Girlcrawl
Girlcrawl
Follow

Swedish band Little Dragon's debut to be released via Peacefrog

Posted over 4 years ago

I've stated a number of times whilst posting on an artist or band that I was enthralled...should perhaps clarify that given both my reserved nature and unconscious, albeit obnoxious, seen-it-all disposition, enthrallment rarely means truly excited about.

Little Dragon's upcoming self-titled album, however, has proven stimulating beyond charming; it's arousingly captivating in a manner that will excite even the jaded pulse.

Little Dragon members hail from Gothenburg, Sweden, and are vocalist and frontwoman Yukimi Nagano, Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrick Källgren Wallin (bass), and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards).

They stepped into the spotlight with the release of their first double A-side single on Peacefrog, ‘Twice’/’Test’. The former Rough Trade ‘Single of the Week’ was “universally hailed as a masterpiece of free thinking soul."

Informed by Swedish and American folk, R & B, electronic, synth, early hiphop, and jazz, "what unites these disparate influences is an undeniable swing and lightness of touch, braced with bass heaviness, borne from the intuitive connection between the band members that epitomises Little Dragon’s music. The band "takes tired musical traces and styles, give them a shot in the arm to leave us with something fresh and positive...it's a debut full of subtle touches, capturing fleeting emotional moments, twinned with gnawingly memorable pop flourishes and hooks." Little Garden's debut will be released 3 September, 2007 via the Peacefrog label.

Yukimi has sung with Sweden’s electronica-jazz outfit Koop, and both Yukimi and Erik play live with José González. Erik also drums with Peps Persson, a legendary Swedish blues/reggae artist.

The sparse, hypnotic music video for Little Dragon's gorgeous single 'Twice' is a shadow puppet theatre directed by Johannes Nyholm. Puppet Masters: Yukimi Nagano, Håkan Wirenstrand, Fredrik Källgren Wallin, Erik bodin, Elias Araya, Aime Hellrand, Henrik Malmgren, Andreas Korsár and Kurt Lightner.

0

Comments (30)

