Astrid Swan reissues debut album Poverina this Sept. 2025 – celebrating 20 years since it’s release.
Astrid Swan returns to live performance with two shows celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut album Poverina,
originally released in 2005 in Finland. Swan will perform the album at G LiveLab Tampere and G LiveLab Helsinki.
At both shows Astrid will be joined by KO:MI.
17th Sept. G Livelab Tampere + KO:MI
19th Sept. G Livelab Helsinki + KO:MI
Joining Swan on stage for these shows will be her long standing band: Mikael Hakkarainen, Veli Kauppinen,
Alina Toivanen and Johannes Salomaa. Hakkarainen can be heard on the original recording of Poverina.
The rest of the band have played with Swan for over a decade at this point.
Poverina 20th Anniversary Edition will be out in September 2025 as a limited edition CD –
with a reinterpretation of the US album artwork by Varpu Eronen.
The remaster will feature one unreleased track from the Poverina sessions – “Special One’s” –
a song Swan revisited years later on the Teosto-palkinto winning album From The Bed and Beyond.
The reissued album features a deep new remaster by Tuomas Salmela.
Swan releases a video for Poverina’s opening track “They Need You If They Think You Love Them”.
This music video has never been released until now. The video was shot in 2006 in Helsinki and directed by Miika Saksi.
For various reasons it never saw the light of day, until now. 20 years on it becomes a visual time capsule of the early 2000s.
Watch “They Need You If They Think You Love Them”
Astrid Swan tells about Poverina and the music video
“In 2005 I was 23-years old. It felt like realising my dream had taken a long time and I was now too old to be releasing my debut album in the spring. It was a big production, the most expensive album I have thus far made. I had a producer (Nick Triani), engineer (Jyrki Tuovinen, Triani), musicians (names given later) and an arranger for the orchestral parts (Jimi Tenor). There was a combination of home spinning and a nice load of studio time in some of the best studios in the country. I benefited from the timing: just before the absolute take-over of home studios and the decision of record companies to reduce budgets to smaller and then to none.
I had been writing songs since I was 13, but most of the Poverina pieces came relatively freshly, closer to the process of recording. The name of the album [italian, pronounced po-ve-ree-na] is an example of the certainty and playfulness I possessed: my boyfriend’s Italian mother used to call me ‘poverina’ when ever we met or spoke on the phone and I liked the pity and the reference to poverty –– of having nothing and being nothing in feminine form –– Poor girl, tyttörukka. These were the connotations I was evoking. Of course it was a difficult title, often pronounced erroneously as ‘power-ina’ and interpreted as some kind of a feminist statement of empowerment. But my artistry was already constructing its forms both more seriously and more playfully than I was given credit for.
Original Poverina promo shot by Riitta Supperi
As we recorded, I had the sense that my songwriting was getting better just then and so the atmosphere of studios and my ability to be quite spontaneous allowed for some very new tracks to end up on the album. On the other hand, writing songs for ten years before the first official release is a long time (I am discounting demos here). I had time to imagine and visualize how Astrid Swan would sound like. My vision was vast, I did not want to limit myself. It wasn’t enough to just have a group of musicians to realize one sound, I wanted orchestral sweeps, electronic minimalism and rock as well as jazz band capabilities. Luckily, I got it all. Jimi Tenor agreed to arrange the horns, strings and percussion as well as playing on some songs himself. In the bass department, I got to have both electric (Janne Lehtinen) and double bass (Tapani Varis) on the album. On other tracks you can hear Ninni Poijärvi on violin and my childhood and school friend Juulia Niiniranta on viola. There was Mongo Aaltonen on percussion and on some other tracks Abdis Assefa, Tuomas Toivonen and Arttu Tolonen – the Giant Robots – brought their city cool minimalism. There was the steadiness of Heikki Tikka on drums and the promise of Jukka Eskola’s trumpet playing… So many great musicians were willing to gift their time and sound to the album. If Poverina was a film or a series of TV episodes, it would have been rich in characters and plot twists, but I trusted that everything was united by my storytelling songs, voice and piano. That has been a recipe I have followed ever since, sometimes to more distant nooks and other times I have been almost easy to follow.
Poverina was enthusiastically received in Finland. Though I remember answering questions about my songwriting a lot. Did I really write it all myself? Was I really playing? I was often met with polite disbelief. Was I real? Was I late, early, a copy or an original?
