(France)
 
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Graceful and riveting, dreamy and sensuous, MAI’s (Johanna Wedin) music is an invitation to the mesmerizing musical world drawn by Johanna Wedin. With the help of a few like-minded artists and producers such as Fred Fortuny, Dorian Dumont (The Teenagers) and Bardi Johannson of Lady and Bird / Bang Gang. MAI’s delicate intricacies and emotional power are crafted with Johanna’s dreamlike inflected Folk and Pop music. Johanna set out on a musical journey taking her first from her native Sweden to New York and then to Paris, drawing the attention and earning the respect of many a gifted producer and musician ultimately giving us the debut “Still Need A Kiss”. On her return to Paris in 2003, Johanna made the acquaintance of the French musician and then music journalist Dorian Dumont. Out of a mutual love for music, and a mutual willingness to write songs in the same mood. Johanna and Dorian both took on songwriting duties, blending Johanna’s love for dreamy though slightly tormented soundscapes and Dorian’s pop leanings. Interweaving folk and organic influences, as can be heard on MAI’s debut album «Still Need A Kiss» with the dream-pop notion; meanwhile giving Johanna the opportunity to allow her wonderful lush voice shine through the songs. Johanna issued a critically acclaimed 7’’ entitled «Snowing Downtown», which has earned MAI comparisons to both Jullee Cruise and Mazzy Star. Also the live performances, made for an intense and emotional experience, earning opening act slots for such bands as Grizzly Bear and Teitur or even A Camp. In the beginning of 2008 MAI started making demos for a new album, which lead to a trip to the French alpes where she, with the help of Fred Fortuny, produced her second album, surrounding herself with talented musicians like Andreas Söderström from Sweden, Samy Osta (Domingo), and Raphael Seguinier (Drummer in Cocoon). On this second album MAI wanted to explore more instruments and real-life sounds instead of electronic programming. One can still find old school drum machines on a few songs and some electronica, but most present in this album are Folk guitars, violins, percussion and drums and also many more instruments used in more unconventional ways. In addition to this Johanna’s singing is much more present and very close to the listener without artificial effects, such as most voice recordings on « Still Need A Kiss ». This album will first of all become a much more personal album of Johanna Wedin (MAI).