• photography & fashion Alexander Urombi
    jacket Weekday
    shirt Acne Studios
    pants Our Legacy
    shoes Reebok Club 85
    glasses Bavé's Own
    tie J. Lindeberg

    Words Into Melodies, an Interview With Bavé

    Written by Selma Omar Costa by Thea Undemo

    The Stockholm music scene has a new addition to keep an eye on. Bavé released his debut EP ‘In Vermouth’ in September 2021. It is saturated by escapism and takes us back to warm late nights and summer nostalgia. His charismatic stage presence is influenced by iconic guitar heroes and he has no fear of venturing into new territories. We met in his charming underground Stockholm studio to get deeper into his background, dreamy sensual sound, inspirations and first ever live performance.

    What’s in your Vermouth? How often do people mispronounce the album title?
    My Vermouth is both a place and a drink, which is why it's treated as the two on the album: first track is called Vermouth but the album is named In Vermouth. You’re in Vermouth, drunk on Vermouth. It’s intentional and perhaps a little confusing, but it will be a way to use the listener's own imagination and provide room for interpretation. People, at least Swedes, tend to mispronounce it and I think it might be because they think of Vermont. Bartenders always get it right though.

    When you create music, what are you most inspired by?
    For me, it is always first and foremost about text. Which is usually inspired by coming-of-age movies, books, teenage dramas - the classic, person X meets person Y who in turn changes one person's life over a summer. I can never get tired of portrayals of teenage love.

    Where does In Vermouth transport you?
    I am transported to the summer of 2018, when I moved to Stockholm after living on the island Biskops Arnö and writing music for a year. Almost everything that is treated on the EP takes place just before and after that summer in terms of time. It is and will remain the best summer of my life I think!

    It is a hugely personal and intimate album for you that takes you to a specific time in life. At the same time you give listeners their own room for interpretation through the title in a way. Where do you want to transport your listeners?
    I would like to transport them to love as they see it, sex, fresh fruits, the sun, swimming together with friends, alcohol, summer and late after-parties that you overstay for way too long.

    In your interview in P3, you talk about your single “Summer House”, how it has a deeper meaning for you and is dedicated to your mother. But also how it reflects on class differences you experienced growing up segregated. Where is “home” for you and how does it show in you as a person?
    I was born and raised in Gottsunda and kind of always thought that that’s always where home was going to be for me. But every time I go there I just feel more distanced from the physical place. Not that it has changed much but rather because I have found home to be where my friends are. And we have changed. Gottsunda still shows in me as the everyday hustler and smooth talker I am though.

    You feel more distanced from the physical place, but do you feel that the place has somehow inspired your music?
    I guess it might have subconsciously affected some of the themes in my writing, but not musically.

    So what or whom has inspired your sound?
    A lot of psychedelic rock music, Funkadelic and Jimi Hendrix for instance. But also the nature in Nancy Sinatra and the sex in Prince.

    Is there any song that has had a greater impact on the body of the entire EP?
    In terms of sound, I would say the title track Vermouth, which also was the first song written for the EP. It was the first track me and Leo Goldmann did where both of us had an aha moment; this is how we want the EP to sound. That song kind of became the framework or color palette that we kept looking back at while writing other songs.

    When you collaborate with someone like Leo, how do you communicate a feeling between each other?
    Leo and I have a very special bond where we can tap into the same energy real quick. For instance, before making ''Skies'' we both knew that we wanted to write something to dance to. I hit the bathroom for literally two minutes when I heard him playing the bass riff for it. I just entered the room again and sang ''Star-spangled eyes'' and that was that.

    How did Leo help develop your sound?
    I would say that it would be a combination of him being way ahead of me on the technical side of things, but also that he has a background playing in bands. Leo being a drummer levitated the shit out of my sound. I think this is what gives our music that small indie-rock vibe you sometimes can hear on the EP, but also what is now a requirement for both of us - that the music sounds organic.

