Ane Brun - It all starts with one
Lykke Li - Wounded rhymes
Rubik - Solar
Gus Gus - Arabian horse
Malk De Koijn - Toback to the fromtime
Siinai - Olympic game
Björk - Biophilia
Iceage - New brigade
Montée - Renditions of you
Anna Järvinen - Anna själv tredje
Goran Kajfes - X/Y
The Field - Looping state of mind

Read more: http://nordicmusicprize.com/eng/pages/1-nordic_music_prize_2011

Sweden:
Anna Ternheim - The night visitor
Jonathan Johansson - Klagomuren
Loney Dear - Hall music
The Field - Looping state of mind
Mattias Alkberg - Anarkist
Lykke Li - Wounded rhymes
Anna Järvinen - Anna själv tredje
Deportees - Islands & shores
Veronica Maggio - Satan i gatan
Goran Kajfes - X/Y

Denmark:
Larsen & Furious Jane - Dolly
Michael Møller - A Month of Unrequited Love
Oh Land - Oh Land
Mikael Simpson - Noget Laant, Noget Blaat
The Late Great Fitzcarraldos - The Late Great Fitzcarraldos
Malk De Koijn - Toback To The Fromtime
Iceage - New Brigade
Thulebasen - Gate 5
When Saints Go Machine - Konkylie
Hymns From Nineveh - Hymns From Nineveh

Finland:
Von Hertzen Brothers - Stars Aligned
Röyhkä & Mattila - Kaksi lensi tuulen mukaan
22-Pistepirkko - Lime Green Delorean
French Films - Imaginary Future
Siinai - Olympic Games
Rubik - Solar
Regina - Soita mulle
Michael Monroe - Sensory Overdrive
Mirel Wagner - Mirel Wagner
Chisu - Kun valaistun

Iceland:
Sóley - We Sink
Lay Low - Brostinn strengur
Ham - Svik, harmur og dauði
Sin Fang - Summer Echoes
ADHD - ADHD2
FM Belfast - Don’t Want To Sleep
Gus Gus - Arabian Horse
Mugison - Haglél
Björk - Biophilia
Apparat Organ Quartet - Pólýfónía

Norway:
Razika - Program ’91
Lars Vaular - Du betyr meg
Jonas Alaska - Jonas Alaska
Team Me - To The Treetops!
Ane Brun - It All Starts With One
Stein Torleif Bjella - Vonde Visu
120 Days - 120 Days II
Montée - Renditions Of You
John Olav Nilsen og Gjengen - Det nærmeste du kommer
Martin Hagfors - I like you

This list will eventually be culled down to a final 12 on December 1 before the winner is crowned on February 16.

Mr Oizo - Flat Eric
New Order - Blue Monday
Björk - All is full of love

It all goes down June 11 at Uppsala Concert Hall. Details: http://voltfestivalen.se/

"Social Suicide have a great single out on our label. Their melodic hardcore is in the vein of Refused, Some Girls and JR Ewing. They did a shockingly great show, and are definitely growing in my book. But then again, I'm really biased! Check them out on myspace.

The best shows I caught at By:Larm included Kitschy Kitschy Ki-Me-O, a band consisting of members of three known bands to us Norwegians, of which Madrugada is the one you've maybe heard of. I don't know what sparked your mind when you heard the name, but if you thought Quentin Tarantino, you're getting close. It's basically what Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were trying to do with their latest albums, but never quite did. Catchy, riff-laden desert rock infused with gospel, Ennio Morricone background vocals (the soprano version of a theremin). Maybe my new favorite band, if they make records that can match up to that performance. They don't have a myspace I'm afraid, so you're going to have to take my word for it. Their website on the other hand is: www.kitchiekitchiekimeo.com

Another outstanding show was Susanne Sundfør. I've followed her ever since I heard her playing solo with her piano. Solo performances can be dull, but when you have a divine voice unlike any other, and songs in the vein of Radiohead and Björk, the aforementioned is no problem for you. When I heard rumours of her working with Jaga Jazzist's Lars Horntvedt I was pleased, and eagerly anticipating the new material. I was not disappointed, as they had not thought radio hits, they had not thought solely on minimalism, or maximalism for that matter; the concert was a beautiful mesh of electronic beats, string samples, her Rhodes piano, synthesizers, Lars' horns and steel guitars and luscious harmonies by the background vocalists. In the center, always, is Susanne's voice in all its glory. You'll know what I mean when you listen to the track "The brothel" on myspace [or here for our own coverage -Ed.]

My last tip has to be Leif & The Future, which I play the bass in. We released the track "Let you go", which now is on heavy rotation on the radio. It's 80's pop like old U2, Duran Duran, [and] Talk Talk in sweet harmony with Krautrock..."

Interview by Sophy Grimshaw

For A Minor Reflection have got a very mature sound, especially if you take into consideration that these guys are only 19 years old. References to Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai are unavoidable, but already being compared to such established acts is a big achievement for these young Icelanders. Last autumn they supported in 15 concerts across Europe fellow countrymen Sigur Rós. It's a Trap! went out for a drink with them and discovered that apart from good musicians they are very friendly and down to earth chaps.

How did you guys form?

Kjartan Holm (Kjarri), guitar: We basically started in 8th grade, when we were 13. Jói and I started this heavy metal duet in his garage with long hair and stuff. Elvar came and played bass. Then Guffi came.

Guðfinnur Sveinsson (Guffi), guitar: (Laughs) We met during a strip poker game! He invited me then to a band practice...

Why did you name the band 'For A Minor Reflection'? What does it mean?

KH: It actually doesn't mean anything. I don't remember actually how it was conceived. We thought "reflection" was a cool word and we wanted to use it.

What is exactly on the cover of your album?

KH: It is supposed to be a sun.

Jóhannes Ólafsson (Jói), drums: We drew it together.

How do you write your songs? Is there a standard procedure?

JO: There is no standard procedure. There is no method I guess, but we do it together eventually, but the idea maybe comes from Kjarri first and then we build around it and make the song structure around his ideas.

KH: We maybe write a song in two days but it takes like 50 years to develop it.

How was the experience of playing with Sigur Rós?

KH, JO: It was very surreal.

JO: We didn't realise what we were doing until we came home.

Which is the largest gig you did with them?

KH: In Alexandra Palace in London. It was 8500 people two nights in a row.

And without them?

KH: We played this gig in Iceland for 500 Japanese people on a large cruise ship that was sailing around the world.

Do you prefer the big gigs or rather more intimate settings?

KH: When we play in really small bars in Iceland in front of 200 people, when it's packed it has a really good character.

JO: On the other hand, it's fun playing on a very large stage.

KH: It's two different things I would say.

Would you ever consider getting a singer?

KH: We've been actually discussing that. We are going to make some experiments next week; if it fails we'll just stay instrumental.

Do you accept the post-rock tag?

KH: We really don't care.

How do you feel about the emerging Icelandic scene and what do you think sets the Icelandic music scene apart from the rest of Scandinavia?

KH: Iceland is pretty well known for these "weird" bands like Sigur Rós, Björk and Múm. But Iceland has these really good heavy metal and hardcore punk scene, really big scene. And it seems to be turning into some indie rock scene. So Iceland is not only the ambient stuff.

Are there any other Icelandic artists you respect and admire?

Elvar J. Guðmundsson, bass: Ólafur Arnolds. He's getting big in Germany and all over the world.

KH: And Sigur Rós of course. My favourite Icelandic rock band is Sudden Weather Change. They are kind of big in Iceland, but nobody knows them outside.

What are you currently listening at home?

KH: We really don't listen to the same music. I like hardcore, post-rock, jazz, Icelandic blues.

GS: I listen to Coldplay a lot.

KH: Yeah, Guffi is the sensitive one.

How did the economic crisis impact your life and music?

GS: (Laughs) We all live in the streets. We get food from the government.

How are the recordings for the second album going? When is it going to be finished?

KH: We are working on it. Hopefully we will start recording later this year.

Are you going to have a different approach this time?

JO: The last time we recorded an album was in a garage, small studio, we did it all live in the first take, and it only took us 6 hours. We were mixing the whole night before the day we released it.

Any plans for the future?

KH: Hopefully we can work as musicians. That's our main goal.

