P3 Guld promo interviews

A new promotional interview with Salem has appeared in the Swedish media.
http://www.expressen.se/noje/musik/1.2683386/salem-al-fakir-alltid-onskat-mig-priset

As we all know, Salem will present the P3 Guldgalan this coming Saturday in Gothenburg. Despite being previously nominated, Salem has never won anything at the P3 Guld awards - but said in the interview that he always wanted to win the award (known as the "Guldmicken") for the year's best live artist. Salem describes the P3 Guld awards as a very special event because of the connection between the radio listeners and the awards, and he feels at home there.

Salem also reveals in the interview that we're going to have to wait a bit longer for a new solo album - after working very hard over recent years and releasing three albums in four years, Salem took a long awaited break in 2011: "...I went from working 150 percent to 80-90%, but I found a great many fun collaborations over the last year.". Which included his book written with Pontus De Wolfe of course. The interview states that Salem will take time to figure out the next step in his career...

Meanwhile there's another interview over at Gaffa.se: http://gaffa.se/nyhet/56541

Salem talks about dogs, and breakfast, and his busy schedule in December and January. Salem also says that becoming a presenter is a new thing for him but he now feels confident to speak rather than play. "....It will be interesting, it's going to be exciting, it's a new experience."

I'm sure this will be a very successful experience for you Salem, and that you will be able to add "presenter" to your list of many talents. Good luck for Saturday night!

New interview in Nöjesguiden

Here's a nice surprise which I discovered today - a new interview with Salem on the Nöjesguiden website, and a very nice new picture of him too :)

You can read the interview at
http://nojesguiden.se/artiklar/doskalle-masterligt-moter-salem-al-fakir

And here's the picture....

(picture by Emil Jönsson, courtesy of http://www.nojesguiden.se/)

By the way, here's a tip for non-Swedish speaking readers of this blog who would like an easier translation of Swedish articles/interviews - I've just started using Google Chrome which has a translate function. If you go to a website which is in Swedish, it will ask you automatically if you wish to translate it into English. I guess this will work in reverse if you live in Sweden and want to translate English articles into Swedish?

New interview with Salem and Pontus

Stureplan.se has an interview with the boys about their new book and their love of music. Check it out at http://stureplan.se/artiklar/folk/intervju/2011/10/05/bla

"Vad är musik?" - latest news

The release party for "Vad är musik?" took place on Friday at Kåken in Stockholm.

Salem and Pontus will also be presenting their new book at an event at Pocket Shop, Götgatan, Stockholm this coming Wednesday, 14th September between 19:00 and 20:00. More info at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138234342935635 Don't miss it!

Here's a short article from Dagens Nyheter: http://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/musik/salem-al-fakir-slapper-musikbok

Dala-Demokraten's Dalhalla review

http://www.dalademokraten.se/Noje/Nyheter/Succe-igen---Salem-Al-Fakir/(the above picture is courtesy of Dala-Demokraten)

Reviewer Bengt Pettersson awards 4 out of 5 for last night's sell-out concert to an audience of 4000 fans. "Salem Al Fakir did it again. Success at Dalhalla. He managed to get everyone to forget that it rained during the first half of the concert and gave a totally brilliant music show".

The reviewer went on to say that "Brooklyn Sun" was one of the highlights, particularly with the accompaniment of the Gävle Symphony Orchestra. The reviewer also particularly enjoyed a new instrumental piece "Dina dagar är räknade" ("Your days are numbered") which Salem performed together with Sami and the orchestra.

Also I found out something new in this review which I didn't know before - September revealed last night that she attended the same school as Salem. I can only agree with Mr Pettersson's comment - "they must have had a good music teacher".

A couple of pre-Dalhalla interviews

Firstly, Expressen http://www.expressen.se/noje/1.2519250/salem-al-fakir-jag-behovde-en-paus

Salem told Expressen: "I felt I needed a break from myself". After a hectic 2010, he felt he needed a break - "Since 2006 I have been out there and played every spring, summer and autumn....it was on the verge of becoming too much. I felt that now, do I need a break. But it is also good for the audience, so that they do not tire of me for good".