    What kind of music are you listening to at the moment?
    I’m very much listening to the local scene at the moment - Jelly Crystal, Venus fantastic debut EP, NEY LIQA and June Vide. The sound of Stockholm has never been so sexy.

    Do you have any dream collaboration?
    I would love to make a Rick Rubin record barefoot at his place. I think he could push me into interesting head-spaces.
    You had your first live performance at Södra Teatern in October last year.

    How did it feel?
    First of all, I felt nothing. I didn't even really understand what had happened until a whole day later. Once I landed it was as if every second I had spent in the studio had been leading up to that moment. Seeing hundreds of beautiful, unknown faces sing my songs is completely indescribable.

    How did the gig come about?
    Södra Teatern called me and I panicked because it was in two weeks and I had no band. My friends told me to accept the offer, which I did and a couple of days later Leo and I found Theo Kylin (guitar) and Karl Perlskog (drums).

    You looked very comfortable on stage for your first performance. You may not have any stage fright, but is there something you tap into to make you feel at home on stage?
    Actually, I do have stage fright but I was completely gone once I stood up there. I tapped into my Prince mode and I knew that standing still before the microphone was no option. The dancing part comes more naturally for me than the singing just because I've danced since I was a kid and still do. Honestly it was the singing I was worried about. Before doing the show I even called my friend Stella Cartiers (Stella Explorer) for tips. She basically told me that you always sing off-key a bit at the beginning which calmed me a lot. And I'm pretty sure I did (sing off-key), which is aight.

    How do you feel like the album translates when it's performed live?
    There are parts of the album that get lighter and darker when I perform live. On the EP, In Vermouth has this floral, quiet and vacuum-type vibe. Whereas live, more instruments are added and the hard, dark and psychedelic sides of it are channeled, which gives me room to behave as I do on stage. It's like the backside of Vermouth when playing it live. I want people to recognize the songs while offering them a new experience.

    What did you take with you from your studies while studying at the island Biskops Arnö?
    I understood the importance of isolation while creating but also the total opposite - to let people in.

    It’s been a while since the EP was released and we've had the time to vibe and learn the lyrics. What can we expect from Bavé in 2022?
    This year me and the team are trying to pick up the pace a bit. There will be more music and I’m excited to hopefully be able to perform again.

    jacket Weekday
    shirt Acne Studios
    pants Our Legacy
    shoes Reebok Club 85
    glasses Bavé's Own
    tie J. Lindeberg
    top Our Legacy
    boxers Calvin Klein
    shoes Reebok x Awake
    glasses Bavé's Own
    t-Shirt ULAX Studios
    pants Daily Paper
    boots Saint Laurent
    glasses Bavé's Own
    belt BB Simon
    t-shirt, pants & mules Our Legacy
    glasses Bavé's Own
  • The products to save your hair in 2022

    Written by Yasmine M

    Say hi to the best friends in hair care. That keep our curls hydrated, frizz smooth, and split-ends whole. But most important, that gives us a little joy everyday. 

    HairLust – Pure Bamboo Pillowcase
    If there is one thing to treat yourself with in 2022, is a soft pillowcase. And HairLust, a Scandinavian brand focused on haircare and accessories, has just that. The Pure Bamboo pillowcase is not only gentle on your hair, but kind to your skin. The case comes in four different colors to fit your room the best. The Bamboo fibers are soft as silk (and cruelty-free) that protects your hair during the night. As an assessment, I have the classic HairLust pink case, which perhaps don't fit into the rest of my décor, but I use it anyway since it’s absolutely marvelous. 

    Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
    My dry and curly hair can’t live without this oil. While we are supposed to highlight the new products. This one is a go-to, I am on my second bottle and while it’s on the more expensive side, my hair thanks me every time. I have noticed that using an oil, my hair is much softer than using a spray leave-in. On the plus side, it smells enormously amazing. But most importantly the Honey Infused Oil gets rid of the frizz and makes the hair shiny and soft.