Words and picture by Vasilis Panagiotopoulos

Hjaltalín is one of the most promising new Icelandic bands that combine pop melodies, male/female vocals and an eclectic instrumentation. Their unusually large lineup consists of - apart from the regular guitar, bass & drums – a piano, accordion, bassoon, clarinet, cello and a violin. Their debut album "Sleepdrunk seasons" was released to great acclaim in Iceland in December 2007 and was produced by Benni Hemm Hemm and Gunni Tynes of Múm. They are currently touring Europe. It's a Trap! caught up with them in the Netherlands and Belgium and had a chat with drummer Axel Haraldsson and violinist Viktor Orri Arnason.

You were formed in 2006, and it was originally intended to be just one show. What's the story behind?

AH: There was this songwriting competition in our high school and we just got together, wrote the song and we were just going to compete in the competition, but then it just started rolling and then we kept on playing.

Did you eventually win the competition?

AH: No, we came second. A lot of people were really surprised that we actually won only the second place.

What is exactly on the cover of your album? How did you choose it?

AH: Originally it's a flower painting by a famous Icelandic painter, but it's been messed up. We took it and some guy made the circles.

VOA: We couldn't use the original one.

How come you got invited to support Cold War Kids? Did the band choose you?

AH: They needed some band to finish up their European tour. Our booking agent contacted them. They had already some other bands to choose from; they liked us and they chose us.

Was it fun playing with them?

AH: It was great!

Which place did you enjoy playing the most so far?

AH: Our release concert in Iceland. That was a great show!

How do you go about writing a song, especially with all these instruments?

AH: Most of the time Högni, our singer, comes up with the basic idea of a song and then we start jamming and people get their own thing into it and then it evolves into a complete song. Generally our singer writes most of the stuff.

Does he write the lyrics as well?

AH: No, a lot of our friends are doing the lyrics for us.

Are you classically trained?

VOA: Everybody has got classical training. For example Axel was in a jazz school, playing the drums and I was in classical school, playing the violin.

What do you usually listen to at home?

AH: No one in the band listens to the same stuff. I listen to all kinds of stuff.

VOA: I listen to a lot of classical music now; I was a lot more into rock and pop before.

AH: Me, rock and hip-hop and everything.

How do you feel about the emerging Icelandic scene and what do you think sets the Icelandic music scene apart from the rest of Scandinavia?

AH: The most famous of course are Björk, Sigur Rós and Múm and all this strange music.

VOA: I think you always have to come up with something new to break through everything else. If you have something new to give to music then everybody will notice you.

AH: If you see Iceland from the outside there is this strange music element going on. Of course there is everything on the Icelandic market, but the things that break out of Iceland are mostly some indie bands.

Any Icelandic artists you respect and admire?

VOA: Of course Sigur Rós and Björk. We used to listen to some guys called Ensimi.

AH: We are into the underground rock scene because we were in a punk band before Hjaltalín.

How did the economic crisis impact your life?

AH: It's much more expensive to tour Europe because the currency is so low in Iceland. I think it hasn't hit us yet.

VOA: It's mainly that we have to pay much more for everything now, but it doesn't affect us mentally.

AH: Maybe it will, I don't know. A lot of people are losing their jobs.

You are currently working on a second album. Is there going to be a different approach from "Sleepdrunk seasons"?

AH: We are discussing these things a lot right now. When we come home from this tour, we are going to record the first two songs that are going to be on the record and then we are going to write more stuff and see what happens.

VOA: I think we are going to stick of course to the elements of the instruments but of course there are going to be some changes of sound, maybe even darker because the last one was so bright. The new songs are a little bit darker.

When is it going to be released?

AH: We are talking about September this year. That's the goal right now.

Words and picture by Vasilis Panagiotopoulos

01. TALK 1
02. Familjen - Huvudet i sanden
03. Andreas Tilliander - Untitled
04. TALK 2
05. Printer - Minds Out
06. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
07. TALK 3
08. Björns vänner - Isoleringskvall
09. The Fine Arts Showcase - Chemical girl (Familjen remix)
10. Laakso - Truck Driver
11. TALK 4
12. Breach - Diablo
13. Kent - Ingenting någonsin
14. Stina Nordenstam - Crime
15. Stardog - Lack of time
16. TALK 5
17. Bob Hund - Förträngda problem
18. Den Svenska Tystnaden - Reaktor
19. Björk - Venus as a boy
20. TALK 6
21. Honey is Cool - If I go
22. The Knife - We share our mother's health (Trentemøller remix)
23. Silverbullit - Buddy
24. TALK 7
25. Sharif - E.A.A. (Eagerly awaiting anytime)
26. TALK 8
27. eMiL Jensen - Bud från April]]> Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25866-rockettothesky-to-sing-you-apple-trees-trustme http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25866-rockettothesky-to-sing-you-apple-trees-trustme http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25866-rockettothesky-to-sing-you-apple-trees-trustme#comments Rockettothesky's CD "To sing you apple Trees". I honestly have a hard time making sense of a lot of what Jenny Hval throws at me. Maybe I just don't get "it": On the one hand, Ms. Hval's talent is evident in her ability to combine unique vocal styling with catchy melodies to create an air of fleeting, dreamlike fantasy. On the other hand, her failings are evident in her need to shake, almost jar the listener out of the dream state she's worked so hard to create. It seems as though she is hellbent on being her own worst enemy; I simply don't understand why. Nothing exemplifies my point better than the song "A cute lovesong, please". She uses her voice to excellent trancelike effect when she asks, "When you think of me, do you masturbate?"; then follows it up by confessing that "I want you to know that you make me want to menstruate." Huh? Is menstruation a sexual response to you, Ms. Hval? Or do you want to menstruate out of disgust for your protagonist's sexual desire for you? Or maybe, just maybe, you tried so hard to rhyme, you succeeded in ruining what could have been a perfectly good song. Perhaps I'm just being far too analytical. There are some decent songs on "To sing you apple trees" such as "Cigars", "They are bastards!" and the popular "Barrie for Billy Mackenzie" (even though I still don't know what the hell a "Barrie" is). But, the sad truth is, if I want to be entertained by a wacky Scandinavian, there's always Björk. Rockettothesky is simply going to have to do better than this.]]> Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1208 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1208 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1208#comments This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. Feist
02. Belle and Sebastian
03. Björk
04. The Arcade Fire
05. Architecture in Helsinki
06. Shout Out Louds
07. Sufjan Stevens
08. The Cure
09. Bright Eyes
10. Interpol

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25889-pain-psalms-of-extinction-roadrunner-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25889-pain-psalms-of-extinction-roadrunner-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25889-pain-psalms-of-extinction-roadrunner-records#comments Pain (Peter Tägtgren): A well-produced slice of industrial pop-metal, with some stand-out singles (this time called "Zombie slam", "Clouds of ecstasy" and "Nailed to the ground") and albums tracks of varying quality. The previous album was inspired by his collapse, death and following revival and had a real fighting spirit. This one seems mostly inspired by a divorce and is fuelled by equal parts dislike, thinly veiled hurt and a bit of misogyny. That makes for good anger, but not always good songs. The best ones are where Peter doesn't try to hide under furious riffs, but travels the lighter and poppier road. The album feels slightly split; it is like Peter is at a crossroad. He needs to decide what he really wants with Pain. Is it industrial pop-metal, or the heavier songs? Or maybe he should just do the cover album he's been talking about for so long. After all, the "Play dead" (Björk) cover on the album shows a real knack for interpreting others' works, while keeping the emotional core intact.]]> Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1292 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1292 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1292#comments This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. Shout Out Louds
02. The Arcade Fire
03. Arctic Monkeys
04. Björk
05. Of Montreal
06. The National
07. Feist
08. The Tough Alliance
09. Modest Mouse
10. Radiohead

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Tue, 29 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1391 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1391 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1391#comments This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. Shout Out Louds
02. Bright Eyes
03. Feist
04. Bloc Party
05. Arctic Monkeys
06. Björk
07. Radiohead
08. The Arcade Fire
09. Laakso
10. The Beatles

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Mon, 21 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1469 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1469 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1469#comments This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. The Arcade Fire
02. Feist
03. Shout Out Louds
04. Laakso
05. Björk
06. Bright Eyes
07. Of Montreal
08. Radiohead
09. The Shins
10. Bloc Party

