Can we build an international fanbase ?

I've made a couple of changes to the blog today - it's still called Planet Salem, but I'm now billing it as the international Salem Al Fakir fansite. No matter where you live in the world, if you're a fan of Salem and his music then I'd like to welcome you to Planet Salem - and your comments are always welcome!

Apologies in advance if I've ranted and raved about this before, but when is Salem Al Fakir going to be launched internationally and become the worldwide star that he deserves to become???

It hasn't escaped my attention that there are many people all over the world who have discovered Salem thanks to the Axwell and Ingrosso version of "It's True", and its various remixes which are still turning up on dance compilations and getting a worldwide audience.

What this tells me is that there is obvious potential for an international fanbase for Salem's music - so why hasn't his record company (or their partner record companies in other countries) taken the opportunity to release his music in as many overseas territories as possible by now? I know that "This Is Who I Am" was released in Norway, and that Salem will be playing in Denmark this summer, but apart from this there is still no news of an international launch.

For example, here in the UK there are many Swedish acts - mostly in the 'alternative' genre - whose music has already been released or is scheduled to be released very soon (Lykke Li, Oh Laura and Those Dancing Days for example) - but considering the wide appeal and radio-friendly nature of Salem's music, I still can't believe that "This Is Who I Am" hasn't had a UK release yet and as time is moving on, this now seems less and less likely :( Maybe we now have to wait till the second album.

If you are a Salem Al Fakir fan, whatever country you live in, spread the word about his music and how wonderful he is. Let's build an international fanbase on this blog, and make it a truly international fansite for this brilliant musician.

"Sommar i P1" revisited

On 26 July 2007, Salem Al Fakir appeared on Swedish Radio P1's "Sommar i P1". This programme is a great Swedish summer tradition in which a variety of Swedish public figures - everyone from politicians and journalists to TV presenters, actors and musicians - present their own radio show, share their memories and play some of their favourite music.

Salem's musical choices ranged from classical music, to jazz, to rock. No surprises there!

It can't be easy to sit at a radio microphone and speak eloquently about your life, but Salem managed to do this perfectly. My understanding of spoken Swedish is still practically non-existent, but I understood little bits here and there.

This programme is still available on Swedish Radio's website and here is the link:

http://www.sr.se/laddahem/p1/sommar/mp3/2007/SR_sommar_i_p1_070726.mp3

Putte i Parken line-up confirmed

We already knew that Salem Al Fakir will be playing the new Putte i Parken festival in Karlskoga this summer, but today the full festival programme was announced and we can now confirm that Salem will be playing on the first day of the festival - Thursday 31st August. Other acts on the bill that day: Magnus Uggla, Pugh Rogefeldt, Those Dancing Days, Maia Hirasawa and Sirqus Alfon.

Salem to appear at Gröna Lund in August 2008

Another day, another new concert announced - Salem's summer adventures will continue at the Stockholm amusement park, Gröna Lund. He will play live there on 15th August.

That will explain why Markoolio, Hakan Hellstrom, Salem, Adam Tensta, Mange Schmidt and Eric Gadd are all sitting in a giant teacup. (Photo courtesy of Svenska Dagbladet)

But will he play "Allsång pa Skansen" this year? I hope so.

H3FK on TV4's Nyhetsmorgon

H3FK appeared on yesterday's TV4 Nyhetsmorgon, and you can find clips of the two tracks performed - "Allt Väl På Tallbacken" and "Lilledror" at http://www.tv4.se/ and follow the Nyhetsmorgon link. Salem, with his hair tied back, is sitting on a stool at the front of the stage, playing the violin, tapping his feet and looking very serious.(Unlike Nassim, who was grinning throughout!)They are certainly a group of very talented and accomplished musicians who excel at their unique blend of Arabic/world/folk/jazz music.

