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ILL FIT III: Snow On The Tracks

A FREE party at London’s premier sweatbox, Old Blue Last, on Monday December 8th.

The theme this time is not clear to us yet. So maybe the theme is good times. Yeah. Big skyscraping, heart-fluttering tunes also. Goodwill to all men too. Ladies also. Goodwill and good times.

With livemusics from:

Loney Dear
No need to explain them. We are proud to say Emil will be exclusively unveiling songs from his new record, Dear John, out in the New Year as well as faves form his first four albums.
www.myspace.com/loneydear

Martin Carr
Next year I believe, Martin is being officially recognised as a National Treasure. The big brain, and bigger hair, behind Boo Radleys and Brave Captain, will be busting his (and Mary’s) Gene Clark-y Bob Dylan-y tunes all over the shop.
www.myspace.com/martincarrmusic

Adam Donen & The Drought
Well, Adam is down with the classics: Cave, Dylan, Cohen, Love. A big sound. Some very nice hellfire, pointy strings, jubilant horns and a shaking wall of sound. Have a listen to him here:
www.myspace.com/adamdonenandthedrought

+++ DJ sets from Carpet Byrne and Jupiter Bottleburst from Bella Union Records

So that is lots of good will and good times, right there. Also, maybe we will ask the bands to play a Bob Dylan cover. Also we will shake the tree and rustle up some special guests to come and play a Bob Dylan song.

And there is yet more:
free Jager shots for big, curly Dylan mops
free stuff
free CDs
free shots
free entry
free will
free speech*

Doors will open at 8pm and it runs til 12 or something.

And do remember that entry is FREE.
As a bird.

There is no guest list so do come early if you want in because as you may or may not know the room is no bigger than your very own bedroom and it will fill up pretty damn swiftly.

Join the Facebook Group here and tell us you’re coming!

Old Blue Last
38 Gt Eastern St, corner of Curtain Rd
Shoreditch
EC2A 3ES

ILL FIT will return in 2009.

www.thelineofbestfit.com
www.somethinginconstruction.com

*subject to availabililty

Andrew Bird

Any readers Stateside are in for a treat and a half in the new year. Loney Dear are to support their hero Andrew Bird on a full US tour in January and February. This will be the first ‘proper’ chance to hear new material from both acts’ new records - which are both out in the new year. Exciting times indeed. They’ve played shows together before and are big fans of each others work. Bird even supplying violin on Loney’s new record Dear John.

In other news, Loney Dear are also set to return to the UK in January for a full band show at a VERY special London venue. I’ve been sworn to secrecy for now, but lets just say that I nearly wet myself when I found out. It’s going to be a religious experience for sure. 

And REMEMBER - 8th December is our TLOBF christmas party at Old Blue Last, London EC2. It’s free entry and promises to be a mega night. Joining a solo Loney Dear will be Martin Carr of Boo Radleys fame, the awesome garage-folk-rock hybrid of Adam Donen & The Drought plus Bella Union DJs.. There will be more suprise guest(s) announced soon. Keep an eye out on the Facebook event page for all the latest additions.

Loney Dear solo dates:

December
08 - Old Blue Last, London (TLOBF CHRISTMAS PARTY w/ VERY special guests - FREE ENTRY)
10 - Mercury Lounge, NYC, NY (W/ MELPO MENE)
12 - Bellhouse, Brooklyn, NY (W/ MELPO MENE)

Loney Dear and Andrew Bird dates:

January
30 - Boston, MA The Orpheum

February
03 - Washington, DC The 930 Club
04 - Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
06 - Orlando, FL The Plaza
07 - New Orleans, LA House of Blues
12 - Austin, TX The Paramount Theater
13 - Albuquerque, NM The El Rey
14 - Tucson, AZ The Rialto
18 - Los Angeles, CA The Orpheum
19 - San Francisco, CA T

Loney Dear

Dear John, the new album by Loney Dear (note they’ve dropped the comma) has finally been given a US release date of 27th January and will come out via Polyvinyl (home to Of Montreal) rather than Sup Pop. A UK release date to my knowledge hasn’t been announced as yet - but the record will be coming out via the EMI imprint Regal.

Back in last months interview, Emil talked to us a little about how pleased he was with first single ‘Airport Surroundings’ and described it as “like the long-haired big sister to the obvious cute younger sister of I Am John”.

It’s certainly a lovely introduction to the new album. Featuring all the elements that make up the ‘Loney sound’ - tinkling synths, handclaps, orchestral flourishes and Svanängen’s trademark whisper of a voice. Listen for yourself below. And read all about the new record here, in our exclusive interview.

