A column about Stina Nordenstam's birthday

[paul-pgss]

Svenksa Dagbladet published a column by Andres Lokko about Stina Nordenstam (http://www.svd.se/kultur/en-saknad-arti ... 895851.svd), here's the translation:

Chronicle Andres Lokko

March 4th, 2012 at 02:00

Stina Nordenstam's birthday today.

I took a long walk in the sun yesterday. The walk stretched from Kungsholmstorg all the way to Haga and back to my new home in Birkastan. And when I walked east along Scheelegatan I suddenly thought of Stina Nordenstam. Then, when I reached the Haga Forum, the so-documented shady artist appeared up in my mind again. This is where I met her last. I could not quite remember how long ago it was and had to check it out.

That was eight years ago, maybe even almost nine. We ate a lunch in Haga forum.

We met there for the excellent magazine Sex and our lunch started out as a regular interview about her new album, The world is saved, but slowly moved it in a very open conversation about life, growing up, various forms of mental mountains and valleys and mountain climbing. The latter was Stina's passion at the time.

Since then I have not seen or heard from her again. Not a thing, no new music, not the slightest sign of life. Well, she sang in a slightly neglected album with David Sylvians Nine Horses project that came in 2007. But it is also the only one.

They talk so often about how well the Swedish music sells abroad. How we are the world's third largest exporter of pop music, although we are a small country. But in recent years in England, there is no Swedish artist so many people have asked me about than Stina Nordenstam.

Maybe it's because most are of my own age and was less affected by her classical records that I? And because she has been silent for so very long?

But more than anything else, it is enough to say Stina Nordenstam is such a unique artist with such a personal appeal and phrases that no one really has come close to taking her place. It's probably also why there are so many people really wonder what she is doing, how she feels and if she really has retired from music.

I have also noticed in the British press and radio how she has managed to remain such an obvious reference and inspiration. Despite eight years of silence is Stina Nordenstam beyond Sweden's borders no name needs to be explained when she is still most often cited as a role model by younger artists or bands. So I know I'm really not alone in that long for new music by Stina.

The last thing that was written in stinanordenstam.com was a birthday greeting to the day four years ago.

Stina, if you happen to read this somewhere, let us know. You, your voice and your songs are so deeply missed.

But, above all, hope you get a really nice birthday.

[sound world]

I saw that the other day, but curiously it was only the first few paragraphs.

Anyway, that's beside the point. I think he puts very well what I for one am feeling. It's a huge shame that an artist as unique and special as Stina has seemingly vanished. Today I happened to listen to 'The Miracle', from before the start of Stina's career proper, a track that never made it onto a commercial album but already shows a poise and brilliance that is rare indeed.

[paul-pgss]

If I remember it correctly Lokko has interviewed Stina quite some times in the past. So perhaps Stina will respond to his column an lets him know what she is up to. Let's hope so. Some news would be appreciated.