Lopez Blogs

Not that we're keen on TV-shows for children but sometimes when our beloved schlager-stars appear in Gabba Gabba's humorous videos it changes everything!
When else can you see Shirley's Angels singing odes to hygiene products or Sanna Nielsen making music out of food. Swedish kids should be definitely greatful for their schlager-childhood and we keep enjoying new Gabba Gabba episodes.

One of the most respectable Melodifestivalen DJs SoundFactory delivers mix-treatment for the latest Sanna Nielsen's hit "I'm In Love".
Previously SoundFactory has already made mixes for Sanna's "Empty Room" and "Vågar Du, Vågar Jag" and now when Sanna's back SoundFactory equips her with fresh bunch of mixes that you can listen here.
Comparing to other previous SoundFactory mixes this one gets more electronic but still pretty recognizable for him with all the right accents and schlager-culmination on the place that is a good thing as his works have become some sort of Christmas schlager-tree - they just had to appear for one or two melosingles otherwise this MF season won't be complete.

Sanna Nielsen who's arranged grand comeback with new melofinalist single "I'm In Love", same-titled album and tour this (which starts right now) year is ready for a new reboot of her career and though we haven't reviewed her album yet (we will, we will!!!) we can enjoy her multiple performances on TV with new stuff, Sanna is one of the most professional and charismatic Swedish live artists so you're gonna like it all, no, you're gonna be IN LOVE with it, won't you?

Efter sex veckors Melodifestivalsfokus ska vi äntligen utse en vinnare ikväll. Äntligen upprepar jag. Skönt att resan är över för denna gång och vi kan börja fokusera på Düsseldorf och Eurovision Song Contest. Det är trots allt den tävlingen som jag tycker är intressant.

Jag var på gårdagens generalrepetition och kan konstatera att jag fortfarande inte har hittat några  favoriter. Det är mycke retro över låtarna och vi befinner oss i årtionden som 50-, 60- och 80-talen.

Mellanaktsunderhållningen blir som vanlig bäst. Eller vad sägs om Nanne Grönwall, Lena Ph, Ola Salo från The Ark och Christer Sjögren som rockar loss tillsammans.

 
 1. Danny Saucedo: In The Club  
Composers: Fredrik Boström, Peter Boström, Danny Saucedo 
Låten har växt för min del och vinner den så får jag väl vara hyfsat nöjd. Snygg dans som tyvärr kräver så mycke koncentration att Danny blir något av en stone face.

2. Sara Varga: Spring för livet    
Composers: Sara Varga, Fredrik Boström
Låtar från andra chansen har en tendens att bli folkkära och det är vad som hänt med Saras låt. Absolut inget för Eurovision men Sara har fått sig genombrott bland Svensktoppspubliken.

3. The Moniker: Oh My God!
Composer: The Moniker
Andra chansen låt igen och Moniker får betraktas som tävlingens dark horse med sin 60-tals pastisch. Trallvänligt så det förslår och refrängen sitter som klister. 

4. Brolle: Days: "And 7 Nights"   
Composer: Brolle
Norrländsk rockabilly i 80-tals tappning tilltalar inte mig. Hur kan 3 minuter kännas så långa! Brolle förlorar också tatueringsfighten mot Nicke Borg.

5. Linda Bengtzing: "E det fel på mej"  
Composers: Pontus Assarsson, Thomas G:son, Jörgen Ringqvist, Daniel Barkman
Klämkäck schlagerdänga som gör att foten automatiskt börjar röra sig i takt. Det svenskaste vi kan skicka till Düsseldorf och hela Europa kommer att skaka på huvudet. Linda charm kommer att behövas big time ifall denna låt vinner - men det tror jag inte.

6. Nicke Borg: "Leaving Home"
Composers: Jojo Borg Larsson, Nicke Borg, Fredrik Thomander, Anders Wikström
Rockballad får liv av Nickes nasala röst. Snygg enkel scendekoration. Tävlingens mest genomarbetade låt men troligen för bra för TV-publiken och definitivt inte en låt som den sms-röstande tonårsgeneration kommer att välja.

