IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Another Nation's National Anthem Conscious castle Red Lemon Art

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:18:35 -0800

EPs are often mixed blessings: they can be all over the map with regards to quality, creative direction, and sound, and even the best EPs run the risk of getting overplayed, especially if the release precedes another recording by more than a few months. That said, Convoj's self-titled EP and Cut City's "Narcissus can wait" demonstrate that EPs, when handled correctly, can stand on their own and hold their ground, and to that list I add Another Nation's National Anthem's "Conscious castle". A week or so ago, I may not have made that claim, but ANNA grow on you and the contemplative periods in a few of the songs have since ceased feeling somewhat indulgent and now feel properly settled into the compositions. "Conscious castle" unfolds in a very pleasant way, each listening revealing a layer I missed on a previous occasion. Its sound reminds me at times of The Appleseed Cast (though this claim may hold more weight in nostalgia than in fact) and Tiger Lou (especially those opening notes of "Hold, stranger (of the north)"), though ultimately escapes pigeonholing through the strength of the songwriting. Seeing what ANNA can do with five tracks and 21 minutes, I'm very interested in this band's future.

Teg Publishing, open for business

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:59:38 -0700

The Teg Publishing label website/webshop, home of new band The Bells, is now open: http://www.tegpublishing.se/
Lots of related stuff for sale, including releases from Park Hotell, Convoj, Mattias Alkberg, Cult of Luna, etc.

Halo of Pendor cassette release

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:01:27 -0800

Halo of Pendor, the solo alias of Daniel Öhman (Ef, Convoj, etc.), has announced that its first official release will be a 5-song cassette called "X's & Y's" to be released on February 14 via German label Romani Ite Domum. And as befits the date, all songs are about love.

Convoj to Germany in September

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:04:46 -0700

Convoj are heading to Germany in September:

09/22 - Cafe Glocksee, Hannover
09/24 - Parkside, Aachen
09/25 - Cobra, Solingen
09/26 - Schokoladen, Berlin

MP3: Convoj - Liberty City

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:13:09 -0700

Tomorrow at Debaser Malmö: It's a Trap! Clubnight featuring Convoj and Pretty Whores! I shouldn't have to remind you how great Convoj are since I've been talking them up from the very beginning, but I've got an mp3 below just in case you remain ignorant. Those guys are easily one of the best acts keeping the classic Swedish indie/noiserock/post-hardcore/post-punk sound alive. Few others compete; I can count them on one hand: NEI, The End Will Be Kicks, Giant Boar, Voices Break the Silence. Am I missing anyone? You might be able to lump Aerial in there once their new album comes out, but that's about it. Anyhow, point being: great band, not to be missed.
As for Pretty Whores, I haven't heard their new EP yet, but it seems to be getting good reviews and I most certainly approve of their shortened name (minus "Of Manhattan"). I think they'd be better off dropping it altogether and starting fresh, but whatever -- they're young dudes, they'll figure it out.

Pretty Whores added to April Clubnight

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:27:03 -0700

Malmö's Pretty Whores have been added to the lineup of the next It's a Trap! Clubnight on April 18 with Convoj/

New CDs from Wonderland now in-stock

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:19:58 -0700

New discs in stock on the retail front:

Convoj - Exceptionnel (CD)
Emmon - Closet wanderings (CD)

'Records make great pets - Volume 2' coming March 16

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:33:18 -0800

Stereo Test Kit has confirmed the tracklist for their upcoming "Records make great pets - Volume 2" compilation featuring 20 tracks from 20 Swedish indie artists: http://www.stereotestkit.com/pets.htm
Hard to pick specific highlights since the tracklist is incredibly strong, but some of the names are Alarma Man, Björn Kleinhenz, Convoj, Hajen, Lowood, Park Hotell, Rickard Jäverling, Scraps of Tape, The Social Services, Two White Horses and Winter Took His Life.

The Fine Arts Showcase, Convoj to play IAT Clubnights

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:27:30 -0800

The next two It's a Trap! Clubnights are now confirmed! We'll be hosting The Fine Arts Showcase on March 21 for what might just be their record release party for "Dolophine smile". Who knows? The album is due out about that time (not in February as I mistakenly reported before) so it could happen! And then on April 18 we've got Convoj! Awesome! If you happen to find yourself in Malmö on those dates, you know where to be!

MP3: Convoj - Knives and riptides

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:44:15 -0800

Had Convoj's new album "Exceptionnel" been released even a month earlier, there's a good chance it would have ended up on my year-end best-of list. That's the way it goes though -- there's way too much mediocre music out there for me to wade through and often the best stuff gets forced to wayside. Don't make the same mistake and let them pass you by! "Knives and riptides" is everything the best guitar-based indierock should be: driving and insistent, with melody and power. There's not as much cowbell abuse as "Songs that maybe won't be forgotten", but it's still plenty enough to qualify as awesome. And really, that's what matters.

Blog Radio 2009 playlist #1

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:33:33 -0800

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Marit Bergman - This is the year
02. TALK 1
03. Peter Bjorn and John - Hey (shut the fuck up boy)
04. Convoj - Knives and riptides
05. Lesli - Half a wing
06. TALK 2
07. Je Suis Animal - The mystery of Marie Roget
08. Tiger Lou - Crushed by a crowd (Mikael Jonasson remix)
09. I Was a Teenage Satan Worshipper - Cthulhu story
10. TALK 3
11. Fronda - Mitt allt
12. Thus:Owls - Climbing the fjelds of Norway
13. Champagne Riot - Scandinavian warfare
14. The Garlands - Why did I trust you?
15. TALK 4
16. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - This room seems empty without you
17. They Live - The driller
18. Lowood - Crash
19. TALK 5
20. Scraps of Tape - Grand letdown

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Top 10s for 2008: Absolut Noise

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Here is my "top ten list" of my "favourite Swedish music moments in 2008". 14, not ten.
No order. Music is not a competition.

The "whhooooopp" in Samuraj Cities' song "Washed up"

The chorus of the demo version of Holana's song "Dance man, you're a modern man"

The piano part of Anna Ternheim's "What have I done" acoustic version

The drums with a sound of coconut in Convoj song "Knives and riptides"

The Division of Laura Lee line "it makes sense to die young, back where I come from, violence is timeless" in their song "Violence is timeless"

Du Pacque's line "my eyes are perfectly still" repeated all over again in their song "The great reveal"

When Hajen starts to sing in her song "Sharks"

The drums in Johnossi's "Party with my pain"

The robotic voice of Lykke Li at the very beginning of "I'm good, I'm gone"

Nina Kinert singing "and the mother of his child, oh, I had to" in her song "I shot my man"

The beginning of Paddington DC's record "Love is leukemia", the song "White cells" and its "resistor... transistor"...

Palpitation's voice in "Can I blame you"

The scream at 1'05 in Paper's "Hit the floor"

When Sonjagon's voice goes in the clouds at 4'30 in their song "Buckybell w.t.a.i"

---------------------------
Absolut Noise is a French blog on Swedish music.
absolutnoise.blogspot.com

This week's radio show playlist

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:42:12 -0800

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Eric Beyond - Step off
02. TALK 1
03. Hanna Hirsch - Ingen kommer sakna oss
04. Francis - Bad to the bone
05. KA SO RE - Dramatically keep you
06. Susanna - Jailbreak (ft. Bonnie "Prince" Billy)
07. TALK 2
08. Love Is All - Give it back
09. Agent Side Grinder - Lashes of flashes
10. Parker Lewis - Bash the cynicals
11. TALK 3
12. Moto Boy - Pie Jesu
13. Down In June - The enemy within
14. Masshysteri - Tvivel
15. Underwater Sleeping Society - Saw you at my funeral
16. TALK 4
17. Viola - We owe love
18. Convoj - The shovel
19. Celestial - Crystal heights
20. TALK 5
21. The Deer Tracks - Yes, this is my broken shield

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XM U. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Top 10s for 2008: It's a Trap! (albums)

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

We liked a lot of albums in 2008, but there weren't so many that we loved. In fact, quite a few of us had trouble filling out a full top 10, myself included. Some of us didn't even bother. Personally, aside from a few notable exceptions as you'll see below, I found myself drawn to the past far more often than the present. And yet, here I am again, with yet another year-end list. Go figure.

