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Water, please!!! Timoteij are just smoking hot in video for new single "Het" and I've just realized that it's first band's video.
Four young Swedish ladies don't need anything but stage, light and simple effective choreography to make audience go wow, this is their magic they've done to Sweden year ago and this is what they do again in this video. If this is how band promote new music before next Melodifestivalen I demand to give them victory beforehand and not to spend time and money for the contest. What a gorgeous song!!!

Finally new Timoteij's single "Het" is here in its full fabulousness and OH MY GOD I was right when I didn't want to judge it by sample!
"Het" is second "Kom" that debut Timoteij's album never had but should it have it? I guess no - as last year was completely all about "Kom" for girls and some another album's track playing on the same field as "Kom" would be completely overshadowed by Melodifestivalen glory.
The song starts with epic growing folk-passage turning to dramatic verse sticking directly even if you don't understand most of the lyrics or don't understand it at all, pure joy of huge chorus with powerful beat and fantastic melody, laidback sweet middle-eight and final blast with the last chorus and epic passage once again. That's how new Timoteij's new single sounds like.
Now I understand what Ken from Schlagerprofilerna said about his wish to see it at Melodifestivalen next year - it would be fantastic comeback but I'm sure we can wait even more from girls!

Timoteij are back with brand new single "Het" that will be released already this Sunday and you can already check it on Schlagerprofilerna blog. It sounds as fantastic as loads of tracks from girls' first album but we expect something extra from full version and will better get back to you with final judgement after we'll listen to it in a few days.
And as warm-up I'm gonna tell you about the song Timoteij's carrer has started from, and no, it's not "Kom"! It's "Run" - English version of "Kom" that even wasn't sung by Timoteij then, Erika Selin was singing on that demo-track but here we have Timoteij performing English version. So you can decide yourself if it was a good idea to translate it into Swedish.

Earlier this year Erik Linder has generously presented new single - beautiful acoustic ballad "Bara du och jag" completely for free before its official release. When time has come to pushing the song commercially sure some corresponding promo-steps were required and logically video as one of them.
Video for "Bara du och jag" would be just nice shot lovestory video about breaking out, hopes and sorrow if it wouldn't get amazing guest featuring it - smoking hot Elina from Timoteij! Schlager-unions are always pretty exciting things to follow, don't you think? Year ago Timoteij and Erik participated in the same semifinal of Melodifestivalen and though due to preliminary odds Erik was expected to qualify and Timoteij - to stay in semifinal it's turned to be completely opposite. However artists have become good friends and even have made this video together, what a beautiful couple it's turned to be! By the way new Timoteij's single "Het" is coming out on May 1st, mark it red in your calendars!

When Allsång På Skansen was losing its viewers previous weeks Anders Lindin's biggest rival Lotta Engberg has lost something more important - voice, right before the final show - during programme, how catastrophic! It turned worse and worse every time she started to read her text and finally she ended up standing behind Jill Johnson who was asked to finish show instead of Lotta, you can watch full drama here. But thanx God she has recovered closer to the last show and closed season of Lotta På Liseberg-2010 with all usual expression and charm.
Let's see who was invited to last shows in Liseberg. Firstly it was Timoteij who performed both of their hits "Kom" and "Högt över ängarna", girls were sweet as always. Eric Gadd who recently released new album "Rise Up!" (peaking at #6 of Swedish chart) that I'd like to tell you about soon presented last single "Rise Up!" and his old hit "My Personality". Måns Zelmerlöw and Maria Haukaas Storeng as always perfectly performed their collaboration "Precious To Me" (how pity it hasn't become hit in Sweden yet). Lill-Babs have sung Carlene Carter's old song "Full orkan". One of the biggest public favorites Andreas Johnson performed his biggest international hit "Glorious" and single-2006 "Sing for me". Cookies n Beans have pleased people with their unique voices and songs "First we take Manhattan" and "Kings & Queens". Melodifestivalen-winner Anna Bergendahl presented her platinum single "This is my life", song "Got my heart in your pocket" from her debut album, Robert Broberg's cover "Båtlåt" and duet with Jill Johnson "Why do you come in here looking like that" - Dolly Parton's cover that Jill released 3 years ago with Nina Persson. Jill also was singing Eagles' cover "Desperado" and Ted Gärdestad's "Oh vilken härlig dag". And Rigo performed summer set of "La bamba", Claes-Göran Hederström's "Det börjar verka kärlek banne mig" and "Stockholm ström" in his own original style. Last show featured Eric Saade who was singing three of his singles "Manboy", "Break Of Dawn" and "Masquerade", Caroline af Ugglas presented new songs "Du får tycka om mig" and "Vill kunna säga förlåt" from her new album planned for release in September and Tommy Körberg has been singing Astrid Lindgren's "Fattig bonddräng" and Neil Diamond's "Red red wine".