 7. Swingfly: "Me And My Drum"    
Composers:Teron Beal, Patrik Magnusson, Johan Ramström, Swingfly
Jag lever på hoppet fram till kl 21.55 ikväll och hoppas att Swingfly sopar bana med de andra artisterna som helst lever i ett musikaliskt förflutet. Bland kvällens låtar är "Me and my drums" bästa alternativet för Düsseldorf.

8. Sanna Nielsen: "I’m In Love"
Composers: Irini Michas, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son, Bobby Ljunggren
Underbara vackra och skönsjungande Sanna! Du blir mer och mer lik Ann-Louise Hansson. Åh vad jag önskar att Sanna hade fått den kvalitativa låt hon är värd. Nu känns 2 1/2 minuter som en transportsträcka till modulationen där hon äntliga får visa sina röstresurser.

9. The Playtones: "The King"
Composers: Fredrik Kempe, Peter Kvint
Dansbandskampens charmiga vinnare passar i folkparkerna. En hopplös 50-talslåt som kommer att hamna sista i sin semifinal ifall vi skickar dem till Tyskland.

10. Eric Saade: Popular 
Composer: Fredrik Kempe
'Folket' vill troligen att Eric Saade  ska vinna och det vill också min brorsdotter Marie som är sju år. Det säger en del om var han har sina fans. Jag hoppas på de 11 internationella jurygrupperna och att de  genomskådar supercharmiga Erics glaskrossar dagispop.

Thanks to Giannis Papoutsakis, oikotimes.com, for excellent photos!

Melodifestivalen finalists, press and other celebrities were mingeling among the gold mosaik in Stockholm City Hall last night. The Blue Hall was decorated by a fantastic lightning.


Melodifestivalens finalister, press och andra utvald minglade bland guldmosaiken i Stockholms stadshus i under torsdagskvällen. Blå Hallen var dekorerad av fantastisk ljussättning. 


The buffet was even more beautiful than last year. 

Buffédekorationen var om möjligt ännu vackrare än i fjol.

Among the guests we met Danny and Eric Saade. Despite what the media is writing they seem to be good friends.

Bland gästerna fanns Danny och Eric Saade. Oavsett vad pressen skriver så verkar killarna vara goda vänner.


The guys in The Playtones were happy and would not mind going to Düsseldorf in May.

Killarna i Playtones var på gott humör och skulle inte ha något emot att åka till Düsseldorf i maj.

Fredrik Kempe has written The Playtone’s entry ”The King”. During the last 5 years he has participated as a songwriter with 17 songs in Melodifestivalen or Eurovision. For time being he has no plans to participate as a singer.

Fredrik Kempe har skrivit Playtones låt ”The King”. Fredrik berättade att ha haft 17 låtar med i Melodifestivals- och Eurovisionssammanhang under de senaste 5 åren. Själv har han just nu inga planer på att medverka som sångare. 

 
Linda Bengtzing seems to be happy whenever you meet her. Here with Fotis från oikotimes.com

Linda Bengtzing verkar alltid på strålande humör när man träffar henne. Här med Fotis from oikotimes.com

 I think I have to learn to walk in high heels. All Melodifestivalen women seem to be longer that me. Also the host, Marie Serneholt. 
Jag tror jag måste lära mig att gå i högklackat. Alla Melodifestivals kvinnor verkar vara mycket längre än jag är. Även programledaren Marie Serneholt.

Sanna Nielsen is more good-looking than ever. 

Sanna Nielsen blir bara snyggare och snyggare för varje gång hon deltar i Melodifestivalen. 


Thanks to my colleagues Giannis, Fotis and Jürgen from Athens and Amsterdam, I could relax and enjoy the nice food and wine


Själv kunde jag roa mig mer än vanligt eftersom jag hade kolleger från Aten och Amsterdam på plats. Tack Giannis, Fotis och Jürgen!
 


Thanks to Giannis Papoutsakis for taking the nice photos!

