In Which We Run For The Land Of The Ice And Snow

A Moomin For the Misbegotten

by Molly Lambert

That tears it, I’m moving to Finland. Now that global fashion and youth culture are identical in every country, I may as where go somewhere that can’t help but be silly to begin with.

I can even almost stand to look at their Hollywood Cobrasnake Trash NY Doll Glam Rockers, still thriving on the success of Hanoi Rocks. Former Hanoi Rocks guitarist Nasty Suicide is now a Pharmacist.

There’s the usual assortment of punks, metalheads, cosplayers, rockabilies, skaters, wiggers, and indie kids. Somehow the whole nineties raver fashion revival bothers me less when filtered through Eurotrash. It’s still kinda the nineties in most of Europe anyway. Is it weird to want to put a whole race of people in my pocket? Nation Crush!

Fashionable Finns, with their own real quotes, from Hel-Looks

“Mötley Crüe is the best. Vince Neil is such a good singer. I think you cannot have too long hair.” – Lassi (16)

“I’m wearing a computer keyboard cable as a belt, because I found the shape interesting. And it looks good. – Jonna (21)

“The secret of style: hair wax. Elvis is my style king: He had no limits and he always looked good.” -Kalle (23)

Also noted: Kalle has a plastic bag in his pocket. There is some pizza in it.

“Everything is black this autumn. I would like to spend a gothic Christmas at an isolated cottage in Lapland.” – Antti (25)

“My favorite themes are freshness, comfort and love. I’ve been wearing this outfit for the whole week. I’ve been happy and playful.” – Merja (26)

“I’ve made this panda sweatshirt myself.” – KSPR (31)

“My UniBit-skirt is made by my Israeli friends, who make clothes for trance parties in Goa. My favorite colour is brown as you can see.” – Susanna

“Today I chose this bowler, because bowlers are quite rare. For party times I have a top hat and for the winter a felt hat. My style idols are those Swedish-speaking gentlemen around their 50’s or 60’s walking along Aleksanterinkatu.” – Lauri (17)

“I always wear a vest. People who lived their youth in the 60’s – 80’s are my congenial souls. They lived the music I like: Deep Purple for example.” – Aleksi (16)

“I’ve had this style since 1973. That year I found Chuck Berry and sold all my lousy prog rock LP’s. The final step was when I saw American Graffiti.” – Unski (48)

“The next big thing: new dadaism. My current obsession is making a feminist porn magazine.” – Sanna (25)

“I’m wearing black clothes, because my plants died today. I’m a big fan of the Middle Ages and I make medieval clothes myself.” – Elina (16)

“I have a blue period now. Last summer I wore only violet, last year yellow-and-black. I love colours.” – Marja (62)

“My style is timeless.” – Timo (31)

“I would never wear a beret. I have three kinds of shoes.” – Erkki (23) and Raimo (7 months)

“The next trend is back to the roots style: a fur or nothing at all! A fur in winter, summertime you go around naked.” – Matu (24)

Juha (22), his quote was boring I just put him in bc he looks like the Finnish love-child of Ethan Hawke and Johnny Drama.

“I design latex clothes. I want to give latex more street credibility.” – Kirsi (25)

“I’m celebrating my 70th anniversary with Elvis Presley. I had my birthday party at Naantali Spa. I was dressed up in a white cowboy hat and white cowboy boots with golden toes.” – Irma (70)

The Groke, A Moomin creature symbolizing Seasonal Affective Disorder

I love all the Scandanavian countries. I’ve never been, but it’s at the top of my imaginary vacation list right now. Nordic culture has brought me treasures like the Moomintrolls, Pippi Longstocking and ABBA!

I’m most interested in visiting Reykjavík, (which “Ingrid,” our bawdy poetess informed me was nicknamed “Break Your Dick” by American soldiers for the promiscuity of its women). But I also want to go to the island of Kailo off Western Finland to visit MOOMINWORLD!!!

just another day on Moomin Island

did I mention I’m moving here?

my beautiful new Finnish home

Mr. Nicolai Dunger! Singer-songwriter, former soccer player, part time gardener, and full time superfox.

He’s been called the Swedish Will Oldham and collaborated with regular flavor Will Oldham and BBQ flavor Paul Oldham, presumably out of a shared affection for genre hopping and lyrics about bonors!

The Brothers Palace came across him when he was recording with Mercury Rev. His voice sounds like Buckleys pere and fils, Ryan Adams, and often like Van Morrison. These songs are from his 2004 album, the impeccably titled Here’s My Song, You Can Have It…I Don’t Want It Anymore.

My Time Is Now – Nicolai Dunger: mp3

Hunger – Nicolai Dunger: mp3

Slaves – Nicolai Dunger: mp3

Wild White Horses – Nicolai Dunger: mp3

Nicolai in 2007, looking extremely Nilssonish

MORE FUN FROM THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN:

The Rawking refuses to stop oeuvreblogs Nicolai Dunger.

Swedish Feminist Progg Rock band Röda Bönor. Famous songs include Diskoteksjakt (“Disco-hunt”) and Sången om sexualmyterna (“The song of the sexual myths”).

A charming Icelander muses on music and love at The Forgotten Trail

Molly Lambert is senior editor of This Recording. She is not really moving to Finland, unless you’re paying. You are welcome to pay.

PREVIOUSLY ON THIS RECORDING:

We took a mind trip to Georgia

Alex went Into The Wild and came back just shy of alive.

Tess went to the Dirty South and ate a deep fried avocado, then reminded us why traveling always sucks. Airports.