Emil will be flying over to London for his only UK show this side of 2009 as he plays The Line Of Best Fit’s club night ILL FIT at The Old Blue Last in Shoreditch. The show is on 8th December and it is totally free entry. How can you resist??

As we publish this interview, news reaches TLOBF that Dear John, the long-awaited new album from Swedish singer-songwriter Loney, Dear (Emil Svanängen, as he’s known to his nearest and dearest) is complete. The long, hard slog of home recording is over; countless versions of songs discarded in search of the perfect take. Emil is a self-confessed perfectionist. When we chatted back in July, he talked about the intense pressure he puts himself under when recording music. Svanängen takes the recording process extremely seriously, spending lonely hours crafting perfectly formed pop songs like a patchwork blanket, with little or no help from outsiders. Layers are added, tweaked and removed until the perfect version reveals itself.

In this exclusive interview, Emil chats for the first time about his new record, the recording process and the pressures of releasing an album for the first time under the scrutiny of a much greater critical eye. (His last release, Loney, Noir, was his major label debut but had been self-released the previous year.) Svanängen also hints, in his usual cryptic manner, at what the future has in store for Loney, Dear.

For those of you who are eager to see Loney, Dear return to the live circuit, we are thrilled to announce that Emil will be flying over to play a solo show at our ILL FIT club night at the Old Blue Last in London on December 8. What’s more, entry is totally free. Keep your eyes peeled on the site for more details. Continue Reading

You know us at TLOBF.. Always the first to bring you the latest Loney, Dear tid bits.. Well this is an extra special tid. Yup - we’ve got the tracklisting and album artwork for Swedish wunderkind Emil Svanängen’s new record Dear John which, at the moment, is said to be getting it’s release early 2009. The album has been on the cards for two years or more, with a large chunk of it being written before 2006’s Sologne was even released. A rigorous touring schedule made it difficult for Svanängen to finish work on the album which, according to the man himself has a darker feel than his previous releases. Look out for a super exclusive interview coming to TLOBF next week in where we have an in depth chat with Emil about the recording process of Dear John.

In the meantime - heres the tracklisting. I’ve heard two tracks already (Violent and Everything Turns To You) and let me tell you - Dear John will be one of the albums of 2009. You heard it here first.

Airport Surroundings
Everything Turns To You
I Was Only Going Out
Harsh Words
Under A Silent Sea
I Got Lost
Summers 
Distant
Harm/Slow
Violent
Slumbers

It has to be said, I don’t really need much of an excuse to post about Loney, Dear. I’m especially excited at the moment as a) next weekend I get to see them play for the first time in nearly 12 months (which has felt like a lifetime) and b) i’ve heard on the grapevine that album number five is finished. Get in.

So yeah - Loney, Dear are back in the UK next weekend (6th July), headlining the Bella Union stage at Wireless, Hyde Park. We’ll be there backstage so will hopefully get the skinny on the new record - tentatively titled Dear John. But in the meantime, enjoy this video I stumbled across. It’s of a solo Emil playing two new songs at a party in Utrecht, Holland. I say new even though he’s certainly been playing one of them at shows for the past 12 months or so. I’m guessing they’ll be on the new album - but I have no clue what either of them are called. Feel free to comment below and let me know.

Enjoy! (Both songs of course, are utterly beautiful)

Any excuse to post a bit of Loney, Dear related news… Emil Svanängen has contributed some music to a brand new Swedish docu-film. ‘The Tree Lover’ was directed by Jonas Selberg Augustsén and features eleven LD tracks; ‘Håll Mig (Slightly Longer Untitled Track)’, ‘Lower Your Head’, ‘The Great Lake’, ‘Your Time Has Come’, ‘Hold Me Longitud/Latitud’, ‘Over The Mountain’, ‘Last Night I Dreamed Of You’, ‘The Battle Of Trinidad And Tobago’, ‘Shivering Green’, ‘En Ny Morgon För Världen’, ‘Life Has Been This Low’.

Heres the synopsis on the Swedish language / english subtitled film:

In our time of urban rootlessness, the tree is a symbol of something grounded, a place for us to return. The members of our film crew originate from the north of Sweden but moved away to the south, a thousand kilometres away. Just like so many other people, they can’t find peace and tranquility in the big city; they’re nostalgic for the unspoilt nature up north. They take a trip back home, however, and there they decide to realize their dream: to build a tree house 14 meters up in a pine tree, above a beautiful river valley.
The director, the photographer and the sound technician set to work. As they proceed, they discuss building techniques and practical matters, not without humour, but they also delve deeply into life’s great questions. During this summer of tree-house construction, they – and we – learn about the role of the tree in theology, philosophy and mythology.
An author, a philosopher, a biologist, a psychologist, a theologian and other knowledgeable people become involved in the project. Old friends who have stayed on in the old surroundings, however, don’t respond as positively; they simply can’t understand why anyone would want to return to live in the country. They value urban pleasures more.
‘‘The Tree Lover” is both a journey towards our roots and a practical example of how important it is for each one of us to create a place for ourselves where we can feel at home.

