Larz-Kristerz

Lars-Kristerz, a Swedish dansband, first gained widespread recognition in 2008 through their participation in the TV program Dansbandskampen, achieving major commercial breakthrough the next year via their album Hem Till Dig. The group, established in Älvdalen, Sweden during 2001, features Stefan Nykvist handling vocals, piano, and accordion, alongside Peter Larsson on vocals and rhythm guitar, Kent Lindén contributing vocals, accordion, and organ, Trond Korsmoe on lead guitar, Morgan Korsmoe playing bass, Mikael Eriksson on drums, and Torbjörn Eriksson at the organ. Their initial album release came in 2003 under the title Stuffparty 1, with Stuffparty 2 arriving in 2004 and Stuffparty 3 following in 2007. That same year of 2008 saw the ensemble join the lineup for Dansbandskampen, where they outperformed rival dansbands to claim the top spot on the program. Securing victory in the December 2008 finale prompted Sony Music to extend a major-label deal to the band. Lars-Kristerz entered the major-label arena in 2009 by issuing the single "Carina," which topped the charts after its earlier rendition during the Dansbandskampen season finale. Soon after came the release of their equally successful album Hem Till Dig in 2009, which produced another hit in the form of "Purple Rain," a rendition of Prince's 1984 chart-topper also featured in that same finale broadcast. Hem Till Dig further incorporated unusual covers such as Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine," Stevie Wonder's "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday," and Twisted Sister's "We're Not Going to Take It."