    Redken Extreme Heat Protection
    When you are using heat tools, we all know it’s so important to apply heat protection. Redken Extreme, one of Redkens bestseller series for damaged hair is a worthy option.This heat protection cream provides protection from not only the heat but helps strengthening your hair. It’s a multi-benefit treatment and leave-in conditioner. It’s very powerful as it is infused with plant proteins and tourmaline – helping prevent split ends and reduces the appearance of split ends by 70%. Another go-to is the Redken Extreme Shampoo and Conditioner, which I use 1-2 times a month depending on my hair status - just to strengthen my hair and give it a protection layer.

    Tangle Teezer - Styling Brush
    If you haven't yet come across the Tangle Teezer brush, here is your chance. The perfect styling and finishing tool for hair comes in a spring fresh mint color. It's availble both in compact more travel friendly designs as well as larger brushes. The tangle teezer have multply different version that is customized to work for your specific hair type. 

    Sachajuan Scalp Scrub The deep cleansing and sugar scrub, have become a favorite of mine this winter. Formulated with Ocean Silk Technology, climbazole, soybean, and shea butter oil, it’s a lovely scalp scrub that easily transforms from a scrub to a foam. It contains natural Sucrose which helps to exfoliate and unclog the scalp’s surface from dandruff, oil build-up, and dead skin. A great advice is too use the Sachajuan Scalp Brush, designed to be used with the Scalp Scrub to exfoliate dead skin cells and stimulate blood circulation and cell renewal in the scalp.

    Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask The moisture mask is infused with the patented Olaplex Bond Building technology, which we can find in almost every Olaplex product. These bonds are said to give the hair its structure, strength, and stability. Bond Intense Moisture Mask is a highly concentrated reparative mask that is said to add shine and smooth your hair while providing intense moisture. And quickly said - it does, my very dry and frizzy hair became very shiny and felt less frizzy without using my ordinary leave-in conditioner. I am getting another bottle! 

    Silk Coat – Rebecca Stella Beauty For the humidity we need protection, especially to tame the frizz. This spray creates an invisible shield against heat, and as a result blocks the humidity. Which results in a silk finish for even the most curly hair. It's a simply yet powerful product. Use it by dividing your towel-dried hair into sections and spray from half an arm's length lightly to then flatten or curl the hair. However, wait 5 min until the product have dried a bit so you don't expose your hair right away. While the best way is to use in towel-dry hair, I have also tried it in dry hair, when I needed that extra shield, and it worked.

    Kevin Murphy TOUCHABLE My go-to styling product is this wax spray from Kevin Murphy. I heard about it from a renowned Hairstylist and never looked back. The spray wax finishing hairspray maintains texture and hold to reinforce the appearance of separation for that perfectly messy look. A healthy dose of Antioxidants from Hibiscus Flower Extract, Milk Thistle, Sea Lavender and Carrot Seed Oil help protect and condition the hair, giving it a beautiful satin sheen. It works both when you wish to have that slick wax look with a tight bun, or curled your hair to make sure your hair hold the entire day (and night). The only downside is a bit about the smell, which is quite heavy - but it's definitly a personal preference. 

    Maria Nila, True Soft Argan Oil This nourishing Argan Oil softens and moisturises your hair. A perfect oil if you have fine and thin hair, since it quickly absorbs and don't make the hair greasy. But one of the big points is the scent, that makes your hair smell of vanilla, rose and jasmine - perfect if you need that extra pick-me-up. You apply a small amount of the oil to damp or dry hair when you feel its needed. It's a perfect in-between washes product and now when the spring and summer is just around the corner. 

    Oribe Fortifying Treatment Serum
    This treatment elixir from the new collection Hair Alchemy, combines a blend of chia seed, bio-fermented bamboo leaf and plant-based protein plus phytoceramides and cotton seed extract to shield and fortify fragile strands. The sheer, fast-absorbing serum creates a protective veil around each hair fiber to improve tensile strength and elasticity while preventing breakage by strengthening from within to encourage length. It also work as a heat protection. 

