THE SCHLAGER SYSTEMS

Netherlands - "Ik Ben Verliefd (Sha-La-Lie)" - Eurovision Song Contest 2...

2010-04-25T10:56:00.000Z

We Are Not Alone - Alexander Bard talks to The Schlager Systems

2009-02-20T19:49:00.003Z

Ahead of BWO's performance in Leksand, Sweden for this years Melodifestivalen, we find out the gossip from the man himself.

TSS: How are rehearsals going for the performance on Saturday night?

AB: Very well, but it is a very complex number so there are lots of details to work on.

TSS: Can you describe this year's BWO entry 'You Are Not Alone' for Melodifestivalen?

AB: A dramatic melodic modern electronic gospel ballad.

TSS: Does Marina wear a fabulous frock?

AB: We all wear cosmonaut suites on Saturday.

TSS: We loved 'It's My Life' by Amy Diamond, how did that song come about? Did you have Amy in mind while writing?

AB: Yes, when I write for others, I write what they want me to write. When I write for BWO, I write with my heart. Iäm glad Amy likes her song so much.

TSS: Apart from BWO and Amy, what other favourites do you have from this year's MF?

AB: Alcazar. They're back in full form and made a stunning performance with a catchy electro track.

TSS: We absolutely love Alcazar! Apart from winning MF and Eurovision what else have you planned for this year?

AB: The big priority is the release of our brand new album "Big Science" in April. "You're Not Alone" is only a first taster from the new album. A second single is planned for the summer and a third single is planned for the autumn. This time around we will have a Pan-European release (ncluding the UK) from day 1 of the new record.

TSS: Have you heard the Lloyd Webber penned UK eurovision entry yet? Do you like?

AB: I actually and honestly think the UK track is awful. This is one of the worst and most dated songs ever from Lloyd-Webber. But I really like Greece's entry this year which is very now and very sexy.

TSS: The Schlager Systems will be at the final this year again, any tip on where to party after the final?

AB: I will find out for you if BWO make it to the final again this year.

TSS: Do you have a message for you UK fans?

AB: We love you all!!! And we hope you will like the new sound of the "Big Sceince" album in April.

Thank you Mr Bard and lycka till for tomorrow!

MGP and MF 2009

2009-02-09T18:59:00.007Z

Well Friday saw another absolute awful instalment from NRK's 'Melodi Grand Prix'. We don't mean to be bitchy but don't you think Per and Maria could have done a couple of weeks of 'Atkins' before appearing on telly? The only decent song this week coming from Alexander Rybak with the fiddle playing in 'Fairytale. We here at the Schlager Systems think it could possibly win for Norway. The only other decent song in the contest is the fantastic 'Find My Girl' by Zuma front man Alexander Stenerud. Compared the last few years Norway's song choices for this year are dire - we know there is much more talent in Norway that what has been put forward for the show.

On Saturday, the whole Schlager world tuned in the the first semi final of Melodifestivalen 2009. Wasn't sure of the Alcazar snippet STV had placed on there website but when we heard Alcazar perform 'Stay the Night' on the night, it blew us away and they deservedly won their place in the live final. Was it just us or does anybody else think that Emilia just couldn't hold a note? Maybe she was too nervous. Marty loved Shirely Clamp, but unfortunately her sore throat ruined the big vocal climax and she missed out altogether! It was so nice for the international jury to decide that Caroline av Ugglas' 'Snälla snälla' was the 'most eurovision sounding song' of the night - YES ONLY IF YOU'R DEAF!!!!!! Anyway here's Andreas, Tess and Lina doing what they do best........

Stay Tuned Lots of Schlager Interviews Coming Your Way!

2008-12-16T20:14:00.000Z

Well as MF 09 season starts to get into full flow, we here at the Schlager Systems will be bringing you as many interviews as possible. So keep checking back!

Love Marty

It's Agnes Carlsson

2008-10-17T19:22:00.002Z

The Schlager Systems are back after a lengthy absence due to several personal disasters and difficult circumstances. We are bigger and better with a lot more glitter! Anyway, we quite like Agnes Carlsson, winner of Idol Sweden 2006. This is her new song 'On and On' which is a little bit 'Ace of Base' - which means it's a slice of pure svenska europop - nothing wrong with that! She is a little ray of sunshine through the shite we have to endure through this miserable forthcoming winter.

Our Own Marty Releases Debut Album!

2008-10-12T08:58:00.001Z

Nothing like a bit of self promotion but Marty from the Schlager Systems has released his first solo album, entitled 'Dark Heart'.... it's not schlager but it is rather good... available from itunes (worldwide), Payplay.fm (worldwide), Amazon.com (USA/Canada only), Bengans.se (Sweden), åhlens city (Sweden) to name but a few. Go buy it and show support lol!

Let It Rain! The Schlager Systems at Europride 2008

2008-08-04T19:39:00.017Z

Well that's us home from Europride in Stockholm! We had a thoroughly fab. We missed the first half of schlagerkväll due to Marty losing his mobile phone and all his contacts! However we did get to pride park for part two. Here are some pics:-

We really enjoyed Linda Bengtzing, Sanna Nielsen (although, what was she wearing?) and really loved Lena Philipsson - who was the highlight of Thursday... we were too busy screaming to take pictures by this time lol.

Friday in the park wasn't really up to much so we headed off to the Blue Moon Bar, just off Stureplan to see Schlagerfeber featuring none other than Mr Melodifestivalen himself, Christer Björkman. Despite being told rudely by some knob that this was a TOTALLY straight venue, we had a great time dancing to all of our fave schlager hits in the TOTALLY straight schlagerbar.

It had been glorious sunshire on Thursday and Friday but the day of the march was rainy, light at first while on the march but really heavy later on in the park. After the march Marty was really looking forward to seeing German electronic musician Eto, who played a great set including the infectious 'Bi-curious'. He's is pretty hot too!

And the rain kept pouring and pouring. We got some pictures of Pay TV, Elin Lanto etc but when the time came for Alcazar and BWO, we were so drenched that the will to live was slowly leaving our bodies. Penny is pictured below in her rain poncho courtesy of Swedbank.

We were a little disappointed in the organisers of the event. This was europride and everything was in Swedish. All the signs were in Swedish, all the talks and seminars were in Swedish. It catered only for the Swedish which was a shame because a lot of people from all over Europe had travelled all the was to Stockholm for the event. However the crowd were really friendly and helpful. Stockholm pride - could do better!

The Schlager Low Down From This Years Europride!

2008-07-19T11:51:00.013Z

Not long now until The Schlager Systems stoat into pride park for this year Europride in Stockholm. We are really looking forward to Schlagerkväll on the Thursday night... should be fantastic! Friday in the park looks rubbish so we will be heading to Blue Moon Bar (http://www.bluemoonbar.se/) to see Schlagerfeber. Schlagerfeber, picutred above are a vocal group consisting of Melodifestivalen backing singers who sing a range of schlager/euro classics and medlies, (http://www.schlagerfeber.com/). The band are appearing on Friday 1st August with special guest Christer Björkman of Melodifestivalen fame!

Our Schlager pics are (in no particular order)

Right Said Fred 3/8/08 20.00-20.45. RSF should bring a little gay fun to pride with hits like 'I'm Too Sexy'.

Wizex 31/7/08 19.00-20.30. With a career spanning 35 years and previously singers Kikki Danielsson and Charlotte Nilsson. We will hopefully get treated to 'Take Me To Your Heaven'.

Schlager Night 31/7/08 17.00-19.00 then 20.30-22.30. We are promised 25 acts from the history of Euro/MF including at leaset 2 Eurovision winners!

ETO 2/8/08 18.00. ETO is an electronic musician from Essen, Germany, pop sensibilty 80's style with modern gay themes. Go listen to him now www.myspace.com/etomusik

Alcazar 2/8/08 22.00.-22.30 With a new album on its was Alcazar will definitely play their most recent hits 'We Keep on Rockin' and 'Inhibitions', the crowd wont be pleased until they hear 'Alcastar' and 'Sinner Not A Saint'.

BWO 2/8/08 22.30-23.30 need no introduction at all, with be playing this years Europride anthem 'The Bells of Freedom'.

Diamond Dogs 2/8/08 21.00 - The fabulous Swedish drag act - the Bitch is Back!

Pay TV 2/8/08 18.00 with hits like 'Refrain Refrain' and 'Trendy Discoteque', the girls should get the gay boys and girls dancing.

Nicki French 30/7/08 - with hits like 'Don't Play That Song Again' and 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'. Pitty she's not playing Friday night to liven things up a bit!

Arrival (ABBA tribute) 30/7/08 21.45-23.00 Again should be playing Friday, but aren't!

Discoboys 1/8/08 22.30 - 23.30 - relive the studio 54 experience.

Linda Sundblad 30/7/08 20.45-21.00 Lighten up a bit love, don't take yourself too seriously. Reprising her appearance from last year with hits 'Oh Father' and 'Lose You'.

Lil Babs 31/7/08 16.00-16.30 schlager star with a career spanning 4 decades!

Svenne and Lotta feat Hep Stars 3/8/08 19.00-1945. Benny Andersson's old band should be worth a listen!

See you in Sweden!!!
Love Martin and Kethan

BWO and Alcazar at G-A-Y

2008-07-07T18:39:00.005Z

Marina Schiptjenko
Alexander Bard
BWO
Martin Rolinski
Alcazar (Mark 3)

Venue G.A.Y Astoria London
Date 5th July 2008
Time 01.30am
Crowd Capacity 2000

The atmosphere was phenomenal at the BWO and Alcazar night to celebrate London Pride 2008! Just before the the first act had come on, Jeremy Joseph, the promoter announced that this was the last G.A.Y pride party as of July 26th 2008, G-A-Y will be closing its doors (but it may return), in the meantime concerts will still be held at the venue whilst the decision will be made as to whether to raise the building to the ground. The threat of demolition has been looming for 10 years & it's still standing!

First Act was BWO the audience erupted their set included; the bells of Freedom, Lay your love on me & Chariots of Fire & towards the end of the set Martin Rolinski poured a whole bottle of water over himself and the audience went comletely wild. Second act was Alcazar again the audience went absolutely bonkers, their set included; This is the world we live in & Funky Town to name a couple. Both acts received a thunderous applause what a last Pride Party @ G.A.Y an the end of an era for such a well known venue.

Words and Pictures by Miss Tempest

Edited by Martin Hannah (Editor)

Bobby G's Bucks Fizz Live at Artburst EK

2008-06-28T23:29:00.006Z

Bobby G

Well Bobby G's Bucks Fizz were playing our home town of East Kilbride at the annual Artburst Festival so we just had to go along! They opened the show with 'New Beginning', which was just one of only five Bucks Fizz songs sang in their one hour set, the others being 'My Camera Never Lies', 'Run For Your Life', 'The Land of Make Believe' and the inevitable 'Makin' Your Mind Up'. The rest of the show was made up of an Abba medley, a Motown medley, Starship's 'We Built The City' and some Meatloaf songs. The set list was a bit strange considering the band released in excess of 18 singles, most of which were huge hits. When Bucks Fizz entered the stage could here people in the crowd ask each other 'where's Cheryl?', obviously unaware that the line up now only consists of one original member, Bobby G. The band's performance however was very polished and professional although the performance was more cabaret than what you would expect from multi-million album selling eurovision winners. This Bucks Fizz have only one quarter of the original line up and appear to have only one quarter of the credibility. 'The Original Bucks Fizz' have Cheryl Baker, who really is the star of the band and they deliver nothing but a pure Bucks Fizz performance. Bobby G's Bucks Fizz, which is the official Bucks Fizz, seem almost a parody of themselves, which is a shame.

Tammy Choat

Bobby with new boy Paul Fordham

Bobby's wife Heidi Manton

Bucks Fizz singing Makin' Your Mind Up

ALCAZAR - INHIBITIONS

2008-06-18T19:58:00.006Z

Alcazar have released there brand new sigle from their as yet untitled Album, the track is called 'Inhibitions' and it's simply fab! Alcazarworld.com ran a competition for fans outside Sweden to win a digital copy of the single, all the fans had to do was think of a title for Alcazar's new album... The Schlager Systems have suggested 'Triple Distilled' as the title and we think that should definitely win, we like our vodka triple distilled too! Alcazar will be appearing with BWO at this year London Pride at G-A-Y on July 5th and at Stockholm Europride on August 2nd.

Click below to listen to the full song!

Schlager Leeds Cancelled!

2008-06-14T09:51:00.004Z

Christopher and Lee from Schlager Leeds have informed us that unfortunately differences with the venue Management have forced them to cancel the event. We here at the Schlager Systems hope that the team will be able to re-schedule the event for the near future.

Alexander Bard Talks to the Schlager Systems about BWO's Big Gay Summer!

2008-06-04T19:58:00.004Z

Schlager Systems's Martin catches up with Alexander Bard to find out about BWO's Euro Pride 2008 anthem, 'The Bells Of Freedom', his thoughts on Melodifestivalen 2008 and Eurovision 2008.

Hi Alexander. How did you come to write this year's official europride anthem?

We were asked to do the Europride anthem because BWO is of course popular in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe already and Europride, while taking place in Stockholm, will have an Eastern European theme this year. So we couldn't really resist the offer. It seemed a perfectly natural thing for us to do.

Did you work on the song with co-writers?

"The Bells Of Freedom" was co-written by me, Martin Rolinski and Anders Hansson. The same team that writes most of BWO's songs. There was really no reason why we would write the Europride anthem differently from the way we write all other BWO songs. All we were concerned with was to write an all-inclusive pop anthem but with a slight political touch. The wedding bells in the chorus section stand for the political aspect.

The song is up-tempo and full of energy. How important is energy to the music of BWO?

We love pop, pure pop! And pop includes both energetic up-tempo songs and gorgeous ballads. We just do our best to write the very best songs we can come up with. Songwriting is always at the center of everything BWO do.

BWO will be headlining at Europride in Stockholm! What can we expect from the performance?

A full-on live performance. We're proud to perform on the same stage as our friends Alcazar who will also perform together with us on the stage of G-A-Y in London four weeks earlier at London Pride.

Were BWO disappointed not to make it to Eurovision this year?

