Gustaf Heden, now 22, is a Swedish singer songwriter who left his home town of Malmo when he was 19 to travel to London where he spent 2 years pursuing his musical endeavors and is now based in New York.Heden gained European success and recognition last year with his previous London based band The Michelles.In May 2006 German based record label Kitty-Yo approached the band and signed them for a two-single deal, debut release being Heden’s song “Springtimeâ€, which sold out in under three weeks of it's European distribution and inspired TV and radio appearances in Germany and UK (XFM UK, BBC UK, German TV show). Heden's song was chosen to screen throughout Top Shop UK as part of a massive promotion campaign.Heden then decided that he was ready to embark on a new and more challenging musical direction. Heden left his band, sold his equipment, and travelled to New York City, armed with his substantially accumulating material, and inspired by his influences such as The Velvets, Elliot Smith, Patti Smith, Johnny Thunders, Richard Hell, The Strokes, Martha Wainwright, Television and The Only Ones to list but a few, and he began a striking pursuit of his solo performanceIn December 2006 Heden licensed his song "Springtime" for major world wide release (September 2007) to the critically acclaimed film "Two days in Paris' by director Julie Delpy with further world wide soundtrack release on November 9th 2007.Throughout 2007 Heden toured extensively America DIY-style on the Greyhound, performing in New York, San Fransisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and indulging his desires to play dirty impromptu shows, such as the infamous gigs of Savanna and Charleston, eventually ending up being approached by reputable rock and roll venues to book gigs including Club NME, The Viper rooms and Alan McGee's Death Disco in Los Angeles.As a result of performing Death Disco Los Angeles, he was introduced to Nik Leman - now producer of Dirty Pretty Things' second album - to record three of his latest tracks.These rock and roll songs now show a dark and edgier sound to the romantic pop songs written with his previous band and this new development show a greater level of song writing and experience.These tracks, including "Fucking Hippies" and "Sold The Rings", have been greatly anticipated, and, on completion received outstanding praises, gaining the attention of EMI Sweden, music director Andreas Nilsson (Bright Eyes/ The Knife), state side radio play, and The Fire Engines noted the songs as the best thing since Sgt. Pepper.Heden was then offered a composer position for Q department Sound Design NYC.After a successful show at The Mercury Lounge, Heden is now on a non-stop world tour, focusing this spring and summer on New York, Los Angeles, London and Berlin. See the listings and enjoy the gigs whichever city you're in...Further dates to be announcedBooking agent:
[email protected]
