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Making Music in SWEDEN

Sweden has been a headlining country, music-wise, for many years now, despite the possibility of hosting parties going up & down. When it seems as though everything has calmed down and it is possible to be creative again, the authorities start doing their best to prevent us from having fun...

Sweden is ruled by a social democratic party but in my opinion they are more on the right path and the politics are very much infected by the EU government since being in the EU for many years. This also affects the way they look at drugs. In Sweden you are not allowed to even have a small dose inside your body as this could lead to you being prosecuted.

Swedish people can at first seem to be very narrow minded, but that is just on the surface. As you get to know somebody you will see that there is a lot of depth and trust.

The climate is similar to the rest of Northern Europe; long, cold and dark winters but exceptional light summer and really fresh breezing springs! The best time to visit Sweden is of course the spring / summer. A cool trip to do, is to go to the north of Sweden where you experience the midnight sun. It is in the middle of July and the sun is shining for 24h! But you have to go far north, remember that Sweden is more that 2000 km long, the same distance from Gothenburg to Italy! To experience the midnight sun is a true psychedelic experience on a natural basis!

About the money situation, Sweden is still quite a rich country which doesn't really make it cheap here for tourists. To go to resturants and eat everyday isn't really a recommendation, but to buy your food in the local store would save you a lot of money! About finding somewhere to stay, it is always easiest

to go to the tourist information in the city you are visiting. They can always help you find a cheap hostel or hotel. In the summer time you can always camp where ever you like with your caravan or even your tent! Sweden has a law that makes all property legal for anyone to stay on for a SHORT while!

The fact is that there is a lot of action going on in Sweden. Basically small underground events and, as everybody already knows, our summer parties which are outstanding. Uncomparable! The techno culture in Sweden started establishing itself in 1988 with some legendary warehouse parties, and the trance scene entered a couple of years later. The most legendary parties are without a doubt the parties in Örebro between '94 – '96. Another existing milestone is The Arvika Festival which is organized every year in July. Around 15000 people from all over Sweden come to enjoy lots of experiemental music, big bands and a stage dedicated only to trance music. Last year the crazy idea was born out of having Infected Mushroom playing on the biggest stage, where New Order performed just a few hours earlier! Guess who attracted the most people? Right, Infected...Tells a little about how big trance is in Sweden...its a shame it wasn't even mentioned the day after in the Swedish tabloids...

Then the Monday Bar Crew and Tribalism Crew are making the most serious parties and clubs in Stockholm and they are bringing big headline acts to come and play for them.

For years we've had many skilled deco artists. Jamin Murphy from JM Design (ok he is american but has lived in Sweden for years.) Mandala Decorations, 3D Deco and Diffus Deco...Not to forget Nos. Different styles but all of them very good quality and artwork!

The record scene is also an issue, since not so many people are buying records anymore. There are just a couple of shops left for the real die hard vinyl junkies, which is quite sad since nowadays there are really no natural meeting points anymore. There are a few coffee shops where people meet instead, and of course, at parties and clubs!

The most popular artists include names like Atmos, Ticon, Etnoscope, Son Kite, and many famous dj´s. Anti, Peter Didjital, Bakke, Paulina Cewe.

I think that the scene will stay the same size as it is now. On the other hand, maybe being “underground” is what makes some parties in Sweden seem so special.