Later I learned that my debut album was especially meaningful to a host of young women and LGBTQIA+ community members, some of whom have become artists of their own. I have no yearning to claim to be the first of anything, but there was a sense of newness attached to me and to Poverina. The fact that I wrote and sang in English was not a problem then. I was perceived as a pragmatist: she must be reaching beyond this land.
Astrid Swan Poverina promo pic 1
Photo by Silvi Traina
In 2007 Poverina was published by Minty Fresh in the USA. Another dream-come-true. There was no music video for the Finnish release in 2005, but in 2006 we made a video for “They Need You If They Think You Love Them”. I remember it was aimed for the US release of Poverina, which had been agreed after a solo showcase at SXSW, Austin in 2006. I wore the copper dress that then featured on the album cover and the music video. In artistic co-operation you can never be certain of the outcome, it is always something resembling a dream and constructing something else from it. The video for “They Need You…” had some elements that I wished for: choreographed dancing, a kind of narrative that builds from the song, but it had others that I felt uncomfortable with. Was I turning into the princess of other people’s dreams that I was warning against on my first ever single? Was I selling or being sold? Ultimately, due to artistic differences and managerial issues, the video was shelved and became something of a mystical memory. I did not see it for 19 years. Now I can watch it and think what if. What if I had traveled to the US with the video accompanying my music? What if I had set aside my hesitation and my searching?”
To read more on the times, here is a link to Swan’s 2024 essay “Fiction at the Root of My Existence” on the early 2000s and what it was like to attempt to forge a career in music as a solo woman on the road.
Poster for the USA release of Poverina in 2007 (Image by Kaapo Kamu)
Historical press quotes for Poverina
“An entire album full of a young singer-songwriter’s own songs is not exactly an everyday occurrence in Finnish pop music…Poverina is an astonishing album, of which the creative team should be proud.” Soundi
“…the best part of Poverina is that the album also knows how to utilize lightness and beauty is not only revealed under storm clouds, but also knows how to love a light summer day. Although the ingredients of the concoction have certainly been mixed up in many ways, Astrid Swan’s vision works really well for us.” Desibeli
“What is clear, however, is that Poverinaa can be quite safely recommended to any pop music lover. If you want to be good to yourself and relax at the end of a hard day, go buy this album instead of a bottle of wine.” Noise
“Helsinki-based Astrid Swan’s debut is a beautifully orchestrated pop that is both cool and dramatic at the same time.” HS
“as getting-away-from-the-norm, escapist fare, this certainly works.” Pop Matters
“Swan is a charismatic performer; one is compelled to follow her, and she makes it easy to do so. And it’s ultimately this charisma that makes Poverina a compelling debut. These are conscientiously made songs; they’re intelligent, whimsical, and entertaining to boot. But they wouldn’t be anything without Swan’s skill as an actor and interpreter.” All Music
“Astrid Swan’s voice, which has something of Neko Case’s fluid and convincing solidity both lower down and higher up. Finally, at the height of the breezy-swingy chorus, Swan strays into off-kilter chords, attractively minor and/or diminished sounding. And, okay, it doesn’t count for anything but I also happen to think Astrid Swan is one of the coolest names in show business.” Fingertips music on “Good Girl”
“…she doesn’t oversell her songs, rather presenting them at face value. “They Need You If They Think You Love Them” and “Life in a Container” may have fragile subjects, but their stories are told with strength.” Prefix Magazine
“Whether she writes/sings about what she is feeling or seeing someone else feel, it’s surely real. She really is amazingly talented and comparable to even the greats” Bring Me Up
“What a striking sound from 22 year-old Finn, Astrid Swan. The orchestration is by another Finn, Jimi Tenor, and striking as it is, Astrid’s voice and lyric are probably more so.” Record of The Day
“Female, young, and utterly glamorous. Piano, voice, English lyrics: In Finland, Astrid Swan is an exceptional phenomenon with this combination.” Nordische-musik
“Astrid leads the listener imperceptibly through different musical styles throughout the album without any stylistic violations. Definitely the best Finnish offering of the year so far.” Findance
“Swan succeeds in her fairy-tale folk revelries. Poverina has glamour and the smell of the forest. “ Mesta net
Feature/interview at Musical Discoveries
Biography
Astrid Swan is a songwriter, performer, writer and researcher. Since her debut in 2005 she has published six solo albums as well as a series of collaborative releases. Swan’s solo records have been released in Finland, USA, England, Germany and Scandinavia. Over the years she has performed on multiple tours in Europe and the USA. Swan’s sixth solo album From the Bed and Beyond won the prestigious Finnish music award, Teosto-palkinto, in 2018. The album, which describes the experience of becoming seriously ill and encountering the figure of death, was shortlisted for the Nordic Music Prize and nominated at the Emma Awards (her second nomination for a Finnish Grammy.) In 2021 Swan released her latest solo album D/other, which is an accomplished amalgamation of her thematic songwriting over her career, sonic production and her work with the long-term accompanying musicians in her band. In 2019 Swan co-composed, co-produced, recorded and mixed the SWAN/KOISTINEN EP (Soliti), a collaboration with singer/songwriter Stina Koistinen (Color Dolor) and the Canadian musician Owen Pallett.