Don't worry Salem, we will never tire of you!!

In Dala-Demokraten http://www.dalademokraten.com/Noje/Nyheter/Salem-Al-Fakir-tar-en-paus-fran-semestern/ Salem says "It worked so well with the Gävle Symphony Orchestra last time and it was so amazingly nice to play there, so getting to Dalhalla again was a dream I had. It's going to be outrageously fun, if we may say so"..."It is one thing when you're out there and playing for an entire summer, then we are not nervous. But now that you only do one evening with such fine guests, Orchestra and large audience it feels like a big task. But I try to take it as calmly as possible and have fun along the way".

The article reveals that Oskar Linnros and September will play their own songs during the concert, and we can also expect a musical collaboration between the three artists.

Norrköping review in Folkbladet / Salem in Svensktoppen

There's a very positive review of Salem's Saturday night show in Norrköping, in today's Folkbladet: http://www.folkbladet.se/kulturnoje/artikel.aspx?articleid=5557165

Reviewer Mikael Mjörnberg writes that "the sum is greater than the parts...(Salem) tripping excitedly on stage together with the conductor Hans Ek, and then they spend, the next more than two hours devoted to filling in any gaps and they lift the music a dimension higher. Responsive and challenging....Salem Al Fakir's pop music and the hefty orchestra is simply an equation that goes very well together."

The reviewer did not feel that it worked as well for special guest September: "she did a good job, there's no question about that, but her voice and character does not melt together with the Symphony Orchestra...the feeling is that she sings to the accompaniment of the orchestra rather than becoming part of it."

The reviewer goes on to say: "(Salem) stands for the really spectacular and it creates a whole in a completely different way when he pulls the strings. That his songs make themselves great with the orchestra should be clear by now, but some are obviously better than others...Salem sings beautifully and Hans Ek has made excellent arrangements for most of the songs."

"Hans Ek bounces like an excited football fan on the conductor's podium. He manages to sneak in some Ennio Morricone in the show and in the middle of the second act there's even an incomparable orchestral version of the old theme music to "Das Boot" (as the majority of humanity, of course, rather know as techno hit by German U96 with the same name from 1991...it is very heavy in comparison to Salem's otherwise pretty neat song material, but it's very good. That said, Salem Al Fakir and symphony orchestra fill in each other's gaps. The boundaries between the orchestra and gathering rock concert blur and then the sum is naturally greater than the parts".

In other news, "Split My Personality" is the highest new entry in this week's "Svensktoppen" on SR P4. A little interview snippet on http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2023&artikel=4366360 :"...my girlfriend complains right now because we never listen to any music any longer, as I'll soon get started writing new music. But I have just become a dog owner, a small puppy named Otis, so the plan is that I'm going to start working when he sleeps!". Of course Otis probably isn't so small anymore!!

UNT's review of Salem in Uppsala - 27th December

In his review at http://www.unt.se/kultur/konsert/skojfrisk-salem-med-ljudeffekter-1175557.aspx Stefan Warnqvist awards three stars to the first of Salem's two shows at Katalin in Uppsala.

The reviewer noted a "special chemistry" between Salem and the Uppsala audience, as he sold out two gigs there in the summer and performed an almost sold out gig last night, which the reviewer described as "...a spirited celebration. Al Fakir gave us hit after hit and was greeted by singing along with almost every song. The tempo was high and enthusiasm on stage was both tangible and contagious. Visually, it was spartan. Al Fakir recently had a haircut and has grown a moustache, but otherwise he was content with Katalin's usual simple decor. But his own charisma was enough."

When it came to the new songs from "Ignore This", the reviewer said: "They went to Katalin and made the songs more danceable, but it sounded mechanical with a dated '80s feel. The versatility that otherwise characterizes Al Fakir's music also went into the background behind all the sound effects. The song "Split My Personality" was with its slower tempo and melodic guitar loops, a welcome contrast. This gave more space for the soulfulness of Al Fakir's distinctive voice."

