, if I live to tell, the secret I knew then, will I ever have the chance again? /.../ Will it grow cold, the secret that I hide, will I grow old? How will they hear, when will they learn, how will they know?”

These lines of lyrics affect me deeply and I identify myself with them. It was also what I did as a teenager. The song became a song for and about me. In these lines of lyrics lie other lines of untold experiences, of hidden matters and masked outcomes.

In recent years, however, I have begun to wonder, I may have things to reveal, but do I want to tell my story? I have previously thought that I wanted to tell, and also that I had a need for it. Today, I‘m not so sure, I can’t say either yes or no.

Nonetheless, the song touches me deeply. Additionally, the performance Madonna and her dancers did to this song on the 2006 Confessions Tour makes it even stronger. The beginning of the performance is heartfelt. See it and listen to the stories told! You'll find the link here:
Madonna - Live to Tell from the Confessions Tour.

Can't get enough

I just can't get enough of that moment, can I?

Here're two uploads from YouTube that give a hint about that magic we all experienced.



That smile, or grin if you will, on Brett's face does say something, doesn't it? It's a bit sad that you can't hear how it actually sounded at the Royal Albert Hall, but look at all the faces. The second video shows some more of our praise for the band after they had played 'Metal Mickey', and after it you'll see the beautiful 'The Wild Ones'.


A big thanks to my fellow Suede admirers for sharing these uploads!

A few days on

I haven't gone out of my apartment since I got home from London in the first hours of Friday morning. I should have, but I haven't. The thing is my body is totally off. It seems as if it held up during my journey home but then let everything loose, the tiredness, the ache (cannot mention how much my back hurts), and I haven't been able to do almost anything.

I knew the journey in itself would make me tired, and I didn't sleep that much after the concert on Wednesday, and to be honest I gave all that my body could bring during Suede's magical gig, and then some. So, it's not that surprising. My body wasn't up for this "sort of activity" yet, but I was. And so far I don't regret it. No, I will never ever regret going to that show and jump and throw myself around in the arena together with other dedicated fans - it was a great night. Even though I couldn't manage to get into the flow as much as people around me could, I gave all I had and I had such a fantastic time.

Tomorrow I'm off to work for a few hours. Let's see how that goes. The only things I've managed to do these days are to listen to and view some of the clips that have been uploaded on YouTube or elsewhere, read some reviews and update myself and friends via social networks, text messages and so.

Here's a review I read today: www.independent.co.uk

Referring to that review, here's a photo from that magical moment. I'll never get it out of my head, and I don't mind that.

Last time I wrote that I didn’t want to hear Brett say those words, those about doing it again in another seven years. No, I didn’t want to hear that, but to be honest I don’t know what I would have liked to hear. I'm in some sort of void at the moment and haven't got back to reality yet. Maybe I have a thought on that subject later on.

It's over for now

So, it's over.

I'm back from my stay in London. The one that ended with the TCT gig at the Royal Albert Hall, in other words, the Suede concert.

It felt surreal being there, not until right before their entrance did I start to grasp it. These New Puritans, that were the supporting act for the night, were ok. I can’t say anything more at this point. I had listened to them a bit beforehand and their latest album is more to my liking than their first one, I think.

Since the night was one in the row of the whole Teenage Cancer Trust event, of course there were a lot of references to their work and the patients benefitting from it. It’s a horrible disease cancer. I personally haven’t had any person close to me that have been affected, but others yes. The stories told moved me and it became almost like an odd pause in between the frenzy before seeing Suede again after 7.5 years.

I don’t think I can say that much about my own experience of the show. It was warm, sweaty, moving, fantastic, and...

I do wish I would have had more strength and energy to really get into the flow. Don’t get me wrong, I really did. However, since I’ve been unwell for the past six months with not much possibility to function as I usually do, I have a lot to regain when it comes to my physical condition.

There are however some moments of the show that I’d like to write about.

The magical moment – after 'Metal Mickey' had faded. The entire venue were at their feet praising the band. Since most of the Albert Hall audience did this throughout the show, I want to stress how magical and fantastic this moment was. The band did enjoy it too. I still recall the face of Brett looking out at the crowd, how he smiled and his eyes seemed to glimmer. I remember how Mat looked amazed, smiled and shook his head like he couldn’t believe it. Simon also had a smile on his face, and while leaning forward over the drums he too shook his head in the same way as the others and he had joy shining through his eyes.