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1653 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1653 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1653#comments This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. Bloc Party
02. The Arcade Fire
03. Shout Out Louds
04. Modest Mouse
05. Bright Eyes
06. Arctic Monkeys
07. The Knife
08. Laakso
09. Björk
10. The Beatles

Again with The Beatles? Whatever. Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! We've got 300 members now! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1746 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1746 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1746#comments Pitchfork talks to Björk: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/42181-interview-bjrk]]> Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25987-detektivbyran-hemvagen-ep-denarkia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25987-detektivbyran-hemvagen-ep-denarkia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25987-detektivbyran-hemvagen-ep-denarkia#comments Detektivbyrån are influenced by the folksier side of Sweden's musical heritage, but there's a sweet purity at work here that seems to have sprung right from nature. Indeed, in Avi's profile of the band awhile back, they said they were inspired by wildlife (wolves in particular) and the ocean. Although a couple of tracks offer soft, glowing keyboard work, the ones you'll most remember are like whirling, rustic little dances. The third track in particular is one of the most gorgeous, infectious instrumentals I've ever heard, taking everything Björk had in mind on "Vespertine" and consolidating it in three minutes. Warm, lovely and life-affirming, this disc is one of the nicest surprises to come out of Sweden in ages.]]> Fri, 26 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5249 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5249 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5249#comments Sublime Exile has announced the signing of Icelandic instrumental trio Pondus. The label describes the band as "an absolute smooth and chanting pop mixture with elements of dub and jazz reminding of Thievery Corporation, Locust, Massive Attack, Mike Oldfield and Morricone." Their album was recorded with Björk collaborator Valgeir Sigurdsson in Reykjavik and is set for a tentative August release.]]> Wed, 05 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26231-under-byen-samme-stof-som-stof-morningside-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26231-under-byen-samme-stof-som-stof-morningside-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26231-under-byen-samme-stof-som-stof-morningside-records#comments Björk-envy. In any case, Under Byen singer Henriette Sennenvaldt sings in this dreamy whispery voice that is simply incredibly sexy, yet triste. The music underneath is post-rock in a similar fashion to Do Make Say Think, but with a more noisy aspect of raw percussion and field recordings. Under Byen also uses a lot of minimal arrangements to create a thin curtain behind Sennenvaldt, only to explode a few minutes later in an intense fury. Instrumentation is all over the place and adds to the overall brilliance. I have heard plenty of post-rock in the last few years, but this is amongst the best.]]> Mon, 17 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26257-lampshade-lets-away-glitterhouse http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26257-lampshade-lets-away-glitterhouse http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26257-lampshade-lets-away-glitterhouse#comments Kevin and Avi are all over this album, and to be completely honest: they are right to be. Lampshade create some beautiful music with intelligent arrangement and memorable melodies. Singer RebekkaMaria Andersson does, as Kevin mentioned, have a similar tone to Björk, but she is much more natural and fluid, albeit less powerful, than the Icelandic goddess. This is lovely pop and clever songwriting all combined with a taste for melancholy that is very pleasing. But, for some reason, I just can't get into it. It all seems a bit stiff and deliberate. I just can't seem to put the finger on why I feel like that because I should like this. In the words of the legendary George Costanza: "It's not you, it's me."]]> Thu, 16 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26280-montys-loco-man-overboard-nons http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26280-montys-loco-man-overboard-nons http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26280-montys-loco-man-overboard-nons#comments Tyson 'round the chops. "Man overboard" is produced by Björn Yttling to provide that "Swedish sound" mixed with a lot of Tori Amos and Alanis Morissette from the female duo. A folk hum, musical underlays, dubs and effects, plus mixed up quirky yet always emotive lyrics give the finese. Given the Cardigans unique early sound on "Emmerdale" and "Life!" albums, it is easy to see why Montys Loco are slated to support them on the band's Scandinavian tour (ahead of Anna Ternheim we hear). There's a warble lyric thing going on in places and if singer Anja Bigrell let herself go a bit she would be out into Björk wilderness - at least, that is, via the production - mind, there are artists out there falling into the same strength, one to start with is Sara Culler. And why do these sort of record stop short of hitting full wackiness a la Imogen Heap? Leaves one thinking only: radio. All told this album is WOW!]]> Thu, 02 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6827 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6827 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6827#comments Today's mp3 post belongs to Kevin Renick. Take it Kevin...

Avi and I were both mesmerized by the new Lampshade CD "Let's away", but he was gracious enough to let me do the writeup for today's mp3. Lampshade is a quintet with four Swedes and a fabulous Danish vocalist named RebekkaMaria Andersson. In just two CDs, these guys have become one of the finest bands in Scandinavia, and they're one of the first bands I would mention right now if someone asked me why I'm so enamored of all things Nordic. Lampshade's music is filled with dynamic colors, from fiery guitar work and pounding percussion, to utterly bewitching moments of sensual softness. And for those like me who are especially captivated by Scandinavian music that SOUNDS Scandinavian, Andersson's voice is positively enthralling. She enunciates distinctively, with a more relaxed air than Björk, to whom she's sometimes compared, yet her accent is delightful, adorning these beautifully crafted compositions with an extra bit of magic. This song is one of the standouts on a disc with many of them: Andersson sings lyrics in exquisite Swedish over a droning guitar pulse that evokes ancient folk mysteries and an epic sense of space, then she switches to English mid-stream for a sweet ballad about a "little girl all dressed up in ropes and tears." The song continues with lovely vocal harmonies, back to the droning guitar, then an unexpected melodic little coda. Honestly, this is about as powerful and emotionally gripping as music can get!

Ladies and gentlemen, he speaks the truth. "Let's away" is another one of 2006's best releases. And in case you were wondering, it's Damien Jurado providing the male harmony vocals. Check 'em out on tour in Sweden and Norway with Namur:

03/04 - Kulturhuset, Jönköping (SWE)
03/05 - KlubbOhSunday, Gothenburg (SWE)
03/07 - Landet, Stockholm (SWE)
03/08 - KlubbdinMamma, Folketshus, Örebro (SWE)
03/09 - Herrgår´n, Linköping (SWE)
03/11 - Rock Bottom, Oslo (NOR)]]> Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28044-mp3-lampshade-fjaril http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28044-mp3-lampshade-fjaril http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28044-mp3-lampshade-fjaril#comments Today's mp3 post belongs to Kevin Renick. Take it Kevin...

Avi and I were both mesmerized by the new Lampshade CD "Let's away", but he was gracious enough to let me do the writeup for today's mp3. Lampshade is a quintet with four Swedes and a fabulous Danish vocalist named RebekkaMaria Andersson. In just two CDs, these guys have become one of the finest bands in Scandinavia, and they're one of the first bands I would mention right now if someone asked me why I'm so enamored of all things Nordic. Lampshade's music is filled with dynamic colors, from fiery guitar work and pounding percussion, to utterly bewitching moments of sensual softness. And for those like me who are especially captivated by Scandinavian music that SOUNDS Scandinavian, Andersson's voice is positively enthralling. She enunciates distinctively, with a more relaxed air than Björk, to whom she's sometimes compared, yet her accent is delightful, adorning these beautifully crafted compositions with an extra bit of magic. This song is one of the standouts on a disc with many of them: Andersson sings lyrics in exquisite Swedish over a droning guitar pulse that evokes ancient folk mysteries and an epic sense of space, then she switches to English mid-stream for a sweet ballad about a "little girl all dressed up in ropes and tears." The song continues with lovely vocal harmonies, back to the droning guitar, then an unexpected melodic little coda. Honestly, this is about as powerful and emotionally gripping as music can get!