No, not at all. It's actually a kind of luxury, to perform at Melodifestivalen, place third as the edgiest and freshest entry, have a massive and now also an international hit single with "Lay Your Love On Me", and then hear from everybody afterwards that "Sweden should have sent BWO instead of Charlotte to Eurovision". It feels quite good, to be honest about it.

You told us in Stockholm that 'Lay Your Love on Me' had outsold Perrelli's 'Hero' on the day of MF08 final, that must have felt good?

We don't actually compare our songs that way. Both Charlotte, Sanna and BWO were winners at this year's Melodifestivalen in the sense that we were the Top 3 at Globen at the MF finals and then all had massive hit singles and albums afterwards. Our other common demoninator is of course that Bobby Ljunggren co-wrote all three songs (!) Bobby is really a hero.

Cheeky question – was it true you guys never got any 'good luck' flowers from Carola at the MF final?

It's hardly a secret that BWO and Carola dislike each other. A lot. But I absolutely love and adore Ani Lorak from Ukraine. Ani has all the charisma and modern sexiness that Carola and Charlotte lack. I would love to work with Ani one day. She has both the charisma and the amazing voice I like in a good performer.

Did you get a chance to watch Eurovision this year? Any favourites?

Ani Lorak, of course, Are you kidding? She blew all the others away. I also liked Switzerland's song but the guy who sang it came across as being so pale and insecure while performing that he blew it all already at the sem-finals. There was no charm there, for sure. Martin and Marina loved Sebastien Tellier from France, But that's of course because Tellier does modern and cool electro and not some dated old eurovision fodder. But God, we LOATHED the German and UK entries. They were sooo bad! In every aspect! Why can't the UK and Germany send something better? Maybe BWO could help them out?

It's such a shame you didn't get to compete as you would have gained a lot of votes as you are hugely popular in easter Europe, aren't you?

I suppose that's true. It certainly didn't hurt Dima Bilan that he is already a major star in lots of Eastern European countries.

Are you playing any UK dates soon?

Yes, of course, BWO and Alcazar will perform live together at G-A-Y in London on July 5. And BBC Radio 2 are already playing "Lay Your Love On Me", set for UK release at the end of July. Life could be a lot worse.

Best

Alexander x

Diva's Fizz at the Scala - The Eurovision Winners Party

2008-06-02T16:19:00.029Z

The only place to be on Saturday night, if you love eurovision, was the Scala in London, which played host to the Eurovision Winners Party. Brought to the pubilc by the same team who hosted the preview Party, the winners party was a night to remember. Eurovision fans came out in force to see their favourite acts perform and to see the runner up and winner from this years competition. The scala was heaving with fans!
Nicki French was the host for the evening as Paddy O'Connell couldn't make it and what a host she was! Nicki opened procedings with a Eurovision type medley singing 'Beg, steal or borrow' and 'Boom Bang-A-Bang' which was very well received. Nicki introduced the first act, which was Sonia. Sonia, looking very thin, wore a black number and a red hat, she got the crowd going to her huge hit 'You'll Never Stop Me From Loving You' and her eurovision runner up 'Better The Devil You Know'. Sonia was in great voice and so were the audience who faithully sang along with every word, except the for the Russian contingent, who looked bored rigid as all they were interested in was Dima Bilan.
Sonia told the Schlager Systems, when we were chatting that she is so proud to have been part of Eurovision and that see is constantly singing, sh'e in demand all lover the world and that she has never been so busy!
Next up was 'The Original Bucks Fizz' , so called, as Cheryl Baker explained that the couldn't use the name Bucks Fizz for legal reasons. The band sang hit after hit, 'Land of make Believe', 'I Hear Talk', 'New Beginning' and of course 'Makin' Your Mind Up' to name a few. The audience were truely loving this appearance by the Fizz. Later we got the chance to tell Cheryl how great we thought the performance was, she thanked us very much and shook our hands!

Dima Bilan managed to fly back into London for the performance at the Scala, although very brief appearance. When Nicki introduced him there were a lot of very audible boos from the Brit contingent and screams from the mullet haired Russian crowd. In our opinion the booing was in bad taste, whether you agree that the winning song should have won or not is your opinion, but we felt it a little disrespectful given the occasion. Diva Dima was supposed to perform last, but during the break the running order changed, maybe he didn't like the boos and wanted to leave early, one can only speculate. The Russian girls were going nuts for Dima, trying to grab the legs and clothes of their eastern block idol. Dima performed again with the violinist from Euro (sans ice skater - thank God) and again he hideously oversang his song 'Believe'. His second track was his last Russian number one in which he oddly began behaving like Michael Jackson, all crotch grabbing and moonwalking, then off he went.. no encore.

After the break Nicki came back on to rapturous applause and sang a few numbers including her Eurovision entry 'Don't Play That Song Again' wearing her original coat from her Eurovision performance! She sang to an audience chanting 'Nicki, Nicki' trying to drown out the Russian girlsscreaming 'Dima, Dima'! The final act of the night was the stunning Diva that is Ani Lorak. Ani sang Tina Turner's 'The Best', Bon Jovi's 'It's My Life' and ballad from her 2006 english language album.

Ani's final song was, inevitably, this years Eurovision Runner Up 'Shady Lady', for the Ukraine. It's worth noting that Nicki French accidentally introduced Ani as this years Eurovision winner (oops)! In a stomping performance with two hot athletic dancers, the diva whipped the crowd into a frenzy, she even came on and did it again for an encore!! Sheer class. Barry Viniker and all at Clear Focus and ESCtoday deserve a special mention for putting together a great show, all their hard work and effort definitely paid off.

Videos by Kethan

Words Martin

Pics Moira Ferguson aka Miss Tempest (more pics on Miss Tempest's site. Link on right hand side)

Euro Winners Party!

2008-06-01T11:32:00.001Z

Well what a fantastic night last night in the Scala. This is just a preliminary report. We are still in London so will report in full from home. The artists and crowd were amazing. There were plenty of Russian girls there in support of Dima Bilan and were exceptionally vocal. Barry and the team pulled off a stunning night. Our heigh lights include, Bucks Fizz's performance and then meeting Cheryl and telling her how fabulous she was! Ani Lorak was a total diva legend and Nicki French excelled as hostess for the evening. Story in full with pics and videos to follow!

Euro Winners Party! Live from the sound check!

2008-05-31T19:28:00.002Z

It's bucks fizz! Oh my god! It's Cheryl!

Euro Winners Party! Live from the sound check!

2008-05-31T18:43:00.003Z

It's Ani Lorak' she's got some lungs on her! She's got the just out of bed look but still looks like a true diva!

Euro Winners Party! Live from the sound check!

2008-05-31T18:24:00.001Z

That's us in the Scala. Bumped into Nicki French on the way in! She's looking great! Dima has been held up. He has flown from Dublin to Germany for an un scheduled appearance. He is hiring a private jet to make it back to the party! Yeah, Nicki's on!

Euro Winners Party

2008-05-31T16:12:00.001Z

Well we're in london with miss tempest. We'll soon be off the party! A few vodka's are currently being consumed. We should be off to the sound check at 6.30pm. Photos will be up when we have them.

One More Day Until The Winners Party!

2008-05-30T19:29:00.002Z

The Schlager Systems will be bringing you our exlusive report from the UK Eurovision Winners Party tomorrow, so watch out for our update this Sunday! With the likes of Ani Lorak and 'The Fizz', it should be schlagertabulous! This is just the first event we will be attending this summer, others include Schlager Leeds, Rainbow Fest and Stockholm Pride... See you at the party!

BUCKS FIZZ IN REUNION AND PLASTIC SURGERY HORROR!?!

2008-05-26T22:02:00.002Z

Shock news from that reliable source 'the Sunday Mirror' that all four original members of Bucks Fizz are to reunite for a one off concert for a TV show called 'PopGoes The 80's', where Bobby, Mike, Cheryl and Jay will have plastic surgery to wind the clock back 27 years. Reporter Lara Gould informs readers that a source "close to the band" say that the band wont let old differences get in the way this time! Apparently Bananarama, Visage and 'soul diva' Chaka Khan will also appear in the series. No word from any of the Bucks Fizz camps at the moment as to the truth of this report but considering both Bucks Fizz and the Original Bucks Fizz have busy touring schedules, it seems highly unlikey if not rediculous!

Mike, Cheryl and Shelly Can be seen on Saturday night at the Scala as the Original Bucks Fizz as part of the Eurovision Winners Party. Bucks Fizz (official) featuring original band member and lead singer Bobby Gee will be appearing in the Schlager Systems home town of East Kilbride on June 28th. The Schlager Systems will be covering both events!

Eurovision Winners Party Here We Come!

2008-05-26T15:40:00.004Z

Well that's Eurovish over for another year... It never fails to amaze us here at the Schlager Systems how angry we get over the 'block' voting, but never mind. Maybe it will be different next year (oh there goes a flying pig). This Saturday Marty and Kethan jet into London and meet up with Miss Tempest for the UK Eurovision Winners Party, which they are soooo looking forward to. The Schlager Systems are not bitter about the Dima Bilan winning Eurovish but we would rather have had Iceland win or Sweden or Ukraine or Malta or Andorra or.... It will however be great to see the Original Bucks Fizz and Sonia and Nicki French! Tickets for the sho are £12 advance or £15 on the door and you can purchase them from the website http://www.ukeurovision.com/

Eurovish live

2008-05-24T20:35:00.001Z

Too drunk to comment now! We love greece

Eurovish live

2008-05-24T19:56:00.001Z

Turkey sound a bit like muse, but not a lot. Shame on turkey for this song alone they should be refused entry to the e u

Eurovish live

2008-05-24T19:47:00.001Z

Its isis, it's the biggest teeth in pop!

Eurovish live

2008-05-24T19:46:00.001Z

We love israel!

Eurovish live

2008-05-24T19:17:00.000Z

Its albania. Its time for a sleep!

Eurovish live

2008-05-24T19:13:00.001Z

Its andy! Its rubbish!

Eurovish live

2008-05-24T19:12:00.000Z

Well its romania! We could give vlad a good time, well i say! Song's ok.

Eurovish live

2008-05-24T19:11:00.001Z

Well its romania! We could give vlad a good time, well i say! Song's ok.

Eurovish Build Up

2008-05-24T14:06:00.001Z

Well the schlager systems are gearing up for our annual eurovish party. We have our scandinavian flags ready. The barbie is ready to go, we have our party poppers and balloons ready and the champagne is chilling as we type! Come on charlotte you can do it!

How Can Europe Not Like Vodka?

2008-05-23T17:32:00.002Z

We here at the Schlager Systems were well shocked with Morena not making it to the final last night! It is a euro-travesty! All that bloody boring Eastern Europe shite that got through. Well at least it's a Scandinavia fest in the final, our favourites being Charlotte and Euroband, although we do happen to love Maria Haukaas Storeng too! What the fuck was Finland all about?

All Roads Leeds to Schlager!

2008-05-15T22:42:00.003Z

News just in at Schlager Systems headquarters, this summer leeds is the place to be for all your schlager needs! Andrew, Christopher, Lee and DJ Lisa T from http://www.schlagerleeds.co.uk/ have announced at fabulous schlager party on July 12th at Lens Bar and Champagne Lounge, tickets a fiver! More information on their fanatstic website! Hopefully we will be there to cover the event!

Interview With A Schlager Fan

2008-05-13T21:05:00.005Z

Ok so everybody is in Belgrade warming up for Euro fever. We're not. We're back here in the UK! We are sure Euro will be fab, but there's only one Sweden and we do find it very difficult getting excited about that eastern block thing! Let us introduce Kevin to you. He is from Paisley and he is a HUGE schlager fan. This is the our first interview with a schlager fan, which we hope will become a regular feature.

Q: Whats Your Name?

A:Kevin

Q: Age?

A: 29

Q:Tell the us about yourself

A:…. Erm well i do like talking about myself abit in person but i dont know what to answer here. I have been obsessed by sweden and swedish music since 1991!

Q: Name your top five Schlager artists.

A: This is hard! 5. Lena Ph 4. Shirley Clamp 3. Charlotte Perrelli 2. Sanna Nielsen 1. Carola

Q: Tell us your top 5 schlager anthems AND why they mean so much to you.

A: 5. Alcazar - Alcastar (The hand claps in this are amazing! i liked Alcazar alot, but the whole production of this musically and vocally had me hooked after the first listen its as camp as tits and i love it) 4. Lena Ph - It Hurts (I liked this song as soon as i heard it but i didn't think it was amazing 'til i was in Newcastle a few years back and one of the bars played it and it was so loud and then it hit me what a great song it is), 3. Charlotte Perrelli - Hero (There seems to be a mixed reaction to this but i love it. I think its really powerful schlager. Very anthemic. I told my friend this was goin straight in near the top of my schlager faves list. I get tired of songs very quickly but i think this will be one of a few songs that i still get excited about hearing), 2. Magnus Carlsson - Live Forever (Hmmm This could really be my number one but i've thought hard about it and decided to put it to number two but its very close. Yes the key change is disguised but everything else about it is just so uplifting and camp schlager at its best. The kids singing at the end and the bass change in the last chorus just excite me. A schlager anthem and gay anthem! 1. Carola - Invincible (Another song which had some mixed reactions from schlager fans but i love it more and more everytime i listen to it and i listen to this alot. The BBC used the intrumental for the theme tune to the coverage of the European Athletics which suited it really well as i think this is such an anthem. I never ever get tired of watching the eurovision performance either i prefer the semi final one though...even though she does forget the words abit she pulls it off. Me and my friend are always saying we'll dress up us her, drag a wind machine out of the cupboard and do our own send-up of it but it's not happened....yet!)

Q: Did you follow Melodifestivalen 2008?

A: of course

Q: Who were your favourite acts and why?

A: Sanna, Linda and Charlotte...totally different songs but i loved them all but Charlotte's performance amazed me. L oved the stage the lighting the costume everything. There was some ok songs from Amy Diamond and Ola, but i was dissapointed with most of the other acts.

Q: If you could meet any of the Schlager stars, who would it be and what would you say to them?

