Scan Magazine

Agnetha Fältskog – Back On Your Radio

This month sees the release of A, the first album of original material by Agnetha Fältskog since 1987's I Stand Alone. It is an album that many assumed the former ABBA singer would never release. Her preference to stay completely out of the limelight and her refusal to do any promotion for her last record, the covers album My Colouring Book released in 2004, led many, and Agnetha herself, to believe that she was done with music.

The Right Tone

Launching your own television series, producing and releasing your first clothing line, becoming a judge on your country's top-rated TV talent show, and, not forgetting, taking your actual bread and butter - your singing career - to new heights. For Norway's biggest pop star Tone Damli, this is her to-do checklist for a tight, three-month period.

The Hives – In a league of their own

The Swedish rock phenomenon hailing from Fagersta known as The Hives prefer to be referred to as ‘the best rock band in the world’. After years of silence, they are finally back with a much-anticipated new album. Another continuous multi-year tour, having commenced this summer, brings the group to the UK this month. Scan Magazine caught a few moments with their frontman Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist.

Nightwish – pure metal magic

Nightwish, the grandmasters of metal, are back with a vengeance. After a long break, they are now spoiling their fans with a new album, a full-length film and a year-long world tour. Originally from Kitee, a small town in eastern Finland, Nightwish has become the most successful Finnish band abroad. Scan Magazine spoke to the band’s front man, songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen.

The Return of Ace of Base

Swedish supergroup Ace of Base are back! After an eight year hiatus, they have come back with their fifth studio album, The Golden Ratio. They will be returning to UK shores in 2011, but Scan Magazine met up with the group in Stockholm at the end of 2010. We wanted to talk about the new album, but also about the fact that the line-up is now a little different, too.

Sivert Høyem – Music after Madrugada

Sivert Høyem, the former frontman of Norway’s most successful rock band Madrugada, released his third solo album called Moon Landing in 2009 and embarked on a European tour in 2010. This included four gigs in the UK at the beginning of October, which gave Høyem the chance to reacquaint himself with the old fans of the band as well as attract a new audience for the next chapter in his music career. Scan Magazine caught up with him during his busy tour schedule.

Linda Lampenius – Wife, mother and violin virtuoso

In the 1990s Linda Lampenius became known as a striking Pamela Anderson doppelganger with some serious talent when it came to playing the violin. She was internationally famous with a definitive sex symbol status. But this media image might have missed the point, as Lampenius, more than anything else, is and always has been an exceptionally gifted musician.

The intangible charm of Lisa Ekdahl

The unique and treasured Swedish singer Lisa Ekdahl recently visited London to perform songs from her new album “Give me that Slow Knowing Smile”, just released in the UK. Along with numerous other Scandinavian fans, we went to see the concert and talk to the artist.