IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

New Ef EP is done

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:33:43 -0700

Swedish postrockers Ef have finished recording their new 10" EP "Delusions of grandeur" and will release it this September via German label Pelagic Records.

New EP, tour from Ef

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:39:45 -0700

Swedish postrockers Ef have announced that they will be releasing a new 10" EP this fall via German label Pelagic Records entitled "Delusions of grandeur". They'll also be heading out on tour in late September to support it, full details here.

Ef to Russia + vinyl reissue

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:06:04 -0800

Swedish postrockers Ef are heading to Russia for the first time at the end of the month:

02/23 - Avrora Zal, St Petersburg
02/24 - Plan B, Moscow

In other news, the band is having their 2008 album "I am responsible" reissued as a 2LP via German label Kapitän Platte in a newly remixed and remastered version put together by Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna, etc.). Official release date is February 8.

Kapitän Platte to press Bluebridge the Quartet?

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:11:54 -0700

German label Kapitän Platte, home to vinyl releases by Swedish postrockers Ef and Immanu El, is planning on releasing a posthumous LP from post/jazz combo Bluebridge the Quartet, but first they want to gauge interest to see if they'll be able to break even. So listen to the album here and, if you dig it and want a physical copy, preorder it by emailing pi@kapitaen-platte.de -- € 15ppd worldwide/€ 11 in-person for Germans. Assuming they get 75 preorders, the project is a go.

Ef to tour China, giveaway remix

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:49:19 -0800

Swedish post-rockers Ef are heading East in March:

03/03 - Hertz Bar, Dalian
03/04 - Mao Live Club, Beijing
03/05 - Yuyintang, Shanghai
03/06 - VOX, Wuhan
03/08 - Aperture Club, Xian
03/09 - New little bar, Chengdu
03/10 - Nuts Club, Chongqing
03/11 - Iron Age, Guangzhou
03/12 - Hangout, Hongkong
03/13 - The Wall, Taiwan

In other news, head to their myspace blog to download a new Porn Sword Tobacco remix of the track "Sons of ghosts".

Ef - 301 LWA (video)

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:55:29 -0800

A new video from Swedish postrockers Ef for the song "401 LWA", off the album "Mourning golden morning". Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhOm-rJAPw

Ef debut to get vinyl reissue, more

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:16:33 -0700

Ef is getting Magnus Lindberg (Tonteknik Studios/Cult of Luna) to remix and remaster their debut album "Give me beauty... or give me death!" for a vinyl rerelease. They'll also be tacking a previously unreleased track from 2006 onto the album called "Misinform the uninformed" that they never finished but recently remedied by added extra adornment. German label Kapitän Platte will be handling the pressing and it will be 2xLP with heavy silkscreened sleeves in a limited edition of 600 copies with the first 100 being extra special for preorder customers. And speaking of Kapitän Platte, they're also doing the vinyl press for Immanu El's recent release "Moen". Details: http://www.kapitän-platte.de/

Ef - Longing for colors (Araki remix)

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:36:12 -0700

Check out a remix Ramus Kellerman did for Swedish postrockers Ef under his alias Araki: http://rasmuskellerman.com/?p=969

The Silent Ballet reviews Ef

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:10:25 -0700

The Silent Ballet reviews the new Ef record "Morning good mourning": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/3248/Default.aspx

Ef is TSB's band of the week

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:50:12 -0700

Ef is the band of the week at The Silent Ballet: http://www.thesilentballet.com/dnn/Articles/tabid/55/ctl/Details/mid/412/ItemID/3223/Default.aspx

Sirius playlist week #11

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:33:31 -0700

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

01. Laakso - Worst case scenario
02. TALK 1
03. Du Pacque - Walk straight
04. Pascal - Tutti frutti
05. Nirvana 2002 - The awakening of...
06. Lapko - I shot the sheriff
07. TALK 2
08. The Floor is Made of Lava - The bigger picture
09. No Balls - Guilt blocker
10. Obliteration - Styxerian path (into darkness)
11. Next Life - Anti matter
12. TALK 3
13. Ikons - Imperiet
14. The Skull Defekts - Habit
15. Familjen - När planeterna stannat
16. TALK 4
17. Meleeh - Sun and moon
18. Kite - I give you the morning
19. Ef - 401 Lwa
20. TALK 5

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.

