HALMSTAD (UPDATED) - The Daily Roxette has received a short statement from Per Gessle regarding Expressen's article today: "It is not, and has never been, an option to replace Marie in what's been called a 'new Roxette'. She is – of course – irreplaceable!!! I still hope, and believe, that there are great things in Roxette's future."

  Per continues to tell TDR that Helena's involvement in his new solo album has been on the same level as with "Mazarin".



Here's the official press statement:

  On account of Expressen's strange article today, I will hereby give you some information regarding my current musical project.

  I've been hyperactive in Christoffer Lundquist's studio in Skåne off and on since December 2004 and recorded a whole bunch of songs both in Swedish and in English. Some make you dance, some make you smile, some are instrumentals while others have some lyrics in French. It's very exciting and we have a very good time – eating and drinking well.


  The musicians I've been using are essentially the same as on 'Mazarin'; i.e., Clarence Öfwerman, Christoffer Lundqvist, Jens Jansson and Helena Josefsson. The album is recorded in stereo and is thought to be finished sometime this fall.


Not ever has it been my intention to try to create a 'new Roxette', and Helena Josefsson is thus NOT IN THE CARDS as my "duo partner". I still hope, and believe that Roxette will continue sometime in the future and I'm also of that opinion that Marie Fredriksson is IRREPLACEABLE!


  As soon as I get closer to a finish of the above mentioned project, I promise to reveal both song titles, sleeve ideas and how we tuned our guitars. Until then, all the best from



Per Gessle in Jolly Halmstad

August 2, 2005