Timoteij - Kom
Timoteij - Högt över ängarna
Eric Gadd - Rise Up!
Eric Gadd - My personality
Måns Zelmerlöw och Maria Storeng - Precious to me
Lill-Babs - Full orkan
Andreas Johnson - Glorious
Andreas Johnson - Sing for me
Cookies n Beans - First we take Manhattan
Cookies n Beans - Kings & Queens
Anna Bergendahl - This is my life
Anna Bergendahl - Got my heart in your pocket
Jill Johnson och Anna Bergendahl - Why do you come in here looking like that
Anna Bergendahl - Båtlåt
Rigo Pencheff - Stockholm ström
Rigo Pencheff - Det börjar verka kärlek banne mig
Rigo Pencheff - La bamba
Jill Johnson - Desperado
Jill Johnson och allsång - Oh vilken härlig dag
Gäster och allsång - Beatlesmedley
Eric Saade - Masquerade
Eric Saade - Break of dawn
Caroline af Ugglas - Du får tycka om mig
Caroline af Ugglas - Vill kunna säga förlåt
Tommy Körberg - Red red wine
Tommy Körberg - Fattig bonddräng

As the summer keeps going and dancefloors are eager to get you let's continue checking new fresh mixes from some actual Swedish stars.

Le Kid in a process of promoting their debut single "Mercy Mercy" released a pack of new different mixes, I can't say any of them lacks interest, Seductive Baguette Mix is very gentle chill-out track, Kaus Club Mix is more proper for the club dancefloor, Tore Jarlo Remix is not less adorable but as a mostly pop-fan I can't help demonstrating you fantastic Stay The Mix. As you probably know Felix and Märta from Le Kid produced Alcazar's hit "Stay The Night" together with Anders Hansson and "Stay The Mix" is "Mercy Mercy" wrapped into arrangement of "Stay The Night" sounding not less anthemic then Alcazar's song with a great tune of original Le Kid's track.

Timoteij's single "Högt Över Ängarna" following success of debut "Kom" (#2) reached #3 of Swedish chart last week. Thankfully band didn't leave us without some goodies and included 2 dance-mixes of "Kom" into it. Both are quite worthy but my choice for now is more eurodance CM Music Remix.

And finally Emilia De Poret who still make efforts of promoting her biggest hit "Pick Me Up" in US has just released video for the mix made by Richard Vission. It's just a shooting of Emilia dancing in some gorgeous clothes but after amazing expensive videos "This Ain't A Lovesong" and "Now Or Never" we can forgive Emilia a little rest for her budget.

Thanx to Marcin for the help with article.

Let's check what interesting we could watch this week in the biggest music tv-shows of Sweden. Yesterday we've got Sommarkrysset back but Lotta På Liseberg and Allsång På Skansen had a lot of interesting guests as well.
This time Lotta invited Swedish sweetheart Sanna Nielsen who performed her last single "Devotion" and new song "A Part Of Me" (that was presented earlier on Love Stockholm 2010 as "Sound Of Spring"), very pleasant work in Celine Dion direction of last Sanna's album. Another big public favorite Kalle Moraeus was singing his Melodifestivalen-hit "Underbart". Timo Räisänen who was also involved this year in after-show of Melodifestivalen performed his last single "Outcast". Watch whole show here.

Sanna Nielsen - Devotion
Sanna Nielsen - A Part Of Me
Kalle Moraeus - Underbart
Kalle Moraeus - My Nadine
Timo Räisänen - Outcast
Lotta Engberg - En sån karl

Allsång På Skansen this time presented 2 Top-5 finalists of Melodifestivalen - Timoteij and Darin. Darin gave stunning performance of his "You're Out Of My Life", new brilliant single "Lovekiller" and Lena Philipsson's cover "Kärleken är evig", it all was (not surprisingly) accompanied by screams of Darin's happily wild fans. Timoteij presented new single "Högt Över Ängarna", sure didn't forget about folk's beloved "Kom" and old song "Fjäril vingad syns på Haga". Other participating big names were Kikki Danielsson with her classic hit "Bra vibrationer" and new single "Let this light shine on me forever", ex-Rednex with new name Cotton Eye Joe Show, medley of their biggest hits and covers of "Ring Ring" and "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms", Movits! with their own "Äppelknyckarjazz", "Fel Del Av Gården" and karaoke of "Fritiof och Carmencita", Olivia Stevens with some classic stuff and Christopher O'Regan. Watch whole programme here.

