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 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