That moment was something special and I recall turning around from where I was standing in the arena to see all the people around the circle of the venue, it was an amazing sight and I hope this will linger in the minds and hearts of each member of Suede for a very long time.

To write about other moments almost seem unnecessary, however I want to mention a moving moment. It was when Brett dedicated 'He’s Gone' to a friend of his that recently had passed away. The following 'Next Life' made it even stronger. Brett truly can pour his self into the words he sings, and so he did.

It was great to see them all together on stage again. Especially Neil, who wasn’t with them the final years, and Richard too since I haven’t read or heard anything about him (them) since the split. A surprising moment was the intro to 'The Wild Ones', and this due to that is was Neil, not Richard, who played it.

It was a fantastic show. They sounded amazing. One thing adding to the surreal experience was that this was the first time I saw them play when I didn’t expect to hear any new material, and that was odd I must say.

I think their choice of playlist was very good. Of course I would have loved to see them carry on and play even more songs, but obviously that would have been even more surreal.

If I felt joy and a tremendous flow of strong emotions throughout the concert, afterwards I felt so empty. I would have thought that the joy should have lasted longer, but I was struck with an immense sadness whilst going back to my hotel. The wonderful moment was over, over and gone, forever?

The sadness lingers. I look back at the show with warm feelings, great respect and gratefulness, and I treasure the special moments I recall, but even so, the sadness is heavy on my heart. Is it really so, that my greatest love in music is gone forever?

When I last saw them, in November 2002, I didn’t know that they were going to split up so it was just a good concert, like so many others before. However, this time it’s different.

Brett’s words – let’s do it again in another seven years’ time – wasn’t what I wanted to hear.

Since I can't manage to write about this experience at the Royal Albert Hall in the way that I would have loved to do, please read about it through the words of someone that really knows how: Mark Reed on the best night of his life.

I will end this post with the playlist for Suede's magical performance at the Royal Albert Hall on the 24th.

She, Trash, Filmstar, Animal Nitrate, Heroine, Pantomime Horse, The Drowners, Killing of a Flashboy, Can’t Get Enough, Everything Will Flow, He’s Gone, The Next Life, The Asphalt World, So Young, Metal Mickey, The Wild Ones, New Generation, Beautiful Ones, The Living Dead, The 2 of Us, Saturday Night.

It isn’t the same, and can’t be compared to the live show, but here’s the same playlist on Spotify.

Suede in London

No 100 Club-ticket for me, no I didn't win one. However, I'm one of the lucky ones that have bought a ticket for the RAH gig so I'm not that sad. I would have loved to see Suede play at a smaller venue, concerts are almost always better when the band and audience are closer to each other, and it tends to create a more intimate feeling.

Right now I'm preparing for my trip to London; flights, hotel, and a lot more. I haven't really had time to think about what I'm going to do besides go and see Suede on the 24th. There's loads of stuff to see, explore, and so on, and (too) many years have passed since my last visit. I need to think about how to spend my time there.

To end this post – some promotion for the new page I’ve added to the blog. Further. On it you'll find even more links to blogs, good music, and other sites that I like.

Kent (and the aftermath)

They came, they played, and they went. I saw Kent play a couple of nights ago.

As I'm suffering from the effects of long-term sleep deprivation, and I had some difficult nights before the day of the concert, I wasn't sure I should be going to it, not even up until a few hours before it started.

I did go, however, and even though I felt absolutely dreadful of tiredness afterwards I don't regret going. I really liked it. I didn't have any expectations on which songs they were going to perform. I had an idea about what I might hear since I'd read the outline of some playlists from their recent shows, but I wasn't really longing to hear any particular song. I just wanted a good concert, and that was what I got.

I think it had been about two years since I saw them perform the last time, so it had been a while, and during that time I hadn't been listening to their music that much. Maybe it was that "lack of preparation", if you will, that made me almost ecstatic about hearing some of the songs they played. It’s one of the feelings that make me love concerts.

I didn't have the energy to put into the experience that I would have loved to, but it was sufficient on my part. I was satisfied walking home afterwards, and, don't forget, very tired. In addition my body ached somewhat.

I do worry a bit over how tired I was though. Less than two weeks from now, I'm going to be entering the Royal Albert Hall for, what I hope to be, a magnificent experience (no, I don't have any expectations... not at all...). The event in itself will give me some extra energy, I think, but still, I need to be well rested before that one. Don't know how I'm going to manage that. I can't really rule over my body, if I could I wouldn't have had these problems with insomnia.