Ladies and gentlemen, he speaks the truth. "Let's away" is another one of 2006's best releases. And in case you were wondering, it's Damien Jurado providing the male harmony vocals. Check 'em out on tour in Sweden and Norway with Namur:

03/04 - Kulturhuset, Jönköping (SWE)
03/05 - KlubbOhSunday, Gothenburg (SWE)
03/07 - Landet, Stockholm (SWE)
03/08 - KlubbdinMamma, Folketshus, Örebro (SWE)
03/09 - Herrgår´n, Linköping (SWE)
03/11 - Rock Bottom, Oslo (NOR)]]> Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7102 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7102 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7102#comments Danish singer/songwriter Lise Westzynthius has announced that her new album "Rock, you can fly" will be released in the US on March 14 via Björk's label One Little Indian. It will also be available slightly earlier via both iTunes and eMusic. Listen to samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lisewestzynthius]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25519-top-10s-for-2005-magnus-bjerkert-adrian-recordings http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25519-top-10s-for-2005-magnus-bjerkert-adrian-recordings http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25519-top-10s-for-2005-magnus-bjerkert-adrian-recordings#comments Top 10 single/EP/maxi releases for 2005:

01. Interpol – Evil
I don't even really like Interpol that much but in the long run I can't live without this one. It started with the video and ended in an obsession.

02. Antony and the Johnsons - Hope there's someone
Mainly because it reminds me so much of my girlfriend. And because that someone can reinterpret the singer songwriter genre.

03. Röyksopp - What Else Is There/ What Else is There (Trentemoller Remix)
I think Röyksopp's album "The Understanding" is one if the best of 2006. In this one it is so nice to hear Karin Dreijer sing without filters. It reminds me so of Honey is Cool. The Trentemoller Remix is like a totally different song. The original aims at the hart the mix at the spine.

04. Swayzak - Another Way
One of my friends introduced this one to me. As with the best songs I didn't really like it at first but then it just grabbed me. Hard and mellow at the same time.

05. Final Fantasy - The CN tower belongs to the dead
I don't consider the Arcade Fire album to be a 2005 release, (even if it wasn't released in Sweden until 2005) if I did they would rule this chart. When I first heard Final Fantasy I didn't know that Owen Pallett had anything to do with them (or Hidden Cameras). This one got to me because it was so strange but at the same time so heart bleeding.

06. Felix Da Housecat – Ready 2 wear
I swear! I will never forget my 80's. I am devoted to Scotch and Miko Mission. When this one came, I wasn't sure if it was a joke or not. It was just too much and too cheesy. But I just couldn't stop listening and dancing.

07. Tomas Andersson – Washing up
I really wanna play this one in front of a really big dance crowd. You don't find that in Malmö. The base, the minimalism and the big beat. My god. My DJ in crime partner don't like it though. We fight about it.

08. Patrice Baumel - Mutant pop
One night at our club, I put this one on and the whole place just stops and listens and then the whole place just change to one rhythm. Everybody looks at eachother with some flirty eyes and just keeps on sipping.

09. Björk - Who Is It (Vitalic Mix)
I have the fullest respect for Björk but who listens to her nowadays. This one wouldn't be anything without the melody and her voice but once I heard the original I couldn't believe it was the same song. This is pop. Plain pop for a party night.

10. Vitalic - My driend Dario
Really. This is dangerous. I know that Vitalic already is considered killing a genre and almost silly but when this one came: My god. It rocks. It kills. It takes you back to former east Europe to a bunker and a squat-house-party with dirty junkies.


---------------------------

Magnus is the man behind Malmö-based label Adrian Recordings, home of artists such as David Fridlund/David & the Citizens, The Fine Arts Showcase, Sharif and more.
www.adrianrecordings.com

]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25508-interview-robyn http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25508-interview-robyn http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25508-interview-robyn#comments I love pop, but it's sometimes hard to defend a genre littered by would-be media moguls running amok with vanity clothing labels and signature perfumes. So I was especially excited to interview Robyn. She's got an authentically eclectic foundation that informs her creativity, and she's thoroughly engaged with the disparate projects that comprise her career. Oh, and the music -- her work's been high-fived by both The New Yorker and Pitchfork Media while genuinely appealing to loads of others who spend more time dancing to music than reading about it.
- Roni Brunn

RB: How did you make this tour different from previous ones?

R: It's a more visual tour with video projections and more lights. I worked with some amazing people. One of them, Ellen Ruge, is a light designer who works a lot with my dad, who is a director. Ellen usually works with theatre and opera performances.

RB: What do you like about performing live?

R: It's a an exercise, and it's like nothing else you do as an artist. You are in the moment, and the interaction between me and the band and me, the band and the audience is the main focus.

RB: What do you value in music?

R: Core, humor, sensitivity, attitude.

RB: What do you aim for when writing music?

R: Good songs that describe my world, no holds barred.

RB: What inspires you?

R: Really living my life, beats, athletes, Prince, stupid things I do, modern dance, my parents.

RB: How do you write?

R: No rules. It's different every time, in different periods.

RB: How do you step outside your life as a musician and relate to your listeners?

R: I just do what I think is good and hope they will follow.

RB: What music do you listen to these days? Has that changed over time?

R: The first music I was exposed to was my parents' and their friends' music taste. As a child, I loved David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, The Police, and Prince. But there was also a lot of Beatles, Laurie Anderson, Leonard Cohen, and Nina Hagen. As a teenager, I got into Janet and Michael Jackson, TLC, Brandy, Neneh Cherry, Mary J Blige, and then hiphop. Then I discovered Prince again and Little Richard, Björk, D'Angelo, and list goes on... Right now, I'm fascinated by AC/DC.

RB: How did the collaboration with the Knife come about?

R: They sent their album "Deep Cuts" to me, and I loved it. I called them, and we decided to try to work together.

RB: What motivated you to write Darin's "Money for Nothing?"

R: I wrote "Money for nothing" with three other songwriters as well, Remi, Ulf Lindström and Johan Ekhé. It was written years ago for me, but never made it to the recording sessions. Darin found it and made it his.

RB: What's next?

R: Lots of Swedish Grammys, I hope, and maybe an international release, if I find the right record company to work with. To start writing again.

RB: You started your career at a very young age. What's your perspective on that?

R: To start to specialize in something at an early age is only positive, I think, but fame is tricky, and it took me some time to figure out how to deal with that. I also found it hard to learn how to balance being so inexperienced in certain ways and so experienced in others. But my ten years as an artist are the most important base for me today as a record company owner.

RB: How did you decide to start your own label, Konichiwa Records?

R: It was an idea that I got from seeing how the Knife works. Can't tell the whole story here, but I gathered a lot of information before I started. I wanted to make sure I didn't get myself into something I couldn't handle.

RB: What do you like about running the label?

R: That I have somewhere to try my ideas. I can do things now that nobody would let me do before, and it works!

RB: Have there been surprises?

R: I had to learn many new things this year; making fast decisions is one.

RB: What's in the future for the label?

R: I just signed the first artist to Konichiwa Records -- Daniel Boyacioglu, a poet from Stockholm. He has made music out of his latest poems for his new record and is the opening act for me on my fall tour. But there are no other plans on expanding at the moment; I just want to release my own music.

RB: Some people say marketing is the downfall of popular music, but do you see it as another way to express yourself, or is it just a fact of doing business in this era?

R: Economics affect everything, even my possibilities in the studio. Maybe I want more time, or maybe I think a song is finished, while major labels wouldn't have the guts to release it and, with no second thoughts, are willing to spend 50,000 dollars more that I have to take responsibility for in the end. My record company is good for my creative freedom, my protection and for my economy. Marketing is important. With Konichiwa records, I finally can control and make sure my music is received in the way I want it to be.

.:About the author:

Designer/musician Roni Brunn dreams of Stockholm while residing in Los Angeles, where she runs a math club. Of course.

