Background
Nordenstam was born in Stockholm. As a child, she was highly influenced by her father"s classical and jazz music collection.
Nordenstam was born in Stockholm. As a child, she was highly influenced by her father"s classical and jazz music collection.
Her voice led to early comparisons with artists such as Rickie Lee Jones and Björk. Her early albums, Memories of a Color and And She Closed Her Eyes were jazz-influenced with elements of alternative rock. 1997"s Dynamite began a more experimental path—most of the album was filled with distorted guitars and unusual beats.
A 1998 cover album, People Are Strange, followed in the same vein.
In 2001 Nordenstam went with a more popular-influenced sound on This Is Stina Nordenstam, and features guest vocals from Brett Anderson. Nordenstam"s 2004 album The World Is Saved continued the path set on This Is.., but presents a more realized sound and acknowledges her earlier jazz influences.
Her guest appearances include collaboration with David Sylvian"s band "Nine Horses", including tracks from the album Snow Borne Sorrow and the Money for All European Parliament. She also provided vocals for Vangelis" Song "Ask the Mountains", Yello"s "To the Sea", and a collaboration with Anton Fier. In 2000, Nordenstam featured on a track from Danish prog-rockers Mew"s second album Half The World Is Watching Maine.
The track was later re-recorded for the band"s international debut Frengers.
She is known to be reclusive: she gives very few interviews and she hasn"t performed live since the Memories of a Color tour. She even alters her appearance using wigs and make-up for album covers and magazines. During the promotion for The World Is Saved, however, she gave more interviews than usual.