At the Age of 31

So, to paraphrase Noah Britton, I was 30, and then I was 31, because that happens in life sometimes. On my birthday, which was really rather nice, I was made aware of this amazing video, made by "the guy from Little Huts" (check them out, kids):

(if anyone knows where the footage for this came from, please let me know!)

Moved by the above and by the beauty pouring out of everything, I also made this re-recording of the song.

It was earth all along!?

Lvl 2 Ape/Tesseract Unfolding

Short discussion on the theory that men are monkeys. Many implications made.
Written, recorded, mixed & produced during commercial breaks of House. Not saying it's a good thing. Just saying.

Skynda att ängslas!

Autumn is a GREAT season for ageing!

DJ: Hemlig

Late in May I was contacted by 4b as they needed a song to to play when it was time to dance tryckare at their upcoming disco (scheduled for end of August/beginning of September, they will of course be 5b by then). Here is the song I wrote and gave them: school, sweet school - (don't be an) asshole.

And, if you wonder, it is of course Tyskan who is playing the flute so beautifully at the end of the song.

Lo-fi X-mas

Happy holidays everybody! The Models Inc. collective as usual joins in on Joakim's (of The Baseball Field) annual lo-fi x-mas project. There are songs from Models Inc. (the band), school, sweet school, kindergarten kisses and the elusive Kapten Bligh, as well as from some of Nyköping's finest artists. The fun begins at Lo-fi X-Mas 2010.

Molly Mole – Andra Sommaren

Molly sent us a picture of her and School, Sweet School. Can you guess who is who on the picture (hint: one of them wears a dress which makes the wearer look like a dog)? The first to give the correct answer might win a School, Sweet School t-shirt (you can only guess once, and there is nowhere to send your guess to). (Eventuell vinstskatt betalas av vinnaren.)


It's been more than a year since we last heard from Molly Mole, the lyrical mastermind of Krashen and now the lyrical helping hand mastermind of School, Sweet School. We phoned her to see what she has been up to lately.

Q: Hi Molly! How are you doing?

A: It is OK. No problems. No problems at all.

Q: Being the sverigevän (“friend of the Swedes”) you are, what is your opinion on the recent election in Sweden?

A: I have always been saying that a population with such a high density of Evert Taube fans must be capable of horrible things. I think that this was proven to be correct.

Q: I guess you are right. We hear you have been back in Sweden a couple of times since the last time we spoke ...?

A: Yes, twice. Both times I've been recording new material. And I also took part in the annual School, Sweet School concert at Hinseberg.

Q: OK. Tell us a bit more, did you meet your friend Tyskan from your last visit?

A: Yes, we met and we recorded a song. A Christmas song, actually. It can be found here if anyone wants to listen to it. It was good fun. We talked a lot about runstenar. She seemed really into that.

Q: I hear you also celebrated her birthday. What did you give her?

A: I bought her a book. I think it was the latest novel by a Swedish author called Susanna Alakoski. It was in Swedish so I don't really know what it is about, but an old lady in the bookstore recommended it to me when I mentioned who was to get the gift. But after Tyskan unwrapped the present, she said she already had the book. Actually she had several copies of the book.

Q: Who would have known... How was your second stay?

A: It was good fun. Or not that much fun. But we recoded a song and played at the prison. Then I returned home. I can't stand being with the School, Sweet School people for more than a few days. The first day is OK, then it gets worse quite fast. Lobster Girl seemed in good shape, though. Oh, we took a bandfoto also, do you want to see it? I will send it to you! One of us wore a very special dress which makes you look like a dog. Good fun.

Q: Great, I will publish the photo with the interview (see above). Tell us a little bit about the song you recorded. You wrote the lyrics, what is it about?

A: Well, the song is called Pool Song, it is pretty good and you have no business in what it is about.

Q: OK. One last question, is it true that you are on the label of Systembolaget's 6589?

A: Yes.

Q: That is really good to know. Thank you and goodbye.

A: Au revoir.

Oh, and here is that song they recorded: School, Sweet School – Pool Song

Kindergarten hittar metronomen

Today, the foxes held a wedding where I "live," and I spotted a squirrel chasing a magpie and a pretty pretty bird. 'Tis the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. What better way to celebrate than a fresh mix of a semi-old (ca 1600s) tune? Do ask.

Dedicated to Kyle Jacobson. God bless

Fast Times at Ulleråker

A lot of you have been asking what kindergarten kisses is up to these days. Well, I heard he lost his mind again. Apart from filling a little red book with the philosophy of the kisses (which I now seem to have lost (ambiguity intended)), I also recorded a few songs. Does the body rule the mind, or does the mind rule the body? I don't know!

kindergarten kisses - by the bonnie, bonnie banks of fyrisån (21 mb)
(strictly limited to x copies)

(I'd like to dedicate this post to High-Speed Seal, who, as if being too fast to get caught on picture wasn't enough proof of its existence, actually was caught on picture once, further proving its existence. Special thanks to Sasha for borrowing of guitar and love.)

The story of a band; Dyckert

Listen up and I'll tell a story. About a band growing old.