Ef - Longing for colors

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:19:28 -0800

Swedish postrockers Ef have a new track up at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ef

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.

Ef confirm new album, tour, etc.

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:57:38 -0800

Swedish postrock act Ef will release their new album "Mourning golden morning" on April 1 and German label Kapitän Platte will be pressing up 600 copies of it on double-vinyl. Preview a track at myspace and get upcoming European tourdates: http://www.myspace.com/ef

Ef - Sons of ghosts

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:11:31 -0800

There's a brand new track from Ef up at myspace for both streaming and free download (scroll down): http://www.myspace.com/ef

And the Sound now with Border

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:57:49 -0700

Swedish post-rock label And the Sound (Ef, Immanu El) has signed a new distro deal with Border Music for the territory of Scandinavia.

Ef to spend June in Euroland

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:09:07 -0700

Swedish postrock act Ef is heading out this week on their 10th European tour:

06/09 - Bahnhof Langendreer, Bochum (GER)
06/10 - Special Show w/Halo Of Pendor @ Club Keller, Frankfurt (GER)
06/11 - Peter Pan, Bellinzona (CH)
06/12 - B-Sides Festival, Luzern (CH)
06/13 - Zwölf zehn, Stuttgart (GER)
06/14 - B72, Wien (AUS)
06/15 - VK, Brussel (BEL)
06/16 - Karlstorbanhof, Heidelberg (GER)
06/17 - Bierstindl, Innsbruck (AUS)
06/18 - Cafe Del Cristallo, Bolzano (ITA)
06/19 - Forum Stadtpark, Graz (AUS)
06/20 - Engelsburg - Krämenbruckenfest, Erfurt (GER)
06/21 - Special Show w/Michailov @ Hans Wurst, Berlin (GER)
06/22 - Dot Club (LiveAtDot), Berlin (GER)
06/23 - Pod Jaszczurami, Krakow (POL) 06/24 - UT Connewitz, Leipzig (GER)
06/25 - Fusion Festival, Lärz (GER)
06/26 - Beatpol, Dresden (GER)
06/27 - Hafen 2 Open Air Festival, Offenbach (GER)
06/28 - Hafenklang, Hamburg (GER)

Top 10s for 2008: Niklas Åström (And the Sound)

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Top 10.
No specific order.

Uzi & Ari - Headworms CD

Gregor Samsa - Rest CD

God Is An Astronaut - St CD

Tiger Lou - A partial print CD

MGMT - Oracular spectacular CD

Park Hotell - Free for friends CD

The Samuel Jackson Five - Goodbye melody mountain CD

Suffocate For Fuck Sake - Blazing fires and helicopters... CD

Calder - St CD

Yann Tiersen - Tabarly CD

---------------------------
Niklas Åström runs And the Sound Records, home to the bands Ef and Immanu El. Expect loads more tours in 2009 as well as new signings, new affiliates to work around the globe with, new albums and more.
www.andthesound.se
www.myspace.com/atsrecords

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, 29 Sep 2008 16:47:29 -0700

Danish shoegazers Slaraffenland will release their new "Sunshine EP" on October 6 via Rumraket and will also be heading out on some European dates around that time as well:

10/07 - Astra Stube, Hamburg (GER)
10/08 - Steinbruch, Duisburg (GER)
10/09 - Schokoladen, Berlin (GER) w/Handsome Furs, Jacob Faurholt
10/11 - Gleis 22, Münster (GER) w/Ef
10/12 - Ut Connewitz, Leipzig (GER)
10/14 - Jadlodajnia Filozoficzna, Warsaw (POL)
10/15 - De Kreun, Kortrijk (BEL)
10/16 - Cul de Sac, Tilburg (NL)
10/17 - Platformtheater, Groningen (NL)
10/25 - Spot on Denmark @ TIVOLI for the Nordic Blizzard Festival, Utrecht (NL)
10/31 - La Fléche D'or, Paris (FRA)
11/01 - Novosonic Festival, Dijon (FRA)
11/02 - Dqliq, Luxembourg (LUX)
11/07 - De Nachten Festival, Antwerp (BEL)
11/14 - Spot on Denmark @ AB, Brussels (BEL)

