Blues Pills celebrate the release of their new album “Birthday” today with the catchy new single “Bad Choices” in Motown style

Swedish rock’n’roll band Blues Pills release their triumphant fourth studio album “Birthday” today, Friday, August 2nd. Written and recorded in Sweden’s idyllic countryside and at Recordia Studios, “Birthday” took just 10 days to record and was produced by renowned songwriter and studio guru Freddy Alexander.

“Birthday” contains ten new tracks, including the new single “Bad Choices“, a Motown-style stomp that sums up the approach of the entire album. Frontwoman Elin Larsson agrees:

Bad Choices is our attitude on this record – f*ck it, enjoy it!

The album, which contains “genuinely breathtaking moments” (Classic Rock UK), is a manifesto for Blues Pills who are more mature and ready to really go for it! They no longer feel the pressures or limitations they felt as a younger, newer band, but they still have that brilliant, irrepressible energy that defines the Blues Pills sound. Birthday is a clear statement that they are ready to take it to the next level.

The live nature of the new songs is testament to their confidence in their ability to create new and captivating sounds without changing the explosive formula they started with – a sound that is as eclectic as it is heavy and fun, and their continuity is a testament to their determination to evolve and expand their sound.

Our style of music is able to push boundaries a little bit. In a very short period of time, we went from a band that no one had heard of to a band that was playing huge festivals and bigger shows than we could have imagined. We were still quite young and that brought a lot of pressure with it. Now that we’re older, it’s easier to realize that you should just make music for yourself. And it’s a blessing that we grew up in a time when all the technology wasn’t there yet. When we started – when we recorded our first songs – it was with one of those Tascam tape recorders – so you couldn’t fix anything. So the only option was to actually play the thing. That was our starting point. I think that set the tone for the rest of our career.

Zack Anderson

Elin Larsson explains that the time in the studio was more than just the birth of a record for the band.

During the recording of the album, I found out I was pregnant. It wasn’t planned, so I was a bit overwhelmed, but it actually made it easier for me to write this album. It should be natural to be both a mother and an artist, and I want my son Loui to go on this journey with me.

The band’s feminist stance has also grown, of course, as it draws on the experiences the band has had online and on tour with a frontwoman.

For many years I had to put up with a lot because I’m a woman in rock ‘n’ roll. Zack has seen it all first hand. It gives you a new perspective. It’s a constant drive for everyone in the band.

Elin Larsson

We support each other. It’s always been like that, since the beginning 12 years ago. We’ve been through it all. The band and I like to stand behind Elin and also call ourselves feminists. That doesn’t seem controversial to us. It’s not a radical thought or a big statement. It’s just the right thing to do. Zack Anderson

In the photo shoot for “Birthday,” Elin majestically showcased her pregnant body – in a completely natural and unashamed way. With knee-high boots that kick anyone’s butt and an upright posture, Elin is ready to take off with her incredible voice and her band Blues Pills – baby in one hand and microphone in the other.

I need to do this for myself and for other moms so they don’t give up on their own passions after becoming moms. It will take time to unite the two worlds I love, but I think it will be good for my son Loui to have different experiences. Elin Larsson

I think we can also say now that we have no regrets – we don’t feel the pressure that we felt earlier in our career, this album is much freer, and that’s embodied in this song. Zack Anderson

Elin explains how “Bad Choices” came about:

I think Kribba (Kristoffer Schander) had a hangover and we were discussing his bad choices in life, and that’s how it started… Kribba started playing some bass grooves, our producer started playing the piano, and then I had the hook, you know? Bad decisions! He may have been hungover, but he had soulful vibes in that bass groove! It’s basically a “do whatever you want with your life.” People are going to have an opinion, but you have to say, “Fuck it!” Elin Larsson

And, as Elin explains, the creation of “Birthday” was not only an affirmation of Blues Pills‘ exceptional talents on and off stage, but it was also a bonding experience for them.

I felt the great love for my bandmates because they were so supportive. Everyone was like, ‘We’re so happy, we’ll get this done’. So we became even closer as band members and friends. I’m very grateful for that.

BIRTHDAY Tourdaten:
October 4, 2024: Hamburg, Germany – Gruenspan
October 5, 2024: Cologne, Germany – Luxor
October 6, 2024: Brussels, Belgium – Botanique – Museum
October 8, 2024: Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms
October 9, 2024: Glasgow, UK – Garage
October 11, 2024: London, UK – Lafayette
October 12, 2024: Manchester, UK – Band On The Wall
October 13, 2024: Dublin, Ireland – Opium
October 15, 2024: Bristol, UK – Thekla
October 16, 2024: Paris, France – Maroquinerie
October 18, 2024: Frankfurt am Main, Germany – Das Bett
October 19, 2024: Karlsruhe, Germany – Substage
October 20, 2024: Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Vredenburg
November 1, 2024: Helsinki, Finland – Tavastia
November 8, 2024: Gothenburg, Sweden – Pustervik
November 9, 2024: Stockholm, Sweden – Kägelbanan
November 21, 2024: Copenhagen, Denmark – Pumpehuset
November 22, 2024: Oslo, Norway – Vulkan Arena
November 29, 2024: Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra
November 30, 2024: Warsaw, Poland – Niebo
December 1, 2024: Prague, Czech Republic – Rock Café
December 3, 2024: Berlin, Germany – Hole 44
December 4, 2024: Vienna, Austria – SIMM City
December 6, 2024: Munich, Germany – Backstage
December 7, 2024: Rubigen/Bern, Switzerland – Mühle Hunziken
December 8, 2024: Milan, Italy – Circolo Magnolia
December 10, 2024: Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz
December 11, 2024: Madrid, Spain – Mon
December 13, 2024: Toulouse, France – Metronum *without Daniel Romano’s Outfit
December 14, 2024: Lyon, France – Marche Gare *without Daniel Romano’s Outfit

Blues Pills Sind:
Elin Larsson – Gesang
Zack Anderson – Gitarre
Kristoffer Schander – Bass
André Kvarnström – Schlagzeug