Go here for more information on the film. According to my good friend Deb, it’s a wonderful film. I’d like to see it myself but am not too sure it will be screening at the local Odeon….

Watch Emil and co perform an off the cuff version of ‘I Am John’ below.

[daily]x26c3a&v3=1&related=1[/daily]

mp3:> Loney, Dear - And I Won’t Cause Anything At All (live 2007)
mp3:> Loney, Dear - Sinister In A State Of Hope (live 2007)

“Athlete? Are you taking the piss?”

Ok, so here is the good news. After a very short respite back home in Sweden after a very long tour Loney, dear are back in the UK next month for a series of shows. Now the bad news, they’re supporting Athlete… Bugger.

Dates are as follows:
Birmingham, Academy - October 4
Glasgow, Barrowlands - 6
Newcastle, Academy - 7
Bristol, Academy - 8
Southampton, Guildhall - 10
London, Shepherds Bush – 11/12
Manchester, Academy - 14
Liverpool, Academy - 15
Norwich, UEA - 17
Lincoln, Engine Shed - 18

mp3:> Loney, dear: Ignorant Boy, Beautiful Girl (extended mix)

Hopefully now that Loney, Dear’s exhaustive tour of Europe and the States is coming to an end Emil Svanängen can get cracking with the new album, already titled Dear John. Whether any new tracks have been recorded yet or not is debatable, but what I have stumbled upon is a live video from an in-store performance at Sound Fix records from a couple of months back.

First of all, apologies if this review is a little short and lacking in detail. Also for any grammatical errors which may occur. In a total unprofessional manner I was condemned to spend the night sleeping rough in the heart of Essex that is Colchester last night. A drunken evening jetting across London on a Loney, Dear marathon culminating in your scribe passing out on the last train home and missing my stop. Nuts. Luckily though I befriended a city slicker type who had also made the same fatal error, so for the evening we became best friends whilst simultaneously making “friends” with the local nutter, who apparently knows everyone from Harrison Ford to Zammo from Grange Hill. Yikes! Never trust anyone with a tattoo of a tear on their face I always say. So I survived an evening in Blurs hometown to bring you this rather sketchy account of last nights shenanigans, which led to not one, but two performances from our favourite Swedish indie minstrel Loney, Dear.

Kicking things off at The Borderline was the quite frankly sublime Emmy The Great who mixes stark, and sometimes shocking lyrical content with scratchy folk. Her poetic charm easily outweighed her musical ability, and that was half the appeal. Amazing stuff. Unlike Christiansilva, who came across as a not very good Athlete which is a skill in itself as, lets face it, Athlete are a bit rubbish.

Next up were Loney, Dear who, as always, bring smiles to the entire audience. Their constant touring schedule has turned them into such a tight live band they almost become psychic to each others playing. Dropping in a new song or two amongst the regular crowd pleasers The City, The Airport and Saturday Waits the band won the entire crowd over, as they always do.

So enamored with their performance, myself and fellow TLOBF’er Rich Hughes decided to skip headliners The Silent League (nothing personal, it was a tough decision) and hop in a taxi with the Loneys and cut across town to The Fly venue where Loney, Dear’s new label, Regal, were putting on an evening of entertainment. Quickly setting up the gear, and with no soundcheck, they kicked straight off with an older song from debut album The Year Of River Fontana. The band yet again transformed a room of grumpy looking indie kids into giddy children. If they could only bottle the good vibes they send out, they’d make an absolute fortune.

By this point, I’m too drunk to remember what songs were played. My remaining memory of the set is a spell binding encore, with a solitary Emil Svanängen trying out a new song with a little help from the audience humming the opening note. Full band or acoustic, Emil’s songs new or old never fail to amaze me.

The set ends, and memories are sketchy. We drank, danced and chatted and the band proved themselves not only to be one of the finest live acts around but some of the nicest musicians I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. The perfect hosts.

The rest of this review will be told in picture form as I wander off to try and find a darkened corner of the office to fall asleep.

Click here for more photographs from the evening.

