Shout Out Louds is a popular indie-band from Sweden. That’s a simple summary of a way bigger movement. The music is charismatic, fun, and thoughtful. That is particularly blatant on their newest release, “Work”. The lead single, “Walls” is arresting and irresistible and that is just where it begins. Shout Out Louds have crafted their own niche in music that is finally getting noticed. My friends who love rock (particularly, the alternative and indie sects of it) not only know them, but now my friends who might not have taken notice unless MTV told them about the band, now also appreciate, know, and rock out to Shout Out Louds. Shout Out Louds are on a Summer U.S. tour starting in May, promoting “Work”, and trying their best to keep the volume up.
I have girl-talk with band member, Bebban Stenborg (backing vocals, keys, accordion… not to mention the only girl.) We talk about Sweden, music, and about the invasion.
Shout Out Louds grew up together as friends first and band mates, second. A rarity in an industry of manufactured musical acts. I pondered about how that changes the dynamic and Bebban had a lot to say about it. “We know each other better than most friends do, we spend more time together than we do even with our families. I can’t really picture being in a band where the relationships between the band members are on a strictly professional level, but on the other hand the actual closeness in our friendship can suffer a bit from all that time we have to spend together in such close quarters. It calls for some kind of effort for each individual to separate themselves from the group somehow. It doesn’t compare with any other relationship in my life. I don’t see any of my other friends in their skivvies every day.” With the closeness of the band, I assumed that the debut album might have personally meant something more to the band, but it wasn’t the actual release of the album that meant the most to the rock heavyweights. “The album itself is just music we made, regardless of it being the first album. I have listened to it maybe twice in my life. But touring for it and everything that comes from doing that has meant everything to us.”
I couldn’t speak with the beauty and the band without asking about their latest venture, the hypnotizing “Work”. “Simplicity, the Velvet Underground, the way old things never seem to break, and looking back in time for reassurance about the present” are some inspirations the band cited for the new work. When it comes to the other inspirations, she had this to say. “Everything except commercial radio the way it is now.” There are heavy pop undertones to their new-wave rock; I asked if this was conscious or an unconscious effort. She responds, “No, that’s just how we sound, conscious or unconscious.”
Shout Out Louds have been featured in many mainstream avenues like the popular television shows “The O.C.”, “One Tree Hill”, and hit film “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist”. I asked if the more popular exposure is important to the band. “Probably, but we haven’t experienced any differences that are directly related to any of it first hand.”
I dived into the stuff that makes the group unique like the creative process and Swedish roots. On the writing process, Bebban shares that it comes very easy. “Adam [lead vocalist] usually comes to the practice space with something, a full on demo of practically an entire song or just a few chords, and what ever it is we take it on as a group from there.”
Lykke Li, Quadron, and Shout Louds (to name a few) are all Swedish musical acts that have penetrated America’s music scene to many of music-lover’s delight. I inquired about if Sweden was fashioning itself behind Britain and planning some kind of an invasion and she wittingly replies, “You are beyond invaded already, haven’t you noticed?” and she concludes with what exactly makes Sweden such a unique space for music and stardom.
“The fact that we are a country of only 9 million people and were still able to scrape together enough amazing bands to invade America.”
We get in a little deeper in what Bebban is really excited for which is the U.S. tour. When asked what American fans can expect, she divulges. “They can expect us to be very excited to see them. And an intern bass player, interestingly enough. Our Ted is having a baby and will sit this one out, but he’ll be back with us in time for our next US tour. Oh, and a band called The Franks jumping on the tour on the west coast. They’re really fun.” With imagery being just as important in live shows and videos, I asked about the importance of style and imagery. “We all find the idea of it mattering it intriguing.”
The fact that Shout Out Louds can participate in so many projects and be so precise with what they want visually and sonically is astonishing when considering their major record label deal. I asked about the biggest differences and which she (and the band) preferred. “Independent for conversation and good times, major for promotion days and airport rides… Honestly, both options serve their purpose and have tons of advantages. We care infinitely more about the actual people we deal with ourselves than we do of what label they work for. Except when they work for Merge, our love for that label goes back to before we were even a band. And they’re great, at everything.”
We concluded the conversation and asked what Shout Out Louds’ fans can look forward to in the future and if there are any other projects fans can look forward to. “Many. But right now we are remixing a song from the Freelance Whales, our main support act on this tour, and they’re doing the same for us. I listened to ours again this morning and it sounds brilliant.” It does, in fact, sound brilliant and fans have great reason to be excited, but the band really wants one thing for their fans to walk away with after listening to “Work”. “Confidence in the future of music and their love of it intact.” Huge requests, but if anyone can get their voices heard, it’s the talented musicians of Shout Out Louds.
Shout Out Louds kick-off the U.S. leg of their tour starting Sunday. Go to www.shoutoutlouds.com for tour dates and more information on the band and when they will be in your city
