Avicii vs. Timoteij remix of "Wake Me Up" & "Kom" = "Kom Me Up," done by Mr. Sjökexet, is amazing! Trending and then some at Hallandale Beach Blog! Completely crazy as an idea, but brilliant and dynamite as reality with Aloe Blacc's amazing voice; #Aviciioncapital, @Timoteij, @ceciliakallin, @bodilbergstrom, @elinathorsell, @johannatimoteij

MrSjokexet YouTube Channel video: Avicii Vs Timoteij - Kom me up (Sjökexetmix) 

Uploaded September 19, 2013. http://youtu.be/VFhABtdzAiI

Melodies (melodiernas)? Oh, yes! In spades!

Sounds completely crazy as an idea, this mixing of Country House and schlager, but brilliant and dynamite as a reality, as heard on Sveriges Radio's P3 Stockholm last Thursday. 

Three different people in Sweden I'd never heard from before, separately emailed me this link and their comments since last week, which is very odd to say the least.

One person I can see, maybe even two, but three different people writing me about the same thing that I hadn't already heard about?
Now THAT'S unusual.

And then, of course, adorable Cecilia Kallin, long one of our personal favorites here at the blog, the lead singer and guitarist of Timoteij referenced it on her very popular
Webstagram feed last Friday just minutes after the song aired.

http://web.stagram.com/p/548994119608663496_229925862/

To me, she seemed, in general, like everyone else -astonished that such a creative Mashup even was contemplated and created, as much as pleased by the wonderful reaction it was receiving, since it definitely  caused a buzz throughout Sweden in certain circles.
All to the good I think as far as creativity goes!

In any case, as crazy and unlikely as it sounds, I think I may've actually first heard about this song -via email- before one of the most well-informed and well-connected people in the world of music in Scandinavia and schlager, Karl Batterbee at Scandipop,
http://www.scandipop.co.uk/ 

https://twitter.com/scandipop/status/381113539009970177

Well if this is what the next decade is gonna sound like, sign me up! Timoteij vs Avicii: 'Kom Me Up' RT @MilkySteve: http://t.co/a0d43vdcny
— scandipop (@scandipop) September 20, 2013

He was smart enough to write about it right away, while I've just been sitting on it, trying to think of a good and logical hook for the readers who come to the blog who would might have no idea who or what I was talking about. 

But then maybe I'm over-thinking it, since that never stopped me before.

Here's the original version of both songs, in case you forget what's been changed... 

AviciiOfficialVEVO video: Wake Me Up (Official Video) by Avicii. Uploaded July 29, 2013. http://youtu.be/IcrbM1l_BoI

Wescertine YouTube Channel video:Timoteij - Kom (Melodifestivalen 2010).  

Uploaded February 27, 2010. http://youtu.be/ASRry6HQ54w

In case you've forgotten the context, the first time you see Timoteij in the Mashup video at the top of today's post, it's the happy moments three years ago when Cecilia Kallin, Elina Thorsell, Bodil Bergström and Johanna Pettersson were waiting anxiously at their tables for the results to be read, and their absolute delight when their name was publicly announced, telling them and the world that they'd advanced to the Finals of the 2010 Melodifestivalen in Stockholm with "Kom," 

Rolling Stone

How Avicii Helped Aloe Blacc Wake Up and Break Out 

Vocalist on smash 'Wake Me Up' chats about his inspirational team-up with the Swedish DJ-producer   

By Patrick Doyle 

August 28, 2013 10:00 AM ET

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/how-avicii-helped-aloe-blacc-wake-up-and-break-out-20130828

If someone in the world can figure out the formula, timing or complementary rhyming scheme to marry the melodies that can make a successful Mashup of Avicci and First Aid Kit, trust me, it will be like Alchemy 2.0, as heads will be exploding all over a few cities and countries I can think of, many of them originating from Country Calling Code 46.

Aftonbladet TV video: Avicii: ”Aldrig meningen att jag skulle göra country” Svenska stjärn-dj:n i intervju om sin nya genre. (Avicii never sensed he'd do Country. Steller Swedish DJ Tim Bergling interviewed about getting into a new genre, Country House.)

September 20, 2013. http://tv.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/noje/musik/article19386.ab

http://www.ultramusicfestival.com/reliveultra

Via my newsdesk subscription I received an interesting press release on Thursday from Universal Music Sweden. 
Well, the long story short, plus what I know and can share with you, is that 24-year old Swedish DJ Tim "Avicii" Bergling has written music history, becoming the first Swedish artist to ever hold the top three spots on the Swedish singles charts, something that neither ABBA or Roxette ever managed to accomplish, though I think it's a bit unfair to compare the pre-digital era with the current one, due to the much-easier system of logistics and distribution that exist now.
All three songs are from his new album, "True, " which is currently number five on the U.S. albums chart.

Those three songs of his that are taking Gold, Silver and Bronze right now in Sweden are:
1.  "Hey Brother"

2.  "Wake Me Up"
3.  "You Make Me"

AVICII SKRIVER HISTORIA – FÖRSTA SVENSKA ARTISTEN NÅGONSIN ATT HÅLLA PLATS 1-3 PÅ SINGELLISTAN SAMTIDIGT 
Pressmeddelande  
2013-09-26 05:35 EDT
http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/universalmusic/pressreleases/avicii-skriver-historia-foersta-svenska-artisten-naagonsin-att-haalla-plats-1-3-paa-singellistan-samtidigt-910292

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#Aviciioncapital

Did you miss @Avicii's first show? Well, worry not. Here it is… http://t.co/CrD9SRMXh6 #AviciiOnCapital pic.twitter.com/W6iFDVlr3i
— Gillies & Emily (@GilliesandEmily) September 23, 2013

Avicii Launches Brand New Mix Show On Capital FM - Audio Capital's newest presenter Avicii has launched his brand new 'Levels' mix show.

http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/avicii/news/listen-new-mix-show-september/

I last wrote about Cecilia Kallin in my May 9, 2013 blog post titled, "Smiling Cecilia Kallin! :) Sweet! Nobody but nobody can smile as often when she speaks and with as much appeal as talented and vivacious lead singer and guitarist Cecilia Kallin of Timoteij. She's such a charmer!; #Timoteij, #CeciliaKallin, #BodilBergström, #PontusTidemand, #gopontus"
http://hallandalebeachblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/smiling-cecilia-kallin-sweet-nobody-but.html

Programledardebut! http://t.co/jI7N4Dbk0e
— Johanna Pettersson (@JohannaTimoteij) September 20, 2013

The band has been posting much more frequently at their individual Instagram accounts than the official blog at their website, since that generates more immediate reaction, but they are going to try to start posting at the blog more often, so they say... 
@ceciliakallin, @bodilbergstrom, @johannatimoteij, @elinathorsell 
http://www.timoteij.se/category/timoteij/

Plus, there's...
http://statigr.am/tag/ceciliakallin/
http://statigr.am/tag/elinathorsell
http://statigr.am/bodilbergstrom
http://statigr.am/johannatimoteij

Demark's Emmelie De Forest wins 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Mälmo, but Anouk gets 12 points from Hallandale Beach Blog, and around here, that matters more; all blog-related emails from readers today were from readers who LOVE Anouk's song, and who'll now consider purchasing the new CD of the talented Dutch singer they'd never heard of until today -but have since "discovered"; 'Sad Singalong Songs'

eurovision YouTube Channel video: Emmelie de Forest - Only Teardrops (Denmark) - LIVE - 2013 Grand Final, Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Grand Final.  Mälmo, Sweden
Uploaded May 18, 2013. http://youtu.be/p3f9v8ebuD4

Denmark's earnest Emmelie De Forest wins the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Mälmo, but Anouk & The Netherlands gets 12 first-place points from Hallandale Beach Blog, and around here, that's the only vote that really matters.
And yes, we vote early and we vote often.


eurovision YouTube Channel video: Anouk - Birds (The Netherlands) - LIVE - 2013 Grand Final, Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Grand Final.  Mälmo, Sweden

Uploaded May 18, 2013. http://youtu.be/n5iazXvMw5o

I'll have a post in the coming days on the singing hits and misses of the show and an overview of what I thought worked and didn't work production-wise, so this will be my quick recap.