Links
Emmy The Great [myspace]
Christiansilva [myspace]
Loney, Dear [official site] [myspace]

Loney, Dear

For lucky Londoners, one spin-off of the thriving summer festival circuit is that the world and his wife are passing through at this time of year - all gagging for a warm-up gig or an extra little earner. So, without so much as the bother of investing in a pair of designer wellies, I was pleased to have spotted this intriguing triple bill. Each of the acts had made a faint blip on my musical radar, but I was generally unfamiliar with all of them and here was a chance for them to impress and gain a new fan. So hoisting my trousers up to my mid-riff in best Simon Cowell fashion (always a good way of gaining a little bit of extra elbow room - no one wants to stand next to the nutter), I stood back in judgement and prepared to be won over.

The schedule forced Loney, Dear to kick things off as the Empire was still only sparsely populated. Seemingly a bit timid to start in the face of this lack of atmosphere, they earnestly set about their business and soon worked up a joyous zest that never quite spilled over to ignite the crowd, but did put a smile upon most people’s faces. A full band provided a rounder sound than I had been expecting based on limited exposure to a few of the more folky (dare I say whiney?) and/or solo album tracks, and wisely their set list stuck with a generally more upbeat indie-pop selection that also better suited their allotted slot. I had already fallen in love with the twinkling rapture of I Am John and it was a highlight. All too quickly the closer arrived - Saturday Waits - and it was another belter in what must be Emil Svanängen’s one man campaign to battle the melancholy that feeds that infamous Swedish suicide rate. I don’t know, maybe he’s a grumpy bugger in the long dark winters too, but tonight he had won some new friends for his bouncier side at least - me included, and that may be a way in to a more long term following.

Andrew Bird

A pleasing brief interlude later and Andrew Bird had unceremoniously slipped on stage to a ripple of anticipation - it was clear that a percentage of the audience were here just to catch a glimpse of him walking his precarious tightrope of one man multi-track sampling and looping in a live setting. I have seen this done before, but never as seemlessly and with such complexity of form. Virtuoso violin (pizzicato too), guitar, glockenspiel, and the trademark flawless eerie whistling stylings filled the room. It was striking, stunning even. The dexterous theatre of instrument switching and the genuinely unique sound kept me fascinated even if each individual track sounded broadly similar on first hearing. I wasn’t getting much of the vocals, so a proper listen in a more ambient setting might be what I need to work on a more distinct appreciation, but I do now have the curiosity to find out more. In just as self-effacing manner as on his arrival, Andrew Bird slipped away after finishing with The Happy Birthday Song, dedicated to himself to celebrate his own 35th birthday.

Joan As Police Woman

So, we’d had infectious, we’d had interesting. What could Joan As Policewoman bring to the party? Unfortunately her one word summary would be: dull. As the roadies made their final adjustments, there was a noticeable sudden rush to the front from those who must previously been lingering around the bars providing the annoying buzz that had underpinned the previous performances. I was surrounded by snippets of conversation about people “friending” each other on MySpace. The omens were not good. Getting a photo or two and then retreating to the perifory seemed like a good plan. I had wanted to like Joan (As Policewoman) Wasser. I had wanted to enjoy something like the smokey emotions of Cat Power’s The Greatest. She has an impressive CV (Rufus Wainwright, Antony and the Johnsons, Sparklehorse, Lou Reed, Jeff Buckley amongst many), and has accumulated a following who seemed to be out in force and lapping her up. It felt like I was the one thinking that the emperor really wasn’t wearing any clothes. It’s one thing to be confident in front of an audience, but I was getting an aura of over-reaching self-importance. There was a voice that did not captivate, and songs from behind the piano that meandered past in a rather forgetful parade, with neither lingering melodies not emotional interest. Only when picking up to lead with a guitar in her hands was there a small injection of pazzaz. If it was just an uninspiring voice on the night, then I would give her another try on CD, but I just don’t think the songs are good enough. I left early - a sin for a reviewer I know, but I had company who was similarly disenchanted. It was a dissappointing end to the night, but my Simon Cowell impersonation would not be complete without giving someone a rocket.

Recorded for NPR, here is a fantastic show from Loney, Dear recorded in April whilst the band were on a US tour with Low. To my knowledge, this is the only live Loney, Dear show available on the internet. Highlights include the opener Sinister In A State Of Hope and Loney, Noir highlight Carrying A Stone. Enjoy!

