Amandine

The story of Amandine starts in a small Swedish town called Sandviken. A place known mostly for its Iron works and its vicinity to slightly larger city Gävle. It is also the birthplace of Olof Gidlöf and John Andersson, who together with two friends crafted country-inspired pop songs for their own amusement and inbetween commitments to other groups. University studies had the two relocated to Umeå, further north and known as a music city in Sweden.

The story of Amandine starts in a small Swedish town called Sandviken. A place known mostly for its Iron works and its vicinity to slightly larger city Gävle. It is also the birthplace of Olof Gidlöf and John Andersson, who together with two friends crafted country-inspired pop songs for their own amusement and inbetween commitments to other groups. University studies had the two relocated to Umeå, further north and known as a music city in Sweden.

There they met two friends, both named Andreas, who joined the band in 2003 after illness and family commitments forced a change in the original lineup. Including more pop and rock tendencies, new demos were recorded that led to contact with British label Fatcat records (Múm, Sigur Rós, Animal Collective etc.) who in the spring of 2005 released Amandine’s debut album This is Where our Hearts Collide. The album was well received showcased a band eager to delve into slow and lyrically poignant songwriting. Reviewers and audiece pondered the proposed link between Swedish folk music and traditional Americana, a connection not as distant in sound as in mileage. Touring in both US and Europe followed the release and 2006 saw the addition of violinist Kristina Lundin as well as the release of two new EPs, Leave out the Sad Parts, released in the US in March and followed by a monthlong tour all over the states with Sub Pop’s Fruit Bats.

And in October, the six track ep Waiting for the Light to Find Us hit the stores and the band toured Europe for a month, playing shows in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, England and Holland. Summer 2006 was spent all over Sweden, writing and recording the follow-up album. Produced by Ove Andersson again but taking a rather distinct turn from previous recordings, basic tracks were recorded live in the small sea-side village of Ratu. Solace in Sore Hands found inspiration in Swedish authors such as Torgny Lindgren and Lotta Lotass and was centered around the theme of redemption. It was released in Europe April 16th, 2007, and in North America on June 5th through Fatcat records.

Amandine toured in Europe 2007 and 2008. Amandine: John Andersson – piano, accordion, occasional banjo Andreas Bergqvist – drums and percussion Olof Gidlöf – vocals, guitar, banjo, dulcimer Andreas “Bosse” Hedström – bass, backing vocals Kristina Lundin - Violin, viola & harmonies User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL..