This MySpace is dedicated to the memory of Brandy Wahlén, a legendary figure on the original punk scene in Gothenburg, Sweden, as well as a remarkable and truly underground gothic artist. It is maintained by people who knew her and worked with her (see the blog).
In many ways, Brandy personified the early punk ethos, first as a fan and fanzine writer, then as an artist in her own right. She was funny, warm, thoughtful, creative, a restless free thinker, a loyal friend and sometimes a loud pain in the ass as well. Ever unpredictable, she could turn up at a local punk gig bare-breasted with her nipples painted bright red, and then proceed to spend the evening serving lemonade and home-baked buns to the audience. A white and black witch both, obsessed with skulls and skeletons as well as a tender mother to her cats.
In 1997, Brandy chose to end her life. She’s sadly missed.
Allein was Brandy’s first musical project based on her own material. Teaming up with violinist Elisabeth Johnsson, bassplayer Johanna Bontes and percussionist Låta, she formed a minimalistic four-piece that was active from 1981 to 1985, playing live sporadically as well as releasing two cassettes containing six songs each. Recorded on primitive home-recording gear and privately released and distributed, the cassettes were well recieved among the few critics and fans that got a chance to hear them. They didn’t provide Brandy with the basis for a career, but that was not her purpose. She stayed fiercely independent and underground by choice.
The songs on this page all derive from these two releases. There were no outtakes, so Alleins legacy is twelve songs, all of which will be rotated here.
So, we invite you to enter Brandy’s dark world of stabwounds and perfume, where everything is a violent obsession - life, death and not least love. The music is sparse, primitive and droning, yet energetic and surprisingly tuneful. And Brandy’s aching and doom-laden vocals - shades of both Nico and Robert Smith – belie the joy she projected when making her music. We hope you will be able to feel that too.
This page will be expanded further with more sounds and visuals. Add us, and we’ll keep you posted.
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