groenalund
Junior Member
https://youtu.be/k-8xV8k9FYc NEW Greonalund Song "Just a Story"
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Post by groenalund on May 26, 2021 15:21:17 GMT
 Hello from Germany, My name is Martin and I am an Abba-Fan since 1979, since I heard Gimme, Gimme, Gimme for the first time as an 8 year old. I heard a lot of music in different styles since that time and became a composer and musician, working in my own studio in Germany/Cologne for several customers. My fandom had a mighty comeback in the early 2000s and since then I was thinking about combining my profession as a composer and producer with my adoration for ABBA. As I attended the opening of Abba theMuseum in Stockholm in May 2013, I had some minutes with Frida, and couldn't hardly talk with her, because the inner 8 year old, was so shocked to see her as a real person. However, she was very nice to me and signed my Super-Trouper Notebook. I even saw Benny and Björn running around. The opening ceremony and this fantastic museum gave me a big kick of inspiration. When I returned home, i immediately began to compose a bundle of new songs.
And this songs became my own project called Groenalund, like the beautiful quarter of Stockholm, where i got hit by this energy wave of inspiration. I had to build my studio first around this idea, because I wanted to achieve that classic wall of sound, you can hear on the records of the 70ies and early 80ies. So I needed special instruments and microphones and had to do some research, how to come close to this sound in the 21st century. One thing was for sure, I wanted to record with original instruments only, no modern sampling Libraries would be allowed and no drum computers, just real musicians and real instruments.
This way of producing is somehow out of fashion, because it needs a lot of time and Know How, to do it well.
I found some articles and interviews with Mike Tretow, looked closely at the studio photos of Abbas recording sessions and began to produce. The first results wer disappointing. Off course. But giving up was not an opportunity...
And now, 8 years later, the studio is ready for a fat classic sound, 11 songs are written and nearly recorded completely, and I worked with a lot of musicians all over the world.
One highlight was last year, when I returned to Stockholm again and recorded some guitar Tracks with Janne Schaffer and his golden Les Paul.
You can hear him playing this famous guitar in several Abba-Recordings, like Dancing Queen, Super Trouper etc. he attended 50 classic Abba-Tracks. I had 2 fantastic studio days with him and heard a lot of heartwarming stories about his time with Abba. "Eagle" was always one of my favourite tracks, and now I worked with the man, who printed his unique guitar sound as an essential ingredient to this track. Someone had to pinch me.
The other day I was in Benny Anderssons studio, to record with his mighty GX1, the synthesizer, you hear on the ABBA-Albums from Voulez-Vous on. And I recorded on his Grand Piano for our ballad "forgiven".
i was completely exhausted after this intensive days, but i had some nice recordings with me, that now are all integrated in the new Groenalund-Songs.
I was shocked in 2018, when I heard about the new Abba-songs. I was sure, they would never produce new songs. Perhaps I never would have started my band, if i knew that earlier.
But now I am in the unpleasant situation to have my Album ready in December this year, when Abba announced to bring out their new songs.
Lets hope, my band will look not to small beside the giant role model.
We even recorded one Cover-version of "Just like that", to show our deep respect to Abba. This version is as close to the original in our interpretation, as we can get. It will be released in late Summer I think.
Im happy, to share my Abba-stories here and would feel very happy, if some people here give our music a chance. Our music is very Abba-influenced, but never steals obviously and has some other references too.
We try to be unique, we are not a cover band!