But I did want to mention that I thought that the "Stockholm smorgasbord" skit was the best of the interval bits, with host Petra Mede singing and dancing and acquiting herself quite well and showing why she was the surprise choice to host the show, even if as Karl at the Scandipop blog tweeted Monday, she overdoes the accent when speaking English.

Petra Mede's English accent is just too much. Too much. It's like a parody that doesn't stop. Tone it down love. #Eurovision
— scandipop (@scandipop) May 13, 2013

The skit also had the advantage of not just being funny, but also true.
I hope to be able to find a clip of it and post it here soon so you can all see for yourself.

I watched the show from beginning-to-end, and then the after-show interviews as well, and only had about 3-4 times when the SVT Play feed seemed to stall or there was a momentary blip, and all but one of those came during the judging.

That's always the deadly-dullest part of the show, as viewers are forced to listen to people from 39 countries stall for time with their little amusing anecdotes instead of simply reporting their own countries results via the awarding of 8 points for 3rd place, 10 for second and 12 for first-place.

As it happens, this year, Emmelie De Forest's status as winner was already perfectly obvious when they still had about 4-5 counties to poll, as we could see in the background while host Petra Mede was forced to continue asking a question that was already moot.

Norway's Margaret Berger finished fourth.

All my incoming blog-related emails from readers on Saturday were from people who just LOVE the song, some of whom even wrote that they'll now consider purchasing the new 10-song CD of this wonderfully-talented Dutch singer most said they'd never heard of until today. 

That's the power of blogging.

'Sad Singalong Songs' now available in stores and at iTunes, probably for about 8,99 € or about $11.50 USD.

That's a very good deal, indeed.

I also suggested they tale a close look at the official video for "Birds" as seen below on her VEVO YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/AnoukVEVO

and consider subscribing to it, as I already was.

AnoukVEVO YouTube channel: Anouk - Birds, from her new CD titled 'Sad Singalong Songs'. Uploaded May 15, 2013. http://youtu.be/xPDYbuaXlA8

If yours truly was involved with a major Hollywood studio and I had an upcoming drama project involving someone like Cate Blanchett or Rachel McAdams or a similar genuine acting talent, especially a period piece pre-1960's, I'd figure out some way to get this song in the movie before somebody beat me to the punch.
With Anouk singing, nobody else.

More info, photos and video at http://www.svt.se/melodifestivalen/

Eurovision Song Contest finals are tonight in Mälmo, the Christmas Morning of Europop! Anticipation is in the air and the smart money says that the title will be a battle between Norway's Margaret Berger and Demark's Emmelie De Forest; Anouk's 'Birds' has a powerful ending; #Eurovision2013

SVT video: Norway's representative at Eurovision 2013 is 27-year old Margaret Berger shown singing "I Feed You My Love" during Thursday's Semifinal Heat.
http://www.svt.se/melodifestivalen/norge-i-eurovision-2013-margaret-berger-i-feed-you-my-love

Eurovision Song Contest finals are tonight in Mälmo, the Christmas Morning of Europop! Anticipation is in the air and the smart money says that the title will be a battle between Norway's Margaret Berger and Demark's Emmelie De Forest; Anouk's 'Birds' has a powerful ending;
#Eurovision2013

Margaret will be singing her ballad ‘I Feed You My Love’ while I'm feeding myself some cheddar-flavored popcorn and watching the show LIVE from Sweden around 3 p.m. Miami time on my desktop, via SVT Play, wondering if anyone will pull an upset. http://www.svtplay.se/

Who wants to be a star? (Som vill vara en stjärna?)

