of Lars J. Nilsson

So, I went to see Pain of Salvation live in Gothenburg last Sunday. It’s no big secret they’re one of my favourite bands, although I hesitate to call myself a “fan”. You see, I went to senior high school with Daniel Gildelöw, I have one of the earliest demos on tape from that time, and I actually bought their first album – Entropia - by transfering money to Daniels bank account after which he sent me an album. I feel like I’m a bit… *shrug* beyond fandom.First off, I was aiming for Cafe Caprese for a spot of lunch. However, as it was 5 minutes untill they was to open we investigetad why there was a lot of people in CD-Specialisten across the street. As luck would have it. That was because Pain of Salvation was to sign there, as well as play a short accoustic set. The set was mostly for the fun of it and there’s not much to say about it, if you’re interested you should listen to their album 12:5, which is completely accoustic. But when we had eaten, PoS was finished signing and I caught Daniel to exchange a few pleasantries. But not about the weather.The show was later in Musikens Hus. Nice club feeling. Or was it the few stiff ones I had before? Damn, it is so hard to judge that sort of stuff.Anyway, the setlist was:

• Scarsick
• America
• !
• Nightmist
• Handfull of Nothing
• New Year’s Eve
• Ashes
• Undertow
• This Heart of Mine
• Song for the Innocent
• Chainsling
• Diffidentia
• Flame to the Moth
• Disco Queen
• Encore: Hallelujah (Cohen)
• Encore: Used

Apparently, we got to hear “Song for the Innocent” instead of “Cribcaged”. That was too bad as the energy in the middle of the concert sank a little too low. Otherwise, a very good show. They do give a lot on stage, the energy was terrific. I personally would have liked to hear “Spitfall” and “Cribcaged” or “Enter Rain” from the new album played live. And “Hallelujah” was a rather strange choise, the song is popular in Sweden thanks to a certain Peter Jöback but in a Swedish translation and it’s… Absolutely awful. However, Daniel did get a few points in my book with the comment after the song: “This was a song about religion by Peter Jöback. Or it was a song about sex by Leonard Cohen. I can never remember.” Classic. Also the sound was not top notch. I experiemented with ear plugs, but they cut of everything between the highest trebble and the lowest base no matter how I used them. I believe the sound lacked middle register and as a consequence it didn’t feel as tight, nor as “punchy” as I would have liked it.That’s nitpicking though. T’was a very good show.

I spent new years eve with V+R and guests. They had this little “game” for the evening. Month by month everyone attending had to detail what they had done that particular month. Quite interesting actually. And even though my memory isn’t the best (I mean, who remembers what month easter was in? eh?) it made me realize that I’ve been wuite buzy after all.So without further ado, here’s some of the things I did 2006:Moved from Gothenburg to Stockholm. Started a new job (Tain). Started in 2 new choirs (St Jacobs Chamber Choir and Gustaf Sjökvist Chamber Choir). Subsequently left one of them (Sjökvist). Left Pro Musica Chamber Choir. Sang on the kings 60th birthday. Spent some time in Budapest. Toured Germany, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Did 3 tours in Sweden (Tällberg, Leksand, Växjö, Helsingborg, Stockholm, Mamlö, Gothenburg etc). Became press secretary / webmaster / lighting designer / driver for Båstad Chamber Music Festival. Went hiking 2 times (Hemavan, Grövelsjön). Left a job (Tain). Started yet another job (NetEntertainment). Recorded Missa Lorca by Corrado Margutti (including the solo baritone voice). Did a total of 18 christmas concerts.And so on…It’s been a good year.

I wish you all a very good new year. You’re all worth it.

And so the ultimate home away from home turns 3 years. Celebration is in order! In attendance, in order of random selection:

• Redeyed Jenna
• Mr Jones – Founding father
• Fungrim – The devil is in
• Drakmiklos
• Karin – The dancer
• The Matts of all Matts
• Anders K.
• The Sollerman
• Ola – The wagnerian
• Åsatro

Also featuring special guests “Matilda” and “Christian”. Please note that these aren’t their real names though.First order of the day, Moet et Chandon! My god, I think I created a monster. The one bottle of champagne was soon followed by 6 bottles of sparkling. Wheee!3 years ago, me and Mr Jones founded this damn thing. And since, The Club of Mondays have only missed one single monday where sickness and job related shore leave left the Stage Door empty. That makes… One hell lot of mondays.And Mr Jones have only missed 3 occasions. Count ‘em: 1-2-3. Good gracious me.It is funny, a lot of people have passed by during the years. At times it would be Mr Jones and me only. And at other time some 15 people. Lovely people. Lonely people. Lovesick people. All kinds of people. Friends and family. Amazing strangers and quiet guests. Loud opera singers and forlorn conductors. And yet, the core remains.Hang on! What fool ordered another bottle of sparkling?!And among the nights attendances where indeed several hard core members: Redeyed Jenna, Mr Jones, yours truly, Drakmiklos and The Matts of all Matts. Amazing stuff. (Can you remember the amounts of laughter we’ve had? The tears? I certainly can.)At this point, our collective thanks to The Stage Door. It wouldn’t be the same anywhere else. (Damn! We forgot to invite Mother and Thomas to the festivities. Well Mama, if you read this, know that we love you).That fish was really good. And, so I heard, was the meat. And as usual: the best hamburger in Gothenurg made it customary appearance on the table. Next anniversary, we’ll buy some flowers for cooks.And there was singing. Although I think it was by mistake and was widely regarded as a bad move from the rest of the table.Yes! We have pictures. Hurray!And so the night went.