IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Datarock, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, For a Minor Reflection to Culture Collide

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:23:54 -0700

Scandinavian acts Datarock, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour and For a Minor Reflection have been added to the lineup of this year's Culture Collide fest in LA: http://culturecollide.com/index.php/news/entry/gang_gang_dance_datarock_men_more_added_to_2011_culture_collide

18 Norwegian acts now confirmed for SXSW

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:29:27 -0800

Listen to Norway runs down the 18 Norwegian acts now confirmed for SXSW 2011: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2011011114030711899290
The list: Altaar, Benea Reach, Casiokids, Datarock, Death Crush, Forza, Harry`s Gym, DE Håker Flaten, Kvelertak, Marit Larsen, The Megaphonic Thrift, My Little Pony, Nico D & Admiral P, Serpentine, Simon Says No!, Sondre Lerche, Tôg and Youth Pictures Of Florence Henderson.

Datarock goes above and beyond with new single

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 11:30:19 -0800

Preview the new Datarock single "Catcher in the rye" over at their special-edition X-mas website: http://xmas.datarockmusic.com/
Said single is due out March 2011 and will come as a "Limited edition designer toy with 4GB USB stick" featuring a total overkill of content: 105 bonus tracks, 1500 photos, 20 music videos and a 60-minute concert film.

Datarock gone solo

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:53:20 -0700

Nö Music reports that Ketil Mosnes of Datarock is going solo with his bedroom project Bærtur: http://www.nomusicmedia.com/2010/11/02/the-other-guy-from-datarock-goes-solo/

99 minutes #1

Mon, 17 May 2010 21:38:21 -0700

MIC Norway has launched a new feature called "99 minutes" featuring a 99-minute podcast from DJ 99 with new music from bands such as Datarock, Fjorden Baby!, Serena Maneesh, Årabrot and Diskjokke plus an interview with Martin Horntvedt of Jaga Jazzist and more. Go here: http://listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2010051111383357144426

MP3: Donkeyboy - Ambitions

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:16:20 -0800

Here's another song I'm semi-obsessed with right now, though not nearly as deep as Susanne Sundfør's latest. I typically make a point of being at least vaguely familiar with most chart-topping bands because you never know -- sometimes the cream really does rise to the top -- but I had always ignored Donkeyboy because their name sucks and also because, for some reason, I thought they were a hip-hop act and Norwegian hip-hop is almost always awful. I'm late to the game, but I stand corrected! Now I know: Donkeyboy is a fine mainstream pop/rock act that manages to be successful by employing smart, strong hooks with a touch of 80s pastiche. It's a good formula, it worked out well for Superfamily at home in Norway and The Sounds sure seem to do well by it, though I'd argue they are far less "smart"; now Donkeyboy are attempting to take it to the next level (apparently Sweden is already conquered). Good luck to them, I say. They might be a tad too unassuming to break in territories where bold and brash win and that's a shame because that's yet another reason they're a good band. I see bands like Datarock and I think "trying too hard," yet people still seem to like them. Whatever, it's not as if I didn't already think the music biz was a shitsystem.

2009 Spellemannprisen nominees

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:53:16 -0800

The nominees for the 2009 Spellemannprisen (the Norwegian Grammy) have been announced:

Female Artist:
Ane Brun - Live At Stockholm Concert Hall (Det Er Mine, Balloon Ranger Recordings)
Hanne Hukkelberg - Blood From A Stone (Propeller Recordings)
Julie Dahle Aagård - Stompin' Feet (Sweet Morning Records)
Noora Noor - Soul Deep (Blue Mood)

Male Artist:
Alexander Rybak - Fairytales (EMI Music Norway)
Martin Hagfors - Men and flies (ME Records)
Sivert Höyem - Moon Landing (Hektor Grammofon)
Sondre Lerche - Heartbeat Radio (Rounder Records/Decca Records/Universal Music)

Pop Group:
Datarock - Red (VME/Yap Records)
Donkeyboy - Caught In A Life (Warner Music Norway)
Kings Of Convenience - Declaration Of Dependence (Virgin/EMI Music Norway)
Kråkesølv - Trådnøsting (Diger)
Montée - Isle Of Now (VME)

Electronica:
Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas - 2 (Eskimo Recordings/VME)
Mungolian Jetset - We Gave It All Away (Smalltown Supersound/VME)
Röyksopp - Junior (Virgin/EMI Music Norway)
Vinter In Hollywood - Outbreak (MTG/Vulcano Records)

Rock:
DumDum Boys - Tidsmaskin (oh Yeah!/EMI Music Norway)
Heroes & Zeros - Simian Vices Modern Devices (Nightliner/Sonet/Universal Music)
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen - For Sant Til Å Være Godt (VME)
Motorpsycho - Child Of The Future (Rune Grammofon)
Skambankt - Hardt Regn (Tuba Records)

Metal:
Code - Resplendent Grotesque (Tabu Recordings)
Immortal - All Shall Fall (Dunder Records)
The Cumshots - A Life Less Necessary (Rodeostar)
Årabrot - The Brother Seed (Norway Rat Recordings)

Hip-hop:
Chris Lee - Love Ghost (Oslo Records/Bonnier Amigo Music)
Lars Vaular - D'e Glede (VME)
Tommy Tee - Studio Time (Bonnier Amigo Music)

Jazz:
Håvard Stubø Quartet - Way Up (Bolage)
Kim Johannesen/Svein Magnus Furu/Tore Sandbakken - Kayak (Aimsoundcity)
Nils-Petter Molvær - Hamada (Emarcy/Universal Music)
Solveig Slettahjell - Tarpan Seasons (SloMO/Universal Music)
Tord Gustavsen Ensemble - Restored, Returned (ECM)

Open Class:
Crimetime Orchestra - Atomic Symphony (Jazzaway Records)
Kristin Asbjørnsen - The Night Shines Like The Day (Emarcy/Universal Music)
Knut Reiersrud - Gitar (Jazzland Recordings/Universal Music)
Mari Boine - Sterna Paradisea (Lean/Universal Music/Emarcy)
When - Homage Series Vol.1: Sun Ra (Jester)

Lyrics:
Anne Grete Preus - Nesten Alene (Warner Music Norway)
Kjartan Kristiansen/Aslak Dørum - DumDum Boys; Tidsmaskin (EMI Music Norway)
Stein Torleif Bjella - Heidersmenn (EMI Music Norway)
Sverre Knudsen - La Det Brenne (Ohyeah!)
Tønes - Sobihob (VME)

Best Newcomer:
Alexander Rybak
Donkeyboy
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen
Kråkesølv
Vilde Frang

More here: http://spellemann.no/

Lydia Laska finish album

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:44:17 -0800

Norwegian pop-black-metal-punks Lydia Laska report that their new album is done and mixed and confirmed for a March 2010 release. I'm not sure if it has a title, but they did say that many fellow Oslo-based artists make guest appearances on said album including Nattefrost (Carpathian Forest), Emil Nikolaisen and Eivind Schou (Serena-Maneesh), Kjetil Møster (Datarock), Sissy Wish and quite a few others. Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=20281527&blogId=518825652

Datarock - The pretender (video)

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:07:02 -0700

Datarock have a new video for the song "The pretender", a take-off on John Carpenter's cult classic film "They live": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mVPsCqSRAg

Interview: Annie

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:05:32 -0700

Lazily, but somewhat accurately, described as Norway's answer to Kylie Minogue, electro-pop princess Annie has a fanbase ranging from tweens to tastemakers. One of those pop stars it's not uncool to like, she writes her own material, founded a Bergen club night, and has collaborated with countryfolk Röyksopp and Datarock. Annie's debut record "Anniemal" was released in 2004, and followed the tragic death from heart failure of her boyfriend and early collaborator Tore Kroknes. New album "Don't stop" steps up the electro-beats and is released internationally this month on her own label, Totally, and Oslo's Smalltown Supersound, after lengthy delays that saw Annie leave Island Records with the master tapes.

This month your album "Don't stop" is finally released in the US and UK, after a delay of more than a year. How does that feel?

It feels so amazing, I can't tell you. I don't know what it feels like to have a child, but it's that kind of amazing. I had to go through so much waiting around, with my old label [Island] saying "it's coming out now", then "it's coming out in a few months" and on and on. At this point I've already started to work on the next one. I'm on to the next level.

Why did Island delay the release at a time when Scandinavian music is doing so well internationally?

It was really annoying, it was typical major label stuff. I was signed by one person, who then left to go to EMI and the new person who came onto the project just didn't get the project at all. The people I was working with kept changing. It just doesn't work or feel right to make an album that way. You're working against a wall. But I'm really happy now that I have my own label, Totally.

And you're also collaborating with the Oslo label Smalltown Supersound?