Remember when Kurt Loder of MTV News predicted “(...) these guys will be the Charles and Eddie of the 21st century!” after the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards? Well, the story of Dyckert is a classic one; a story which takes us right through the museum of rock and roll; from its great gates of expectations and up-and-coming stardom to its most forgotten and saddest corners of unfulfilled dreams.

Formed 1995, the band began its career by playing and recording as if there was no tomorrow, soon gaining a reputation of excellence both live and "in the studio". During the late 90s and the early 2000s Dyckert lined up a number of hits; Let's Go To War, Picabo Street and Untitled just to mention a few. Many say that it was that very last song mentioned, Untitled (actually a rather thinly veiled cover of the Phantom of the Opera “theme song”), that began the band's decline. Soon after the single was released (a huge success at the time) the band was sued by the composer and was forced to pay a rather substantial compensation to him. This blunder left the band members in dept for at least twice their lifetimes. Both the band and its audience seemed to have lost their spirit, the following singles never made the charts.

After having recoding their last single, a rather sad take on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song, the band was dropped by their record label. The band was left totally abandoned by fans and media alike. The single was never released.

Here I bring you a live recording of the band. Although the recording is from a sad period of the band's career, during the mid 2000s, after the lawsuit, when the band struggled through Sweden to make ends meet, playing small venues all over the country, I think it gives a nice presentation of the band. Let me take you back to the outskirts of the city of Nyköping. Let me take you back to Dyckert live at Vesterlunds krog!

Live recording

This, I think, is pretty nice.

The habits of the model, pt. 1: Playing live.

On rare occasions, the model ventures out into the real world to actually perform songs in front of other people. This Saturday, the 20th of February, 2010, is one such occasion, when Models Inc. are invited to play some songs at the pop club High Drama.

You could come, too! The club resides at Southside Cavern, Hornsgatan, Stockholm (T-Zinkensdamm). Doors will be open, entrance fee will be low, and there will be blood beer. It will also, possibly, be somewhat fun.

Information on Fakebook

School, Sweet School Announces New Rock/Pop Opera

Earlier today on a press conference School, Sweet School announced that they are in the process of writing and recording a brand new rock/pop opera on the subject death (and possibly also the afterlife). The record is due to be released sometime during the summer of 2010, and a tour on which the opera is performed will follow. Today we give you a sneak preview of one of the songs from the upcoming opera.

To accompany this glad tidings I decided to take a trip to Varnhems klosterkyrka to have a chat with someone who really ought to know what it is like to be dead, Birger Jarl. He has been dead since 1266 and these days he might be best known for being the father of both the Swedish nation and famed Swedish filmmaker Stefan Jarl.



Birger Jarl


Q: Birger, a lot of people today seem to wonder about what it is like to be dead. Could you please tell us a bit about that?

A: -*

Q: Do you have any comments on todays views of “the medieval years”. Many say they were dark...

A: -*

Q: Doesn't that make you mad, people are referring to “your” era as “kind of dark”? I mean, you were quite an important figure around then...

A: -*

Q: So,... do you have any comments on your sons career as a filmmaker. I personally liked that movie “Själen är större än världen” quite a lot...

A: -*

Q: Tell me, why are you like this? Are you the same with everyone?

A: -*

Q: Ok,... I guess... Maybe we'll stop here. Speak to you later.

A: -*


Oh, and here is the song.


* "Silence in the crypt"

Disclaimer

Oh, I was wrong
It was Earth all along

Krashen on national television!

It seems that the new year, 2010, will be off to a great start! Swedish national television (SVT) has announced that they will air Kraschen (sic), a three episode documentary about one of the, if not the, greatest, most influential, yet sadly forgotten bands of the last decade: Krashen. Starting on Monday the 4th of January the episodes will follow during the week. According to the press release the film will take us from the band's birth just south of Colby, Kansas to their decline and fall on Prince Edward Island.
After seeing the press screening of the series, the most memorable scenes might be just those from the last episode, that very episode in which the band tries to arrange their great outdoor concert. The concert was to take place on the great, green meadows just outside of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island, but instead of a band at its peak all we really can see is a band in sad disorder. Many fans believe that this event marked the end of the band, and from what is shown in the film this might be true. Of course the concert never took place, and a few weeks after the band announced that they would split. Yet another touching, but maybe a bit more heartwarming, scene from this last episode is where we follow one of the founding members of the band, Molly Mole, while searching and finally finding a new home in Avonlea. After the band split it is believed that Molly moved to Prince Edward Island and has lived there since.

Lo-Fi X-Mas

Start of December 2009

Hello everybody as you might you know there is from a couple of years back a christmas calender the lo-fi way, if you've missed it here it is, http://www.thebaseballfield.se/vvm/lofixmas09/. For you who thinks of a calender with chocolate bits for everyday might get disappointed instead you get a new freshly song (mostly) everyday. Talking to feliz felix he was telling me the aim has always to been to be in the calender and have one of his songs representing one of all the days in december before christmas. It finally happend and he found this youtube clip of a certain family (not his own by the way) and mixed it up all together with his music skills (at least he thinks). The song it's called family christmas and can be found here, feliz felix - family christmas , enjoy!

