I wish it was 1995 again...

Molly Nilsson @ Ride Cycle Cafe, Chania

I'm clutching my phone in my hand with my new spotify playlist in full swing, music blasting in my headphones as I'm walking around Chania town, awkwardly reminding myself that I can't just break out into dance in public. It's not socially acceptable in Greece (or most places for that matter, if you're not in some kind of musical theatre production). For those of you who don't know, I am currently living in Greece, Crete to be more specific, it's no Manchester, in fact it's a lot prettier and hotter, but it's as good as a second home to me. 

My phone goes off and I get a call from my friend Artemis, who tells me he is coming to Chania and we are going to watch a solo artist from Sweden perform in this quirky little area in the city centre.

I'm always game for a gig. 

I have a quick skim of her songs on spotify and like what I hear. Molly Nilsson is a Swedish solo artist, mainly based in Berlin (another favourite city of mine), but happens to be touring certain parts of Greece. 

We arrive at the cycle cafe in good time to see Molly casually sitting outside and smoking a cigarette. Dressed in a simple, black maxi skirt, teamed with a black crop top and a sharp blonde haircut that falls on her shoulders, she looks every bit the rock star. 

We have an interesting warm up act which is a diverse DJ act, he is a local and isn't afraid of cutting up teddy bears during live performances. It is hard not to laugh when he starts throwing out fake dollar bills to his audience and the remnants of the poor, unnamed teddy bear (I call him Fucked Up Ted because, well, he is truly fucked up) 

Three pints of beer down (assisted by Artemis and his friend and my new BFF Patricia) because I cannot keep up, Molly begins.
She begins her set with a catchy beat, almost reminiscent of an 80's vibe. Her voice is low and husky and everything I wish mine could be, sadly that'll never be the case. She clearly has many admirers of her work in the audience and one man appears to enjoy it a little too much as everytime my friends and I look at him, he is staring at her, almost a little too scarily. I guess this is what happens when you look and sing as good as Molly though?
A new favourite song of mine that she plays during the set is "1995", it makes me wish it truly was 1995 again too. Another favourite that she plays is called "Hey Moon" (this song is available on Spotify also guys).
Truly a good set and the small but cute bar makes the music and settings that bit more intimate.
In between each song she adds a little humour and speaks to her audience with a Scandi-American accent that has that sexy husk from smoking.
She finishes the set beautifully and with that myself, Artemis and Patricia continue the night and move on to the gin and tonics. From there onwards I have no memory, only the memories of an intimate gig I would truly love to experience again.