Spinner RPM: Kleerup

Posted on Sep 15th 2009 1:30PM by Scott Tomford
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There's always a number of hot music scenes at any given time, and with artists like Robyn, Sally Shapiro, the Sounds and the Tough Alliance gaining notoriety, it's safe to say that Sweden is currently at the top. "Places become known for one thing or another," Swedish producer Kleerup, whose full name is Andreas Kleerup, tells Spinner. "The music in Italy is not great, but they have food and soccer. Oil in Kuwait. Grunge from Seattle. I think making music in Sweden is somewhat symbolic of life there. It's about starting off bad and taking that and twisting it around."

The producer, who uses his last name as an alias, is one of many responsible for this resurgence. Until two years ago, Kleerup was relatively unknown to most, though he immediately shot to notoriety with the production of Robyn's 'With Every Heartbeat,' which became a No. 1 single in the UK. The song is a perfect example of Kleerup's sound, a melancholy slice of dance-pop laden with fuzzy synths and keyboards that seem as chilly as the weather in homeland. Asked to describe his own sound, Kleerup opts to use a transportation metaphor. "In Japan, I'd take these bullet trains that had a very distinct sound. It was comfortable and mellow," he says. "I'd say my sound is a sad train of smoothness, trying to get to the next level."

After rising to the top with his production work, Kleerup's finally taking center stage with his self-titled debut, which features a slew of guest spots from artists such as Lykke Li, Titiyo and Linda Sundblad. By now, the sad train sound is his signature, and he continues to explore it both with his own tracks and the songs of those he produces for, such as Cyndi Lauper. While one might expect Kleerup's influences to skew towards the dance side of the fence, some might be shocked to discover Kleerup feels just as much kinship to Frank Zappa and Motley Crue.

To get a better idea of Kleerup's past influences and current sounds, check out this exclusive mix of new-school electro, old time rock 'n' roll and Kleerup's own orchestration-tinged take on dance music, kicking off the mix with his song, 'Rainfire.'

Setlist
Kleerup, 'Rainfire'
Jean-Michel Jarre, 'Oxygen 11'
Neu, 'Isi'
America, 'Ventura Highway'
Fujiya & Miyagi, 'Ankle Injuries'
Shout Out Louds, 'Tonight I Have To Leave It' (Kleerup Remix)
Journey, 'Separate Ways'
Feist, 'My Moon My Man' (Boys Noize RemiX)
Hall & Oates, 'Family Man'
Kraftwerk, 'Europe Endless'