Det är bara att konstatera att Melodifestivalens andra chans blev allt annat än det man önskat. Egentligen är jag inte förvånad att The Moniker och Sara Varga är i final. Åter igen har jag fått bevis för att Melodifestivalen inte handlar om att hitta 'rätt' låt till Eurovision Song Contest. Som vanligt handlar det om att rösta på en låt som kanske kommer att få framgång på Svensktoppen.


Det ska bli intressant att se, läsa och höra tongångarna i maj om Sverige floppar i Düsseldorf. Vem kommer att bära hundhuvudet? Förmodligen SVT och inte Svenska Folket. Men vem är det som röstar The Moniker och Sara Varga till finalen när man istället skulle kunna välja Love Generation och Linda Pritchard? Jo Svenska Folket.

Om syftet med Melodifestivalen är att Sverige ska vinna Eurovision Song Contest så kommer det att krävas expertisröster från början. När vi väl kommer till final är det för sent att införa internationella jurygrupper.

 I väntan på finalen så kan jag presentera startordningen i finalen. Att Danny startar som etta och Eric Saade som tia genererar på sin höjd en gäspning. Dessa två killar är nu SVT's sista hopp efter RedOne/Love Generation floppen. Jag är dock tveksam till båda killarna.Just nu känns det som att det enda rätta är att vi håller oss till Sara Vargas "Spring för livet". Jag kräver i så fall att hon slutar klä sig som en huvudrollsfigur i ett grekiskt antikt drama och istället tar på sig en T-shirt och ett par jeans.

1."In the Club"
Composers: Figge Boström, Peter Boström, Danny Saucedo 
Artist: Danny Saucedo

2. "Spring för livet"    
Composers: Sara Varga, Fredrik Boström
Artist: Sara Varga          

3. "Oh My God!"
Composers: Daniel Karlsson
Artist: The Moniker   

4. "7 Days And 7 Nights"
Composers: Brolle
Artist: Brolle

5. "E det fel på mej"
Composers: Pontus Assarsson, Thomas G:son, Jörgen Ringqvist, Daniel Barkman
Artist: Linda Bengtzing

6. "Leaving Home"
Composers: Jojo Borg Larsson, Nicke Borg, Fredrik Thomander och Anders Wikström
Artist: Nicke Borg

7. Me And My Drum
Composers: Teron Beal, Patrik Magnusson, Johan Ramström, Swingfly
Artist: Swingfly

8. "I'm In Love"
Composers: Irini Michas, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son, Bobby Ljunggren
Artist: Sanna Nielsen

9. "The King"
Composers: Fredrik Kempe, Peter Kvint
Artist: The Playtones

10. "Popular"
Composers: Fredrik Kempe
Artist: Eric Saade

Source: SVT

Jag har anlänt till Malmö och i morgon börjar helgens aktiviteter med genrep inför deltävling 4 i Melodifestivalen. Det blir min första deltävling eftersom Göteborg fick stryka på foten till förmån för Finlands final. Det finns dock en nackdel med att vara i Malmö just nu - jag missar Danmarks final på söndag.

Jag hoppas och tror att detta kan bli det mest intressanta startfältet i år. Rock, webbjoker, dansband, stompschlager, pop och berömda Amerikanska låtskrivare. Det finns rutinerade Melodifestivalsdeltagare och flertalet debutanter. Därmed inte sagt att debutanterna är några noviser på scenen. Snarare tvärtom.

Bland låtskrivarna känns det inte lika nydanande. Fredrik Kempe, Thomas G:son, Alexander Bard, Ola Håkansson med flera.

Utan att ha hört låtarna så finns det stor chans att det även denna gång är bäddat för herrarnas afton medan damerna får nöja sig med andra chansen. Blir det så innebär det att vi efter Malmö kommer att ha en rejäl manlig övervikt i finalen. Sju manliga finalister och en kvinnlig, dvs. Sanna Nielsen.

