Artist: David Fridlund
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Updated appearances for David Fridlund/David & the Citizens (who I believe is travelling Citizens-less?) at SXSW:
03/15 - 4pm @ End of an Ear, 2209 South 1st St.
03/15 - 1am @ Uncle Flirty's Loft, 512 Trinity St. (Nordic Night showcase)
03/16 - 1:40pm @ SOHO, 217 E. 6th St. (Pirate Promotions party)
03/17 - 3:45 and 4:30pm @ Homeslice Pizza, 1415 South Congress (15-minute solo sets between bands)
03/17 - 6pm @ the Yard Dog Folk Art Gallery, 1510 South Congress (Redeye Distribution 10th Anniversary party)
Are David & the Citizens becoming a rock'n'roll cliché? Just as they were getting ready to take things to the next level with their first-ever performances in the US, the entire backing band has quit. Why? Rumor has it that frontman David Fridlund's girlfriend Sara Culler has become the band's Yoko Ono, but no one is willing to go on record to explain their side of the story. This is not the first time that such rumors have circulated as I have heard similar things in the past with regards to previous band defections.
I sincerely hope that David and the guys will somehow be able to rectify the situation, but I am not optmistic. I imagine he'll recruit a new batch of ringers and the show will go on, in one way or another. But hey, feel free to prove me wrong! Also, since I am aware than many parties involved are readers of this site, you are all invited to send in any official response or statement to the situation which I will publish unedited and without response.
David Fridlund has posted a demo of a brand new solo track on myspace called "Simple mathematics": http://www.myspace.com/davidfridlund
Swedish singer/songwriter Sara Culler has passed along word that Swedish Radio P4 only music journalism program Casino, hosted by Lisa Wall and Kalle Oldby, will be no more once the year is through. Both her and beau David Fridlund have been guests on the program multiple times, so they are sad the program is ending. In other news, check out some recent pics of Sara in the studio working on new material: http://saraculler.webblogg.se/300906222012_what_did_it_look_like_in_the_stu.html
Swedish singer/songwriter Sara Culler will be bring her beau David Fridlund (David & the Citizens) to Ireland to perform together at the Forfey Festival on August 26.
In their studio weblog, The Citizens were talking about how the band had become more "rocking" whilst making the new EP and LP (although later on they said the EP was more "pop"). Well, now that the EP has been released, we Citizens fans now have an idea on what the band had been up to since "Until the sadness is gone"; and if you're familiar with the track "Big chill," this is not too dissimilar. More of a distorted raw tone all around, yet keeping the level aesthetics we have all grown to love and a minimal-yet-fleshed-out sound. The closer, "Sometimes forever" is one of the prettiest songs David Fridlund has written. He and The Citizens shine so brightly on this EP, they are a band that should never be eclipsed. I'll call this another triumph for the band and I cannot wait for the new full-length.
- Matt Giordano
A new label, a revamped lineup, but is it the same David & the Citizens? I say yes, most definitely. If anything, the jump to Bad Taste has probably strengthened the band as it allows Magnus to concentrate on just the music and not the business side of things. Band leader David Fridlund's songwriting is just as invigorating as ever, too. I've always been a fan of D&tC EPs as I feel the band is at their best on the short format, so it's no surprise that "Are you in my blood?" is a fantastic release. I was strongly considering a post about the ballad "Sometimes forever", but I've changed my mind this morning and decided that "Absent mind" would make a better selection as it's an upbeat number more in the classic power-pop vein that D&tC is known for. I love the chanting backing vocals in combination with the horns. It's the kind of thing that drills into your head and won't let go. "Sometimes forever" may be more emotionally powerful, but I need driving pop to get my day started off right.
David & The Citizens - Absent mind
Swedish singer/songwriter Sara Culler (better known to some as David Fridlund's better half) reports that her new demo "Wolflike they are" is finally done and ready for ordering. Check out samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/aboutsaraculler
German label BB*Island will be releasing David Fridlund's solo album "Amaterasu" in Europe on April 28 and, as posted here before, will be sending David out on tour in support:
05/08 - Nachtcafe, Kiel
05/09 - Prinzenbar, Hamburg
05/10 - Subway, Köln
05/11 - Südstadt, München
05/12 - Salon Elitaer, Kassel
05/13 - Trompete, Berlin
David Fridlund (David & the Citizens) will be doing some solo dates in Germany in May:
05/08 - Nachtcafe, Kiel
05/09 - Prinzenbar, Hamburg
05/10 - Subway, Köln
05/11 - Südstadt, München
05/12 - Salon Elitaer, Kassel
05/13 - Trompete, Berlin
David & the Citizens have released two full length LPs and a handful of EPs on Sweden's Adrian Recordings. This EP, their first American release, pulls songs from these previous releases into a short and sweet collection. A few of their best numbers are here, "Now she sleeps in a box in the good soil of Denmark" is a curious sing-along song despite the dark lyrics, and "Big chill" (featuring Mattias Alkberg of Bear Quartet and Mattias Alkberg BD) is invigorating as all get out. "Lets not fall apart" showcases frontman David Fridlund's uncanny grasp of melody. Their songs are always an intriguing contrast between lyrics that border on suicidal despair and bouncy melodies brimming with joy. These aren't all the songs I would have picked to showcase their strengths - there are none of their slower beauties, and some of their most compelling numbers like "Song against life" (now there's a theme for a sing-along-song!) are missing, while a few of those included ("Grey coated morning," which was an early single but is hardly their best) might be better left off. All in all, though, it's a fine introduction to a wonderful band for those who don't want to spring for the full catalogue and build their own favorite song playlists.
- Nancy Baym
This is quite a pleasant album, with some admirable songs on it. At its best, it reminds me of Wilco ("Devil when you cry"), Tom Waits ("Sweden slow"), and a MOR David & the Citizens ("Angels fable"). What I don't really like about "Sirkus" is that, unlike Jeff Tweedy, Tom Waits and David Fridlund, the singer's (Gustav) voice is way too uncharacteristic and - to be blunt - plain. I prefer a more personal touch than the Jeff Buckley-light vocals that Gustav and the Seasick Sailors offer. Other than that, this is a solid release, worth checking out if you like your singers to sing "properly".
- Simon Tagestam
David & The Citizens
Gustav and the Seasick Sailors