That's right - Björn who runs the Smalltown Supersound label told me he had heard my record and he thought it was fantastic. He's a really cool guy. I'm really happy to work with them.

Do you have any favourite new tracks?

I'm really happy with "Hey Annie", that's one of my favourites. I made that with Paul Epworth. And I have this song called "Marie Cherie" which is nice and relaxing. I was listening to a lot of French pop music at the time and I wanted to make something that had a cinematic feel.

With all the delays, did the title "Don't stop" begin to feel pertinent?

Yeah, it was very early in the project I called the album "Don't stop", and having done that, a lot of trouble came up with Island. The title kind of took on a new meaning. I couldn't change the title once I called it that! I had to keep going and it still had to be called "Don't stop".

Why did you take the single that had been released, "I know ur girlfriend hates me", off the final album tracklisting?

I was a bit annoyed because it was released in the wrong way. It was only supposed to be a small release but Island went ahead and did it the way they wanted, without asking me. I think it's a good song, but I took it off the album because a lot of people had already heard it and I had so many songs. I wanted to give people something new.

What have you learned about how to make music since the first album?

In the beginning I really concentrated on writing songs, on all the songwriting details. As time's gone, on I've become more involved in the production and in the whole process. I think the sound of this record is stronger and more direct than (previous record) "Anniemal". The first record sounded "nicer" somehow. It was a more innocent sound.

How have you achieved your status as a pop artist who is seen as having an edge and being credible?

My background is different from a lot of others, because it's listening to underground music and going to underground clubs and buying loads of vinyl. That will always stay with me. And I could never just lean back and let someone else do everything for me musically. I know what I want. When I was working with Brian Higgins at (British pop producers) Xenomania, he said he found me interesting because they work with a lot of artists who sit back and let other people do it for them, but I was really involved in the production and the whole thing.

(British girl group and Xenomania protégées) Girls Aloud sang backing vocals on your new track my "My love is better". Is it true their vocals have now been removed?

Yes, we were forced to take it away! It was record company business stuff. Girls Aloud were in the Xenomania studio as well -- it's a big place with lots of rooms -- recording their song "I don't speak French". Brian asked them if they'd sing and they said they love to do something, and they sang the backing vocals. They were happy to do it. But when we tried to clear it with the labels, we found we couldn't. People were worried in case our records came out at the same time.

In the 1990s you ran a club night in Bergen called Pop Till You Drop. Do you still DJ?

Yes, I still do it, I was just DJing just a couple of days ago in Istanbul. I'd like to do some kind of combination show that's a live gig and also DJing. I love to buy records, I buy new records every week, so it's good to get a chance to play them out.

Is the DJ scene and nightlife one of the reasons you've just moved to Berlin?

Well, the thing I like most is that it's so much cheaper here than in Norway, which is a ridiculously expensive place. And things are open late in Berlin and I work on my music until really late into the evening, so if I'm not too tired, I can still head out and go to a club and hear music, so I like that about it. I just got a new apartment here which I really love and I'm settling in. But I travel so much that I won't actually be here a lot of the time. I've also thought of moving to the UK, because I'm there so often and I really like it.

Has your famous cat Joey moved with you to Berlin? (Annie's cat, who she named after both Joey Ramone and Joey from New Kids on the Block, has been used by the press as a metaphor for her eclectic tastes).

No, sadly not. Joey got left in Norway with my mother. I'll always go back there to visit her. I'm not sure I'd be allowed to have her here in my apartment, but in any case where she is in Norway there's so much nature and it's beautiful. It's a much better place for a little cat.

Interview by Sophy Grimshaw

PopMatters reviews Mew, Datarock and Anna Ternheim

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:32:41 -0700

Lots of Scandinavian reviews at PopMatters today including the latest from Mew, Datarock and Anna Ternheim.

Pitchfork reviews the new Datarock

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:01:41 -0700

Pitchfork reviews the new Datarock album "Red": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13207-red/

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:27:46 -0700

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Alexander Rybak - Fairytales
02. A-ha - Foot Of The Mountain
03. Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes og Askil Holm - Halleluja Live Vol. 2
04. Motorpsycho - Child Of The Future
05. Lollipop - Lollipop - 50 beste
06. Sibbe - Best Of
07. Röyksopp - Junior
08. Narum - Samma Hen Du Fær
09. Postgirobygget - Øyeblikk
10. Reidar Larsen - Kom in te oss
11. Henning Kvitnes - Tid for latskap
12. BigBang - Edendale
13. Erik og Kriss - Tabu
14. Trøste & Bære - Drita full før Drøbaksundet
15. Tone Damli Aaberge - I Know
16. D.D.E. - Ut av kontroll
17. Datarock - Red
18. Smurfene - Smurfeparty 2
19. Terje Formoe - Kaptein Sabeltann og den forheksede øya
20. Too Far Gone - Sola i ryggen

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:12:53 -0700

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Alexander Rybak - Fairytales
02. A-ha - Foot Of The Mountain
03. Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes og Askil Holm - Halleluja Live Vol. 2
04. Lollipop - Lollipop - 50 beste
05. Narum - Samma Hen Du Fær
06. D.D.E. - Ut av kontroll
07. Henning Kvitnes - Tid for latskap
08. Postgirobygget - Øyeblikk
09. Smurfene - Smurfeparty 2
10. Röyksopp - Junior
11. Reidar Larsen - Kom in te oss
12. BigBang - Edendale
13. Tone Damli Aaberge - I Know
14. Vømmøl Spellmannslag - Vømmøl'n
15. Erik og Kriss - Tabu
16. Trøste & Bære - Drita full før Drøbaksundet
17. Eriksen - De aller beste
18. Datarock - Red
19. Terje Formoe - Kaptein Sabeltann og den forheksede øya
20. Too Far Gone - Sola i ryggen

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:39:02 -0700

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Alexander Rybak - Fairytales
02. Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes og Askil Holm - Halleluja Live Vol. 2
03. A-ha - Foot Of The Mountain
04. Postgirobygget - Øyeblikk
05. Lollipop - Lollipop - 50 beste
06. Henning Kvitnes - Tid for latskap
07. Narum - Samma Hen Du Fær
08. Smurfene - Smurfeparty 2
09. D.D.E. - Ut av kontroll
10. Erik og Kriss - Tabu
11. Eriksen - De aller beste
12. BigBang - Edendale
13. Tone Damli Aaberge - I Know
14. Aasmund Nordstoga - Ein visefugg
15. Röyksopp - Junior
16. Too Far Gone - Sola i ryggen
17. Terje Formoe - Hiv o'hoi - Kaptein Sabeltanns beste
18. Reidar Larsen - Kom in te oss
19. Datarock - Red
20. Vømmøl Spellmannslag - Vømmøl'n

Datarock - True stories (video)

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:14:30 -0700

Datarock have a new video for the Talking Heads-inspired track "True stories": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBRXGFcsrMg&fmt=18

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:12:20 -0700

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes og Askil Holm - Halleluja Live Vol. 2
02. Alexander Rybak - Fairytales
03. A-ha - Foot Of The Mountain
04. Smurfene - Smurfeparty 2
05. Postgirobygget - Øyeblikk
06. Henning Kvitnes - Tid for latskap
07. Narum - Samma Hen Du Fær
08. Lollipop - Lollipop - 50 beste
09. Erik og Kriss - Tabu
10. Röyksopp - Junior
11. Reidar Larsen - Kom in te oss
12. Eriksen - De aller beste
13. Too Far Gone - Sola i ryggen
14. Datarock - Red
15. Aasmund Nordstoga - Ein visefugg
16. Tone Damli Aaberge - I Know
17. BigBang - Edendale
18. Terje Formoe - Hiv o'hoi - Kaptein Sabeltanns beste
19. Vømmøl Spellmannslag - Vømmøl'n
20. Eva & The Heartmaker - Let's Keep This Up Forever

Datarock back to North America in late August

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:04:17 -0700

New North American dates for Datarock:

08/28 - Foufounes Electriques, Montreal, QC
09/04 - The Modern, Vancouver, BC (DJ set)
09/04 - Gossip, Vancouver, BC
09/06 - Broken City, Calgary, AB
09/07 - Starlite Room, Edmonton, AB
09/09 - The Zoo, Winnipeg, MB
09/10 - 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN
09/11 - Double Door, Chicago, IL
09/12 - Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH
09/14 - Paradise, Boston, MA
09/17 - Highline Ballroom, New York, NY
09/18 - Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA
09/19 - Rock N Roll Hotel, Washington DC
09/20 - Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
09/22 - Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
09/23 - Republic, New Orleans, LA
09/24 - Warehouse, Houston, TX
09/25 - Emo's, Austin, TX
09/26 - Granada Theater, Dallas, TX
09/28 - Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ
09/29 - Brick By Brick, San Diego, CA
09/30 - El Rey, Los Angeles, CA
10/01 - Slim's, San Francisco, CA
10/02 - Holocene, Portland, OR
10/03 - Nectar, Seattle, WA