Malmö startfältet:
Melody Club: "The Hunter"
Julia Alvgard: "Better Or Worse"
Lasse Stefanz: "En blick och nånting händer"
Linda Pritchard: "Alive"
Anders Fernette: "Run"
Linda Bengtzing: "E de fel på mej"
Nicke Borg: "Leaving Home"
Love Generation: "Dance Alone"

Source: SVT

Both biggest bookmakers and polls favorites Sanna Nielsen and Brolle have proved expectations and have taken victories moving to final of Melodifestivalen-2011 with the only difference - Sanna has become winner though Brolle was considered as bigger favorite.
Our thoughts? Not managing to like Brolle's song we're happy it's Sanna who have done it - she did everything right, performing it aseptically clean with confidence of artist who was on Melodifestivalen 5 times before. Unfortunately song (though it's good) sounds like younger sister of "Hero" (stopping Sanna from going to Eurovision 3 years ago) - fresh, more modern but not as massive so we don't see it as serious contender for a victory but still Sanna deserved victory in semifinal.
Really breathtaking thing for us was Loreen's performance, what a voice! We've drown in this voice and stopped to breathe for whole three minutes, incredible artist and we hope Loreen has a chance to qualify to final from AC. The Moniker has delievered bright-coloured show but the song still wasn't our cup of tea. Big losses for us were Christian Walz with amazing ballad "Like Suicide" that will make this meloseason for us (among few others) and Anniela's "Elektrisk" - great pop-song that can be on top of iTunes chart already tomorrow. Babsan gets our kudos for interesting show and Elisabeth Andreassen - for very high-professional vocals.
Another highlight of the show for us was Marie Serneholt performing "Babie Girl", what a great self-irony! We definitely respect it.

Some covers are too stunning to leave them without mention in separate post!
Sanna Nielsen opens season of MF-covers revealing cover of her own "I'm In Love" single that she will perform in 2nd semifinal in Gothenburg on February 12th. And it's just brilliant with Sanna looking very Scarlett Johansson!
This year Sanna will celebrate 15 years of her music career with new album planned to be released on March 2nd. Very smart strategy to bring loads of schlager-hits to melofans already 2 weeks before MF-final. Here's the latest Sanna's single "Part Of Me" that we're also in love with.

Have I promised not to finish with Christmas updates?
Sanna Nielsen, Shirley Clamp and Sonja Aldén were one of artists in special demand this Christmas. Their album "Vår Jul" has reached #6 of Swedish album chart and it's still at #12 after 2 month of sales. Not #1 like year before with their "Our Christmas" but still good sign for Sanna and Shirley as public faves pretending to get folk's love through their votes during Melodifestivalen. I guess I shouldn't describe again how enjoyable this trio singing Christmas songs, they really are, watch below. But I'd like to give you a tip about another new band Gentlemen appearing this year and performing at Christmas Bingolotto as well.
Gentlemen is a band consisting of three respectable artists in respectable age who have left their marks in Swedish music in the past but have left their bigger achievements for the later.
Fredrik Willstrand participated in Melodifestivalen-1986 and released 3 albums in 80ies. Micke Grahn was involved in leading Fame Factory, played in many huge musicals like "ABBA the True Story", "Sol vid och vatten", "Fame" and since 80ies worked with many popular Swedish artists. Stefan Nykvist also played in many big musicals like "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Sol, Vind och Vatten", worked with some world artists like Liza Minnelli and loads of Swedish ones (Sarah Dawn Finer, Jill Johnson, Patrik Isaksson, Sanna Nielsen, Eric Gadd). You could see Stefan as backing singer at Melodifestivalen and in live band of popular Rix FM festival. Being on one of those concerts I can say that I was really impressed how Stefan warmed up public singing some world hits with tonnes of energy and charm of Cheshire cat.
Year before Gentlemen have released album "Awaken Me" - very Josh Groban mostly musical-ballad adult album that you're gonna like if you listen to Josh, Canadian tenors and by the way producer of "Awaken Me" worked as well with Garou so you can get whole picture and watch their performance of "Silent Night" right below.