I need to get better soon. I don’t want to miss out on anything just because I don’t have the strength for it, be it physical or psychological.

In wait for

Tonight I've been out walking on icy and slippery streets. I've been to a friend's place for dinner and I have just got back home. It was quite nice to be out walking regardless of the potential danger beneath my feet. The music for the walk was The Radio Dept. and it was a perfect choice, I do recommend it.

Tomorrow it's concert night for me. Kent it is.

Despite that, I keep thinking about another one, the one at Royal Albert Hall. I would like to receive my ticket soon, please. I won't believe I'm actually going until I've got it in my hand. I still haven't booked any plane tickets, or hotel. I should do that, I really should do that. However, at the moment I can't decide on which dates to travel.

There might be an additional concert for me in London, if I’m lucky. Fifty tickets for the London warm-up gig are up for a lottery among fans. Many have registered for the lottery so it will be a difficult one though. The lucky ones who'll win won't be notified until the eve of March 15, the day of the draw. Five days before the show. Will I be one of them?

An "anti avant-garde group"

Interesting, that's how far I can go at the moment.

I'm listening to the announced support act for Suede at the Royal Albert Hall. They're called 'These New Puritans'. The quotation in the heading for this post is taken from the band presentation on the TCT page.

I don't know if I get it, not so far any way, linking the quotation and the music that is. And I don't know if I get the music, I'll have to listen some more.

However, I don't know if I get the quotation in itself either. Maybe the expression avant-garde means something else for me, because I don't get the idea of saying that something is anti avant-garde. If someone would say that about something I would probably think that he/she doesn't like it. This should however mean something positive about the band since it would be odd if the presentation isn't meant to promote the band... Perhaps I'm getting it all wrong.

In the presentation it's written: 'anti avant-garde' group. I don't know where it comes from, if it's a description from the band (or related people) or if it's from an outsider, e.g. a journalist. I think I'll have to do some digging here. About the band and what's been written about them. I can't just leave this. I need to find out, that's how it is to be curious.

While doing that I can continue listen to These New Puritans, to see if it's music for my ears.

Mindset

Heavy-hearted I'm writing a few words here today. I haven't been able to even think about music or anything these passed days. The only thing I've have had my mind set on is to find out about my friends in Chile. Fortunately I have now learnt that they are ok, I'm still missing out on news about one friend and that worries me, but for the others, they're ok. Some of them have lost everything. I cannot understand how it feels to be in that situation. To use the words of one of them; "the experience have been theatrical, like the worst terror movie of all time". Then keep in mind, it's all real (that was my translation from Spanish by the way).

There's one record playing, that my mind's letting in. It's the latest album from a band I've followed for years. It's Heligoland by Massive Attack.

All my love to the Chilean people. Ánimo y fuerza, van a seguir adelante!

With Kent in March

I did try it; make a Kent playlist that is.

Kent started their tour yesterday in Stockholm and will perform three more shows there this weekend before leaving for other cities. I'll see them in March together with a lot of other people.

Here's my recently composed Spotify playlist consisting of only Kent's music: With Kent in March.

I tried to use the simplicity-way of putting it together, which is to not put that much thought behind it, or in it. It consists of songs that I like; it's as simple as that. And remember, it's not the playlist, it's just a playlist. Hope you'll enjoy this 38 tracks, and almost three hours long playlist!

Here's the list of songs for those without Spotify and still interested in my composition. In parentheses are the albums where each song can be found.

Vals för satan (din vän pessimisten) (Röd), Gummiband (B-sidor 95-00), Ingenting någonsin (Kent), Kungen är död (Hagnesta Hill), Att presentera ett svin (B-sidor 95-00), 10 minuter (för mig själv) (Verkligen), En helt ny karriär (B-sidor 95-00), Längesen vi sågs (B-sidor 95-00), Socker (Vapen & Ammunition), Max 500 (Du & jag döden), Saker man ser (Isola), Kärleken väntar (Vapen & Ammunition), Månadens erbjudande (The Hjärta & Smärta EP), Vad två öron klarar (Kent), Kräm (så nära får ingen gå) (Verkligen), Berg&dalvana (Hagnesta Hill), På nära håll (B-sidor 95-00), Innan allting tar slut (Isola), När det blåser på månen (Kent), Cowboys (Hagnesta Hill), Ingen kommer att tro dig (Kent), Mannen i den vita hatten (16 år senare) (Du & jag döden), Önskar att någon... (B-sidor 95-00), Det finns inga ord (Röd), LSD, någon? (Tillbaka till samtiden), Utan dina andetag (B-sidor 95-00), Kevlarsjäl (Hagnesta Hill), Den döda vinkeln (Du & jag döden), Noll (B-sidor 95-00), Du var min armé (Du & jag döden), Duett (Vapen & Ammunition), December (B-sidor 95-00), Frank (Kent), Columbus (Tillbaka till samtiden), Rödljus II (B-sidor 95-00), Järnspöken (Du & jag döden), Hjärta (Röd), 747 (Isola).

