Scandinavian Soul Studio Sessions - COSIMA

I've been working on a project with Scandinavian Soul were we've taken three unknown, unsigned soulful Swedish artists/bands and recorded them. Last Friday we uploaded our first video with COSIMA and her band.

The idea came up when I started to hang out with an amazing person who came to be a really good friend of mine, Cas Lemmens. He's working at Spotify and we were talked about renting their studio to do projects. After weeks of planning and thinking our first video out of three got overwhelming response on social media.

Here's something Cas wrote that I'll forever save: 

Two months ago Sandra asked me to help with a project that would put the spotlight on new Soul talent in Scandinavia. I had to step way out of my comfort zone, learning how to do recordings in a professional studio, how to capture sound the best way, and how to take care of all technical details so that artists could perform at the best of their ability.

It was stressful, scary, sometimes even frightening, but that's nothing compared to the goose bump feeling you get when you're able to capture immense talent and share it with the world. 

I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity I received, for the skills I've learned and for being a part of an experience that's build on the love for soul, the love for sharing and the believe in the power of music.

Thank you Sandra for pushing me to do this. I'll be forever grateful! Thank you Andy and Scandinavian Soul for creating this intense musical experience. Thank you Harold for the countless hours I stole from your days to show me how to record in the studio. Thank you Camila and Gustav for capturing this moment so well. Thank you Karol for the detailed mixing and coping with my first recordings. Thank you Cosima and band for being the first artist I've ever recorded. You're onto an amazing career! More movies will appear over the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

The classic stone face pose :) 

I'm so happy to have been part of this amazing project! Thank you to everyone involved, to Cas, Camila, Gustav, Karol, Andy, Cosima and her band. Special thanks goes to Arní and the team at Noodle Mama for sponsoring us with food. It's been a journey and it continues with two more videos; Ever Say Ever and Istria!!!

Enjoy the beautiful voice of Cosima. Stay tuned soulmates :*

Sandy at skansen

Getting ready for Skansen! This was my second year at the biggest (and best) christmas market in Stockholm :) There is so much to look at; food, drinks, crafts, clothes you name it. Also kids get to sing traditional songs and dance to them - lovely!

Someone selling bread and buns, yummy!

Tadaaa! This was my little house! It was nice but cold, no heat whatsoever... As I was just standing there all day long my toe's were freezing cold.. as well were my fingers. But you actually get used to it and with some "glögg" and hot drinks I managed!

Quotes and good words.. love them. That's all I need to decorate my home with! 

Everything handmade by moí in Stockholm :) I sold pot coasters, photo blocks, glass coasters, candle light holders and graphical prints.

These were my neighbors, selling antique Swedish things like packages of milk from 1960. Cool and cute little booth!

This fire was in front of my booth, though the heat never reached me haha! The atmosphere at Skansen is super awesome and maybe I'll see you there next year. For now keep an eye on my blog and my etsy for more handmade items. 

Puss & Kram /Sandy

Life on a boats blows your mind

The view from Alfred blows my mind!!!! Here's an image from one of many evenings were Stockholm looked like a painting. So happy to be living on this boat and enjoy the beauty of Stockholm each day!

DJ Sandy & DJ Cas

Me and my awesome friend Cas play old vinyls together, like at this new bar called HEARTS located in the heart of Stockholm (central station) - guess that's were they name comes from :) 

DJ Sandy with a vinyl from The Temptations! Yeah! 

While doing our sets I drink loads of sprinkling water. I need more water in my life!!! Started to carry around a bottle that I always refill. Should have started long time ago and I already feel so much better!!

Being a DJ makes you get the best food ever. Good energy and Cas is great company! HEARTS serves super yummy food, go there!!!

We also recently played records at Under Bron, the hipster club in Stockholm. It's known for it's club called Trädgården where the "cool kids" hang out in the summertime. Now, with this awful cold, we're happy to be inside!!! 

Here's a favorite track that me and Cas always compete with.... who's playing it first? Hahaha! 

Breakfast with Philastian

Me and my neighbors Philastian enjoyed a cozy breakfast! I did my own bread with seeds and nuts, while they brough stuff for smoothie and homemade "lussebullar" (traditional Swedish bun made for christmas).  

My new awesome shoes get even more awesome while getting them warm around the pipe to my fireplace. Great idea haha! 

Thank you Simone for sending me them <3

In for treats

I've been sick for a couple of days now and it sucks! Time to make a change and get better. My friend Johan says he's drinking liters lemon water each morning and my friend Titti only buys vegetables & fruits. Today was the first day out of four that I left my home (fridge empty) and I seriously need to start influence my body and health with the things I'm eating! Also, water needs to be a priority.

Some good müsli from Renée Voltaire. I'll not eat any sugar or wheat and focus on food that's not been processed too much. Milk-products will have to step a side too for a while. Coffee as well. Just because I haven't had coffee for five days now it feels like my head will explode... I had this issue in New Zealand too and there it took me two weeks to feel "normal" again without coffee.

Some pasta made out of beans. Filled with fiber and protein!

Some good tea for breakfast.

Smoothie with: blueberries, fresh spinach, half banana, almond milk, different seeds, peanut butter and on top some müsli and almonds :-) Yummy!

I also bought pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. Looking forward to see what happens and how my body feels like! Sandra, you deserve a treat!!! 

Thank you someone!

Someone (WHO?!?!?) send me these awesome slippers. I've been really sick all week and now I can't breath through my nose... But these little gifts keep me warm and comfy. Boat life this winter is officially rescued :) Thank you someone, now tell me who you are!

In the mist

Photos by my friend Camila. In the mist shot on my boat Alfred! 

Green to yellow

Another session with Camila, walking through the autumn colors of Stockholm :*

Conducting the soul train

Me and my freind Cas had our first DJ Session together yesterday :) Nada Bar is a cozy little place located on Södermalm (SoFO) and it got really packed until we closed at 01.00. So awesome! Of course, we played the best mix of soul music, very much appreciated by our crowd!!!

There's a tune getting prepared right there!

Next time we'll try to live stream our event - yes there are more coming up :) But here's a link to a show of GroovyTracks were Cas was the most awesome sidekick ever!!

Thank you Cas, Camila, Nada Bar and the people who came to enjoy our grooves. Awesome night and I'm already longing for our next soul train!