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In the 1986, NME, in conjunction with Rough Trade Records, released C86, a cassette compilation of up and coming groups in the UK. Unlike the off-the wall C81 compilation, C86 focused intensely on the shambling guitar groups that arrived in wake of the Smiths. Apart from Primal Scream, the Wedding Present and McCarthy, very few of these acts recorded anything more than a couple of 7”s. Even sadder was the fact that almost all (except for the Scream) were soon overshadowed by the rise of acid-house and shoegaze. But twenty years later it seems as though the sound of quiet and jangly pop music is enjoying a renaissance. Groups such as Voxtrot, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and Vivian Girls have all built their careers around upon the C86 Foundation.

Enter Liechtenstein, a Swedish trio comprised of Naemi on the bass, Elin on drums and Renée on guitar. (All three share vocal duties – and wow are they amazing). These three young ladies have been putting a Swedish touch on English jangle-pop since 2006. I’m not sure what it is about Liechtenstein, but something about their approach seems just right. They are not musos like Voxtrot, nor are they sickeningly sweet like the Pains. Their simple, yet beautifully arranged, songs are a terrific soundtrack for a rainy spring day. You know, one of those days when you’re staring out the window while wearing an ill-fitting cardigan and sipping milky tea.

Liechtenstein’s new album, “Survival Strategies In a Modern World”, is set to be released by Slumberland Records on June 9th. They’re currently on tour in support of this album, and will be performing at < href="http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/events/liechtenstein-lorelei-sundresses-velvet/">Velvet Lounge tonight (Wednesday, May 20th) at 9pm.
Renée was kind enough to take some time to answer some questions via e-mail. So without further ado…

I’d like to say congratulations on the upcoming release of “Survival Strategies In A Modern World.” Do you think that there is still a place for small labels that specialize in only a certain type of sound? I mean, CD sales are down, even for indie labels. And it seems as though people are still more interested in downloading music.
Thank you! Absolutely, many people still want the physical records. I think especially the vinyl record is getting popular again. There is something “real” about vinyl that you don’t get from a file; you can feel and smell a vinyl record. It’s lovely.

So there are two types of bands who name themselves after countries, cities or continents: Those who suck (e.g. Europe, Asia, Boston and Sparta) and those who don’t (Barcelona, Berlin and Monaco). Given this trend, why did you choose the name Liechtenstein?
We wanted to follow the tradition of the 80’s British socialist band McCarthy, or Swedish band Nixon. It is partly a political statement; that trying to avoid paying taxes in your own country is wrong (Ed. note – Liechtenstein’s lax laws of incorporation/taxation qualify it as a tax haven). And partly because it’s a cool name.

On your MySpace, you list the Shop Assistants, Talulah Gosh, and Television Personalities as influences. Even in this digital age, releases by these groups are still somewhat difficult to come by. How did you discover their music and what is it about them that made you want to start performing?
We used to go to this magnificent indie-pop club in Gothenburg, called Starke Adolf. That’s where we came into contact with the aforementioned bands. We kind of wanted to take off where they finished, making our own songs in the British 80’s indiepop/ postpunk tradition. Those bands simply didn’t put out enough records! And, as we go along, we continue to discover more bands from that era.

I know that y’all learned English from an early age, but do you ever have the urge to say “screw it!” and just write songs in Swedish?

It would be much more difficult to write in Swedish! None of our influences sing in our native language, and it would probably feel too “close” to write in Swedish. We would be narrowing down our potential audience. We feel the lyrics to a song are too important to “hide them away” by using our native language.

There used to be four of you (Naemi, Elin and Renee and Teresa), but now you are three. What happened to Teresa? Are you still on good terms with her?
Unfortunately Teresa could no longer find the time for the band, the main reason being that her fashion design studies became more time consuming. We still see each other, and there are no hard feelings at all, we’re just sorry we don’t get to see her as regularly as before.

Well, Cherish Kaya, formerly of the group Ipso Facto recently told NME that “Four girls in one band is never a good idea.” No offense to your former bandmate Teresa, as you parted on good terms (Kaya did not), but do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Well, one thing you could say (about just being three in a band) is that it is much more convenient when traveling. It’s easier to get along when you’re a three-piece. Plus it looks cooler on stage!

Do you think that in a more egalitarian country, like Sweden, it’s easier for girls to form bands and find success based on their talents, not their looks?
Hmm, I think that it is quite difficult everywhere, even in Sweden. You must always be ready to defend what you’re doing. It’s kind of tiring. But, as more and more all-female bands emerge, I suppose things will get easier. And, it is much easier when you play alternative music. The invisible rules governing mainstream music seem horrible.

OK, enough discussion of gender issues in modern pop performance. What music are you, Elin and Naemi currently listening to?
Elin: Cats On Fire, Shangri-La’s, Paul Simon
Naemi: Robyn Hitchcock, The Go-Betweens, Shrag
Renee: Burning Hearts, The Zombies, Postmarks

During the last few years, there’ve been a lot of bands coming out of Gothenburg. Do you have any suggestions of groups our readers should look out for in 2009?
Besides all the “Hakan Hallstrom wannabes” there are a few pearls among the new bands from Gothenburg. Days, Electric Pop Group, Tillmanns and Compute, for example. So you could say ‘the stew is still cooking in Gothenburg!

In cities like Washington DC and New York, it’s common for musicians to work serious full time jobs in order to support their love of music. Are you and your bandmates full-time musicians? Or do you all have day jobs?
We are all students and have part time jobs. It’s just as hard to survive from culture-related work in Sweden as it in the US.

What’s your favorite thing about touring the US so far?
We’ve really experienced nice and friendly people during our trip! So thumbs up for American hospitality! And the bagels are awesome!

What do you like least about our country?
The roads here are terrible, so you should do something about that…

As a final question, I’ve noticed that you have Liechtenstein tote bags. Would it be too much trouble to ask you to save one for me? Pretty please?
Of course we will save one for you!

You heard it first, kids. Special tote bag reserved for the one and only, Colonel K. And attention USDOT – start allocating more funds to fix those roads so our Swedish friends can enjoy future American tours in comfort.

Want more:
Internet socialize here: http://www.myspace.com/liechtensteinia and catch them live @ Velvet Lounge tonight

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