In her new single, Swedish singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik genuinely captures the sound and feel of the sun going down. ‘Desert Nights’ features Janne Manninen’s gently pulsing bass and hypnotic instrumental layers from Drake Duffer on mandolin and classical guitar and Peyton Clifford on accordion. Drifting over these absorbing textures, Talvik’s pure voice has a dream-like quality, creating an ethereal-folk sound that is a distinctive blend of Americana and her Swedish influences. The accompanying video was filmed by Jonas Westin at Windy Point, AZ, and the beautiful landscapes and gorgeous light complement the song perfectly.
‘Desert Nights’ is taken from Sofia Talvik’s recent album ‘Center of the Universe’, which hit the top 20 on the Folk Radio Charts in the United States. It’s a collection of songs that tackle a range of subjects from women’s rights and the overturning of Roe v Wade in ‘Too Many Churches’ to the anti-war protest of ‘Circle of Destruction’, while the title track highlights the desperate plight of missing children and adults in America today. Although she has released nine full-length albums, Talvik is primarily a touring musician, restlessly taking her show across Europe and America, where she has performed in 48 states, on the road in her 1989 Winnebago Warrior with her husband and sound engineer, Jonas. Talvik has been fully immersed in American roots music and her journeys along the desert highways there. As a result, her songs are an intriguing blend of her Nordic roots, her experiences and the Americana that has inspired her. Enjoy.
As an added bonus, here is a short documentary about the making of the new album. Talvik provides us with a real insight into the stories behind the songs and we get a glimpse of life in the studio. Check this out – it’ll further enhance your enjoyment of ‘Center of the Universe’.