Darin - You're Out Of My Life
Darin - Lovekiller
Darin - Kärleken är evig
Timoteij - Kom
Timoteij - Högt Över Ängarna
Timoteij - Fjäril vingad syns på Haga
Kikki Danielsson - Bra vibrationer
Kikki Danielsson - Let this light shine on me forever
Cotton Eye Joe Show - Medley
Cotton Eye Joe Show - Ring Ring
Cotton Eye Joe Show - Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Movits! - Fel Del Av Gården
Movits! - Äppelknyckarjazz + Fritiof och Carmencita
Olivia Stevens - Det börjar med ett glas champagne
Olivia Stevens - Vill ni se en stjärna?
Christopher O'Regan

And finally Sommarkrysset as usual came back with Melodifestivalen-2010 participants, this time Crucified Barbara were singing their hit "Heaven & Hell", schlager-veteran Anne-Lie Rydé performed Vikingarna's cover "Hallå" from her new released album "Dans På Rosor", Fibes Oh Fibes! with one of their hits "Lovechild" and two Scandinavian guests Rasmus Seebach from Denmark performed currently popular in Sweden track "Natteravn" and Norwegian duo Madcon tried to repeat Eurovision-flashmob with single "Glow" being on the top of many European charts this Summer after band's performance in Oslo. Programme was finished with another big Madcon's hit "Beggin'", band was joined by Magnus Carlson with Swedish version of this song titled "Jag ber dig". Watch whole show here.

Crucified Barbara - Heaven & Hell
Anne-Lie Rydé - Hallå
Fibes Oh Fibes! - Lovechild
Madcon - Glow
Rasmus Seebach - Natteravn
Madcon & Magnus Carlsson - Beggin'/Jag ber dig

Some latest news about what's going on with participants of Melodifestivalen-2010.

Timoteij will release new single "Högt över ängarna" from debut album "Längtan" on June 30th.

In the beginning of May Expressen reported about Neo who after all stresses he's got in the MF-period got serious case of vestibular neuritis and had to learn how to go, now Neo's back and as a proof he performed his MF-single "Human Frontier" and previous "Flower Power Supergirl" in acoustic.

NEO - Flower Power Supergirl (live at Nyhetsmorgon)

In days of Midsommar Peter Jöback got married with his boyfriend Oscar Nilsson. You could see Andreas Lundstedt, Pernilla Wahlgren and Sarah Dawn Finer among guests. Short interview from wedding is here.

Don't forget to visit blog of Jenny Silver as you can find some interesting demos that she's recording with her husband.

Song "Vilar Glad I Din Famn" written by Benny Andersson and Kristina Lung and performed with participance of Orsa Spelmän & Kalle Moraeus gets it's single-release apart from other songs from princess Victoria's wedding included in special compilation "Bröllopsmusiken från Storkyrkan". Benny Andersson commented that he wasn't interested in putting his name among merchandising of this event. By the way Kalle Moraeus along with Salem al Fakir, Anna Bergendahl, Timoteij and Eric Saade few weeks ago received golden status of his latest album "Underbart".

Anna Bergendahl's "This Is My Life" keeps conquering hearts of European audience and is currently at #13 in chart of one of the biggest Lithuanian radiostations M-1, week before the song also appeared in Hungarian chart. Anna along with many other artists performed in Kungsträdgården at Love Stockholm 2010 and looked very-very nice in her beautiful dress (thanx to Vitaliy for photos).

Lovestoned released their album "Rising Love" in Germany, sure band has tried to make this edition special for their German fans and included new song "Who's That Girl", that you can listen below.

Currently Jessica Andersson's "I Did It For Love" is #1 in the oldest Swedish radio-chart Svensktoppen (with following "Underbart" at #2, "Keep On Walking" at #3 and "Kom" at #9), Jessica plans new single but promise next album only next Spring.

Anders Ekborg prepares for release of his album "Painted Dreams" but before we'll get new single "I Do Believe" on July 7th. You can listen piece of new single and another duet with Helen Sjöholm "Always Here" below.

And finally I need to mention that currently we can find only winners of 4 semifinals of MF-2011 in Swedish single-chart.

