Stina Nordenstam


Kristina Ulrika Nordenstam better known by her stage name Stina Nordenstam, is a Swedish singer-songwriter.

Life and career

Nordenstam was born in Stockholm on 4 March 1969. As a child, she was highly influenced by her father's classical and jazz music collection. Her voice led to early comparisons with artists such as Rickie Lee Jones and Björk. Her early albums, Memories of a Color and And She Closed Her Eyes were jazz-influenced with elements of alternative rock. 1997's Dynamite began a more experimental path—most of the album was filled with distorted guitars and unusual beats. A 1998 cover album, People Are Strange, followed in the same vein. In 2001 Nordenstam went with a more pop-influenced sound on This Is Stina Nordenstam, and features guest vocals from Brett Anderson. Nordenstam's 2004 album The World Is Saved continued the path set on This Is..., but presents a more realized sound and acknowledges her earlier jazz influences.
Her guest appearances include collaboration with David Sylvian's band "Nine Horses", including tracks from the album Snow Borne Sorrow and the Money for All EP. She also provided vocals for Vangelis' song "Ask the Mountains", Yello's "To the Sea", and a collaboration with Anton Fier. In 2000, Nordenstam featured on a track from Danish prog-rockers Mew's second album Half the World Is Watching Me. The track was later re-recorded for the band's international debut Frengers. Nordenstam's vocals on her track "A Walk in the Park" were used as a sample for two songs by the Canadian electronic duo Crystal Castles, "Violent Dreams" and "Vietnam".
Nordenstam is also accomplished in fields such as photography and music video directing. She is known to be reclusive: she gives very few interviews and she hasn't performed live since the Memories of a Color tour. She even alters her appearance using wigs and make-up for album covers and magazines.

Discography

Studio albums