Album release May 19 2023!
(KAKACD058)

Livet Nord has toured the world with a wide range of ensembles, appeared in a sizable number of dance and theater productions in addition to being featured on at least sixty albums. In 2015, she had the distinction of being “Artist of the Year” at Sweden’s Folk and World Music Gala. And now Livet Nord is dropping her first solo album, Paperbird, brimming with musical influences from all over the globe and backed up by prominent musicians. 


It all started with a poetic and playful circus performance about a little girl grieving her dead pet bird. Livet Nord composed music and took part in the performance alongside Signe Veinholt, an acrobat and the author of the story creator of the performance, and the clown Karin Svensson. In one of the scenes, Livet makes a paper bird to comfort the grieving girl. Through the albumpropcess the paper bird has joined Livet but transformed into a Blackbird. Like the Blackbird that is said to come with a message of renewal, this album is about finding meaning in life in even the face of grief and anger. To embrace your feelings, but also to let go and move on.

The compositions certainly reflect aspects from Livet’s eclectic musical background, her inquiring mind and penchant for accommodating various styles and expressions. The melancholy polska ”Solace” is shoulder to shoulder with energetic minimalism, a lush landscape of strings, buoyant party music in, and a sparkling circus waltz with all the trimmings.

The final track is Livet’s own setting of the Stig Dagerman poem Nu slår en blomma ut (”A Flower is Blooming”) that was recorded in 2015.

In addition to Livet Nord, nineteen of Sweden’s most prominent musicians, all with distinctive modes of expression, bring their expertise and flavor to this production. 

Livet Nord - Violin quinton, kalimba, vocals, midi instruments
Daniel Wejdin - Double bass 
Camilla Åström - Accordion (1, 7, 8, 10)
Ruhi Erdogan - Trumpet (3, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Jonatan Ahlbom - Tuba (2, 7, 9, 10)
Nils Berg - Flute, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet (3, 10)
Jonas Knutsson - Soprano saxophone (9, 10)
Lisa Långbacka - Accordion, piano (4, 11)
Johanna Dahl - Cello (6, 11)
Johan Olsson - Accordion (9)
Henrik Cederblom - Banjo (3), electric guitar (5)
Sofia Sandén - Vocals (5)
Johan Testad - Vocals (5)
Ebba Westerberg - Drums, percussion (10)
Klas-Henrik Hörngren - Synthesizer (5)
Robert Svärd - Cajón (3)
Moa Danielsson - Bulgarian Tapas, Cymbals (9)
Mikael Broström Eric - Church Organ (8)
Klara Goliger - Wurlitzer (1)

All music (except for track 3) was written by Livet Nord.
Track 1-10 was composed in 2021 for the Swedish play Ska det vara såhär??!
Hide and Seek (track 3) is originally a trad. Yugoslavian children’s song, U Budimu Gradu. Arrangement by L. Nord.

Nu slår en blomma ut / A Flower is Blooming (track 11) was composed in 2011 and recorded in 2015. The lyrics are by Stig Dagerman.

Recorded in Siljansnäs, Rimbo, Stockholm, Malmö, Gothenburg, Leksand, Järna, Sundsvall and Oslo in 2021-2023 by Livet Nord and most of the musicians involved in this production. Joakim Fritzner recorded the accordion on tracks 1, 7, 8 and 10 at Sonya Studios, Gothenburg. Per Brehmer recorded the tuba on tracks 2, 7 and 9. John Runefelt recorded the Bulgarian tapas and cymbals on track 9. Johannes Lundberg recorded and mixed track 11 at Studio Epidemin, Gothenburg, in 2015.

Producer: Livet Nord.
Editing: Livet Nord and Klara Goliger.
Mixing: Klara Goliger (1-10), Music-A-Matic Studios in Gothenburg, Sept. 2022 to Feb. 2023.
               Johannes Lundberg (11), Studio Epidemin in Gothenburg, 2015 and 2023.
Mastering: Hans Olsson, Svenska Grammofonstudion, Gothenburg, Sept. 2022 to Feb. 2023.
Cover art and graphic design: Susanna Haverinen
Photographer: Daniel Björneke Wirgård
Origami art: Mio Nakamura / Japonica Origami
Styling: Nonno Nordqvist
Translation to English: Ingrid Eng
Video Art: Johannes Winkler


The album is produced with support from Musik i Dalarna and The Swedish Arts Council.