Delightfully Swedish new wave rockers The Sounds are planning a world tour in support of their latest album, Crossing the Rubicon, and they just so happened to include Tempe on their massive list. The Sounds built their reputation with their infectious 2002 debut Living in America, putting them on the short list of top-notch new-wave/indie rock Swedish bands at the time joining The Hives, Shout Out Louds, Mando Diao, Sahara Hotnights and Razorlight. While Rubicon signals a new, mature sound for the band, it still encapsulates the energy and dynamic of the band - buoyed by radiant lead singer Maja Ivarsson (holy crap that name is Swedish). She is the lifeblood of the band and she is what set them apart from their other America-infiltrating Swedish contemporaries, and the real reason you should get out and see at the Marquee.
The Sounds will play Tempe's Marquee Theatre Friday, October 16. Support is yet to be named.
What happened circa 2002 with Swedish artists like The Sounds is important for what we see today with the ever-growing popularity of Peter Bjorn & John, Royksopp, Robyn, Lykke Li, Lindstrøm and Karen Dreijer Andersson (aka Fever Ray). Lest we forget that ABBA started America's fascination with Swedish music way back in the 1970's, something hair metal band Europe tried to ruin in 1986 with the release of that awful, awful song "The Final Countdown." Swedish music was resilient, though, and it came back to fruition in the 1990's with the help of the aforementioned Robyn, The Cardigans, Kent and, of course, Ace of Base. So as we see, Swedish musical is oddly cyclical and is bolstered by offerings of unabashed, mega-popular pop music, smart rock music and experimental/avant-garde electronic music.
So why not celebrate the enigma that is Swedish music and spend a night out with The Sounds? How often do you get to see a native Swede like Maja Ivarsson -- a stunning, talented woman -- absolutely kick ass onstage?
Some of you may have heard The Sounds' "Don't Want To Hurt You," quite recently, even though you may think otherwise. Behold the proof:
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