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:14:37 -0700

The excellent melancholy Danish rock act Skywriter will have their album "Where both worlds never meet" released in Germany on October 10, so of course they'll also be coming over for a few shows:

10/09 - Kofferfabrik, Fürth
10/10 - Cafe Panam, Leipzig
10/11 - Astra Stube, Hamburg
10/12 - Forum, Bielefeld w/Ef
10/15 - Zwölfzehn, Stuttgart

Hear samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/skywriterdk

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:09:42 -0700

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

01. Midnight Choir - Will you carry me across the water?
02. TALK 1
03. Anna Maria Espinosa - Everyday
04. I Are Droid - Sevenfold
05. Paavoharju - Kevätrumpu
06. TALK 2
07. I'm From Barcelona - Music killed me
08. Marit Bergman - All that I ask of the morning
09. Ef - Thrills
10. TALK 3
11. Hello Saferide - Anna
12. Freddie Wadling - Running madly backwards
13. Tobias Hellkvist - Vintervarm
14. TALK 4
15. Scraps of Tape - Vibrancy
16. Oskar Schönning - Stoner
17. Elias and the Wizzkids - 24
18. TALK 5
19. Robert Svensson - Young enough (ft. Markus Krunegård)

Reminder: My show on Sirius Left of Center (channel 26) airs Sundays at 11pm ET with repeats on Monday at the same time.

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:52:02 -0700

All releases from And the Sound are now back in-stock and ready for order:

Ef - Give me beauty... or give me death!
Immanu El - They'll come, they come
Ef - I am responsible

Other new releases now in-stock:

Tobias Hellkvist - Sides (CD)
On Volcano - My sleep was filled with dreams (CDEP)

Hopefully you are a regular reader and already familiar with these artists because they are both excellent and highly recommended. I'm excited to offer them to you in my webstore.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:04:06 -0700

Somehow I almost forgot to post this week's radio show playlist:

01. Bloodbath - Blasting the virginborn
02. TALK 1
03. Håkan Hellström - Långa vägar
04. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr. Happy
05. Victims - Bomben har fallit
06. TALK 2
07. Death By Kite - Sweet M
08. Ef - Thrills
09. The Bombhappies - Nothing at all
10. TALK 3
11. Motorpsycho - The alchemyst
12. Marybell Katastrophy - Hidden agenda
13. TALK 4
14. In Flames - Moonshield
15. Maskinen - Alla som inte dansar (100dirty remix)
16. The Social Services - Baltic Sea
17. TALK 5
18. Peter Morén - Social competence
19. Lack - Bombing the moon
20. Dmitry Fydorov - Signal
21. TALK 6
22. Looptroop Rockers - The building
23. Six Guns - Think positive
24. Nybakat! - Limu limu lima
25. TALK 7
26. Saft - Sizzling
27. Electric Retard - Greenvalley High
28. Lukestar - The shade you hide
29. Samtidigt Som - Constant in motion
30. TALK 8
31. Bad Cash Quartet - Monday morning
32. Monkeystrikes - I'm sorry, but I'm very dramatic
33. Commando M Pigg - Shoeshine boy
34. Weeping Willows - Touch me
35. TALK 9
36. Pistol Disco - Beat of the tune

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:31:44 -0700

Bassist Mikael Hillergård has parted ways with Swedish postrock act Ef. No replacement has been announced so far.