01. Sinister In A State Of Hope [download mp3 ♫]
02. Life Has Been This Low [download mp3 ♫]
03. Saturday Waits [download mp3 ♫]
04. I Am John [download mp3 ♫]
05. Le Fever [download mp3 ♫]
06. In With The Arms [download mp3 ♫]
07. And I Won’t Cause Anything At All [download mp3 ♫]
08. Carrying A Stone [download mp3 ♫]
09. The City, The Airport [download mp3 ♫]

What better way to spend a warm and hazy Wednesday evening in the nations capital than to experience a low key intimate show from everyones favourite indie pop genius Emil Svanängen and his fellow bandmates. Loney, Dear are fast becoming this years sensation. Having wowed fans and critics alike with last years Sologne and new album Loney, Noir, the band have just come back from an extensive tour of the US that saw them opening for Of Montreal and most recently Low. On a whistle stop tour of the UK before they head back to their homeland of Sweden we are treated to an evening of pure joy. More on that later though.

First up in a still half empty Water Rats are Bristol based newcomers Lena Rez. They play a fairly impressive 30 minute set of hypnotic downtempo indie. Weird and wonderful slide guitar over soothing melodies and the occasional burst of energy. Though, by the end of the set I felt like i’d been given a dose of Ketamine. Or maybe that was just the cheap lager. A few more people trickled in for Forever Like Red, but they should have stayed in the bar. These guys play meat and two veg indie rock with a splattering of angst. I did find myself enjoying moments but these were totally ruined by the lead singers attitude problem. Less said about them the better, though the drummer was great - some of the best facial expressions I’ve seen all year.

The venue was totally rammed by 10pm when Loney, Dear march onto the stage and deliver the goods from the word go. You can tell instantly that the rigorous touring schedule has helped the band gel together, its as if they can read one anothers minds as they weave in and out of each others instruments. Malin Ståhlberg watching her leader like a hawk throughout, she harmonises beautifully with Emil’s love-lorn melodies twisting and turning around the music. Flourishes of synth and samples recreate the multi layered texture of the original recordings, but also add an energy that is sometimes missing on record. The band soar through I Am John, which receives the first big cheer of the evening. Sounding tight, the band and audience alike are having a whale of a time now. It would be worth pointing out that, for the first time in a while, it was nice to go to a London show and not be surrounded by too cool for school indie kids. The crowd were responsive throughout and totally mesmerised by the quieter moments of the set. You could hear a pin drop during In With The Arms, now totally stripped back to just acoustic guitar and vocal, Emil didn’t even need to use his microphone during the opening verse. It was a really magical moment, band and audience totally as one now. The City, The Airport closed the main set and is a euphoric live as it is on record. As the band downed tools and left the stage the audience demanded more and the troops hopped back on for two more songs. Not thinking the evening could get any better, they closed the show with a personal favourite I Do What I Can, from the Citadel Band album, still only available from the bands website. With a huge grin on my face, again helped by cheap lager I left the venue knowing I’d just witnessed a show that will stay in my thoughts for a long time to come.

Click for more photos from the show

Downloads
Loney, Dear - I Do What I Can [download mp3 ♫]
Loney, Dear - Over The Mountain [download mp3 ♫]
Loney, Dear - In With The Arms (live in Washington DC) [download mp3 ♫]

Links
Lena Rez [myspace]
Forever Like Red [myspace]
Loney, Dear [official site] [myspace]
The Line Of Best Fit Interview with Emil Svanängen [here]
20 Questions with Emil Svanängen [here]

Photograph by Leia Jospe

With new single I Am John being released this week we thought it was about time TLOBF’s favourite Swedish popsters Loney, Dear answered our 20 Questions. Holed up in his New York hotel room we caught up with mainman Emil Svanängen just before he set out on a US tour with Low before heading back over to the UK for a small headlining tour. He also sent us over a handful of mp3’s including a brand new extended version of Ignorant Boy, Beautiful Girl. Top man.

1. Describe your sound in 3 words.
Next record: warm, swingy, full-coloured
2. Diet coca-cola or normal coke?
Water
3. What would be your ideal holiday?
Countryside in Sweden for the moment
4. Whats the best cure for a hangover?
Not drinking.
5. What’s on your rider?
Nothing.
6. How do you get ready for a live show?
Often i get angry on someone.
7. Favourite song to play live?
For now, The City The Airport. Acoustic: In With The Arms.
8. When was the last time you told a lie?
I never tell lies, so its gotta be today.
9. Who would win in a fight, a stoat or a goat and why?
What is a stoat?
10. What was the last album you bought?
Jr Cash.
11. What’s your pet hate?
Not getting time to make new music, I will try to be a better on-tour-composer. But the recording will have to wait til summer.
12. Dead or alive. What 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival.
Jan Johansson
Depeche Mode
Kraftwerk
U2
The Beatles
13. Desert Island Disc? Pick only one.
Dear John (Loney, Dear # 5)
14. Favourite moment on tour so far?
My hotelroom i got yesterday in new york where I’m gonna stay for a couple of days. Finally a substitute for a home.
15. Whats the best thing about being in Loney, Dear
When things are going well, I get to decide everything.
16. Do you read your own reviews?
Yes, they make me happy.
17. Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.
I am sad most of the time.
18. Are you a morning bird or a night fox?
Night fox.
19. If you could travel back in time where would you set the dial?
1986.
20. Least favourite person in the universe.
Respectless ones.