Swan’s creative expansiveness has resulted in intersecting careers in music, literature and research. At this point, Swan considers it her method to continue to work in all three areas, often inspecting thematic conglomerates in both artistic and research methods at the same time. During her 20-year career in music, Swan has become an award-winning Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil 2021, from University of Helsinki, gender studies) and a practicing researcher as well as an author. She is currently a visiting scholar at Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, University of Oxford 2024-2025, where she works on the Finnish Research Council funded project Counter-Narrative of Cancer. In 2019 Swan published a Finnish-language memoir Viimeinen kirjani: kirjoituksia elämästä (Nemo), which constructed a narrative of the different strands of her life experience from a child who grew up in an unsafe home to a woman who wrote her own songs in the early 2000s to falling ill with incurable cancer in her early 30s. In 2024 Swan published her first novel, Noitarakastaja (S&S Kustannus) which she describes as an experiment on literary form and an elegy to mother-daughter love in the grips of generational violence.
Swan writes, produces, records and mixes her music. Her songwriting has drawn from the American songbook of the 20th century, the nursery rhymes and folk songs of Finno-Scandinavia and the classical and contemporary music traditions of the last centuries. The result is a blend of pop structuralism, art music sensibilities, and the cold weather poetry of the dream escape from the North. Accompanying herself with piano, Swan is a storyteller striving for emotional accuracy in the poetics of popular music. Sometimes this might sound like being comforted in hell, other times like residing in a sonic bloom.
As a composer Swan is currently working on two projects: a) she is recording pop songs to express the insecurity, unpredictability and melancholia of grief and b) she is composing her path toward ancestry by using the recordings of violinist Kerttu Wanne (1905-1963) and pianist Astrid Joutseno (1899-1962) to co-create with them.
Photo by Silvi Traina
Solo Discography:
Poverina (2005) (Delphic/Minty Fresh/Soliti)
Spartan Picnic (2008) (Johanna Kustannus)
Better Than Wages (2009) (Johanna Kustannus)
Hits (Pavement for Girls) (2011) (Soliti)
From the Bed and Beyond (2017) (Soliti)
Selected Press for Astrid Swan’s D/other album
“Deeply touching LP from award winning performer” – Mojo
“The album is beautifully raw, combining pop and poetic storytelling to uncover the beautiful interplay between life and death”. – Noctis Magazine
“D/other is not hit music, but something deeper that requires concentration. Beautiful and warm reflections on life from a sunset perspective.” 4.5/5 Kulttuuritoimitus
“…an excellent album and her explorations into the themes of motherhood are extensive and interesting” 4/5 R&R Magazine
D/other audio documentary via Ykle Svenska
Interview via Helsingin Sanomat
Interview via Nordic Watchlist
Album of the week Radio Helsinki
Interview via Kulttuuriykkönen
“On D/other Swan evokes deep feelings” I-P Ilkka-Pohjalainen 5/5
“Swan seems to have realized some significant things, the most important of which is probably living in the moment, because there is nothing else we really have. And often we don’t even need anything else to get really close to the essentials.” Desibeli 4/5
“Freedom and inspiration can be heard from the effortless arcs of the compositions, which Swan interprets in a heartfelt and straightforward way.” Soundi 4/5
“There’s a warm comforting feel to many of her songs” Big Issue North
“The D/other album, is once again a touching, comforting and artistic masterpiece.” Päivän Biisit
“While it is undoubtedly heartbreaking, Swan imbues the songs with positivity and not a small amount of oomph” Daily Express
“With D/other, a spectrum of emotions and experiences is gathered.” Album feature via Yle Svenska
“The artist returns after five years with ten personal and poetic songs” Sydsvenskan
“…it consists of ten songs that feature literate and poetic storytelling and Swan’s compelling vocals. Swan’s dramatic vocals are well-matched by the fulsome arrangements, highlighted by Swan’s piano, rich details and polished production. Don’t miss this album, it is absolutely terrific.” WYMA
“D/other is not your usual pop album, brimming with bouncy melodies and vibrant energy. Instead, Astrid Swan presents lustrous flows of innovative pop amalgamated with cashmere art-pop savors.” The Young Folks 8/10