The reviewer went on to say : "The set ended with a brilliant version of "Keep on Walking" and the jubilation afterwards knew no bounds. The song stood out already in Melodifestivalen and the high energy of Katalin gave it a stronger nerve and intensity."We have not prepared anything," joked Al Fakir when he and his musicians came back for the encore. The audience were asked what they wanted to hear and the choice fell on "Good Song", the big hit from his debut album." The reviewer ended: "..the bottom line: an energy-fuelled and spirited show, but with too many synth layers. Maybe next time Salem Al Fakir might like to cut down on the pre-programmed sound effects".

If you were there, do you agree with this review? Let me know what you think.

UNT's interview with Damien Adore / Uppsala tonight and tomorrow

The "mystery man" with the moustache is supporting Salem at his gigs tonight and tomorrow at Katalin, Uppsala. Damien has given what he says is his first and last interview, to Uppsala Nya Tidning, and you can find it at http://www.unt.se/kultur/damien-adore-avslutar-forbandsturn-1173762.aspx along with a nice picture of the man himself. I love that costume! ;)

The interview took place in Gothenburg last month when Damien supported Salem at the Sticky Fingers club. He said that he's been involved in the music industry for 10 years, but mostly as a producer. It wasn't until the P3 Guldgalan back in January 2010, when he revealed himself "...I have not had any need to be visible externally". He said that his musical inspiration comes from "himself"!

Damien said there will be a debut album "when the time is right." Hoping we won't have to wait too long!!

As I mentioned earlier, Salem and Damien are playing their final shows of 2010 tonight and tomorrow at Katalin in Uppsala. I'm sure that all the "regulars" will be there and as ever, I'd love to hear what you thought of the shows - remember to leave your comments here!

New interview....

Found a nice new interview with Salem today at http://halsa.msn.se/6393/image/3 where he talks about the past year, and about what he's doing at Christmas.

New interview

A very interesting interview in Länstidningen Södertälje, ahead of Salem's gig tomorrow night: http://lt.se/kulturnoje/1.1035819-kanner-du-igen-lars-

Gaffa.se review of Salem (and Damien) at Debaser

Check out http://gaffa.se/recension/44688 for a review of last night's gig by Salem Al Fakir/Damien Adore at Debaser Slussen in Stockholm.

You can also find a few photos at http://gaffa.se/Galleries/gallery/3964 - photos by Jonath Mathew. I thought I'd share one of them with you (if that's ok) - here is the mysterious Damien Adore ;)

Helsingborgs Dagblad review of Salem at The Tivoli, Helsingborg

Review by Hannes Grönberg at http://hd.se/noje/konsert/2010/11/13/salem-siktar-snett/

It's a two star review, in which the reviewer seems unhappy with Salem's new, electronic musical direction, and the new versions of old/more recent material. "...one example is "Dream Girl", where the luxury orchestrated soul pop is exchanged for electronic drum kit and electric piano. It is a brave version indicating a high integrity, but that sounds more new than good".

The reviewer goes on to say: "Salem Al Fakir talks about club music, but its sights are set wrong and the result lands closer to the Eurovision Song Contest than dance pop bands such as Hot Chip and Junior Boys." ...."the main character also makes a controlled impact with sparse dancing and the big hair hidden under a knitted cap....there are moments when the pent-up joy breaks through...but the highlights are sabotaged by blunder as on "This Is For" where the singer raps with a robotic voice while I find it increasingly difficult to believe that he knows what he's doing."

The reviewer ends by saying "Somewhat unexpectedly, the Melodifestivalen song "Keep on Walking" is the concert's finest moment. It is not hip and not at all clubby, but has a peculiar atmosphere of moonlight and adventure. It is also the only time in the evening when the ambition coincides entirely with the result. "

What do you think? If you were there, did you agree with any of the points made in this review?

New interview in Helsingborgs Dagblad

Check out this new interview with Salem in Helsingborgs Dagblad: http://hd.se/noje/2010/11/11/det-ar-skont-att-ha-ett-alter-ego/

In the interview with Magnus Ransheim, Salem reveals that he finally got two weeks' vacation, for the first time in ten years!

