Alexander Rybak wins Eurovision 2009

March 1st, 2009, 19:54 | 8 comments

At least he has my vote!

Edit March 14th, 2009: We might have a tie – Malena Ernman just won the Swedish finals with La Voix, written by Fredrik “Puccini” Kempe. What a show we’ll have in Moscow!

Category: Music, Youtube

Wevie Stonder at Worm tonight

February 7th, 2009, 3:51 | No comments

This is sort of off topic, but not entirely. I like excellence, whatever form it takes. And so, I must recommend my fellow music lovers in Rotterdam to go and see Wevie Stonder at Worm tonight – it’s gonna be wild!

Category: Music

Excel! 2: Nana Mouskouri

August 20th, 2008, 13:20 | No comments

Nana Mouskouri (born in 1934) has recorded 450 original albums and released over 800 records in total (including singles and compliations). She’s made over 150 live recordings and received over 300 gold, platina or diamond records. Her carreer includes more than 1600 songs. She’s sung in 15 languages and released albums in 11 languages. She gives around 100 concerts a year. She’s sold over 350 million records, which makes her the best selling female artist of all times.

Category: Music

Excel! 1: Säkkijärven Polkka

August 1st, 2008, 14:30 | 1 comment

Beauty comes in many forms. Watch this master of the accordion.

I was reminded of this hilarious clip last night, when I passed an old street musician with a big lump in his neck. I heard a couple of tunes from Säkkijärven Polkka and biked closer. But as I stood behind him, fascinated by his lump, I realized he had just put together short sequences that sounded a little bit like Säkkijärven Polkka here and there. I guess that’s the way a lot of popular street music evolve between all those poor street musicians. You end up with a tune that has been xeroxed a thousand times and only bears a slight resemblance to the original, which I just had to listen to as soon as I came home!

Category: Music, Youtube

Abba predecessors

July 6th, 2008, 23:27 | No comments

And you thought Abba was a one time phenomenon? Then check out these videos with Sweden’s contributions to Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 and 1972, both years with the group Family Four. Notice any similarities with Abba? (Abba won – and had their breakthrough – in 1974.) I know Majbritt will break her spine in excitement when watching these.

Category: Music

« Newer posts

Now shipping: The Destroyer book

"What this slender book does is chart the magazine’s history and backlash, presenting a calm rational response to the hysterical screams of paedophilia. It is, on the whole, quite convincing." -Gay Times, June 2011