im looking forward to meeting all of you here in the forum,
Martin
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groenalund
Junior Member
https://youtu.be/k-8xV8k9FYc NEW Greonalund Song "Just a Story"
Posts: 10
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Post by groenalund on May 26, 2021 16:54:34 GMT
This article was the step by step plan to follow, when building my studio for my project Groenalund. I think I can recite it by heart forward and backward. My heart stopped for a moment, when i found this article. A lot of answers were in there for me. |
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Post by gamleman on May 26, 2021 20:05:48 GMT
Hi Martin, I am always interested to know the song or album that initially attracted someone to ABBA. When I first heard "Gimme Gimme Gimme", its 'electronic' backing track indicated to me that this was ABBA taking a new direction - it sounded very modern or 'cutting edge' at the time. And wow, I am impressed that you have embarked on such a project. I will certainly be interested in hearing the results. The fact that you have chosen to produce a cover of "Just Like That" which is faithful to ABBA's original really pricked up my ears - this is one of my favourite ABBA tracks and I consider it to be almost a crime that they never officially released their original in a full-length version. In fact, I am still hoping that they will include a completed version among the new songs. I wouldn't be too worried about releasing your album in December. Actually, my understanding is that they will release new material in the Autumn (so before December) and not necessarily all the new songs. Indeed, your album could ride the wave of interest generated by the new ABBA material, so your timing may be ideal. How are you intending to market your album? Will it just be a digital release? Are you planning a worldwide release or just in selected countries? I hope that we'll be able to buy it here in the UK  |
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Post by tagaytay on May 26, 2021 21:21:15 GMT
I will be eagerly waiting the release of your album! Im happy, to share my Abba-stories here and would feel very happy, if some people here give our music a chance. Our music is very Abba-influenced, but never steals obviously and has some other references too. |
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Post by abbafishballs on May 26, 2021 22:12:25 GMT
Martin... Thank you for posting. Best of luck with your music. Because of your post and gamleman's comments on "Just Like That" I went to YouTube and listened to that song for the first time ever. A good choice for a cover. What a bonus to get to meet Frida.
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groenalund
Junior Member
https://youtu.be/k-8xV8k9FYc NEW Greonalund Song "Just a Story"
Posts: 10
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Post by groenalund on May 27, 2021 14:40:19 GMT
Hi Martin, I am always interested to know the song or album that initially attracted someone to ABBA. When I first heard "Gimme Gimme Gimme", its 'electronic' backing track indicated to me that this was ABBA taking a new direction - it sounded very modern or 'cutting edge' at the time. And wow, I am impressed that you have embarked on such a project. I will certainly be interested in hearing the results. The fact that you have chosen to produce a cover of "Just Like That" which is faithful to ABBA's original really pricked up my ears - this is one of my favourite ABBA tracks and I consider it to be almost a crime that they never officially released their original in a full-length version. In fact, I am still hoping that they will include a completed version among the new songs. I wouldn't be too worried about releasing your album in December. Actually, my understanding is that they will release new material in the Autumn (so before December) and not necessarily all the new songs. Indeed, your album could ride the wave of interest generated by the new ABBA material, so your timing may be ideal. How are you intending to market your album? Will it just be a digital release? Are you planning a worldwide release or just in selected countries? I hope that we'll be able to buy it here in the UK Hey Gamleman, Lets hope the best for a positive wave of interest. There will be CDs and Vinyls. Spotify or YouTube will just see two or three songs for marketing, because a musician does not earn anything there unless he belongs to the 1% of superstars that have special contracts with Spotify. So i will send the copies worldwide, but i don't know at the moment how expensive it would be, to send a copy to UK or Australia at the moment. |
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groenalund
Junior Member
https://youtu.be/k-8xV8k9FYc NEW Greonalund Song "Just a Story"
Posts: 10
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Post by groenalund on Oct 8, 2021 1:33:58 GMT
🍀♥️PREMIERE ♥️🍀 ‼️Today‼️ ⬆️Link: ⬆️ 🕖7 p.m. / 19:00 Uhr Groenalund - Just A Story (Official Music Video) On YouTube Would love too see you there! |
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groenalund
Junior Member
https://youtu.be/k-8xV8k9FYc NEW Greonalund Song "Just a Story"
Posts: 10
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Post by groenalund on Oct 8, 2021 1:40:27 GMT
Hello, We are a new band from Germany and we are directly influenced by that classic Abba-Sound. Please visit our website
Today our new song "Just a story" has premiere on YouTube: 🍀♥️PREMIERE ♥️🍀 ‼️Today‼️ 🕖7 p.m. / 19:00 Uhr CET Groenalund - Just A Story (Official Music Video) Special Guest: JANNE SCHAFFER |
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groenalund
Junior Member
https://youtu.be/k-8xV8k9FYc NEW Greonalund Song "Just a Story"
Posts: 10
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Post by groenalund on Oct 22, 2021 0:20:25 GMT
Save the date 29.10.21
on YouTube and on all platforms.