    Björn Axen’s Signature The Hair Mask Last year I was at a Hair Rehab and found the Signature The Hair Mask, An intensive moisturizing and repairing hair treatment enriched with vegan keratin and provitamin B5 which together strengthens and deeply moisturizes the hair. You leave the mask for minimum of 5 min, and let the macadamia and cottonseed oil work its magic. Leaving the hair shiny and soft. 

    GOOPGLOW Restore + Shine Hair Treatment I am still waiting for all GOOP products to be avaible in the entire EU. But until then, this is a great start. This Restore + Shine Hair Treatment is a preshampoo glow serum. In Gwyneth Paltrow own words: “It’s kind of a miracle on my hair,”  It's Made with cuticle-sealing vitamin C, omega-rich sea buckthorn oil, and shine-boosting plumeria monoi oil - that its said to work for all hair types. 

    R+Co Atlantis Shampoo and Conditioner For that everyday hair wash, you don’t want to dry out your hair. The R+Co Atlantis Shampoo and Conditioner, is formulated with Vitamin B5 to moisturize dry and damaged hair from root to tip. With naturally occurring glycerin to balance the hydration level. The Conditioner includes Acai Fruit Oil, Rice Bran Oil and Maracuja Seed Ooil – all ingredients for your hair to strengthen and add shine. A good advice is to leave the conditioner on for at least 5-10 minutes to get that true deep-hydrating effect.

    HairLust – Curl Recovery & Protection Mask While curly hair needs that extra nourishment, this mask is packed with protein and moisture to leave your hair stronger. The Curl Recovery & Protection Mask helps restore your curls. I use it 1 time a week to have my hair recover from any external aggressions. For those of you who don’t have curly hair, don’t be alarmed – the brand also has a Protein Reconstructor that fits all hair types.

    Owow Kit Last but not least, This home treatment kit, is a great beginners tool to compete with expensive salon keratin treatment. The kit gives an incredibly silky hair with just a simple application. Compared to only ordering the smoother, the kit also includes sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to rise of the product with. 

  • vest Sthlm Misc
    dress House of Dagmar
    gloves Pretty Little Thing
    shoes Ganni
    socks Minna Palmqvist
    necklace Thomas Sabo
    rings Bjoern's Own
    earrings La Maison Bagatelle
    photography Sandra Myhrberg 
    stylist Ulrika Lindqvist 

    A Small Town Musician - An Interview With Bjoern

    Written by Fashion Tales

    Linnéa Bjoern the artist and the name behind Bjoern and how to grow up in the two small villages Hedemora and Norberg in the Swedish county of Dalarna to be a musician.

    How did you know that music was what you wanted to work with?
    Music is something that has always been with me and I’ve been drawn to music as a way to get my emotions out. It has helped me to calm down as a hyperactive kid. It was never obvious to me that it was something that I could work with until I was about 23 years old. In that time I had struggled for a while with my mental health and my identity and needed to find something that made my life feel meaningful again. I made the decision to give my all into music and since then I’ve kept that promise.

    How did your family and friends react when you said that you wanted to do music?
    I think it was very obvious that my life became more and more about music and it was very natural to everyone that it was something I should pursue. After a few years of seeing me almost giving up on finding anything meaningful in my life, I think it was something that saved both me and my family from a lot of heavy energy. Music lifted my spirit and that energy shift made it easy for my family to support my decision. But of course I think my parents have been worried at times, wondering how I would be able to make money.

    How was it to grow up in a small town?
    I loved to grow up in a small town even if  I’ve always felt restless and longing to see more. As a kid it was sometimes a bit frustrating to be living in the woods 10km from my closest friend. In a way I think the smaller communities I grew up in have helped me to become more social and outgoing. There was a feeling of safety in knowing almost every person I met and it was easy to feel seen and heard. It definitely gave me the chance to develop a lot of creativity and sense of self. Living in nature made me develop a fantasy world and the ability to play by myself.

