Andi Almqvist profile picture

Andi Almqvist

RED ROOM STORIES out now!

About Me

I was born in Vienna on July 2. My father a Swedish mathematician, my mother an Austrian cello player. Due to dad’s line of work we moved around a lot during my childhood. America, the Soviet union and several eastern- and western European countries. This, of course, has influenced my music.

At an early age I started to fool around with different kinds of instruments. Piano, accordion, pump organ, guitar. Found out I had a special talent for singing and fronted several rock- and punk bands during my youth.
Inspired by the raw energy of Pixies, Nirvana and 16 Horsepower, the poetry of Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Bob Dylan, and the angst of Depeche Mode and Skip James, my own musical identity started taking form.In 2005 my first solo album “Can’t Stop Laughing” was released. It was recorded live in the studio in just three days. Vocals, two guitars and drums. Down to the core.
When I started to write the songs for “Red Room Stories”, I realized I needed a totally different approach. A bigger, heavier and more cinematic sound. It all fell into place when I met gypsy violin player, Sara Jefta and bass player, Jonas Hakansson in the beginning of 2007. They intuitively understood my music, playing strange ghost notes as well as writing beautiful string-arrangements. When drummer and multi-instrumentalist, Svante Sjoblom, joined the band the cast was complete.
"Red Room Stories" was produced song by song, giving each tune its own character.
- Andi Almqvist, October 4, 2007
Andi has toured with Woven Hand, BB King, Kaizer’s Orchestra, Bettye LaVette etc.
Booking: The Agency Group - Kalle Metz, Tel: 0046-(0)40-976250, Email: [email protected]
Label and management: Rootsy - Hakan Olsson, Tel: 0046-734 352 668, Email: [email protected]

Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Black

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 4/29/2006
Band Website: andialmqvist.com
Band Members: Andi Almqvist - Vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, organ Sara Jefta - Violin, accordion, vocals Jonas Hakansson - Electric bass, upright bass Svante Sjoblom - Drums, guitar, banjo

Influences: Trains and taxis. Sometimes aeroplanes but not that often.
Sounds Like: Andi Almqvist
Record Label: Rootsy.nu
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Mellotron

Har repat lördag och söndag och nu börjar det likna nåt! Nörrenberg spelar på det märkliga instrumentet mellotron och musiken låter obehagligare än nånsin. Europa ska få sin beskärda del av skräckrock...
Posted by Andi Almqvist on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:56:00 PST

Hårdkokt påsk

Det har varit en hårdkokt påsk.. Inget för amatörer. Man gör vad man kan för att döva smärtan. Nåväl... har äntligen skrivit klart en ny låt.. "The stars over Amsterdam". Det känns som att processen r...
Posted by Andi Almqvist on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:17:00 PST

The filanthropist

 I’m happy as a lark! Goddam! The world is a truly beautiful and inspiring place! My heart sprouts wings and flies around the planet with a message of peace! Isn’t it grand to be aliv...
Posted by Andi Almqvist on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:36:00 PST

RED ROOM STORIES - REVIEWS (in Swedish)

Albumet är ett av de bästa i år, en bländande uppvisning i att med enkla medel bygga dramatiska stämningar och att fånga in och hålla kvar lyssnaren. Man kan inte vika undan, man suger i sig varje lit...
Posted by Andi Almqvist on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:52:00 PST

Brno, Brno, sweet inferno...

Brno is my favorite city in the world. It's got that strange atmosphere you need to write songs and come up with weird tales. Brno is more charming than beautiful, but I prefer it to Prague ...
Posted by Andi Almqvist on Sun, 09 Sep 2007 05:28:00 PST

Red Room Stories

My album is finished and all is well. These are the song-titles: RED ROOM STORIES 1. Low-Dive Jenny 2. Red Room 3. Katzenjammer 4. Midnight 5. I Was Not To You What You Were To Me 6. Mother Natur...
Posted by Andi Almqvist on Sun, 10 Jun 2007 03:13:00 PST