New release: Alligator Gumbo – Simmerin’

Today is the day of the release of the new album Simmerin’ from Alligator Gumbo on monophon. It is available for download on iTunes and other download services and of course for streaming on Spotify etc. You can order the physical CD in our shop here and also on their website www.alligatorgumbo.com.

No longer available from us. Since Nov. 2014 distributed by Rootsy.nu Alligator Gumbo - Simmerin’ monophon MPHCD003, 2014.
Alligator Gumbo – Simmerin’. (monophon) MPHCD003, 2014.

Alligator Gumbo – unpolished and honest cajun music from the heart! Cajun music is a world heritage that was born and developed with the french immigrants in South Western Louisiana during the 19th century. Alligator Gumbo is a band with it’s roots in South Western Sweden, with their love for music from the South they have devoted themselves for the cajun tradition. With the right instruments and interpretations Alligator Gumbo invite for dancing but also something to enjoy for a seated audience. The lyrics are in ”Louisiana French” – passionate with thematics such as unanswered love, hard living, but of course also the joys of life.

“This music makes me want to dance,” said my wife, Pat, when she listened to Alligator Gumbo’s new CD. I first heard about the band a couple of years ago. I was reading news from the “old country” and noticed that a local Cajun band (AG) would perform at the annual festival in Malmö, Sweden. I eventually found a few clips on You Tube, and heard pieces from a self-produced CD with eight traditional Cajun numbers. The music was definitely Cajun and the vocals were sung in Cajun French. Maybe the musical dialect was a little different, but the language was definitively the same. I thought, “why not… why shouldn’t a band of Swedes be able to interpret the music of rural south Louisiana”? After all, one can listen to some great New Orleans jazz in Copenhagen , Denmark, just across the sound from Malmö. A couple of months before this CD was recorded Thor visited Louisiana’s Cajun Country for the first time. He was able to sit in with local musicians at jam sessions in Eunice and Lafayette. It was at these places that he introduced a novelty at the jams, bagpipes. The pipes were played alongside the French accordions and the fiddles, and easily fit the mix. So here’s Simmerin’, Alligator Gumbo’s second album with French music, as the Cajuns call their music. We get twelve tunes. Ten of them are traditional songs. Two of the numbers are Thor’s compositions. Le Long Voyage was written just before he departed on his journey back to Sweden. Cold Cajun was written as an afterthought when he returned to the north. Alligator Gumbo adds bagpipes to their take on the Cajun gumbo on two tracks. The Cajun gumbo is necessarily not hot with pepper, but it’s well seasoned. Thor’s bagpipes add another seasoning to the simmering gumbo pot. Simmerin’ is a good example of the music of south Louisiana. It’s social music, made for family gatherings and other parties. This is how it sometimes sounds on back porches, or at the dance halls here. So let’s boil some crawfish, ice down the beer and let’s dance!

Bengt Lindell, Welsh, Louisiana

Recorded & mixed by Jakob Gustafsson and Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden.

New release: Orquesta Típica Tangarte – Rumores de orquesta

We are very proud to present the new album from Orquesta Típica Tangarte: Rumores de orquesta. It is available for download on iTunes and other download services 2012 10 10. Or order it here at www.monophon.se or www.tangarte.se

DOWNLOAD: Visit iTunes Music Store or or your favourite download store. SVERIGE: Beställ CD genom att maila till shop@monophon.se: SEK 150 inkl porto inom Sverige (betalning via Payson.se eller faktura, vänligen ange önskad betalningsmetod). INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: Order CD by sending an email to shop@monophon.se: SEK 150 (approx. 15 € / 20 $) incl. international shipping (payment through PayPal - credit cards accepted). Orquesta Típica Tangarte - Rumores de orquesta monophon MPHCD002, 2012.
Orquesta Típica Tangarte – Rumores de orquesta. (monophon) MPHCD002, 2012. www.tangarte.se

We are very proud of this new album as it also features some very nice moments with visiting guests Juan Esteban Cuacci, piano, Cristian Zarate & Leonardo Sanchez, piano and guitar, and Mercedes Krapovickas, bandoneon together with the full orchestra and our vocalists Juan José Passo and Sofia Alvarez Tidstrand.

