Dungen

Dungen
Dungen playing at the Malmöfestivalen, Sweden, August 2006.
Background information
Origin	Sweden
Genre(s)	Neo-psychedelia Indie rock
Years active	1999 - present
Label(s)	Subliminal Sounds (SE) Kemado Records (US) Astralwerks (US) Memphis Industries (UK) Dew Process (AUS)
Website	http://www.dungen-music.com/
Members
Gustav Ejstes Reine Fiske Fredrik Björling Mattias Gustavsson

Dungen (pronounced "doo-ngen") (Swedish: "the grove", /ˈdɵŋən/ in IPA) is a Swedish rock band based in Stockholm. Often classified as psychedelic rock, Dungen is also influenced by Swedish (and other) folk music, classic rock, progressive rock and indie rock.

The band is fronted by singer/composer Gustav Ejstes, who writes all music and plays the majority of instruments on the band's records. Despite this, Dungen plays live as a four-piece. Gustav, who in his teens started his songwriting with hip hop, is backed live by Swedish progressive rock veteran Reine Fiske (Landberk, Morte Macabre, Paatos, The Guild) on guitar, bassist Mattias Gustavsson (Life On Earth!), and drummer Fredrik Björling (The Guild)-- all of whom have played parts on Dungen's studio albums.

Following two vinyl album releases on Swedish record label Subliminal Sounds, Dungen briefly signed to Dolores Recordings (a subset of Virgin Records) in 2002, on which they released the CD Stadsvandringar and three singles, including one for Djungelboken 2 (the Swedish version of The Jungle Book 2). Gustav soon returned to his friend's independent record label Subliminal Sounds, stating that a major label did not feel right because Dungen is not a pop act.

Although Dungen's songs are sung entirely in Swedish, 2004's Ta Det Lugnt received great acclaim within indie rock circles and established the band's international reputation. This resulted in the band headlining two US tours and landing distribution deals in the US and UK. Dungen also got to perform their song "Panda" on the popular NBC television talk show Late Night With Conan O'Brien. In 2006, Dungen played at the famous Bonnaroo music festival and has also toured with Wolfmother and the Tucker B's around Australia.

Dungen released their fourth studio album, Tio Bitar on April 25, 2007 but have not yet confirmed whether or not they will tour in support of it during the Spring.

Discography

Albums

• Dungen (2001)
• Dungen 2 (2002)
• Stadsvandringar (English - City Walks) (2002)
• Ta Det Lugnt (English - Take it Easy) (2004)
• Tio Bitar (English - Ten Pieces, (2007)

EPs

• Tyst Minut (Silent Minute) (2005, Subliminal Sounds) (12" vinyl, also included with 2005 re-release of Ta Det Lugnt)

Singles

• Solen Stiger Upp (The Sun Rises) (2002, Dolores Recordings) (CD)
• Stadsvandringar (song) (2002, Dolores Recordings) (CD)
• Jag vill va' som du / Har du vart' i Stockholm? (I wanna be like you / Have you been in Stockholm?) (2003, Dolores Recordings) (CD)
• Panda (2005, Memphis Industries) (CD, 7" vinyl)
• Festival (2006, Memphis Industries) (7" vinyl)

Compilations

• Who Will Buy These Wonderful Evils (2002, Dolores Recordings)

External links

• Official website in Swedish and English
• Dungen: Pitchfork Live Review (9/29/05)
• Dungen: Pitchfork Interview (3/28/05)
• Dungen: Lyrics in Swedish

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