Christmas weekend continues with some Swedish stars live performances dedicated to celebration.
Today I'd like to share with you live set from holy schlager-trio Sanna Nielsen, Shirley Clamp and Sonja Alden who participated in SVT's Luciamorgon with Darin (I showed you his "O Holy Night" before). Girls performed together classic Lucia song "Så mörk är natten" a cappella and acoustic version of Christmas song "Tänd ett ljus" written by Niklas Strömstedt and Lasse Lindbom in 1987 and becoming later Swedish Christmas claassic hit covered by many different pop-artists. Sonja also performed "Pie Jesu" solo souding very spiritual and strong with choir and acoustic sound of Kungsholm's church. By the way as you probably already know Sonja is pregnant with her first baby from her boyfriend Jörgen Karlsson and wait for baby in May, here you can watch her pic with already belly getting round. Tomorrow SVT will show Christmas music show with Sonja's participance in 18.10 of local time.

Sanna Shirley Sonja - Så mörk är natten
Sanna Shirley Sonja - Tänd ett ljus
Sonja Alden - Pie Jesu

 Today I attended the press conference where SVT presented the artists in semi final 1 and 2. Without having a clue about the songs (they are not allowed to be played until the event kicks off in February) it seems to be a cocktail of known, unknown, young and older artists, English and Swedish language and a dictionary in music genres. Very often the participation is connected to an album release. Melodifestivalen is the best PR you can get for your new album.

Christer Björkman, the producer of Melodifestivalen, said he was happy with the mix. He looked a bit tired - maybe it was because of spending the last week in Minsk with Junior Eurovision Song Contest. And if you heard that Sweden will arrange the contest next year it is only a rumour without any essence.   


I had the possibility to interview some of the participants. Among them was Elisabeth Andreassen who is very close to a world record in this context. Her CV includes five times Melodifestivalen, five times Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix and four times in Eurovision where she won 1985 with Bobbysocks and "La de swinge".



 Another wellknown artist in Sanna Nielsen. She celebrates 15 years as an artist and this is her sixth attempt in Melodifestivalen. Keep in mind that Sanna is only 26 years so Elisabeth Andreassen might lose her record one day to Sanna.

All the interview will be published here but already on Wednesday you can listen to Sanna and Elisabeth on www.radiointernational.com or www.oikotimes.tv.


Here are the entries in alphabetic order - the running order has not yet been decided. Next Monday the semi final 3 and 4 will be presented.

Semi final 1, Luleå, 5th March 2011










 Pernilla Andersson: "Desperados"
Danny: "In the Club" 
Swingfly: "Me And My Drum"
Le Kid: "Oh My God"
Jonas Matsson: "On My Own"
Rasmus Viberg: "Social Butterfly"
Jenny Silver: "Something In Your Eyes"
Dilba: "Try Again"

Semi final 2, Gothenburg, 12 March 2011:











Anniela: "Elektrisk"
Babsan: "Ge mig en spanjor"
Sanna Nielsen: "I'm In Love"
Christian Walz: "Like Suicide"
Loreen: "My Heart Is Refusing Me"
The Moniker: "Oh My God!"
Brolle: "Seven Days And Seven Night"
Elisabeth Andreassen: "Vaken i en dröm"

