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Gonzalez's approach methodical

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Parent Issue
Day
28
Month
June
Year
2009
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MUSIC

Gonzalez's approach methodical

Photo Caption: Jose Gonzalez will perform Wednesday at the Power Center.

PREVIEW

Jose Gonzalez

What: Swedish singer/ songwriter and Grammy winner performs as part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. English chanteuse Alice Russell also performs.

Where: Power Center, 121 Fletcher.

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday.

How much: $20-$35. Michigan League Ticket Office, 734-764-2538, and online at annarborsummerfestival.org.

Swedish singer/ songwriter visits Wednesday

BY ROGER LELIEVRE

The Ann Arbor News

Swedish singer/song-writer Jose Gonzalez, who \ has toured across Australia, China and Europe since the beginning of the year, brings his show to Ann Arbor on Wednesday.

He appears with English chanteuse Alice Russell as part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Mainstage series.

Gonzalez, who has earned gold and platinum records in multiple countries thanks to his extraordinary finger-picking guitar skills, hushed vocals and warm melodies, is known for his own originals as well as his acoustic interpretations of songs by artists such as Massive Attack, Kylie Minogue and Joy Division.

Gonzalez continues to tour in support of the CD “In Our Nature,” which surfaced in October 2007, following up his 2006 major-label debut, “Veneer.” His song “Heartbeats” was featured in a Sony Bravia TV commercial, which broadened his appeal outside of the indie circuit. Gonzalez recently collaborated with The Books on a cover of Nick Drake’s “Cello Song.”

Before being bitten by the music bug, Gonzalez, 29, was on his way to becoming a researcher in biochemistry at the University of Gothenburg. He says he attacks his music almost in the same way: patiently, methodically and with great interest in finding unexpected angles.

“The work In ‘Our Nature’ was to a great extent about bringing out different approaches,” he wrote in comments on his web site.

SEE GONZALEZ, C2

GONZALES FROM C1

Chanteuse Russell accompanies singer

"I didn't want to write about love, but find other, though equally universal, themes for the songs."

In his teens, Gonzalez learned how to play classical guitar and some time later, when he was part of the hardcore scene, he sat at home writing low-voiced pieces on his guitar. That range of expression, or maybe that contradiction in expression, says a lot about Gonzalez and his new CD.

"It is an album that on the one hand is very accessible and speaks easily, and on the other has a darkness and a seriousness that more than often borders on what should be considered healthy. I like playing with symbolism," he said.

Alice Russell, meanwhile, is a talent in her own right.

Her blue-eyed soul has drawn comparisons to other British vocalists, including Sia, Amy Winehouse and Adele. Her recent LP, "Pot of Gold," has earned acclaim for its retro-soul vibe and powerhouse vocals.