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:57:05 -0700

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes og Askil Holm - Halleluja Live Vol. 2
02. Alexander Rybak - Fairytales
03. A-ha - Foot Of The Mountain
04. Narum - Samma Hen Du fær
05. Postgirobygget - Øyeblikk
06. D.D.E. - Ut av kontroll
07. Smurfene - Smurfeparty 2
08. Henning Kvitnes - Tid for latskap
09. Röyksopp - Junior
10. Too Far Gone - Sola i ryggen
11. Reidar Larsen - Kom in te oss
12. Erik og Kriss - Tabu
13. Vømmøl Spellmannslag - Vømmøl'n
14. Eriksen - De aller beste
15. BigBang - Edendale
16. Lollipop - Lollipop - 50 beste
17. Tone Damli Aaberge - I Know
18. Aasmund Nordstoga - Ein visefugg
19. Datarock - Red
20. CC Cowboys - Morgen & kveld

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:47:16 -0700

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes og Askil Holm - Halleluja Live Vol. 2
02. Alexander Rybak - Fairytales
03. A-ha - Foot Of The Mountain
04. Postgirobygget - Øyeblikk
05. Henning Kvitnes - Tid for latskap
06. D.D.E. - Ut av kontroll
07. Too Far Gone - Sola i ryggen
08. Röyksopp - Junior
09. Eriksen - De aller beste
10. Smurfene - Smurfeparty 2
11. Erik og Kriss - Tabu
12. Vømmøl Spellmannslag - Vømmøl'n
13. Reidar Larsen - Kom in te oss
14. Tone Damli Aaberge - I Know
15. BigBang - Edendale
16. Datarock - Red
17. CC Cowboys - Morgen & kveld
18. Aasmund Nordstoga - Ein visefugg
19. Eva & The Heartmaker - Let's Keep This Up Forever
20. Skambankt - Hardt regn

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:59:30 -0700

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes og Askil Holm - Halleluja Live Vol. 2
02. A-ha - Foot Of The Mountain
03. Alexander Rybak - Fairytales
04. Postgirobygget - Øyeblikk
05. Henning Kvitnes - Tid for latskap
06. Vømmøl Spellmannslag - Vømmøl'n
07. Too Far - Sola i ryggen
08. Aasmund Nordstoga - Ein visefugg
09. Terje Tysland - Lidderli gla
10. Eriksen - De aller beste
11. Reidar Larsen - Kom in te oss
12. Erik og Kriss - Tabu
13. Röyksopp - Junior
14. Tone Damli Aaberge - I Know
15. Datarock - Red
16. Kaizers Orchestra - Maskineri
17. BigBang - Edendale
18. Tina Lie - Free Enough To Fall
19. Eva & The Heartmaker - Let's Keep This Up Forever
20. Anita Skorgan - Hele veien - 47 utvalgte sanger

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:23:59 -0700

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes og Askil Holm - Hallelujah - Live
02. Alexander Rybak - Fairytales
03. Henning Kvitnes - Tid for latskap
04. Too Far Gone - Sola i ryggen
05. Vømmøl Spellmannslag - Vømmøl'n
06. Eriksen - De aller beste
07. Datarock - Red
08. Erik og Kriss - Tabu
09. Terje Tysland - Lidderli gla
10. Reidar Larsen - Kom in te oss
11. Tone Damli Aaberge - I Know
12. Röyksopp - Junior
13. Kaizers Orchestra - Maskineri
14. Aasmund Nordstoga - Ein visefugg
15. Eva & The Heartmaker - Let's Keep This Up Forever
16. BigBang - Edendale
17. Anita Skorgan - Hele veien - 47 utvalgte sanger
18. CC Cowboys - Morgen & kveld
19. Jorn - Spirit Black
20. Terje Formoe - Kaptein Sabeltann og den forheksede Øya

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:50:19 -0700

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Alexander Rybak - Fairytales
02. Henning Kvitnes - Tid for latskap
03. Too Far Gone - Sola i ryggen
04. Röyksopp - Junior
05. Tone Damli Aaberge - I Know
06. Eriksen - De aller beste
07. Eva & The Heartmaker - Let's Keep This Up Forever
08. Aasmund Nordstoga - Ein visefugg
09. Terje Tysland - Lidderli gla
10. BigBang - Edendale
11. CC Cowboys - Morgen & kveld
12. Anita Skorgan - Hele veien - 47 utvalgte sanger
13. Steff Nevers - Closest to My Heart
14. Heine Totland - The Sunny Side
15. Lene Marlin - Twist the Truth
16. Kari Bremnes - Ly
17. deLillos - Huskeglemme
18. Nils Petter Molvær - Hamada
19. Maria Mena - Cause & Effect
20. Datarock - Datarock

New Datarock now streaming

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:59:46 -0700

Datarock's new record "Red" is currently streaming in its entirety at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/datarock

Datarock - Give it up (video)

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:30:17 -0700

Datarock's video for their new single "Give it up" is now online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmNR21tY-VM&fmt=18
The band's new album "Red" will be out September 1 via Nettwerk.

New Karin Park at the end of the month

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:10:04 -0700

Norwegian pop artist Karin Park will release her new album "Ashes to gold" on April 27 via the Datarock-run label YAP Records. Fredrik Saroea of Datarock also produced said record.

This year's Scandinavian lineup at the Great Escape

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:03:20 -0700

Scandinavians representing at this year's Great Escape Festival in Brighton, England include team Norway: The New Wine, Harrys Gym, Thomas Dybdhal, Casiokids, I Was A King, Tommy Tokyo and Starving For My Gravy and Datarock; Sweden: The Deer Tracks, A Sad Day for Puppets and Dag for Dag; Finland: TV Off and Jaakko and Jay; and finally, repping for Iceland: Hjaltalín and Lay Low. Details: http://www.escapegreat.com/

Hypertext - Stellarwind

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:21:49 -0800

Hypertext are streaming a new track at myspace called "Stellarwind" featuring sax by Kjetil Møster of Datarock: http://www.myspace.com/hypertextband

New Datarock album this fall

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:22:00 -0800

Overrated Norwegian act Datarock will eventually put out their new album "Red" this fall via Nettwerk with the first single "Give it up" preceding it as a digital release on April 7. Read more at MIC Norway: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2009022016210620393224

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:29:21 -0700

Young Aspiring Professionals (YAP Records), the label run by Datarock, has decided to start a local Bergen, Norway single series and will releasing a new 7" each month for the next 10 months. All of the a-sides will be produced by Datarock themselves and the flip will consist of live takes or remixes and eventually all of the a-sides will be compiled for a larger release to be called "One city one dream". The first band up is Syntax TerrOrkester with "O herliga London".

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:56:37 -0700

Amiina (ICE) and Datarock (NOR) are both contributing tracks to the upcoming "Nightmare revisited" compilation, a collection of covers, re-recordings and other material inspired by the Tim Burton film "Nightmare Before Christmas".

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:45:37 -0700

There will be a new digital EP from Datarock on August 26 featuring four different versions of the old track "Computer camp love", including two remixes from Devo and the video. Sounds kinda worthless to me, but then again, I'm not a fan so make of it what you will.

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:30:37 -0700

The Washington Post Express was completely won over by Norwegian act Datarock: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/29/AR2008062901983.html

Mon, 26 May 2008 21:30:48 -0700

Norwegian label Young Aspiring Professionals (Datarock) will release Syntax TerrOrkester's new album "Familien min forstår ingenting av det" on June 10. Hear a sample tune at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/yaprecords

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:06:05 -0800

Scandinavian acts confirmed for this year's Coachella Fest include Shout Out Louds, I'm From Barcelona, Múm, Datarock, Jens Lekman, Turbonegro, 120 Days and The Field.

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:29:29 -0800

New European dates for Datarock:

02/08 - Razzmatazz Club, Barcelona (ESP)
02/09 - Covo Club, Bologna (ITA)
02/10 - Casa 139, Milan (ITA)
02/11 - Flex, Vienna (AUS)
02/12 - Palac Akropolis, Prague (CZ)
02/13 - Rotown, Rotterdam (NL)
02/14 - Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
02/16 - Dirty Dancing, Brussels (BEL)
02/17 - Marroquinerie, Paris (FRA)
02/18 - Club Zukunft, Zurich (CH)
02/19 - Atomic Cafe, Munich (GER)
02/20 - Zakk, Dusseldorf (GER)
02/21 - Uebel & Gefahrlich, Hamburg (GER)
02/22 - Lido, Berlin (GER)
02/23 - Studio 672, Cologne (GER)
02/24 - Karlstorbahnhof, Heidelberg (GER)
02/25 - Nachtleben, Frankfurt (GER)

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:24:33 -0700

PopMatters lists Ida Maria as their favorite CMJ discovery: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/features/article/50120/belles-of-the-ball/
Also listed are Datarock, New Violators and Slaraffenland.