So with a rather large grain of salt, let me present to you It's a Trap's 2008 top albums of the year.
- Avi Roig

10. Siena Root - Far from the sun (Transubstans)
Graveyard and Witchcraft get all the acclaim, but Siena Root is the better band.

09. Nitad - Ibland kan man inte hindras sig själv (Kranium/Deranged)
Fucked Up, another band who put out one of 2008's best releases ("The chemistry of commmon life"), have moved far beyond the realms of hardcore. Nitad have stepped up to take their place.

08. Park Hotell - Free for friends (Ultra Radio Records/BD Pop)
I can't stand Morissey, yet somehow some Swedish acts are able to take his influence and turn it into something wonderful. If only more indiepop bands were as good as Park Hotell.

07. Katzenjammer - Le pop (Propeller Recordings)
I fully expected Detektivbyrån to be my favorite folk-crossover act, but these ladies from Norway snuck in ahead of them.

06. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide (Razzia)
Even better than I hoped. The perfect follow-up to the first album.

05. Johan Heltne - Vetenskapliga bevis för att Jesus lever (Raffaella)
A beautiful and beguiling album. So weird and mysterious, so absolutely entrancing.

04. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr Happy (NONS)
Of all the bands on my list, these ladies are the only ones to truly create something new and unique sounding. Sweden's most consistently underrated and underappreciated band.

03. Haust - Ride the relapse (Fysisk Format)
If there's a more pissed-off, evil sounding album in 2008, I haven't heard it.

02. Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me Records)
A full year later and I still love this album just as much when it first came out.

01. The Goner - H-Trilogy: Hind hand, Hallartrallar, Haven (Svarta Markaden)
I realize it's pretty lame to put a series of limited cult releases at #1, yet no other artist this year has intrigued me as much as The Goner. "Hind hand" blew me away when I first heard it, the following two were even better.

Jonas Appelqvist

10. Wildbirds & Peacedrums - The Snake (Caprice Records)
This headstrong indie duo got me convinced at a festival gig this summer. And when I heard "The snake" for the first time I was hooked. It's that good.

09. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)
Frida goes from strength to strength and with this album she has established her status as one of the finest songwriters in Sweden right now. Don't believe me? I dare you, listen to "Dirty dancing" and you'll know what I'm talking about.

08. Paper - An object (Novoton)
A homage to Suicide, Joy Division and monotonous kraut rock. The mix between The Bear Quartet and Audionom is a win-win. Literally.

07. Satyricon - The age of Nero (Roadrunner)
With massive walls of sound this Norwegian old school combo decided to continue to piss off black metal fans that claim they're not "true" anymore. Hell, when it sounds this good, I couldn't care less.

06. David Sandström Overdrive - Pigs lose (Razzia)
David Sandström and Oskar Sandlund went into the studio and came out with an astounding album only surpassed by early career move Refused.

05. Lack - Saturate every atom (Play/Rec)
2008 turned out to be the year of resignation for Lack. At least they got to resign at the peak of their career; "Saturate every atom" is proof of that.

04. Britta Persson - Kill Hollywood me (Amigo)
Britta released this album with a somewhat secluded approach and it was received with open arms by almost everyone. Sounds contradictory? It's not, just pure genius.

03. Cult of Luna - Eternal kingdom (Earache)
It just goes to show, these guys don't know how to fail. Top notch!

02. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless (I Made This)
Göteborg's finest spent three years in the studio. The result, Fugazi-esque punk rock, shows that it was worth the wait.

01. Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me Records)
Indie rock at its best - edgy, melodic and, at the same time, raw and hard hitting as hell! The number one spot was, even in January, Lukestar's spot all along.

Matt Giordano

06. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
Their track record has been making consistently good albums, and this is not an exception.

05. Robert Svensson - Young punk are on the never-never (Nomethod)
A fantastic pop album that has me looking even more forward to the next Mixtapes and Cellmates record.

04. The Kid - Transient blood (Hybris)
On their second album, The Kid has transformed themselves into brooding pop masters.

03. Paavoharju - Laulu laakson kukista (Fonal)
A beautiful, cold, meandering album. Not only does this album sound natural, it sounds symbiotic with nature.

02. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
He's made classic albums with Laakso, and a great Hets album. Now Markus is a bonafide solo artist, and, with this maintains that he's one of the best songwriters around.

01. Juvelen - 1 (Hybris)
One of my most anticipated of the year. Ten songs, ten potential singles, yet one cohesive pop statement. Juvelen is here to stay.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

10. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless (I Made This)
This is a total gut decision. Part of me is not okay with this result, but enough of me is perfectly alright ousting at least five other contenders to make room for this dirty, energetic album in my top 10. Despite giving this album only an 8, it has survived in far better standing than a few 9s from this year. "LAX" has been on quite a few of the mixtapes I've made for friends over the past few months, and DoLL launched my brother and I across America this summer... I couldn't imagine 2008 without "Violence is timeless".

09. Robert Svensson - Young punks are on the never-never (Nomethod)
Mr. Svensson lost considerable ground on this list, especially compared to the first draft I worked up a few weeks ago. Still, even at number nine, "Young punks are on the never-never" made it. A wonderful debut solo album from Mixtapes & Cellmates' vocalist, marking the beginning of what is sure to be a fine career.

08. Park Hotell - Free for friends (Ultra Radio/BD Pop)
This top 10 list is populated with a lot of debut records. "Free for friends" is definitely one that I had been waiting for, and it didn't let me down. It's a perfect autumn record: tracts of introspection still fuelled by the reckless hope of summer days.

07. Kiki Pau - Let's rock (Pyramid/Johanna Kustannus)
While I was completely surprised by "Book of Norma", I at least knew who Norma were. Kiki Pau are my favorite surprise this year. Their style of indie rock is confident well beyond their years, harkening back to "Meat is murder"-era Smiths, contemporary NYC garage, The Clash ... and any album with a song titled "Bukowski" (with the lyric: "Steinbeck made me want to get drunk") gets my vote.

06. Convoj - Exceptionnel (Wonderland)
This latecomer also forced me to reconstruct my list. It was all about complete, too. Oh well. Convoj's "Exceptionnel" is a brilliant record, more than deserving of a top 10 spot.

05. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss (Dolores)
If it weren't for all the summer memories I attach to "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust", Hellström's effort would be in fourth place. The fact that this album is in fifth place is a testament to the creative forces at work in Northern Europe. When I first heard this record, I was pretty sure it would be in my top three albums of the year. How wonderful it is to be so wrong. "För sent för edelweiss" has become my favorite Håkan Hellström album, just edging out "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg".

04. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (XL Recordings/EMI)
The fact that Sigur Rós took risks on this album when they could have skirted by with "Takk pt. II" impresses me. It may not be their finest album, but it's fun, kinetic, and lush; everything we expect from the Icelanders, and yet something quite different, too.

03. Tiger Lou - A partial print (Startracks)
I struggled a little with "A partial print" at first, but it eventually won out. As I wrote in my review, the album is "a collage, a collection of images, all of them darkly beautiful extensions of the emotional landscape of "The loyal", but the connections between these impressions can take some time to present themselves, but they will, and then "A partial print" comes fully into being."

02. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
While I gave "A partial print" higher marks, "Markusevangeliet" has been a valued companion of mine since April -- and there's something to be said about resilience. I said back then that I thought Laakso frontman Markus Krunegård had possibly crafted the best record of the year... and, although I might have proven myself wrong, his accomplishment is by far one of the best solo records in recent memory.

01. Norma - Book of Norma (Novoton)
In a damned impressive year for Scandinavian music, my top prize goes to "Book of Norma". It's been a while since I have been as taken aback by a record as I was with Norma's latest effort, the first album I have ever given a 10 to here on It's A Trap! Just an absolutely brilliant album.

Arnulf Koehncke

10. Ane Brun - Changing of the seasons (DetErMine)
Someone wrote somewhere how well recorded this album is -- I can't help but agree. The songs are good too and it's actually the first Ane Brun record that I can really relate to.

09. Audrey - The fierce and the longing (Tenderversion)
Honestly, this record sounds a lot like their last one. That's a good thing in Audrey's case -- I think it's really rare that a band is this well defined regarding both songwriting and sound-aesthetics.