We'll know in a few hours.


Video: All the Scandinavian nations are represented in the finals: Iceland, Norway, Senmark, Sweden and Finland. Above, left-to-right: Denmark's Emmelie De Forest, Sweden's Robin Stjernberg and Norway's Margaret Berger.
Article: Vilken fest – Nordiska superfemman i final, Träffa de nordiska artisterna – som alla gör upp om segern i lördagens final av Eurovision Song Contest 2013.

(What a party - Nordic super fifth in final, Meet the Nordic artists - all of which makes up the victory in Saturday's final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013)

17 May 2013 19:49; Reporter: Mirja Bokholm 

Backstage look at a rehearsal, as it happens, Margaret's.

Margaret Berger gears up for #Eurovision. Watch her rehearsal, a guest performance, and her greeting to Scandipop! scandipop.co.uk/margaret-berge…
— scandipop (@scandipop) May 15, 2013

Outside the arena, first rehearsel. Outfit of the day: #pants #americanapparell #sunglasses #burberry… instagram.com/p/ZGQbs4vGrS/
— Margaret Berger (@MargaretBerger) May 9, 2013

SVT video: Denmark's entry, twenty-year old Emmelie De Forest was the fans' and critics' pre-competition favorite and sings the very catchy tune, "Only Teardrops."


Sweden's entry is 22-year old Robin Stjernberg singing "You," as seen here at the 2013 Melodifestivalen in Stockholm in March.

Not that it seems to have much of a chance to win, but one song I wanted to bring to your attention is a song sung by 38-year old Anouk Teeuwe -a.k.a. Anouk- from The Netherlands, called simply enough, 'Birds.'
The lyrics are okay, though I'm really NOT so crazy about the phrasing, but I just love the music and the orchestration!
The last minute of this song is sweeping and awesome!

THIS is what an adult female singer who knows what she's doing sounds like, not some dopey twenty-something who wants to be a carbon copy of any of a dozen iconic female singers we can all think of and name who are so copied to death, with the same mannerisms -and desire to hit high notes for no reason other than to show off- that it's positively draining the life and originality out of popular music in the U.S. and why so much of today's pop music is SO awful and dull.
And why so many so-called stars of today can't sing LIVE, only lip-sync and we can all name THEM!


MrHaagsesjonny1 YouTube Channel video: Anouk singing 'BIRDS'  (The Netherlands]- From first Semifinal heat of 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, Malmö, Sweden. Uploaded May 14, 2013. http://youtu.be/jAe9b-9xA7c
I selected this particular video since it shows the lyrics. 
Starting at 2:05 thru the end, this song is wow! 

This song makes me think of a really memorable song from a good 1970's film that comes up when a female character is thinking long-and-hard about what she will do to change the course of what's been happening thus far.
That, or a song you'd hear in a Broadway show where you wish the whole play was as good as that one song that you are humming the next day at work

Of course, that's the oldest story on Broadway -a musical with one good song or one good act in search of others!

What do you think of it?

Is it just me or does Anouk's face somewhat resemble actress Peggy Lipton, circa mid-1980's? http://www.spokeo.com/Peggy+Lipton+1/Feb+26+1984+Other+Photos#4887941:28568541

I wish I was smart enough to know how to describe it here on the blog in the precise and cogent musical terms and phrases I need to make myself understood, but the first time I heard the last minute of this song, and every time since, it immediately made me think of parts of the orchestration for the version of Cole Porter's "Night & Day" as played in the fictionalized 1946 film of the same name with Cary Grant playing the life of the Hoosier-born Porter, one of my all-time favorite bio-pics, even with some of the artifice.
That orchestration is like honey to me, so whenever that's playing on TCM, no matter how many dozens of times I've seen it, I can't help myself and watch it again. Always.

I just wish I could explain it!

Last-minute addition at 2:55 p.m.