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:46:27 -0700

The Silent Ballet on Ef's new album "I am responsible": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/1264/Default.aspx

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:49:38 -0700

AngryApe reviews Ef's new album "I am responsible": http://angryape.com/reviews/2008/03/18/ef-i-am-responsible

MP3: Ef - Appendix

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:06:08 -0700

A nice bonus from having done this site for so long (5½ years and counting!) is that I get to watch bands grow over the years, keeping track of them as they hone their sound and figure out what they want to do. I didn't really care much for Ef at the demo stage - their music was far too busy and unfocused - but their proper debut full-length "Give me beauty... or give me death!" was a huge step in the right direction. Less focus on riffs, more emphasis on composition and songwriting, not to mention a better feel for atmosphere. The new album "I am responsible" takes things further by demonstrating new-found patience and restraint, two traits that were definitely missing from their earliest material. By holding back, they imbue the music with far more drama and I think that's most evident on the track "Appendix". Lots of long, suspended notes; a steady build. The spoken vocals remind me a bit of emo act Indian Summer more than standard postrock flair, but I think that's a good thing. I am typically all about the big, crashing loud part that so often comes at the end of a song like this, but by avoiding that cliché, they've created something with more of their own distinct personality. Nicely done!

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:48:55 -0700

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

01. The Bear Quartet - Put me back together
02. TALK 1
03. Karin Ström - Silent night
04. Camouflage - Syster sol
05. Ulf Ljusberg - Whatever was
06. TALK 2
07. Juvelen - Don't mess
08. Invocator - Breed of sin
09. The Grand Opening - Secrets revealed
10. TALK 3
11. Motorpsycho - For free
12. Coldworker - Flammable
13. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Photo Jenny
14. TALK 4
15. Egil Olsen - Singer/songwriter
16. Last Days of April - Will the violins be playing?
17. Desert Planet - Riot sector 68
18. TALK 5
19. Printer - Satisfaction
20. Psyke Project - Physical romance
21. Promise and the Monster - Light reflecting papers
22. TALK 6
23. Marybell Katastrophy - Hidden agenda
24. Pan Sonic - Johdin
25. Opération Zéro - Etude no. 1
26. TALK 7
27. Jonas Game - Nothing to lose
28. Mari Boine - Tundra flower
29. Vapnet - Plötsligt händer det inte
30. TALK 8
31. Moto Boy - Ride my wild heart
32. Markus Krunegård - Jag är en vampyr
33. Gravy - Behind my walls
34. TALK 9
35. Looptroop Rockers - The building
36. Victims - Victims in blood #5
37. Anna Leong - Guillotine
38. Zeigeist - Humanitarianism
39. TALK 10
40. Ef - Appendix

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:13:25 -0800

The first batch of CDs I got from And the Sound blew out of here mighty quick, but fear not! More have arrived! Check it:

Ef - Give me beauty... or give me death!
Immanu El - They'll come, they come
Ef - I am responsible

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:08:35 -0800

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

01. Disfear - Deadweight
02. TALK 1
03. The Social Services - Up in arms
04. Kaka - The hotspurs (the less know the faster we go)
05. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Manic panic
06. TALK 2
07. Tiger Lou - Patterns
08. Paper - My life is going under
09. Dreamboy - Stars
10. TALK 3
11. Lack - Watchmen
12. Don't Be A Stranger - Mon chi-chi
13. Ea Philippa - Heslenes sang
14. TALK 4
15. Ef - Thrills
16. Isolation Years - Yellow cross on blue
17. Frivolvol - Satellite kids
18. TALK 5
19. Enslaved - Eld
20. The Grand Opening - Secrets revealed
21. Ultralyd - Comphonie V
22. TALK 8
23. Firefok AK - Techno tears
24. The Indecision Alarm - Alienation process
25. Looptroop Rockers - Marinate
26. TALK 7
27. Markus Krunegård - Jag är en vampyr
28. The End Will Be Kicks - Exit ramps
29. Cadillac - Locomotive
30. TALK 8
31. Lukestar - Lake Toba
32. Commando M Pigg - Baby doll
33. Printer - Minds out
34. TALK 9
35. Seven Feet Four - Auto emotion
36. Tobias Hellkvist - Abomination
37. Barra Head - Undermine
38. TALK 10
39. Britta Persson - Happy hour
40. Anna Leong - Guillotine
41. Ted Gärdestad - Can't stop this train
42. TALK 11

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:50:58 -0800

New arrivals in the mailorder department:

Ef - Give me beauty... or give me death!
Immanu El - They'll come, they come
Ef - I am responsible

Copies on-hand are limited, so if you've been waiting for these I advise you to act fast.