kent

Earlier this year I'd thought about going to a concert with Kent, on their current tour. However all this with Suede reappearing and their concert in London, somehow almost made me forget about other bands and concerts for a while.

Actually, the only band I've seen on stage more times than Suede is Kent, and of course it has to do with that they are Swedish, just as I am. The first time I saw them, in 1995, I hadn't really started to listen to them that much, but I did after seeing them and hearing them some more. They will probably be great on this tour, but somehow I think no concert that I'll see with them can beat the one they did 1997 in Eskilstuna (at P3 Popstad), their home town, originally. It was quite an amazing show.

I haven't really listened to them that much during the last seven or eight years, but I do love concerts and there are some tunes on their latest album that I like, even though I haven't gone through it that many times.

Since I had been hesitating on going to this concert I hadn't bought a ticket. I wanted to know how much I would have to spend on going to London for the Suede concert, and I wasn't really sure I should be going to both. Even so, some days ago I checked to see if there were any standing tickets left for the Kent concert I had in mind, and there weren't. At first I thought, well that means I'm not going, but later on the concert person in me awoke and I thought I should try it a few days on to see if there might have been any cancellations, there usually are.

About only looking for standing tickets; I have a problem with sitting down at concerts, at a good show I can't really sit still. I need to be standing, so I can move and freely get into the music with every part of my body. With that in mind, I always look for standing tickets. Of course I go to concerts even if I have to be seated, however I prefer to stand. Anyway, this morning I logged on to the site to see if there was a ticket for me, and there was!

Now I need to refresh my ears with some Kent music. Maybe I should try making a Kent playlist? Well, I'll have to think about that - considering my "success" so far. I've got about two weeks to soak myself with Kent before the concert, that shouldn't be hard. It might do me good to stay away from Suede for some time as well, or..?

In wait for a possible Kent playlist, their latest album Röd and their web page (in Swedish though): kent

Warm-up gigs

Well, all of my few guesses were wrong. The news presented by Suede via Teenage Cancer Trust today, is that they will do two warm-up gigs before the one at Royal Albert Hall:

• Saturday 20 March, 100 Club, London
• Sunday 21 March, Ritz, Manchester 

I won't be going to any of those gigs, even if I would have loved to. However I think this will be a wonderful opportunity for all those fans that have missed out on tickets for the main event, and I know there are some. And, while reading the press release it makes me glad to see that they've arranged for a special kind of auction to sell the tickets. Hopefully this means that it will be very hard for touts to get hold of them.

I think these warm-up shows will be wonderful. The band together for the first time in years, playing at quite small venues (I think), and with dedicated "starving" fans at their feet... Oh, I would have loved to go to the London gig. However, the show at Royal Albert Hall will be wonderful too. Almost a month left and still so much to do before I can go to England and London.

I wish the best for all, band and fans, regarding these additional gigs and hope for a wonderful show on the 24 instead.

Every Monday Morning Comes

On Monday there will be some news about/from Suede. Apparently one should check out their web page.

I wonder what it will be about. Support act for the forthcoming gig at Royal Albert Hall? Something about the gig itself? Some news about Suede and the future?

I think I’ll stop there, don’t want to get my hopes too high.

Is simplicity best, or simply the easiest?

It might be a playlist...

It's hard to compose one. I've ended up with several different ones but not one that's completed. I've tried using different themes to build upon but somehow something's always missing.

At present I generally use Spotify to make these lists. Of course some of the artists/bands, albums or songs that I would like to add to my list (or lists for that matter) aren’t included in the Spotify database. However out of the numerous songs that are, I should be able to come up with a playlist, not a perfect one, but at least one that I could recommend.

Here's the thing, I've made one just now, and I'm posting the link for it here.

