From Sweeden With Love

About ten years ago, the heart of the scene rested in Seattle, it moved to NYC, then to Chicago (for indie-rock, at least) and now, well, now it’s abandoned big cites. It’s abandoned this country, actually.

The newest rage in the underground (which, by the way, is coming into the mainstream) is Sweden. That’s right, Swedish bands are all the rage right now. And at the forefront of it all (at least in Mid-Missouri)is the band the Sahara Hotnights.

The Hotnights are a quartet of Swedish women aged 19 to 21 (actually, all about college age) that just plain rock. Forming in the early nineties in a Swedish town, the Hotnights consist of two sisters, Jennie Asplund and Johanna Asplund and two school friends, Maria Andersson Josephine Forsman. They formed the band in their earlier teens and recorded an EP to critical acclaim Suits Anyone Fine. A few years later, they released their album debut album, C’mon Let's Pretend, which received two Swedish Grammy nominations and critical praise, as well as huge sales in Sweden.

Fast-forward to 2000, and you have the record that has blown up KCOU’s charts, Jennie Bomb. Taking equally from Sleater Kinney, The Ramones, The Kinks and Veruca Salt, Jennie Bomb is a garage rock tour de force that defies influences, although they still have them.

Despite the relationships they have with one another, the recording process for Jennie Bomb

“I really don’t like being in the studio so far” Johanna said. “It’s just been so stressful.”

And while Jennie Bomb is a great album, the band thinks it was a bit rushed in the recording studio.

“Next time, we will take all the time we need.” Johanna said.

One thing they have enjoyed is touring. In Columbia, the band “ate at a good Mexican place,” Jennie said.

“You have good Mexican food. Just, the European food, food we can get in Sweden,” she said. “We know it better.”

As well, the Mooney Suzuki, the band’s touring partners has shown them a good time. “They have taken care of us the whole time,” Jennie said, “They have shown us a really good time so far.”

As for the future, they plan on doing more tours with Swedish band. The are paying a showcase at the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City later this month with (international) noise conspiracy and the Division of Laura Lee; two Swedish bands.

“We know them from playing festivals,” Johanna said.

“We’re very good friends with the other Swedish bands,” Jennie added. “We try to stick together.”

Hopefully, there is more to come.

- Ross J Gianfortune