1. Bedhead
MP3 download
3. I believe
MP3 download
5. Days astray
MP3 download
In January 2002, vocalist Christer Lundberg and producer Paul Lachenardière shook hands over a couple of beers and a vegetarian meal, making plans to create a shimmering spectacle of synthpop art.
Two years later, their debut album "Universal Poplab" is released by independent record label SubSpace Communications.
The journey from making plans to music can best be described as a series of creative wild mood swings since the band's two members have very different backgrounds: 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. Each member's creativity has taken various forms over the years. Christer is not only a gifted songwriter with a strong personal voice; he also hosts his own daytime radio show five days a week on Swedish radio and has produced TV documentaries. Paul is not only an accomplished producer, he is a
skilled multi-instrumentalist who creates music and releases records in such varied genres as trance and nu-jazz. It's in the meeting of these two different minds that magic is born!
Universal Poplab's music can best be described as sexy electronic pop spiced with strong emotion. (This might have something to do with the recording studio's previous life being a porno theatre!)
On the album you'll find a wide spectre of music. From gentle love songs as "Dice roller" and "Any more than this" weaved between electrifying tracks as "I can't help myself" (with Paul as the lead vocalist) and "Days astray" to floor fillers as "Extasy" and the first single, the melancholic yet bouncy "Casanova fall".
The record also includes a cover version of Morrissey's "We hate it when our friends become successful" featuring the backing vocals of Sweden's most famous pop star, Håkan Hellström. Christer and Mr Hellström have known each other
since they were 16, and the song is dealing with the dark side of having famous friends…
Universal Poplab's most current single release, "New baby boom" (featuring Nina Natri from Homy and ex-Fidget), has gained a good grip on Swedish radio playlists and since this is just the beginning, the only way must be UP!
Live, the band is a riot! In 2003 Universal Poplab made their live debut at the Scandinavian Alternative Music Awards (SAMA), followed by a number of summer gigs. To name a few: The SubSpace Encounter in Malmö and the support show for German synthpop stars Melotron in Gothenburg. Whether dressing up in rabbit suits or sparkling body paint, you never know what to expect. The band's policy for live performance is always: Less is NOT more!
The story of Universal Poplab is not only a story of two people. Most of Christer's and Paul's close friends have given their help, love and support in the process of creating
this debut album. To name a few: Director Nicolas Kolovos (who hosted the entire video team during shooting for the "New baby boom" and "Casanova fall" videos), English lyric consultant Michael Nendick, make-up artist Cornelia Claesson, designer Artur Zarkowski of Vasasocial and music collective Gonkyburg (sound inspiration and feedback).
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the UP-family!