Negative White
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Music is better when shared. — A music newsletter for curious minds.
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Sivert Høyem is one of Scandinavia's most distinctive voices. As the charismatic frontman of Madrugada, he made music history. We are giving away 2x2 spots on the guest list for his concert on February 26, in Zurich.
Win 2x2 Tickets for Sivert Høyem
<p>2026 is a year full of anniversaries for Sivert Høyem: two of his solo works are celebrating milestone birthdays: <em>Exiles</em> is turning twenty and <em>Lioness</em> is turning ten. Høyem himself is celebrating his 50th birthday. But beyond these numbers, the tour is a tribute to a life dedicated to music, and to an artist who can fill an entire room with a single note.</p><figure class="kg-card kg-video-card kg-width-regular">
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</figure><p><a href="https://www.negativewhite.com/events/negative-w/" rel="noreferrer">On February 26</a>, together with his well-rehearsed band, Høyem takes the audience at X-Tra Zurich on a journey: from brand new songs to timeless classics such as <em>Prisoner of the Road</em>, <em>Moon Landing, Into the Sea</em> and Madrugadas' immortal <em>Majesty</em>. Every show is unique, full of surprises and intimate moments.</p><p>This is no ordinary celebration: it's a chance to experience one of Norway's most distinctive voices live: authentic, emotional and unforgettable.</p><h3 id="win-2x2-tickets-for-the-show">Win 2x2 Tickets for the Show</h3><div class="gh-paid-content-notice"><h3>This post is for subscribers only</h3><p>Become a member to get access to all content</p><a class="gh-paid-content-cta" href="https://www.negativewhite.com/win-2x2-tickets-for-sivert-hoyem/#/portal/signup">Subscribe now</a></div>
www.negativewhite.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Sivert Høyem is one of Scandinavia's most distinctive voices. As the charismatic frontman of Madrugada, he made music history. We are giving away 2x2 spots on the guest list for his concert on February 26, in Zurich.
In 2012, I had the opportunity to interview Paul McCartney on the phone. When I formatted my hard drive a few years later, I thought I lost the recording forever. Until today.
The Lost Paul McCartney Interview
<p>When Negative White turned ten years old in 2020, <a href="https://archiv.negativewhite.com/scheitern-fails-negative-white/">I wrote about our biggest failures</a>. The centre-piece was my interview with Paul McCartney 14 years ago—for more than one reason.</p><p>First, I was only 21, highly inexperienced in interviews and journalism, and had no idea how to properly record a phone call. My setup: Connect the phone to a speaker and place a recording device nearby. But back then, technology wasn’t as sophisticated, and it resulted in a terrible echo, which McCartney complained about. Only realising it midway through, I disconnected the speakers.</p><p>The second failure came a couple of years later when I formatted my computer’s hard drive. Confident I had saved all critical data, I went ahead only to realise the recordings were gone. Only a small snippet and <a href="https://archiv.negativewhite.com/paul-mccartney-im-gesprach/">the published article</a> seemingly remained. And as tragically as it was, it was frankly also a good story to tell.</p><p>But then, yesterday, a series of events began to unfold.</p><div class="gh-paid-content-notice"><h3>This post is for subscribers only</h3><p>Become a member to get access to all content</p><a class="gh-paid-content-cta" href="https://www.negativewhite.com/the-lost-paul-mccartney-interview/#/portal/signup">Subscribe now</a></div>
www.negativewhite.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:38 PM
In 2012, I had the opportunity to interview Paul McCartney on the phone. When I formatted my hard drive a few years later, I thought I lost the recording forever. Until today.
This week, we recommend the new songs by August Charles, Moictani, New German Cinema, The Empty Page, and Vero.
Edition #178
<p>A new week, a new Sunday; and now is the time to make yourself a nice cup of coffee, sit back (for as long as possible) and listen to today’s recommendations. But the following selection spans a wide range: from bittersweet soul to cheeky electro-pop, dark goth sounds to snotty shoegaze.</p><div class="gh-paid-content-notice"><h3>This post is for subscribers only</h3><p>Become a member to get access to all content</p><a class="gh-paid-content-cta" href="https://www.negativewhite.com/edition-178/#/portal/signup">Subscribe now</a></div>
www.negativewhite.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:31 AM
This week, we recommend the new songs by August Charles, Moictani, New German Cinema, The Empty Page, and Vero.
In a four-part series, American educator, author, and former staff songwriter Andrea Stolpe shares routines, examples, and advice to maintain your creativity as a songwriter.
Maintaining Creativity as a Songwriter — Part 4: Rhythm & Chords
<p>One of the most powerful tools of songwriting we all have at our disposal lies within chords and rhythm. Lyric and melody gain dimension through this essential pillar of a song, working in tandem with chords and groove to complete a song’s personality or character. Lyric, and often melody, will never “override” the character inherent in the chords and rhythm. Rather, the personality of a lyric and melody is completed by them.</p><p>Imagine a Latin rhythm played at a particular tempo. Those same chords, played in a country waltz style, will carry a very different rhythm, and the character we imagine singing will shift dramatically. It’s not the chord names that cause the change in character, but the rhythm. In some cases, we might call this the “groove” of the song. Songs that groove capture the essential character of the genre, potently and usually quite succinctly. Strong instrumentalists practice groove regularly. It’s part of the job description if you’re going to get hired.</p><div class="gh-paid-content-notice"><h3>This post is for subscribers only</h3><p>Become a member to get access to all content</p><a class="gh-paid-content-cta" href="https://www.negativewhite.com/maintaining-creativity-as-a-songwriter-part-4-rhythm-chords/#/portal/signup">Subscribe now</a></div>
www.negativewhite.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:01 AM
In a four-part series, American educator, author, and former staff songwriter Andrea Stolpe shares routines, examples, and advice to maintain your creativity as a songwriter.
With his raw voice, genuine passion and impressive range, Shawn James will be playing at the Plaza Zurich on Thursday, 5 February 2026. We are giving away 2x2 tickets for the show.
Win 2x2 Tickets for Shawn James
<p>Chicago-based musician Shawn James has become a real insider tip in recent years. His songs tell of strength and fragility, of faith and doubt, and the constant struggle with oneself. Anyone who experiences Shawn James live immediately senses that this is not a slick performer, but an artist who lives his music—intensely, honestly and with a soul that resonates in every note.</p><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xXcKSLijghs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen title="Shawn James - "Through the Valley" - Official Music Video"></iframe></figure><p>Since his debut in 2012, Shawn James has tirelessly honed his sound and built up a loyal fan base without the backing of any major labels. His independence is his trademark: every album, every performance is a commitment to artistic freedom and authenticity.</p><p>If you want to listen to an artist who is authentic and original, this is the place to be. So, on the evening of February 5, you can expect emotional stories full of darkness and light at Plaza Club in Zurich, precisely the contrasts that define Shawn James’ music.</p><div class="gh-paid-content-notice"><h3>This post is for subscribers only</h3><p>Become a member to get access to all content</p><a class="gh-paid-content-cta" href="https://www.negativewhite.com/win-2x2-tickets-for-shawn-james/#/portal/signup">Subscribe now</a></div>
www.negativewhite.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:00 AM
With his raw voice, genuine passion and impressive range, Shawn James will be playing at the Plaza Zurich on Thursday, 5 February 2026. We are giving away 2x2 tickets for the show.
