Seaholm's exposure to a rich legacy of pop and R&B is apparent throughout the album - he has managed to incorporate elements of trip-hop and acid jazz into an acoustic-based blues/folk/rock. Influenced by artists ranging from the Beatles to Marvin Gaye to Elvis Costello, he shows off with rich vocals, heart-felt lyrics, and Wayne Preis’ great guitar solos. Passions’ Little Plaything has no limitations. It celebrates a deep love of words and music. The perfect final touches are made by flamenco artist Jesus Bas’ Spanish dialogue, Loam’s Frank Lee Drennen’s harmonicas and Rockola's Marc DeCerbos' backing vocals on ‘Seven.’

This excellent, self-produced record is sure to captivate you as it draws a fine line between being inspired by passion and being controlled by it.
Tracy Page
SLAMM Magazine · June/97



"Wide-Screen Pop"

"An ambitious examination of obsessive love, "Passion’s Little Plaything" is stuffed to the brim with pop-jazz frills and polished to a near-blinding sheen.

Seaholm’s best tunes are impressive examples of pure pop craft."

Karla Peterson
San Diego Union-Tribune · May/97



seaholm, etc.
Passion’s Little Plaything
Pseudocool Records

Local artist/musician/producer Sven-Erik Seaholm is well known within the San Diego music Scene as a mover and shaker, now he’s expanding into performing by himself in his debut CD Passion’s Little Plaything. Immersed as he has been throughout his life among the arts, Seaholm is relaxed and reassuring without ever losing touch with the musical impressions he wants ho make.

To start with, Seaholm does not stick to form. His calm and easy style displays a chameleon-like quality to describe each mood. The CD’s theme is passion, which Seaholm cites as "something that we always ways strive to maintain in our lives, It brings a welcome intensity. But...it can unfortunately become a very destructive force as well." The songs reflect passion’s many sides in a comforting way due to Seaholm’s smooth vocals and the artistry of the musicians he has called upon to help build that music. His passion is not heated, angry or violent, rather he provides a sense what may lie just below the surface in all of us.

One major fact the listener will notice is that the songs are diverse yet cohesive. Seaholm has a definite style that we will recognize in the future; however, he shows depth in making the music reflect each mood. Just when you think he has settled into a pattern, he shifts gears and pulls you into another direction. Most tunes have a sensation of familiarity to them, but Seaholm manages to bring each one out with a casual crispness keeps them unique. He has genuine talent for sensitive sounds that are not too demanding of one's attention—the music seeps into the soul as sure and peaceful as a warm memory.

The music does not detract from the lyrics either, which have a life of their own. The language is plain arid direct and is a compliment to the music that accompanies it. They combine to express a clear picture of the romance of life. Again, one encounters Seaholm’s sensitivity and calm.

All of this is backed by some real talent from San Diego's growing musical community, the "etc." on the CD's label. Guitarist Wayne Preis is a solid presence in most of the music and he enjoys letting loose with an occasional riff of his own. Jesus Bas, a flamenco guitarist from Spain adds welcome color to "Rose Tattoo." Vocalist Mary Dolan casts long emotional shadows along with Seaholm in their musical dialog in "Wait..." a piece that flashes back to the Motown sound of the '60s (as does another track, "Want pts.1 & 2"). In "Stop Talking." the band surrounds Seaholm’s anguished vocals with hearty back-to-basics rock ‘n’ roll. He really lets go on this one-- beast is out!

Passion Little Plaything is not a coming out for Sven-Erik Seaholm but rather, a culmination of learning, talent and a genuine love for music and poetry. You will enjoy each cut on this CD for it’s originality, diversity and pure ease of listening. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming along!
-K Davitashvili
The Esspresso · June/97



"Trust me on this, you have got to pick up this album."
-Coe Lewis
Locals Only · May/97



'seaholm, etc.'
Releases Debut CD
FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 2, 1997

San Diego-April 20 will see the unveiling of 'Passion's Little Plaything' the first solo CD release from noted local artist/producer Sven-Erik Seaholm, under the moniker seaholm, etc. The disc will be available at most major music stores in the San Diego area, including Tower Records, Music Trader, Off The Record and Blockbuster Music.

The former frontman of award-winning band The Wild Truth, Seaholm is assisted on most songs by the core band of guitarist Wayne Preis (who also co-produced), drummer Jason Bazilian, and bassists David Ybarra and Glen Goodwin of Cloud Merchants & Gumbo Ya Ya, respectively. The album also boasts cameo appearances from some of San Diego's finest musical talent, many of them past production clients. Among them are Mary Dolan, Rockola's Marc DeCerbo, Loam's Frank Lee Drennen and flamenco artist Jesús Bas, a recent SD transplant from Madrid, Spain.

The album's many contributors lend to it's disparate musical stylings, managing to incorporate elements of rock, folk, jazz & trip-hop, while still retaining a remarkably cohesive sound. "Myself and the other musicians really love all forms of music." says Seaholm, "We just gave the songs what they asked for." "Oh," he adds, "and we played a lot of pool."

The songs, for their part, are thematically linked by the idea of passion as a symbol of our own duality. Seaholm explains: "Passion is something that we always strive to maintain and amplify in our lives, our work and especially, our romantic relationships. It brings a welcome intensity. But if it is left unchecked, it can unfortunately become a very destructive force, as well. Most of the songs are informed by some measure of that awareness."

Well beyond it's underlying theme, the album celebrates a deep love or words and music, and in keeping with the spirit of the album, seaholm, etc. will soon be performing in a variety incarnations and venues throughout the southwest, the details of which will be forthcoming.