Frida Hyvonen @ CMW 2007

Background/Composition: Frida Hyvonen's a highly attractive (and tall) Swedish woman who plays the piano, belts out heartfelt lyrics with confidence and is friends with Jens Lekman.

Grade: 93

Comment: When Frida Hyvonen walked onto the Mod Club stage, any pretension in the room evaporated. With her thick Swedish accent, she quickly captured the attention of the Toronto audience with her humility, height, fancy dress and intimate folk-pop songs.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: E
Pronounciation: E
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: E
Image: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Hynonen's piano playing fills up a room. It's aggressive, but quirky and not too serious. Before even beginning to play, she talked up the audience with ease, then played her piano while gyrating and sometimes stopping in order to stomp her feet for a beat. Because she was stuck behind her piano for the performance, she got up a few times to talk to audience, show off her dress and throw T-shirts into the crowd. She's definitely a performer who knows how to melt hearts.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: G
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: E
Sound: G
Composition: E
Songs: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Even though Hyvonen slipped a couple times on her piano playing, it only added to her honest character. Her strong but loose vocals made up for any key mishaps, silencing the entire room with her gentle coos and then belted vibratos. Hyvonen is definitely a poet, almost more than a piano player, which makes for simple instrumentation but fascinating lyrics.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: E
Haircut: E
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: S
Cool Equipment: S
Level Of Inebriation: G
Actual Ability: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Hyvonen serenaded the audience with a small song about Toronto and is an expert in true love (according to herself and her songs, she joked). I can confidently say that armed with big red lips, passion and a theatrical, show off-y attitude, Hyvonen is more rock 'n' roll than Courtney Love will ever be.