A: This is another hard one.......can i just say them all? Lol well i would love to tell Carola how much i love invincible (evighet) and her performance at eurovision but not only would that be quite boring for her i'm sure she'd probably spit on me for being 'A Gay'....no im only jokin....oh this is so hard....I guess it would ultimatley be Alexander Bard. Army Of Lovers started my obsession with Sweden and Swedish music. Army of Lovers were the ultimate band for me. Like no other, but to be honest i would probably be so amazed at meeting him i wouldnt be able to talk even the thought of meeting any schlager star makes me nervous.

Q: What is your ultimate Schlager fantasy?

A: Well .... all my swedish favourites putting together a huge sparkly shiney UK tour for us fans! Not in a nightclub but in an arena, preferrably in Glasgow lol! They might not fill it but i'd take as many people as i could and make as much noise!! A 2 hour extravaganza, each artist performing 3 or 4 songs, then going backstage meeting them all drooling all over them then inviting them out for a night on the tiles!

Well thanks for that Kevin! Schlager is not just music, it's a way of life!

New TVS Track on Myspace!!!!!!!!

2008-04-30T21:35:00.004Z

Marty and the gang have released their brand new track called 'Supernova' and it's available to listen to on myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thevodkasystems) this track takes our guys on a spaced out galactic journey!

Shona Bids Farewell to the Schlager Systems

2008-04-30T17:31:00.005Z

Shona Bipolar, Diva Superstar, Vodka Systems member and Schlager Systems reporter is stepping down from the world of schlager. Shona, pictured far right with Sanna Nielsen in Sweden earlier this year, feels that she can no longer contribute as much time and energy to the site as is required of her. Shona would like to thank everyone involved with the Schlager Systems website and wishes everyone well for the future. Marty, Kethan and Penny in return wish Shona all the best for the future!

Shona pictured last year the fabulous Anna Book

The Eurovision Preview - Miss Tempest goes to the Scala!

2008-04-26T15:33:00.019Z

Miss Tempest (tempusfugitphotos@btinternet.com) had two cameras at the ready for the Eurovision Preview party last night at the Scala in London. Some say that her cameras are surgically attached to her fingers - who knows! Anyway here are some of the fab pictures she has taken for the Schlager Systems. No copying without permission or she will hunt you down and have you shot at dawn!

The mighty Bucks Fizz
Nice jumper Mike!
Sirusho
That Fucking Turkey

Morena

Isis Gee

Euroband
Ani Lorak

Morena singing one of our faves 'Vodka'

Maria Haukaas Storeng in a fetching orange frock!

Ruslan Alehno

Vlad and Nico

All stand for Her Royal Highness Princess Nanne of Grönvall - Nanne sang Avundsjuk, Men and Håll och Mig.

Andy who?

Euroband camping it up Icelandic style!

The biggest teeth in Eurovision award goes to.... Isis Gee

Ani Lorak gets all 'Shady'

Paul Oscar from Iceland - How exciting!

Scala Schlagertastic Sensation!

What can one say to a fabulous night of music & entertainment the crowds were like a volcano of bubbles that kept on erupting.

Barry Viniker and his team, should be commended on such a brilliant nights entertainment taking into consideration the evening was planned organised and excuted in 4 weeks and if you were there you would have thought it had been arranged months ago as the night went very smoothly.

Final thought if you missed this fantastic night then you know what to do book NOW for May 31st at the Scala, see you there. Miss Tempest

(Captions edited by Marty Musika)

Sanna Nielsen Gets So Much 'Stronger'

2008-04-22T20:46:00.005Z

Well Sanna was the people's favourite at this years Melodifestivalen and on the back of 'Empty Room' Sanna releases her debut english language album in Sweden titled 'Stronger'. Stronger couldn't be a more fitting title for this long player and those out there hoping for a balled-fest will be sorely disappointed because 'Stronger' kicks ass in places. Sanna has somewhat suffered in Sweden for being 'too good', 'too wholesome' in the past but this collection of songs should definitely redefine her image at home and hopefully will lead the way for a global launch (one can only hope). 'Stronger' sees Sanna stray into unfamiliar territory which really opens her up as an artist and shows how vocally mature and diverse she can be. The opening track 'Strong' is a dead cert hit, upbeat pop/electronica number with treated vocals and a multi-tracked textured ambience, the complete opposite of 'Empty Room' which is Sanna stripped almost bare. The next track 'Nobody But You' changes the mood of the album and no expense is spared in the production, comparisson with Sanna's hero Celine Dion are inavoidable in the super charged chorus, but Sanna has enough of her own prescence to make the song her own. 'I Believe it's You' - Sanna's band get their guitars out for this one, uptempo and uplifting, this track should kick it live, nice key change and big stadium sound, one of my personal favourites. 'Heart of Me' draws you into a classic Sanna power ballad where her vocal performance is faultless. 'Tomorrow End's Today' is dreamy mid tempo song which has a trancy quality where Sanna's voice is more restrained than on the previous track. If there are songs on this album that could break Sanna in the US then 'Impatiently Waiting on You' is one of them, the band get the guitars out again and rock up a storm, the other song that could do well in the States is 'Thoses Were the Days and Nights of Loving You' which is almost nu-country with an anthemic chorus. 'Out Of Reach' is another great power ballad with lush orchestration and a punchy dramatic middle eight which has a a slight spanish feel. 'I Know What I Want' starts suspiciously like Lionel Ritchie's 'Dancing on the Ceiling' then we hear Sanna sing 'Dancin' on the ceiling ain't my style', just then the song rocks into the guitar driven chorus almost Lavigne like in style. 'Broken in Two' reminds me very slightly of a slower 'hold on be strong' by Maria Haukaas Storeng and is one of the less strong songs on the album. 'Magic' again is a departure for our schlager star and schlager this is not as Sanna grooves into a heavier jagged chorus. 'I Can Catch the Moon' - this is more familiar Sanna territory, with the big strings and key change. 'This Is My Thanks' is a piano song which brings the album to it's close... or dose it! At 6.59 of 'This is my thanks' a hidden track is revealed, 'I'm In paradise' sounds like a demo that Sanna and her team just couldn't let slip from the album, then the track breaks down with laughs and speaking in Swedish (Abba undeleted style).

We here at the Schlager system hope that this will album will be a new dawn for Sanna, she has developed so much, from child star to schlager star and now we are ready to see the emergence of the superstar!

Schlager party india

2008-04-12T10:41:00.001Z

Well last night was completely fabulous! As we are currently on hols in goa, india we thought we would arrange a small melodifestivalen beach party! Well big thanks go to savio and peter for making it possible. Samba sambero around the bonfire was magical!

NEW LINDA CD A TRIUMPH!!

2008-03-29T21:57:00.003Z

It's public knowledge that if our Linda didn't enter Melodifestivalen this year then she would be dropped from her record label (the bastards!). So our Linda sing and danced her heart out and generally looked fabulous and got to the final... and lost! Linda appearing in MF08 secured her new album 'Vild & Galen' and the album is indeed a triumph. Linda expressed her 'Rock Chick' side on Ingenting Att Förlora, the new album has a more mature feel of a star coming into her own and blossoming. Stand out tracks include the real winner of MF 08 'Hur Svårt Kan Det Va'?', 'Utan Dig' which is the second track and kicks a bit of ass. 'Inga Poikar I Värdlen' is quite different than the version recently featured on Swedish TV, much more dynamic. 'Grannarna Vaknar' shows a much more subtle/light vocal than we are used to and it is a great contrast, 'Det Första Guldet' lulls you into a fall sense of melodic security, then when the chorus comes really rocks it up. 'Varför gör du som du gör' is a Nanne-esque track that could have been another melodifestivalen triumph. You would be much more than wild and crazy to bypass this album because it simply doesn't disappoint!

The Schlager Systems at Melodifestivalen 2008: the Road to Globen

2008-03-17T19:34:00.032Z

Well that's us back from the Schlager event of the year and we had a great time! SVT certainly know how to put on a show! The atmosphere was electric in Globen for the final of this years Melodifestivalen. The only disappointing thing for us is how totally predictable the results are every year. While in Stockholm we managed to catch up with Sanna Nielsen (thank you Lotta), she was very nice to us and we managed a little photot oppertunity. Sanna was appearing with Amy Diamond at Globen shopping centre signing their new CD's. Sanna's manager Lotta told us her new CD will be out in April and will be called 'Stronger' and that she feels that the title reflects Sanna's strenthened personalitly, which is a view also shared by Anna Book, as she told us on Friday afternoon. Anna was at the Friday and Saturday evening shows and was there in her capacity as TV presenter for a talk show on the Telia TV channel where she gets to interview her schlager friends. Thanks to Torbjörn Ek from Aftonbladets's Schlagerblog for taking the photo for us together with Sanna. We chatted schlager with Torbjörn for a while while Sanna was signing copies of 'Empty Room' and he featured a little story and picture of us with Sanna on his blogsite http://blogg.aftonbladet.se/7/perma/764561/.
We hung around the shopping centre for a little longer as we were keen to see this years, at the time winner in waiting, Charlotte Perrelli. Charlotte was very nice, we thanked her for the interview she gave us last year and she gave us a big kiss in return!

Charlotte and Marty

Charlotte and Kethan

Marty receiving his Degree in Schlager from Professor Perrelli!

We headed back to Globen for the Saturday Genrep of MF08 but stopped off on way to catch Alcazar's live appearance outside McDonald's. The group sang Not a Sinner, Not a Saint, Alcastar and their new single We Keep on Rockin'! They sounded great! Kethan shot some footage.

Later that night we headed back out for the final and below is a few pic of us from Globen!

Kethan and Marty at the final in Globen in Kilts
Penny and Shona in Globen
The Schlager Systems

Below is our first feature film caputring the excitement of Stockholm and Melodifestivalen. Filmed entirely on location and no expense was spared in the making of this film so sit back, relax and have a laugh at our 'Road to Globen'.

LINDA BENGTZING'S FABULOUS NEW VIDEO!

2008-03-12T21:53:00.004Z

Sweden's online 'news paper' aftonbladet has premiered the new Linda Bengtzing video for 'Hur Svart Kan Det Va'?' We see Linda romping around an exotic destination with a dishy cameraman. As expected Linda look completely fabulous! See you Saturday Linda!

Gearing Up for Schlagerland!

2008-03-11T22:56:00.003Z

The Schlager/Vodka Systems are packing our outfits for the schlager event of the year. Our in-house theme for this years Melodifestivalen is 'Slutdust and Sparkles', it's all 'Glitter och Glamour'. This year is all about the 'B', and by 'B' we mean Bengtzing and BWO. Both Bengtzing and BWO are full of life and energy whereas a certain 'C' is about as exciting as, in the words of Kethan, "a dead fish", and no amount of tottering about on high heels and the occasional fingerpoint will match the legendary Take Me to Your Heaven! Well schlager fans... see you at Globen!!!!!!!!!!!

Martin, Kethan, Shona and Penny

Andra Chansen Hell!!!!!!

2008-03-08T20:36:00.002Z

WHAT IS UP WITH SWEDEN? Carola and Andreas are out of melodifestivalen 2008! Every song we liked got kicked out. Now we have to suffer Nordman in the final next Saturday... f**k we'd rather endure Suzzie Tapper's dirge-fest than watch that girl in the white frock in flames again. Oh well on the positive side we now know that there are a definite couple of toilet breaks next week at Globen. Sibel, nice girl, good voice but not schlager by anyones standard, the only way she can redeem herself now is to provide us with a bloody good disco mix we can dance to in Stockholm! The Schlager Systems certainly hope that Sibel doesn't drag that f*****g pink rag about Globen as she did in Karlskrona and Kiruna, maybe Carola can point her in the direction of a good second hand store for her final outfit.

BENGTZING ALL THE WAY!

2008-03-02T13:54:00.004Z

We just loved the fourth semi finale of MF 08 last night. Marty was screaming with excitement at Linda Bengtzing's Hur Svårt Kan de Va? What a stunning and energetic performance - with flashes of tartan on Linda and the dancers, come on Linda, we love you! Just wait until you see the Schlager Systems at the final - kilts here we come! Charlotte's song was a little disappointing live, we were expecting explosions and glitter at the key change to mark the last key change in the contest, but sadly no! If Carola and Andreas don't get through next week in the andra chansen then Marty as said that he will never forgive Sweden for such a schlager travestly!

Alcazar Keep On Rockin'

2008-02-24T12:43:00.002Z

The Schlager Systems are getting excited about travelling to Stockholm now that BWO are through, one disappointment this year is the there is no 'Alcazar', never mind they may comeback to Melodifestivalen next year... We do however like Alcazar's new offereing to the Swedish public called 'We Keep On Rockin'!!!!!!!

Yay! The Mighty BWO are through!

2008-02-24T11:37:00.002Z

BWO have made it though to Melodifestivalen final to be held at Globen on march 15th, hooray! Caracola to Andra Chansen, what was that all about? They clearly should have gone direkt till finale but instead those Krazy Swedes chose Frida featuring Headline with the awful 'Upp O Hoppa'. Listen Sweden, there is only one schlager queen called 'Frida' and that isn't her so stop this rubbish now!

CAROLA'S NOT INVINCIBLE!

2008-02-16T20:56:00.002Z

Did anyone see Carola's face when Kristian Luuk announced at the second Melodifestivalen semi in Västerås that Johnson and Häggkvist were going to the second chance round? Someone thought it was in the bag so to speak, that shocked-the-oh-so-grateful look was priceless! Well done Sanna with her 'power ballad' and well done Rongedal with their suitably camp Mika/Scissor Sisters sound-a-likey song for making it though to the final! I am sure that Johnson and Häggkvist will make it though.. eventually!

Yet Another Schlager Success!!

2008-02-04T21:29:00.000Z

Well done Sara and barry for another Schlager success! Well Madame Tempest had a fab time taking photos of all the revelers at the LOOM bar. You can see her photo's to the sounds of 'Drama Queen' at http://tempusfugitproductions.magix.net/

BWO's MARTIN ROLINSKI TALKS TO THE SCHLAGER SYSTEMS!

2008-01-17T21:23:00.000Z

After bringing you Alexander Bard a few days ago, the Schlager Systems now bring you BWO's resident sexy young thing Martin Rolinski! Melodifestivalen fever certainly seems to be taking hold of the schlager universe but Martin remains calm and condifent that the best song will make it to Belgrade!

SS - Are you excited to be performing in Melodifestivalen this year?

