In our series Local Voice, we’ll be introducing you to locals and some of their favourite things to do in Stockholm.
Photo by Lola Akinmade Åkerström
Meet Christiano Can. The word “storyteller” is what I can use to describe him because his performing art ebbs and flows through different genres and styles – from hip-hop and rock to poetry and blues-funk. Experiencing “TheCanJam” sessions led by Christiano is euphoric where the audience is engaged and can join in on stage and jam alongside the band. So we reached out to Christiano to share his process, latest work, and some of his favourite things to do in Stockholm.
How long have you been living in Stockholm and what drew you here?
I arrived in Stockholm in January with a clear vision about #TheCanJam and the album Money Cant Kill Music (MCKM). I had visited Stockholm several times prior. My purpose for visiting Sweden was to find iron.
Sweden provided a great deal of the iron that became chains for the Atlantic Slave Trade. For the most part this information was easily erased, burned, misplaced and overlooked in accounting and inventory records due to its unique categorisation. Sweden’s iron makers would reference this particular item as “Voyage Iron.”
I visited a Swedish mine with a friend to dig up chains. The chains were then cut in preparation for a strong symbolic and physical component of MCKM.
So to make a long story short… I was drawn to Sweden for its steel.
How would you define your style of music?
I wouldn’t define my music style. I have been unable to do it. If I could define the music then it would have a form, a mold. Right now, my style is defined by the moment of inspiration and nothing more. It’s evident in a first listener’s response to my music.
A great writer and new listener to the music recently wrote me, and I quote “I don’t even know how to describe it, it’s like rock meet blues meets hiphop meets spoken word meets funk.”
What current projects are you working on and where can people find your work and your music?
Money Cant Kill Music (MCKM) is the first major project of which I am a featured performing artist. This project has so many dimensions seen such as the Vinyl Album, Lyric and Art book, the customised chains and the fact that our music is tuned at A432.
Current for 2016: TheCanJam Album, Money Cant Kill Music ( XL ), NeverNeverLand Music Video, Money Cant Kill Music ( Animation-like-movie-thingy ), My 1st solo project!
What do you think of Stockholm’s music scene? Any favorite local bands or places you go to for live music?
I became a part of Stockholm’s music scene so fast. Stockholm is dense and flowing with music, high-level musicians, love and appreciation for music. My favorite local band would be, um, (cough), shameless plug, TheCanJam…. wherever they play. I tend to hop around the city for music. It’s everywhere!
Copperfields has a nice live music night on Thursdays, Orangeriet was grooving with the Soul Sessions on Wednesdays. I enjoy random locations where music is allowed to permeate, create and change a venue.
What are three of your favorite things to do in Stockholm?
People-watching when the sun returns in spring/summer is a must for visitors.
Rocking out in jam session at youth centers, music schools and sofa circles is awesome.
Counting how many times I can say “A” in a row in one conversation without being detected. High Score: 23
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Do you know any local voices you’d love us to spotlight or would you love to share your voice and Stockholm with us? Please get in touch with us.