]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8797 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8797 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8797#comments Ex-Gus Gus vocalist Daníel Ágúst has just released his first solo album "Swallowed a star" via fellow Icelander Björk's label One Little Indian. Check out the first single "If you leave me now" right here: http://www.icelandairwaves.com/artists.asp?pageID=18&artistID=208]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26488-ingvild-hasund-demo-self-released http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26488-ingvild-hasund-demo-self-released http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26488-ingvild-hasund-demo-self-released#comments Ingvild Hasund. These are immaculately crafted, exquisitely produced tracks that sound like the work of a veteran performer, NOT someone shyly offering their first demos. I'm just blown away by this girl, truly. Hasund's music falls into a sort of jazzy pop vein, with touches of textured electronica and a beguiling aura of romantic yearning. There's also a subtle theatrical flair to Hasund's delivery which makes it easy to imagine her onstage in a Broadway musical, one that would likely keep an audience enthralled. It's hard not to get overwhelmed by emotion listening to the surprisingly lush orchestration on "So much to say", on which Hasund's voice bears just a hint of a less hyper Björk. The knob marked MAGIC was clearly turned up to the HIGH position in the studio for the sweetly melodic "Little song" and "All on a normal day" is a beautiful collision between noirish trip hop and cinematic jazz. This demo is honestly one of the best things I've heard this year, and Hasund deserves a record contract from a major right this minute.]]> Sun, 18 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9299 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9299 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9299#comments Megahype has signed alternative rock act Rezonance, a band they describe as a "mixture of rock, alternative pop and various electronic music such as Recoil, Nine Inch Nails, Björk and Massive Attack." Their debut album "Black filters" will be released at the end of October.]]> Mon, 29 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10465 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10465 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10465#comments Speaking of 50 Hertz, the Guardian doesn't recommend the Björk "Army of me" remix album very much, but they like 50 Hertz: http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/fridayreview/story/0,,1472332,00.html]]> Thu, 19 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11253 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11253 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11253#comments I knew something was different when the envelope had a fancy wax seal. I'm always excited to get packages in the mail, but it's rare that I receive something sent with such care and effort. Upon opening I was even more intrigued - here was a CD packaged in an elaborate insert designed to look and fold out like a flower. My words can't do it justice - you really have to see and feel it to appreciate it. This was most definitely not the standard mediocre demo material I often receive. No, Ea Philippa is most definitely not mediocre or average. Besides the CD, the package also included one of the most ridiculous press releases I've ever seen. Ridiculous as in "Composer and singer Ea Philippa releases her debutalbum "Fjerne Himle" ("Distant Skies") the 7th of March this and with that she bids welcome onboard the starship towards distant galaxes and enchanting realms." Ridiculous as in "The music describes a univers far from this world wraped in magic and fairytales quite ready to explore. It includes glaktic princesses from faraway planets, Dreamweavers in spiderwebpalaces, indecent wizzards and beautyfull elven women with chameleonhair." (all typos reprinted as-is) Did I mention that it's printed on paper with faux burnt edges? And that it includes a map of her aforementioned "magical univers"? Normally this sort of thing would go straight into the trash bin after a good laugh, but I must admit - my curiousity had been raised. There is something so earnest and purehearted in the way that Ea presents herself that I just had to give her more of a chance. I'm glad I did because the music turned out to be quite good.

Genre-wise, Ea exists somewhere between Björk and Stina Nordenstam or maybe within the realms of Loreena Mckennitt and Joanna Newsom. The sound is jazzy at times and very vocal-heavy, but not in a love-it-or-hate-it way like how Newsom is regarded. There's an element of mystery and fantasy that tiptoes the line of absurdity without falling over. The compositions have strong folk and classical compenents as well, in both the melodies and the arrangements. One of my favorite ingredients of the sound is the use of vocal noises and body percussion for beat construction. It's so organic and natural sounding. I suspect that if I understood Danish I might be a bit bummed by the lyrics, but ignorance is bliss. I don't need to know, I just want to enjoy it. Overall, I can't say that this is the best thing I've heard in awhile, but it is easily the most interesting and unique. Definitely worth checking out.]]> Wed, 16 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11399 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11399 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11399#comments Danish singer/songwriter Lise Westzynthius has signed with One Little Indian, the label of Björk and many other fine artists. Look for her album "Rock, You Can Fly" to get an international release soon.]]> Tue, 08 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11725 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11725 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11725#comments Swedish lo-fi electropop act 50 Hertz will contribute a track to the upcoming Björk remix/cover album "Army of me", coming out later this month on her own One Little Indian Records will all proceeds from sales being donated to UNICEF. The tracklist was hand-picked by Björk herself, so they consider it a great privilege to be included. The selection will be billed "50 Hertz featuring Slagsmålsklubben and Häxor och Porr" as members from both bands contributed to the recording.]]> Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25451-top-10s-for-2004-kal-strom-dagensskiva http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25451-top-10s-for-2004-kal-strom-dagensskiva http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25451-top-10s-for-2004-kal-strom-dagensskiva#comments Top 10 albums for 2004 (in alphabetical order x2):

01. Björk "Medúlla"

02. Damn! "Youth Style"

03. Danger Mouse "Grey Album"

04. Hans Appelqvist "Bremort"

05. Kanye West "College Dropout"

06. Lars Horntveth "Pooka"

07. Marit Bergman "Baby Dry Your Eye"

08. Quit Your Dayjob "Quit Your Dayjob"

09. The Tiny "Close Enough"

10. Xiu Xiu "Fabulous Muscles"

Second ten:

01. !!! "Louden Up Now"

02. C.Aarmé "C.Aarmé"

03. Deerhoof "Milk Man"

04. Lina Nyberg "Saragasso"

05. O.Lamm "Hello Spiral"

06. Phoenix "Alphabetical"

07. The Blood Brothers "Crimes"

08. The Dillinger Escape Plan "Miss Machine"

09. Totalt Jävla Mörker "Människans ringa värde"

10. Vincent & Mr Green "Vincent & Mr Green"


---------------------------

Kal writes for Dagensskiva, Sweden's best music webzine.
www.dagensskiva.com

]]> Thu, 30 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12380 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12380 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12380#comments Scandinavian highlights from the Pitchfork top 50 album list include The Concretes (#45), Jóhann Jóhannsson (#37), Björk (#19), Annie (#15), Erlend Øye (#14) and Dungen (#13): http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/top/2004/index.shtml]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12429 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12429 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12429#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's the Swedish student radio top 40 for the fall semester (total rank, highest rank, # of weeks):

01. (01) (06) Promoe - "Long Distance Runner"
02. (02) (06) Phoenix - "You Can't Blame It On (Anybody)"
03. (04) (08) The Go! Team - "Ladyflash"
04. (01) (05) The Hives - "Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones"
05. (01) (05) Bergman Rock - "I'm A Crab"
06. (04) (06) Bloc Party - "Helicopter"
07. (01) (06) Marit Bergman - "Can I Keep Him?"
08. (01) (06) Timo Räisänen - "Lovers Are Lonely"
09. (02) (05) The (International) Noise Conspiracy - "A Small Demand"
10. (02) (05) Ison & Fille - "Vill va Highwon"
11. (02) (04) The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Bigtime"
12. (01) (04) The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"
13. (03) (05) Faithless - "Miss U Less See U More"
14. (05) (05) Thunder Express - "In My Mind"
15. (06) (08) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "#1 EP"
16. (05) (05) The Tough Alliance - "Holiday"
17. (05) (04) Ed Harcourt - "Born In The '70s"
18. (04) (04) Sahara Hotnights - "Who Do You Dance For?"
19. (01) (03) Le Tigre - "TKO/New Kicks"
20. (03) (04) The Mo - "Howl In The Jungle"
21. (01) (03) Beastie Boys - "An Open Letter To NYC"
22. (04) (05) Radio LXMBRG - "L'Indiffirence EP"
23. (02) (03) Dogs Die In Hot Cars - "I Love You 'Cause I Have To"
24. (05) (04) Baby Shambles - "Killamangiro"
25. (03) (07) Embee - "Not Tonite"
26. (08) (05) Mando Diao - "God Knows"
27. (02) (03) The Ark - "One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young"
28. (06) (04) R.E.M. - "Leaving New York"
29. (05) (04) Ron Sexsmith - "Whatever It Takes"
30. (08) (05) Starmarket - "Cologne"
31. (06) (05) Björk - "Who Is It?"
32. (07) (05) Kanye West - "Jesus Walks"
33. (02) (06) Kings Of Convenience - "Misread"
34. (09) (04) Jens Lekman - "Julie"
35. (07) (04) Blacknuss Feat. Awa Manneh & ADL - "All Your Lovin'"
36. (10) (04) Deportees - "Not Tonight"
37. (06) (03) Franz Ferdinand - "Michael"
38. (08) (03) The Chrysler - "Blue Gold"
39. (04) (04) Talib Kweli Feat. Mary J Blige - "I Try"
40. (08) (03) De La Soul - "Shopping Bag"]]> Mon, 20 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12476 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12476 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12476#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Beastie Boys - "An Open Letter To NYC"
02. (03) The Ark - "One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young"
03. (02) Promoe - "Long Distance Runner"
04. (04) Ison & Fille - "Vill Va Highwon"
05. (06) Radio LXMBRG - "L'Indiffirence EP"
06. (05) Faithless - "Miss U Less, See U More"
07. (NY) Slam - "This World"
08. (07) Bloc Party - "Helicopter"
09. (08) Timo Räisänen - "Lovers Are Lonely"
10. (09) The Chrysler - "Blue Gold"
11. (14) The Chemical Brothers - "Galvanize"
12. (NY) Acid House Kings - "This Heart Is A Stone"
13. (NY) Morrissey - "I Have Forgiven Jesus"
14. (13) Rantoboko Feat. Promoe - "Ironical World... Mr President"
15. (NY) ...Trail Of Dead - "Worlds Apart"
16. (18) John Legend - "Used To Love U"
17. (16) Keane - "This Is The Last Time"
18. (NY) USCB Allstars - "Cheap Imitation/Rise Above"
19. (10) The Go! Team - "Ladyflash"
20. (NY) Timbuktu - "Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö"