13 - Timoteij - Kom
22 - Eric Saade - Manboy
28 - Anna Bergendahl - This Is My Life
60 - Salem Al Fakir - Keep On Walking

Just a few weeks left before one of the main cultural events of this year in Sweden - marriage of princess Victoria and Daniel Westling and Stockholm's already preparing for this royal celebration. This Sunday when Sweden will be celebrating National Day (as always with some exciting open-air concerts in Stockholm) 2-weeks festival LOVE Stockholm 2010 will start with different activities all over the city and will finish on 19th June in a day of Victoria's wedding. These days Stockholm will see performances of artists like Darin, Carola, Alexander Rybak, Anna Bergendahl, Timoteij, Salem Al Fakir, Erik Grönwall, Orup, Martin Stenmarck, Moto Boy, Ola, Cookies N Beans, Shirley Clamp, Anne-Lie Rydé, Sanna Nielsen, Fibes, Oh Fibes!, Alice Svensson, Rebound, Nanne, Rigo, Amy Diamond. Check information about festival here and watch trailer of festival with Linda Sundblad's "Making Out" as soundtrack.

This week Sommarkrysset hasn't left us without another Melodifestivalen-2010 discovery, fresh pop-project and premiere of new single from one popular artist.
If you're really into Swedish pop you couldn't miss great hit of this Spring "Kom" from new girl band Timoteij, band whose album has become golden for one day. Another freshest pop-project that I've been talking about is Rebound!, they performed their successful debut single "Hurricane" with Sara Varga as DJ. And finally Eric Gadd presented his new single "Rise Up!" from forthcoming album "Rise Up" that's gonna be released in July. Host of the show this time was Linda Bengtzing and foreign guests were American Joshua Radin and Scottish Amy Macdonald. Check their performances below.

Eric Gadd - Medley
Amy Macdonald - Don't Tell Me That It's Over
Joshua Radin - I'd Rather Be With You

Efter väl genomfört arbete kunde Melodifestivalens artister från i år och tidigare årgångar släppa loss på efterfesten i Annexet, Globen. De som fortsatte att jobba var fotografer och journalister.

I går var det den officiella invigningsfesten för Melodifestivalsfinalen. Den lämpliga lokalen var för detta ändamål var Gyllene Salen i Stadshuset. Media, artister, skivbolagsfolk, kompositörer minglade och programledartrion Måns- Christine-Dolph hälsade alla välkomna. Dolph ser trött ut och Christine verkar göra dansövningar eller nåt.






En delikat buffé serverades - inte bara godis som på fotot.
Tjejerna i Timoteij minglade i samlad trupp men avslutade kvällen tidigt.

Vinnarna i Melodifestivalens deltävling 3 blev förhandsfavoriten Darin och gräsflickona Timoteij som får nonstop biljetter till Globen. Äntligen en skräll som heter duga. Alcazar verkar vara den eviga andra-chansen-aspiranten som tillsammans med Crucified Barbara får ta en mellanlandning i Örebro.
Som tidigare påpekats så var detta omgångens starkaste startfältet och det var också upplagt för en balladfight. I förhandssnacket aspirerade Timoteij på en plats i andra chansen men knappast trodde någon att de skulle få kvällens högsta poäng och segla in till finalen som ett luftigt försommarmoln . Vid ytterligare genomlyssning så innehåller låten en dos ingredienser som en schlagerlåt i tiden bör ha. Lite svenskt, lite balkan-etno, "Ruslana-trummor", ett oskyldigt framträdande av fyra blonda söta tjejer som håller instrument i händerna. Detta kan bli riktigt farligt i finalen!
En kort resumé ger följande vid handen:
Kvällens skräll: Timoteij
Kvällens rymdchock: Elin Lanto och "Doctor Doctor".
Kvällens konstigaste framträden: Också Elin Lanto och hennes 3 skyltdockor med blixtrande ögonhålor.
Kvällen tjatigaste låt: Elin Lanto och Doctor Doctor". 2007 tävlade Lanto i Melodifestivalen med låten "Money". Undrar om hennes rop på doktorn beror på att pengarna är slut.
Kvällens mesigaste: Utan tvekan Erik Linder trista låt ”Hur kan jag tro på kärlek”.
Kvällens blåast fejkögon: Det blir en jämn kamp mellan Blue Man Group som uppträdde under rösträkningen och Erik Linders linser.
Kvällens snyggaste kläder: Getty Domain
Kvällens roligaste: Att Crucified Barbara får en chans till.

Alcazar borde få utmärkelsen för lång och trogen tjänst.Kör hårt i andra chansen. Ni är värda en finalplats!

Källa/foto: SVT, SR
PS: Tänk om Timoteij tar hem vinsten, hamnar i final i Oslo tillsammans med Finlands Kuunkuiskaajat. Det vore nästan som en landskamp i ishockey. Folkmusik med etnoinslag och blonda sångerskor spelandes dragspel. Förhoppningsvis sjungandes på svenska och finska.