Salem also talks about receiving the award for the most played song of the year on Swedish radio, and how hearing his music on commercial radio was another part of his 'year-long experiment': he said that while he was in a "bubble" he had rarely heard "Keep On Walking" on the radio, but now he's had more chance to listen, he describes it as 'fairly new and fresh'. As in previous interviews, Salem reiterates how happy he was not to have won Melodifestivalen as he would never have had the time to do all the other things he wanted to do.

Salem enjoyed playing at the gala concert before Victoria and Daniel's wedding, and the interviewer rewinds to an HD interview at the time of the release of "This Is Who I Am", when Salem said it was his dream to play in front of 25,000 people at Malmöfestivalen - and that dream came true this summer: "where we could see if we have done the job right or not, and I can definitely feel pride in what I did at that show....but you increase your dreams and goals all the time".

When asked if he will continue in the electronic/synthpop style of "Ignore This", Salem replied "...I've always liked to sit and tinker with my music....I know myself that I want to do a lot in this direction, I like the sound and want to work further with it."

And as for the "mysterious" Damien Adore, Salem reveals that he produced a song in 2000 and "has done a lot of music which nobody has heard. He appeared on the P3 Guldgalan, but otherwise, it has been very hush hush-around him....the focus has been on his buddy, ha ha ha. Joking aside, it has been very nice to have an alter ego, because it meant that I have been able to write very different things. Now perhaps it is time to see where Damien Adore can go. The sound on "Ignore This" has existed in his name for a couple of years."

Finally, in response to Salem declining to appear on TV4's big hit show ”Så mycket bättre" Salem sets the record straight: "I heard that I would have declined because I was burnt-out. It is interesting that most professions have a five-week vacation. I have a job where you never really can have a vacation, but at the same time, nobody can say that we never get to take a break. I simply didn't have the time."
Glad that he's finally had a holiday after all these years!

NorraSkåne review of Kristianstad Arena opening

NorraSkåne.se has a review of Friday night's opening concert from the Kristianstad Arena, which took place in front of 4700 fans. http://www.nsk.se/article/20101017/NOJE/710179921/0/*/*/kristianstad-arena-har-oppnat

Reviewer Patrick Leanderson on Salem: "A bearded, bespectacled Salem Al Fakir in a blue knitted hat tries in a somewhat whimsical way to get the crowd rocking. There is singing along in the very first song "Good Song" and a handclapping exercise in "4 O'Clock".We're also offered the rather neglected "All Day Love," which he sang at the festival concert before the royal wedding this summer. And he rounds off with a slightly sloppy version his big hit from Melodifestivalen, "Keep On Walking" where much of the song's orchestration and arrangement disappeared out of the mix."

If you were at the show, do you agree with the reviewer's comments? I thought that was a very good mix of songs old and new, and I'm very happy that he's started playing "All Day Love" which (I hope) will become a regular part of his live set.

And maybe some day, Salem may return to the Kristianstad Arena to play his own live show, if his popularity continues to grow :)

Salem's Expressen Söndag interview

OK, credits time first of all: thanks to Alexandra who initially scanned this, and to Eva for sending it to me. I didn't know about the interview so a million thanks to both of you once again.

It's a very nice change from the usual interviews as you learn a few new things about Salem, who is currently on a well-deserved break, recovering from that lengthy summer tour. Salem - I hope you are enjoying your time off!

Salem on "Keep On Walking"....

A nice little interview with Salem, by Stefan Westrin, which he did before his concert at the re-opening of Gävle Torget yesterday. I found it at http://arbetarbladet.se/noje/musik/1.2304500-salem-invigde-det-nya-stortorget
where Salem talks about "Keep On Walking" and its enduring appeal. He revealed that he wrote the song on 19th July 2009.

"I sat with a guitar, played with chords and it was a loop that came up. I recorded it on the phone to remember it; then a few weeks later we went into the studio to record the album, "Ignore This", when I picked it up again. That time I was sitting at a keyboard, and it was there the whole string part and the text came...I wrote the song very quickly".

