The Swede Beat Magazine- Swedish culture at your fingertips

Practically everyone went to school with one of them. You’ll find at least one or two in most workplaces. They are your buddies and sometimes your bosses. These men and women come in all shapes and sizes. Some are famous, while others are not. You’ll find them on the stage, driving the bus, putting out fires, riding bicycles, in the supermarket, on the dance floor, at the gym, next-door, in coffee shops and bars. If you’re lucky you’ll get to date one. If that goes well it can lead to marriage, in which case you could become one yourself!

So, what are we talking about here? “The Sons of Sweden” aka those who share the most common suffix “son” in Swedish surnames.

JENNIE ABRAHAMSSON
While The Sun's Is Still up and The Sky Is Bright (How Sweet The Sound, 2009) is the latest contribution of singer Jennie Abrahamsson, a relatively new addition to Sweden's indie pop scene.
Her latest album is about the search for a home and love and the exploration of life. Jennie went from the calmness of far north of Sweden, to the vibrant city of New York, and finally ended up in the creative capital of Sweden, Stockholm.

Even if Abrahamsson's heart beats fast for the energetic cities of New York and Stockholm, her music manages to keep a mellow and calm feel inspired by the nature of the far north.

When The Sun Is Still Up and The Sky Is Bright is a beautiful blend inspired by fast-paced cities, peaceful nature and life.

DAVID ANDERSSON AND MARTIN LARSSON
It's all about being in the right place at the right time, just like the piece by designed by David Andersson and Martin Larsson when it was spotted by Karl Lagerfeld around the neck of one of his team members.
It makes perfect sense that Lagerfeld was drawn to David & Martin's finely crafted, clean and modern jewelry, which is akin to the designer's love of the monochromatic.
Soon after the discovery, the pair began crafting pieces for the Lagerfeld Gallery.

The jewellery brand David & Martin was borne out of a mutual interest in art house film, fashion and contemporary art.
However, they’re more than Lagerfeld’s favorites, David & Martin aim to create timeless pieces, but if one seeks a trendy or disposable piece it's best to stick to the accessories rack at H&M.
www.davidandmartin.com

ROBERT SVENSSON
To a Swede, the name Robert Svensson sounds like it belongs to a middle-aged plumber, a cheerful neighbor, or possibly an accountant.
In this case, the title belongs to a quintessential Swedish popster, one who is blond with a touch of shyness and mixes classic pop with electronics beats.
With catchy songs like "1987" and "1991," Svensson still sounds very much like Stockholm 2009.

Svennson finds that perfect balance of cheerful tunes and melancholic lyrics and uses them to represent the confusion Swedes generally feel about love and life.

“Late Night Show”, the first single of Jennie Abrahamson's latest album was highlighted by a summery remix by Mr Svensson.
The remix was released by How Sweet The Sound and is excellent collaboration of two of Sweden's talented “son's”. Click here to buy the single
www.myspace.com/robertosvensson

THERESA ANDERSSON
Long walks along the Mississippi River and peaceful moments on a sunny porch in the American South are two main inspirations from Swedish native, New Orleans transplant jazz singer, Teresea Andersson.
Her passion for jazz grew strong on her first visit to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Years later, Andersson relocated to the city with her boyfriend at the time and jazz musician Anders Osborne.

Her new house played an essential role in composing her latest album Hummingbird!Go! (Basin Street Records, 2008).
It is where she recorded her demos, completed her album, and filmed the popular video for the tune “Na Na Na” (70.000 views on YouTube).

Andersson plays most of the instruments on the album, with exception on two duets: one with New Orleans producer Allen Toussaint and the other with Norwegian Singer Ane Brun.
The album was recorded in her kitchen, using everything but the sink, adding an organic touch to an experimental jazz DIY album.
The album was later produced in Sweden by Swedish songwriter and recording artist Tobias Fröberg (who also helped record The Last Tycoon for Peter Morén, of Peter Bjorn and John).
The sounds of helicopters, sirens and bird tweets can be heard on the album, giving it the right organic touch. A lovely musical experience offering the best of both; the American South and Swedish countryside.
www.myspace.com/theresaanderssonmusic

MARCUS SAMUELSSON
Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson has come a long way from being orphaned in Ethiopia. After the tragedy, Samuelsson moved to Sweden where he lived with his grandmother who was her own version of a professional chef.

Now, years later, he's taken the culinary world by storm as well as the worlds of academia, television and books. In 1991 he arrived in the United States he met Hakan Swahn, the owner of the restaurent Aquavit and was soon asked to apprentice at the restaurant.
From there, he went on to become executive chef at the tender age of 25.
Although he's under 40, he's received many top accolades including; a three star restaurant review from The New York Times, The Best Chef: New York award from the James Beard Foundation and Best Cookbook at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

Aquavit Grill & Raw Bar - Stockholm was opened in February of last year. A few months later, Aquavit Restaurant of Tokyo introduced Swedish food to Japan. The Aquavit menu is filled with traditional Swedish dishes -- some cooked with French techniques, and many variations of the drink the restaurant is named for, aquavit. In keeping with tradition, the decor at all of the restaurants has a decidedly Swedish ambiance; all of the decor is created by Sweden's top designers.
Unlike some chefs who let stardom overshadow their food; Marcus has stepped up his culinary game and continues to rise. He is the co-founder -- with Hakan Swahn -- of the Townhouse Restaurant Group, an international restaurant management and consulting company. Besides his culinary and business endeavors, Marcus gives back by serving as an ambassador for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.