Nu har jag läst vad en massa folk och tidningar tycker om lördagens bidrag. Ska man tro på alla dessa experter så lär Darin och Alcazar vara i final. Mina personliga favoriter omnämns knappt men jag hoppas på en skräll eftersom jag vill se Johannes Bah Kuhnke och Crucified Barbara i finalen. Som jag skrivit tidigare så är det dags att bryta pojkidolstrenden i Melodifestivalen.

Lyssna på snuttar av låtarna här:
http://svt.se/2.123450/1.1870490/tjuvlyssna_pa_bidragen?lid=puff_1877430&lpos=lasMer

Startordning i Göteborg, deltävling 3, 20 februari:
1. Alcazar - ”Headlines”
Upphovsmän: Peter Boström, Tony Nilsson
En typisk Alcazar-dänga men med en lugnare inledningen än vi är vana vid, vilket jag tycker är bra för annars finns risk för copy-paste. Låten präglas ändå av igenkännande och det brukar ge röster. Lägg dessutom till vindmaskin, pyroteknik och tonartshöjning. Med den rutin som Alcazar besitter så bör de komma vidare, åtminstone till andra chansen.

2. Johannes Bah Kuhnke – ”Tonight”
Upphovsmän: Sharon Vaughn, Anders Hansson
Äntligen en melodiös pompös rock-ballad med en sångare som har lite tryck i rösten utan att låta som en musikalartist. Om ni sett Stadsteaterns föreställning ”De Tre Musketörerna” så vet ni vem Johannes är. I övrigt är han ett ganska okänt kort. Jag hoppas att detta blir kvällens skräll.

3. Elin Lanto – ”Doctor Doctor “
Upphovsmän: Mirja Breitholtz, Tony Nilsson
Up-tempo och bakgrunds beats, dansare, 2 trummisar, 4 skyltdockor och vindmaskin. Trots allt ett blekt Britney-försök med fånig text och tjatig refräng. När Elin sjunger ”I scream” i refrängen får jag en déjà vu av Silvia Night som var Islands bidrag 2006. Knappast någon finallåt.

4. Erik Linder – ”Hur kan jag tro på kärlek”
Upphovsmän: Niclas Lundin (musik), Tony Malm (musik), Kenneth Gärdestad (text)
Att Ted Gärdestads bror Kenneth är medkompositör förpliktigar. Det här är en lugn, gullig, småtråkig ballad där modulationen är en självklarhet. Den har helt klart svensktoppspotential och kanske kan den nå andra chansen.

5. Getty Domein – ”Yeba”
Upphovsmän: Tuomas (Tiny) Pyhäjärvi (musik), Getty Domein (text)
Det är första gången som en låt framförs på det afrikanska språket Lingala. Jag gillar denna låt i etno-club-African-style. Tyvärr är den chanslös och skulle fungerar bättre på Re-orient festivalen. Dansarna lär stå för den snyggaste koreografin hittills i tävlingen. Ordet Yeba betyder att minnas.

6. Timoteij - ”Kom”
Upphovsmän: Niclas Arn, Gustav Eurén, Karl Eurén
Vindmaskinen lär gå på högvarv och de fyra tjejernas blonda hårsvall får sig en riktig genomkörare. Det kanske hör till om man kallar sig Timoteij. Fiol, dragspel, gitarr och munspel ackompanjerar. Det här är kvällens schlager som blandar folkmusiktongångar a la Sarek och grekiska harmonier i bakgrunden. Kan funka.

7. Darin – “You're Out Of My Life”
Upphovsmän: Henrik Janson, Tony Nilsson
En av dessa till synes outsinliga pojkidoler. Med facit från de tidigare deltävlingarna så bör Darin vara ganska klar för final, definitivt andra chansen. Han är tonsäker i sitt framförande och låten är en helt okey ballad (tack och lov ingen pop-schlager typ Ola och Eric Saade). Tyvärr lider han brist på utstrålning men är det kanske kompenseras av att han är rätt söt.

8. Crucified Barbara – ”Heaven Or Hell”
Upphovsmän: Håkan Larsson, Björn Lönnroos, Jörgen Svensson
Här är det eldar på scen, tatueringar och tunga gitarriff. Varje Melodifestivalsfinal ska innehålla en rocklåt så därför hoppas jag denna går vidare. "Heaven Or Hell" är en ballad men det får duga i brist på up-tempo rock.



Källa/foton: SVT, Eurovision.tv