  1. Girlcrawl
    Girlcrawl says 'Test' also from debut: ~zB87tkvbrxa.mp3~
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  2. Marigold
    Marigold says My co-worker thinks the first song Reccomendations sounds like the Jackson 5...I think she is cracked. Nice find. Thanks for sharing.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  3. annieander
    annieander says I am finding myself listening to more and more Swedish musicians these days. Nice addition.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  4. scotfree
    scotfree says This is very nice. I have a smal selection of two-step music from Heavyweight Sound that I come back to time and again, this fits in very nicely with those selections. Nice find GC, and a nice write up as well. I think that video might give me nightmares though.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  5. dachmo
    dachmo says Oh, good one! Mighty pleased! even "Enthralled" I might say. Thanks for tossing this one in there.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  6. PopeyePete
    PopeyePete says I'm doin the cabbage patch right now. Awww yeahhh.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  7. Girlcrawl
    Girlcrawl says Marigold - I second your opinion - she's definitely cracked! :-) Merci! annieander - Merci; there are so many fabulous Swede musicians just awaiting discovery - glad you enjoyed the listen! :-) scotfree - Thanks much for the lovely compliment; sorry about the possible nightmares...perhaps they will not be too frightening. Appreciate as ever the comment! :-) dachmo - Appreciate your enthusiasm :-) Am really enjoying this album, and happy to share. Thanks for a most splendid comment; and a toast to enthrallment! Cheers. PopeyePete - Yeahhh baby! Spectacular; appreciate the listen and comment. :-)
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  8. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says That 3rd song 'Test' I thought for sure was a sample of beats at the beginning from a Prince song(Raspberry Beret). Loving all three songs. Very cool & hadn't heard of them before. The vid & song are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for the heads up about them GC.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  9. Girlcrawl
    Girlcrawl says Augusts1 - Welcome; appreciate the fabulous comment! It's been quite a while since I heard Prince's Raspberry Beret, so can't really agree or disagree - do trust your 'ears' though :-). The 'Twice' track is probably my near favourite because it is just a 'gorgeous' song. Glad you enjoyed the vibes, and cheers as ever!
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  10. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says I'm sure that it's not 'exactly' like the Prince song but it sure made me think of it right away. I like the ecclectic sound of their music too. It's not straight funk/soul since they put unusual sounds into the songs that make it interesting to listen to which I like. If you go up to the search feature & put in Prince & go to his artist lounge I'm sure you could hear a clip of 'Raspebery Beret'. Prince has been around for so long & such a major influence in the music world that anyone attempting to do funk/soul can't help but be influenced to a certain extent.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  11. Max Load
    Max Load says Test does it more for me. But doesn't excite.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  12. ivylander
    ivylander says A most interesting group - they make the sort of music, I suspect, that only gets better the more you listen to it. "Twice" is pretty ravishing. Thanks, GC.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  13. 2Serenity
    2Serenity says This group rocks! Goodness! Where I have been all my life? See -- this is why I love this music site. I am discovering new artists I never knew existed. Thank you thank you. That beat is sort of catchy and I am acting a damn fool here at my desk!! Thanks, Girlcrawl! =P And Popeye Pete -- I am doing the snake! By the way, Test does sound a little like Rasberry Beret to me. It is that shakin sound. What type of instrument makes that sound. Beans in a can? I don't know. I am such a novice in all of this because my descriptions are not on par like all of yours! I need a music dictionary! Maybe it sounds like Rasberry Beret to you now? More violins start with Rasberry Beret though at 0.09. Enjoy! ~HskVznpUTDx.mp3~
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  14. waydutch
    waydutch says This genre is not really my cup of tea, but I did find both Recommendations and Test catchy and see how on multiple listenings the appreciation of them could grow . Thanks for a thorough post of a band I was completely unaware of, but now, thanks to you, have a good idea of why for their genre they are special.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  15. Dzendvokh
    Dzendvokh says I have to agree with you girlcrawl, twice is beautiful. One of those videos too that I wish I could see full screen with no diminished quality. Thanks for this post.
    Permalink posted 08/28/2007
  16. poebegone
    poebegone says luvit luvit luvit! oh, i do. i enjoy listening to all kinds of stuff but at the end of the day the highlight of my last week was Horse and I by Bat for Lashes by way of Lady Miss Ian (thankyou) and this could be it this week. Girl, thankyou. i am so giddy. :D
    Permalink posted 08/29/2007
  17. nicki
    nicki says What wonderful, sparkling stuff. Thanks.
    Permalink posted 08/29/2007
  18. ngtivspace
    ngtivspace says I agree. Between this and Loney, Dear... Love these tracks. Thanks for adding them to my repeat-list today.