08. Fredrik - Na na ni (Jezebel)
It surprises me how much I still like this record. I didn't think it would be such a grower -- guess I was wrong.

07. Snöleoparden - Snöleoparden (Rump)
I just like the whole of-the-cuff playfulness and complexity that this record embodies. I dare anyone to listen to the daycare-singalong second track and not smile.

06. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide (Razzia)
If you'd asked me in the beginning of the year, I'd probably have predicted this album to top my year-end list. Well, it hasn't completely gotten me hooked yet, though I totally agree with all the praise for Annika's development. And "Lund" has already become a personal favorite of mine.

05. Bobby and Blumm - Everybody loves... (Morr Music)
This record is just so playful -- there's so much to discover in F.S. Blumm's guitar work and Ella's charming voice. It makes me wish I could see them live again.

04. V. Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble - Do nothing 'til you hear from me (iDEAL)
Another great record, though it needs patience and concentration to really enjoy it as a whole. It's just great how it builds up all this tension with its drones and suspense curves only to then release the listener with a soothing return to tonality in the next to last track.

03. The Radio Dept. - Freddie and the Trojan Horse (Labrador)
Too bad their album was delayed until next year. This EP showed such potential with all its Prefab Sprout'ish moments and melodies. And it even delivered some nostalgia to me as a long-time fan when I listen to the hidden track's distortion and overdrive.

02. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
It's amazing: This record is such an instant classic that I almost didn't think of it as a 2008-release. And doesn't that already say all there is to say?

01. Auton - Anywhere out of this world (Structures Sonores)
This record is just so good (which is why my review of it is just so overdue). Incredibly virtuosic yet never overbearing musicians that shift from straight-out jazz to drone to post-rock to Satie-like piano moments with such casualness and grace. My Scandinavian record of the year. Go to the label website now and order copies to give away as christmas presents ;-)

Nancy Baym

10. Don't I wish I could put something here. Like the Caesars. What a bummer that record was.

09. Mikko Singh - Uskotko että siellä on kukkia? (self-released)
An almost-entirely instrumental record that's somewhere between pop and new age, equally well suited to a massage or mellow downtime at home. Very pretty with some nice elements of fun.

08. Violent Years - s/t (Playground)
A fine contribution to the southern gothic alt country genre with many outstanding moments and at least one truly great song.

07. Kusowsky - Något speciellt (self-released)
Kusowsy are so unabashedly singalong guitar pop that I feel a little guilty enjoying them, but everytime a song from this EP showed up on shuffle this year I found myself stopping to smile.

06. The Social Services - It's nothing personal, it's national security (Stereo Test Kit)
Only 1/3 Scandinavian, but she's the singer so she gets extra credit. It's a smart, eclectic, cynical, funny, and loose indie pop album.

05. Tiger Lou - A partial print (Startracks)
I really wanted to love this record, but don't. As background music its dark, hypnotic and self-contradictory sound is stunningly close to perfect, but on close listening its repetitiveness becomes abrasive in ways I don't think were intended.

04. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
On his solo record, Krunegård avoids most of Laakso's glam excesses to deliver a powerful and rich electronically-driven yet organic and seductive sonic environment.

03. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
They don't stray too far from the distinctive, poppy, and borderline corny sound of their previous recordings on this one, but that's a good thing because they are one of the most calming make-you-happy bands going today. I highly recommend this as a soundtrack for either hanging out on a warm beach or cleaning house, cooking, and other mundane chores of daily life.

01. Madrugada - s/t (Virgin/EMI)
Faced with the sudden death of their guitarist and an album 80% completed, Madrugada did the right thing by finishing it up. Even without the tragic back story, it's a powerful and mature rock album that I am still listening to regularly almost a year after its release.

01. Detektivbyrån - Wermland (Danarkia)
In a very disappointing musical year, this instrumental genre-collapsing folk album based on accordion and glockenspiel was the one extraordinary surprise. Everyone I've played it for ran out and got it immediately. You should too.

Simon Tagestam

10. Nordpolen - s/t (Sincerely Yours)

09. Joel Alme - A master of ceremonies (Sincerely Yours)

08. Envelopes - Here comes the wind (Brille)

07. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss (Dolores)

06. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)

05. Love Is All - A hundred things keep me up at night (What's Your Rupture?)

04. Afasi & Filthy - Fläcken (P.O.P.E.)

03. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)

02. Moto Boy - s/t (Songs I Wish I Had Written)

01. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)

Convoj Exceptionnel Wonderland Records

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Due to a tangle of unforeseen circumstances, Convoj's debut full length has been a long time coming... but "Exceptionnel" has been well worth the wait. While a few friends have expressed disappointment that there are two songs from the previous EP - "My timekeeping heart" and "RAMJAC" (and for anyone who downloaded the demos for "Liberty city" and "Cultural legacy" a while back, there are another two tracks you might be familiar with) - all of these songs have been rerecorded and improved upon, especially "RAMJAC" whose final minutes are fantastic. And seeing how well these earlier tracks complement newer ones like "The shovel", "Grace" and "Ghost buster", it's hard to see how these previously recorded compositions hinder "Exceptionnel" in the least. Continuing on from the angular, yet fluid rock sound established early into their career, Convoj's new effort confirms the band's standing amongst the best of the bunch. Completely unrestrained and unrelenting, and yet paradoxically focused, "Exceptionnel" tears down strange avenues only to erupt into graceful moments of beauty... and then back into their distortion-tinged lightning strike guitars, thick, driving bass, deft drum work, and commanding vocal delivery. There isn't a misstep on "Exceptionnel", nor is there a chance taken that isn't rewarding.

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:26:01 -0800

Halo of Pendor, the solo act of Daniel Öhman (Ef, Convoj, When We Fall), will be heading out on a European tour in a few days:

11/21 - Hasenschaukel, Hamburg (GER) w/The Gentle Act Incident (acoustic)
11/22 - Az Conni, Dresden (GER) w/Kom 11/23 - Gallerie Durchlauferhitzer, Halle (GER)
11/24 - Take Five, Maastricht (NL) w/The Gentle Act Incident (acoustic)
11/25 - Steinbruch, Duisburg (GER)
11/26 - Student House of Sten's, Ghent (BEL) w/The Gentle Act Incident (acoustic)
11/27 - Kino Im Walzenlager, Oberhausen (GER)
11/28 - Hafen 2, Offenbach am Main (GER)
11/29 - Chez Heinz Salon, Hannover (GER) w/The Gentle Act Incident (acoustic)
11/30 - NBI, Berlin (GER) w/This Town Needs Guns

Members of Ef, Immanu El and The Gentle Act Incident will make up the backing band. Samples here: http://www.myspace.com/haloofpendor

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:36:03 -0800

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Tomas Halberstad - Travel as I wait
02. TALK 1
03. Robert Svensson - 1991
04. Auton - El Dorado
05. Parken - Jag har varit vilsen, Lisa
06. TALK 2
07. Tiger Lou - Trust falls
08. Promise and the Monster - Night out
09. Park Hotell - Black hole
10. TALK 3
11. Sort Sol - Excalibur
12. Convoj - The shovel
13. Satyricon - Black crow on a tombstone
14. On Volcano - Out of sight
15. TALK 4
16. Hello Saferide - Anna
17. Him Kerosene - Ventilate
18. Tobias Hellkvist - Ships of the North Atlantic
19. TALK 5
20. Division of Laura Lee - LAX
21. Oskar Schönning - Nino casino
22. Haust - Success
23. TALK 6
24. Passiv Dödshjälp - Helvetet, tur och retur

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XM U. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:53:48 -0700

Wonderland Records has pushed back the release of Convoj's long-awaited debut full-length "Exceptionnel" to December 10. Lead single "My shovel" is out on November 16 as a three-track CDS.

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:08:25 -0700

The new Convoj single "Shovel" will be released on October 15 via Wonderland Records with the long-awaited full-length album "Exceptionnel" following on November 12.