School, Sweet School at the Cemetery Gates

School, Sweet School brings you a new gothic masterpiece. Recorded in a crypt.

School, Sweet School - Take Your Heart To The Cemetery 2

Late night recording

Exclusive: Oh My God, What the Fuck?!?

Late night recordings with feliz felix is always a blast. Though the history behind this song remains uncertain. The rules of certain things always change and are pushed forward, back or remain in the exact same position. A late night quarrel and misunderstanding leads to either great songs or/and a big hole in you heart, perhaps something in between or something completly different. Sometimes our friend feliz felix looks like a sheep and stand with his muzzle between his hoofs. We have not heard from our ethnical friend in quite a while, therefore I'm delighted to give you this new song from feliz felix going back to basics. All you need is a tape recorder, a guitar and a song. So here we go again, as Stakka Bo would have said.

feliz felix - OMGWTF!

Exclusive: Molly Mole speaks out about the new School, Sweet School recording

In this exclusive interview Molly Mole, former member of Krashen, gives her views on School, Sweet School and her participation on their new recording.

Q: Hi Molly. I think a lot of people wonder what you have been doing since the breakup of Krashen. Tell us a little bit about that...

A: Well, I have two children now and I live on Prince Edward Island. It is everything you imagine it to be. I guess you have read the books.

Q: ... and even more people probably want to know what really happened when Krashen split up...

A: Well, I guess it was a matter of us, or some of us, failing to cooperate. You cannot imagine the hours we spent trying to write songs, with someone just strumming the same chords over and over again. I mean for hours. Imagine that with a bear in the same room. For years and years. It just didn't work out.

Q: OK. Do you have any news on the other former members, what they have been up to since the band split? I heard Bear Paw lost his mind again.

A: I didn't know that he ever did. But no, I have not had any contact with any of them. Until now, that is, when I got to play with Jerker and his new, I have a hard time saying it but it is what he calls it, band.

Q: Yes, that takes us to School, Sweet School and the new recording which you where an important part of, as I understand. First of all, what is your opinion of this new band, or what you want to call it?

A: Honestly, I think it is a disaster. You shouldn't call it a band, really. You can hardly call it a duo even. It is still just this guy playing the same chords over and over again and hoping that something will happen. Just like it was before. And this other member, Lobster Girl, I never quite figured what she really does, what function she fills. If any. I don't really “get” her. On the other hand, I don't really “get” any of them. On the yet another hand, I think their “Bladen Brinner”-record is amazing, a masterpiece.

Q: OK. Tell us a little bit about the song you recorded together. I understand that you were a part of writing the song.

A: Yes, I wrote the lyrics, although it got changed a little during the recording. In the first version the “getting high”-bit was actually “Gettysburg” and “Hindenburg”. Then Lobster Girl held a lecture about “the new raw sound of School, Sweet School” and said we had to change the lyrics. Actually I think it was the only thing I heard her say during the whole recording, and it was quite funny. We changed the lyrics though, first to “getting high” and “Hinseberg”, then it became only “getting high”. I think Lobster Girl thought that sounded cool. The music was written in the usual fashion, he plays those same chords for hours and hours until he finally opens his mouth and starts to sing.

Q: Oh, so you wrote the lyrics. Did you ever write “songs about your parents”?

A: No. I don't speak about my family. And that is not the point.

Q: OK, so what is the point then?

A: Look behind you, a three-headed monkey!

Q: OK. Could you tell us a bit about the recording session? I hear the recordings were made under quite special circumstances.

A: I arrived at this weird place called Hinseberg. Later I was told that School, Sweet School had made a tour of Swedish prisons for women during the summer. And this Hinseberg-place was their last stop. On the recording I played the drums first. Then Jerker tried for hours and hours with the guitar. That guy has no sense of rhythm whatsoever. Lobster Girl, I guess she did... Lobster Girl stuff. And oh, there was this woman who came and played the flute. Everyone called her “Tyskan” and they all seemed a bit uncomfortable with having her around. But she seemed OK to me. Maybe she was a prisoner or something. She sure could play the flute, though.

Q: So, one final question, what did you make of Sweden?

A: I didn't really see much more than that prison we stayed in. I watched some TV. It was OK. And I heard about this guy called Evert Taube. What an awful, awful man! I hear he is quite popular in your country, and I just can't see why. I guess he is dead now, but you really should stop liking him anyway.

OK. Thank you.

And here is that song they recorded.

I Bring You

Realizing he has a grammar test Monday morning, our hero decides to update the good ol' band blog. Yes ma'am I am lo-fi.

That Thing You Do

Speaking of which, the best speakers of Swedish are Finnish. Proof.

I Bring You

A tragicomedy in 2 acts, originally recorded for 2008's MTV Unplugged, but left out in a futile attempt to avoid the parental advisory sticker. It's about one man's attempt to break with convention, and the sad realization that convention isn't ready to break with him.

I Do What I Wanna Do
II Fuck Who I Wanna Fuck

And as if to justify the above, here's something a little more "fresh":
People Turn to Ghosts