Datarock See what I care Young Aspiring Professionals

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Datarock has been on the hype radar prior to releasing their rather mediocre full-length album last year. Here, they've returned with a five song EP that contains three tracks that are better than anything on the album, and two throwaways. "Not me", "Do it your way" and "Stay" are the best songs I've heard by this band, and it made me wonder why they just didn't put them out as a three-song EP, which would have been stellar, as all songs could be potential hit singles. However, the other two tracks just bring the consistency of the album down so that you might not even bother hearing "Stay" because the title track is that bland. The point of an EP is showcase some newer or non-album worthy material, but with a 60% success rate, I'd say they still have some work to do on their kinks.

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

MIC Norway profiles the vastly overrated Datarock as they prepare to embark on yet another US tour: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007082913093223418631

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Remix the Datarock track "I used to dance with my daddy": http://www.yourspins.com/ecard/index.aspx?artist=datarock&title=i%20used%20to%20dance%20with%20my%20daddy&ref=datarock

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Diverse artister - Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2007
02. Postgirobygget - Tidløs
03. Turbonegro - Retox
04. The Kids - Hits fra Kids
05. Trang Fødsel - Hammock
06. Mira Craig - Tribal dreams
07. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
08. Heidi Hauge - Some broken hearts
09. Superfamily - Warszawa
10. BigBang - Too Much Yang
11. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk
12. Vømlingan - Vømmølminner
13. Magnet - The Simple Life
14. Thomas Dybdahl - Science
15. Marit Larsen - Under The Surface
16. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
17. Silje Nergaard - Darkness out of blue
18. Malin - Malin på månen
19. Datarock - Datarock
20. 120 Days - 120 Days

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

PopMatters reviews the US release of Datarock: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/42418/datarock-datarock-datarock/

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Datarock is offering up the track "New rave anthem" as a free download: http://www.datarockmusic.com/download/newraveanthem.html

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Datarock was Spin's band of the day yesterday: http://www.spin.com/features/band_of_the_day/2007/06/070605_datarock/

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Datarock is coming over for a few select dates to promote the American release of their album "Datarock Datarock":

06/01 - Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA
06/02 - Studio B, Brooklyn, NY
06/03 - La Tulipe, Montreal, Quebec w/CSS
06/04 - Lee's Palac, Toronto, Ontario w/CSS
06/05 - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
06/06 - Triple Rock Club, Minneapolis, MN
06/09 - Richard's on Richards, Vancouver, BC w/Girl Talk
06/10 - Chop Suey, Seattle, WA
06/11 - Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR w/Hot Chip
06/12 - The Independent, San Francisco, CA
06/13 - Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Datarock is streaming their entire album "Datarock Datarock" at Virb: http://www.virb.com/datarock

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Norway's Datarock plans to cash in on the zeitgeist with a special 5-song EP entitled "See what I care" paying tribute to the renown Madchester rave scene. Think: Happy Mondays, Stone Roses, Charlatans, etc. Four songs they say are in the style of the "classics" plus one so-called "New Rave anthem". It comes out April 23.

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Updated Lo-Fi-Fnk tourdates:

02/16 - FABRIC, London (UK)
02/17 - Arches, Glasgow (UK)
02/18 - Medicine, Birmingham (UK)
02/20 - TBA, Doncaster (UK)
02/21 - Social Live Nation, London (UK)
02/22 - Roadhouse High Voltage, Manchester (UK)
02/23 - Charlotte, Leicester (UK)
02/24 - Pod, Dublin (UK)
03/02 - Debaser Medis, Stockholm (SWE) w/Simian Mobile Disco
03/06 - Safari Sams, LA, CA
03/07 - Beauty Bar, San Diego, CA
03/08 - Atlas, Seattle, WA
03/09 - Shine, Vancouver
03/10 - New Noise, Portland OR
03/11 - Indigo District, Eugene, OR
03/13 - Mezannine, San Francisco, CA w/Fujiyi & Miyaki
03/14 - Super! Alright!Space, Austin, TX
03/15 - Beauty Bar, Austin, TX
03/16 - Urban Outfitters (1 pm), Austin, TX
03/17 - Rock'n'Roll Hotel, Washington DC
03/18 - Sonar (tbc), Baltimore, MD
03/20 - Fit for Use, Charlotte, NC
03/21 - Kiss Atlanta event, Atlanta, GA
03/22 - Common Grounds, Gainsville, FL w/Pink Velveteen
03/23 - tba, Miami, FL
03/24 - Metro, Chicago, IL w/The Presets, Digitalism, Crystal Castles
03/27 - Drake Hotel, Toronto w/KIM Presets/Crystal Castles DJ set
03/28 - Club Lambi, Montreal
03/29 - Square, Boston, MA
03/30 - Making Time, Philadelphia, PA w/Datarock, The Presets
03/30 - RUFF Club, New York, NY
03/31 - Studio B, Brooklyn, NY
04/28 - Bergenfest Festival, Bergen (NOR)

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Overrated Norwegian electro act Datarock has signed with Nettwork and will have their album "Datarock Datarock" released internationally this coming spring. There will also be a new EP to be released in Norway this year with the band's next full-length due in 2008.

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Christel Alsos - Closing The Distance
02. Sivert Høyem & The Volunteers - Exiles
03. William Hut - Nightfall
04. Bjørn Eidsvåg - Nåde
05. Vamp - I full symfoni (med KORK)
06. Sissel - De beste 1986-2006
07. Odd Nordstoga - Heim te mor
08. Jan Werner - Stronger
09. Kristin Asbjørnsen - Wayfaring Stranger - A Spiritual Songbook
10. Øystein Sunde - Sundes verden
11. Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes og Askil Holm - Hallelujah - Live
12. 120 Days - 120 Days
13. Marit Larsen - Under The Surface
14. Thomas Dybdahl - Science
15. Malin - Malin på månen
16. Rockettothesky - To sing you apple trees
17. Morten Abel - Some Of Us Will Make It
18. Leif Ove Andsnes - Horizons
19. Datarock - Datarock
20. Åge Aleksandersen - Snöharpan

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

Norwegian electro act Datarock will visit the Americas in March:

03/10 - MXBeat festival, Mexico City (MEX)
03/14 - Engine Room, Houston, TX
03/15-18 - SXSW, Austin, TX
03/19 - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
03/23 - WMC, Studio A, Miami, FL
03/27 - Safari Sam's, Los Angeles, CA
03/29 - Mezzanine, San Francisco, CA
03/30 - Pure, Philadelphia, PA
03/31 - Studio B, Brooklyn, NY

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

The curators of Norway's Øyafestivalen are putting on a showcase at this year's SXSW featuring The Lionheart Brothers (as heard on "Reader's companion volume one"), New Violators and Datarock: http://www.musikknyheter.no/news/1743

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

New tourdates for Datarock:

11/23 - Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
11/24 - Maroquinerie, Paris (FRA)
11/25 - Lille Vega, Copenhagen (DK)
12/07 - Arena, Brisbane (AU)
12/08 - Rebel Rebel, Sydney (AU)
12/09 - Meredith Music Festival, Meredith (AU)
12/10 - Hi-Fi Bar, Melbourne (AU)
01/12 - Groningen, Eurosonic Festival (NL)

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Datarock begins thier UK tour today with Klaxons and Shitdisco and you can get all the latest dates here: http://www.datarock.no/shows.shtml
Also note that they've added a few new dates in Australia for December.

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Datarock has added a bunch of new multimedia stuff to their website: http://www.datarock.no/

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

NME is sponsoring a tour featuring overrated Norwegian electro act Datarock alongside The Klaxons and Shitdisco. Dates:

09/27 - Waterfront, Norwich
09/28 - Underground, Stoke
09/29 - Stanley Theatre, Liverpool
09/30 - Plug, Sheffield
10/02 - Empire, Middlesborough
10/03 - Empire, Manchester
10/04 - Tunnels, Aberdeen
10/05 - Arches, Glasgow
10/07 - Faversham, Leeds
10/08 - Stealth, Nottingham
10/10 - Custard Factory, Birmingham
10/11 - Soundhaus, Northampton
10/13 - KOKO, London
10/14 - Concorde, Brighton
10/16 - Zodiac, Oxford
10/17 - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The UK release of the Datarock single "Fa-fa-fa" will be on September 4 and will be available in CDS, 7", 12" and of course, digital format. B-sides will include remixes from fellow Norwegian Bjørn Torske as well as Princess Superstar and Shakes.