Hot tracks outside the top 20:
David Lindh & Hail Marys - "Good Thing"
The Concretes - "Lady December"
Nancy Sinatra - "Burnin' Down The Spark"

Leaving the chart:
(11) The Tough Alliance - "Holiday"
(12) CDOASS - "Speak To Me"
(15) Mando Diao - "God Knows"
(17) Snow Patrol - "How To Be Dead"
(19) The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Believe I've Found"
(20) Björk - "Who Is It?"]]> Wed, 15 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12563 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12563 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12563#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (07) Beastie Boys "An Open Letter To NYC"
02. (01) Promoe "Long Distance Runner"
03. (03) The Ark "One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young"
04. (02) Ison & Fille "Vill va Highwon"
05. (03) Faithless "Miss U Less, See U More"
06. (04) Radio LXMBRG "L'Indiffirence EP"
07. (05) Bloc Party "Helicopter"
08. (06) Timo Räisänen "Lovers Are Lonely"
09. (08) The Chrysler "Blue Gold"
10. (09) The Go! Team "Ladyflash"
11. (11) The Tough Alliance "Holiday"
12. (12) CDOASS "Speak To Me"
13. (NY) Rantoboko Feat. Promoe "Ironical World... Mr President"
14. (NY) The Chemical Brothers "Galvanize"
15. (13) Mando Diao "God Knows"
16. (14) Keane "This Is The Last Time"
17. (17) Snow Patrol "How To Be Dead"
18. (NY) John Legend "Used To Love U"
19. (NY) The Soundtrack Of Our Lives "Believe I've Found"
20. (16) Björk "Who Is It?"

Hot tracks outside the top 20:
Stellan Wahlström Drift Band "Ocean Ave"
Bertine Zetlitz "Fake Your Beauty"
The Concretes "Lady December"

Leaving the chart:
(15) The Streets "Blinded By The Lights"
(18) Joanna Newsom "Sprout And The Bean"
(19) Embee "Not Tonite"
(20) David Fridlund "April & May"]]> Thu, 09 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25424-top-10s-for-2004-ola-frick-moonbabies http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25424-top-10s-for-2004-ola-frick-moonbabies http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25424-top-10s-for-2004-ola-frick-moonbabies#comments 01. Touring with the band in Europe, one of the best times ever, on tour its very easy forgetting everything.

02. Getting "Orange Billboard" on vinyl, the first Moonbabies LP that is...

03. The Streets "A grand don't come for free", it was supposed to be so eeeeasy. Fantastic concept album.

04. Discovering "The Dreaming" by Kate Bush, whooa!

05. Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless mind, Movie of the year!

06. Lost in Translation, another really good film.

07. Getting my Martin guitar (Unfortuantly cracking a big hole in it on tour in Germany)

08. Bjork - Who is it (track from "Medulla")

09. Family Guy, Tv show. My other penis is a vagina.

10. 100 Höjdare, Swedish tv-show. Nu Jävlar... You released the fucking fury.


---------------------------

Moonbabies are a brilliant pop band from Malmö, Sweden. Find out more at their official website: www.moonbabies.nu

]]> Tue, 07 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12684 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12684 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12684#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (03) Promoe - "Long Distance Runner"
02. (02) Ison & Fille - "Vill Va Highwon"
03. (09) Faithless - "Miss U Less, See U More"
04. (18) Radio LXMBRG - "L'Indiffirence EP"
05. (04) Bloc Party - "Helicopter"
06. (01) Timo Räisänen - "Lovers Are Lonely"
07. (NY) Beastie Boys - "An Open Letter To NYC"
08. (NY) The Chrysler - "Blue Gold"
09. (05) The Go! Team - "Ladyflash"
10. (NY) The Ark - "One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young"
11. (07) The Tough Alliance - "Holiday"
12. (NY) CDOASS - "Speak To Me"
13. (08) Mando Diao - "God Knows"
14. (ÅT) Keane - "This Is The Last Time"
15. (17) The Streets - "Blinded By The Lights"
16. (06) Björk - "Who Is It?"
17. (12) Snow Patrol - "How To Be Dead"
18. (14) Joanna Newsom - "Sprout And The Bean"
19. (15) Embee - "Not Tonite"
20. (16) David Fridlund - "April & May"

Hot tracks outside the top 20:
Chick Habit - "Bullshit Radio"
The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Believe I've Found"
Stellan Wahlström Drift Band - "Ocean Ave"

Leaving the chart:
(10) Ayesha - "Squaffie"
(11) The (International) Noise Conspiracy - "A Small Demand"
(13) Richard Reagh + Wwnb2 - "Outlaw EP"
(19) Dizzee Rascal - "Dream"
(20) Florence Valentin - "Där jag borde va"]]> Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12826 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12826 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12826#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (16) Timo Räisänen - "Lovers Are Lonely"
02. (08) Promoe - "Long Distance Runner"
03. (02) The (International) Noise Conspiracy - "A Small Demand"
04. (11) Bloc Party - "Helicopter"
05. (04) The Go! Team - "Ladyflash"
06. (01) Bergman Rock - "I'm A Crab"
07. (10) Björk - "Who Is It?"
08. (NY) Radio LXMBRG - "L'Indiffirence EP"
09. (NY) Ison & Fille - "Vill va Highwon"
10. (05) The Tough Alliance - "Holiday"
11. (09) Mando Diao - "God Knows"
12. (NY) Faithless - "Miss U Less, See U More"
13. (NY) Ayesha - "Squaffie"
14. (NY) Keane - "This Is The Last Time"
15. (03) Embee - "Not Tonite"
16. (NY) Snow Patrol - "How To Be Dead"
17. (NY) Joanna Newsom - "Sprout and the Bean"
18. (ÅT) Richard Reagh + Wwnb2 - "Outlaw"
19. (15) Doktor Kosmos - "Distance Equals Rate Times Time"
20. (17) Peter Bjorn And John - "Teen Love"

Hot tracks outside the top 20:
Dizzee Rascal - "Dream"
Florence Valentin - "Där jag borde va"
Sophie Rimheden/Håkan Lidbo - "Shout"

Leaving the chart:
(06) Phoenix - "You Can't Blame It On. (Anybody)"
(07) Ed Harcourt - "Born In The '70s"
(12) Sahara Hotnights - "Who Do You Dance For?"
(13) Kanye West - "Jesus Walks"
(14) 22-20s - "Shoot Your Gun"
(18) The Hellacopters - "Turn The Wrong Key"
(19) The Streets - "Blinded By The Lights"
(20) Starmarket - "Cologne"]]> Tue, 16 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12903 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12903 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12903#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Bergman Rock - "I'm A Crab"
02. (02) The (International) Noise Conspiracy - "A Small Demand"
03. (06) Embee - "Not Tonite"
04. (09) The Go! Team - "Ladyflash"
05. (NY) The Tough Alliance - "Holiday"
06. (03) Phoenix - "You Can't Blame It On. (Anybody)"
07. (05) Ed Harcourt - "Born In The '70s"
08. (NY) Promoe - "Long Distance Runner"
09. (NY) Mando Diao - "God Knows"
10. (NY) Björk - "Who Is It?"
11. (NY) Bloc Party - "Helicopter"
12. (04) Sahara Hotnights - "Who Do You Dance For?"
13. (07) Kanye West - "Jesus Walks"
14. (16) 22-20s - "Shoot Your Gun"
15. (19) Doktor Kosmos - "Distance Equals Rate Times Time"
16. (NY) Timo Räisänen - "Lovers Are Lonely"
17. (NY) Peter Bjorn And John - "Teen Love"
18. (NY) The Hellacopters - "Turn The Wrong Key"
19. (NY) The Streets - "Blinded By The Lights"
20. (08) Starmarket - "Cologne"