Here is a teaser:
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Post by gamleman on Oct 30, 2021 9:41:04 GMT
Well, here is some more cheery news... today, the German group Groenalund have finally released their version of "Just Like That", which they have tried to make as close to the ABBA demo as they could. I think it's rather good and I wish them the best of luck with it.
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 26, 2022 15:47:33 GMT
As per usual late to the party..lol.. don’t ask me why but up to today I hadn’t listened to the above clip by Groenalund, ( I know nothing about them, are they some kind of tribute band ? ).
That said, the version is pretty good and annoying at the same time, it feels somewhere between Abba and Gemini versions a mid tempo ? , The annoying bit is that the song/track is there to be heard properly by ABBA in what ever tempo is the one for them... Ok it’s not a Top 10 best ever track, it may be for some of us...but it’s not bad very listenable, or have we been so brainwashed in thinking it’s so good....or will it always remain the track that got away......
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Post by gamleman on May 24, 2022 14:51:13 GMT
It's a mystery as to why JLT would be a recent addition, when it has been recorded by other artists over the years, including Bjorn Again. It's tempting to think that ABBA may have reconsidered it for "Voyage", perhaps under the influence of Agnetha and Frida, and maybe even attempted to re-record it. However, the German group Groenalund released their version in the immediate aftermath of "Voyage", so perhaps it found its way into the catalogue through that event.
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Post by justabba on May 24, 2022 15:14:36 GMT
It's a mystery as to why JLT would be a recent addition, when it has been recorded by other artists over the years, including Bjorn Again. It's tempting to think that ABBA may have reconsidered it for "Voyage", perhaps under the influence of Agnetha and Frida, and maybe even attempted to re-record it. However, the German group Groenalund released their version in the immediate aftermath of "Voyage", so perhaps it found its way into the catalogue through that event. That would work only if Groenalund is released by universal and if it was officially released in the uk (very doubtful imo)... |
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Post by Liebezeit on May 25, 2022 6:54:45 GMT
It's a mystery as to why JLT would be a recent addition, when it has been recorded by other artists over the years, including Bjorn Again. It's tempting to think that ABBA may have reconsidered it for "Voyage", perhaps under the influence of Agnetha and Frida, and maybe even attempted to re-record it. However, the German group Groenalund released their version in the immediate aftermath of "Voyage", so perhaps it found its way into the catalogue through that event. That would work only if Groenalund is released by universal and if it was officially released in the uk (very doubtful imo)... Doubtful? Phonographic rights and composition rights are different matters.
Given that Groenalund are an independent releasing rock band that mainly makes Svensk-flavored original rock songs (and had Janne Schaffer guest in the label), they don't have to be directly signed to Universal Music's label to release Just Like That! But they could seek direct permission from the publisher / songwriters who owns the composition rights to Just Like That - in places where compulsory licensing isn't much of a thing for music. To my best memory, groenalund has confirmed they have the permission from Universal Music to cover that song, through a teaser video that is now deleted. It might not be official as you would define (released by Universal Music - released in the UK, in your own words), but it's a sign that ABBA has acknowledge that somebody out there wants to take their older lesser known songs and just make it their own. |
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Post by paulman on Jan 29, 2023 9:40:20 GMT
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Post by chron on Jan 29, 2023 11:52:53 GMT
I'd be wary of any band trying to carry on another band's 'legacy' and, to be undiplomatically frank, Groenalund appear pretty shamelessly to be trying to hitch a ride to commercial success on the coattails of ABBA. What you're ideally looking for is a band whose modus somehow encapsulates something of ABBA's essential creative spirit without it mining the latter's sound, style or image in any blatant, imitative way (warning systems should to be prepped and ready whenever any two-girl-two-boy bubblegum-type group hoves into view). I ought to hear more of their stuff before judging, but on the basis of a brief listen, nothing especially grabs me about Groenalund's music—the vox, as is so often the case, are qualitatively streets behind ABBA's. |