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Gigwise talks to Datarock: http://www.gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=18137

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Norwegian "thrashpop"/new-wave revival act Surferosa has just recorded two songs with the oh-so-hip crew behind Bergen-based label YFM/Your Favorite Music (FYI: YFM is run by the folks in Datarock). Ivar "Blanco" Nicolaisen of Silver provides some backup vocals and the two pieces are entitled "Fashion facist" and "The last stand".

Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Better late than never, here's Nick Levine's review of the recent Datarock show in London: [click here]
I wasn't terribly impressed when I first heard their "Computer camp love" EP back in 2003, but it seems like their patience and persistence is starting to pay off.

Live report: Datarock @ The Luminaire, London UK 05/11/06

Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Datarock, like all the best acts to come out of Norway are on Telle Records. Yup, that's the folks who previously birthed Annie, Royksopp and Kings Of Convenience to the world. However, Datarock plough a completely different burrow to any of this lot. They create a crazy asexul hybrid of dance and rock music.

This gig is their debut UK headline show, and has been so furiously marketed by the promoter that The Luminaire is practically full to the rafters in anticipation of a set by a group unknown to the general London tastemakers/gig going public. Initially, the most striking thing about Datarock is their iconic red tracksuits. There are three core members of the band, however tonight they are joined on stage by fellow Norwegian band Ungdomskulen. As a live prospect, Datarock create a real party atmosphere with the core of the band taking care of drums, synths and guitar/vocal duties, whilst the other five or so bodies scattered across the stage jump up and down and generally lark about in their hooded tracksuit tops, occasionally joining in on backing vocals.

Possibly the best comparison one can make to Datarock is calling them an asexual Scissor Sisters. Their lyrics are overtly sexual, but if anything act as a rejection of sexuality. For example, take the album opener "Bulldozer" which carries the chant "BMX is better than sex," or "Sex me up" in which Fredrik Saroea screams that if you "sex him up," he'll "sex you down."

The band save their best tune (and surely future single) "Fa-fa-fa" for till the end. Featured on Annie's "DJ Kicks" compilation from last year, "Fa-fa-fa" (with it's incessantly funky riffing) is like a suped-up Tom Tom Club for the 21st Century. The backing vocals are left to the audience, whilst the ringer members of the band takes care of the stupid dancing. Datarock leave the stage to "I've had the time of my life" being played over the PA, and it suddenly becomes obvious that Datarock will be the name to drop in tastemaker circles this summer.
- Nick Levine

Mon, 22 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Norway's Datarock has announced that they've secured UK distro via Discovery Records and will be releasing their "Computer camp love" EP over there on June 19, followed by the single "Fafafa" on August 14 and the self-titled-times-two album on July 3.

Fri, 12 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Check out some live video footage of Datarock in London: http://www.theluminaire.co.uk/images/MVI_2601.AVI

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Datarock on tour across Europe:

04/27 - Paradiso (Small Stage), Amsterdam (NL)
04/28 - Karlstorbahnhof, Heidelberg (GER)
04/29 - Dampfzentrale, Bern (SWI)
04/30 - Tab Tap, Schaffhausen (SWI)
05/01 - Talacker, Zurich (SWI)
05/02 - Cairo, Wuerzburg (GER)
05/03 - Lovelite, Berlin (GER)
05/04 - Noveau Casino, Paris (FRA)
05/05 - secret show, Paris (FRA)
05/06 - tba
05/07 - Optimo, Glasgow (SCO)
05/08 - Little Civic, Wolverhampton (UK)
05/09 - Lennons, Southampton (UK)
05/10 - tba
05/11 - The Luminaire, London (UK)
06/17 - Hultsfred Festival, Hultsfred (SWE)
08/05 - Klubbfestuka, Bodø (NOR)
08/13 - Festival les Nuits Secretes, Aulnoye Aymeries (FRA)
08/18 - Festival Pantiero, Cannes (FRA)
08/19 - Steinkjerfestivalen , Steinkjer (NOR)

All dates through May are with fellow Norwegians Ungdomskulen.

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The video for Datarock's new single "Bulldozer" is now online: http://web.mac.com/p.forneri/iWeb/DataRockSecret/bulldozeryes.html

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Datarock's new single "Bulldozer" will be released as a paid digital download on April 17.

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Norwegian management/PR firm Bpop has decided to jump into the label business. They will now take it upon themselves to import their acts into neighboring Sweden via the newly founded imprint Bpop Music. Here's what they've got scheduled:

02/15 - Jim Stärk - "Jim Stärk"
03/15 - JR Ewing - "Maelstrom"
04/26 - Real Ones - "Home With The Girls In The Morning"
05/17 - WE - "Smugglers"
06/14 - Datarock - "Datarock Datarock"
07/12 - Vidar Vang - "Vidar Vang"

Distribution will be handled by V2 Scandinavia.

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The nominees for this year's Spellemann (the Norwegian Grammy) have been announced:

Female artist:
Ane Brun - A Temporary Dive (Det Er Mine/V2)
Lene Marlin - Lost In A Moment (EMI)
Marthe Valle - It's A Bag Of Candy (Grammar Records)
Maria Mena - Apparently Unaffected (Sony BMG)
Simone - Last Days And Nights (Daworks)

Male artist
Alejandro Fuentes - Diamonds Or Pearls (Sony BMG)
Magnet - The Tourniquet (Atlantic)
Robert Post - Robert Post (Universal)
Sofian - This Is Sofian (C+C Records)

Pop group:
Jim Stärk - Jim Stärk (Sweet Recordings)
Ravi & Dj Løv - Den Nye Arbæidsdagn (Sony BMG)
Röyksopp - The Understanding (EMI)

Electronica:
Alog - Miniatures (Rune Grammofon)
Datarock - Datarock Datarock (Yap/VME)
Toy - Toy (Smalltown Supersound)

Rock:
Bigbang - Poetic Terrorism (Gransport Records)
JR Ewing - Maelstrom (Sony BMG)
Madrugada - The Deep End (EMI)
My Midnight Creeps - My Midnight Creeps (MMC Records)
Serena-Maneesh - Serena-Maneesh (Honeymilk)

Metal:
Audrey Horne - No Hay Banda (Dog Job/Tuba Records)
El Caco - The Search (Black Balloon Records)
Extol - Blueprint (Century Media)
Stonegard - Arrows (Bonnier)

Hip-hop/Rnb:
Cast - Problembarn (Pass It Records)
Paperboys - When Worlds Collide (Bonnier)
Tommy Tee - Tommy Tycker Om Mej (Tee Productions/C+C Records)

Jazz:
Hans Mathisen - Quiet Songs (Curling Legs AS)
Jimmy Rosenberg/Stian Carstensen - Rose Room (Hot Club Records)
Karin Krog/Bergen Big Band - Seagull (Grappa Musikkforlag AS)
Sigurd Køhn Quartet - This Place (Heidi Køhn)
Solveig Slettahjell - Pixiedust (Curling Legs AS)

Open class:
Arild Andersen Group - Electra (ECM/Grappa)
Beady Belle - Closer (Jazzland)
Jaga Jazzist - What We Must (Smalltown Supersound)
Nils Petter Molvær - Er (Universal)
Shining - In The Kingdom Of Kitsch You Will Be A Monster (Rune Grammofon)

Best newcomer:
Animal Alpha - Pheromones (Racing Junior)
Audrey Horne - No Hay Banda (Dog Job/Tuba Records)
Draumir - Draumir (Playground/Little Hill)
Marthe Valle - It's A Bag Of Candy (Grammar Records)
Sofian - This Is Sofian (C+C Records)

Best song:
Alejandro Fuentes - Stars (Sony BMG)
Kurt Nilsen - Never Easy (Sony BMG)
Madrugada w/Ane Brun - Lift Me (Det Er Mine/V2/EMI)
Maria Mena - Miss You Love (Sony BMG)
Ravi & Dj Løv - Tsjeriåu Me De Månråus (Sony BMG)

Music video:
Maria Mena - Miss You Love (Sony BMG)
Animal Alpha - Bundy (Racing Junior)
Ravi & Dj Løv - E-Ore (Sony BMG)
Robert Post - Got None (Universal)
Röyksopp - What Else Is There (EMI)

For all categories, go here: http://www.ifpi.no/spellemann/nomlst.html
Winners will be announced on January 28.