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:58:06 -0700

Anders Teglund (Convoj, Cult of Luna) and his father Sven Teglund have created a short film called "Waves" as a dedication to dearly departed musician Esbjörn Svensson: http://promenaderochutflykter.blogspot.com/2008/09/blog-post_4463.html

MP3: Anders Teglund - I whisper, he lives

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:12:47 -0700

Of all the folks participating in the Björn Kleinhenz cover countdown, Anders Teglund's contribution has got to be the most off the wall. The guy's already got a pretty impressive resumé - Cult of Luna, Convoj, columnist for Groove - might as well add in remixer, though I'm not sure that's what I'd call this piece of music. There are obvious Björn Kleinhenz vocal samples, but who knows where the other sound sources came from? I imagine this isn't too far off from what a Thrones version of the same would be like. Be sure to stick it out too, it gets better as it goes along. I like weird, weird is good.

Division of Laura Lee Violence is timeless I Made This

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700

After a short, eccentric choice for an opener ("Caress/Hotnights", a track that would not have been out of place on Nirvana's "Incesticide"), "Violence is timeless" continues to bristle alive with "LAX". Combining the youthful energy of garage and punk with the sensibility of indie rock, "LAX" is a dark track that effortlessly exudes a sense of 'cool' that has been lacking from much of the contemporary scene, most likely because it feels a little more aligned with the energetic efforts of Iggy Pop than more recent efforts to combine early punk with the trendy indie movement. From the opening two tracks, the album continues to show the development of Division of Laura Lee. The title track continues to expound the album's darker tendencies, driving onwards with the purpose of bands like Convoj and The End Will Be Kicks. The lyrics from which the album derives its title -- "It makes sense to die young, back where I come from violence is timeless" -- perfectly exemplify the strange balance between cynicism, melancholy and passion that the band successfully marries. Tracks like "Anytime" and especially "3 guitars", my favorite track on the record, show the influence that artists like Sonic Youth and Pavement continue to have on contemporary music. The ending track, "Do you love me", a fantastic homage to Fugazi's "Do you like me", ends the album on a strange note similarly to how it opened, and it shouldn't be any other way. "Violence is timeless" is an exceptional album, one that reminds us of the soundtracks that led us here, that continue to push us forward.

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

I should've covered this one ages ago, so here's to making up for lost time! It's a new song from Convoj and I'm incredibly excited about it as I've been waiting for new material from these guys for ages upon ages. And now with rumours of a new album actually coming to fruition (finally!), we might as well check back in here for a taste of what to expect and well, they certainly didn't reinvent the wheel on this one -- if you dug the band's previous postpunk-influenced, angular rock'n'roll noisepop, then you will be contented. They're as great as ever, with powerful, driving beats and compelling, exuberant vocals. Pity it's only one track, but I'll take what I can get.

Elsewhere, on the flipside, we're treated to a track by Virginia-based act The House Floor. They're a band who follows in the fine harDCore tradition of their neighbors, 'cept that instead of taking after Fugazi (yay!), they tend to follow more in the footsteps of Jawbox (boo!). The song is way too long, it doesn't go anywhere and it has no hooks whatsoever. A decent rhythm section doesn't make it okay, in fact it only disappoints me more because it means they're not talentless.

On a more positive tip, it's worth noting that the art direction on this record is great. I love the cover design and limited palette of black, grays and blue printed on heavy white paper. The matching white vinyl is a nice touch, too.

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:37:51 -0700

Finally, a new Convoj single: http://www.youareawesome.se/html/body_yaa____-_it_s_up_to_you_to_kee1.html
Expect the long-awaited full-length debut to be released in September.

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:52:33 -0700

Did I mention that Convoj is now signed to I Made This? Well, they are. Giant Boar (ex-Seven Feet Four) too.

Fri, 09 May 2008 16:47:11 -0700

Swedish label You Are Awesome has signed Convoj. No word on a release yet, but I'll keep you posted. In other news, look for the band Esther to release their new single "Throw a spanner" soon with the album "Lie to me, I love a good story" to follow soon thereafter.

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:52:47 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Franke - Jag älskar dig
02. TALK 1
03. White Knives - Welcome transplants
04. Bobby and Blumm - Drow a bow
05. Anna Leong - Guillotine
06. TALK 2
07. Juvelen - Don't mess
08. Eucharist - The Eucharist
09. Sophie Rimheden - Go away (ft. Aaron Phiri)
10. TALK 3
11. Form One - Money (ft. Vincent)
12. Tape - Augustan chateau
13. Moneybrother - They're building walls around us
14. TALK 4
15. Lapko - Killer whales
16. The State of Floral Beings - Bad broker
17. Opération Zéro - Grand Pere
18. TALK 5
19. Pistol Disco - Beat of the tune
20. Kusowsky - Jonny
21. Motorhomes - Into the night
22. TALK 6
23. They Live By Night - Endless summer
24. Cleaning Women - Clean up your body
25. Kaka - What a frame
26. Gorgoroth - Krig
27. TALK 7
28. Markus Krunegård - Samma nätter väntar alla
29. Snöleoparden - Waterpuppet theatre
30. Oskar Schönning - Stoner
31. TALK 8
32. Tellu - Tuulet
33. Convoj - Cultural legacy
34. Lukestar - White shade
35. Silver - The personal decay
36. TALK 9
37. Brick - Labrador
38. Callisto - Anastasis
39. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - When she's GONE
40. TALK 10
41. Magyar Posse - Singlesparks are spectral fires

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:48:04 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Figurines - The wonder
02. TALK 1
03. CS Nielsen - Happy
04. Superfamily - Teens of the 70s
05. Winter Took His Life - Oh
06. TALK 2
07. Frivolvol - Out come the knives
08. Bogus Blimp - Untitled jazz no. 1
09. Firefox AK - Pushing
10. TALK 3
11. Disfear - Get it off
12. Biker Boy - March song (Kalle J remix)
13. Eskju Divine - Darkness all around
14. TALK 4
15. Dogday - New romance
16. Mew - Am I wry? No
17. Det Är Jag Som Är Döden - Hello!
18. TALK 5
19. Familjen - Huvudet i sanden
20. Darkthrone - Skald av Satans sol
21. Caesars Palace - (I'm gonna) Kick you out
22. TALK 6
23. Lack - Behead
24. Bertine Zetlitz - Fake your beauty
25. Hebosagil - Old prophet
26. TIAC - OTW
27. TALK 7
28. Marybell Katastrophy - Hip
29. Strip Music - Never die
30. The Social Services - Electric brae
31. TALK 8
32. At the Gates - All life ends (live)
33. Fireside - Jupiter
34. Ulver - Funebre
35. Paper - They're gonna keep me
36. TALK 9
37. Convoj - Cultural legacy
38. Maia Hirasawa - Still June
39. Silverbullit - Run
40. TALK 10
41. Massgrav - Vuxenliv

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:50:17 -0800

Swedish act Convoj has a brand new split 7" with VA-based band The House Floor out now on US label Sound/Friends Network. For ordering instructions and free mp3 downloads of both tracks, go here: http://www.soundfriends.org/sound/sfn001

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:53:58 -0800

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Tiger Lou - The loyal
02. TALK 1
03. Karin Ström - Silent night
04. Saft - I do not smoke
05. Caesars - Strawberry weed
06. TALK 2
07. Meshuggah - Bleed
08. Pacific! - Number one
09. Pascal - Längtar efter dig
10. TALK 3
11. Logh - An alliance of hearts
12. Benea Reach - New waters
13. Astrid Swan - Sea/e life
14. TALK 4
15. Lykke Li - I'm good, I'm gone
16. The High Hats - Bitterswede
17. Lis Er Stille - Lorelei
18. TALK 5
19. The Tough Alliance - Leg 7
20. Cosmic Overdose - En av dom
21. The Second Band - The piano machine
22. TALK 6
23. De Stijl - Date times
24. Death Breath - Death breath
25. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr Happy
26. Randy - Freedom song
27. TALK 7
28. Jonas Knutsson & Horn Please! - Snygg Olles polska
29. Moonbabies - Forever changes everything now
30. Kristofer Åström - Conjure me
31. TALK 8
32. Ljudbilden & Piloten - Wedding
33. Anna Leong - Guillotine
34. Convoj - RAMJAC
35. TALK 9
36. Tsukimono - Gloomy Sunday

Top 10s for 2007: Absolut Noise

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

The best 2007 records which did not exist in 2007

The first Du Pacque record
--> it will be released next year and will be a total killer. I heard plenty of their songs. Trust me: this is gonna be the best record in 2008!