    Permalink posted 08/29/2007
  19. VideoGamesInADrunkenHaze
    VideoGamesInADrunkenHaze says This is fantastic, an excellent find, and a good add to my growing Swede-hearts playlist.
    Permalink posted 08/29/2007
  20. Girlcrawl
    Girlcrawl says Max Load - Glad one of the songs worked for you; appreciate the listen. Cheers! ivylander - Appreciate the lovely comment; 'ravishing' is an apt word - wish I had tought of it. :-) You are quite right regarding the music 'gets better' upon repeated listen. Have played the entire album at least 3 times, and it is revealing subsequent depth and intricacies with each spin. Cheers! 2Serenity - You are fabulous my friend! Thanks so much for posting Raspberry Beret, and you guys are spot on - I hear the similarities. Brilliant. Love that you are 'acting a damn fool here at my desk' - sounds wonderful, and can almost picture it. Think your descriptions are as good as any out there, and quite on par so no need for the dictionary - you are doing just fine! Thanks again for the song (had forgot how enjoyable a listen it is), and now I'm shakin', bouncin' and acting the damn fool! :-) waydutch - Think it's smashing that you are open to listening to music that may not be your choice of genre; appreciate the thoughtful, positive comment. Merci! Dzendvokh - Quite welcome; concur, that would be a splendid way to view the video. The song is 'beautiful' indeed - should have posted it on its own as alot of people are by-passing it, and it is the loveliest song on the album. Appreciate the comment. Cheers! poebegone - Thank you! Am glad you enjoyed Little Dragon; must admit, I thought you might appreciate their music; wasn't certain though. Yes, Bat for Lashes is an excellent band - I've really been enjoying their '06 release Fur and Gold, and find Natasha Khan to be a rather intriguing performer. Cheers, and 'luv' the comment. nicki - Merci; 'wonderful, sparkling' indeed - appreciate the comment! Cheers. For poebegone: Here's an excellent video of a 24 July, '07 performance that someone posted on Youtube - Bat For Lashes performing 'Trophy' at Maxwells: And perhaps still my favourite:
    Permalink posted 08/29/2007
  21. Girlcrawl
    Girlcrawl says ngtivspace - Merci; as ever appreciate the listen and comment. Little Dragon repeat listens are a positive endeavour; cheers! VideoGamesInADrunkenHaze - Thanks so much for the listen and the wonderful comment; glad I could add to the 'Swede-hearts' playlist. Cheers!
    Permalink posted 08/29/2007
  22. FluxCapacitor
    FluxCapacitor says Where do you pull these from?! Lovely intro and a great little find, cheers! Hope they're on emusic...
    Permalink posted 08/30/2007
  23. HelenMarie
    HelenMarie says Girlcrawl!! I was checking out all three up top and during "Test", one of my buddy co-workers was walking by, then made like his ear was dragging him closer to me and he just started shakin his hands to and from his chest dancing, we were totally diggin it. I try to start shit around here but this office is 99.9% quiet, boring and without any fun, so thanks for stimulating some good times and smiles! I loved all of their songs, great stuff and great post as usual!
    Permalink posted 08/30/2007
  24. Girlcrawl
    Girlcrawl says FluxCapacitor - Merci. Not certain if Little Dragon's debut will appear on e-music. Glad you enjoyed the listen, and appreciate the comment! SunshineDaydream - How lovely! Appreciate the comment, and the fabulous anecdote. Happy that Little Dragon could impart some stimulating vibes into an otherwise quietly boring office environment - love those Swedes. Keep instigating the fun if only to amuse yourself. Cheers, and thanks dear!
    Permalink posted 08/31/2007
  25. TBoom
    TBoom says I loved the video, liked the songs. Thanks for the post.
    Permalink posted 09/01/2007
  26. milkshake
    milkshake says Lovely song! And I love the album cover and video!
    Permalink posted 09/02/2007
  27. soulrocket
    soulrocket says more nice sweedish girls singing sexy, i like it. its cool that tunes are in an upbeat mode so they work for dancing too.
    Permalink posted 09/07/2007
  28. zoot
    zoot says something about the vocal delivery of 'recommendations' & 'twice' (which are both quite lovely) reminds me of some of ricki lee jones recent work. awesome post. - hope allz well w/ you.
    Permalink posted 09/18/2007
  29. Bartleby
    Bartleby says I think I'm in love. Should I be grateful to you for aggravating my financial situation with another purchase which comes in addition to all my other costly addictions? Yukimi is simply ethereal. Girlcrawl, coming to your MOG is like landing on the shores of Aeaea. One is under some magical spell and it is most difficult to leave...
    Permalink posted 09/30/2007
  30. Girlcrawl
    Girlcrawl says Thanks you guys (zoot, soulrocket, milkshake, Tboom) for the wonderful comments - appreciate the visit, and glad you enjoyed the listen. Cheers! Bartleby - 'Ethereal' is a lovely descriptor for Yukimi; quite enchanting, isn't she? It's an album worth having, and I am certain you will not regret the purchase. Thank you for the utterly charming compliment. Love that you made reference to Circe's mythical island of Aeaea as I am fairly passionate about Greek mythology! Appreciate you dropping over and leaving such a delightful comment. Cheers.
    Permalink posted 10/04/2007

Comment on this Post

Login using email and password below.

Forgot Password?

OR login using Facebook Connect

Connect

Don't have an account?
Join MOG. It's Free!

 

© 2006-2012 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved