Swedish indie-pop sensations, the Shout Out Louds, are quickly making a name for themselves in the US and Canada with their melodic, melancholy musical buffet.

No meatballs here, the quintet are promoting their debut album Howl Howl Gaff Gaff which received raving reviews upon its international release on Capitol Records earlier this summer. Since then the quirky rockers have made appearances on David Letterman, toured the UK, and played at the Coachella Music Festival. The band was back in Toronto in November, with splashy new backdrops and a newfound appreciation for the Canadian music scene. In between lunch and shopping at Kensington Market, the band sat down to talk with me about music, life, and all things Swedish.

Jaimie k: Tell me the story of your band.

SOL: The story started 4 years ago in 2001. We were all good friends. Ted started giving me all these good records, and I gave him all my favourite records. We liked all the same songs, so it really didn’t make sense not to start a band. So we started practicing with this drum machine…we rehearsed and rehearsed for over two months, because we were so bad. Kind of learn as you go. Then we found Eric, the drummer, to replace the drum machine. Sometimes we miss the drum machine though. If Eric has a bad day, we bring in the drum machine. We recorded our demo and did some shows in Stockholm. Then, Babban, the keyboard player, joined a year later.

Jaimie k: Both you and the Concretes seemed to come out of nowhere and take over the international indie music scene this year—then of course there’s the Cardigans, Ace of Base, and ABBA—what’s going on over there in Sweden? Something in the water?

SOL: Heh…nah. There’s just a very good environment there right now. People starting their own labels. Art, literature, and music combined, it’s fabulous. There’s a strong tradition going in Sweden with music, and we have so many good bands, it’s brilliant. It pushes you to be even better, a little more avant garde.

Jaimie k: Now that you’re here, do you recognize any parallels between Canada and Sweden in terms of how we approach the indie music scene?

SOL: Yeah, I think so. Even just compared to the US, Canada feels more like Europe, feels more like home…more laidback attitude towards music. Not to sound cliché, but it’s a bit more honest, not as packaged.

Jaimie k: How’s life on the tour bus?

SOL: It’s good, it’s messy. Filthy, actually. Nine people on one bus is a lot.

Jaimie k: A lot of your lyrics are dark and melancholy juxtaposed to upbeat poppy melodies, how does that reflect your attitude to life in general?

SOL: Well I think it’s how life is really, you can’t be happy 100% of the time, there’s always something. I tend to go that way—I like the contrast between the more melodic and happy or explosive sound and more melancholy lyrics…it makes it more interesting. I’m very like that, very up and down.

Jaimie k: So, glass half full or half empty?

SOL: Um, half full.

Jaimie k: What’s in the glass?

SOL: Gin. (laughing)

Jaimie k: Why is it important for you to put substance into your songs?

SOL: For us, it’s what we do, it’s our life. It’s got to be sincere, or else, why do it? There’s nothing real about songs by artists Britney Spears. I don’t think she really likes music. For us music is the most important thing, it HAS to have substance. I wouldn’t want to go on stage and sing about how sexy I can be, or how many dates I’ve been on, you know? I think it’s a desire to make music move forward, to write songs, to be productive, and to be creative—that’s how we survive as a band.

Jaimie k: So, what’s next on for the Shout Out Louds?

SOL: Finish the tour, then go home for Christmas. Touring the UK and Europe after Christmas again in February. Go back to our old producer back home, find a studio we really like, and start working on the new album. Oh, and sleep!

By Jaimie k