There was also an interview, but Salem didn't appear in this - Nassim did though, and was his usual cheerful self :)

Oh, and it just wouldn't be a Planet Salem post if I didn't describe what Salem was wearing...just for the record, he was dressed in a stripey grey jumper, blue jeans and white trainers.

20.04.08: Here are some screencaps from this TV appearance.


Above: H3FK in action.

Above: Jazz violin genius at work.

Above: Salem looking very serious!!

Find more H3Fk stuff at www.myspace.com/h3fk.

The 100th post!

I just noticed that I've already written 100 posts on this blog, which is rather good considering I haven't really had anything much to write about since the beginning of December.

Just think how much I'm going to write when Salem starts playing live again and releasing new music and appearing on Swedish television...I'm going to be very busy!!

Penguins!

Today's update from http://www.salemalfakir.se/: Salem's been checking out some penguins in Gothenburg and he's put a picture of them on his site. I visited Berlin Zoo last year and also took some photographs of the penguins there, which are the same as the ones in Gothenburg!!

So here are some Berlin penguins!!

Another live appearance in Gothenburg

Salem will be appearing at a special concert in Lisebergshallen, Gothenburg on June 13th along with Eric Gadd and Sanna Nielsen (presumably it won't be in an "Empty Room" ...sorry, I couldn't resist this ha ha) during the "Volvo Weekend" which will take place from 13th to 15th June.

We know just how much Salem loves cars so I suppose it's quite appropriate that he's involved in this event!

With two appearances in Gothenburg (12th and 13th June) I guess this means that he probably won't be playing Sweden's biggest rock festival, Hultsfred, which he played in 2007).

Salem's Scandinavian Summer

Salem will be playing the following live dates in Sweden, Norway and Denmark in the coming months:

10.05.08 Mai:Jazz, Stavanger, Norway
07.06.08 Spotfestivalen, Aarhus, Denmark
12.06.08 Stora Scenen, Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden
11.07.08 Træna Festivalen, Træna, Norway (this was the one I mentioned last night)
12.07.08 Krapperups Slott, Nyhamnsläge, Sweden
31.07.08 Putte i Parken, Karlskoga, Sweden

Information courtesy of http://www.salemalfakir.se/.

Norwegian festival appearance announced for July 2008

It looks as if Salem will be playing a few summer festivals this year after all....he will appear at the Traenafestival in Norway which will take place between 10th & 12th July, presumably he will play this either on 10th or 11th July as he is already booked for Kullabygden (Sweden) on 12th July.

Salem featured in a photographic exhibition in Visby.

Check out http://www.helagotland.se/noje/artikel.aspx?articleid=3468595 which today has a feature on an exhibition in Visby, Gotland by innovative photographer Thorn Ullberg. Salem is one of the subjects featured and you can see the photograph if you click the above link. Amazing photo too, Salem looking rather fabulous as usual in a suit, and just look what they've done to his hair!!

Salem to play at Liseberg in June

The summer concert programme for Liseberg in Gothenburg has been announced, and the line-up includes Magnus Uggla, Amanda Jenssen, BWO, Amy Diamond, E-Type, Jill Johnson, The Poodles and Eric Gadd. Best news of all is that Salem will be playing there on 12th June.

Another Swedish gig announced for July 2008

Salem and his band will be playing live in Kullabygden, which apparently is in southern Sweden (no, my Swedish geography's still not getting better) at their 'Musikveckan' from 5 - 12 July. Lots of opera, jazz, classical music....and then on Saturday 12 July, Salem will be performing live.

No time to do the washing up - why???

In his latest posting on www.salemalfakir.se, there's a picture of Salem's unwashed dishes, which have now piled up to an alarming extent.

Why has Salem not done the washing up?

Is it because:

a) he's too busy writing/recording a new album
b) he's too busy rehearsing new material
c) he's too busy planning world domination
d) he's too busy reading this blog (if only!!)
e) ...any other reason is unacceptable!! So get that washing-up done NOW!!!

:-))))