Aah Sweden – home to ice hotels, Dolph Lundgren and, of course, Ikea. Unbeknownst to most, Sweden is also a rather spiffing hotbed of musical talent. Perhaps one of the country’s most recent underground success stories is Studio’s “West Coast” album, a blissful exploration into Balearic disco. They are far from the being Sweden’s only exciting electronic export, however. Brothers Arvid and Erik Niklasson have been Plej (pronounced Play) since 2001 now, creating gorgeous, lush dance music that has been soothing and moving in equal measure.

Arvid & Erik started Plej as a label in January 2001 releasing a 12” with Arvids' music on one side and Erik’s (Eerik) on the other. This was a very limited version, if you own one you have one percent of the edition! Although Plej started as a label for the brothers to release their material, they soon realized that they had more fun making music than they did trying to get people to buy it. So, the label name became the brand and more music was made.

The Plej sound is characterised by a playful, soft, melodic and experimental approach to house music. Soft club orientated house opens up to experimental deep house that incorporates melodies. The brothers cite the likes of Herbert, Forcetracks and Isolee as inspiration, outlining the desire to create music that is interesting and unpredictable.

Plej emerged in 2003 on exceptional with their seminal debut, 'Electronic Music from the Swedish Leftcoast'. The album achieved cult status via word of mouth and over the years has proved to be a timeless classic. Their unique take on electronic music - incorporating lush atmospherics, warm instrumentation and sophisticated musicality – has won over dance connoisseurs and casual music lovers alike.

Aside from working on Plej's follow up Arvid and Erik have been busy with numerous other projects for the past couple of years. Unbeknownst to most, Erik is also the lead singer in The Similou who had a Top Ten hit last summer with the perfect shiny pop of 'All This Love', whilst Arvid wrote and directed The Similou's two first videos.

We're glad to announce that the duo's second long-player is now complete! Home Is Where The Heart Was has been written and produced by Plej and mixed by fellow Swede Hird (‘Keep you hird’, ‘Moving On’ ), who also produced The Knife's 'Silent Shout' and the currently hotter than hot Studio's 'West Coast' album.

Plej Press Cuttings:

IDJ review
IDJ mini feature
DJ Seasons review
IDJ Seasons review
Muzik album review July 03
Update album review August 03
DJ Magazine
IDJ Magazine - Feb '03
The Times - 30.5.03
Logo Magazine
Time Out 3/11/03
Straight No Chaser (album reissue)
Dazed & Confused, May 05
DMC Update - "Safe Place" review, Oct 07
DJ Magazine "Safe Place" review, Oct 07
DJ Magazine, Fantastic 4 feature Oct 07
One Week To Live feature, Oct 07
One Week To Live, Safe Place single review Oct 07
Time Out, Safe Place single review Oct 07
DJ Magazine, Safe Place single review Oct 07
DMC Update "Borderline/Freaks" review, March 08
DMC Update Album review, July 08
"Home Is Where Your Heart Was" album review, Clash Magazine, August 08
Plej artist feature, Clash Magazine, August 08

Tracks by Plej available on the exceptional Jukebox:

Blue
Seasons
You

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Titles available on exceptional by Plej:

Sky EP # 5 - 12"
Electronic Music From The Swedish Leftcoast - Double LP
Electronic Music from the Swedish Leftcoast - CD
You - 12"
Blue - 12"
Lay of the Land - 12"
Electronic Music from the Swedish Leftcoast (reissue dbl cd) - Double CD
Seasons - 12"
Safe Place - 12"
Borderline/Freaks - 12"
Home Is Where Your Heart Was - CD

Website:

You can see what else Plej are up to by going to their site: www.plej.se/