Downloads
Loney, Dear - Ignorant Boy, Beautiful Girl (extended mix) [download mp3 ♫]
Loney, Dear - Citadel Band [download mp3 ♫]

Links
Loney, Dear [official site] [myspace] [tlobf interview]

A nice suprise this afternoon. Loney, Dear have announced a handful of dates for next month. The shows coincide with the official UK releases of single I Am John (23rd April) and album Loney, Noir (16th April).

The dates look like this:

April
19 London Camden Crawl
23 Glasgow Admiral
24 Manchester Night & Day
25 London Monto / Water Rats

See you there.

Links
Loney, Dear [official site] [myspace] [tlobf interview]

Loney, Dear - The City, The Airport (live video)

The moment I heard Loney, Dear back in September of last year I was completely smitten. They were on tour with fellow Swedish band Peter Bjorn & John and had popped in to do a live session for the Gideon Coe show on BBC6 music. I rarely listen to the station, in fact I can probably count the times on one hand that I’ve tuned in so I guess it might have been fate? The song I heard was The City, The Airport from last years Sologne - it had me hooked instantly, and, by the power of the Internet a day later I had the album. By the end of the week I’d discovered not only was Loney, Dear in fact a one man band, recording all of his music solely at his home studio but had, in fact self released four albums in three years! Burning CD-R’s and selling them through his website he had slowly built an army of loyal fans. It wasn’t until Sub Pop discovered him at last years SXSW festival in Austin, Tx that things really took off. Offering to release his fourth album Loney, Noir; it finally hit the streets on February 6th. Its mix of tender confessional lyrics subtly backed with layer upon layer of instrumentals has been met with open arms by fans and critics alike. The man behind the music Emil Svanängen graciously agreed to answer a few questions for me on a rare day off from a busy touring schedule. Here’s what he had to say.

Hi Emil, as we are doing this interview by email - where are you right now?

I’m in Solna, Stockholm my last Friday off til summer!

Can you tell me a little bit of background history. When did you first realise you wanted to make music?

I have always wanted to record multitrack, as long as i can remember. Started off first as a kid with two cassette decks, moving on to midisynths, or some kind of built-in-2-track sequencers. Made some music on my Atari 1040, wrote folk songs for two acoustic nylon guitars a bit later. Finally I got a computer 4-5 years ago and everything started.

Where did the name Loney, Dear come from?

The feeling of staying home Friday night building a career instead of being out.

Loney, Noir has been released to fantastic reviews and you seem to be the new darling of the music press. 2007 is shaping up to be a pretty great year for you. How are you enjoying your new found success so far?

I am so glad for hearing that, its hard for me to understand how things are going, but I’m very happy with the reviews, especially since i originally released the album in august 2005 (05:00 13th august in the morning) and only my friends and a couple of fans noticed it. So, I am so happy for getting it out on a broader scale.

But! There is a bit too much touring and I don’t have time for making new music. This has been a problem and has made me grieve sometimes. I hope to make some music during the year. I have a couple of songs ready for the next album Dear John, and some of them are very good. Hoping to finish it sometime.

The songs on Loney, Noir are the most consistent of your career so far. Did you have the songs ready before you started recording or was the whole thing a work in progress?

It was a work in progress. Started working on it right after the album Sologne was finished, so I didn’t have anything old to rely on. (But Carrying A Stone is a pretty old song)

A lot of your songs start from a simple acoustic guitar backing and slowly build and build into multi layered symphonies. Do you intend for the songs to sound this way or do you just have way too much fun in the studio!?

I love seamless transitions in the changes. Never really liked when things are too obvious and I try to hide the parts to not be easily heard.

Is commercial success important to you? Or are you just happy to put records out?

Yes it is. It makes things a bit easier. But, everything is for the best of the music, I’m not interested in the commerce itself, just want to make the best home for the music. You know, I record the music quite simple, so its something else. Don’t know so much about the industry, and don’t want to know too much either.

You’ve been described in the press as Sweden’s answer to Bright Eyes. Do you see any similarities there?

