This year marks the 80th birthday of the acclaimed Swedish singer-songwriter Mikael Wiehe, a key figure in Scandinavian music. To celebrate this milestone, a tribute album titled 'Ska nya röster sjunga – en hyllning till Mikael Wiehe' will be released on October 16, 2024. This project features a roster of prominent Swedish musicians who bring new perspectives to Wiehe’s extensive song catalogue.
The lineup for the tribute is impressive, including Thåström, Lars Winnerbäck, Alba August, Moonica Mac, David Ritschard, Mira Ray, Ebba Forsberg, Jonathan Johansson, Thomas Stenström, Tomas Ledin, and Lisa Ekdahl. Each artist has chosen a track from Wiehe’s celebrated oeuvre to reinterpret, introducing his music to new generations while honoring his enduring influence on Swedish music and culture.
The first single from the album is Mira Ray’s rendition of "Mitt hjärtas fågel." Mira Ray will release her version on June 12. This song will also be performed live on television for the first time during the Victoriadagen celebrations on July 14. In discussing her choice of song, Ray has highlighted her long-standing admiration for Wiehe’s lyrical style and his fearless exploration of different musical genres, as well as how she was inspired by the progressive music movement that Wiehe has long been associated with. "Mitt hjärtas fågel" stood out to Ray due to its vibrant 1980s character and strong melodic appeal, offering her a chance to reimagine the track in her own musical style.
While details on which songs the other contributors have selected have not been revealed, the album promises a diverse and heartfelt tribute that showcases both the variety within Wiehe’s musical legacy and the creative breadth of contemporary Swedish artists. The anticipation leading up to the album's release is growing, as fans and the music community look forward to hearing how Wiehe’s work is interpreted through new voices and perspectives.