A Bear Quartet album
--> An electro one, or a pop one, or a rock one : does not matter actually. Mattias Alkberg can even turn hip-hop, I will buy it.

A MABD album
--> More a punk one like their first two ones than a folk one like their latest.

A more black "White and black" album for The Hives
--> when they rock, they do rock. When they try to be too smart (see their song "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S" for instance), they make me feel bored.

A great Kent record
--> ok, "Tillbaka till samtiden" is not that bad, but it is not that good either, right?

A Bad Cash Quartet record
--> 'cause Hästpojken + Jonas Game do not equal BCQ

A bad Mando Diao record
--> "Never seen the light of day" is actually not bad. I would even say it is quite good.

A Jens Lekman trash metal album
--> I liked it at first, but now I think "Night falls over Kortedala" is quite boring. I prefer his first record. This latest one is much too calm for me. Not surprising enough. It sounds like I am the only one to think so though.

A Convoj album
--> will those guys eventually release a proper record?

A compilation with all the great artists who are from the very little Swedish city Östersund
--> like Annika Norlin, Penny Century, Autisterna, The Way We Wear Our Head, Sibiria or Vapnet

---------------------------
Absolut Noise is a French blog on Swedish music.
absolutnoise.blogspot.com

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:39:36 -0700

Convoj recently recorded their debut full-length at Tonteknik in Umeå, but unfortunately they are without a label to release it. All the bigger labels that have expressed interest think it's too unaccessable and the small indies can't afford to pay for it - Tonteknik is a great studio, but it's definitely not cheap. So yeah, the band is currently weighing their options and are open to suggestions. For now, I suggest you head over to myspace to listen to them 'cuz they're a great band: http://www.myspace.com/convoj
Hopefully this will get resolved soon.

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for this week's all-GBG radio show:

01. Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
02. TALK 1
03. Hemstad - Sommar i Göteborg
04. Division of Laura Lee - We are numbers
05. Håkan Hellström - Kom igen Lena!
06. TALK 2
07. In Flames - Everything counts
08. Pistol Disco - Walking with Jesus
09. Viktor Sjöberg - W/nothing
10. TALK 3
11. Kristofer Åström - Just a little insane
12. The Knife - Listen now
13. Broder Daniel - Dark heart
14. TALK 4
15. Samuraj Cities - All along the shoreline
16. MPTP - Jim Morrison
17. At the Gates - Cold
18. TALK 5
19. The Book of Daniel - The camels parade
20. Silverbullit - Magnetic city
21. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Nevermore
22. TALK 6
23. Nicolai Dunger - What tomorrow
24. The Kid - Portion control (Fatsuit haze/Zlatan wins the World Cup remix)
25. The Idealist - The knives are my eyes
26. C.Aarmé - Visions
27. TALK 7
28. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - I could have sworn I heard them SING
29. Junip - Official
30. Diabolique - Catholic
31. TALK 8
32. Convoj - My timekeeping heart
33. Tsukimono - Dear sister
34. Eric Beyond - Step off
35. TALK 9
36. Björn Kleinhenz - Out of style
37. Detektivbyrån - E18
38. TALK 10
39. Bad Cash Quartet - Too bored to die

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for my radio show this week:

01. Pistol Disco - Walking with Jesus
02. TALK 1
03. Heroes & Zeros - Into the light
04. Vijaya - Your gun will never set you free
05. Convoj - My timekeeping heart
06. TALK 2
07. Darkthrone - Too old, too cold
08. A Perfect Friend - Rush hour
09. Death By Kite - Hiroshima
10. TALK 3
11. Fun - I've got a truck
12. Moonbabies - Walking on my feet
13. The Perishers - When I fall
14. TALK 4
15. Regulations - Police siren
16. Viola - Ordinary teenage sensation
17. Björn Kleinhenz - Starlit queen
18. TALK 5
19. Gravy - Glory to our brilliant name
20. Hero Dishonest - Stalin vs Hank Hardy
21. Sophie Zelmani - To know you
22. Ulver - Capitel III: Graablick blev hun vaer
23. TALK 6
24. Håkan Hellström - Ramlar
25. Abhinanda - Highway tonight
26. Single Unit - Passion, pirates & parasites
27. TALK 7
28. Kompjotr Eplektrika - Skulldrummantra
29. The Tiny - Just like you
30. Death Breath - Death breath
31. TALK 8
32. Entombed - Serpent speech
33. The Cardigans - Marvel hill
34. Soviac - I got the ribbah
35. TALK 9
36. The Bear Quartet - Put me back together
37. You Is Stupid - I am history
38. Paris - 60 minutes
39. The Process - Mot Sverige i tiden
40. TALK 10
41. Weeping Willows - I give you the morning

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Via Absolut Noise comes word that the very excellent (still unsigned) Swedish act Convoj has new tracks on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/convoj

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Absolut Noise talks to Convoj: http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2007/01/interview-convoj.html

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

HUGE mailorder update today! Just got two big packages from Nomethod and Carcrash Records including restocks of Convoj (at last!), Svenson and Dialog Cet as well as new stuff from C.Aarmé, Aerial, Mixtapes & Cellmates, The Bear Quartet and more! Get shopping!

MP3: The Sound O.E - New bankruptcy

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

One of the big things that got me deeper into Swedish/Scandinavian rock way back when was explosive, guitar-heavy indierock. Fireside, Starmarket, Him Kerosene, KVLR - these are the bands that caught my interest and had me pouring through liner notes looking for more names to track down. Sadly, that scene is nowhere near as strong these days though there are a few who keep the fire burning: The End Will Be Kicks, Seven Feet Four, Aerial Convoj plus young upstarts like Traktor and today's post subjects The Sound O.E. The band has been lurking in the shadows for a couple years now, but it wasn't until very recently that they seemed to rise above and the new three-song EP "Me and Laureline" proves it. The screechy sprechstimme delivery of the verses might be a bit much for some, but remember that what they're doing is essentially sloganeering - the words are meant to be heard loud and clear. It's call & response; a call to action. When the harmonies of the chorus come in, the intentions are indisputable. The Sound O.E know exactly what they're doing. I think the arrangement could still be tightened up a bit, but I like what they're doing and definitely look forward to hearing more.

MP3: Voices Break the Silence - The way

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's hot tip: Voices Break the Silence. If you're at all into Convoj, The End Will Be Kicks, Seven Feet Four or any other "angular" rock acts, these guys will be right up your alley. In fact, it was Ola from Seven Feet Four who first told me about them - a day before Magnus from Chalksounds/Nomethod (the former being the label of both Convoj and TEWBK) sent me an excited IM with the same recommendation. The band remains unsigned for now, but I doubt it will take long for someone to pick them up. I know this sort of rock doesn't usually get people fired up like whatever flavor-of-the-week twee act is going 'round, but I live for this kind of stuff. It's got just the right balance of heaviness and melodicism: huge churning bass and slicing guitars. Also: I tried to interview them for this week's profile piece, but they never replied to my email. What gives? Get back to me!

Mon, 08 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's profile piece? It's a spotlight on Convoj - check it: [click here]

Profile: Convoj

Mon, 08 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Name: Convoj

From: Göteborg, Sweden

Sounds like: Darkly-tinged indierock with driving post-punk beats, steamroller basslines and guitars like knives.

Listen: My timekeeping heart

Discography:
2005 - s/t EP (Chalksounds) [BUY IT]

Links:
www.convoj.se
www.myspace.com/convoj

2005 was a year of amazing debut EPs and Convoj's self-titled release was one of the best. With so many bands attempting to ape the oh-so-hot post-punk sound, Convoj stands head and shoulders above the rabble with their inventive duel guitar lines and pummeling bass sound. It's the sound of classic Swedish indie guitar-rock (Him Kerosene, Starmarket, Fireside, et al) made fresh.

Unfortunately the great promise of the band's debut has yet to be followed up. Their label Chalksounds was dissolved at the end of last year and they've yet to sign with someone new. The enlistment of manager Filip Wilén from Bud Fox (Shout Out Louds, El Perro Del Mar) is promising, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time until Convoj gets the attention they deserve.

Who are you and where are you from?
We are four boys and we live in Gothenburg.

What makes you special?
Don't know if there is anything that makes us special. We're something as nonexclusive as an indie-rock band from Sweden so... but we're pretty good, so that would separate us from quite a few similar acts.