No not really, do you?

There is a thriving indie music community in Sweden at the moment, most notably in Stockholm. Is everyone supportive of each other or is the scene very competitive?

Impossible for me to say. The things lying far away from what you’re doing is easy to encourage.

All four of your albums have been recorded at your home studio. Do you think you will ever consider recording an album with your full band in a professional studio with a producer in tow?

I might work with a producer sometime if I hear someone I like. I cannot think of any modern classic album I love being recorded live in a studio. I don’t like the sound of bands on recordings. But playing live on stage is a completely different game, the band is essential there.

Since putting out Year Of River Fontana and the subsequent albums you have applied a DIY ethic to your work. Burning CD-R’s and printing off artwork etc. Now that you are signed to Sub Pop is it nice to sit back and let others do all the work!?

Yes! I’m not finished with the two first yet, and have to fold and burn them still!

On the printed sleeves for your CD-R’s it lists another album yet to be released “Dear John”. Is this record finished or still a work in progress and, what can we expect from it?

In the middle of it. Have too little time!

Sologne was released last year through Something In Construction. Are there any plans to release River Fontana & Citadel Band commercially?

Yes. When there is time.

How did the CSS remix of “The City, The Airport” come about? Have you met the band or was it just organised through Sub Pop.

We were talking bout The City and remixes, and I said id like CSS to make it, didn’t hear anything about it until I heard the song. Good one.

You sang on “This Boy” from I’m From Barcelona’s current album. Any other plans to collaborate any other artists in the future. Perhaps a duet with Jens Lekman or El Perro Del Mar? That would be rather special.

I really like what they do, but I’m not sure they feel the same about my music.

“Now, Let It Go” from The Year Of River Fontana is a personal favourite of mine. Can you tell me a little bit of how that song came about?

Oh nice to hear, which version? The one with the modem sound? I’m glad you like it, interesting to get response on the old songs. I’ve been working on redressing them now when I guess its gonna reach a wider audience. I’ve gotten to learn so much since then and i felt it was a good thing to do to renew them a bit. [The album Year Of River Fontana was originally released in 2003, but remixed and re-recorded in 2006 and re-released as River Fontana Redux]

About the song.. I read an article a long time ago about a song I had never heard. The writer was raving about the bassline, the bassline! And I got inspired. A good friend told me “let nothing let you down” and I stole it.

Was the sound of a modem firing on the track recorded by accident? Strangely, it adds to the atmosphere of the track.

Ok there it was. No it was intentional, felt it was a great sound. It felt a little to much like a Swedish schlager from the 90’s song “World wide web” by Nick Borgen, some kind of Internet romanticism, and I got tired of it. I guess I’ll have to put it back now!

Name one song from your past four records that you are proudest of as a songwriter. Where the words, music and the way it has been recorded are, in your opinion, to complete perfection.

In With The Arms from Sologne. The recording in combination with the growing of the live version makes it a great song.

Ignorant Boy from Citadel Band for being such a strange song.

When you’re writing - what comes first. The music or the lyrics?

Music comes first, but I’m trying more and more to write everything in the same moment.

Loney, Noir opener Sinister In A State Of Hope is such a beautifully arranged song, both vocally and musically. Can you tell me a little about the history of that track.

I thought I wasn’t gonna make any more songs, still think so, and sat a bit sad in an apartment too close to a road, so I could record there. Came up with the chords and started to make a little melody. Don’t remember when the words came up, but I think it kind of grew for a while.

Can you tell how you went about choosing members for your backing band? Were they all originally friends or did you audition for parts?

Malin [Ståhlerg, Tambourine & vocals] just joined one gig to get free entrance and then it turned out so good. Ola [Huntgren, Drums] jumped in when the first drummer resigned. Trumpeter Emils advice. I met Samuel [Stark, Keyboards] at a concert for our old folk school, and really liked his playing. I wanted to play with David [Lindvall, Bass] for a long time and when bassist Oskar [Schönning] took a timeout I asked him to play. Ola had ideas to bring the hornplayers Emil [Strandberg], Thomas [Backman] and Nils [Berg]. Oscar [Svenningsson, Guitar] is the one I’ve played with for the longest time.

If you could choose only one, what would be your all time favourite album?

My inner picture of “Dear John”

What new music are you currently listening to?

JS Bach. Not so new.

What is your take on illegal downloading. Do you think it helps or hinders artists?

Don’t know. Its not possible to stop it so you better like it. I think it can be good. But you must remember the western society is built on the principle of owning. I don’t feel that way though, if people want to support what I’m doing I’m only happy. On the other side, what is the difference between a patent and a song? Dunno.

