About this user
UNIVERSAL POPLAB
In January 2002, vocalist Christer Lundberg and producer Paul Lachenardière shook hands over a couple of beers and a vegetarian meal, agreeing on plans to create a shimmering spectacle of synthpop art. In February 2004, their debut album, "Universal Poplab", was released. The album - and several singles from it such as "New Baby Boom", "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" and "Dice Roller" - achieved chart success in Sweden and Russia. With the addition of new member Hans Olsson, Universal Poplab has recently finished recording their second album.
Since the band members have very different backgrounds, the journey from plans to music can best be described as a series of creative wild mood swings. Christer is an old-school synthpop fan, influenced by acts like Soft Cell and Yazoo. Paul is a classically trained musician with roots in jazz, electronica, trance and techno. Hans is one of Sweden's finest producers and sound engineers.
Each member's creative output has also taken various forms over the years: Christer is not only a songwriter and singer. He also hosts his own daytime radio show on Swedish radio and has produced acclaimed TV documentaries. Paul is not only an accomplished producer. As well as being a skilled multi-instrumentalist, he creates music and releases records in such varied genres as trance and nu-jazz. Hans has produced, mixed and mastered records in many varied genres. (He has recently completed a tour of Sweden alongside pop wiz Timo Räisänen). It's in the meeting of these three different minds that magic is born.
Universal Poplab's music can best be described as sexy electronic pop spiced with powerful emotion. (This might have something to do with their recording studio's previous life as a porn theatre!)
Live, the band is a riot! Universal Poplab made their live debut in 2003 at the Scandinavian Alternative Music Awards, SAMA (where, two years later, they won the award for best album). Since then, UP have gained a dedicated following through their extensive gigging at clubs and festivals around the country.
In recording their latest album, each band member focused relentlessly on honing every aspect of the band's work - from song structure to lyrics and live performance - to ever greater heights of artistry.
The latest Universal Poplab single, the insanely catchy Could Say Im Sorry, (paired with the thought-provoking Vampire In You) demonstrates their growing achievements, both in musical and lyrical sophistication.
With further releases planned for the remainder of 2006, we can be sure that the only way is UP!
/Iggy Reilly
July 2006