Photos: Lilian

I've got 3 important news regarding Melodifestivalen-2011 which I'm gonna share with you right now!
First one and the most important that we oficially have got new 8 announced artists and the most exciting word here is new! Just like Linda Bengtzing from the first bunch only Sanna Nielsen can be called here schlager-veteran and just like Linda she's coming with support of Thomas G:Son (I guess we're gona have a lot of G:Son's songs this year after his Top-5 on Eurovision this year). But not alone - Peter Boström, Bobby Ljunggren and Irini Michas are hard team behind the song "I'm In Love" so it's gonna be schlager of higher calibre.
Another one participant who already participated in Melodifestivalen but not solo is international sensation Danny and again song is co-written with Peter Boström (yesss!!!), Figge Boström and Danny, song is called "In The Club" so everything's pointing to the saddest heartbreaking ballad in the world, nah, this team is made for dancefloor killer-hit and the final in Globen without any "if" and "but"!
But the name I'm completely blown away is Dilba! One of the most inspiring artists of Sweden with music that's completely out of time is finally back after a long break and I'm so happy she's coming to Melodifestivalen. What makes it more interesting is that she's coming with Niklas Pettersson (responsible for some Velvet's and Daisy's hits) and Linda Sonnvik (who worked with Belle before) who wrote the song "Try Again".
Second ex-A*Teens part Sara Lumholdt is coming to Melodifestivalen with the song "Enemy" by Niclas Lundin (this year's song of Erik Linder) and Anton Malmberg Hård af Segerstad (Le Kid). Unfortunately Sara hasn't managed to properly establish solo-career so hopefully she'll make it this time.
Among loud names of this bunch you can also find Melody Club - popular pop/synth rock band that rotates in speculation lists not the first year and can easily be this year The Ark with the song "The Hunter".
More fresh names are Loreen (first Idol participant who completely disappeared for years after the show) with the song "My Heart Is Refusing Me" co-written with Moh Denebi and Björn Djupström and even newer for big audience Simon Forsberg with Fredrik Kempe's song "Tid att andas" and Rasmus Viberg with "Social Butterfly" written by another schlager-veterans - Amir Aly and Henrik Wikström. I'm gonna tell you about them a bit later.

Another exciting news are for all who's gonna visit Sweden to see Melodifestivalen next year. Tickets sales will be open this Thursday on October 21st so you'll be able to buy them from outside of Sweden on http://ticnet.se Prices and dates of concerts and general rehearsals are mentioned here.

And the last news. This week has shortened amount of webbjokers participants to 100 so you can check the chart and take a look at which songs are still in competition and which are going to leave it next week here. We have 25 favorites left so keep hoping that someone of them will reach the final!

Рор-solo
Nadina - Change of heart (127)
Engla - Don't stop (142)
Jonas Matsson - On my own (240)
Mona Ersare - Over the Rooftops (245)
Ghena - Stand here (269)
Maliq - Believe in me (115)
Anna Palmér - Echo (147)

Eurovision pop
OneVoice - Varje steg (299)

Schlager/Dansband
Emil Johannisson - En sekund (153)
Göran Frödin - Kan du inte välja mig (#206)
Trison - Lovar & svär (211)

Pop-group
Fredrik och Magnus - Get out (162)
Adam Sandahl - Att vakna vid din sida (112)
Marcus & Fredrik - She's making my day (261)
Predicament - A fist full of maybe (104)
MLVNS - Denight (139)

Jazz/Visa
Natalie - Just a dream (204)
Conny Andersson - Kura Skymning (208)
Lise Edman - Ta mig som jag är (329)

Rock
Ann-Christine Johansson - Sanningen ska segra (255)

Ballad pop
Julia Alvgard - Better or worse (118)
Niklas Dahlquist - Här står jag för dig (180)
Fabian - Simple life (262)

House/techno
Keylas - Crying in my dreams (131)

Various
Anton & Dejo - I wanna be with you (185)

By the way you can already mention logo of Melodifestivalen with silver gradient background in sales shops so seems like we've got new color of Melodifestivalen-2011!

Probably I could not to write about amazing trio of Martin Stenmarck, Linda Pritchard and Jessica Marberger performing at "A Grand Evening" Christmas show...


...though I guess you remember I commpensated it with news about Sanna Nielsen, Shirley Clamp and Sonja Aldén Swedish Christmas album "Vår Jul"...


...and Måns Zelmerlöw who will release his first Christmas album and (I haven't told about it) will join girs in Christmas tour second year in a row, this time with help of Brandur and Björn Kjellman...


But these great news have arrived just now!!!


New Malena Ernman's Christmas album "Santa Lucia" will be released on November 17th and officially it's the most exciting Christmas release I've ever heard about!!! In Christmas period Malena will be touring a lot and to understand how heavenly can Malena sound with this sort of song check her performance at Nordiske Julkoncert year ago.

Usually I'm not that big fan of mashups but I should undoubtfully share with you what I've found today! About year ago schlager-community have got ultra-tasty mash-up of Charlotte Perrelli's "Hero" and Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" from DJ King Rollo and today I've discovered another few melo-mixes on his youtube channel. I wonder how perfectly suits EMD's "Baby Goodbye" Briney's "If U Seek Amy" and I've got a biiiig smile listening Kelly Clarkson with a low base singing "Sice U Been Gone" along with Sanna Nielsen's "Empty Room" instrumental. But my prize goes to mashup of Lady Gaga's "Love Game" with Velvet's classsics - "Mi Amore", pure brilliance of "Mi Amore"'s arrangement makes Gaga's hit completely epic! All the mixed songs were written by Swedes so maybe that's why amazingness can't work bad with amazingness?
Oh, and another mix I'd like to show you is old good "Hero" mixed with Timbaland's "The Way I Are". Probably you've heard it before but still it's brilliant!

Swedish general selections are over with the victory of reigning political block and nationalistic block Sweden Democrats getting to Parliament that caused loads of scandals and demonstrations against. You could also read many negative words on different artists' blogs and twitters and even find stars like Ola and Erik Hassle being engaged in company against Sweden Democrats (check this video). But let's put attention on a more positive side of it. SVT recently has organized show-event Demokratifesten in Göteborg involving artists like Charlotte Perrelli, Magnus Carlsson, Sanna Nielsen and Anders Ekborg so don't forget to check performances. If duo of Charlotte and Magnus wasn't new for audience (as whole Summer this couple was promoting their single "Mitt livs gemål") with Fleetwood Mac's cover "Don't Stop", Anders Ekborg first time appeared on such a huge event with his new single "I Do Believe", Sanna Nielsen was just as lovely as she can be with Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" and it's a lot, check yourself!

Let's celebrate new week with some nice live performances on Swedish TV.
So just to introduce these artists to those who's recently connected to Swedish Stereo. We have:
- One of the most possible candidates for Melodifestivalen-2011 and one of the most talented and brightest Swedish pop-artists Anders Fernette with his latest single "Lola".
- Pop-diva Ankie Bagger and Peter Gustafsson with their previous successful single "Du kan inte lura mig" written by Thomas G:son.
- Our beloved rising star Mary N'diaye with her amazing single "Dumb dumb".
- Darin who has recently recently released his fourth #1 album "Lovekiller" being sold gold in the first week of sales with latest singl "Lovekiller" that's gonna get video treatment very soon.
- Sanna Nielsen with just released single "Part Of Me" (and another possible candidate for MF-2011).

Autumn has just started and we've already got whole bunch of planned exciting album-releases, I should collect all of them in one post.
- Magnus Carlsson's new album "Pop Galaxy" will be released already on September 22th but before we'll get another single "The Best In Me".
- It's just few days till new Ola's album "Ola" (September 15th).
- Erik Hassle's EP with 4 new songs is planned for the end of September.
- Nanne Grönvall's album "En Rastlös Själ" is ready to hit shops on October 6th.
- After 6 years Stephen Simmonds releases new album "Anomie" in October.
- Jennie Berggren's album "My Story" release was moved to October 13th.
- A little bit earlier Ace Of Base will release album "The Golden Ratio" on September 24th with first single "All For You" planned to be released already today.
- Caroline af Ugglas after huge success of previous year is back with new album planned for September 22th publishing as well book "Hjälp, vem är jag?" (Help, who am I?)
- EMD's album "Rewind" release was firstly carried from August 25th to the end of October but now you can find its release in some shops marked with December 31th.
- Albums from Linda Pritchard, Titiyo, Tove Styrke, Lisa Miskovsky, Love Generation, second EP from Gravitonas and Christmas album from Måns Zelmerlöw are to be expected.
- Sanna Nielsen's just released her last single "Part Of Me" and ready for new release of Christmas album with Shirley Clamp and Sonja Aldén, this time due to title "Vår Jul" (translation of English title of previous album "Our Christmas" that obviously says tracklist won't be different in common) it's gonna be in Swedish.
- Amy Diamond after 5 studio-albums is ready for compilation "Greatest Hits" that will be out on November 3rd.
Not enough to be excited? It's alright, it's just the first days of Autumn ;)