What band would be your dream act to open for on a major tour?

I don’t know, is it fun to open up for a huge band, or is the audience not listening. I would say Of Montreal. Can we start 10th of March please?

What are you passionate about in life, apart from music?

Love, life, death. The last as a contrast, not as a goal. No, I’d say near and dear ones.

Any plans to come back to the UK this year?

Sure yes. I heard something bout middle of April.

Loney, Dear will be on a US tour with Of Montreal from March. Dates are as follows:
03/10/2007 New York,NY - Irving Plaza
03/11/2007 Boston, MA - Avalon Ballroom
03/16/2007 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
03/17/2007 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre
03/18/2007 Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern (Headlining show)
03/19/2007 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
03/20/2007 Newport, KY - Southgate House
03/21/2007 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
03/22/2007 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle Tavern
03/23/2007 Columbia, SC - Headliners @ Banana Joes
03/29/2007 Gainesville, FL - Abbey Road
03/30/2007 Miami, FL -Studio A
03/31/2007 Orlando, FL - The Club at Firestone
04/01/2007 Jacksonville Beach, FL - Freebird Live
04/02/2007 Tallahassee, FL - The Moon

Music
[mp3] Loney, Dear - I Am John [via Sub Pop]

Video
Loney, Dear - In With The Arms

Links:
Official Site
Myspace
Sub Pop
Photos by Kathryn Yu (website)

The Line Of Best Fit favourites Loney, Dear have signed a record deal in the UK with Regal, having recently signed to Sub Pop in the US.

The first Regal release will be a single. ‘I Am John’ is out February 12th and features a CSS remix of ‘The City, The Airport’ as a b-side. Loney, Noir is released in the US on February 6th but wont see a UK release until April 16th. Madness!

If you pre-order ‘Loney, Noir’ via the Sub Pop website they will throw in a 7″ UK import of ‘The City, The Airport’ b/w ‘Ignorant Boy, Beautiful Girl’. Plus stickers and badges. How can one resist??

Remember you can also purchase the first two Loney, Dear albums direct through the website here priced at 80 kr each - which works out about a fiver each. See the website for more details.

Download the CSS remix of The City, The Airport right here, right now. Just click on the link below.

[MP3] Loney, Dear - The City, The Airport (CSS Remix)

Loney, Dear - I Am John

Sub Pop have struck gold in their recent signing. Loney, Dear or Emil Svanängen as he’s known to his friends will release his fourth album Loney, Noir through the label on February 6th.

His music has been described as soulful indie folk with a powerful mini orchestra. Layer upon layer, adding instrumentation and vocals, these songs seem to bloom like time-lapse photography, depicting glimpsed scenes of modern disaffection and timeless yearning. Loney, Noir is at once effervescent and resigned, exhilarating and melancholy, joyous and confessional.

Preview tracks from the album below. Plus, as an extra treat watch a live performance of The City, The Airport from last years equally brilliant Sologne.

Loney, Dear - I Am John
Loney, Dear - Hard Days
Loney, Dear - I Will Call You Lover Again
Loney, Dear - I Am The Odd One

“The City, The Airport”
I’d just like to add that after watching the below video I now have a king size crush on the cute Backing Vocalist…

Don’t you just love it when you stumble upon an artist that suddenly stops you in your tracks and leaves you wanting more, lots lots more.

Well, I was listening to Gideon Coes 6music radio show this morning and a Swedish act were in session for him - “Loney, Dear”. Apparently on tour in the UK at the moment with Peter, Bjorn & John.

After a little more investigating Loney, Dear (aka Emil Svanangen) appear to have just signed a deal with Sub Pop in the states. Their current album “Sologne” has just been released in the UK via Dear John records. Heres what Rough Trade have to say about it:

“big big talent from sweden,emil svanangen hits all the right buttons with his beautifully crafted songs about love and depair and everyday anxiety, he’ll make the hairs on your neck stand up one minute then get your hips swaying the next.
this is set to do what bright eyes and sufjan stevens did over the last few years.fantastic”

So, my advice for today. Wander over to myspace and give this wonderful stuff a listen.

Current tour dates are:

Sep 26 2006 Louisiana, Bristol
Sep 27 2006 Sumo, Brighton
Sep 28 2006 First Floor Club, Derby
Sep 29 2006 Fibbers, York
Sep 30 2006 ABC2, Glasgow
Oct 3 2006 Dublin Castle, London
Oct 28 2006 Tavasti, Helsinki
Nov 2 2006 Bowery Ballroom, New York