The Cardigans - March 2004

Most people will undoubtedly always remember The Cardigans for "Lovefool", the saccharine radio hit from the Romeo & Juliet soundtrack that catapulted the group to fame throughout most of the known universe. However, few people realize that The Cardigans have actually been doing their thing for well over a decade, growing from a small indie-label band in their native Sweden into a chart-topping international supergroup that has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. This summer The Cardigans return to the U.S. after a four year absence to celebrate the the release of Long Gone Before Daylight, the most beautiful and intimate record of their career, as well as to breeze through a summer tour with Liz Phair. T. Cole Rachel sits down with the band's lovely front woman, Nina Persson, to discuss.

TCR: How would you say your new record differs from your previous records?

NP: Intereting question. . . well, I'd say it is a little bit more like going back to the sound of our earliest records, like Emmerdale from '94. We're trying to not use computers or samples too much and just concentrate on the quality of the songs. It's a very warm record. . .

TCR: It's very lush and organic sounding, very naturalŠ

NP: Lush is a good word for it.

TCR: Where do you all spend most of your time now? Do you still live in Sweden?

NP: Yeah, we all live in Sweden, though I split my time between Sweden and New York.

TCR: Do you ever get tired of being the only girl, traveling around with a bunch of guys?

NP: Actually, no. I'm really fine with it. We're a very diplomatic bunch, and we get along very well these days.

TCR: A lot of people here in the US don't realize that The Cardigans have been making music for over 10 years. Does it ever shock you that you've been doing it for this long?

NP: We're actually going on our 12th year. . . and it's really hard for me to even say what I feel about it sometimes, it's been such a huge part of my life for so long­for over a third of my life, actually. I'm just really grateful, you know? Grateful to still be around. Not many bands get to have such a long life, or they get dropped, or whatever. We're still together, still having a good time, and we still get to put out records. It's amazing.

TCR: I'm not sure a lot of people really understand what a big band you guys are. It must be strange to play such big shows abroad and then come here and play smaller places. . .

NP: It's not so weird. It's wonderful to play intimate venues. We understand it, and I myself would much rather come and sell out a smaller place than play to a half empty huge room.

TCR: You're touring this summer with Liz Phair, right?

NP: Yeah, we just wanted to do a tour, you know? It's this tour put together by Maybelline, and I really couldn't care less about make-up, but I just thought it would be nice to do this big tour and for someone else to pay for it.

TCR: I noticed at your show the other night that there were a ton of gay men present. Were you aware that you have such a large gay following?

NP: Well, I know that we used to. So much so that there were drag queens impersonating me in different places. I actually have a videotape of someone performing as me, which is so wonderful. I think it's great. I generally trust the judgement of gay men, so I think it's amazing. When in New York, I also happen to live in Chelsea, and I love being in the minority there.

TCR: How do you feel about always being known for "lovefool"? Has that song haunted you?

NP: Oh, well. . . it's certainly haunted us and there was a time when we really hated that song. But I think we're over it now. It was a long time ago too. We used to get bummed out when that was the only thing that people would ask for at shows, but I think we've finally forgiven that song. It's given us so much and we're proud of it. We've let it go.

Long Gone Before Daylight is released on May 25th.

- T. Cole Rachel