MR - Definitely!!

SS - Can you tell us about 'Lay Your Love on Me'? we can't wait to hear it?

MR -It's an energetic, orgasmic, seductive pop song!

SS - What will your outfits be like? Glittery and fabulous?

MR - A little bit of both but manly outrageous. Our stylist Sally O´sullivan is picking out outfits that definitely are going to stand out.

SS - BWO are widely tipped to win this year, does that put more pressure on you?

photo: Madam Tempest

MR - No, it only makes us even more excited and determined to give the best performance ever. We know that the song's already a winner!

SS - who do you think is your biggest threat in this years' Melodifestivalen?

MR - Difficult to say, I hope its artists with the best songs, after all this is a song contest not a popularity contest.

SS - Why did you as a band decide to compete again? Was it to kick 'wildcard' Carola's ass this time?

MR - Carola isn't even on BWO's radar to be quite honest:)

SS - If BWO wins MF08 what will they bring to Eurovision?

MR -An amazing song, an excellent performance and bundle of flair. But mostly a strong contender for the whole shabang!

SS - Do you have a message for your UK fans?

MR - I loved performing in London in July and hope to soon be performing in the home of pop music soon!

Good luck Martin, you go pull Carola's hair and kick Andreas' ass!

Martin and Kethan

The Schlager Systems

Sven Garås Speaks to The Schlager Systems Ahead of Friday's MGP Semi!

2008-01-15T22:29:00.000Z

Sven Garås is a Norwegian singer/songwriter and producer and he is one of the entrants for this Fridays MGP semi finals in Kongsvinger, Norway with the song 'I'm In Love'. He takes time out of rehearsals to talk to the Schlager Systems! (SS - Schlager Systems, SG - Sven Garås)

Hi Sven, thanks for answering some of our questions. How did you become involved in this years MGP?

SG - Universal Records had heard a few of my own songs and asked me if I was interested in performing “I`m in Love”.

SS - Were you happy to sing a song that someone else has written when you are an accoplished writer yourself?

SG - Being used to solely performing my own songs, I see it as an interesting challenge to perform someone else`s material.

SS - Why do you choose to sing in English instead of Norwegian?

SG - My ambition is to work with artists and producers within the international pop genre. I would not exclude the option of singing in Norwegian one day down the road. But right now I choose to write and sing in English to possibly also reach an audience outside of Norway.

SS - Who else in MGP this year do you admire?

SG - I really admire the hard work of the crew and all the people making this amazing event possible. Fully devoted, professional and very supportive to all of us in front of the cameras.

SS - What would it mean to you to represent Norway in Eurovision?

SG - If I had the honor to represent Norway it would make me really proud.

SS - Do you think that the internet is vital for young artists these days?

SG - These days new and exciting business opportunities arise for those who are willing to take a risk. The music industry is in a rapid structural change and new technology gives possibilities of exposure and availability in a way no one could imagine ten years ago. "Being a part of this revolution is so thrilling. I currently work on projects with people from other countries where our communication is based around the Internet. I think the most important ability of our age is to learn fast and move fast. The potential of every project is infinite. Looking at the way the business moves these days, everything is possible. I guess the only challenge is whether or not one is exposed, seen and heard within the vast stream of information and competition.

SS - Are you comfortable in both roles as producer and performer?

SG - I love to make music. I love to create. I love to use the language of music to portray my life. To me it all comes from the same source, and my approach when encountering a project never differs. I have to live the music whether I am laying down tracks with DJs, sitting in my own apartment writing songs, playing the guitar, or making sound design for an art director. I love the versatility in working with music, and I am thankful to wake up every day knowing that I get to work with what I enjoy the most.

SS - Do you have a message for your fans here in the UK?

SG - Like one of my favourite songs from my up-coming album, “Choose to live!”

;) www.myspace.com/svengmusic

Thanks and good luck for Friday Sven!

Watch Sven this Friday at http://www.nrk.no/melodigrandprix/

Euro Build Up 2008!

2008-01-13T16:29:00.000Z

Well what can we say? We are not going to flood the site with endless reviews of every song from every semi but we will say this: after a weekend of watching several countries semi finals, we can safely say Norway are in the lead as far as production values go, if not songs. Iceland's semi was unbearable with the atmosphere of the 'South bank Show' filmed in a morgue, the songs were appauling! Meanwhile the Danish held their first semi of Melodi Grand Prix 2008, clearly filmed in a portacabin with a dreadful show of songs from them, hope next weeks 8 semi finalist are better. And poor old Malta, on a budget of 50 cents, they have magaged to swamp all their semi finalists today with smoke... someone please call the fire brigade, and we are not ever mentioing Cyprus! The countdown is on for Sweden to once again show the world how it should be done!

MAKE WAY FOR THE BARD! THE EXCLUSIVE ALEXANDER BARD INTERVIEW

2008-01-13T13:58:00.000Z

picture by Madam Tempest

BWO are in it to win it this year, after being beaten in the finals of Melodifestivalen by the divine intervention that is Carola. Alexander Bard, the musical genius behind Army of Lovers, Alcazar and his most current creation Bodies Without Organs. Martin and Kethan ask the questions... and Alexander fights back the flu to answer them!

SS - Are you excited about performing in MF this year?

AB -Yes!

SS - Can you tell about 'Lay Your Love on Me'?

AB -"Lay Your Love On Me" is a dramatic up-tempo electronic dance-pop track, a bit reminiscent of Alcazar and Madonna at their best. It is probably the most dance-oriented pop single so far from BWO.

SS - Your song was co-written by you and long time co-writer/producerAnders Hansson with Bobby Ljunggren and Henrik Wikström can you tell us how this writing parnership came about?
AB - Bobby called me repeatedly last summer and told me he really wanted to work with BWO towards the Eurovision contest. We finally gave in and co-wrote this one track with him and Henrik which we were really pleased with. However, since there are almost 3,000 songs competing for the 28 regular positions in Melodifestivalen, we never thought the track would make it to the actual contest. I mean, we didn't post 50 songs, we only posted this one BWO song! So it was like posting a needle in a haystack. But apparently "Lay Your Love On Me" went down a storm and was an instant favorite with the jury, and obviously made it to the final 28. The jury really found the needle in the haystack this time!

SS - Bobby and Henrik co-wrote 'Evighet' with Carola and Thomas G:son, do you hope to emulate that winning formula for BWO?

AB -I actually think "Lay Your Love On Me" is a much better song than "Evighet". The track is at least bound to become a bigger and more international hit. That's what really counts.

SS - Can you give any details away of BWO's melodifestivalen performance?

AB -No, not really, It's too early to tell. But let's just say it will be a very extravagant and energetic performance. But I guess that's what people have come to expect from BWO anyway.

SS - Who do you think are BWO's biggest rivals in this years Melodifestivalen?

AB -I hope the artists with the best songs. Possibly attention-seekers like Carola and Charlotte. Even if we personally like Velvet and Patrik Isaksson a lot more.

SS - Not only are you a pop Svengali, you are also a renowned author and lecturer, how do you find time for all the different facets of Alexander Bard?

AB - I have no kids. Kids take lots of time. If you have no kids, you can easily run two careers simultaneously. All three of us in BWO do.
SS - Apart from working with BWO, does Alexander Bard have any other projects for 2008?

AB - A new book and the previous books constantly being released and promoted in new translations. The rest of my time I will devote 100% for BWO.

SS - After reworking an unreleased ABBA song 'Funky Feet' with Alcazar, is 'Lay Your Love on Me' a nod to ABBA or just coincidence?

AB - Just co-incidence. The same way the title of our song co-incidentally reminds people of Thompson Twins' classic pop track "Lay Your Hands On Me". Pop repeats itself, you know. ;-) Jokes aside, "Lay Your Love On Me" is a fantastic pop song in its own right and doesn't sound like any of the other songs mentioned.

SS- Will BWO be playing Europride in Stockholm this year?

AB -Yes, of course,. BWO has written and will perform the theme song for Europride 2008. The track is likely to be the follow-up single to "Lay Your Love On Me" in the summer. Both tracks will be included on the forthcoming BWO compilation album.

SS- Crucified was released in the UK around the time I (Martin) came 'out' and was very important to me, having something to relate to as a young gay man. Your music is still popular with the gay audience, is this important to you?

AB - Yes, of course it is. Gay people are the best and most devoted pop fans. And my career has always been about writing and performing the very best pop songs possible. I love pop music. BWO is all about the love of pure and great pop! And hey, I'm also the gay third of BWO!!!

SS -Do you have any words for your fans in the UK?

AB -Whenever the rest of the world forgets about the greatness of pop music, the UK is always the harbor where pop resides awaiting its next period of world dominance. This is a tradition that should make all UK pop fans mighty proud of themselves. And may things stay that way, at least during my lifetime. So the UK love for Scandinavian pop is reciprocal. We love you guys just as much!

Many thanks, good luck and see you at Globen!
love
Martin and Kethan xx

AND THE WINNER OF MGP 2008 IS.......

2008-01-09T23:32:00.000Z

We love Zuma, their song 'Always Always' is the best song in MGP 2008. Alexander Stenerud and Henrik Njaa have been going as a group for a long time, their single 'Inferior' was released as far back as 1996 (before we were born lol). The 'Inferior EP', Their 2001 long player 'Juno' containing the fab tracks 'Pearl' and 'Winter of Your Heart' and 2002's 'Joy in The City EP' are available on itunes uk NOW. If you don't buy them within 7 days you will die (only joking!)

Visit the boys myspace site http://www.myspace.com/zuma

Our Picks For MGP 2008!

2008-01-09T21:41:00.000Z

One thing is for sure, guitars are the order of the day for this years MGP 08! Be it boy or girl, every heat has its guitar driven songs. The Schlager Systems are not to keen on many of the songs from Stravanger but if we have to pick a song it's Michelle with 'Baby Don't Stop The Music', it's a little like a Sophie Ellis-Bextor track, nice pop but not a eurovision winner. Kethan likes Tinkerbells with the song 'Hold On' - Norwegian Dixie Chicks kind of thing.

However Kongsvinger is a different matter! A lot of the tracks are very good which is a shame because they can't all make it to the final. Zuma - 'Always Always' - yeah we love this one! This is cheesy pop at its best! We also like CRASH! - 'Get Up', you can feel the energy CRASH! invest in their song. Sven Garås's ballad 'I'm in love with you' is pretty good and he is pretty easy on the eye too! Maria Haukaas Storeng's 'Hold on Be Strong' is very Amy Winehouse-esque song but Maria with a very distinctive voice and brings something new to the euro table, we like!

Bodø - Maria Trøen has a powerful guitar driven track called 'Hear Me When I'm Calling', she has a great voice and if her performance is as good as the studio she is going to blow a lot of people away! And that's it for Bodø, several of the songs are instantly forgettable but there is one song which is so bad it worth a montion too. Ole Ivars drop a total clanger with 'Some I Himmelen' which is awful. NRK what are you doing? The only other notable track from Bodø is Torstein Sødal's 'Eastern Wind', which could have come directly from Boznia-Hertzegovena and feels like a 'clever' ploy to woo the eastern block countries. Having said that, it is easy on the ears.

The Schlager Systems can delcare that the song they are backing from MGP 2008 is....

SEMI-FINAL SONGS FOR NORWAYS MGP 2008!

2008-01-07T23:11:00.000Z

The songs for the semi-finals of MGP 08 taling place in Stavanger, Kongsvingar and Bodø are up on the NRK website (link provided)http://www.nrk.no/programmer/tv/melodi_grand_prix/1.4427214 all the tracks are of reasonable quality, which is refreshing!

Melodi Grand Prix 2008 Entrants CRASH! Exclusive Interview!

2007-12-30T14:16:00.000Z

Crash! are an indie/punk/rock band from Ostfold, Halden in Norway. The band comprise of Vegar Neeb - vocals, Remo G. Munkeboe - guitar, Daniel Pedersen - guitar, Frode Neeb - bass, Stig Buckholm - drums. Crash! say of themselves on their official websites: "Crash! Is it punk? Rock? Pop?.................. Who cares? You probably already have your own opinion about the band and their music style if you’re reading this. It’s up to you to put them in a box. It really doesn’t matter as long as you like it and they enjoy writing those catchy songs." You may recognise them from last years Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix when they came a respectable third behind Guri and Jannicke Abrahamsen. The boys actually gained more jury votes than thw winner and runner up but lost in the televoting. Well Crash! are back in MGP 2008 with their new song 'Get Up' writen by Trond Holter, who also composed 'Wannabe'. The Schlager Systems speak exclusively to Guitarist Remo!

SS: Firstly, thanks you for giving us here at The Schlager Systems an interview. Could you describe the Crash! sound to our readers in the UK who may not have heard you before?

Remo: Thx for letting us get the opportunity to introduce us for the UK music scene.Hmm, the Crash! sound… It’s kind of a poppy sound, but still a “dirty” rock sound on the new songs on the album.

SS: How did you guys get together to form the band?

Remo: I called Vegar (the singer) on his cell, and asked if he wanted to join and sing in a band I was forming. I had never talked with Vegar before, but I knew he was an awesome singer. He was thrilled to start a pop/punk/rock band. We formed the band (then called Already Taken). Already Taken changed name to Crash! least year when we decided to compete in melody grand prix.

SS: We loved Wannabe! What was it like performing Wannabe in MGP 2007?

Remo: Thank you. Wannabe is a great pop/rock song, and it gets stuck on your mind as soon as you hear it. That’s a good thing. It’s awesome to perform a song that people love and sing along to. To stand in front of 5.000 people and 1.000.000 watching you on TV is a dream coming trough. And we can’t wait to do it again this year.

SS: Did the exposure in MGP 2007 make you household names in Norway or were you guys famous before?

Remo: We had a good reputation before mgp too. We did a 5 days Scandinavian tour and released a 6 tracks EP called: is this the end? We were more known in other counties then Norway back then, all thanks to myspace… BUT we exposure for real in Norway after we did the melody grand prix. We hope to go all the way to the top this year, and show the whole world what we can do.

SS: Why did you guys decide that you would put another song into MGP 2008? Was it coming so close to winning in 2007?