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Pics of Datarock from their recent trip to France: http://www.lestrans.com/cgi-bin/emAlbum.cgi?cmd=show_image&path=Vendredi_09/Datarock&img=0&tn=0

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

This week's YLE X3M video chart:

01. Kent - Den döda vinkeln (SWE)
02. Kometfabriken - Snedsteg (FIN)
03. Smak - Vesi tulvii sisään (FIN)
04. Jermaine - Goodbye sign (FIN)
05. The Rasmus - Sail away (FIN)
06. Mew - Special (DK)
07. Indica - Vuorien taa (FIN)
08. Korpiklaani - Kädet siipinä (FIN)
09. The Cardigans - I need some fine wine and you, you need to be nicer (SWE)
10. Darin - Step up (SWE)

Challengers:
11. Day Eleven - Almost over everything (FIN)
12. Karlsmark - Stitting duckheads (SWE)
13. Datarock - fa fa fa (NOR)

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The nominees for this year's Alarm awards, the alternative to the Spellemansprisen (Norway's version of the Grammy):

Rock:
Richochets - Isolation
Madrugada - The Deep End
Serena-Maneesh - Serena-Maneesh
JR Ewing - Maelstrom
My Midnight Creeps - My Midnight Creeps

Pop:
Ane Brun - A Temporary Dive
Loch Ness Mouse - 11-22
Maria Mena - Apparently Unaffected
Anja Garbarek - Briefly Shaking
Sofian - This Is Sofian

Metal:
Stonegard - Arrows
Grimfist - 10 Steps To Hell
El Caco - The Search
Scum - Gospel For The Sick
Solefald - Red For Fire

Hip-hop:
Paperboys - When Worlds Collide
Cast - Problembarn
Onkl P - Det kunne vært deg
Warlocks - The Never Ending Story
Tommy Tee - Tommy Tycker Om Mej

Free music/electronica:
Jaga Jazzist - What We Must
Cloroform - Cracked Wide Open
Toy - Toy
Supersilent - 7
Alog - Miniatures

Club:
Røyksopp - The Understanding
Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas - Lindtrøm & Prins Thomas
Datarock - Datarock Datarock
Annie - DJ Kicks
Future Prophecies - Warlords Rising

Jazz:
Kornstad/Wiik - Eight Tunes We Like
Shining - In The Kingdom Of Kitch
The Thing - Live At Blå
Tord Gustavsen Trio - The Ground
Atomic - Bikini Tapes

Song:
Madrugada - The Kids Are On High Street
Röyksopp - What Else Is There
Ane Brun - My Lover Will Go
Superfamily - Taxi Dancing
Mira Craig - Boogieman

Live:
Madrugada
Turbonegro
Purified in Blood
Richochets
Kaizers Orchestra

Newcomer of the year:
My Midnight Creeps
Mira Craig
Sofian
Superfamily
Animal Alpha

Vote for your favorites here: http://www.alarmprisen.no/

Fri, 25 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Datarock has posted a couple tracks from Quasimojo for download, the first band signed to Datarock's own label Young Aspiring Professionals. Check it:

01. Daddy's little girl
02. Gettin'up'n'goin'ova

The band's debut 7-song/4-video EP "Gettin'up'n'goin'ova" is out now.

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Updated tourdates for Norway's Datarock:

11/18 - Good Life @ 103 Club, Berlin (GER)
11/19 - tba (GER)
11/20 - Tanzhalle St. Pauli, Hamburg (GER)
12/09 - Transmusicales Festival, Rennes (FRA)
12/19 - Mono, Oslo (NOR) w/Ungdomsskulen
12/20 - Helsinki, Tavastia (FIN) w/Ungdomsskulen, Saul Williams
01/13 - Hulen, Bergen (NOR)
01/20 - John Dee, Oslo (NOR)
02/10-20 - Australian tour tbc

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

NYC dance party Le One Night Stand is putting on a special Scandinavian-themed night on November 10 at Bar 13. Cover is free and guest DJ Miss Fiona Sand from Norway will be spinning. There will also be giveaways of new music from artists such as Annie, Shout Out Louds, Surferosa, The Knife, Tiger Baby, Mew and Datarock. More info: http://www.myspace.com/leonenightstand

Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Norway's Datarock will come to NYC at the end of September:

09/22 - tba, New York (DJ-set)
09/24 - tba, New Yor (DJ-set)
09/25 - Pianos, New York
09/28 - Soulpusher, New York w/Blackmail

Tue, 31 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Check out the video for "Fa-fa-fa" from Datarock: http://www.datarock.no/booking/fafafa.mp4

Fri, 20 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Pitchfork gives praise to the Datarock track "I used to dance with my daddy": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/tracks/05-05-20.shtml#song2

Thu, 05 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Pitchfork reviews the new Datarock: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/d/datarock/datarock-datarock.shtml

Fri, 22 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Japanese label Escalator Records have licensed Datarock's newest album "Datarock Datarock" and will release it over there at end of May.

Tue, 22 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Datarock has added a bunch of new video clips to their website along with some new press pics: http://www.datarock.no/

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Norwegian electro act Datarock has posted a sneak preview of their new record, all eleven tracks... all at once: http://www.datarock.no/booking/preview.mp3

Tue, 08 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Norwegian electro act Datarock has confirmed that they will finally release their self-titled-times-two debut full-length in Norway on April 4. That's "Datarock Datarock", in case you didn't figure it out on your own. Anyhow, the tracklist will include a few old songs from the "Computer Camp Love" EP, a few rerecordings of really old songs such as "I used to dance..." and of course, a bunch of new material. More info soon.

Tue, 04 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Norwegian electro-rockers Datarock report that they are finishing up work on a new album and hope to have it out soonish. They are also planning to do a lot of touring in the coming year and will be hitting Switzerland first. Dates so far:

01/13 - Helsinki Club, Zürich
01/14 - Tap Tab, Shaffhausen
01/15 - Coupole, Bienne
01/16 - tba
01/17 - Wagenmeister, Basel

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

International tourdates for Norwegian electro artists Datarock:

11/12 - Cargo, London (UK)
11/20 - Marita's birthday party!, Nygårdshøyden (NOR) (private event)
11/25 - Charity concert for Amnesty Int., Bergen (NOR)
11/30 - tba, Montreal (CAN)
12/02 - The Empty Bottle, Chicago w/Fennesz
12/05 - Knitting Factory, New York w/The Eternals
12/26 - Julejazz, Horten (NOR)

Check out the video for "The new song" right here: http://www.datarock.no/booking/Datarock_-_The_New_Song.mpg

Mon, 30 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Norwegian electro act Datarock has decided to post their entire "Computer camp love" EP online for download: http://www.datarock.no/music.html

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Norway's Datarock reports that they'll be recording their debut full-length in October and hope to see it released sometime around spring next year. Apparently, Mikal, the head of their label Èllet Records, is taking a sabbatical from the biz, so the band (and everyone else on the label) is free to do what they way. That means there's no word on who will eventually release the record, but it also means that the group is working on repressing the "Computer Camp Love" EP themselves. As for other future plans, they're going to try and book some shows abroad this fall. I'll be sure to keep you updated.

As for what will happen to the rest of the bands on the Èllet Records roster, I'll try to find out.

Wed, 09 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

I'm not sure why I didn't hear any advance notice about it, but Evil Tordivel's album "A fine young man" received proper release in the UK and some other European countries this week. Long-time readers might remember my review from ages ago. Anyhow, the album has grown on me quite a bit since then and it's well worth checking out. It's still a bit of a bewildering listen for one sitting, but that can be a good thing. There's talks of a small tour this coming fall with labelmates Datarock, but nothing's been set yet. That group's own release, the "Computercamp Love" EP, received the full UK/Europe release recently as well.

Wed, 05 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

After a long bout of silence, Norwegian electro act Datarock checks in with some updates. First off, keyboard player Tom left the group last August and the remaining two guys decided to soldier on without him. They'll still employ people from their 40-some 'associated members' list as needed at future gigs, so keep on the lookout. In other news, the group recorded some basic tracks with Vilunki 3000 (And the Lefthanded, Uusi Fantasia) while on tour over in Finland. No word on what will come of it, but I'll try my best to keep you posted.

Fri, 19 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Artists playing the Jyrock Festival at Ilokivi in Jyvaskyla, Finland on April 16-17: José González, Datarock, Putsch '79, Uusi Fantasia, Huoratron, 22 Pistepirkko, Kuusumun Profeetta, Hidria Spacefolk, Serkkupojat & MattiP and Zarkus Poussa. More info: http://www.jyu.fi/jyrock/

Fri, 05 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

The full schedule has been confirmed for Norway's Ole Blues Festival in late April and the lineup is pretty much a complete who's who of Norwegian music. Some of names listed include Fenrik Lane (feat. World Idol champ Kurt Nilsen), Magnet, Sondre Lerche, Thomas Dybdahl, Gluecifer, Datarock, Evil Tordivel, Jaga Jazzist, Kaizers Orchestra and tons more. Full details: http://www.oleblues.net/

Thu, 22 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Trapdoor Fucking Exit has put up the video for the song "Short Term Investment", recorded live at Umeå Punkfest in 2001. Check it out.

Amulet recently filmed a video for the single "Breaking News". They say it "involves a low key gig at an abandoned house and a deathdefying girl in a van who brings terror to the city of Oslo." I'll let you know if they post in online.