Orquesta Típica Tangarte is an Argentinean-Swedish tango orchestra, founded in 1999 in Malmö, Sweden. The orchestra’s music is the tango from Rio de la Plata, a repertoire with a great variety from the 1940’s and -50’s up to this date. Well-known composers like Villoldo, Canaro, Fresedo, Di Sarli, Troilo, Pugliese and Piazzolla, to mention a few, are part of this repertoire. The music is primarily played for dancing; for people to meet in the embrace of the tango and to be carried away by the music.

Orquesta Típica Tangarte – Rumores de orquesta credits:

Juan José Passo – vocals (# 2, 3, 8, 9, 16, 18) Sofia Álvarez Tidstrand – vocals (# 5, 6, 10, 11, 15, 17) Juanjo Passo – bandoneon (all # except 17, 18) Mercedes Krapovickas – bandoneon (all # except 9, 10, 14, 17, 18) Lars Pilsgaard Hansen – bandoneon (# 4, 7, 13) Garik Binder – piano (all # except 9, 10, 14, 17, 18) Irina Binder – violin (all # except 17, 18) Hedda Heiskanen – violin (all # except 17, 18) Per Tidstrand – violoncello (all # except 17, 18) Viktor Auregård – double bass (all # except 17, 18)

with Special Guests: Cristian Zárate, piano (# 9, 10, 14), Leonardo Sánchez, guitar (# 9, 10, 14), Juan Esteban Cuacci, piano (# 17, 18)

Musical direction Juanjo Passo.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden. Produced by Per Tidstrand.

Design by Per Tidstrand & “The Gramophone” Artwork by Marcela Troncoso.

New release: Alligator Gumbo Lacassine Special

We are proud to present Alligator Gumbo and a new EP from monophon. It is available for download on iTunes and other download services 2012 08 10.

No longer available from us. Since Nov. 2014 distributed by Rootsy.nu Alligator Gumbo - Lacassine Special monophon MPHEP006, 2012.
Alligator Gumbo – Lacassine Special

Alligator Gumbo – unpolished and honest cajun music from the heart! Cajun music is a world heritage that was born and developed with the french immigrants in South Western Louisiana during the 19th century. Alligator Gumbo is a band with it’s roots in South Western Sweden, with their love for music from the South they have devoted themselves for the cajun tradition. With the right instruments and interpretations Alligator Gumbo invite for dancing but also something to enjoy for a seated audience. The lyrics are in ”Louisiana French” – passionate with thematics such as unanswered love, hard living, but of course also the joys of life.

The EP “Lacassine Special” contains seven great songs and it is available on iTunes, Amazon and a zillion of other stores, as well as Spotify or whatever your favourite streaming service might be.

Recorded & mixed by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden.

New release: Csaba & Jerry

We are proud to present Csaba & Jerry and a new EP from monophon. It is available for download on iTunes and other download services 2012 08 10.

DOWNLOAD: Visit iTunes Music Store or or your favourite download store. Csaba & Jerry - Csaba & Jerry monophon MPHEP005, 2012.
Csaba & Jerry – Csaba & Jerry

Csaba & Jerry is an acoustic duo from Malmö, Sweden. They write and perform honest and catchy pop songs in Swedish. Their vision is essentially to write that perfect pop song that everybody can relate to – one that says something important about your life. No hidden meanings or complex metaphors. Just songs hat describe the strange concept of day-to-day life.

This EP contains six songs and is available on Spotify, iTunes and other digital distributors.

www.csabajerry.se

Recorded & mixed by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden.

”MOVE ON” EP now available on CD

Beställ CD genom att maila till shop@monophon.se: SEK 59 inkl porto inom Sverige (betalning via Payson.se eller faktura, vänligen ange önskad betalningsmetod). INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: Order CD by sending an email to shop@monophon.se: SEK 59 (approx. 6 € / 8 $) incl. international shipping (payment through PayPal - credit cards accepted). Emilia Alvarez - Move On monophon MPHEP004, 2011.
Emilia Alvarez – Move On EP (monophon). MPHEP004, 2011

We decided to make a limted edition of Emilia Alvarez EP “Move On” available on CD for all of us retro minded old school hipsters with a passion for plastic. It comes in a cardboard sleeve, though.

If you would like to have the CD just visit emiliaalvarez.bandcamp.com and follow the instructions. You will also receive a free download of the EP when you order the CD. Alternatively, just visit the releases section on this website.

To celebrate this we decided to have a little CD giveaway, where 10 lucky people will receive a signed CD. All you have to do is send an email to giveaway@emiliaalvarez.com with your name, delivery adress and emailadress. We will draw the winners on sunday, dec 11th.