If Convoj was an animal, what animal would you be?
Convoj share many similarities with a German Shepard. It isn't a wild animal but a disciplined breed with straight lines and a fetish for rules. It's the dog of choice for both police and aggressive alcoholics, in other words a little treat for everyone.

If you could instantly acquire one skill, what would you choose? How would you use it?
I think everyone in Convoj would like to become more skilled lovers. Except for the obvious, this skill would come in handy when exploring the Latin genre.

What fo you think is the most important or most prevalent emotional aspect of your music?
Well, the intention is to keep the music as emotionless as possible. But it's hard and emotions often leak through. I guess shame would be the prevalent one.

What's the most disappointing record you've ever heard?
As a Bruce fan, I got obsessed in the wait for "The Rising" due to the reuniting of The E-Street Band and all. Swedish crap-papers Aftonbladet and Expressen both gave it five out of five. Guess I should have known better, but I think I wanted to be seduced. When the record actually came I went into denial and it took about four months before I could admit to myself and anyone else that it really sucked.

What's the future of Convoj?
Well, we're almost done with writing songs for a full-length album. But since we're currently without a record-deal it's hard to say when anything will be released, except for that it will... maybe.

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Convoj has posted two brand new songs on myspace for listening and download: http://www.myspace.com/convoj
The fact that these guys are currently unsigned is a damn shame.

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Photo: Henrik is updated with newish pics from Convoj and Randy.

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Convoj's debut self-titled EP made a decent impact this past year and I think they are perfectly poised for when it comes time to release their full-length. You hear Norrland post-hardcore roots in the discordant melodies, but it's those dance-heavy beats that make 'em special. You like it? You should buy it.

MP3: Convoj - My timekeeping heart

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Top 10s for 2005: Magnus Öberg (Chalksounds/Nomethod)

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

No particular theme, just 10 good things:

01. The Bear Quartet - Saturday Night CD (no comparison, no competition)

02. Birth of Nomethod Records

03. American indie has a great year (Sonic Youth Live @ Accelerator, Deerhoof - Four runners CD, Crooked Fingers - Archers frontman writes songs again!, Greg Dulli - Keep doing his thing solo and with Twilight Singers, Maritime - We the vehicles is a great pop album, Sun Kil Moon - Mark Kozelek still going on, just to name a few.)

04. Swedish indie is blooming! (Convoj, TEWBK, Alarma Man, Ellis the Vacuumchild, QGMR, The Embassy, Seven feet four, Suburban Kids with Biblical Names, Asha Ali, The Je Ne Sais Quoi, Twinko) And a lot more bands are making GREAT music.

05. Klubb Modos / Umeå / Scharinska Villan (going better and better, highlight so far this year was the Modos goes Nons night with Isolation Years, Asha Ali and PUFFIN playing live!)

06. Going on my first vacation in January since I was maybe 10 years old, going to Sicily, taking a week off, need it so bad

07. Movies (I enjoyed Crash, Batman Forever, Final Star Wars movie, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride)

08. Magazines (SEX & Hjort fanzine rule)

09. Jan-Ove Waldner hasn't quit yet, I know he can win another big title

10. Norrland.

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

Magnus is the big cheese behind Chalksounds Records, a label who just put out their final release: the self-titled debut album from The End Will Be Kicks. Magnus also runs (It's the method of) Nomethod, a new label which will be putting out tons of great new stuff in 2006.
www.chalksounds.com
www.nomethod.se

Top 10s for 2005: It's a trap!

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Top ten albums for 2005 (in alphabetical order):

01. A-ha - Analogue (Universal)
I'm not usually one to fall for big pop albums like this, but A-ha has the class, maturity and songwriting skills to pull it off right.

02. Alog - Miniatures (Rune Grammofon)
This Norwegian duo combines electronic music, found-sound and analog instruments in astounding ways. The tools are anything but new, but the sounds they create are brilliant.

03. Bear Quartet - Saturday night (A West Side Fabrication)
Sweden's leading indierock act promised a difficult album and they delivered. Very few bands this far into their career would continue to innovate and evolve like The Bear Quartet.

04. Det Gamla Landet - s/t (Aa)
The soundtrack to a spaghetti western that has yet to be made. Beautiful and Evocative. [BUY]

05. Hyacinth House - s/t (True Music Production)
The dark horse of my list. It's very rare that some unknown, unproven band makes such an impact on me, but HH was such a band. On the surface there isn't really anything too special about these guys: country/twang with a healthy dose of classic rock. Been there, done that, right? Wrong.

06. Isolation Years - Cover the distance (NONS)
While not the best album of their career thus far ("It's golden" is my current #1), this is still 1000x more satisfying than so many other records I heard in 2005. I know I'll be able to put this on five years from now and will still enjoy it just the same.

07. Logh - A sunset panorama (Bad Taste/Hydrahead)
As with Isolation Years, this album is not Logh's best work, but it's still damn good. They took a brave, high-minded concept (recording live in the studio with almost zero overdubs) and pulled it off. [BUY]

08. Plain Fade - Lies, sanctions and cruise missles (Punos Sound)
I knew from the very first moment I heard Plain Fade that they were something special. After months of waiting for the debut CD to arrive, I was able to confirm it. [BUY]

09. The Psyke Project - Daikini (CPH-Sound)
As Aversionline said, "this is one of those rare instances where all of the typical "skull-crushing", "paint-peeling", "face-ripping", "ear-shredding" analogies do indeed apply." The finest heavy record I've heard in ages. [BUY]

10. Tiger Lou - The loyal (Startracks)
What don't I love about Tiger Lou? Every new release improves upon the last and of course the latest record is no exception. [BUY]

Honorable mentions:

Hello Saferide - Introducing... (Razzia)
I didn't really get behind this album at first because it's just so... nice. I usually tend towards edgier stuff, y'know? But my wife, bless her heart, kept playing it and it kept growing on me.

Moneybrother - To die alone (Burning Heart)
Even though it didn't make my final top 10 list, I know this is probably the #1 Swedish pop album for a lot of people. Of all the majorly hyped acts this year, Moneybrother truly deserved it.

Monkeystrikes - You hate my beautiful love (Dust Music)
Another album that I learned to love through repeated listenings by my wife. Seriously underappreciated.

David Sandström Overdrive - Go down (Mofab Teg)
Another strong contender for the top 10 that just didn't quite make it. Just like Isolation Years, this will still sound just as satisfying in years to come.

The End Will Be Kicks - s/t (Chalksounds)
Long awaited and much anticipated. Thank god it lives up to expectations. Nobodoy does noisy Norrland indierock like Niklas Quintana. [BUY]

Notable EPs:

Convoj - s/t (Chalksounds) [BUY]

Firefox AK - What's that sound (Razzia/Combat Disc) [BUY]

I'm From Barcelona - Sing!! (self-released)

Seven Feet Four - To kill is easy (Hysteri/Tenderversion) [BUY]

Torpedo - Declare despair (Strange Fruit)

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Today's oldie classic comes from Him Kerosene, one of my all-time favorites. Seriously, this is the kind of stuff I live for: huge walls of discordant guitars, dissonant melodies and a heavy rhythm section. What more do you need? This is the post-hardcore/indierock sound that got me hooked on the Norrland scene. From early Fireside, Starmarket and Brick to other bands like KVLR, Breach, Convoj and Seven Feet Four (not from the North, I know), Him Kerosene helped define and establish what I consider to be my favorite sound. And let's not forget HK frontman Niklas Quintana's newest band The End Will Be Kicks, also featuring ex-HK drummer Tomas Turunen. Today's selection comes from the sadly out-of-print magnum opus "Start.Stop", first released back in 1997 on Telegram/Warner, but it must be said that all of their releases are brilliant and worth tracking down even if they aren't quite so readily available. It's worth it, trust me. You want to start a band that I'm enthusiastically endorse, here's your blueprint.