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Post by HOMETIME on Jan 29, 2023 18:55:13 GMT
There are other bands to look out for who carry on Abby's legacy. I'd be wary of any band trying to carry on another band's 'legacy' and, to be undiplomatically frank, Groenalund appear pretty shamelessly to be trying to hitch a ride to commercial success on the coattails of ABBA. What you're ideally looking for is a band whose modus somehow encapsulates something of ABBA's essential creative spirit without it mining the latter's sound, style or image in any blatant, imitative way (warning systems should to be prepped and ready whenever any two-girl-two-boy bubblegum-type group hoves into view). I ought to hear more of their stuff before judging, but on the basis of a brief listen, nothing especially grabs me about Groenalund's music—the vox, as is so often the case, are qualitatively streets behind ABBA's. I couldn't have put it better, Chronington. All success to Groenalund, but it strikes me as a bit arrogant to make this the centrepiece of their PR from the get-go. It's great to have influences, to be massive ABBA fans, to be inspired by their music and their sound, to cover the odd song (I saw the video for their version of Just Like That). Groenalund, as competent writers and musicians, should be putting themselves front and centre, not their ABBA adoration. |
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Post by paulman on Jan 29, 2023 23:09:17 GMT
I'm sorry, but I don't agree that GROENALUND is a weak and lackluster band.
The melodies and rhythms have a very good level.
the song Painting Black v very good in all respects. Certainly the Color of Agnetha and Frida's Voice can hardly be replaced.
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Post by HOMETIME on Jan 30, 2023 8:11:31 GMT
For my own part, paulman , I didn't mean to comment negatively on Groenalund's music. Their claim that they're somehow part of ABBA's legacy is what jars. If it's simply a matter of being fans and having an ABBA-related musician on board, I could possibly even make some wonky version of that claim myself, no matter how ludicrous that would be. I wish them every success. It would be more meaningful if that success was earned for their musicianship, songwriting, and performance quality without trying to pass themselves off as some kind of musical lovechild. Edit: I've made a point of listening to more of their music. I hear the affection for ABBA - especially their 1970s sounds and arrangements. The voices certainly seem to aim for the A/F blend in the harmonies, but they do it in a more laid back way. It's not my cup of tea, but it's pleasant stuff. |
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Post by richard on Jan 30, 2023 10:52:33 GMT
Yes, every success to Groenalund, but let that success be their own music. Of course no group is going to be influence-free, and Benny and Bjorn have said how much they were inspired by The Beatles. But ABBA's music was/is their own. Why would any group want it to be any other way - unless they've decided that they want to make a career essentially copying ABBA. And, anyway, perhaps Groenalund's musical intentions have been misinterpreted?
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Post by paulman on Jan 30, 2023 14:25:54 GMT
Here is the official Groenalund website, where they describe exactly who they were primarily and secondarily inspired by.
Abba, like, for example, the Beatles, were an original group. They are independent of other composers. Which is admirable.
However, the style that generally started in 1974 I would call Disco. European disco had a slightly different concept than American, where soul and South American rhythms were dominant. In Europe, folk music was combined with pop and beat later influenced by American soul.
Abba is certainly irreplaceable, thanks to both singers, who not only looked good, but also their hair color in high tones was unmistakable and very pleasant.
Groenalund do their own songs, except for the single Just Like That. A song that was supposed to be finished in 1983. It never happened and that's a shame from my point of view. Because that song has a lot of potential.
I will never stop regretting that Abba failed to get back together in the second half of the 80s. When else did Agnetha sing and be in top form. Also Frida, who ended in 1984, but that would not be decisive. I think that both gentlemen were the decisive brake on this unification, and I am really sorry for that.