Turbonegro's complete festival schedule for the summer:

06/02 - Flippaut festival, Bologna, Italy
06/05 - Ruisrock, Turku, Finland
06/12 - Hultsfred Festival Hultsfred, Sweden
06/20 - Kick off Festival, Wiesen, Austria
06/21 - Southside Festival, Neuhausen, Germany
06/22 - Hurricane Festival, Schlessel, Germany
06/27 - Roskilde Festival, Denmark
06/28 - Open Air, St Gallen, Switzerland
07/05 - London, Meanfiddler (clubshow) UK
07/12 - T in the Park, Kinross, Scotland, UK
08/07 - Nordland Musikkfestukke, Bodö, Norway
08/08 - Öya festivalen, Oslo Norway
08/09 - Wrightegaarden, Langesund, Norway
08/23 - Reading Festival, Reading UK
08/24 - Leeds Festival, Leeds, UK

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Outlandish - Guantanamo
03. A-Teens - Perfect Match
04. Her Majesty - F.U.N.E.R.A.L
05. Jennifer Brown - Weak
06. HIM - Funeral of hearts
07. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
08. The Cardigans - You´re The Storm
09. Melody Club - Cover Girl
10. Darude - Music
11. Mew - Comforting Sounds
12. Kwan - Shine
13. Equicez - Live From Pass It
14. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
15. Elin Sigvardsson - Where To Start
16. Timbuktu - Ett Brev
17. Paragon - Försök Förstå
18. Pauline - Runnin´ Out Of Gaz
19. Surferosa - Neon Commando
20. Homy - Bus Stop

Challengers:
01. Jon - This Side Up
02. Antique - Moro Mou
03. Fireside - All You Had
04. The Concretes - You Can´t Hurry Love
05. Kamera - At Work
06. C21 - She Cries

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.

Labrador Records is now distributed by Mortes Nois in Estonia. For more info email mrnois@hot.ee.

Dolores Records has announced they will be releasing a limited edition CD single for the new supergroup Vanessa and the O's on June 10. The band features ex-members of Popsicle along with James Iha from Smashing Pumpkins and is described as electronic pop in French. Crazy, eh? More info soon.

Bad Taste Records is the label of the month over at the Danish radio program New Rocking Sounds which airs Tuesdays at 8pm on 93.7 in Århus. They'll be interviewing Last Days of April, Logh and various others from the roster along with playng tunes from said bands. Be sure to check it out or wait for the clips to hit the online archives.

Listen to "Mattias Alkbergs Begravning" from Planekonomi, another band featuring Mattias from Bear Quartet. More info here. Look for 2 EPs this fall and a full-length sometime next year.

One of my pals over at indieworkshop.com reviews the new Flaming Sideburns album today.

"No one has satisfactorily explained why a country of 4.5 million generates so much music: is it the dark winters? Subsidised music lessons? Rubbish TV?" - John Bungey, The Times (UK)

Norweigan music appears to be making quite a few headways beyond their borders as evidenced in this article from MIC Norway. Turbonegro and Jaga Jazzist might be the first names to come to mind for most folk, but now there's also Beady Belle, Tord Gustavsen, Per Arne Glorvigen, and St. Thomas to pay attention to.

Johnny Bråttom Records will be holding a record release show on May 30 at Kulturkammaren in Norrköping for their forthcoming "Svensk Populärmusik Volym Två" compilation. The bands scheduled to appear are Slagsmålsklubben, recent Dolores-signees Cdoass, Bremen Brotröster GmbH, Björn Kleinhenz, and The Flu. As for the tracklisting of said comp, it is as follows:

01. Cdoass - The Box
02. Niccokick - Run, Run, Run
03. Björn Kleinhenz - How Long Is The Night?
04. Slagsmålsklubben - Filter Fabric Facts (DJ Upperkurt Instrumental Remix)
05. Idiot Savants - Daily Routine
06. Music 77 - Kameror
07. Pete Thompson - Folk Song
08. Lola Barbershop - Ticket To Happiness
09. The Kid - Baton Rouge
10. Junip - Turn To The Assassin
11. The Topeka Twins - Hunting Song
12. Menteroja - Call Me
13. Bremen Brotröster GmbH - Greater/Better
14. The Flu - Golden Hair
15. Celestine - Sunflower
16. José González - Heartbeats
17. Café Polymorf - A Good Time
18. Quit Your Dayjob - Pissing On A Panda
19. Joni - Frank Xerox
20. Ane Brun - Are They Saying Goodbye?
21. Sandy Mouche - A Year

Aftonbladet reports that famed Swedish videomaker Jonas Åkerlund is working with Blondie on the single "Good Boys" in LA. The new album ""The Curse of Blondie" comes out around September or October. Åkerlund's previous credits include artists such as Satyricon, Madonna, Metallica and The Prodigy.

This new album will be 'harder' than the previous one and more guitars. To sum it up: a groovier album!

That's Peter Tägtgren of Pain describing work on the new album. He says he's already finished all of the backing music along with five of the thirteen vocal tracks and should be able to have it out sometime this fall on Stockholm Records.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Robert Wells - Rhapsody in rock the complete collection
02. Alcazar - Alcazarized
03. Eddie Meduza - Live(s)!
04. v/a - Fame Factory volym 5
05. Moneybrother - Blood panic
06. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
07. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
08. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
09. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
10. Jill Johnson - Discography
11. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
12. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
13. Antique - Blue love
14. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
15. Monia - Söderns hjärtas ros
16. Siw Malmkvist - Siws bästa
17. Elin Sigvardsson - Saturday light naive
18. Simson Dupont - Simson Dupont
19. Fame - Give me your love
20. The Sounds - Living in America

Tomas Ledin is going on tour in support of his new live album "I Sommarnattens Ljus" which comes out on June 2. The dates so far:

07/08 - Öja Slott, Öja
07/19 - Bergs Slussar, Linköping
08/03 - Stadsparken, Örebro

The lineup for Sommarrock, which takes place July 10-12 in Svedala, Sweden: Mikael Wiehe, Bubbles, Joddla w/Siv, Advance Patrol, The Ark, Danne Stråhed, Häjkån Bäjkån Band, The Mo and Di Leva.

This week's Swedish college radio chart (from Dagensskiva):

01. (01) Badly Drawn Boy "All Possibilities"
02. (NY) Grandaddy "Now It's On"
03. (NY) Timbuktu "The Bottom Is Nådd!"
04. (04) The Postal Service "Such Great Heights"
05. (NY) The Cardigans "You're the Storm"
06. (03) Dave Gahan "Dirty Sticky Floors"
07. (05) The White Stripes "7 Nation Army"
08. (NY) Placebo "This Picture"
09. (NY) Mando Diao "Sheepdog"
10. (02) Bad Cash Quartet "Dirty Days"

11. (17) The Donnas "Who Invited You"
12. (14) The Black Keys "Hard Row"
13. (09) The Raveonettes "Beat City"
14. (06) Christian Kjellvander "Homeward Rolling Soldier"
15. (15) Moloko "Forever More"
16. (NY) Tricky "Antimatter"
17. (NY) The Thrills "Big Sur"
18. (ÅT) Miss Universum "Fertilize"
19. (07) Dada Flair Ft. Christian Dohber "Freedom"
20. (08) Gusto "Guns in the Ghetto"

Leaving the chart:
(10) Randy "A Man in Uniform"
(11) Solomon Burke "Soul Searching"
(12) Fireside "All You Had"
(13) Magnus Carlson "Jag ber dig"
(16) Queens Of The Stone Age "Go With The Flow"
(18) The Go-Betweens "Caroline and I"
(19) David & The Citizens "New Direction"
(20) Hot Hot Heat "Bandages"

The full details for Finland's Koneisto Festival has been released. Some of the artists scheduled to appear include Björn Torske, Ralph Myerz & Jack Herren Band, Erlend Oye (acoustic set + "magnificent singing DJ set"), Datarock, Jori Hulkkonen, Rinneradio (feat. Dj Slow, Siiri Nordin and MC Paleface) among many others. The acclaimed electronic music festival was the first of its type for all of Scandinavia and the selection of performers "seeks to establish an interesting balance between commercial and experimental music" over the event's 9 stages. It all goes down in Helsinki from July 25-27 and more info can be found from the fest's official website.

Blabbermouth reports that HIM will be touring Europe in support of Ozzy Osbourne and Godsmack this September. I'll keep you posted.

Wed, 23 Apr 2003 00:00:00 -0700

In my continuing quest to open your ears to new music, there's some new mp3s on the right. First is Jaga Jazzist with the title track from their upcoming US debut "Animal Chin". They do a combination of jazz with electronic elements that's actually really, really cool. Normally I wouldn't expect myself to get into something like that, but they're really good. Next is three tracks from The Haunted's performance at Popstad. If you're into metal, you should already know these guys. Ex-At The Gates/Seance, total Slayer-worship. Can't go wrong with that.