Thu, 30 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

New pics of Jens Lekman, Mattias Alkberg BD, El Perro Del Mar, Convoj and Lo-Fi-Fnk at http://www.photohenrik.com/

Various Artists Songs we have learned to sing Klubben Velvet

Thu, 23 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

In case you needed more proof of the depth of talent in Swedish pop and indie rock, here are 19 fine examples assembled by the Velvet Rock Klubb and the student radio station in Uppsala. This one has a bit of everything, from the snappy pop of The Sunshine's "Love" to the darker, Siouxsie Sioux-style sounds on "Pasadena" by Le Muhr to the slow-burning, Swedish-language folk number "Allting ni gör" by [ingenting]. Other standouts include the Joan Jett-on-helium garage of Chick Habit's "Too much is not enough" and yet another track from Convoj, recently given the thumbs-up by my IAT! colleague Navy Keophan. The revelation to me is "Sound of sirens", an insanely catchy slice of indie rock by The Horror, The Horror. I had never heard of them before but will be on the lookout for more of their stuff. I'm not sure you can buy "Songs we have learned to sing" outside of Sweden, but for anyone who can get their hands on it, pick this one up!

Top fives: 2005 so far

Thu, 09 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Avi Roig's top five across the board, plus one more for good measure:

01. Three EPs that prove Swedish indierock is still as strong as ever:
Convoj - s/t
Seven Feet Four - To kill is easy
Torpedo - Declare despair

02. Best single, hands down:
C.Aarmé - We are the world
Don't you know who we are? You do now.

03. The two best live sets I saw:
Silverbullit @ Umeå Open - Absolutely transcendent. Not only did the band give it their best, but the crowd was amped too.
The Ark @ The Troubadour in LA (ExMS Swedish Showcase) - Where did all those gayboy Ark fans come from? I was probably just as shocked as the band. Well worth the six hour drive each way.

04. The top four albums I can't stop listening to:
Isolation Years - Cover the distance
Logh - A sunset panorama
Desert Planet - Mario built my hot rod
Det Gamla Landet - s/t

05. Three reasons to keep an eye on Denmark:
Lack, The Psyke Project and The First Miles
I don't know why, but those Danes kick ass when it comes to both hardcore and Americana.

06. Two best non-Scandinavian albums:
Dredg - Catch without arms
Jesu - s/t
Two amazing albums from two of the world's best intelligent heavy rock acts.

Simon Tagestam:

01. Randy – Beware (song)
If the forthcoming album is as good as this (I doubt they got Fat Mike on any of the songs though), I'll forgive them for their last album (their only non-amazing release to date, according to me).

02. Robyn – Robyn
How would have thought it? An ex-soulpop girl making an album better than anything that inspired her to make it (i.e. The Knife, Kate Bush etc)

03. Frida Hyvönen – Until death comes
A colleague of mine thinks Frida can't sing and tries to get me into Joni Mitchell. Unfortunately Joni will never appeal to me as much as "Until Death Comes" does.

04. Mattias Alkberg BD – Jag ska bli en bättre vän
I haven't had this album too long, but at the moment it feels as it might be a contender for "album of the year"! That's right!

05. The Tough Alliance – The new school
This was not as good as I wanted it to be, but it's still crammed with excellent songs.

Navy Keophan's top five injuries sustained at shows for the first half of 2005:

01. Broken glasses, Millencolin show May 21: My eyesight is pretty bad (apparently, even worse than I thought) so when I took a hit from some crowd surfer that knocked them off my head, I was surprised I even made from Hollywood back to Long Beach safely.

02. Bruised shins, The Chinese Stars @ Koo's Feb. 6: Being in the front to take semi-decent pictures of one of your favorite bands = good. Having the crowd behind you push you into the shin-high stage for over 30 minutes = bad.

03. Bruised shins (again), Death From Above 1979 March 26: Again, much like the CS show, I was up front. Combine the thing that happened at that show with unexplainable moshing, another two weeks of pants-wearing.

04. Sore shoulders, Millencolin show May 22: Fist-pumpin' fun equated to arm cramps for the entire week.

05. Sore elbow, Millencolin show May 21: Damn moshers.

Kevin Renick:

01. Ephemera - Monolove
Every music lover should have one band they worship, one band that truly makes a difference in their life. For me, it's Norway's girl-pop trio Ephemera. I regard them not as mere musicians, but absolute creative Goddesses.

02. Bol - Silver sun
This jazz-poptronica trio from Trondheim have made a masterpiece with their second CD, a formula-defying journey up a river of humanity where heartbroken souls line the shore. 47 minutes of incandescent musical brilliance.

03. Hanne Hukkelberg - Little things
What a stellar debut! Norway's brightest new chanteuse delivers a rhapsodic set of tunes with constantly surprising arrangements, sterling production and her delightfully exuberant, upfront singing-which seems to reflect not only a zest for life but a playful "I'll try anything" approach.

04. Schtimm - The alcoholovefi collection
Although "Featuring" is actually their 2005 release, "TAC" is probably the best album by this mysterious Norwegian band, and I only heard it recently. Something about their music makes me think of haunted houses, as if you got trapped in a spooky mansion but found that the spirits of the place were only too happy to make music for you.

05. Efterklang - Tripper
The cutting-edge electronica from this Danish band has earned them rave reviews. Technology makes their intricate music possible, but they aspire to such a heaven-bound sound that you end up not thinking about the glitchy, twitchy elements in the mix at all, only the reverence you feel for the emotionally stirring, organic flow. Efterklang are one of today's most important and distinctive new bands, showing the uninitiated that there are sparks of magic shooting through the skies of Scandinavia.

Honorable mention: The State of Floral Beings - We know you love us and that's why we do this

Matthew W. Smith:

01. The Lionheart Brothers - Colour contrast context EP
Understated, bittersweet symphonic pop from Norway, featured on the "It's a Trap! Reader's Companion Vol. 1"

02. Kings of Convenience live at the Iota in Arlington, Virginia, February 2005
A no-frills, quiet performance that showcased Eirik and Erlend's guitar plucking, tight harmonies and sense of humor in front of a packed, respectful Iota.

03. Sharif - Lost causes, causes lost
Melancholy in both mood and lyrics, this well-constructed album signals a welcome return for this Swedish quartet.

04. Loopy - Smile back home
Leiv Aasen's vocals and a subtle blend of guitar pop and shoegazer on this debut make this tri-national band one to watch.

05. The Raveonettes - live at the Black Cat in Washington, DC, May 2005
See my review for more details, but the Danish outfit oozed 50s cool and blasted supersonic levels of guitar fuzz; the cover of "My boyfriend's back" provided a nice contrast to "Attack of the ghost riders".

One wish:
- I hope that Jennie, Johanna, Maria and Josephine from Sahara Hotnights have already recovered their missing gear and guitars or will soon!

Five things to look forward to for the rest of the year
- A new album quite soon from Icelandic band Leaves.
- The third album from Norway's purveyors of lowdown garage rock, Cato Salsa Experience.
- A successful trip to Connecticut for Tiger Lou, who will mix his sophomore album there with Peter Katis (Interpol, Denali) and hopefully release the results in the fall.
- More Danish success in North America, as The Blue Van continue to tour and Loopy has its album released stateside.
- Another new record from the rejuvenated Cardigans, who have already finished recording the follow-up to the fantastic "Long gone before daylight".

Simon Thibaudeau's top Scandinavian five:

01. Det Gamla Landet

02. EST - Viaticum

03. The Now

04. Spacious Mind – Rotvalta

05. Sayyadina - Fear Gave Us Wings

Per Apelqvist:

01. Moving back to Europe after 11 wonderful years in the US

02. Moneybrother live at the Barfly

03. David Fridlund - Amaterasu

04. 2 friends turning 30 and inviting over a hundred people to High Chaparal, the country western theme park in Sweden

05. Kent - Klaparen

Jason Christie:

01. [ingenting] - Allting ni gör
By way of "Songs we have learned to sing". Quite clearly the best I have heard in an age – still to learn though...

02. Sharif – You don't know
This track arrived at a tricky time, and then time tunnelled me back to the Basement club, Brighton circa 1995. Trust, that’s enough.

03. Pelle Carlberg – Oh no! It's happening again
A great writer, great vocalist and father of 4!

04. Café Alhambra – Clapham Common, SW4
Serving some of the finest

05. Chelsea Football Club
Where were you when they were rubbish?

Tue, 07 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

The video for "My timekeeping heart" from Convoj is now online: http://www.oddity.se/prev_sidor/p_convojQT.htm
The song appears on the band's very excellent self-titled EP which is available for purchase right here.

