A contingent of conquering Swedes – actually, three extremely talented female singer-songwriters - came to San Francisco on Sunday night, and took over Bimbo’s 365 Club, the long-lived nightspot in the historic North Beach district. And boy, was I glad I was there to succumb, along with the rest of an enthusiastic audience.
My original motivation to attend was a chance to see baby-voiced dance-pop sprite Lykke Li whose insistently hooky single “Little Bit” had wowed me a few months back. But, to my gratitude, she was sandwiched between opening act Anna Ternheim - and show-closer Sarah Assbring, who records and performs under the name El Perro del Mar. I suppose that touring the U.S. together gave the women the opportunity to travel with peers who could speak the same language (not English). It also turned the show into a triple-treat for me.
Both Anna – a more conventional/confessional songstress-with-a-guitar – and the sometimes cajoling/sometimes keening Sarah - specializing in wonderfully constructed compositions that span chamber-pop, folk and rock styles in the manner of Brian Wilson’s later material - offered something decidedly different from Lykke’s buoyant, accessible (and occasionally subversive) beat music. The honesty and forthrightness of Anna’s music hit home easily, while the strange, dark complexities and idiosyncrasies of Sarah’s set demanded and rewarded close listening.
All three did themselves proud. If I was to have a favorite, I wouldn’t tell you. It was that much of a toss-up.
After each set was completed, another bunch of converts would head out to the lobby where they could purchase CDs by the artist who had just played. More than a few patrons bought one or more discs from all three. I’d have been among them, but (heh, heh), my hard-drive was already hosting their best work.
With the streaming audio above ("God Knows") and the video below ("Party"), I’ve included a couple tastes of El Perro del Mar, which translates from Spanish as “Dog of the Sea.” Believe me, Sarah’s no dog – and this ever-so-twisted, highly cinematic (think Hitchcock) clip that visualizes her song ”Party” will stick in your memory for a while.
My Trusted MOGs
Awesome review (as always) - and the video choice was... well, choice! It's an invasion for sure... The English is excellent, are you sure that they don't speak it fluently, just not as a choice amongst themselves when they travel together... (or did you say that already - it's really late...)
There's a party going on... I see the resemblance to Hitchcock, but thought more David Lynch when I was watching it... due to the colors, and shadows...
Thx!
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Of all the scandinavians I must admit that those swedes are the greatest vikings.
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Nice, I'm liking the vid, it is very Hitchockian. Thanks for the headsup & review.
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Glad you enjoyed your Swedish threesome, Mike. Love "God Knows". Was Lykke selling Youth Novels or the Little Bit EP or the new single? Or did you notice? You noticed everything else. Great review!
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Someone tell me why I haven't moved to Sweden yet...
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I like it.
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I for one welcome our new Swedish music lords! Sorry, couldn't resist that. This is just a continuation of last year's Swedish invasion. I can't remember how many great bands came out of that area last year, but it was astounding. Great review.
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sounds like a good show
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vannatta: Appreciating the kind words. They are quite articulate in English. (Anna took some time after her set to talk with me about stuff and nonsense. Lovely person.) But it must be comforting to hang with the homegirls. And Hitch > Lynch? Certainly.
Me and the Horse I Rode In On: Well, they sure pillaged my heart.
August: You betcha!
FluxCapacitor: The "Little Bit" EP was available, but she did songs from the new album, too. Very enticing. Thanks for checking in!
Joxley: Could it be work? School? Fear of blond hair? I can't imagine.
extraordinarypoems: Me, too!
Zeroskilz: Yes, I kneel in humility before their awesomeness. No more Swedish meatball jokes! Ever!
Charley Rogulewski: Yep. Damned good!
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No more meatball jokes?!!! How can you resist the occasional, "Bork Bork Bork"
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It's time to put on make-up! It's time to light the lights! It's time to get things started on "The Svenska Show" tonight!
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yay i loves me some Sarah Assbring (oh, she brings!) and Lykke Li but i must say i know nothing at all about Anna Ternheim. must investigate. and anyway, was it something their mothers fed them as babies? i am all about Swedes this weekend, Mike, thanks for the great add-ons!
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You know what they say, poe: Home, Swede home...
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This is such a Mike the Knife review (Anna's dictionary says: Mike the Knife, adjective, used to characterize something/someone as verbose, witty & sharp). So much sonical sweetness lately at MOG :)
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Anna, you flatterer! (I'll take it!) Be advised that these gals are the last artists I'd expect at Eurovision, although Lykke can bring the catchy with the best of them.
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I liked the "Party", but "God Knows" didn't click with me. Thanks for the new music!
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No prob. And that's why there's chocolate and vanilla.