“…her creativity seemingly knows no bounds, as evidenced by this substantial, cautious yet adventurous body of work. ” Take Effect 8/1o
“…the album touches on great themes and is Astrid Swan’s most personal work to date” Rumba
Best albums of 2021 via Totuus
“Such a special and powerful album that moves me deeply. There’s darkness but it’s overshadowed by humanity and light. A beautiful album.” Best albums of 2021 via One Chord To Another
“It’s a delightful piece” on “Silvi’s Dream” as one of Nordic Music Central songs of 2021
“Astrid Swan’s new album is really special and among my favorite Finnish releases of the year.” One Chord to Another
“Astrid’s performance has a strong effect on the audience, which makes sense because of the energy she puts into it.” Lefuturewave
“‘D/other’ is set to become yet another highly-praised collection in her growing catalogue to date” Music Crowns
“The light and effervescent energy of her music creates a fresh and vivid alt-pop direction that compliments not only her sublime songwriting, but her bold and sweeping voice as well.” Beehive Candy
“…which leads us to believe that the whole of the album will be filled with more charm than we can handle” Austin Town Hall
“A journey that reminds you that time and life are precious.” Higher Plain Music
“A great artist is one whose music is filled with truth. That transparency you seek as they tell their story, in a way that connects with your own life. That type of soul in the artistry is why music is leaned upon, during our trying times. That type of truth and soul is what blooms about Astrid Swan’s new song “Luxuries” Honk Magazine
“..this song (Luxuries) is hauntingly beautiful with an overflowing heart, a giving soul and open arms. Swan’s breathy vocals are timeless, the piano melody is earthily brilliant and the song itself will touch anyone with an open heart.” Listen With Monger
“…which once again demonstrates this incredible ability that Astrid has to write powerful, emotive songs that are also really accessible and easy to listen to – and that’s not always easy to do” Nordic Watchlist
“Mixing a smooth and sweeping piano-led aesthetic with her rich and velvety voice, Finnish musician Astrid Swan’s fresh and vibrant new single showcases exactly the kind of passion we can expect on her next studio LP” Purple Revolver
SELECTED OLDER PRESS
“Further proof, if ever it were needed, of the importance of music, both created and consumed, the new record from Astrid Swan is a strikingly personal piece of work armed with the ability to make an impact on the listener, wherever they might be coming from” Gold Flake Paint
“unique style of grace and edge” Prefix
“She crafts these beautiful pop tunes, built around the strength of her vocal performances” Austin Town Hall
“Shamelessly pop and outrageously ambitious” CLASH
“Swan is a charismatic performer; one is compelled to follow her, and she makes it easy to do so”. AllMusic
“Astrid Swan is a fascinating artist who explores creative terrain that few have ventured through.” Phoenix
“Swan is a performer that possesses the theatrical charisma to captivate her audience. The musical smarts to hit the pop hooks and the technical competence to arrange it all perfectly.” When You Motor Away
“Swan’s cracked, multitracked voice brings to mind those of Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donnelly.” Village Voice
“Finnish Astrid Swan puts our deepest fears into words, but remains hopeful never the less.” Ja Ja Ja Music
With an utterly beguiling voice, Astrid Swan could well become the next sweetheart of audiophiles across the globe. Closewatch
Long MTV3 interview/overview with live clips (in Finnish)
From The Bed & Beyond won the prestigious Tesoto Prize in 2018
Prefix (Four Months To Kill)
Spin (small interview 2011)
Ylioppilaslehti (interview, Finnish 2011)
MTV Hive (feature 2011)
Austin Town Hall (Four Months To Kill)
NRGM (Astrid4 album review Finnish)
Soundi (Astrid4 album review Finnish)
Glue (Astrid4/ Four Months To Kill)
One Chord (Astrid4/ Four Months To Kill)
Largehearted Boy (Daily Downloads) (Four Months To Kill)
Ja Ja Ja (Four Months To Kill)
Austin Town Hall (Astrid4/ Nature Calling)
Ja Ja Ja (Astrid4/ Nature Calling)
HS 5/5 (From the Bed & Beyond)
Soundi 4/5 (From The Bed And Beyond)
Rumba 9,4/5 (From the Bed and Beyond)
Desibeli 5/5 (From the Bed and Beyond)
In Between Songs (From the Bed and Beyond)
KSML 4/5 (From the Bed and Beyond)