    Your song ”Why” what’s it about?
    My song ”Why” is a song about someone that was very special to me growing up. My grandfather often babysat me and was a very artistic soul that always made me smile. He struggled a lot with his mental health after he fell down a tree and hit his head. He eventually decided to take his own life. This was a trauma I carried with me for many years without knowing how much it had affected me, until I started to really get into songwriting. One day in a session all the memories of grandpa came to me and I felt a need to understand Why he decided to leave like that. I think my grandpa was present at that moment and told me that it was ok to write this song about him.

    Your artist name is Bjoern, How did you come up with that?
    It’s simply a take on my last name “Björn”.

    Growing up in Dalarna where skiing is a big sport we need to know, Do you ski, and have you ever done the ”vasaloppet”?
    I’ve actually been a competitive skier my whole youth until I finished high school as a 20 year old. My first 20 years was dedicated to cross-country skiing among other sports. I went to Mora Skidgymnasium which is a high school for elite skiers, so it’s been a big part of my life for sure. I’ve actually never done the “Vasaloppet” but I’ve worked for them as a time controller. I’ve done the “Kort Vasan” as a kid and ran the summer version “Vasastafetten” many times.

    Where do you get the inspiration to write your music?
    Most of my inspiration comes from looking into my own experiences of being a human and reacting to the world. I’m fascinated by how different thoughts make us feel certain things as well as how some feelings tend to make us think in certain ways. That connection and how it sometimes makes us take decisions that aren't the best for us, is what inspires me. But inspiration comes from everything really. I also take a lot of inspiration from what I see, smell, feel and hear wherever I go. It’s definitely a hard question to answer.

    If you got the chance to meet your biggest role model who would that be?
    I feel like I change role models so often because I have a tendency to get fascinated by almost every person who’s passionate about something. The ones I look up to the most are often people I’ve already met. My parents and friends are some of them. When I think about it every single person I surround myself with are people I look up to in some way. I want to surround myself with people that challenge me, inspire me and help me to grow. If I should say someone that I don’t know personally it would be Jonna Jinton or Grimes atm. Two cool women who seem to be very true to their expression and who’s incredibly creative and talented in different ways.

    If you wouldn't do music what do you think you would do then?
    Maybe I would be some kind of coach, massage therapist or have some kind of place for mental and physical growth where people can come to challenge themselves. I love the feeling of making other people grow and heal. I could also see myself being some kind of craftswoman because I love working with my hands to create. It would also be cool to try acting one day. I have so many dreams haha…

    What’s a place/country you would like to travel to?
    It would be amazing to travel to Japan, north of Norway, New Zealand and Iceland or just drive around in Europe to see all the beautiful and small villages and their history. I really want to travel everywhere so the locations I want to go to change all the time.

    Bjoern's new debut single “Why” (2020) had a great national impact with steady radio rotation on P3, participation in TV4 Nyhetsmorgon and a place among the “best of the week” at Dagens Nyheter. The song also attracted international attention when the world star Tones And I hand-picked the song for her competition “That one song”, as the only contribution from Europe.  

    top Stand Studio
    necklace made by belt Samsoe Samsoe
    rings Bjoern's Own 
    earrings La Maison Bagatelle
    vest and trousers Baum und Pferdgarten
    top Minna Palmqvist
    rings Bjoern's Own
    earrings La Maison Bagatelle
    dress Rodebjer
    stockings Swedish Stockings
    rings Bjoern's Own
    earrings La Maison Bagatelle
    boots Bjoern's Own Dr Martens
    top Ida Klamborn
    rings Bjoern's Own
    earrings La Maison Bagatelle
    top Pretty Little Thing
    shirt COS
    trousers Sthlm Misc
    boots Bjoern's Own Dr Martens
    rings Bjoern's Own 
    earrings La Maison Bagatelle
    robe Lisa Helena Jacobson X Rave Review
    dress Baum und Pferdgarten
    shoes Samsoe Samsoe
    anklet made by necklace Thomas Sabo
    rings Bjoern's Own
    earrings La Maison Bagatelle
    photography Sandra Myhrberg
    stylist Ulrika Lindqvist
    hair & makeup Filippa Smedhagen
    stylist’s assistant Nellie Sjögren

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