Remo: No it wasn’t. Trond Holter from WigWam was asked by MGP if he wanted to write another song to the 2008 Mgp. He said yes and wanted Crash! to perform the song. Crash! had been working 1 ½ year with Trond on our new album, so it’s a great time to release the album when MGP is coming up. Mgp 2007 opened up many new opportunities for us in the music industry in Norway, and we couldn’t get any better promotion for free. So we decided to say yes and compete in 2008.

SS: How important is the internet to bands like Crash! in gaining worldwide exposure?

Remo: Crash! started out as a D.I.Y (do it yourself) band, spending all night and day on myspace and other web communities on internet to promote our band. I can’t count how many nights I felt asleep in front of my computer promoting my band, but it’s all worth it.Sites like youtube, myspace, facebook and purevolume + many many many more are a HUGE plus to band who wants to get their name our to people worldwide.

SS: What's the best thing about being in Crash!?

Remo:To play music and see that other people enjoy the songs we write. Tour around with my friends and meet new people in the music industry. We love to play live, and we are definitely a live band. We got a high energy on stage, and we just love to get the people in the crowd smiling. Our mission is to make them forget about their problems (if they have any) and make sure they have a good time at our shows. And Crash! does that. That’s the way I feel.

SS: Is it your mission to bring rock back to Eurovision?

Remo: Ha-ha, I wouldn’t say that. Our song (Get Up) is a good rock song with a power pop chorus that people sing along to at once, just like wannabe. But to bring rock back? I don’t think anyone can bring back rock more then Wig Wam and Lordi did. Am I right?

SS: Are you a fan of eurovision?

Remo: You know what; I have never watched an MGP program in my life before I took a part of it in 2007. But that’s just me. I know Vegar watch it. I was actually going to watch this year, but now we are competing.

SS: Have you ever been over to our native Scotland?

Remo: Nope, we haven’t. Never as a band. I know Frode (bass) have been over there on vacation drinking some beer and whiskey. I hope Crash! get the opportunity to do that in 2008.

SS: Do you have a message for your UK fans?

Remo: We would like to thank everyone who shows a little bit of interest in our band and like our music. Buy our cd`s if you like Crash! and spread the word about Crash! to all of your friends. Please send us messages if you feel like it. We try our best to write back everyone who like out band.Ohhh….. Don’t forget to check out our new single “Get Up” January 7th. It will be out on our myspace page. www.myspace.com/crashofficial

Thanks Remo
The Schlager Systems

Thanks Carola!

2007-12-28T18:31:00.000Z

Our girl Carola sent us a nice picture and message all the way from Sweden! Thank you Carola... we love you too!

ANNA BOOK - OUR FRIEND!

2007-12-16T21:57:00.000Z

Our dear friend Anna Book has graciously used 5 of The Schlager Systems' pics from Stockholm pride from earlier this year on her myspace site! Anna has also featured the pictures of our Marty and Kethan with Anna alongside the likes of Magnus and Carola! We love you soooo much Anna! Click below to visit Anna's myspace site.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=165586880

Marie Picasso - Future Schlager Potential!

2007-12-16T14:47:00.000Z

Well, Idol 2007 Sweden was a 2 horse race between Amanda Jenssen and Marie Picasso. But judging by Amanda's awful rendition of the vinner låten 'This Moment', Marie had it in the bag. Marie is a big boned blonde beauty and we definitely think she has schlager potential. Below is Marie's winning performance.

We will certainly be keeping our eyes on Marie in Melodifestivalen 2009 with a schlager stomper classic!

Returning from our break soon

2007-12-11T00:22:00.001Z

The schlager systems have been taking a well earned break but we will be back soon with some schlagertabulous news for you soon. We will be reporting live from melodifestivalen next year and have secured our seats at the final! More schlager news to follow!

WINTER SCHLAGER PARTY - Captured by a schlagerstorm!

2007-11-04T08:57:00.000Z

The Schlagerboys schlager-tonsils!

The fabulous hosts!
The party gets going!

Miss Tempest was again on hand with the cambera at the Loom Bar on November 2nd. In her opinion it was much busier than the last time and she managed to take some good photos. Miss Tempest most enjoying Carola, Alcazar and Anna Book on the night and told us the party was electric! In her words "the atmosphere was like an untamed bottle of Champagne, in one word Schlagertastic". Remember to visit the new website for all the latest news on all the future schlager nights http://www.schlagerparty.co.uk/

All photos courtesy of Miss Tempest!

THE EXCLUSIVE CHARLOTTE PERRELLI INTERVIEW!!!!

2007-10-29T18:36:00.000Z

Well Schlager fans, it's the turn of Charlotte Perrelli (formerly Nilsson) to recieve the Schlager Systems treatment in an exclusive pre-melodifestivalen interview! Will Charlotte talk of her MF comeback? Why did she change her name? All will be revealed..... well sort of.

SS: Charlotte, may we say a big thank you for agreeing to answer our questions! How and when did you become interested in singing?

CP: Can´t remember exactly, but it was when I was a little girl.

SS: You joined popular Swedish group ‘Wizex’, following in the footsteps of Kikki Danielsson and Lena Pålsson. How did you come to work with the band?

CP: They called me and asked me if I wanted to start working with them. I thought that was a great idea.

SS: You won Melodifestivalen 1999 becoming really famous in Swedein, what was that like?

CP: I started to work with media long before so I knew a little bit about it before I won. But of course it was a strange feeling in the beginning. But also a lot fun!

SS: Then you came to international attention winning Eurovision, was that a life changing event?

CP: In a sort of way, yes! I had the opportunity to work in the whole Europe and that was a lot fun.

SS: How did you cope with fame?

CP: I don´t think about it that much, it´s a part of my daily life.

SS: What are you best memories of winning eurovision?

CP: Hmmm...so many! But the moment we realized that Sweden was a winner...is really a good memories!

SS: We are lead to believe that Charlotte Perrelli is entering Melodifestivalen in 2008 with a song called ‘Hero’ can you tell us about the song?

CP: Sorry, I can´t talk about that, no paper is signed. I don´t even know if it will be like that.

SS: Linda Bengtzing, Sanna Nielsen, Charlotte Perrelli and maybe even Carola could be in participating Melodifestivlen 2008, will this the ultimate battle of the schlager stars?

CP: Maybe...I don´t know that much about it yet.

SS: Who were your musical influences growing up?

CP: I listened to swedish popular music. But also gospel!! None special..

SS: As an established artist why did you change your name from Nilsson to Perrelli?

CP: I married, and wanted my children to have the same last name as their father AND mother.

SS: You look absolutely fabulous! How do you manage to stay in shape?

CP: I´m a vegetarian since 14 years. I´m running after my kids a lot...a sort of work out.

SS: Name 3 words that describe Charlotte Perrelli?

CP: Positive, disciplined, and generous.

SS: Do you have a message for your UK fans?

CP: Hope to come to UK soon...and I hope I have a new song to present for you then.

SS: What version does Charlotte Perrelli prefer: ‘Take Me To Your Heaven’ or ‘Tusen och en natt’?

CP: Take me to you heaven!!

Tack så mycket Charlotte,
From Marty, Kethan, Shona and Penny
The Vodka Systems

LINDA BENGTZING TO WIN MELODIFESTIVALEN 2008!

2007-10-21T17:55:00.000Z

Yay! Linda Bengtzing will take next year's Melodifestivalen by storm with her track 'Hur svårt kan det vara?' (How Hard Can It Be?) with a track written by Tobias Lundgren, Tim Larsson & Johan Fransson. Here is where the campaign starts to send our Linda to Belgrade! We are sure she will have at least 15 frock changes in the first 2 minutes of the song just before truimphantly jumping through a fireball and then getting covered in glitter dust at the monumental key change! Other notable acts are BWO with 'Lay Your Love on Me', Charlotte Perrelli with 'Hero' and our Sanna Nielsen with 'Empty Room' which disturbingly has been described by http://www.qx.se/ as a ballad! We are sure Sanna has more schlager sense than that! Speculation still abounds regards to whether Carola has secured one of the wildcard places, Carola's people are keeping tight lipped. Could this be battle of the schlager queens? How exciting!

Schlager Stars Gear Up For Christmas

2007-10-15T10:43:00.000Z

As usual our schlager stars are doing the rounds this Christmas.

Julgalan 2007 - A star studded show with 2 legs hits the backwaters of Sweden this Jule! First leg featuring our Linda Bengtzing, Andreas Johnsson, Sonja Alden, Linda Sundblad and Marcus Fagervall and a host of nobodies play in Östersund on the 9th November, November 11 in Falun, November 23 in Linköping, November 24 in Sundsvall . The other leg of the tour features none other than Elin Lanto and Markoolio, Jimmy Jansen and another host of nobodies playing in Umeå on November 23rd and 24th. Tickets as usual from Ticnet.

Our Linda is also playing Lördagsfest Wallmans Schlager in the Casino Cosmopol in Sundsvall on November 9th. The Original ABBA Orchestra featuring our Magnus Carlsson is back for string of Christmas shows, playing December 5th-8th and 12th-15th at Globen Arena Stockholm!

Queen Carola and 'Cabaret' star Miss Liza Minelli star in 'A Classic Christmas Night' on December 7th-8th at Globen Arena, Stockholm and December 11th-12th at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg.

Sweet Sanna Nielsen can be heard worbling some 'Christmas Carols' at the Helsingborg Konserthuset on December 8th and 9th.

Shirley Clamp is going to be very busy too, not only is she headlining her first solo concert tour starting on Nyköping on October 27th and continuing right though to November 30th in Norrköping. Shirley is also taking part in 'The Christmas Show' along side Sarah Dawn Finer and De Liva playing 6 dates in total. The show will roll into Stockholm's Globen Arena on December 19th!

Nanne continues her show 'Vild' with special Christmas shows right up to December 15th at Hamburger Börs, Stockholm and ending on the same night as Lena and Orup's show at the China Teatern, across town!

Our friend Anna Book is playing a series of dates on water and dry land this Christmas time including:

Viking Line: Cinderella Live from 20th-27th October,

Prel. Piteå Live 2007-11-08
Stockholm Svenska FavoriterLive 2007-11-29
Stockholm SundbybergLive 2007-12-01
Sala och Avesta Dubbelgig-Live, 2007-12-07
Kristianstad Live 2007-12-14
Ystad Live 2007-12-15
Hässleholm Live 2007-12-15

THE EXCLUSIVE LINDA BENGTZING INTERVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-09-12T23:57:00.000Z

As you know, we adore Swedish singer Linda Bengtzing! Here is our exclusive interview with the first lady of schlager!

1. When growing up in Sweden, who were your musical influences?

The swedish band Europe and of course ABBA, and I have always loved Elvis. As you see a crazy mix of tunes....

2. What was it like growing up in Gullpång, Västra Götaland?

I think my 15 years in the very small village Gullpång(3500 people lives there) is everything. To join the work at our "farm". We had no animals but grew strawberries, flowers and different vegetables. I had my own horse and loved being outside. A active life made me a very active person today!!

3. You were a child star, releasing records in the late 1980’s, how did you come to have a record contract so early?

I loved to sing. After some years of small cometitions all around Sweden-I won a record contract. And released 3 records... The first single at the same record company that released my first album as grown up.

4. There was a long gap from the late 80’s until your appearance on Fame Factory in Sweden, what did you do in the time between?

To be honest I didnt dare to sing. I was a very sensetive teenager. I didnt want to sing, didnt want anyone to ask me about it! So I started horsebackriding, studied and found out about boys!! And one day I just found out that singing was the best thing in the world!!

5. If you had to choose between Gothenburg and Stockholm, which city would you choose and why?

-Stockholm with no doubt! I fell in love with Stockholm when is was 15! But I like Gothenburg. When I go there I feel like Im on vacation!!

6. What’s your favourite colour?

RED!

7. Give us three words that describe Linda Bengtzing?

Energetic, energetic, energetic

8. Tell us what it was like competing in Melodifestivalen in 2005 and 2006?

Its like travelling with a circus! Lots of fun and craziness in different towns during a short period of time! Its like be left in by your parents at "kids activities" at the shopping mall!! You work with only proffessionals and meet only nice people. Well....except for some of the journalists...2006 was of course more fun because I won in Leksand!

9. How did you come to work with Markoolio on värsta schlagern, (the video is really funny too, it looked like a lot of fun)?

The video was a great deal of fun to do! And I do belive that a couple of other swedish artist turned down the offer from Markoolio. Than it was only me left... No kidding..I dont know the details but Im so happy that I had the honor to do it!

10. We love Carola, and Markoolio parodied her in the video, do you know if she found it funny? (we thought it was hilarious)

If you like Carola, or are Carola you have to know that its an honor to be made fun of!! She is our greatest female artist in Sweden! Of course we had to make her ugly and make fun of her... And as I know her I guess she laughed as hell when she saw it. If she saw it....

11. What’s your favourite song from your debut album?

Medan Du sov!

12. We heard a disturbing rumour that if you don’t compete in Melodifestivalen 2008 then your record company won’t let you release your next album, is this true? (we hope not) Although we would love to see you compete again..and win!

Im afraid its true..... And if things go as I like, the song I recorded yesterday(11/9) will take me all the way to Serbien!! Tjo ho!

13. What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Im a big hockey fan. And when my team Färjestad won Swedish mastership last year I sang the national hymn. That was the greatest feeling ever...

14. Have you any plans to record in English?

Yes. I want my next record in 2008, to be in both english and swedish!

15. Have you a message for your fans here in the UK?

Thank you so very much for being there, listening, watching and supporting. Without you I were nothing. My fans are my companions. The people I work with. My friends, my critics, my family almost! Hugs and kisses

Lots of Love
Marty and Kethan

Fancy Cruising with the Schlager Stars?

2007-08-26T11:21:00.000Z

Well hop aboard the Viking Line ship the M/S Cinderella in the months leading up to Christmas and you could be in for a surprise as you go up for seconds at the dinner buffet! Here are some of the highlights:

Schlager stalwart Lotta Engberg will give you 100% on September 4th
Charlotte (Neilson) Perelli will take you to her heaven on September 30th
Although not really schlager, Bonnie Tyler is more lost at sea rather than lost in France on October 18th
Comedy star Markoolio is on October 20th
Dansband superstars Barbados will be singing their 'hits' on November 18th

You can buy your cruise tickets at http://www.vikingline.fi/index.asp?lang=en and we hope you have a very pleasant journey!

