Nina Persson, lead singer of The Cardigans, recalls that Ozzy Osbourne found her band's lounge-style version of Black Sabbath's 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' to be the "creepiest thing" he'd ever heard. This unexpected praise likely stemmed from the fact that she was a woman singing about very male-dominated themes.
Persson attributes The Cardigans' distinctive retro-inspired sound on their debut album 'Life'. She credits this style to a Swedish band called Eggstone, whose old studio equipment and BBC mixing desk created an otherworldly sonic atmosphere. By working with such unique tools, Persson's band was able to "shed whiny qualities" and forge a distinct sound.
Their collaborations with Mark Linkous from Sparklehorse also had a profound impact on their music, particularly the album 'Long Gone Before Daylight'. Persson explains how Linkous' songs inspired her own appreciation for Americana music. She reflects that embracing a more sentimental style allowed her to tap into raw emotions and vulnerability.
The Cardigans have also worked with other notable bands like Manic Street Preachers and Tom Jones. They share an affinity for Welsh culture, as well as a passion for community-driven creative endeavors. Persson credits illness with changing her perspective on life and art β cancer made her more appreciative of beauty in all forms, while chronic MS has taught her to cherish moments and not take anything for granted.
In recent years, the band members have faced challenges such as declining physical abilities due to family obligations, day jobs, and aging. Although they've expressed interest in working on new material again, logistics make it difficult at this stage of their lives. They draw inspiration from other bands like Suede and Divine Comedy, who demonstrate that creating meaningful music can be achieved even during later stages of one's career.
Persson attributes The Cardigans' distinctive retro-inspired sound on their debut album 'Life'. She credits this style to a Swedish band called Eggstone, whose old studio equipment and BBC mixing desk created an otherworldly sonic atmosphere. By working with such unique tools, Persson's band was able to "shed whiny qualities" and forge a distinct sound.
Their collaborations with Mark Linkous from Sparklehorse also had a profound impact on their music, particularly the album 'Long Gone Before Daylight'. Persson explains how Linkous' songs inspired her own appreciation for Americana music. She reflects that embracing a more sentimental style allowed her to tap into raw emotions and vulnerability.
The Cardigans have also worked with other notable bands like Manic Street Preachers and Tom Jones. They share an affinity for Welsh culture, as well as a passion for community-driven creative endeavors. Persson credits illness with changing her perspective on life and art β cancer made her more appreciative of beauty in all forms, while chronic MS has taught her to cherish moments and not take anything for granted.
In recent years, the band members have faced challenges such as declining physical abilities due to family obligations, day jobs, and aging. Although they've expressed interest in working on new material again, logistics make it difficult at this stage of their lives. They draw inspiration from other bands like Suede and Divine Comedy, who demonstrate that creating meaningful music can be achieved even during later stages of one's career.