Please note that you will have to agree to receive a newsletter once in a while…

Emilia Alvarez ”Time for Change” single +”Move on” EP release friday July 15th!

Emilia Alvarez second single is “Time for Change” released 15 July 2011 and we have filmed a nice little video for that song. The song is intimate, thoughtful and laid back, and it tells a story that most of us will associate with, to get one’s act together and to get on with oneself. Unfortunately it’s not a very easy thing to do for all of us nowadays, especially many young women are struggling with this. So it is certainly a song with some importance besides being a beautiful song with lovely vocals, cello, acoustic guitar etc.

The EP “Move On” contains five great songs, all quite different but we are sure you will like them all. The single as well as the EP is available on iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp and a zillion of other stores, as well as Spotify or whatever your favourite streaming service might be.

Time for Change: Written by Emilia Alvarez & Sofia Alvarez Tidstrand. Emilia Alvarez vocals, Fredrik Silfverberg acoustic guitar, Per Tidstrand electric bass, violoncello, Minimoog V, drums. Recorded & mixed by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden. Produced by Per Tidstrand. Mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK.

New release: Emilia Alvarez ”Move on” EP release friday July 15th!

Finally, we are so happy to announce the release of the Emilia Alvarez EP “Move On”. It contains five great songs, all quite different but we are sure you will like them all. The single as well as the EP is available on iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp and a zillion of other stores, as well as Spotify or whatever your favourite streaming service might be.

Beställ CD genom att maila till shop@monophon.se: SEK 59 inkl porto inom Sverige (betalning via Payson.se eller faktura, vänligen ange önskad betalningsmetod). INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: Order CD by sending an email to shop@monophon.se: SEK 59 (approx. 6 € / 8 $) incl. international shipping (payment through PayPal - credit cards accepted). Emilia Alvarez - Move On monophon MPHEP004, 2011.
Emilia Alvarez – Move On EP (monophon). MPHEP004, 2011

This is how Emilia describes herself:

”I love art and have been singing, painting and creating ever since childhood. It was not until I was 25 years old and
after spending a year in Australia that I started to write music. All of a sudden it felt natural to express words that flew from my thoughts and in to my writing hand. The words belonged together with a rhythm and meaning, reflected from my emotions, experiences and dreams. It is with great pleasure that I present my first recorded songs. I’m hoping you will love my music just as much as I do. That it will speak to you in its own unique way, comfort and give you strength.

I hope you like my music, I have put a lot of myself, my heart and of course much effort in it. My first tracks are recorded and mixed in I/O studios in Malmö, Sweden. The mastering of the tracks was done at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK (You know, the famous Beatles Studio?). I have many more songs coming up, I am really looking forward to play them to you. I wrote most of the tracks together with my sister Sofia, and some I did all by myself.”

Credits:

Move On: Emilia Alvarez vocals, backing vocals, Sofia Alvarez Tidstrand backing vocals,Tobias Samuelsson drums, Fredrik Silfverberg electric guitar, Per Tidstrand electric bass, electric guitar, organ, Prophet V, Minimoog V, programming, Robert Pettersson tambourine. Recorded & mixed by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden. Produced by Per Tidstrand. Mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK.

Time For Change: Emilia Alvarez vocals, Fredrik Silfverberg acoustic guitar, Per Tidstrand electric bass, violoncello, Minimoog V, drums. Recorded & mixed by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden. Produced by Per Tidstrand. Mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK.

Hold Me: Emilia Alvarez vocals, backing vocals, Sofia Alvarez Tidstrand backing vocals, Per Tidstrand electric bass, electric guitar, Rhodes, CS-80 V, Minimoog V, Moog modular V, vocoder, programming. Recorded & mixed by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden. Produced by Per Tidstrand. Mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK.

Leaving: Emilia Alvarez vocals, backing vocals, Sofia Alvarez Tidstrand backing vocals, Per Tidstrand electric bass,acoustic guitar,electric guitar,CS-80V,ARP2600V,Mellotron,Jupiter 8V, programming. Recorded & mixed by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden. Produced by Per Tidstrand. Mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK.

City of Light: Emilia Alvarez vocals, backing vocals, Sofia Alvarez Tidstrand backing vocals, Per Tidstrand electric bass, electric guitar, Rhodes, CS-80 V, Minimoog V, vocoder, programming. Recorded & mixed by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden. Produced by Per Tidstrand. Mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK.

