Too tired to write anything clever. Must use minimal amount of words. Thank you Palladium in Växjö for having us and thank you Umeå Open for finally bringing us up north, and for having the best audience, probably, ever.

In other news:

* We’re recording again. I’ll tell you more about it later.
* I wrote a while ago about the joy over buying Söltrut. Not even six months later, Söltrut is getting ill. Things are falling off her in a rapid speed (ie her battery, her guitar strap, her snappy sound) If I didn’t love her, I’d wished I’d never bought her. Poor man’s Martin, my ass. Poor man’s qualilty, that’s what.
* It concerns me greatly that after every gig we perform, someone always comes along and tells me they know the feeling from Last bitter song exactly.

But don’t ask me to specify.

And more to come. For now, check shows for more info about gigs in Vänersborg, Kristianstad, Köping, Borlänge, Hultsfred, Östersund, and Emmaboda!

HS at Södra Teatern. Photo by Kaine at www.stereoscent.com

Another excellent week on the road! I’m sure I’ve told you earlier I haven’t always been that fond of playing live. I think it’s a matter of who you are – for me, standing up in front of hundreds of people doesn’t come that easy. In school, I was the kind whose hands would start to shake as soon as I had to answer a question.

I’ve thought a bit about the clash that occurs when the DIY-bands, shy nerds like myself who like to sit at home and write or even produce in front of a computer, all of a sudden have to get up on stage. We started writing for our own good and all of a sudden, we have to go up against the musicians who do this because of a deep love of performing. However, none of my own heroes are really that outgoing on stage (Evan Dando – you usually suck live, but I still won’t miss a show) and I like that.

It’s been nerve-wrecking, but I have finally started enjoying playing live, thanks to all of you who listen so hard, who clap your hands so intensive, who pay good money to listen to us. And thanks to Andreas, Maia, Fredrik and Jens who make every day feel like a vacation.

PS. For those of you who requested it: here are the lyrics to my new song The Quiz. I’m not sure yet if or when it will be recorded.

The Quiz

You look nice alright
and I like the way you nod after everything I say
like it actually means something
to you

And I like your record collection
Townes and Jens with a hint of Rickie Lee
And you’ve cleaned up the bathroom, made a really nice soup
but a bit too much sci-fi in your shelf with DVD’s

But there’s some things you need to know about me:
I’m weak right now, real weak right now
I need proof before I dare to open this heart
so I prepared a quiz for you:

Would you freak out if I said I liked you
Do you walk the line
Is your IQ higher than your neighbour’s
And is it very much higher than mine

Can you sleep when I grind my teeth
Do you look away if I slob when I eat
Will you let me be myself
Can you at all times wear socks, because I’m still scared of feet

Do you talk in the middle of Seinfeld
Do you read more than two books a month
Do you get racist or sexist when you’ve had a few
Is it fine if I make more money than you

Have you slept with any people I work with
Is there anyone you’d rather wish I’d be
Do you still keep pictures of old girlfriends -
Are they prettier than me

And if I’d fall, would you pick me up
If I fall, will you pick me up

8 fine moments during the past days!

1. March 2nd, Göteborg. This night, everything was magic. We played at Nefertiti. (Check here for evidence) The sound was crisp, the audience was amazing, the food was yummy, the speakers played The heart of Saturday night all afternoon. Maia warmed up for us and sold about a million demos after her fine, fine gig. And when we returned to the hotel, we each got 2 mintkrisps! It’s all good.

2. In Göteborg, we borrowed Jesper and Peo (from Vapnet, Autisterna, and Lola Barbershop) to help us out with some outstanding trumpet, saxophone, and backing vocals.
I have earlier complained in this journal about people wanting me to fix them up with the HS band members. Jesper and Peo joined us for 4 songs. I have already had 3 requests from people wanting to buy J and P for filthy purposes. (Martin A, it is now official: you win this battle.)

3. After the gig, we were fortunate enough to make it just in time for a concert with our friends in I’m from Barcelona. Maia, me, and an unknown drunk girl got the honour of singing with Barca in their slammin’ hit (slammin’? Who do I think I am, Kris Kross?) The Painter.

4. Playing at KB in Malmö. Thank you for having us! The stage was huge so I tried to dance a bit more than I usually do to cover up the place properly. I’m sorry for that, Malmö. (The dancing.)

5. Eating about 4674654 carrots, 685784 apples, and drinking 4654356 gallons of water and approximately 1 beer. This is not a tour, it’s a health trip.

6. Iamuse warmed up for us in Malmö and we got got the honour of singing viking vocals with them in their slammin’ hit When she ran from me. (Before listening to it, here’s a disclaimer kids: the song’s so good, you’ll be humming on it for years to come).

7. We also went to Uppsala to play at V-dala nation. We couldn’t hear ourselves playing because you people were being so loud – we loved it! You are probably only crowd ever to clap along to Long lost penpal and trying to dance disco to it.

8. Getting home and sleeping for 13 hours. See you on Tuesday at Kafé 44!