I don't know what to think of it, it isn't that much thought behind it really. Maybe that's the way to make one? I simply named it February because of the month we're in and the only thing I had decided in advance was that it should start and end with the theme songs for my blogs. Starting with this one and ending with "While pylons hide the suicide". Then I just picked tunes from what I’ve been listening to recently. The list is about one hour long with twelve songs and maybe I’ll call it a playlist...

For those without a Spotify account, here's the list in writing:
The 2 of Us – Suede, Såhär – Anna Järvinen, Låt floden komma – [ingenting], Frozen Roads – Brett Anderson, Terrified – Anna Ternheim, Sunday Morning – The Velvet Underground & Nico, Redhead Girl – Air, Keep the Streets Empty for Me – Fever Ray, World Full of Nothing – Depeche Mode, Atmosphere – Joy Division, Freddy and the Trojan Horse – The Radio Dept., Whipsnade - Suede.

The reappearance of...

It looks like I've written a lot about things related to Mr Anderson here. Or, to be honest, almost everything on this blog is about him and his music, so far. Few exceptions, I know. I just can't help it. I seem to be going through one of those periods when it's all about Suede related music, persons, things and so on.

I don't think it will stop soon either. Recently it's been made official that my greatest love, when it comes to music, will reform for a one night only gig to support an organisation working with teens that struggle with cancer. Yes, for the first time since the break up some seven years ago, Suede will reform and play at the Royal Albert Hall in London on March 24, 2010.

I'm not only excited about the fact that they actually will reform (even if it's only for one night) nor the event itself, the thing is - I'm going to the show! At the moment I'm considering all things that need to be sorted for me to go to London. I've got a ticket to the concert, quite important I know, but there's a lot more to think about. Not to mention the mental preparation.

It's renaissance for a Suede fan...

108 x 166 mm

Yes, I might have too little on my hands at the moment.

However this Monday I got the book I've mentioned earlier; The Words of Brett Anderson. It's quite a nice little composition.

In it are of course the lyrics that go along with this blog.

Nalen, Stockholm January 28, 2010

The day came.

It was Thursday night and Brett Anderson entered the stage at Nalen in Stockholm together with his band. 'Hymn' started it all, and after the tunes of 'Funeral Mantra' had faded, about 90 minutes later, it was over.

The man had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eyes and passion in his voice. The energy Brett and the band delivered that night was moving. It made me remember old Suede concerts and it made me feel alive.

As told, no Suede song were played, and frankly I didn't feel the need for it. Even though my love for Suede and their wonderful music is huge, this concert was all about Brett's solo work, and it was just what I wanted to hear whilst being there. Before the concert I said to my friends that it would be nice hearing at least one Suede song, but being by the stage my only thought was that I wanted him to play 'Song for My Father'. He didn't play that one, but 18 other beautiful songs.

One highlight for me was 'The Swans', it was as amazing live as I'd thought.

Now it's over.

Warming up

Going through the shows so far, by searching YouTube that is. This one (The Swans) will be wonderful to hear live!

BA concert ahead

There are some days left before Mr Anderson will arrive but there's allways time for music.

Three solo albums, that's what Brett has given the world since the Suede years, apart from The Tears album he released together with Bernard Butler.

Brett Anderson
Wilderness
Slow Attack

Since I'm going to the concert on Thursday, and there has been talk about Brett only performing solo material on this tour, I really should be listening to nothing else but these three albums up until Thursday. That will be hard I think, but I'll try it. Lets see how long it takes before I feel the need to throw in at least one Suede song.

Well, I think I'll need one more day with a lot of different kind of good music before I'll be prepared to devote myself completely to Mr Anderson's beautiful voice.

As someone else said: "Suedish hero"

Many Swedes have seen this film, and probably made one themselves. I didn't know there was an English version of it until recently. However, I found this version posted on a forum. It's a good one, even if I don't believe there's any reason for Mr Anderson to pay Swedish broadcasting fee.

[en.tackfilm.se]

[ingenting]

I really loved the concert with [ingenting]. They have created some wonderful music and to my suprise I recognised a lot of their older material too. These last days their music have been playing in my head, non-stop. However, that might have had something to do with the fever I've been struggeling with...

At the same time, as after many concerts, I want to go the next one right away. There's something magical about live music.

Here's a beautiful song from [ingenting] for you to listen to
and watch. It's Dina händer är fulla av blommor