Download Free The Cardigans * Songs

The Cardigans music biography continued...

Peter Svensson and Magnus Sveningsson, both heavy metal musicians, with drummer Bengt Lagerberg, keyboardist Lars-Olof Johansson and lead singer Nina Persson. Living together in a small apartment, The Cardigans recorded a demo tape which record producer Tore Johansson heard, leading to an invitation to record at a studio in Malmö. In 1994 they released their debut album Emmerdale in Sweden and Japan (it was re-released internationally in 1997). The album includes the Swedish radio hit "Rise & Shine" and was later voted the best of 1994 in a poll in Slitz magazine
The rest of 1994 was spent touring Europe and recording Life, which was released worldwide in 1995. Life became an international success, selling more than a million copies and achieving platinum status in Japan. In 1996 Life was released under the label Minty Fresh in the U.S., and the group played eight sold-out shows in the U.S. that summer. The American major labels began to notice the attention, and Mercury signed them soon after. First Band on the Moon, released in September 1996, de-emphasized the pure pop in favor of moodiness and darker themes. Nevertheless, the infectious single "Lovefool" became a radio hit by early 1997, and First Band on the Moon eventually reached Gold status in America, as well as platinum certification in Japan.



After 1998's lackluster release Gran Tourismo, the band went on an extended hiatus and wouldn't return again until 2003's Long Gone Before Daylight, a quieter, more ambient collection of songs mainly written by Nina Persson and Peter Svensson. Long Gone Before Daylight became one of the best selling albums in Sweden of 2003 with double Platinum sales. In 2005 the band released their sixth album Super Extra Gravity to generally favorable reviews. Super Extra Gravity went straight to the #1 spot on the Swedish album chart and has so far been certified Gold. After recording this album, the band went on another hiatus, with a Best of compilation released in 2008. Fans are hoping that they are back in the studio soon.