Emelie Bååth has been working with bookings at Debaser for the last seven years, during which the iconic venue has seen some major changes. From its indie rock/pop club scene roots, it has transformed into a more broad-based venue for live music and clubbing. These days you’ll find all kinds of music there, hiphop, house and techno, world music, folk and more.
Tell us more about what you do.
My colleagues and I produce concerts and club nights four days a week minimum for our two venues. We add local clubs and DJs to all acts to make every concert booking something special, since our ambition is to have the best venues in town!
Having the best sound system, the best food and drinks goes hand in hand with our desire to have the best bands and a truly interesting lineup. And my job is to find the best new up-and-coming acts next to desirable established and successful bands for our schedules and programs.
What’s happening after dark in Stockholm?
Many popular clubs are private pop-up clubs and move from one location to another, with free booze and some hyped bands and DJs playing. The bands are not the most important part, it’s more about packaging the night into a special event, with handpicked trendy bits and pieces that attract attention and interest from the guests. For us that can sometimes be complicated to compete with, since we are a live music venue and always have that as our main focus. It has kept us busy for 11 years though, so I’m certain we fill an important role in the nightlife.
What is your personal favourite night spot?
Under Bron is Stockholm’s best night club when it comes to electronic dance music. The place is dark, loud and always crowded.
When it comes to bars and just going out for a beer I really like Snotty, Babylon, Indigo and Judit & Bertil. I love Café Mix (and their cat) next to Dramaten – it’s the perfect hangout before heading over to Riche – but someone said they are closing. I hope that’s not true.
If I feel like Mexican food and a tequila drink I’ll pop by Calexico’s while Barbro, Lao Wai, Restaurang Landet and Buddha Nepal in Årsta are other favourites to name a few.
How would you describe the scene, such as it is in Stockholm?
I see a new landscape today if I compare to back when I started in the music business. In 2003-2005 I was involved in Ladyfest, a feminist culture association – we put on festivals as part of our struggle towards a more equal music industry and to see more women on stage and behind the DJ decks. Today it’s different, thank God! I book just as many female DJs as male. But there is more to be done on the live side. We need more role models!
The movement is still strong though (with Makten Över Musiken, Rättviseförmedlingen and so on) and I’ll be part of it as long as it’s necessary.
Where do you intend to go from here?
I sometimes get scared that my interest in music will fade away, but so far so good! My future plan is simply to stay creative and to continue the work with bookings and our clubs for another good year of good music.
