Tomas Ledin is Swedish summer personified and now he is ready for a packed high season. The artist is fourfold current with "Allsång på Skansen", the rural play "Höga kusten", a summer tour and his first solo album since 2013.
It wasn't really planned like this from the start. Things take time if they're going to be good and you don't really know when they'll be finished. Now it so happens that both the album and this tour I've planned are happening at the same time, says Tomas Ledin.
Moreover, the final rehearsals for the rural play "Höga Kusten – truths and tales from the sawmill era" are underway, where Ledin has written the music and lyrics. Ahead of the July premiere in Lövvik – a village of 80 inhabitants on the Ångermanland coast – a completely new outdoor theatre for 1,000 people has been built.
"I'm no slacker"
At the same time, Ledin is preparing a summer tour with his new album "Viker inte ner mig än" in tow. His first solo album since 2013 has been produced by Anders Glenmark.
I'm very driven and I'm at an age where I don't need to work. I'm passionate about it, simply. I twist and turn and write. I'm no slacker, says Ledin.
TT: What does the album title "Viker inte ner mig än" mean?
I'm trying to encourage myself, maybe, says Ledin.
He adds that the title was also born as a response to the reactions to the musical film "En del av mitt hjärta" (2019), which some interpreted as a farewell.
Some commented 'what a fantastic way to end a career'. But I didn't think that. Then I turned 70 and had a little party at Globen and it was the same there: 'fantastic fun way to end after 50 years on stage'. But then both this album and the rural play were in the pipeline. Then I wrote this song and it was fitting as a name for both the album and the tour, says Tomas Ledin.
The summer tour closest to his heart
On "Viker inte ner mig än", Ledin sings "I have a deal with my audience, I'm a circus horse".
TT: What's behind that feeling?
Singer and dancer have been my profession for a long time, and over the years I've become like a circus horse. Everything I write doesn't revolve around me. I put myself in different situations and characters, but this one lies very close to my heart, says Tomas Ledin and remembers being uncomfortable when he started standing on stage.
Today, meeting the audience is a major reason why I do concerts. It's fantastic to have a job where I get to create happy evenings for my fellow humans. To go into the studio with my rock band, record an album and then get to go out on tour. That's where I thrive. That's where I'm at home, says Ledin.
TT: It's impressive that you manage to do everything.
Yes, but you should know that on 1 September, the shop closes.
Corrected: In an earlier version, Lövvik was incorrectly described as a municipality. It is a village.
21/6 The album "Viker inte ner mig än" is released.
2/7 Participation in "Allsång på Skansen":
11/7 Premiere for "Höga kusten – truths and tales from the sawmill era" at Höga Kusten Friluftsteater.
Ledin is joined by a number of well-known Swedish artists when he goes on tour this summer. Niklas Strömstedt, Viktor Norén, Little Jinder and Chris Kläfford will accompany him on different dates on the tour.
Tour schedule "Viker inte ner mig än"
16/7 Wrightegaarden, Langesund (NO)
17/7 Foynhagen, Tønsberg (NO)
19/7 Dalhalla, Rättvik
20/7 Dalhalla, Rättvik
24/7 Hugo Parkfestival, Norrköping
26/7 Sofiero Slott, Helsingborg
27/7 Borgholms Slottsruin, Borgholm
02/8 Societetsparken, Varberg
03/8 Trädgårdsföreningen, Göteborg
07/8 Skansen (Stora scen), Stockholm
09/8 Naturscen Skuleberget, Docksta
10/8 Pite Havsbad, Piteå
16/8 Skålparken, Jakobstad (FI)
17/8 Stallörsparken, Ekenäs (FI)