"I thought it was a song that many would like, so I chose it as the first single. And when Melodifestivalen asked if I wanted to take part as the joker, I was not surprised by the offer, in fact, for they had asked earlier and had I declined. But this time I felt that I had a song that I would actually like to experiment with. They said, "do exactly what you want", and I could do what I always do, and this time in Melodifestivalen.I had not anticipated that it would go so well in the contest....I saw it as an experiment, and I believe that in all successful experiments, you go in with an open mind and try to clear up any preconceptions".

"I sometimes wonder what it is in the song, which appeals to so many....I think there is a simplicity in it that make it easy to absorb....But my particular favorite on the album is actually a different song: "Split My Personality". I hope to be able to play both the songs when I play on the square today".

When I first heard "Ignore This", "Split My Personality" sounded to me like one of the obvious songs which Salem should play live, so I was very surprised when it wasn't part of his live set during the summer tour. (Maybe that's why it's his favourite song, because he doesn't play it all the time? :)))

Anyway, can anyone tell me if Salem played "Split My Personality" in Gävle, as he promised in the interview? I just wondered what it sounded like in the live setting, especially with the backing of the orchestra.

Uppsala Nya Tidning's review of last night's show

Andreas Jakobsson in Uppsala Nya Tidning gives a three-star review of last night's show at Katalin, at http://www.unt.se/kultur/tillstramat-med-fa-spontana-inslag-1031195.aspx

The reviewer highlights that Salem does not appear to be as spontaneous on stage as he used to be, that "the hare-brained ideas are toned down (from three years ago when the reviewer saw two concerts by Salem)...On stage he is concentrating more on music and less on being wonderfully crazy".

At the end of the article the reviewer notes that "As an artist he has generally become more difficult to grasp. He is not the guy who laughs through an entire interview or walks around with a grin on his face all the time anymore. He is more like a mainstream artist who makes unusual music for ordinary people, and often becomes too comfortable where he sits behind the piano...when he presents a little derailment in the ironic "I'm So Happy" there is a longing to come back to the artist who did something unexpected a little too often".

He may not be as "crazy" as he used to be, but I was just wondering about one thing - is Salem still leaping off his piano stool at the end of "Keep On Walking"? (I've seen some video clips on YouTube of him doing this and I get so worried sometimes that he'll get hurt!!)

Rockbjörnen photos / Uppsala Nya Tidning interview

A couple of photos of Salem which were taken before last night's award ceremony :)

(courtesy of www.facebook.com/salemalfakir)

(courtesy of http://www.posh24.se/)

Uppsala Nya Tidning has an interview with Salem prior to his first of two sold-out Uppsala gigs at http://www.unt.se/kultur/fran-underbarn-till-utsalda-hus-1029652.aspx

In this interview, Salem discussed his musical childhood and was asked how good he is on the violin and piano: "I'm actually pretty good. I haven't practiced violin for so long but on the piano, I am pretty good at the genre I play, I'm good at adapting and have a good ear".

On his initial success and awards: "I was very happy, but I do not write music to win prizes. I have been going on for so long and it's been such a long process with me. Success is a way to reach out to more people, so I see it as a way towards what I want to achieve".

When asked if he has sacrificed anything, Salem said: "I've put a tremendous amount of time on the job through the years and forgotten about a bit that there is a life also, on the side. I want to invest a bit more in life now. That is what is most important".

Finally, on Melodifestivalen - "... I had a life before Melodifestivalen and think I'll have one afterwards too. And it is a much longer journey. Little things like that are very funny, but they are not the main thing in life...it was a one-time thing".

A review from Katalin will be published tomorrow at www.unt.se. In the meantime, feast your eyes on this very nice picture which was taken at Katalin tonight by Sven-Olof Ahlgren for UNT.

Metro interview from 25.08.2010

I'm not sure if any of you have already seen this, but there was a short interview with Salem in last Wednesday's Skåne edition of the Metro newspaper.

Here's the link to the PDF-version: http://www.metro.se/se/misc/pdf/2010-08-25/SEMMA_2010-08-25.pdf. The interview, by Johan Allgoth, is on page 32.

It's great to hear that Salem will be writing some new music over the autumn and according to this interview, he'll be following up both the musical style of his last album and also that of "All Day Love" which - of course - can only be a good thing.