Nina Persson on The Cardigans, their Black Sabbath cover and Mark Linkous
A report from Theguardian features Nina Persson reflecting on the Cardigans’ origins, saying the band’s name was suggested by their former songwriter and guitarist and grew from a strong anglophile interest in British culture and music. Persson explained the band chose to cover Black Sabbath because, despite their heaviness, the songs have a pop sentiment and the contrast made the cover feel “wonderfully creepy.” She recalled Ozzy Osbourne saw them in Los Angeles and told them it was “the creepiest thing he’d ever heard,” which she described as a major compliment.
She spoke warmly about her collaboration with Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, describing a close friendship and musical rapport. Persson said they stayed in touch, she felt compelled to help him when he struggled, and that he died two days after she learned she was pregnant; they keep some of his instruments and their son’s middle name is Link.