MUSIC

The Jewish American granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, and born and raised in Hollywood, Solvej Schou (meaning “sunny way” in Danish—her dad is Danish) has been belting and singing since she was a kid.

Based in Pasadena, California, she showcases a raw and bluesy rock 'n' roll vocal strut with guitar inspired by the likes of PJ Harvey, Sharon Jones, Janis Joplin and Etta James. Her music is available through Bandcamp, Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify and more.

Schou has played solo and in bands (Bitch & Moan, The Lassiebeat, Racquet, Naughty Bird) in Los Angeles, New York City and Copenhagen. Her music is available through Bandcamp, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify and more. As a teenager, Schou performed as part of the Riot Grrrl-led scene of female artists in Los Angeles and at cultural hub Regeneración.

Her loud and passionate 2019 album Quiet For Too Long, her second solo album and first full-band solo album, is also available on limited edition red vinyl through Bandcamp. “If your nerves aren't charged and tingling by the end, your emotions at tipping point, you aren't paying attention,” LA Weekly wrote about the album as its album of the week. The album’s “distillation of frustration, sadness and occasional joy, alongside real world issues, into sheer poetry is a real gift, and a much needed one right now."

Schou has been interviewed about Quiet For Too Long by outlets including LA Weekly, NPR’s Morning Edition, KSPC 88.7 FM, LAist.com, Moment Magazine, AudioFemme, Hear She Roars and Mike Watt’s podcast The Watt From Pedro Show.

Quiet For Too Long is filled with Schou’s belted vocals and driving guitar, and also features talented Chelsea Jean Speer-Guzman (VesuviaSonic, Modern Time Machines, Chelsea Jean) on bass and back-up vocals, Eric Hasenbein (12 dirty lovers) on lead guitar, and Bryan Bos (Goldenboy, Moonwash, Crossed Keys) on drums. Produced by Schou, the album was recorded, mixed and engineered at L.A.’s Station House Studio in L.A. by Mark Rains (Alice Bag, Death Valley Girls, Sex Stains). The album was mastered by Marsh Mastering's Stephen Marsh (The Donnas, Ozomatli, Los Lobos). Artist Delbar Shahbaz painted a bold portrait of Schou for the album’s cover.

Schou released her self-titled solo debut album in late 2014. Recorded with musicians at Copenhagen’s Medley Studios (where Prince recorded), her 2015 single “Friendship” made L.A. Record’s best of reader poll.