Poetic Memory: Anna Ternheim (List)

Anna Ternheim

Anna Ternheim recently won Swedish Grammys for “Album of the year” and “Female artist of the year,” and she just released the Bjorn Yttling (of Peter, Bjorn, and John)-produced Leaving on a Mayday on August 11, 2009. Ternheim’s lyrical confidence and directness make he songs particularly refreshing in a climate often dominated by bands looking for someone else’s sound. For a sample of her style, check out this MP3 of “What Have I Done?

Ternheim is currently finishing up a North American tour, with four nights on the eastern seaboard through this Saturday. See below for her Poetic Memory and tour details.

David Bowie - Aladdin SaneDavid Bowie – Aladdin Sane: He was my first idol in music. When I first saw the album, I thought he was a woman. I could sing all the songs on the album by the age of 5—but I didn’t understand a word, of course.

Suzanne Vega – Solitude Standing: I was 9 years old when this album came out. Like many, “My Name is Luka” was the song that drew me in. I had just started playing the guitar and writing my own songs when I first heard it. Suzanne has one of the most amazing, intimate voices I’ve ever heard.

Pearl Jam – Ten: When I was a young teen this was a favorite of mine. I listened to it everyday after school. I learned to play all of the songs on my acoustic guitar. Around this time, I started playing with other people in bands. We all dressed like Eddie Vedder & Kurt Cobain at the time in Stockholm. Everyone did.

The Cure – Disintegration: Alongside Depeche Mode, the Cure has always had a place in my heart and my record collection. I saw them play in the rain at the Roskilde festival when I was 17, and after that I was hooked. “Love Song” is an all-time favorite song. I find myself always going back to their music.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Murder Ballads: This is the album that got me into Nick Cave. The stories, black humor, violence and worn beauty in his lyrics make him a singular artist for me. And The Bad Seeds are one of the greatest bands on the planet, hands down.

Anna Ternheim Tourdates
10.14.09 – Great Scott – Boston, MA
10.15.09 – Maxwells – Hoboken, NJ
10.16.09 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
10.17.09 – Johnny Brendas – Philadelphia, PA

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