01Profile
A Magnus Carlson Photo
Magnus Carlson
Singer — Stockholm
03Interview
Name
Magnus Carlson
What do you do?
I sing great songs.
Where are you from?
Stockholm
Describe your style in three words?
I only need one word: mod.
Which sub-cultures have had an enduring effect on you?
Everything connected with mod. Soul, ska, rhythm n' blues, jazz. Clothes to me are a way to express myself and show others what I'm into.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
David Bowie must have been an absolute joy to hang out with for an hour. He was the greatest artist ever.
Another you? Any other career that would have appealed?
Eight years ago my musical career was at a standstill. I had no drive and had run out of ideas. I felt like I had done all I could. (My first album came out 1997). I also became a dad 2008, so I started to think more about the future. And then I realised I am a singer. So today I can't imagine doing anything else. I enjoy every day. I work harder than ever. And as a result, I'm doing better than ever.
Best Gig you have ever been to?
D-I-F-F-I-C-U-L-T to answer... I've been to so many gigs with so many greats! Normally I'm not into "arty" music so much. I like the 7" single format. Three-minute TUNES. But I just love Nick Cave. His whole albums. I've seen him about ten times now. He's an amazing live performer. Every tour he does, I have to see at least one gig. He inspires me a lot.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite, and why?
I do about 100 gigs per year in Scandinavia. I MUST say that it's the difference between the places that makes the whole thing interesting. I can play a sports arena one night, and a smaller jazz club the next. Change is the best way to keep me on my toes. When I do long tours in the same kind of venues, I get a bit bored. It's a bit like working on the treadmill. The big joy that comes with this odd type of work is that you get to see so many places. Though festivals are nice because you can explore a lot I prefer it when everyone in the audience is there just for me. But if I have to pick just one place there is a great little theatre in Ystad (Kurt Wallander's hometown) I always enjoy extra much. It's just something special in the walls and air there. Luckily I'm playing there again in a few weeks. Can't wait.
Magnus Carlson’s career includes diverse projects from duets with Anna Ternheim to house tracks with members of Swedish House Mafia. His credits include performing Velvet Underground-covers with Nina Persson of The Cardigans and Ebbot Lundberg of The Soundtrack of Our Lives to playing horns with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.
Magnus’ new EP 'The Northern Soul Sessions’ was recorded at Paul Weller’s Black Barn Studios, and released both digitally and on two special 7” singles.
The tracks take the listener right back to the dance floor of Wigan Casino, and those wishing to immerse themselves further can see Magnus perform at a Northern Soul allnighter in London on Saturday 21st October (2017) at Crossfire (229 Venue).
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
First track you played on repeat?
'Action' - The Sweet.
The first record I bought with my own money. In them vinyl days you always played the records on repeat!
Song that defines the teenage you?
'How Soon Is Now?' - The Smiths.
I felt like it was about me. I was not a sad, lonely boy. But something inside me felt like it was about me.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
'Wo Sé Mama' - Paul Weller.
I buy records all the time. On a daily basis actually. But mostly old 60s 7" singles. I bought Paul Weller's New album on CD. I rarely let go of the artists that I grew up with. They're too much a part of who I am.
One record you would keep forever?
You can't ask a record collector like me a question like that! It's like asking which of your children would you keep! Today I pick: Little Richard's - 'Get Down With It'. Cause I'm in a party mood!
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Money Money' - Horace Andy
"Money is the root of all evil".
A song that people wouldn’t expect you to like?
No Idea... 'Freedom' - George Michael, perhaps.
A song you wished you had written?
Again. A very difficult question. There are far too many to choose from! This song is always great whoever sings it - 'Feeling Good'. And I did my own version of it a couple of years ago - with The Moon Ray Quintet (on Spotify).
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Goran Kajfes Subtropic Arkestra is my favourite band at the moment.
03Interview
Name
Magnus Carlson
What do you do?
I sing great songs.
Where are you from?
Stockholm
Describe your style in three words?
I only need one word: mod.
Which sub-cultures have had an enduring effect on you?
Everything connected with mod. Soul, ska, rhythm n' blues, jazz. Clothes to me are a way to express myself and show others what I'm into.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
David Bowie must have been an absolute joy to hang out with for an hour. He was the greatest artist ever.
Another you? Any other career that would have appealed?
Eight years ago my musical career was at a standstill. I had no drive and had run out of ideas. I felt like I had done all I could. (My first album came out 1997). I also became a dad 2008, so I started to think more about the future. And then I realised I am a singer. So today I can't imagine doing anything else. I enjoy every day. I work harder than ever. And as a result, I'm doing better than ever.
Best Gig you have ever been to?
D-I-F-F-I-C-U-L-T to answer... I've been to so many gigs with so many greats! Normally I'm not into "arty" music so much. I like the 7" single format. Three-minute TUNES. But I just love Nick Cave. His whole albums. I've seen him about ten times now. He's an amazing live performer. Every tour he does, I have to see at least one gig. He inspires me a lot.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite, and why?
I do about 100 gigs per year in Scandinavia. I MUST say that it's the difference between the places that makes the whole thing interesting. I can play a sports arena one night, and a smaller jazz club the next. Change is the best way to keep me on my toes. When I do long tours in the same kind of venues, I get a bit bored. It's a bit like working on the treadmill. The big joy that comes with this odd type of work is that you get to see so many places. Though festivals are nice because you can explore a lot I prefer it when everyone in the audience is there just for me. But if I have to pick just one place there is a great little theatre in Ystad (Kurt Wallander's hometown) I always enjoy extra much. It's just something special in the walls and air there. Luckily I'm playing there again in a few weeks. Can't wait.
Magnus Carlson’s career includes diverse projects from duets with Anna Ternheim to house tracks with members of Swedish House Mafia. His credits include performing Velvet Underground-covers with Nina Persson of The Cardigans and Ebbot Lundberg of The Soundtrack of Our Lives to playing horns with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.
Magnus’ new EP 'The Northern Soul Sessions’ was recorded at Paul Weller’s Black Barn Studios, and released both digitally and on two special 7” singles.
The tracks take the listener right back to the dance floor of Wigan Casino, and those wishing to immerse themselves further can see Magnus perform at a Northern Soul allnighter in London on Saturday 21st October (2017) at Crossfire (229 Venue).
04Playlist Notes
First track you played on repeat?
'Action' - The Sweet.
The first record I bought with my own money. In them vinyl days you always played the records on repeat!
Song that defines the teenage you?
'How Soon Is Now?' - The Smiths.
I felt like it was about me. I was not a sad, lonely boy. But something inside me felt like it was about me.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
'Wo Sé Mama' - Paul Weller.
I buy records all the time. On a daily basis actually. But mostly old 60s 7" singles. I bought Paul Weller's New album on CD. I rarely let go of the artists that I grew up with. They're too much a part of who I am.
One record you would keep forever?
You can't ask a record collector like me a question like that! It's like asking which of your children would you keep! Today I pick: Little Richard's - 'Get Down With It'. Cause I'm in a party mood!
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Money Money' - Horace Andy
"Money is the root of all evil".
A song that people wouldn’t expect you to like?
No Idea... 'Freedom' - George Michael, perhaps.
A song you wished you had written?
Again. A very difficult question. There are far too many to choose from! This song is always great whoever sings it - 'Feeling Good'. And I did my own version of it a couple of years ago - with The Moon Ray Quintet (on Spotify).
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Goran Kajfes Subtropic Arkestra is my favourite band at the moment.