Scoresheet for tonight's #eurovision show. Thank you @schlagerfiasko. twitter.com/Scanditwitchen…
— Scandinavian Kitchen (@Scanditwitchen) May 18, 2013

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@MargaretBerger https://twitter.com/MargaretBerger

Amos Barshad asks, 18 years later, How Does Ace of Base’s 'The Sign' Hold Up?; Answer: Weather's fine, jump into the pool, it's like you never left; @scandipop

Amos Barshad asks, 18 years later, "How Does Ace of Base’s The Sign Hold Up?"; Answer: Weather's fine, jump into the pool, it's like you never left.

Ace of Base - The Sign (Official)

http://youtu.be/DNPjeIamsck

In the past year or so, I've probably only wanted to post something about Ace of Base's The Sign album about... oh, 8-10 times, esp. when I saw a perfect example or analogy to the lyrics of one of the many singles that float around in my brain.

But each time, I 'pocket vetoed' myself -and you know how painful that can be.

That album, one I actually have on a shelf just a few feet away from me and my computer right now as I write this, is one of the building blocks of "Scandipop," to utter the word that is also the name of the very popular U.K.-based music blog that I've mentioned here before, which I follow and subscribe to via my Blogger Dashboard/Google Reader function, which allows me to see the first paragraph of any blog post I subscribe to within seconds of it going online, instead of waiting for an email -cool!

I subscribe and read Scandipop in large part due to Karl Batterbee's enthusiastic and wide-ranging eyes and ears for all things pop music, Scandinavian and schlager, plus so much more, namely, a keen and discerning sensibility for understanding of what music appeals to people
and why.

Even when music groups, singers or producers I'm personally not too familiar with on account of being located here in South Florida get mentioned, they're always mentioned with some helpful context for understanding them in the bigger music picture I do know very well.

You know, the "pop pantheon"?

http://www.scandipop.co.uk/

scandipop, @scandipop  https://twitter.com/scandipop

Plus, well, and it's only my opinion, Karl's a bit of a Pied Piper on his blog and because people know inherently that he pays close attention, folks in the know in and around the music business let him know what's what, which is all to our advantage, no?
.

He has an entrée to the music world that is VERY different than most bloggers or pop music reporters, because Scandipop doesn't just have enthusiastic readers who 'like' music, it has enthusiastic readers who actually BUY music, a difference WITH a distinction.

Record labels and media types in Europe pay close attention to what he says/thinks.

So, all that said, I've now got a good excuse to post something here about that album from 1993, thanks to the really expansive post Thursday at the Vulture blog of New York magazine, which I've also given a head's up to others about as well, including Karl.

(You remember 1993, right? Dan Marino injured and the one-year era of Scott Mitchell as Dolphins QB?)

Posts about the the national debt limit, meaningful cuts in spending and President Obama's flip-flopping and gamesmanship will have to wait 'til later.

I saw the sign

And it opened up my eyes

I saw the sign

No one's gonna drag you up

To get into the light where you belong

But where do you belong

New York magazine

Vulture blog

Nostalgia Fact-Check: How Does Ace of Base’s The Sign Hold Up

By Amos Barshad

July 7, 2011 at 3 p.m.

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/07/nostalgia_fact_check_how_does.html

-----

Be sure to also read Karl's interview earlier this year with the two remaining members of the band: Jonas Berggren and Ulf Ekberg.

Scan magazine

The Return of Ace of Base

By Karl Batterbee

February 11, 2011

http://www.scanmagazine.co.uk/2011/02/the-return-of-ace-of-base/

Ace of Base - Don't Turn Around (Official)

http://youtu.be/INi7srItF6g

The band's official hemsida, I mean website, is at http://www.aceofbase-music.de/ but does NOT seem to be as well-maintained and updated as you'd think it ought to be considering everything. Like for instance, releasing a new CD, The Golden Ratio.

In the year 2011, you simply can't go four months without any new and original content on your website.

Just saying...

Scan magazine: http://www.scanmagazine.co.uk/