In the beginning (2007) Lasse, Magnus, Bengt and Johan met to play some Neil Young songs in peace and quiet. At home with the company's only single, Magnus, they drank white russians and sang. Johan had printed text books with well-chosen gems from Neil's repertoire. After a while it got boring, so Magnus arranged a gig at the legendary Craft Club on Klaffbron in Malmö. It then became clear that the band lacked a real singer. Thankfully, they had the numbers of Lotta Wenglén and Maria Stille (then Davidsson). These two could really sing, so it was lucky that they both agreed to participate.
The sextet quickly rehearsed a set of songs that included songs by The Carpenters, Dolly Parton and of course Neil Young. At the same time Magnus named the band Up the Mountain and together with Lotta composed the signature tune of the same name. This has opened and closed every concert we have ever played since then.
During the following summer we played several times on the outdoor stage at Debaser in Malmö. Evening Sun with Up the Mountain became a beloved tradition that lasted for three summers. It was very nice and one evening a modest man came up to us and asked if he could join the band. This was the pedal-steel virtuoso Johan Bandling-Melin. He was immediately given the nickname Dubbel-Johan because there was already a Johan and he in turn became Enkel-Johan. He is extremely nice, Johan. And Bleking.
Up the Mountains' finest moments were probably the double nights at the Victoria Theatre in 2009. We were so good that they booked us again the following year. With guests like Titiyo, Anna Maria Espinosa, Daniel Lemma, Sylvester Schlegel and Jakob Hellman, the success was a fact. These concerts were immortalised on our self-produced live CDs that have delighted many people over the years.
In the autumn of 2024, Up the Mountain reunited when it was time again. At the first rehearsal, Maria claimed that the songs were still in our shared fat memory. What luck! At the same time we got a new member in drummer Emeli Ek. She is a real talent and very nice to the way.
Playing and singing country music is popular now, so it's logical that Malmö's second best pseudo-Christian country band is making a comeback. Up the Mountain!
UTM is:
Maria Stille - vocals and guitar
Lotta Wenglén - vocals and guitar
Emeli Ek- drum
Johan Olsén- vocals, banjo and harmonica
Double Johan Bandling-Melin- Pedal steel, electric guitar
Lasse Johansson- vocals, guitar
Magnus Sveningsson- bass
Please note that this is an outdoor concert so dress for the weather!
Table bookings are not possible this evening. We serve a simple bar menu.
Admission at 18.00
On stage 20:30
