whats Stockholm like?

I'm town from Wednesday to Sunday. I am going to some big house party in Soder on Saturday (people I met while on holiday in Spring), but aside from that I have no real plans - all those suggestions look good! Well, they might not be my travelling partner's cup of tea, but I can twist his arm...

Stefan I might check out that Music for the Masses thing - I really didn't know what to do on Wednesday night!

Hanna if you're going to any of those things maybe I'll see you there - a Swedish ILX mini-FAP, or sorts...

And Zinkensdamm is a very good place to be. In fact, I have my thoughts on buying an apartment in that neighborhood. Just one stop with the tube from Zinkensdamm is Hornstull, with Mickes Skivor at the street Hornstulls(gatan/vägen - don't remember).

I just learned today that another very very good thing is happening tomorrow (wednesday) at Café Edenborg at Stora Nygatan 35 in Gamla Stan. The best music mag in Sweden, Sonic Magazine, has a release party from 8 pm to 1 am. Sophie Rimheden is going to play live. She is sooo good, you can listen to three tracks from her new album here: http://www.dotshop.se/ds/release.php?code=CDSVED002 . If I don't want to shoot myself thanks to too much overtime lately I'll be there for certain.

Just realised I've been to Chutney - a friend used to work there. Yeah, it was good and cheap.

Thanks folks.

I actually went to KGB afterwards which was great fun. They played lots of old Depeche Mode/OMD/etc. We got very drunk and wound up meeting some friendly people and going back to their place! A pretty long first night I have to say...

Thursday we ignored all your advice and went to Berns for the hell of it. There was some kind of special Swedish party going on - something to do with prawns(!) Everyone wearing some blue/yellow, flags around, etc. There was bad music, and lots of the 'beautiful people' there, that's for sure. I will have to say this for the record: I know it's a stupid stereotype but holy CRAP I have never seen such a collection of attractive blonde people - women and men. We were a bit shell shocked by all this and didn't stay long.

Friday we went to the Vasa museum. Permit me to repeat a setiment already expressed here: BEST. MUSEUM. EVER. Incredibly interesting. Then we hung around the park since the weather was soooo good (sunny the whole time I was there!). I pretty much saw the entire city by walking around - I did that nice walk along Norr Mälarstrand too. At night we wound up going to 'Metropolis', which was funny because it looked like a good London indie club, only in Stockholm. Met up with people I knew and we had a great time.

Saturday I shopped around Soder - Pet Sounds was a great store. I stocked up on my Jens Lekman... At night we went to a house party nearby and eventually went to Debaser for the big anniversay party. We didn't get there until really late (1:30am), so of course we missed the 'special guests' Soundtrack of our Lives. Oh well. Story of my trip, apparently.

On Sunday I went up St Eiksgatan to have a look around, and Freak Scene was closed. However, a store next door - Record Trader (?) - was open and I picked up TONS of great Swedish music. She even gave me some EPs for free (a 'Canadian discount', she said!). The latest Labrador comp is suberb.

All in all, a great trip. Thanks to the Swedish ILX posse for the tips!

I will be returning to Stockholm without a doubt (there is a very real chance I may be there for work reasons part of next year), so we'll have to meet another time...

Aah, you should have said hi!! Next time!

"some kind of special Swedish party going on - something to do with prawns(!)"

Hahaha, that's weird, sure it wasn't crayfish?

"we wound up going to 'Metropolis', which was funny because it looked like a good London indie club, only in Stockholm"

Metropolis can be a lot of fun, if you're in a good mood! The pic on the "what do you look like"-thread = me @ Metropolis actually.

"picked up TONS of great Swedish music"

What did you buy?

I can't recall everything I bought (I'm at work now). I remember Bob Lund, Suburban Kids with Biblical Names, Broder Daniel... I'll post more later ;)

ihttp://www2.hj.se/hlk/kurser/Kurs_Uppdrag_tryck_Ht03/photoshop/del2_lektion/krafta.jpg

I remembered another CD - Melpo Mene's 'Don't Save Me' EP. The 2nd song 'Good with the Mothers' has been stuck in my head all day - one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in a while.

Oh, that chips thingy is just what they do in Sweden. Lots of beer if you win!

was thinking of popping by for a few days to go to tweepop parties, buy clothes, and check out cute swedish boys. though i'd be going alone, so there better be other corny backpackers at the hostel. is that hostel on the boat still going?

The boat hostel - af Chapman, a fully-rigged 18th century ship moored at Skeppsholmen - is indeed still going and should be open, I think it only closes in January. I can recommend it, I stayed there this summer. It’s fun, and, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a room with a fantastic view over the harbour - besting any view from the swanky hotels. I was there for a week and the novelty was wearing off, but there was great camaraderie amongst the short-term sea dogs I shared my stay with.
I can also add to the recommendations for the nicely gloomy and impressive Vasamuseét. The Nordiska Museét and the Historika Museét are also worth a butchers though the Musik Museét is disappointing but has a nice café right outside. It might be a bit chilly and choppy and bleak this time of year but it would be a shame for any visitor to miss a trip to/around the miles of archipelago.
The beer’s too expensive but the locals are stunningly attractive, some are even friendly and charming, contrary to popular belief. Good kissers too.

http://www.worldsbestbars.com/city/Stockholm/HalvTrappaplusGard.asp

More info here: www.friendlynoise.tk

I don't know if I'll make it to Riche but do come to the Friendly Noise thing, and if you do make sure to say hi! I l.o.v.e. all the acts playing. You will too. :-)

Hey you might find this handy: http://kartor.eniro.se/ if you don't know your way around Stockholm... (Type in street, number, and city, and press "sök", and you'll get a handy little map to print out.)