Hot tracks outside the top 20:
Florence Valentin - "Där Jag Borde Va"
Ayesha - "Squaffie"
Bright Eyes - "Take It Easy"

Leaving the chart:
(10) [Ingenting] - "Här Kommer Solen"
(11) Snoop Dogg Feat. Pharell - "Drop It Like It's Hot"
(12) Baby Shambles - "Killamangiro"
(13) Deportees - "Not Tonight"
(14) Mos Def - "Sex, Love & Money"
(15) Destiny's Child - "Lose My Breath"
(17) The Mo - "Howl In The Jungle"
(18) Richard Reagh + Wwnb2 - "Outlaw"
(20) The Concretes - "Seems Fine"]]> Tue, 09 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13443 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13443 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13443#comments Here's this week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:

01. The Rasmus - Guilty (FIN)
02. Nightwish - Wish I had an angel (FIN)
03. Johnny Deluxe - Drömmer jeg? (DK)
04. Lazyboy - Facts of life (DK)
05. Nine - Anxienty report (SWE)
06. Snook - Mister Cool (SWE)
07. Björk - Oceania (ICE)
08. Ville Pusa - I dina ögon (FIN)
09. Indica - Ikuinen virta (FIN)
10. Annie - Chewing gum (NOR)

Challengers:
11. Bomfunk MC's - No way in hell (FIN)
12. Týr - Regin smidur (DK)
13. Melody Club - Take me away (SWE)]]> Thu, 30 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13537 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13537 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13537#comments Here's this week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:

01. Nightwish - Wish I had an angel (FIN)
02. Nine - Anxienty report (SWE)
03. The Rasmus - Guilty (FIN)
04. Johnny Deluxe - Drömmer jeg? (DK)
05. Snook - Mister Cool (SWE)
06. Ville Pusa - I dina ögon (FIN)
07. Sondre Lerche - Days that are over (NOR)
08. Annie - Chewing gum (NOR)
09. Björk - Oceania (ICE)
10. Gimmel - Pisaroita ja kyyneleitä (FIN)

Challengers:
11. Indica - Ikuinen virta (FIN)
12. Günther - Teeny weeny string bikini (SWE)
13. Lazyboy - Facts of life (DK)]]> Thu, 23 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13568 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13568 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13568#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (03) The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"
02. (01) The Hives - "Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones"
03. (04) Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Bigtime"
04. (NY) Dogs Die In Hot Cars - "I Love You 'Cause I Have To"
05. (05) Thunder Express - "In My Mind"
06. (06) R.E.M. - "Leaving New York"
07. (02) Marit Bergman - "Can I Keep Him?"
08. (08) Eastern Lane - "I Said Pig On Friday"
09. (09) Jens Lekman - "Julie E.P."
10. (NY) Ron Sexsmith - "Whatever It Takes"
11. (18) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "#1 E.P."
12. (NY) De La Soul - "Shopping Bag"
13. (17) Mando Diao - "Clean Town"
14. (07) Franz Ferdiand - "Michael"
15. (NY) Niccokick - "Love & Neon Lights"
16. (15) Chromeo - "Needy Girl"
17. (19) Svenska Akademien - "Vetande"
18. (NY) Strip Music - "Never Die"
19. (20) Client - "Radio"
20. (NY) The Cure - "Taking Off"

New tracks just outside the top 20:
Lars Winnerbäck - "Elegi"
Bloc Party - "Little Thoughts"
The Ackermans - "Come On, Come On"

Leaving the chart:
(10) Cirera - "Motherfucker - Fake Vegetarian Ex-Girlfriend"
(11) Ed Harcourt - "This One's For You"
(12) Kasabian - "L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)"
(13) Faithless - "I Want More"
(14) The Delgados - "Everybody Come Down"
(16) Björk - "Oceania"]]> Wed, 22 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13633 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13633 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13633#comments Here's this week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:

01. Johnny Deluxe - Drömmer jeg? (DK)
02. Nine - Anxienty report (SWE)
03. The Rasmus - Guilty (FIN)
04. Petter ft. AFC - Repa skivan (SWE)
05. Gimmel - Pisaroita ja kyyneleitä (FIN)
06. Ville Pusa - I dina ögon (FIN)
07. Sahara Hotnights - Hot night crash (SWE)
08. Marit Bergman - I will always be your soldier (SWE)
09. Sondre Lerche - Days that are over (NOR)
10. Björk - Oceania (ICE)

Challengers:
11. Nightwish - Wish I had an angel (FIN)
12. Annie - Chewing gum (NOR)
13. Snook - Mister Cool (SWE)]]> Fri, 17 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13648 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13648 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13648#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (04) The Hives - "Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones"
02. (03) Marit Bergman - "Can I Keep Him?"
03. (01) The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"
04. (02) Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Bigtime"
05. (NY) Thunder Express - "In My Mind"
06. (07) R.E.M. - "Leaving New York"
07. (06) Franz Ferdiand - "Michael"
08. (NY) Eastern Lane - "I Said Pig On Friday"
09. (15) Jens Lekman - "Julie E.P."
10. (05) Cirera - "Motherfucker - "Fake Vegetarian Ex-Girlfriend"
11. (08) Ed Harcourt - "This One's For You"
12. (10) Kasabian - "L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)"
13. (09) Faithless - "I Want More"
14. (NY) The Delgados - "Everybody Come Down"
15. (12) Chromeo - "Needy Girl"
16. (17) Björk - "Oceania"
17. (19) Mando Diao - "Clean Town"
18. (14) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "#1 E.P."
19. (NY) Svenska Akademien - "Vetande"
20. (NY) Client - "Radio"

New tracks just outside the top 20:
Lars Winnerbäck - "Elegi"
Strip Music - "Never Die"
David Sandström - "The Sixties (Never Actually Happened)"

Leaving the chart:
(11) Beastie Boys - "Triple Trouble"
(13) Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - "Nature Boy"
(16) Arrested Development - "Honeymoon Day"
(18) The Gift Of Gab - "Rat Race"
(20) Gisli - "TV=The Devil"]]> Thu, 16 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13695 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13695 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13695#comments Now that school's back in session, here's the first Swedish top 20 student radio chart:

01. (NY) The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"
02. (NY) Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Bigtime"
03. (NY) Marit Bergman - "Can I Keep Him?"
04. (NY) The Hives - "Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones"
05. (NY) Cirera - "Motherfucker - "Fake Vegetarian Ex-Girlfriend"
06. (NY) Franz Ferdiand - "Michael"
07. (NY) R.E.M. - "Leaving New York"
08. (NY) Ed Harcourt - "This One's For You"
09. (NY) Faithless - "I Want More"
10. (NY) Kasabian - "L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)"
11. (NY) Beastie Boys - "Triple Trouble"
12. (NY) Chromeo - "Needy Girl"
13. (NY) Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - "Nature Boy"
14. (NY) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "#1 E.P."
15. (NY) Jens Lekman - "Julie E.P."
16. (NY) Arrested Development - "Honeymoon Day"
17. (NY) Björk - "Oceania"
18. (NY) The Gift Of Gab - "Rat Race"
19. (NY) Mando Diao - "Clean Town"
20. (NY) Gisli - "TV=The Devil"

Not quite in the top 20:
Brainpool - "Junk"
David Sanström - "The Sixties (Never Actually Happened)"
Svenska Akademien - "Vetande"]]> Mon, 13 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13738 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13738 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13738#comments Here's this week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:

01. The Rasmus - Guilty (FIN)
02. Gimmel - Pisaroita ja kyyneleitä (FIN)
03. Johnny Deluxe - Drömmer jeg? (DK)
04. Petter ft. AFC - Repa skivan (SWE)
05. Ville Pusa - I dina ögon (FIN)
06. Stonebridge ft. Therese - Put em high (SWE)
07. Marit Bergman - I will always be your soldier (SWE)
08. Sondre Lerche - Days that are over (NOR)
09. Brolle Jr - Watching the stars (SWE)
10. Sahara Hotnights - Hot night crash (SWE)

Challengers:
11. Skandaali - Elämä on peli (FIN)
12. Nine - Anxienty report (SWE)
13. Björk - Oceania (ICE)]]> Thu, 09 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14645 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14645 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14645#comments A Tenderversion Recording is the name of a new label run by Martin Lundmark. in collaboration with Per Tannergård and José González. Their first release will be a five-track EP from Audrey, who they describe as Cat Power and Björk. Look for it in July. But what I'm more excited about is the upcoming Bear Quartet tribute they are doing as a co-release A Westside Fabrication. At long last, here's the full tracklist:

01. Laakso - Blizzard
02. The Concretes - Just Locals
03. Junip - Carsick
04. Håkan Mild - Hunchback
05. Andreas Mattson - Machine Gun
06. The World - Euthanasia
07. Seven Shells - Old Friends
08. Erik Devahl - Straw
09. Kåre Vernby & Dibaba - If You Have A Heart
10. Boy Omega - Last Ball
11. Reverend Big O - I'm Slow
12. Kristofer Åström - Twinreceiver
13. Monastir - Ghosts For Laundry
14. Bad Cash Quartet - Put Me Back Together
15. They Stole A Million - Speedy
16. Audrey - Helpless

It should be amazing, I'm sure. As for later on, they'll release the debut album "Read between the lines at all times" from postrock/minimalist/nolse act Scraps of Tape in August and records from Once We Were and September Malevolence in the fall. More details when I get them.]]> Mon, 21 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15024 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15024 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15024#comments Swedish 'melancholy post-rock' band Paatos will release their new Steven Wilson-produced (Porcupine Tree) album "Kallocain" on June 8 in the US via InsideOut Records. The UK gets the album a day earlier through SPV. The label says the band will appeal to fans of acts like Sigur Ros and the group cites influences from other groups like Bjork, King Crimson and Portishead. There will be a special free record release show on May 26 at Lydmar Hotel in Stockholm. (alerted via DJ Martian)]]> Mon, 24 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18847 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18847 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18847#comments Check out the video for the new Raveonettes single "That Great Love Sound" right here: low / med / high
The video was filmed in London and by director Sophie Muller. Sophie's previous work includes videos for bands such as Coldplay, Bjork, Blur, Radiohead, Pink and many more. You can also download an mp3 of the track from here for a limited time. The single comes out August 11 and the band's new debut full length "Chain Gang Of Love" follows on August 25.]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19209 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19209 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19209#comments After some time off and membership changes, Leiah is once again preparing to hit the road and tour Europe. Joakim can't make it because of new job obligations, but they think they've found a suitable replacement in Martin aka the "wiz kid" and "the unholy driver." The dates so far:

03/21 - Haldensleben Germany, JFZz "der club"
03/22 - München Germany, Kafe Kult
03/23 - Innsbruck Austria, Workstation
03/24 - Off
03/25 - Budapest Hungaria, Red Hole
03/26 - Cakovec Croatia, TBA
03/27 - Koprivnica Croatia, Kuglana 2
03/28 - Italy, TBA
03/29 - Pescara Italy, TBA
03/30 - Italy, TBA
03/31 - Ferrara Italy, TBA
04/01 - Italy, genova, TBA
04/02 - Toulouse France, Caravan Serail
04/03 - Torrelavega Spain, Ave Turuta
04/04 - Madrid Spain, madrid, Ene Ba
04/05 - Castellon Spain, Ricamor
04/06 - Castellon Spain, Kevin's House, exclusive show
04/07 - St. Feliu Spain, Atzavara Club
04/08 - Off
04/09 - Gent Belgium, Gent, Frontline
04/10 - Leuven Belgium, Leuven, Sojo
04/11 - Athus Belgium, Athus, Le Marignan
04/12 - Recklinghausen Germany, südpol
04/13 - Hamburg Germany hamburg, molotov
04/14 - Off
04/15 - Schwalmstadt Germany , Die Bar
04/16 - Münster Germany, Gleis 22
04/17 - Hohenmölsen Germany, Alte Musikschule
04/18 - Frankfurt/main Germany, Exzess
04/19 - Nürtingen Germany, Kuckucksei
04/20 - Schweinfurt Germany, Stadt Bahnhof
04/21 - Prague Czech, 007
04/22 - Berlin Germany, Kato
04/23 - Dresden Germany, Nubeatz

Supersilent has announced a few new festival dates including the Spot 09 festival in Århus, Denmark on May 30 and Øyafestivalen in Oslo on August 9. A full list of scheduled appearances is here.

The New Mess will touring Europe this June. The (very) tentative dates:

06/06 - Hanau (D) Schweinehalle
06/07 - TBA
06/08 - TBA
06/09 - TBA
06/10 - TBA
06/11 - Dresden (D) AZ Conni w/Off Minor
06/12 - Leipzig (D) Zoro w/Off Minor
06/13 - Cottbus (D) Chekov
06/14 - Berlin (D) Ausland

For more info about that new David & the Citizens EP I talked about yesterday, go to the band's website. They've put up full descriptions of what to expect from each song along with the recording information.

Ludwig from The (International) Noise Conspiracy will be filling on drums for The Soundtrack of Our Lives on the US tour in April. The dates:

4/2 - Minneapolis MN, 400 Bar
4/3 - Lawrence KS, Bottleneck
4/5 - Denver CO, Bluebird
4/6 - Salt Lake City UT, Zephyr
4/8 - San Francisco CA, Bimbo's 365 Club
4/10 - Seattle WA, Graceland
4/11 - Vancouver, Commodore Ballroom
4/13 - Whistler, Whistler Mountain Base

In other t(I)NC related news, Dennis has finished up work on the new Lost Patrol album and will be taking it to stage at the upcoming Umeå Open on March 28. Backing him will be members of Randy, Refused, Isolation Years and The Perishers.

In Flames had to cancel their show tonight in Cleveland with Mudvayne because their bus broke down "in the middle of nowhere." However, they promise to make up for it on their just-announced upcoming US headlining tour. Dates so far:

4/02 - Fayetteville AR, JR's Dickson St. Theatre
4/03 - Houston TX, Fitzgeralds
4/04 - Dallas TX, The Galaxy Club

From Rolling Stone concerning this year's SXSW fest:

Best Swedish Band: The Soundtrack of Our Lives beat Citizen Bird [Silverbullit] here in 2002, but this year it was all about the ladies. We give the nod to Maria Andersson and her hard-rockin' Sahara Hotnights over Maja Ivarsson and the New Wave sounds of the Sounds. The Hives' Howlin' Pelle Almqvist concurs -- he's dating Maria.

The Sounds have confirmed the dates for a Swedish tour in April that will coincide with the release of the new single "Rock'n'Roll". The dates:

4/19 - Helsingborg, The Tivoli
4/20 - Malmö, KB
4/23 - Stockholm, Klubben
4/24 - Göteborg, Trädgårn
4/25 - Sälen, Högfjällshotellet
4/26 - Jönköping, Parken

Håkan Hellström, The Sounds, Mando Diao, Meshuggah, Melody Club, and Loop Troop have been confirmed for the upcoming Arvika fest to take place July 10-12. Other international acts confirmed include Björk, Front 242, and Chicks on Speed.

Nü-metallers Blindside have been forced to cancel a number of dates on their upcoming European tour. Those affected:

3/28 - Wolverhampton, Little Civic
3/29 - Glasgow, Cathouse
3/30 - Manchester, Roadhouse
3/31 - London, Underworld
4/2 - Berlin, Magnet
4/3 - Cologne, Prime Club
4/5 - Hamburg, MarX
4/6 - Munich, Orangehouse

The Crown has set "Possessed 13" as the title of their upcoming album, due in September on Metal Blade Records.

It has been announced that Finntroll/Impaled Nazarene guitarist Teemu "Somnium" Raimoranta's death on Sunday was the result of an alcohol-related fall. Again, my condolences to his friends and family.]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2003 00:00:00 -0800 news