News round-up - November 2011

Firstly, the new Eric Saade album "Saade Vol.2" was released today, featuring "Rocket Science" of course.

Meanwhile, what's Salem up to? Well, according to this website http://www.stjarnklart.se/ he is appearing in a show called Stjärnklart, along with a number of Swedish music legends past and present - Anders Berglund, Shirley Clamp, Carola, Orup, The Poodles and Tommy Körberg. The show started its run at the Stockholm Konserthuset last night and runs until 3rd December then moves on to the De Geer in Norrköping on 6th December, then to Konserthuset in Malmö from 7th to 10th December, and finally to Gothenburg Congress Centre from 15th to 17th December. If any of you have been (or will be going) to this show in any of the above cities, your comments about it are very welcome!

Finally, Pontus De Wolfe is doing some shows at PUB in Stockholm during December, along with pianist Fredrik Hermansson. Pontus will present songs from his forthcoming album and will also be joined by special guests who will perform some songs which "fit into the Christmas mood"
Guests: Magnus Carlson from Weeping Willows (Sunday 4th December, 13:00)
Britta Persson (Sunday 11th December, 13:00)
Anna Järvinen (Sunday 18th December, 13:00)

And then on Friday 23rd December at 13:00......SALEM!!

You will also be able to buy signed copies of the book at these shows.
http://nojesguiden.se/blogs/pontus-de-wolfe/pontus-konserter-pa-pub-med-magnus-carlson-britta-persson-anna-jarvinen-salem-#.TtZWnT-dovc.facebook

A little personal note here: PUB is a big department store on Hötorget in Stockholm, and I remember it very well because back in 2007 when I came to Stockholm on holiday, I stayed in the Rica Hotel which is upstairs from PUB. It was (and probably still is) a great hotel :))

"Rocket Science" clip now online at Scandipop

The always excellent Scandipop has brought us daily preview clips from Eric Saade's soon to be released "Saade Vol.2" album. Today's selection is the one that we have all been waiting for - "Rocket Science". You can hear it at http://www.scandipop.co.uk/?p=8091

You can definitely hear the Salem-influence in the song, and based on the clip it sounds pretty special indeed.

"Vad är...." night at NK, this Wednesday - featuring Pontus and Salem

There's a "Vad är..." night taking place this Wednesday from 19:00 - 20:00 at the bookstore on the 3rd floor of the NK department store on Hamngatan in Stockholm.

There will be words and music from Salem and Pontus, and the evening will commence with a discussion about literature, featuring literary critic Ulrika Kärnborg.

More info: http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/langenskiolds/event/view/nk-bokhandel-bjuder-in-till-stjaernspaeckad-vad-aer-kvaell-35142

Rocket Science!

If you remember, a few weeks ago we saw pictures of Salem and Eric Saade in the studio. At that time I was wondering if they were working together or not. Well, the mystery has been solved. Salem has co-written one of the tracks on Eric's forthcoming album "Saade Volume 2". The song is called "Rocket Science",and was written with Jason Gill, Eric Saade and Julimar Santos.

I can't comment on the song as I haven't heard it yet, but I've got a feeling it will be great!

The excellent Scandipop http://www.scandipop.co.uk/ will be streaming clips from the album starting tomorrow so we don't have too long to wait till we hear it. Enjoy!

Check out Pontus' blog!

I meant to mention this a few weeks ago, but I have been very busy and haven't had time to blog, so please forgive me!

Don't forget to check out Pontus de Wolfe's blog at http://nojesguiden.se/blogs/pontus-de-wolfe where you can read all about Pontus and Salem's book and musical project, his lovely wife Elsa, and his thoughts on music and other popular culture.

Salem to host the P3 Guldgalan!

It was announced this morning that Salem will present the P3 Guldgalan which takes place at Liseberghallen in Gothenburg on 21st January - make a date in your diaries!

Read more about it here:
http://www.gp.se/kulturnoje/musik/1.775747-salem-al-fakir-leder-p3-guld-galan

This is one of Sweden's best and most credible music award ceremonies, celebrating Sweden's best new music. The P3 Guldgalan is due to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Salem was only asked two weeks ago if he wanted to present the ceremony, and stated that the ceremony has always been close to his heart. Salem went on to say that he was convinced to accept the job as it would give him the chance to put his own personal stamp on the ceremony. He will co-write the script with Pontus Andersson.

Will Salem perform at the ceremony? He answered: "It is too early to predict that, this is still too fresh. Just now I'll just try to concentrate on managing to be a presenter. It is the first time for me".

Salem also told P3: "Actually, I am a little sorry I never has won a P3 Guld award but now, I have the world's best consolation prize"..."I feel like the right man in the right place...I am just curious about how it's going to be like everyone else".

Check out http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=3964&artikel=4803430 for a video interview with Salem.

We're looking forward to seeing Salem as a presenter - yet another talent to add to an already long list! Here are some pictures from Morgonpasset i P3's web page from 16.11.2011. (courtesy Jonas Ekblom/SR)

Tekniskamuseet

If you missed the live appearance by Salem and Pontus at Tekniskamuseet you can watch it again at http://bambuser.com/channel/Tekniskamuseet/broadcast/2113571