In January 2002, vocalist Christer Lundberg and producer Paul Lachenardière shook hands over a couple of beers and a vegetarian meal, agreeing on plans to create a shimmering spectacle of synthpop art. In February 2004, their debut album, "Universal Poplab", was released. The album - and several singles from it such as "New Baby Boom", "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" and "Dice Roller" - achieved chart success. With the addition of new member, sound magician Hans Olsson, the band finished their second album "UPRISING", released on 29th November 2006.

Recent single releases, "I Could Say Im Sorry", "Heart Apart" and "Fire" demonstrate the band's growing achievements and ability to permeate our heads and hearts with their insanely catchy melodies.

Since the band members have very different backgrounds, the journey from plans to music can best be described as a series of creative wild mood swings. Christer is an old-school synthpop fan, influenced by acts like Soft Cell and Yazoo. Paul is a classically trained musician with roots in jazz, electronica, trance and techno. Hans is one of Sweden's finest producers and sound engineers.

Each member's creative output has also taken various forms over the years: Christer is not only a songwriter and singer. He also hosts his own daytime radio show on Swedish radio and has produced acclaimed TV documentaries. Paul is not only an accomplished producer. As well as being a skilled multi-instrumentalist, he creates music and releases records in such varied genres as trance and nu-jazz. Hans has produced, mixed and mastered records in many varied genres. (He has recently completed a tour of Sweden alongside pop wiz Timo Räisänen). It's in the meeting of these three different minds that magic is born.

Live, the band is a riot! Universal Poplab made their live debut in 2003 at the Scandinavian Alternative Music Awards, (where, two years later, they won the award for best album). Since then, UP have gained a dedicated following through their extensive gigging at clubs and festivals, as well as their website downloads.

Universal Poplab is currently working on their third album, due for mixing in the new year at the end of January. "Fame & Hate", the first single from the new album, will be released on February 6th 2008.

The only way is UP!

/Iggy Reilly

December, 2007