Introducing vocalist Stina Wappling and producers/songwriters Astma & Rocwell - an electropop trio from Sweden better known as NONONO. The band just played a CMJ showcase at NYC's Mercury Lounge earlier this week - one of NONONO's first-ever live shows in the U.S. And here are the Top 5 reasons why Music Times fans should check them out.
1. Crowd energy - electrifying.
Technology and shows nowadays. Some fans just can't get into the groove of things during a live performance thanks to incessant camera flashes and iPhone recordings. That's not the case with NONONO concerts. The crowd felt connected as one, basking in NONONO's live-in-the-moment onstage energy and swaying to the beat of Wappling's mesmerizing melodies. Definitely a much-needed breath of fresh air.
2. NONONO fans feel appreciated
Stina Wappling is just the cutest thing:
After almost every song, 25-year-old Wappling would take a few seconds, step back, and just look at her fans in wonder and affection. Astma & Rocwell, with their infectious smiles and positive stage presence, expressed similar gratitudes. Seeing that makes you feel good... it gives the feeling that the band truly wants to be there, just hanging out and having a good time with fans.
3. Pumpin' Blood
NONONO's hit single "Pumpin Blood" is SO catchy - but not in that annoying, "please get out of my head" sort of way. Maybe the tune sounds familiar?
It should - the song appears in a popular commercial for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom Smartphone:
4. The reason behind the band name NONONO
As Wappling explains on Facebook, "We look at it as something that is really positive... to have the courage to say no to things you don't really want to do. If you say no to a job, or finish a relationship, it is often viewed as a negative thing, but it means you can start something new." NONONO quickly became the band's life motto. Just keeping it real in an industry that can prove toxic at times.
5. NONONO's unique, unified sound
Astma & Rocwell were once named Sweden's "Best Urban Producer/Remixer" duo of the year. Their electronic tempos mixed with Wappling's soulful voice makes for a sound that shouldn't be ignored. Who knows, maybe more fans will start saying YESYESYES to NONONO after the trio's awesome CMJ performance.
For more info on NONONO, check out the band's official Facebook.