Convoj s/t EP Chalksounds

Mon, 30 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Göteborg-based quartet Convoj's self-titled EP is a promising mix of atmospheric rock in the vein of Interpol and fellow Swedes Torpedo with bits and pieces of Fugazi. This release contains five songs that draw in the listener with its dueling guitars and the vocals are a perfect match for the music. For a person who is pretty picky about her music, I was very impressed with this release.

Mon, 23 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

New pics of Convoj, Bom Bom and My Darling You! now up at Rockfoto.nu.

Streaming playlist: Spring is in the air

Sun, 08 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

DATE ADDED : 05.08.05
LAUNCH : Real / Windows

Tracklist:
01. Torpedo - Declare despair
02. Convoj - My biggest loss
03. Lack - Deserters
04. Las Puertas - Born in the NYK
05. Consequences - Come on
06. Isolation Years - Cover the distance
07. Moneybrother - Blow him back into my arms
08. Desert Planet - Breakout button
09. Eskju Divine - Struck by the halo
10. Majessic Dreams - Still inside
11. Alog - Severe punishment and lasting bliss
12. The Grand Opening - Location
13. Britta Persson - The past is not for real
14. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Station to station

Wed, 27 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Lupatarkastaja checks in with the second edition of their mixtape series, this time featuring selections from Ted Bergcrona of Convoj: http://lupatarkastaja.samizdat.info/2005/04/27/luuvitosen-vippi-2-ted-bergcrona-convoj/

Thu, 14 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

I finally got around to getting those mailorder updates done. Look down to your right for new titles from Convoj and Kristofer Åström and also note that Tiger Lou has been restocked. Thanks!

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

I managed to grab a couple new things for the mailorder including the new Convoj EP, restocks of Tiger Lou and the last double-CD special editions of the latest Kristofer Åström record. It might take me awhile to get them into the database, but you can always email me if you don't want to wait.

Thu, 10 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Convoj's new website is up: http://www.convoj.se/

Streaming Playlist: Now playing

Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

DATE ADDED : 02.14.05
LAUNCH : Real / Windows

Tracklist:
01. David Fridlund - Circles
02. Efterklang - Step aside
03. Kristofer Åström - Man of steel
04. Ellis the Vacuumchild - Peace by extermination
05. Britta Persson - Just not going to be
06. Plain Fade - Datura
07. Isolation Years - Nurse hands
08. Convoj - Glory hole
09. Lack - Primo levi
10. September Malevolence - On our own
11. Björn Kleinhenz - The strongest machine
12. Logh - Bring on the ether
13. Pan Sonic - Painvoima / gravity

Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

It's taken me over two months, but I've finally got a new streaming playlist for you. Check it out over in the article section on the right. Come to think of it, that was probably the last time I spent the day brewing beer, too. But I digress - selections this time around include new tracks from David Fridlund, Logh, Kristofer Åström and Convoj as well as demo stuff from Britta Persson and Plain Fade along with a bunch of other choice cuts from stuff I've been listening to. I admit it's not very lovey-dovey, but consider it my Valentine's day gift to you anyway.

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

It's Chalksounds day here at It's a trap! Not only did I get a new shipment of new CDs from them for the mailorder department (including the new Ellis the Vacuumchild CD and restocks of The End Will Be Kicks and Carpet People), but I also got a new mp3 from Convoj. The debut EP from these guys is absolutely guaranteed to blow people away, it's just so good. They continue the fine Swedish indierock tradition pioneered by the likes of Bear Quartet, but with a rejuvenated sense of determination and vigor. Crashing guitars, impassioned vocals and chiming, twisting melodies - all the necessary ingredients required to achieve greatness are here. I've been listening to it non-stop ever since I got it. An instant classic.

Mon, 07 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Here's the tracklist for the debut EP from Convoj, coming soon from Chalksounds Records:

01. My timekeeping heart
02. My biggest loss
03. Glory Hole
04. Blue Mountains
05. RAMJAC

I've been fortunate enough to get a chance to hear it already and can confirm that it is indeed awesome, sure to rival Bear Quartet in the world of Swedish indierock. No foolin'. A video for the first single is in the works and samples should be online soon.

Thu, 03 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Here's this week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Wilmer X - 13 Våningar Upp
02. Pain - Dancing with the dead
03. Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
04. E.S.T. - Viaticum
05. Anna Ternheim - Somebody Outside
06. The Ark - State of the Ark
07. Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan
08. Christian Walz - Paint by Numbers
09. Daniel Lindström - Daniel Lindström
10. Fernandoz - Minnenas allé
11. Magnus Uggla - Den tatuerade generationen
12. Backyard Babies - Live in paris
13. Dark Tranquility - Character
14. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin vol. 1
15. Lasse Stefanz - Röd Chevrolet
16. Melody Club - Face the Music
17. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
18. Uno Svenningsson - Ett andetag från dig
19. Barbados - Best of Barbados 1994-2004
20. Totta Näslund - Totta 7: Soul!/På drift

Niccokick, Existensminimum, Convoj and Band of Joy are among the first list of bands confirmed for this year's Emmabodafestivalen.

Wed, 29 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Chalksound's tentative release schedule for 2005:

01/28 - Ellis The Vacuumchild - Peace by extermination CD
02/21 - TEWBK - The end will be kicks CD
03/26 - Anna Leong - Fever 7"
03/?? - Moonbabies - TBA CDS
04/06 - Convoj - TBA CDEP
09/?? - Moonbabies - TBA CD
10/?? - Anna Leong - TBA CD

Top 10s for 2004: Magnus Öberg (Chalksounds/KVLR)

Wed, 15 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

01. Inger Holmberg takes over Scharinska Villan in Umeå and suddenly Umeå becomes an even better city to live in than it was in 1995. Concerts at least 3 times/week.

02. Chalksounds relocates to Scharinska Villan

03. Silverbullit, Trail of Dead and Sonic Youth all release mindblowing albums

04. KVLR tours, always fun! except for the foodpoisoning incident in Frankfurt

05. Klubb Modos is doing great and Umeå's clubscene has never been better, Never.

06. Joel Borg

07. Kenny vs Spenny, TV at it´s best

08. Resturang Sesam, finally a great Vegan/Vegetarian resturant in Umeå

09. Chalksounds Xmas Party

10. Snow, makes everything brighter

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

Magnus is a busy guy! Not only does he run Chalksounds, but he also organizes Klubb Modos and plays drums for KVLR and a new, as-yet-unnamed band. 2005 promises to be the label's best year yet with new releases on the way from The End Will Be Kicks, Ellis the Vacuumchild, Convoj and much, much more.
www.chalksounds.com / www.kvlr.net

Mon, 13 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Chalksounds has confirmed the signing of hyped indie band Convoj and will be releasing the group's debut five-song EP early next year. The band consists of members from Cult of Luna and Park Hotell and is said to sound like a "unique mix or impossible marriage of pop in the vein of Bear Quartet and Interpol."

Mon, 11 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The list of unsigned bands confirmed for Rookiefest in Hultsfred has been announced:

Addeboy vs Cliff (Umeå)
Ambassadeurs (Malmö/Lund)
Beckster (Stockholm)
The Colombos (Västerås)
Convoj (Göteborg)
Crang (Göteborg)
The Dandelions (Stockholm)
Dog Almighty (Borås)
Dying on a Sunday (Hultsfred)
Edward (Göteborg)
Elias One Man Band (Falun)
Funka (Stockholm)
Gender (Göteborg)
Hospital (Malmö)
The Lancaster Orchestra (Malmö)
Marble (Sundsvall)
Mother Misery (Enköping)
Le Muhr (Stockholm)
Lethal Techniques (Umeå)
Nikka Blue (Malmö)
P.R.I.D.E. (Stockholm)
Random Hero (Göteborg)
Rentokiller (Borås)
Reverend Martin Savage & His Holy Rollers (Stockholm)
Rico Wondahman & obnoXiuz (Göteborg)
Shoot Charlie (Älmhult)
The Sound of O.E. (Eskilstuna)
The Third Try (Norrköping)
Tristes Tigres (Stockholm)

Full details here: http://www.rookierockparty.se/

Tue, 24 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Check out four demo tracks from the new, still-unsigned band Convoj: http://www.convoj.tk/
The band is based out of Göteborg and Luleå and features members from Park Hotell, Cult of Luna and Music 77.