Autumn is the hottest time for speculations in media about who will participate in next Melodifestivalen and therefore who will be those top-pop-artists appearing whole next year on different live events, releasing fresh music stuff and spreading all over magazine's covers here and there. Sure you shouldn't believe in everything that press claims but as usually most of revealed comes true all these rumours turned to be utterly exciting when you see some really interesting names in lists.
Aftonbladet reported today that Danny is ready to perform solo at Melodifestivalen and looking for the right song able to win whole contest (before he participated as part of EMD in 2009 and took 3rd place of the final). Among other possible names are participants of 2009 Lili & Susie, runner-ups of 2008 Sanna Nielsen and 2004 - Shirley Clamp, winner of MF-1996 One More Time re-united in the final of MF-2010 and by rumours being rejected already some years. As well Aftonbladet's sources report that Lasse Stefanz (very popular dansband-group that had to perform with "Den första kyssen (Sweet Kissin' In The Moonlight)" in 2009 but refused and the song was given to Thorleifs) are 100% gonna participate, dansband being quite popular genre in Sweden didn't do well on Melodifestivalen last years (Thorleifs, Highlights and Scotts have failed to get to the final). Anders Fernette received songs from many songwriters and currently is looking for the right song to perform also. After last two years when three final spots were conquered by Idol-participants and this year contest was won by Idol-Anna Bergendahl Mr. Björkman doesn't seem to be positive about big quantity of Idols on MF saying that exploring different genres Idol-artists need more time to find themselves after.
Below is the list of artist who are rumoured to be in Christer Björkman's wish-list:
Timo Räisänen
Ace of Base
Laleh
Sahara Hotnights
Maia Hirasawa
Elena Paparizou
Lisa Nilsson
Mauro Scocco (as songwriter)
Robyn (as songwriter)
Sofia Jannok
Annika Norlin
Magnus Carlson

Artists who want to participate and plan to send songs:
Sara Varga
Marie Picasso
Rebound
Marie Serneholt
Magnus Carlsson
Le Kid
Timoteij
Sarah Dawn Finer
Elisabeth Andreassen
Linda Bengtzing

Sommarkrysset keeps presenting some great hits of this Summer along with amazing performances. Firstly I should mention premieres of new Darin's song "Microphone" - one of the greatest tracks from just released album "Lovekiller" (Darin also presented his last single "Lovekiller") and comeback-single of Patrik Isaksson "Mitt Stockholm" - quite pleasant melodic song in usual Patrik's style. Lovestoned promoting currently single "Rising Girl" in Sweden has provided joyful performance of the song. Folk's favorite Ola who's ready to release his next album has sung his Summer hit "Overdrive". Fabulous schlager-diva Sanna Nielsen obviously beloved by the crowd presented her Summer single "Devotion" with choir and Celine Dion's "That's The Way It Is". Broken Door performed their hit "Angel" behind girls providing the most weird angelic choreography that could be imagined if real angels came down to dance at Gröna Lund stage but however it didn't make the song less brilliant and I should notice that soon band will release new single "In the Shadow". Rock-band Johnossi has also decided to perform well-known hit of this Summer "What's the point" as Oskar Linnros with "Från och med du" and Kikki Danielsson with "Let this light shine forever". Flo Rida was invited as foreign guest and being very well met by public performed David Guetta's produced "Club can’t handle me".

Darin - Microphone
Darin - Lovekiller
Johnossi - What's The Point
Patrik Isaksson - Mitt Stockholm
Flo Rida – Club can’t handle me
Sanna Nielsen - Thats the way it is
Lovestoned - Rising girl
Oskar Linnros - Från och med du
Ola - Overdrive
Broken door - Angel
Sanna Nielsen - Devotion