BWO - Let It Rain

2007-08-26T10:52:00.000Z

This is the new video from BWO, we think it's great! So there!

CAROLA'S ROMANCE ENDS

2007-08-23T21:14:00.000Z

Carola is once again single. Poor soul. Carola and boyfriend Henrik Junaeus, a church pastor, have decided to end their romance, but remain friends. So the relationship didn't last for 'evighet'!

LINDA BENGTZING TOPS SWEDISH POLL!

2007-08-23T20:50:00.000Z

Our fave schlager star Linda Bengtzing has been crowned Turnedrottning (tour queen) of the year by Swedish news paper Aftonbladet (www.aftonbladet.se). The poll was taken by over 5000 readers with Linda romping to victory with over 18% of the total vote! Well done Linda! Below is the complete list of the top touring Swedish female acts as published by Aftonbladet.

Linda Bengtzing 18,1 %
Nanne Grönvall 12,7 %
Maria Andersson (Sahara Hotnights) 9,7 %
Annika Norlin 6,2 %
Sonja Aldén 5,6 %
Maja Ivarsson (The Sounds) 5,5 %
Marit Bergman 3,7 %
Amy Diamond 3,6 %
Sarah Dawn Finer 3,0 %
Laleh 2,6 %
Molly Sandén 2,6 %
Miss Li 2,2 %
Sofia Karlsson 1,8 %
Anna Ternheim 1,8 %
Maia Hirasawa 1,7 %
Jessica Andersson 1,7 %
Marie Lindberg 1,6 %
September 1,5 %
Helena Josefsson 76 1,5 %
Shirley Clamp 1,4 %
Charlotte Perrelli 1,1 %
Lotta Engber 1,0 %
Sanna Nielsen 1,0 %
Kikki Danielsson 0,9 %
Sophie Zelmani 0,9 %
Elin Lanto 0,8 %
Velvet 0,8 %
Lill-Babs 0,8 %
Annika Thörnquist (Da Buzz) 0,6 %
Frida Hyvönen 0,5 %
Veronica Maggio 0,5 %
Mapei 0,5 %
Linda Sundblad 0,5 %
Anna Book 0,4 %
Emilia 0,4 %
Pernilla Andersson 0,3 %
Asha Ali 0,3 %
Sofia Källgren 0,2 %
Emmon 0,2 %
Victoria Bergsman 0,0 %

THIS IS FUNNY - KETHAN RECOMMENDS INGA FROM SWEDEN!

2007-08-19T10:44:00.000Z

A Few Signed Items From Our Friends!

2007-08-08T21:05:00.000Z

These guys were kind enough to sign a few items for us at Stockholm Pride..... Anna we love you!!!!! Thank you Anna for making us feel so welcome in Stockholm, see you soon xx

MORE FROM STOCKHOLM PRIDE

2007-08-05T09:47:00.001Z

Well the sun came out for the gay pride parade in the beautiful city of Stockholm. The Vodka Systems enrobed in our Scottish finery walked in the parade proudly carrying our Scottish flags. The atmosphere was fantastic and almost surreal. The sun shone down on us and an estimated 50,000 other marchers and the estimated 500,000 spectators! And you will never guess
what, we heard somone shouting "Martin!" from the sidelines, it was none other than the fabulous ANNA BOOK!! We couldn't believe it! Anna Book cheering us on from the crowd! How exceptionally schlagertastically fabulous! We arrived at the park and relaxed with more than a few pear ciders. Our kilts went down a storm, what fun. On the music front Margaret Berger was pretty good, although she never sang 'robot song', then it was Pay TV's turn - oh my god, they need some good lyrics desparately, good camp dance routines though. Linda Sundblad descided not to give us some hi energy pop music but decided to woo the crows with piano versions of 'oh father' and 'bimbo' which really showcased her voice, and a great voice it is too! Ru Paul was up next and the crowd were told not to take photos at the star's request, how diva-esque. So here's our exclusive picture! Three dress changes and a visable panty line
and far too many songs that nobody knew. The it was the turn of the stars of the night, BANANARAMA!!!!!!! Keren and Sarah and their two dancers worked their way though their biggest hits and managed to whip the sometimes unentusiastic crowd into a frenzy! It was gay fun all the way with our two lushes. Bananarama were almost like a parody of themselves, remember Lananenenoonoo? But all-in-all great entertainment. Special thanks go to Shona and Big Ingrid, Sven and partner, Peter and Ben, Jonathen and everyone else who made our visit so exceptional.

ANNA BOOK AT STOCKHOLM PRIDE

2007-08-04T09:51:00.001Z

Well hello from Stockholm! The Vodka Systems are nursing a hangover from a fabulous night out at gay pride Stockholm. The highlight of last night was meeting the wonderful Anna Book! We took a bottle of pink champagne to pride park for Anna but horror of horrors, they wouldn't let us in with it. We explained who we were and we were taken to the VIP entrance
where we met Anna's sister!!! She took the champagne from us to give to our signing hero! We then walked into pride park and guess who was calling to us from the distance? Yes it was Anna herself, we rushed over to her and gave her hugs and kisses and wished her well for her performance. Anna entered the stage at 8.45pm to a delighted audience and sang two songs, her new single 'Dansar Mot Karleken' and the wonderful 'Samba Sambero'. Then a bunch of elegant drag queens entered the stage for a reprise performance of 'Samba'! Anna actually thanked us from the stage as well, which was very touching. We then proceeded to to Anna Book signing event, met her again and chatted for a time, did the photo thing. A great time had by all! Then it was off to the dance stage to catch Barbados performing. I think their show was live on radio. They sang all the hits including their recent hit 'Tid att gå vidare' which went down a storm. We then headed off to meet Barbados at their signing event, we walked in and introduced ourselves to the boys asked them for an autographed picture and blabbed some nonsense like 'we run a blog site, can we have an interview?', the boys looked less than thrilled to see us (don't know why, after all we were wearing kilts and were very drunk)! We actually really like the band's music, however on the night we were disappointed at their apparent disinterest in their fans during their signing. Barbados aside, the atmoshphere on Friday night, as a whole, was one of happiness and unity. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. The Vodka Systems are now getting ready to head of to the pride march waving our Scottish flags.

Love and Hugs from The Vodka Systems xx

Pictures: copyright owned by The Schlager Systems

Linda B to be Dropped from Record Label Shocker!!!!

2007-07-25T23:32:00.000Z

Well the gossip (not that we listen to gossip) on the net is that our Linda Bengtzing is being held to ransom by her record company! Apparently, according to sources, if Linda doesn't take part in next year's Melodifestivalen then she wont be afforded the luxury of recording her second album! Heavens-to-betsy this is nothing short of an international scandal! Well, there is already an online petition to sign at http://www.namninsamling.com/site/list.asp?id=1907&refresh=20070726013045 campaigning for the the release of a new Linda Album, without Melodifestivalen stings attached! Readers you know you have to sign it! We, however, would be utterly thrilled if our Linda did participate next year, but maybe the thought of competing against Carola again is just too much to bear! Bring on the schlager fight of the century!

We are behind you Linda... can we have an interview? This story came via Linda's fansite on Myspace www.myspace.com/lindabengtzingsweden

Carola!

2007-07-24T22:05:00.000Z

Now our heroine, Carola has been very quite this year, so we thought we would share her fab interval act during melodifestivalen 2003! She is the best!!!!!!!

Short Video of Carola - Invincible at the Schlager Party, Loom bar London

2007-07-24T21:52:00.000Z

A Word From Miss Tempest on G-A-Y

2007-07-22T12:14:00.000Z

Saturday 21st G.A.Y London Astoria Army of Lovers, Alcazar and BWO

When I first arrived @ 11.30pm two hours before the performance, the atmosphere was electrifying. The DJ's enthralled the audience by playing music & videos of all three acts about to perform live, as well more music from other Swedish acts as well as the more well known dance tracks. As it got closer to performance time the venue filled to capacity. Through out the evening the audience co-operated well with the security. The atmosphere was relaxed, so much so that you could have quite easily felt the that security was unnecessary.
As 1.30am loomed, the lights changed for the performance. First on stage was Army of Lovers, followed in velocity by Alcazar & BWO! The whole preformance was just short of one hour in which the audience could only be describe as hyper charged and electric.

Miss Tempest

PICTURES FROM THE ALEXANDER BARD SCHLAGERTASTIC EXTRAVAGANZA AT G-A-Y

2007-07-22T10:22:00.000Z

Our Miss Tempest was on the guest list for the Army of Lovers-Alcazar-BWO night at G-A-Y in London last night and she managed to take these great photos of the bands. We hope you will enjoy!

The night gets off to a great start at G-A-Y
Army of Lovers were first to perform with their huge hit 'Crucified'

Next up are Alcazar without Magnus or (Mi Amore) Annikafiore ! Hurrah for Andreas and Tess and the new girl Lina Hedlund!

Martin Rolinski from BWO
Martin and Anna Marina Schiptjenko from BWO

Bodies Without Organs were last to perform to the cheering masses!

At the end of the set, a standing ovation for the man behind it all - Mr Alexander Bard!
All photos are copyright of Tempus Fugit Productions.

Magnus Carlsson - Live Forever: The Album. The Schlager Systems Review!

2007-07-20T22:40:00.000Z

The ex-Barbados and Alcazar boy releases his new album! Great news for UK fans is that it available on iTunes! One thing is for sure this album is pure summer! Marty and Kethan Review the tracks for the Schlager Systems.

Crazy Summer Nights - Ok we know Magnus LOVES Abba and his performance with the Original Abba Orchestra was magnusificent! This is his 'Summer Night City'. A great album opener. It's pure sun drenched Piz Buin bliss!

I Wont Cry - Neither will we! Kethan says it's a happy upbeat discomania stomping dance song, and yes there's a schlagertastically fabulous key change!

Waves Of Love – Bee Gee-esque falsetto from our Magnus here! This is the second single from the album and is one of the stand-out tracks. This song is a mid-tempo, sun-blazing down, strolling down the beach with your iPod on type of song.

Nothing Is Real - Has Magnus been attending the Enrique and Julio University of Latin Love? Well if this track is anything to go by, he certainly has. This song has captured the feeling of Madonna's earlier spanish influenced tracks, like 'La isla Bonitta', but here sung by a bloke!

Another Rainbow – At this present time this is my favourite track! Powerful pop sensibility and production on this one. Something about this track sends shivers down my spine. I think Magnus’ voice is very strong and he utilises his falsetto very well as he did on Live Forever. Magnus’ voice actually reminds me a little of Morten Harket in ‘Take on Me’.

Live Forever – This was Magnus’ Melodifestivalen entry for 2007 and shockingly never made it to the Guld Finale. One of the stand-out schlager numbers from this year and a huge hit in Sweden. This song has a great video too if you haven’t already checked it out. I do believe I can hear two key changes here.

Give a Little Love – Well this sounds like Magnus slipping back into Alcazar-mode! Definitely disco orientated. Something about this song reminds me of Saturday Night Fever. This song is a dancefloor however we don’t think it is in contention for single release, not quite strong enough.

Never Walk Away – Well if Give a Little Love was Alcazar-like then this is the Barbados- type ballad! Pleasant listening, kind of Enrique-esque guitar ballad, sweet but not ground breaking!

Don’t You Worry – Marty’s other favourite, and on certain versions of the album you get the demo version too. This track has a strong chorus and definitely in the running for the next single after Another Rainbow. Really like the demo version too, in fact difficult to decide what version is better, the big production doesn’t always win in my ears! A great song for driving in the summertime with the wind in your hair (if you have any)!

I Need Your love - Mid tempo with castanets! A very warm vocal from Magnus here and it would make any señor or señoritta weak at the knees! This track continues the latin influence Magnus has displayed on many tracks on the album.

You – This is pure unadulterated europop, we love europop! There is f**k all wrong with europop. This track wouldn’t sit too well with ears unatuned to the euro sound. We can definitely hear a dance remix here, and a stonking one at that! All hand gestures and bed linen Carola style!

Boogie Time - Ok this is a bit more than a reference to 'Boogie Wonderland' Magnus style! Our gay hero ends his tracklist with an uptempo number rather than a slushy ballad.

What makes this album a bit special is the extra demo tracks and remixes you get, including 'Live Forever' acoustic - which is an orchestral version - very nice indeed. If you like schlager pop then grab yourself a copy!

Miss Tempest to Cover G.A.Y.

2007-07-19T20:32:00.000Z

Our photographer, Miss Tempest is on the guest list for G.A.Y. on Saturday night to cover the once in a lifetime Alcazar, BWO and Army of Lovers gig so stay tuned, you can log into her photo site to see more Loom Bar Pictures at http://tempusfugitproductions.magix.net/ enjoy! Here is Miss Tempest with Kethan and Marty.

LOOM BAR SCHLAGER NIGHT PICTURES REVEALED!

2007-07-10T18:29:00.000Z

The Schlager Boys!
Scooch! (well... sort of)

Sara Fredriksson, our lovely hostess!

The Schlager Boys, calling Shirley Clamp on her mobile to remind her just what schlager sounds like!

Is that David Walliams?

Marty and Kethan in the crowd!

Marty and Kethan again!

Well it was a great night for all at the Schlager party in the Loom bar, and Miss Tempest was there as photographer. Here are a few pictures, we hope you like them!

Highlights of the night:

Sanna Nielsen - Vågar Du and Surrender
Linda Bengtzing - Alla Flickor
Kikki - Idag och Imorgon
Anna Book - Biggest cheer of the night with Samba Sambero!!!!

Loom Bar!!!

2007-07-07T21:26:00.001Z

Well.. Just recovering from last night's spectacular schlager party hosted once again at the loom bar by the lovely sarah fredriksson. Kethan came with myself and miss tempest this time. We danced our pants off to sanna, linda, lena, kikki and so much more. Anna book got the biggest cheer of the night! Miss tempest took over three hundred photos, including a mini photo shoot of us! How completely fabulous! Stay tuned for pictures and video coming soon! Hopefully miss fredriksson will host another schlagerama really soon. Lots of love from marty, reporting from london x

New Magnus Album Released

2007-07-04T21:22:00.000Z

Hurray! Magnus Carlsson's new long player 'Live Forever - The Album' is released today and it doesn't disappoint! Definitely Magnus' strongest solo release to date. Stay tuned for the Schlager Systems track-by-track album review. The album is available for download from iTunes.

