Biography
The Stockholm-based pop collective the Concretes came together in 1995 when vocalist Victoria Bergsman, guitarist Maria Eriksson, and drummer Lisa Milberg first joined forces. Over the next three years the lineup expanded to include guitarist Markus, bassist Martin Hansson, organist Per Nystrom, trumpeter Ulrik Karlsson, and vocalist/harmonica player Malte. At the time, Malte and Nystrom performed in separate Stockholm acts, Eriksson and Bergsman attended art school, and Milberg held a position at a local graphic design firm.
Their initial release, the 1998 EP titled EP #1, was followed in 1999 by EP #2, also known as The Lipstick Edition. These two efforts were later compiled into the full-length debut Boy, You Better Run Now, issued on Up Records in mid-2000. Shortly after its appearance, Up founder Chris Takino succumbed to leukemia, leaving the Concretes without a label.
The Nationalgeographic EP surfaced in 2001 yet remained scarce because of distribution problems at Above Ground. During this period the group welcomed guitarist Daniel Varjo and horn player Ludvig Rylander. They established their own Licking Fingers imprint and issued the Forces single in 2002. Two additional singles, You Can't Hurry Love and Warm Night, appeared in 2003 and preceded the band's proper debut album, The Concretes. Astralwerks brought that record to American listeners in 2004, while the following year saw the arrival of the B-sides and rarities compilation Layourbattleaxedown, which collected most of the band's material recorded between Boy, You Better Run Now and The Concretes.
Further understated, shimmering indie pop arrived with 2006's In Colour. Bergsman departed the following year to concentrate on her folky solo project Taken by Trees, prompting the remaining members to regroup swiftly; Milberg assumed vocal duties for 2007's Hey Trouble. The 2010 album WYWH introduced dance-oriented sounds and marked the first Concretes release featuring Milberg on vocals to reach the United States.
Their initial release, the 1998 EP titled EP #1, was followed in 1999 by EP #2, also known as The Lipstick Edition. These two efforts were later compiled into the full-length debut Boy, You Better Run Now, issued on Up Records in mid-2000. Shortly after its appearance, Up founder Chris Takino succumbed to leukemia, leaving the Concretes without a label.
The Nationalgeographic EP surfaced in 2001 yet remained scarce because of distribution problems at Above Ground. During this period the group welcomed guitarist Daniel Varjo and horn player Ludvig Rylander. They established their own Licking Fingers imprint and issued the Forces single in 2002. Two additional singles, You Can't Hurry Love and Warm Night, appeared in 2003 and preceded the band's proper debut album, The Concretes. Astralwerks brought that record to American listeners in 2004, while the following year saw the arrival of the B-sides and rarities compilation Layourbattleaxedown, which collected most of the band's material recorded between Boy, You Better Run Now and The Concretes.
Further understated, shimmering indie pop arrived with 2006's In Colour. Bergsman departed the following year to concentrate on her folky solo project Taken by Trees, prompting the remaining members to regroup swiftly; Milberg assumed vocal duties for 2007's Hey Trouble. The 2010 album WYWH introduced dance-oriented sounds and marked the first Concretes release featuring Milberg on vocals to reach the United States.
Albums
Singles
