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Billie The Vision and the Dancers. This band out of Malmö, Sweden started back in 2004 when singer/songwriter Lars Lindquist had an idea to record some of his work. Unfortunately, he didn't feel he could do it alone, so he recruited a series of friends and went into the studio. Over the next few months I Was So Unpopular In School and Now They're Giving Me This Beautiful Bicycle was recorded. Gaining popularity through some local shows word spread around the country. Eventually, they became such a hit that they decided to fully release the album, just a little on the unconventional side: by starting their own label.

They decided on the name Love Will Pay The Bills as the label. Even with the added pressure of trying to run a successful label let alone band, BTV&TD recorded their second album and went on a full blown European tour. Their popularity continued to soar and subsequent albums followed.

The beauty of the story is with the ability to release their own music, they have complete control over it. And they have decided to use that power to do what many wouldn't: make all of the releases available for free on their website. Of course there is information on how to wire money if you so choose.

Reading about how they became what they are today, as well as how they have embraced and given back to the Internet community that spawned them made me like the band even more. It was hard to find a comparison for their sound, even with all of the terrific music coming from many of their fellow Swedes. The best I have come up with is Sufjan Stevens, born in Sweden. The writing is truly visionary, appropriately enough. The muffled yet undeniably crisp horns over layered acoustic guitars provide some great melodies. It's music for will fit any situation and any mood. Perhaps that is why their shows have ranged from coffeehouses, to high schools, and even a prison, in addition to normal clubs.

Billie The Vision & the Dancers - A Man From Argentina

Billie The Vision & the Dancers - Someday Somehow