The Cardigans are a Swedish band formed in the town of Jönköping in 1992. The band's musical style has varied greatly from album to album and encompasses their early indie leanings passing through '60s-inspired pop and more band-based rock.
Each one of their records has opened a new market and attracted the attention of new audiences. Their debut album Emmerdale (1994) gave them a solid base in their home country and raised some flags abroad, especially in Japan. But it wasn't until their breakthrough second album Life (1995) that international audiences and critics responded. The band are perhaps best known for their international hit single "Lovefool", from the album First Band on the Moon (1996). Its inclusion in the soundtrack of William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet by director Baz Luhrmann secured their popularity. Although some might consider them a one-hit wonder, the band have had international success after that with the singles "My Favourite Game" and "Erase/Rewind", both from the album Gran Turismo, as well as local sucess in Sweden with singles from their subsequent albums.
Peter Svensson - lead guitar Magnus Sveningsson - bass Bengt Lagerberg - drums Lars-Olof "Lasse" Johansson - keyboards and guitar Nina Persson - vocals
Peter Svensson and Magnus Sveningsson, both heavy metal musicians, formed the group in October of 1992 in Jönköping, Sweden, with drummer Bengt Lagerberg, keyboardist Lars-Olof Johansson and lead singer Nina Persson. Living together in a small apartment, The Cardigans recorded a demo tape which record producer Tore Johansson heard, leading to an invitation to record at a studio in Malmö. In 1994 they released their debut album Emmerdale in Sweden and Japan (it was re-released internationally in 1997). The album includes the Swedish radio hit "Rise & Shine" and was later voted the best of 1994 in a poll in Slitz magazine.