Emilia Alvarez first single “Move On”

“Move On” is from today available on iTunes and Bandcamp! A zillion of other stores will follow soon as well as Spotify and so on. Enjoy it loudly!!! 

DOWNLOAD: Visit iTunes Music Store or or your favourite download store.
Emilia Alvarez – Move On. (monophon) MPHSG001, 2011

Emilia Alvarez vocals, backing vocals, Sofia Alvarez Tidstrand backing vocals, Tobias Samuelsson drums, Fredrik Silfverberg electric guitar, Per Tidstrand bass guitar, electric guitar, organ, synthesizer, programming, Robert Pettersson tambourine. Recorded & mixed by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios, Malmö, Sweden. Produced by Per Tidstrand. Mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK.

And dont forget to vote on http://onstage.metro.se/artist/48314 !!!!

Visit her facebook page to keep yourself updated. For more information on Emilia visit www.emiliaalvarez.com for more stuff.

New release: Malin Ekstrand – Nära

We are proud to present Malin Ekstrand and a new EP from monophon. It is available for download on iTunes and other download services 2011 03 11.

DOWNLOAD: Visit iTunes Music Store or or your favourite download store. Malin Ekstrand - Nära monophon MPHEP003, 2011.
Malin Ekstrand – Nära. monophon © 2011 (MPHEP003)

”The Music: Open, Warm, Loving, Personal, Happy, Laid Back, Intimate, Elaborated, Playful, Soft, Ingenious. Malin: I am just like anybody with thoughts and ideas, right and wrong. The difference is that I write it down, using music. My life, so far, has been very exciting and I have had many positive surprises. 

In addition to my lovely man and my two wonderful children I also enjoy having music as a close friend. Music has always followed me, but in different shapes and genres: pop, rock, funk, soul, jazz, musicals and that mixture of everything that is a genre of its own. All of it has enriched my life and helped me develop. I have been given the opportunity to explore music as a pianist, a solo artist, a choir singer, a teacher, a creator and as a listener. The music in my life changes, as do my goals and myself. My next goal is to always believe in myself. 

A good friend said: If a song has come to you it is selfish not to pass it on. These five songs have come to me, you can have them. / Malin”

Knowing that Malin has a strong following abroad, we chose to make the presentation in English, although her lyrics in these songs are in Swedish. The songs are written by Malin Ekstrand. Grodor i ring Malin Ekstrand vocals, piano, Johannes Nästesjö double bass, Johan Melén drums, Fredrik Silfverberg electric guitar, Daniel Dahlquist backing vocals, Per Tidstrand Mellotron, Jupiter8. Tvilling Malin Ekstrand vocals, piano, Johannes Nästesjö double bass, Johan Melén drums, Fredrik Silfverberg electric guitar, Per Tidstrand Mellotron, ARP2600V. Nära Malin Ekstrand vocals, piano. Ibland tvär Malin Ekstrand vocals, piano, Johannes Nästesjö double bass, Johan Melén drums, Martin Thuvesson saxophone. En Sista Dag Malin Ekstrand vocals, piano. All tracks were recorded by Per Tidstrand at I/O studios in Malmö, Sweden.

New release: a-kutikku – Onomatopoetic Songs

Good Friday April, 10 sees the release a new EP from monophon. It is available for download on iTunes and other download services.

DOWNLOAD: Visit iTunes Music Store or or your favourite download store. a-kutikku - Onomatopoetic Songs monophon MPHEP002, 2009.
a-kutikku – Onomatopoetic Songs

a-kutikku – Onomatopoetic Songs

Japanese electro pop with Eiko Furukawa and Per Tidstrand. Japanese traditional songs and children’s songs with a touch of Scandinavia.

Eiko Furukawa is a singer in a variety of musical styles. In this case, Eiko is the vocalist in a-kutikku where rather childish songs, many of which also more or less traditional japanese songs, are performed in a quite modern way. Most of the music is based on a club sound and atmosphere, where we tried to capture the playfulness of the songs, or the stories the songs are about. The music is meant to be able to be performed live on stage, with recorded backing tracks and live vocals, as well as one or more live instruments. We have done this successfully a couple of times in Sweden. Eiko is at the moment living in Sweden where this collaboration started.

The musical arrangements are made by Per Tidstrand, a swedish musician and music producer. Per is originally a classical cellist but is working in most of the musical genres, in both professions.