Dagensskiva reports that Kamera had a bunch of gear stolen along with Ed Hartcourt's favorite leather jacket from their show at KB in Malmï¿½. Among the missing instruments are a Mexican-made Strat, an Ibanez SG-style guitar and an Ibanez SG-style bass. Read more.

Hell On Wheels have announced that "It's Wrong Being a Boy" will be their new single out on May 8. They'll be shooting a video for the track this evening around the rural suburbs of Stockholm.

Elisa TV has posted Vï¿½rttinï¿½'s video for "Tuulen Tunto" (To Feel the Wind) for viewing: RealMedia 1 / RealMedia 2 / Windows
It was filmed on February 28 at Aleksanterin Teatteri by Deco Media for the Finnish TV program 'Levyraati'.

Mattias Alkberg of Bear Quartet is the recipient of the Arnold Rï¿½rlings-scholarship. Read more.

Transworld Skateboarding Magazine of all places has reviewed David & the Citizens "For All Happy Endings":

Whoï¿½s got "Swedish fever"? It's time to retire your Abba records-guilt free! David & The Citizens are the best thing to come from Sweden since the bikini team. They have a unique, unclassifiable sound that's been compared to Beck, the Rolling Stones, and Belle And Sebastian. Regardless of that, itï¿½ll make you wanna pick up your accordion and start dancing. With catchy song titles like "Now She Sleeps in a Box in the Good Soil of Denmark," how could you go wrong? Definitely a must-buy.
- J.T. Kitzmiller

NRK has posted a plethora of pictures from the Inferno Festival in Norway. Immortal, Red Harvest and Opeth are just three of the bands featured. On-demand video footage coming soon, too.

The Knife will be doing the soundtrack for Christina Olofson's upcoming film "Hannah med H" ('Hannah with an H'). The full CD will include some 30-odd tracks and should be out sometime in fall. The move premieres on December 12.

From Sam Roberts' homepage on opening for TSOOL on a few dates around the US:

Our tour with The Soundtrack of Our Lives has also sadly come to an end. They were the model of Swedish hospitality from beginning to end, and we'd like to thank the band and crew for taking such good care of a bunch of Canuck drunks.
There wasn't a single show where they didn't blow our minds- they might just be the best live band in the world. Another thing we learned about our Scandinavian brethren is that they know how to party, and we have been on a strict regimen of vitamins and lentil soup since our return.
Adios for now you crazy bastards...

For an entirely different take than Pitchfork on Turbonegro's new album, read this review from Dagensskiva. (in Swedish)

Miss Universum's (Doktor Kosmos) debut album "Selfelected" comes out May 16. Uje Brandelius helped with the songwriting and Jens Lindgï¿½rd produced. The first single "Fertilize" comes out April 25.

P3 reports that when the Dalai Lama comes to Sweden on June 3 the following artists will be playing: Thomas Dileva, Lisa Ekdahl, Anders Widmark, Sara Isaksson, and Chime Arkhang. Tomas Ledin will host.

Looptroop, Mikael Wiehe, Bob Hansson, Kajsa Grytt and Stefan Sundstrï¿½m are all scheduled to play a big free concert at Mondo in Stockholm on May 11 in a show of solidarity and support for everyone convicted at the EU summit riots in Gï¿½teborg back in 2001.

Some new acts confirmed for Hultsfred: Randy, Ursula Rucker, Stefan Sundstrï¿½m, Strebers, Isolation Years, Paola, Kajsa Grytt, Johan Bergqvist and Advance Patrol.

Some of the names for the upcoming Koneisto fest in Finland seem to have been leaked. Here's what I've heard so far: Miss Kittin, T.Raumschmiere, Erlend Oye, Uusi Fantasia, Ed Rush, Ralph Myerz & Jack Herren Band, Gilles Peterson, London Elektricity, Kuusumun Profeetta, Imatran Voima, Youngsters, Didier Sound Spectrum, Datarock, Kaptein Kaliber, and Seb Fontaine. The electronic music event takes place in Helsinki 7/25-7/27.

Here's an e-card for Oslo's Bertine Zetlizt. It includes a short English bio along with 3 song samples and a video.

Mon, 31 Mar 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Whyte Seeds will be on MTV Morning Glory playing live and being interviewed. It'll be aired Saturday 5/4 @ 10:00, Sunday 6/4 @ 10:00, and Tuesday 8/4 @ 19:00.

Magnus from The Cardigans on the new video:

Amir Chamdin who did "FWIW" will do "The storm" video. He has requested a lot bare chests and wet looks ! :-) We will shoot it around the 8:th of April in a secret but familiar place!

Scapesonik just put out a new demo. Email them if you're interested. The price is 30 SEK/$3/£2 plus postage.

Lullacry's new single out on April 28 will be for the song "Alright Tonight". A re-recording of the track "Sweet Desire" will be included as the b-side.

Gluecifer reports that they are indeed heading back to the US to tour in support a domestic release of "Basement Apes". No dates yet, but I'll be sure to let you know. As for their next album, they're still doing preproduction and writing and expect to have it done around August or September for a January 2004 release.

Askil Holm reports that the opening date on his tour went really, really well and he's getting great reviews. He's also got some more dates lined up for the future:

04/4 - Ålesund, Scena
04/5 - Kristiansund, No Name Bar
04/23 - Rørvik, Bryggas Fire Stuer
04/24 - Trondheim, Nidaros Bluesfestival
05/2 - Bergen, Ole Blues Festival
05/3 - Oslo, John Dee Rockefeller
05/5-17 - Norway, tba

Nicolai Dunger has got a couple gigs lined up for April and May:

04/01 - Köln, Gebäude 9
04/02 - München, Orange house
04/03 - Berlin, Knaack
04/17 - Vicar Street, Dublin w/The Frames
05/29 - Union Chapel, London w/The Frames

Dead Frog Records has signed Mary Celeste. Zero magazine describes them as dark pop music like older stuff from The Cardigans.

The Cardigans have been confirmed for this year's Quart Festival in July along with the Norweigan acts Ephemera, Surferosa, Ricochets, Exploding Plastix, Alpine Those Myriads!, Ralph Myers & The Jack Herren Band and Datarock.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry
03. Mew - Comforting Sounds
04. Kwan - Shine
05. Roxette - Opportunity Nox
06. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
07. C21 - You Are The One
08. Winta - Emotions
09. The Cardigans - For What It´s Worth
10. Sparkler - Tiger

Challengers:
01. Waldo - Face The Fact
02. Millencolin - E20 Norr
03. A-ha - The Sun Always Shines On TV
04. Randi Laubek - In Port
05. Jonna - Tyytyväinen

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.

ExMS has posted the "Swedish Music Update #2/2003" for viewing. Nothing really new if you follow this site, but maybe worth a look anyway.

Monastir's new album "The Modern Sound for a Loser Generation" comes out today, but you can also download the new single "Teenage Years" from their mp3.com page.

Now confirmed for Emmaboda fest: Dorotea, Hell on Wheels, Parker, Sparks of Seven and Surounded. Oh, and some other non-Scandinavian bands like Sleater Kinney and Mates of State are playing, too.

Franke's debut album "Optimismens Hån" comes out April 28. Look for 'em on the festival circuit this summer.

The new album from the Lars Vegas Trio "Viva Lars Vegas - Sverige Blev För Litet" comes out on April 22. The first single will be for the track "Låt Det Vara Kul" which will also contain a version of "Kom Hem" by Barbados.

Legendary prog-folk or whatever-you-wanna-call-em band Träd, Gräs & Stenar have lined up a couple of shows in Stockholm:

4/5 - Gustav Vasa Church, Odenplan w/Stefan Sundström, Sofia Jannok, + more. Read more.
4/8 - Lava, Kulturhuset w/Cul de Sac, Damo Suzuki (the singer from Can). Read more.

Sunride has posted mp3 samples of every song from their new album over at their website. "Through the Red" comes out May 19 and the band is also going out on the road to promote it. The dates:

05/07 - Säätämö, Turku, Finland w/Dozer
05/08 - Klubi, Tampere, Finland w/Dozer
05/09 - Stella Star, Helsinki, Finland w/Dozer
05/10 - Lutakko, Jyväskylä, Finland w/Dozer & Ass Cobra
05/14 - Kino, Pori, Finland
05/15 - tba, Finland
05/16 - Bar 15, Seinäjoki, Finland
05/17 - Torvi, Lahti, Finland
05/23 - Burgerweeshuis, Deventer, The Netherlands w/Hermano
05/24 - Mikrokosmos, Magdeburg, Germany
05/25 - Knaack, Berlin, Germany
05/26 - Rosenkeller, Jena, Germany
05/27 - Paradox, Ingolstadt, Germany
05/28 - 013, Tilburg, The Netherlands