Amandine’s story starts in a small northern Swedish town called Sandviken. A place known mostly for its Iron works and its vicinity to slightly larger city Gävle. It is also the birthplace of Olof Gidlöf and John Andersson, who together with two friends formed a band in 2001. Calling themselves The Wichita Linemen, the four-piece crafted country-inspired songs for their own amusement and in-between commitments to other groups. University studies had the two relocated to Umeå, further north and known as a music city in Sweden. There they met two friends, both named Andreas, who joined the band in 2003 after illness and family commitments forced a change in the original lineup.

Including more pop and rock tendencies, new demos were recorded that led to contact with British label Fatcat records (Múm, Sigur Rós, Animal Collective etc.) who in the spring of 2005 released Amandine’s debut album: This is Where our Hearts Collide. Recorded by Ove Andersson in Gävle, the album was well received and had reviewers and audience alike pondering the proposed link between Swedish folk music and traditional Americana, a connection not as distant in sound as in mileage. Touring in both US and Europe followed the release, and had the band develop their live performance as well as their breakfast habits and language skills. 2006 saw the release of two eps, first Leave out the Sad Parts, released in the US in March and followed by a month long tour all over the states with Sub Pop’s Fruit Bats. And in October, the six track ep Waiting for the Light to Find Us hit the stores and the band toured Europe for a month, playing shows in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, England and Holland.

Summer 2006 was spent all over Sweden, writing and recording the follow-up album. Produced by Ove Andersson again but taking a rather distinct turn from previous recordings, basic tracks were recorded live in the small sea-side village of Ratu with additional recordings done in Gävle. Solace in Sore Hands will be released in Europe and Asia April 16th 2007, and in North America on June 5th, through Fatcat records.