Mitt-i-Stockholm 2023-12-20
By: JONAS BERGE
They were born on the same maternity ward one day apart. And for 40 years, artist and Nacka resident Helen Sjöholm has been best friends with Kungsholm resident and singer Anna Stadling.
The place is Sundsvall’s maternity ward. The year 1970. Anna Kristina Stadling lies in a small bed. In another the one day older Marie Helen Sjöholm. But it will be until junior high school before they become best friends.
40 years later, in November 2023, they sit at an oblong kitchen table at Helen Sjöholm’s in Nacka and have a kick off for the joint Christmas tour. Since a few years they are a duo again. At least sometimes. Just like when they were young.
Dreamed together
Helen has been one of the country’s leading musical stars for several decades. Anna is the singer and musician who has had success both on her own and with others, including Lars Winnerbäck and Staffan Hellstrand.
– Ambitions, Helen answers quickly when asked what once brought them together.
– We had lots of dreams but they were not expressed. We behaved at school, didn’t make too much of a fuss. Our friendship was cultivated in the world of thought, in film and music.
Anna continues:
– We have always had so much to talk about. There is always a conversation going on between us. Even during all the years we haven’t worked together.
Organized concerts
That they didn’t live out their dreams as young people is only partly true. Already in their early teens, they arranged Christmas concerts in Sundsvall together. The collaboration continued until they were in their 25s. Then they took a long professional break.
– We have been talking about doing something all these years, the thread has been there the whole time, says Helen.
The end of the thread was picked up somewhat by chance in 2018 in connection with a gig they were invited to in Sundsvall. They were struck by how good it sounded even though they hadn’t rehearsed and decided to sing together again.
– Even we can be fascinated by the fact that our sounds are so harmonious, despite the fact that we are so different. We are very much on the same wavelength and agree with each other without having to ask, says Anna.
“Lovely melting pot”
They are also inspired by each other’s different musical paths.
– It’s a wonderful melting pot when we work together. A bit like having your own room. In addition, there is a gap right into childhood and adolescence that is constantly open.
Those childhood memories play an important role when they create their concerts.
– There is something timeless in the old Christmas carols, like Jul, jul, strålande jul (Christmas, Christmas, glorious Christmas). They have been sung to the hilt, yet they are the ones that actually mean something, says Helen Sjöholm.
FACTS
Helen Sjöholm
Age: 53.
Lives: Nacka.
Family: Husband and three children.
Current: With the Snow and Marshals mini-tour coming to the Filadelfia Convention Center on December 21. In addition, with the musical House of Angels at the Oscar Theater.
Source: Helen Sjöholm
Anna Stadling
Age: 53.
Lives: Kungsholmen (Stockholm).
Family: Husband and one child.
Current: With Snow and marshals. In addition, with the Christmas single Bara några timmar kvar (Only a few hours left) and the album Långt ifrån ensam (Far from alone).
Source: Anna Stadling