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This Swedish Indie pop group has been a personal favorite of mine for quite some time. After forming in Stockholm, Sweden back in 2007, they became a huge international sensation with their self-titled album, Miike Snow. Their next album is still untitled, but will be released in 2012.
Miike Snow consists of Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, and Andrew Wyatt. Karlsson and Winnberg were childhood friends who worked together playing in various bands and studio projects throughout Gothenburg. Karlsson then took a brief stint touring with The Fugees as a member of a Swedish Hip-Hop group named Goldmine. They later reunited in Stockholm to write a Pop album for Britney Spears. While working on her album, lo and behold, the pair met their third member, American songwriter, Andrew Wyatt. Karlsson and Winnberg had already generated a lot of success under the name Bloodshy & Avant, working with well-known artists such as Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and Kelis. The two even won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording for Britney Spears’ Track Toxic. But the duo turned trio took on a new identity as Miike Snow.
The name Miike Snow apparently comes from a mutual friend named Mike Snow, but beware of the pronunciation! The Miike comes from Japanese film director Takashi Miike (as in ‘Mee-kay’). I’ve made this mistake many times and so has the world, pretty much. Due to everyone’s consistent mispronunciation, the band has basically opted for the ‘Mike’ Snow title, to help us poor fools out.
Miike Snow’s first album, Miike Snow, was recorded back in Stockholm and released here in the States in June of 2009 by Downtown Records. Their single, Animal, was released earlier that year in February and definitely made an impression and juiced up the hype for the album. Both singles, Animal and Black & Blue, made it to the BBC Radio 1 Playlist B-List.
The Guardian, accurately describes Miike Snow as
coolly emotional pop suggests a-ha meets Animal Collective.
They made such a splash in Europe and here in the United States, that during an interview with ClashMusic.com, even Miike Snow’s own Wyatt revealed that,
I don’t think our project was that thought out when we started. We just wanted to make music together. Three people just messing about. I don’t think we anticipated the level of attention that it’s getting right now. We didn’t even think about touring when we started the album.
Miike Snow is also widely known for remixed tracks by many big-time artists including, Passion Pit, Kings of Leon, Vampire Weekend and more. One of their tracks in particular was originally a collaboration with Crookers, titled Remedy. They fancied it so much they made their own version, In Search Of.
Miike Snow’s music is uplifting and magically enjoyable. I had the first album on repeat on my IPod. Now that Miike Snow has just announced on November 29 that their new album is complete, I can’t wait to see what’s in store.
Make sure to support Miike Snow on Beatport and check out the Facebook page to keep updated on their upcoming release!
Here’s a new single from their upcoming album! I hear great things coming!
And don’t forget about some of their fan-favorite classics!
Sabali – Amadou & Mariam (Miike Snow Remix)
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