Photo & © Beatrice Lundborg
Dagens Nyheter 2022-11-27
By: GEORG CEDERSKOG
Photo: BEATRICE LUNDBORG
They have been singing together since they were twelve years old and became friends in Sundsvall. Now Helen Sjöholm and Anna Stadling are on a Christmas tour in Sweden with their new album Snö & marshaller (Snow and marshals).
– Many of the songs are music that we grew up with, says the duo to Dagens Nyheter’s Georg Cederskog.
Already as 18-year-olds, they formed a modest duo, Mejram. For several years, they then went around and sang in village halls and meeting rooms in their home region Västernorrland. They quickly found a timbre that elevated their singing abilities. A timbre that both challenged and made their vocal resources grow.
Since then, they have done many different things with their voice resources, notes Anna Stadling.
– Helen had, among other things, theater acting and musical theater and I had a different angle with rock and pop together with, among others, Lasse Winnerbäck and Staffan Hellstrand, she summarizes behind her cup of coffee in an already Christmas decorated restaurant at Hötorget in Stockholm.
Stadling and Helen Sjöholm’s new Snö & marshaller contains thirteen festive songs in a range of different musical genres. From pop and show to classical and traditional Christmas carols from the past.
Björn Ulvaeu’s translation of In the bleak midwinter to I den bleka vinter also Benny Andersson’s En skrift i snön (A writing in the snow) – with lyrics by Kristina Lugn – made a special impression during the recording, they say. Julen kan hjälpa (Christmas can help) by Ron Sexsmith translated by Andreas Mattsson as well.
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Helen Sjöholm thinks aloud about how Christmas singing, the lyrics and her own reflection have changed over time.
– Many of the songs are music that we grew up with, for example in the choir singing in Sundsvall (with, among others, the choir director and TV presenter Kjell Lönnå). We have our own traditions that have followed us, but at the same time society is changing. Not everyone even celebrates Christmas and there are other and new traditions.
What do you have in common as singers?
– I think we broaden each other’s sound. We have different strengths, but can work it together so it becomes a cool experience in an intuitive way. I think we recognized ourselves in that already when we met as twelve-year-olds, Helen Sjöholm answers.
None of them feel at all finished as singers.
– I discover things in my voice that I can be a little embarrassed about. But I have also become braver in being more undressed and close when I sing, Sjöholm continues.
Anna Stadling describes how today they can switch gears and sing with a different maturity than before. Her voice has also deepened over time.
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Why have carols remained so popular and desired?
– There is something tender in gathering around one’s family and making music, Helen Sjöholm answers. And it’s music that you can come back to as many times as you like at Christmas.
Both became aware of the choral tradition, choral singing and Christmas music while growing up in Sundsvall. Music that Kjell Lönnå, among others, spread across Sweden.
– When you got to join and sing with three big hallelujah choirs, it didn’t matter what kind of relationship you have with the faith. When I hear such singing today, I feel so fulfilled and am back again to when I sang in churches as a young person, says Anna Stadling.
Getting to sing together during Christmas is a different and special experience.
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– Everyone crawls inward and together and then the loneliness can also become more apparent. Lighting a candle and listening to music is a way for me to get through that darkness.
Childhood friends visit 17 locations
Helen Sjöholm and Anna Stadling are currently touring in 17 locations in the country, including 20/12 in Helsingborg’s concert hall.
They both have a special love for Mahalia Jackson’s powerful voice. Anna Stadling also mentions Nat King Cole, Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan.
The album Snö & marshaller was mainly recorded with the producer Tobias Fröberg. The title is taken from an original song written by Lars Winnerbäck, who is also a guest on the title track.
The touring band during the Christmas concerts includes Johan Lindström, guitars, Jesper Nordenström, keyboards, Nisse Törnqvist, drums and percussion, Dan Berglund on bass and Linnea Olsson on cello and vocals.
(The entire interview is not reproduced for copyright reasons)