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Post by chron on Jan 30, 2023 17:05:29 GMT
I'm sorry, but I don't agree that GROENALUND is a weak and lackluster band [...] Certainly the Color of Agnetha and Frida's Voice can hardly be replaced. I agree with the last point for sure, but I get the feeling that if Groenalund could come close to replicating the sound and character of Frida and Agnetha's voices then they wouldn't feel much compunction about doing so. 'Weak' and 'lacklustre' weren't used I don't think (although I might be tempted to use the latter), I just find their shtick a bit calculating. Their vocals are certainly decent, but to go on what I've heard they're also pretty characterless - they have a sort of generic sweetness that seems widespread at the moment. I think over the years other female pop singers from Europe have attained the quality achieved by Frida and Agnetha while having, to a greater or lesser degree, their own sound and style: Björk, Katharina Franck, Anneli Drecker, Anja Garbarek, Claudia Brücken, Beth Hirsch, Marie Frank, etc. (The last has tended to fly under the radar, so let's stick a link down): |
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Post by Alan on Jan 31, 2023 18:36:38 GMT
My moving of posts to this topic wasn’t intended to stifle discussion, and I hope no one feels intimidated just because Groenalund are registered on here (which appears to have been only to promote themselves, which is fair enough). Or perhaps the discussion just reached a natural end?
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Post by chron on Feb 1, 2023 12:15:56 GMT
My moving of posts to this topic wasn’t intended to stifle discussion, and I hope no one feels intimidated just because Groenalund are registered on here (which appears to have been only to promote themselves, which is fair enough). Or perhaps the discussion just reached a natural end? It's bound to 'backwater' it somewhat, since the Voyage Discussion thread is the only properly active thread at the moment. Also, knowing that someone from Groenalund is a member might well cow responses a bit, although I don't think anyone has posted anything up to now that's been unreasonable. As you say, the account has almost totally been used to promote the group, which, if the mods have no problem with we'll have to go along with, although you wouldn't want a lot of that sort of stuff (the same goes for people who have joined fairly clearly in order to peddle their own cover versions of ABBA tracks, and who don't engage across the threads otherwise). In a couple of the best and longest established music/arts forums I visit, posts that contain outright self-promotion are frowned upon on the basis that forums are places for discussion and debate and shouldn't be used as marketplaces; people there have been kicked out for blatantly using an account to self-advertise. |
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groenalund
Junior Member
https://youtu.be/k-8xV8k9FYc NEW Greonalund Song "Just a Story"
Posts: 10
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Post by groenalund on Feb 26, 2023 20:43:24 GMT
Hello everyone, sorry for not posting for a long time. Yes I posted here for promotion, but our music is related to Abba, so I thought it would make sense. And it's interesting to read your thoughts about our concept and our music. So let me put a few things clear. We have the permission from the Abba-Management and from Universal Stockholm to record a new version of "Just like that", which is not such a big thing, as long as you don't change the lyrics or the melodies. And we tried to keep the Abba-Spirit in that song as close as possible. And yes, we are also Abba-Fans, but we are very aware that we don't want to copy them. That would make no sense for an artist. However there are a lot of quotes and references, that came naturally, when you are a big Abba-Fan. It was fun to make photos, that pay respect to them, but with a modern twist. And the same thing happens in our music. We want to start somehow, where they stopped in 1983. But we want to tell our own stories and there are other influences as well, which you will notice, when listening to our first album #lovestorm. The moment I would notice, that we are just ripping them off, would make me stop the project at once. Its not what we intend, or what we aim for. It would be stupid to rip off their legacy. That is not possible and we know very well, that our next album and songs will have to be more independent from the Abba-aesthetics. The way to our first album was very long and full of obstacles. And always remember that we are completely independent, without much money and a big management in the background. We are doing all by ourselves and we are not very rich or something. It's all hard work and we all evolve from our first recordings. This is just the starting point and we would be happy, if you all would like to go with us for the next few songs, just to notice, that we respect Abba very much, but we will find our own style more and more. Just remember Abba´s first Album, where they have searched themselves what kind of music they will make in the future. So thank you for a fair discussion and feel invited to join us. Our album is available on our homepage, if you like. groenalund.com/storebest wishes and greetings, Martin from Groenalund More material about us, our concept and our way of recording is here: tapeop.com/interviews/149/groenalund/ |
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