The Sonja Aldén Interview!

2007-07-04T16:15:00.000Z

Sonja Aldén's performance at this years Melodifestivalen was nothing short of stunning with her beautiful song ‘För att du finns’, since then Sonja has released her debut album 'Till Dig' (To You) wich has shot to the top of the album charts in Sweden. We just love her so were thrilled at the chance to ask her a few questions!

TVS - The Vodka Systems

SA - Sonja

TVS - First of all congratulations on the success of your album ‘Till Dig’ and your fabulous track ‘För att du finns’. Congratulations for being number 1 on the Svensktoppen too – how exciting! How did you become involved in Melodifestivalen?

SA - Thank you so much! I got to work with some of the top songwriters in the country in 2004, mostely from demo-recordings. I have always been writing music and lyrics, and as time went by we formed us together and I found my true expression, way, words and music.

TVS - Where about in Sweden do you come from?

SA - I grew up in Huddinge, right outside Stockholm, but I was born in St Albans, UK…

TVS - What were your musical influences growing up?

SA - I listened to whatever my mom played on the stereo, and there was always music in the house! A lot of Annie Lennox for example..

TVS - You have gained a lot of fans thoughout Europe and the UK is no exception. Tell us, if you can, about Sonja… do you have a special someone in your life?

SA - My family and dear friends are very special to me, understanding and supporting. The rest the future will tell…

TVS - You must be recognised all over Sweden since your appearance on Melodifestivalen, what has that been like?

SA - I get recognised here and there, and so far it has just been a lot of fun because of the great reception of my debut album. People are very nice to me. I feel fortunate!

TVS - If you were not a successful artist, what would you do for a living?

SA - I would always be writing, that is as natural as breathing to me, but I would think that I would like to work with children in some way. I love children and their honesty!

TVS - What is your favourite colour?

SA - Green and blue in combination..

TVS - Apart from your song in this year’s Melodifestivalen, what was your favourite song of the competition?

SA - “Godmorgon” By Uno Svenningsson.

TVS - Did you watch the Eurovision Song contest?

SA - I tried to follow as well as I could, I was working, singing in Malmö that evening, but there was a tv backstage, so I could watch a little bit in between the performings..

TVS - What was you favourite country (apart from Sweden!)?

SA - As far as I remember, I saw and liked Finland a lot, but I´m gonna try to get a chans to see them all.

TVS - Do you have any plans to record in English?

SA - Absolutely! Don´t know when, but I´ve got a lot of English music that is longing to get recorded, so in due time….

TVS - Have you ever visited our native Scotland?

SA - I have not, but I really wish to see Scotland some time soon, I think it is a very beautiful place on earth and have actually had a longing to see it since I was a child.

TVS - Can you think of three words that describe Sonja Aldén?

SA - …Positive, sensitive and creative…….

TVS - Do you have any words for your UK fans

SA - I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great supporting, for writing to me and raising the fire in my heart for writing more and more in English.. Thank you so much! I was born in UK, I feel a special bond to the country and I will be back some time!

LOVE!
Sonja Aldén

The Vodka Sytems would like to thank Sonja and Frida very much xx

Nanne and BAO!

2007-07-02T23:50:00.000Z

Sweden's popular show 'Allsång på skansen' is now in full swing every tuesday night in Stockholm's Skansen. Basically everyone gets together for a sing-a-long and it's televised live to 2 million Swedes. The sing-a-longs are interspersted by superstars performing live! It's become a Swedish national insitution (remember Carola hitting an audience member with a potted plant - how very Christian, lol), anyway Benny Andersson from ABBA is playing with is 'Orkester' on Tuesday 7th August which is the final night - also appearing is the schlagertastically fabulous NANNE!!!!!!!!!! So remember folks to tune into SVT Sweden every Tuesday night on the internet to catch the marvel that is "Allsång på skansen"!

Good News for Magnus Fans in the UK

2007-07-02T22:14:00.001Z

Schlagerkung Magnus Carlsson's nya album 'Live Forever - The Album' gets an official release on iTunes uk on August 4th, which is great news. Please click the link to get an album preview http://www.animero.com/warner/magnuscarlsson/neutral/ Magnus, like his old bandmates 'Barbados', join the likes of Sonja Alden, Sanna Nielsen, Sarah Dawn Finer and Nanne in having their studio efforts available over iTunes UK and long may that continue, so hip hip hooray for that!

Martin Hannah - new song up on myspace!

2007-06-26T22:13:00.000Z

The Vodka Systems Lead man Martin Hannah (Marty Musika) has released his new song 'Superstar Tonight' on his MYSPACE site (www.myspace.com/martinhannah) it's a beautiful, powerful ballad..althought not exactly schlager! It is fab if we do say so ourselves!

STOCKHOLM PRIDE HOTTING UP!

2007-06-17T11:48:00.000Z

Just as Swedish 'boy band' Barbados (www.barbados.se) have released a new single 'Tid att gå vidare' (available on I tunes UK!), the news has come through that the boys, with new lead singer Björn Lagerström are playing at Stockholm pride this year on Friday 3rd August (same day as Anna Book). As usual you can purchase tickets through http://www.ticnet.se/ . We here at the Schlager Systems must admit the new single (which is undeniably schlager) does sound remarkably like 'Världen Utanför'. Well, I suppose that's allowed since both songs are written by Thomas G:son!

Also playing at Pride Stockholm this year are the fabulous Bodies Without Organs (www.bwo.ru) and the wonderful Bananarama (www.bananarama.co.uk). The corks on our bottles of pink champagne are almost popping with excitement!

Sarah Dawn Finer - The Schlager Systems Interview!

2007-06-10T22:57:00.000Z

Without a doubt one of the best songs from this year's Melodifestivalen was Sarah Dawn Finer's 'I remember Love'. Sarah has very kindly agreed to answer some questions for us here at the Schlager Systems. Kethan asks the questions.

K - Kathan

S - Sarah

K - What are your first memories when growing up in Sweden?

S - Oh, I have so many memories. My father is from London and my mother from New York and me and my siblings grew up in sort of a commune. With people from everywhere and so it wasn´t a "typical" Swedish upbringing. But once I started music school and so on, I more and more grew a custom to Swedish people and the way of living, not to mention the swedish music.

K - When did you realize that you had a talent for singing and songwriting!

S - Singing came early, I can´t remember the moment, just that music played a big part in my upbringig, everthing from classical on my fathers side, to blues, soul and rock on my mothers. We were always singing, At every family gathering and in childrens musicals and talent shows. Songwriting I fiddled around with in my youth for fun, and the first song I remember writing was "The Other Woman" - I was 11. But since I worked and hung out with such talented songwriters I was intimedated to play any of my songs to people. I started writing for real in 2003.

K - Who were you singing Idols when growing up?

S - I never just had one. But many - from Stevie Wonder, Tracy Chapman, to Whitney Houston, Prince, and then later Donny Hathaway, Eva Cassidy and many more.

K - What inspired you to write “I remember Love”?

S - My first love. Since I always - at east until now - always draw from personal experiences while writing. We all remember our first love. Innocent, real, naive - before we knew love could hurt.

K - What did you think of the ARK winning Melodifestivalen?

S - I think they are a great band, and have always been. It was a big deal that they even decided to enter the competition. And I do think that they were a good artist to send to Europe, but most importantly, the were great winners in and for Sweden.

K - What did you think of the Eurovision song contest?

S - Unfourtunately, even just by looking at this years competition, the rest of Europe aren´t really making such a big deal of the ESC in their own finals, and so the big pop countries like England, France etc aren´t really taking it seriously. It´s a big deal in Sweden. Bigger than anywhere else. And I do think there should be a jury as well as people voting. And as it is now - there are to many countries in the finals.

K - What were your favorite songs in the competition?

S - I liked the song than won the ESC. And Germany. As well the Swedish song.

K - Do you think that western European countries should have there own competitionn since the eastern block have taken over?

S - No, then it would only get worse. But put in a jury, that has 50% of the power. As well as letting everyone go through a semifinal - though not live - let Europe vote on Each countries winning song on video - and then a live final.

K - Do you have any plans to tour and visit the UK, we would love to see you here!!!!!!!!

S - I would LOOOOVE to come. I will fight long and hard to get my music heard outside of Sweden. But it´s hard. I would love to come over to the UK for work, I have been there alot over the years and love the music scene.

K -What are your plans for the future regarding you music?

S -Start writing on another album while palnning a tour with this one, and hopefully a non swedsih release. It is currently no 2 on the album charts over here, so I hope it goes well, and I will get to continue with my career for a long long time. All over the world.

K - Would you partake in next year’s Melodifestivalen?

S - No plans for that as it is now, Hard to top this years experience and the song that is such a hit over here. So I think I will wait, If I get the urge again, I´ll send in another song.

K - Have you ever been to our native Scotland?

S - No, not yet. I have understood that it is beautiful, But I would love to go. Only been to London 20-30 times.

K - Tack Så mycket Sarah!

S - Thank you!
Lots of Love
//SDF

Vi älska dig!
Marty, Kethan, Shona and Penny
The vodka Systems

SUMMER SCHLAGER PARTY AT THE LOOM BAR!

2007-06-10T12:02:00.000Z

The loom bar are having another fabulous schlager party on July 6th at the LOOM BAR in London. If the last one is to go by then it should be utterly schlagertastically fabulous. Get your tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk/sfevents priced at £10. Thanks to Sara Fredriksson for keeping us in the loop!

Pop Pow Wow!

2007-06-07T19:49:00.000Z

There was meeting of minds the other day when The Vodka Systems representatives Marty and Shona met photographer and publicist Moira 'Madame Tempus' Ferguson to discuss the add campaign for the new TVS track 'Glitterbal Of Love' . 'Glitterball' was to be entered into the Swedish Melodifestivalen for next year but fell at the first hurdle as none of the writers are actually Swedish! So the song will go ahead later in the year for a Joint UK and Nordic Release as a single for The Vodka Systems. The Vodka Systems would like to point out that they are would very much love to enter Melodifestivalen as artists, performing a song by a Swedish writer and are open to suggestions!!!

ANNA BOOK INTERVIEW (PART 2)

2007-05-31T21:20:00.000Z

Well this is our second part of our exclusive interview with Sweden's little miss dynamite! Enjoy!

M Our personal fave song from your successful new album is ‘Dansar Mot Kärleken’ which we think is fantastic!

A Yes I Know..

M What’s your personal favourite track from the album?

A Yes that’s the one! (laughs) You know why it’s a personal favourite? Well from the beginning it was called Sirocco and you know the lyric wasn’t bad at all but it didn’t say anything, it didn’t mean anything so I actually called the songwriter and said “I think the lyrics are quite nice but it’s not quite me, when I listen to the music I feel that it’s a love song” and I said “can I tell you something about my love for my husband” and I just told her about my feelings towards my husband and that I’ve been hurt before and it takes time to heal but he was the one who gave me the courage to love again, and now I am dancing towards love (song title in English!!) and I said to her (the songwriter) that the dancing means a lot to me as well! She said to me “well ok give me a few days and I will call you back” and she called me the next day and said “have you checked you email?”, I said “no” and she told me that she had sent me a lyric and that she hoped that I would like it. Well I just fell in love with it because that song is me, that’s my life and even though I didn’t write the words myself, she actually listened to me. You know we actually sent that one in to Melodifestivalen and they didn’t take it on. I think they just wanted me to be the perky Swedish schlager girl!

M And we are so glad that you are our perky Swedish schlager girl!

A Aw.. thank you!

M Anna, did you watch ESC this year, if so did you have any favourite to win?

A Yes well.. I think that this year was very, very special in so many ways and of course I really like Spain (laughs) because Spain is special to me and also Thomas (G:son) wrote the song too. Maybe the group (D’Nash) were a bit flat but you know it’s a good song! I also liked Russia.

M Once we found out you weren’t going to Helsinki we decided to support Norway and Guri Schanke with ‘Ven A Bailar Conmigo’!

A YES of course… I think that she should have definitely have made it to the final!

M Anna, what has been the highlight of you career so far?

A Oh my god I think my whole career has been amazing to me! I have so many things in my life that some of my colleagues don’t, I am still married to the same man and I have three fantastic children, I have a beautiful house in Sweden and a beautiful house in Spain and I have my health and everything. Maybe I don’t have a hundred gold records yet on my wall..

M Not yet but you will have!

A Maybe..maybe..maybe, you never know but I believe in hard work and I believe in taking your time as well, I am in no hurry, I just want to be honest in everything I do and as for money that’as something that you need.. something bad that you need (giggles). Never just accept a job just because of the money, a person said to me “Anna think of the T.O.M”, think of the money and I said yes of course you can T.O.M. but that’s not everything. And I have to say I have had a lot of highlights in my career, but the first highlight was when I was the youngest person ever in Sweden to compete in Melodifestivalen with ‘ABC’ which is a funny, simple and perky song. I did Melodifestivalen again in ’87 and it wasn’t a strong performance so that was a huge failure but you know you have to have your downs to appreciate your ups’, if you know what I mean? Probably though the best thing ever up to now was my appearance in ‘lets dance’ because the response I got from the Swedish people was amazing!

M So as you are a superstar in Sweden, if you could duet with anyone in the world who would it be?

A OH MY GOD! If I could do it with anyone in the world, my god! I wanna duet with so many people! Do I have to choose just one?

M We would love to see you sing with martin Stenmarck!

A I would love to sing with Martin Stenmarck but I don’t think he would want to sing with me.

M He so would, he would or should love to sing with you!

A well maybe next time I see him I should flirt a little with him and say “Martin…would you like to sing a love song with me?” (laughs) I actually did a show with His girlfriend Hanna, so maybe I should ask her if I could sing with him? (laughs again). I would also love to sing with Ricky Martin too… oh my God, you know I got to meet him when he played here in Sweden and he kissed me! You all I could think of to say to him was “welcome to Sweden”! (laughs)

M Anna, any plans to record in English?

