Henry Miller Memorial Library

Big Sur, California
"The real leader has no need to lead - he is content to point the way."

Posts Tagged ‘Dungen’

Sven the Hippie speaks! An exclusive interview

Posted on: by hmmler

Perhaps no one was been more surprised by the phenomenon that is Sven the Hippie than Sven the Hippie.

A simple country boy from Mora, Sweden, Sven has catapulted to internet fame with such stunning videos as “Yack K,” and, of course, “Dungen,” which recently won the August 19th installment of the Big Sur International Short Film Series, beating out “Miracle Fish” from Australia, “Manon Sur Le Bitume” from France, “Dangerous Games” from the Netherlands, and others.

We recently caught up with Sven, who took a break from sleeping in his van on Highway 1 and practicing “My Sweet Lord” on guitar, for an all-too-brief interview over e-mail.  Enjoy.

HML: Sven, “What is Vinyl in the Woods?” went live a few months ago.  Then it went viral.  Were you truly prepared for that kind of response?

Sven: I always knew that everyone was going love me. Is that what is viral?

HML: When you perform in those movies, how do you prepare?  What is your mind-set like?  Do you go to a dark place?

Sven: Prepare? I am just myself.

HML: Recently, a young lady on the Henry Miller Library Facebook page suggested you get your own Facebook page.  How does that make you feel?

Sven: Really, really good – I am hitting the big time in he movies…but music comes first…roadie…groupies…

HML: Speaking of which, is there a special lady in your life?

Sven: That is so embarrassing to talk about…you are crazy to ask about that!

HML:  What is next for you, Sven?

Sven: Going on tour with Dungen, I know it will happen, I know it will happen, will happen, will happen…happen.

Sweden’s Dungen at the Library, September 26th!

Posted on: by hmmler

Remember back in the day, when Lloyd Bensten dissed Dan Quayle in the vice presidential debates?*

He turned to Dan, and said something to the effect of, “I knew Jack Kennedy, and you, my friend, are no Jack Kennedy.”  Oh snap!

Well, I know Dungen personally.  And while I hope I never have to utter the words, “I know Dungen, and you, my friend, are no Dungen,” it doesn’t change the fact that I know Dungen, and they are incredible.

They’re a propulsive, explosive, and dynamic band from Sweden.  Their leader, Gustav, is a gentle genius, and they’re new record is out on Kemado Records.  They are playing the Henry Miller Memorial Library, here in Big Sur, on September 26th, with LA’s Entrance Band.  Live, Dungen sounds like Deep Purple meets Led Zep, circa ’71.  (Was too stoned throughout ’72; for all I know Zep may have been better then.)

Recently Hippie Sven stumbled upon Dungen’s bassist, Mattias, who was crusin’ through town.  Pathos and redemption ensue.  Check it:

* Remember when Dan Quayle was a heartbeat away from the Presidency?  Scary thought.

Henry Miller Library: Overrun by talented, sneaky Swedes

Posted on: by hmmler

Tallest Man on Earth is playing the Henry Miller Library in lovely Big Sur.  Tickets are still available!

Tallest Man on Earth is the moniker of the folk musician Kristian Matsson of Dalarna, Sweden.  Check it:

Kristian completes what has become known as the “Swedish Trinity” here at the Library.  Our director, Magnus Toren (Father), is Swedish.  So is Kristian (Son.)  So are Dungen (Holy Spirit(s)), the incredible, propulsive, and shockingly talented band of forest hippie-types, who’ll play here Sept. 26th.

Needless to say, Hippie Sven (Virgin Mary?) is stoked:

There are some who say that Sweden’s quest for world domination began and ended with the Vikings.  They kinda missed out on the whole 19th century colonization craze, contented with their icy little island (is it an island?),

Well, don’t be so sure.  There’s such a thing as a subtle conquest, through, say, stoney, folksy, Deep Purple-meets-Led Zeppelin III jams.

The Swedes are sneaky, tenacious!

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