Jens Lekman Tonight at Mao

Jens Lekman is playing tonight. This is really big news for indie kids who know what's what, but also for anyone interested in hearing one of the best songwriters out there (if you like brand names and statistics, how does a 9.0 from Pitchfork sound?). I first heard him in Boston, one half of one of my favorite bands, the Kings of Convenience, insisted that, instead of heading back to the hotel lobby after his concert, we speed across town to catch the last bit of his fellow Scandanavian's concert. Jens (pronounced "Yens") was fantastic, so earnest, sweet, smart, heartbreaking even. Then came his recent album, Night Falls over Kortedala, which complemented his fine lyrics with rich instrumentals and the occasional sample. Baroque pop and folk, Motown, jazz, and 60s rock. Stephen Merritt and Belle and Sebastian and Jonathan Richman, to name just a few easy comparisons.

But the writing. How can you not appreciate stories that begin "In church on Sunday making out in front of the preacher. You had a black shirt on with a big picture of Nietzsche."? In one of my favorites, "Maple Leaves," She said it was all make-belief but I thought you said maple leaves and when she talked about the fall I thought she talked about the season I never understood at all I hear that. "Postcard to Nina": But Nina I can be your boyfriend. So you can stay with your girlfriend. Your father is mailing me all the time. He says he just wants to say hi I send back "out of office, auto-replies" Tales of being driven to ecstasy and then its opposite by the opposite sex are often smudged and faded like old photos, and turn the mundane into the magical. And in "Black Cab" he sings of a transportation dilemma that Beijingers can appreciate: I've heard all the stories 'bout the black cabs and the way they drive but if you take a ride with them you may not come back alive ... you don't know anything so don't ask me questions just turn the music up and keep your mouth shut black cab, black cab. The night begins with Arrows Made of Desire, continues with hip-hop electrician Viktor Sjöberg and then Jens.

Jens Lekman & Viktor Sjoberg, Arrows Made of Desire
Swedish indie pop musician Jens Lekman is joined by fellow Swede Viktor Sjoberg, with Arrows Made of Desire opening. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance).
9pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Links and Sources
Jens Lekman Official Site
MySpace: Unofficial Jens Lekman
SMH: Sounds of suaveness (image)
Youtube: Jens Lekman - "Pocketful of Money" - Live in Bloomington