A Yes, Absolutely. Because several of my songs on the new album like ‘Kom’ and ‘Bara For En Dag’ already have strong lyrics in English. Not only do I want to record them in English but in Spanish too

M Well Anna, we are privileged and proud to have spoken to you and can’t wait to see you in Stockholm Pride this year with a bottle of Pink Champagne for you!

A Thank you!
M Tack så mycket, du är mycket mycket bra!

Anna Book Interview Part two up on Thursday!

2007-05-29T23:21:00.000Z

Don't miss part 2 of our exclusive interview with the wonderful Anna Book right here on the Schlager Systems site on Thursday!

MARGARET BERGER - SHE'S A BIT FAB!

2007-05-29T22:09:00.000Z

Well THE VODKA SYSTEMS will be visiting Stockholm pride this year and hopefully sharing a bottle of pink champagne with Anna Book who will be performing! Of the other acts booked this year we are really looking forward to seeing Margaret Berger from Norway!

Wikipedia say of Margaret- "Margaret Berger (born October 11, 1985 in Trondheim Norway), is a Norwegian singer who placed second on the second season of Norwegian Idol. She currently resides in Oslo and is living together with her fiancé; "Norwegian Idol" camera man Odd Sprakehaug.

Margaret received Wild Card into the Finals from Anneli Drecker after not receiving a place in the final during the semifinals. However, she quickly became one of the most popular singers in the series and went all the way to the final two alongside eventual winner Kjartan Salvesen.

After Idol, she released her first album Chameleon which was successful on the Norwegian Charts, reaching the Number 4 position. She won "Spellemannsprisen" (Norwegian equivalent to a Grammy) for best music video (for "Lifetime guarantee") in 2005. In 2006, she released her second Album, Pretty Scary Silver Fairy."

Well we might just have to share a bottle of the ol' pink champagne with her too!

THE ANNA BOOK EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!!!!! (Part 1)

2007-05-28T22:04:00.000Z

Oh My God! Schlager diva ANNA BOOK has very graciously given us, The Vodka Systems, an Interview! Marty took the reigns and spoke to our dancing schlager singing friend! Anna is by far the most friendly star we have ever spoken to!

M = Marty Musika
A= Anna Book

M- Who were your influences growing up?

A- Oh my god I have so many of them, for example I love Barbara Streisand. Some of my friends only liked Baccara and ABBA, and of course I liked Baccara and Abba too but I also loved Billie Holliday, Jennifer Holliday, Diana Ross etc.. I think I was a bit more mature because I always had a huge interest in music in general!

M- Who were you Swedish influences?

A- Well.. Carola was a great inspiration to me. She was 16 when she got her big break and I was only 14 when I got mine. But when I saw her for the first time I was only 12 years old, of course she was an inspiration to me! I still think that Carola is still very, very good at what she is doing. She is very charismatic!

M- Are you and Carola friends?

A- Well we don’t socialise so much privately, but we have some mutual friends and we have been meeting each other at some parties and stuff and she has always been very kind and helpful. She is a great inspiration still.

M- Where you disappointed to lose out to the Ark at this year’s Melodifestivalen?

A- I couldn’t really say that I was disappointed to lose out against 'The Ark', because 'The Ark' have something that I don’t and I think that I have something that they don’t!

M- Yeah we think that too Anna..

A- (laughs) I mean we are all unique and of course you can find similarities in different groups or different solo artists. I would have been very proud to have been representing my own country in the ESC!

M- We couldn’t unfortunately attend Melodifestivalen finals this year but we did watch the live link on the internet and we were cheering you to win .. we were shouting Anna Book has to win at the screen!

A- (laughing) Thank you!

M- You displayed your fabulous dancing skills at this year's Melodifestivalen...

A- I didn’t dance all that much in melodifestivalen!

M- .... you only have 3 minutes!

A- That’s true, you only have three minutes.. but of course I was very sick at the final..

M- Oh...really?

A- Yeah, my throat was very sore and I had to see the doctor in the morning and he said to me “ok you have to be quiet the whole day now”, because I could hardly speak. Due to the circumstances I was just very pleased to have been in the final..

M- We thought you were fabulous at Globen!

A- Aw... thank you so much, that makes me happy to hear!

M- Of course the song writer for your song was Thomas G:son, how come you came to work with the GOD OF SCHLAGER?

A- Well you see I am a very strong and self secure person, so three years ago I just walked up to him as said “hi Thomas my name is Anna Book”, and he said “I know who you are.” He started to laugh at me and I said, “so listen so would you like to write me a nice song"? at this he laughed like a mad man, and I said “was that funny?" He said “well.. I really appreciate you coming up to me because most people just send their record companies to call me and, you know, try to bribe me with money! ..So yes I will write you a very, very nice song , actually, I will write you more than one song!" So we just stayed in touch and talked to each other, he gave me a few song and we both didn’t feel like they were the right songs for me, so we took a break for a year and I did a show called ‘Let’s Dance’ here in Sweden –

M- Yes congratulations for coming runner up!

A- Yes… thank you (laughs) thank you so much! And then when I did that he called me and said to me “I have a song for you now and I think this can be a hit for you! ". He (Thomas G:son) sent me the demo and he was singing the song and he sings terribly…

M- (Laughing)

A -Now you don’t believe me, but It was just horrible! We actually played it at the final rehearsals in Globen and people they laughed like crazy and he was so embarrassed. That was really funny!

M- Was your participation in 'Let's Dance' the inspiration for the Latino feel in your new album?

A- No it’s not, I think the inspiration is because I am half Spanish! Yes my father is from Spain, so yes I am half Spanish. And I like the Latin rhythms, I really like them a lot!

M- You look like you are so enjoy the rhythms when you are dancing?

A- Yes I do absolutely and I will try to take some lessons now with more general show dancing, you know? What I learned in ‘Let’s Dance’ was more ballroom dancing, so I am gonna take some other types of dance lessons in the fall!

Part 2 to follow!

Pray!

2007-05-28T17:53:00.000Z

The Vodka Systems have been listening to Saint Carola of Främling and Saint Kikki of Danielsson today and Marty has come over all religious! Bless!

THE SCHLAGER SYSTEMS BACK SANNA FOR UK SUCCESS!

2007-05-23T20:03:00.000Z

We the Schlager systems are backing our friend Sanna Nielsen for a UK hit single this year! On Sanna's new album '11-22' Sanna has given her public two songs in English, 'Surrender' and 'Loneliness'. These two tracks could be key to her international bid for success (backed by us!). We here at The Schlager Systems back 'Surrender' to be her first UK single and are currently bombarding record companies and radio stations to take the song on and make it the big summer hit. After all it has that all important key change!

WHAT'S THE POINT

2007-05-19T18:54:00.001Z

Well we decided there was no point even commentating about last Saturday's Eurovision. So we wont. We have acouple of interviews coming up soon, as sort of Melodifestivalen special! Oh we text thomas G:son - god of pop last saturday to wish him well with D'Nash and 'I love you Mi Vida' and he kinda thanked us...what a man! We love you Thomas!!!!!!!!

THE SANNA NIELSEN INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE!!!!

2007-05-11T15:29:00.000Z

Swedish schlager diva Sanna Nielsen has very graciously given The Schlager Systems an exclusive interview! Sanna has performed in Melodifestivalen several times and her new album '11-22' spans her amazing 11 year career.

Q. Sanna, although you are still only 22, you have been around the Swedish music industry for over a decade, how did you come to release a record (till en fogel) so young?

Sanna: I was 7 years old when I entered the stage in a singing competition. I loved it so much that I wanted to do more of that. And when I was 10 years old I did my last competition because the band that played with me they recorded me on a tape, that I didn't know of and sent that to my mentor and dear friend today, Bert Månson. He received it and after a while he called me at my home in Edenryd and asked me if I wanted to come to his studio and sing for him. I was thrilled so me and my family went to his home and I got the chance to sing for him. He said to me that he had a song that noone had recorded, and he asked me if I was interested to do that. I didn't really know what was happening, and my parents where really carefull. ANyway I got the chance to sing on a tv show called Cafe Norrköping, and I sang that song that Bert had written which was Till en fågel. A few months later I got a record contract!

Q. Was fame difficult to come to terms with at such a young age?

Sanna: It wasn't actually. Although I can admit that I didn't really know what was happening. I was just a little girl who wanted to sing, and got to do that. That was an amazing feeling. And I never saw myself as a famous person. That could also depend on the way that we worked. It was very important to take it slow for me in the business, cause school was my main thing. It was very important to both me and my parents that school would come first so I sang and toured on the holidays and sometimes in the weekends, just as my friends had their "jobs" on the holidays. You can say that it was a hobby for me in a very long time!

Q. We really think you should have won with 'Vågar du, vågar jag' at this year's Melodifestivalen! We love schlager and it is a fabulous track! Were you disappointed not to be going to Helsinki?

Sanna: No I was not. It's an incredible feeling and adventure to be part of this event. And something that we have discovered is that you don't have to win this competition to do well with your song afterwards. A good song is always a good song... And I'm very proud of the results for Vågar du vågar jag. I had a great time those three weeks that i was part of the event and I will never forget it! Thank you very much for the compliment of the song. That means a lot to me=)

Q. Who are your musical heroes?

Sanna: I listen to different kinds of music, but the one singer that I love the most is absolutely Celine Dion! She is great! I went to Las Vegas last year and saw her show A new day... and i was overwhelmed! She sang so great and had such a feeling within her voice that I started to cry. It really moved me! I get a lot of my inspiration from her.

Q. Have you any plans to launch yourself internationally? We would love to see you here in the UK!

Sanna: Thank you! I would love to come to the UK and sing for you! It really is a big step if I would launch myself internationally and it would really be a challenge. But I do like challenges so if that opportunity would come I don't think my answer would be No thanks=). I focus right now on what I have and I learn so many things every day so Im enjoying everything that I am doing in my musiclife...

Q. You have a fantastic voice, do you enjoy performing live?

Sanna; Thank you=) I LOVE performing live, that's what I want to do the rest of my life! I feel so very secure and "home" when I am on stage. And when I see happy faces in the audience that makes me so happy, cause I feel then that they see how much I love this, and that they are a part of that and enjoys it!

Q. What your most memorable experience as a performer?

Sanna: oh, wow! That's a big question. I've been in this business for 11 years and I have a lot of great memories. I know that my "first dream" in this business was to take part in melodifestivalen. I remember when I saw Carola winning with Fångad av en stormvind in 1991. I think I was about 7 years old or something. I remember I said to my mom and dad.." I also want to stand on a huge stage like that and sing..." and when I actually got the chance to take part in that event 2001 with my song "igår idag" I was a little bit chocked. I didn't think it was possible for me to take part in that competition. But of course I was so happy to have gotten the chance to do that. I learned so much from that competition that year. It was so much people around us every step we took, and that was a lot to deal with but at the same time a fun experience! But the greatest thing was of course to stand on that stage, which had been my dream for so long. We stood there and sang for THREE minutes only.. but it was totally worth it. It opened up so many doors for me!

Q. As an artist, who would you most like to work with and why?

Sanna: hmm.. I have to say Celine Dion (you can dream, can'y you?*smile*) That would be such an amazing experience. I mean, when I listen to her at home I almost analyze her vocal and the way she sings and learns alot from her by that. So I would really learn something from her If I got that chance, and I would be so honoured of course to do that. Another one I would like to work with is Josh Groban. An amazing voice!!!

Q. Your album '11-22' has been very successful, what's next for Sanna Nielsen?

Sanna: I'm very proud of this album which contains songs from my early career to where I am today.This summer I will do my own concerts in Sweden. Also I am doing a tour with my dear collegues Sonja Alden and Shirley Clamp. We go under the name "three S" and we are touring around the country with about 15 concerts. I am so looking forward to that! We have also been giving the great honour to sing to our Princess Viktoria on her birthday the 14th July which is going to be so fun!

Q. Do you have any plans to enter Melodifestivalen in the future? (If you do we are sure you will win!!!!)

Sanna: Thank you! You can never say never=) I love that event and I never thought that I would participate there 4 times but I did, and I have said to myself that if there is a song for me that I just love to do and feels right for me, then I'll absolutely do that!=)

Q. What are you favourite Eurovision songs from this year's competition? (We love Norway's Guri Schanke with Ven A Bailar Conmigo)

Sanna: hmm.. I don't kow yet. I can admit that I have only heard one song, and I don't remember what country, but the singer was great. She had a big wounderful voice and sang a ballad and I love that!

Q. If you weren't one of Sweden's most successful young stars, what would you be doing instead?

Sanna: I really don't know! This is what I've wanted to do all my life! I love children so it would probably be something in that area, but I don't know.. I'm afraid to think of that *smile*

Q. You are always incredibly stylish, who designs your clothes?

Sanna: oh thank you!! Well I love clothes and Thomas Malmros is the designer in Sweden that I got to work with this year in melodifestivalen. And I'm very proud of that outfit and he as well as the stylist Eva Lind helped me to find clothes for those weeks in melodifestivalen. We went out and looked for them together and that gave me so much inspiration.

Q. Do you like to party or are you a girl who likes to be at home?

Sanna: I think I'm a little bit of both! I love to go out and dance with my friends and have a good time. But I don't do that very often since I work a lot! And when I work it's very important for me to get my sleep and that I am in a good shape vocally. Then I also love to be at home spending my free time with my family, maybe go to the cinema and relax! That's really therapy for me!

Q. Can you cook? What is your favourite meal?

Sanna: I learned to cook just 4-5 years ago, i mean really cook, not just macaronies or something like that. Me and my boyfriend love to make dinner together. It s an opportunity for us to really hang out actually! We both love asian food, and most Thai actually. So we make a lot of thaifood, green curry, red curry, wok! Spicy!

Q. You have a lot of support from fans in the UK; do you have a message for them?

Sanna: Oh to hear that is really amazing! It warms my heart. I really want to come to the UK and meet my fans. I really hope that i get that chance someday. I thank you all so much for all the support you are giving me! I have read letters from you and your comments on my website and it gives me such energy! Thank you soooo much=)

Sanna, thank you very much for your time. We wish you continued success in the future and we love you dearly. Keep up the schlager!!!

Sanna: Thank you!! Take care and I hope to see you soon.Love Sanna
Marty, Kethan, Shona and Penny
The Vodka Systems