Top 10s for 2007: Niklas Åström (Ef, And the Sound)

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

These albums have made the biggest impact on me during 2007.

Logh – North
After the disappointment that "A sunset panorama" left me with, I met this album with quite lot pessimism. Downloaded it during Music in Mind festival in Brugge, Belgium in February and it really blew me away, and saved me from dying of boredom during the long drives the rest of the ef tour.

Digitalism – Digitalism
2007 was the year I discovered how fun it was to dance the nights away with this kind of techno/electroklash/trash/whatever. "Pogo" might be the song of the summer 2007.

Radiohead – In rainbows
No need for comments.

Aerial – The sentinel
The best indie/post rock album of 2007, and it's Swedish! I love those lyrical parts.

Sdnmt – The goal is to make the animals happy
The second best indie/post rock albums of 2007, and it's German! And yeah, the lyrical parts are lovely here as well ;)

Polarkreis 18 – s/t
Mix Sigur Rós, Radiohead and Coldplay and you kind of get it. Great songwriting, nice ideas, well produced, superb sound. And it's German! Who could believe that?

Siva. - The story is complete, but I think we've lost the book
What the... another German indie band that gets on my list?! Great alternative indie rock, heavily influed by Radiohead, but is still able to make something of their own.

Staffraen Hákon – Gummi
I rediscovered this Icelandic artist. Last time I listened to him was in 2004, and was more minimalistic and ambient electronica. Now its pure Icelandic beauty in the veins of Sigur Rós, all topped with vocals signed Efterklang.

Amiina – Kurr
More Icelandic beauty! Strings, toy instruments and electronics topped with tender vocals. Lovely piece of music that makes me relax.

Olafur Arnalds - Eulogy for Evolution
And the 3^rd Icelandic artist! I never thought strings and piano would attract me so much it did during 2007. Together with the soundtrack of The Fountain (signed Clint Mansell), Johann Johansson and Max Ricther – Olafur Arnalds really get me nailed to modern alternative classical music.

---------------------------
Niklas Åström plays drums for the band Ef and also runs the label And the Sound. Ef's new album "I am responsible" will be released on January 19 via ATS.
www.andthesound.se
www.efmusic.nu
www.myspace.com/ef

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:06:41 -0800

Samples of Ef's forthcoming album "I am responsible" are now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ef
It comes out January 19 via And the Sound.

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:18:49 -0800

Ef's new album, due out early next year via And the Sound, will be called ""I am responsible".

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:24:35 -0800

Swedish post-rockers Ef on tour in January:

01/19 - Release party, Sticky Fingers, Göteborg (SWE)
01/23 - Bei Chez Heinz, Hannover (GER)
01/24 - Vortex, Siegen (GER)
01/26 - Gleis 22, Münster (GER)
01/27 - Groovestation, Dresden (GER)
01/29 - Nbi, Berlin (GER)
01/30 - Cafe Panam, Leipzig (GER)
01/31 - Ms Stubnitz, Rostock (GER)

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:07:50 -0800

Swedish postrock-centric label And the Sound (Ef, Immanu El) has a new website: http://www.andthesound.net/
I should hopefully be getting copies of their releases in the webstore any day now.

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish post-rock act Immanu El has signed with And The Sound Records (Ef) and will be releasing their debut album "They'll come, they come" later this year. Listen to samples: http://www.myspace.com/immanuelband

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish post-rockers Ef will have their album "Give me beauty... or give me death" released in the US via One Day Savior as a limited edition vinyl LP. Actual release date to be confirmed soon.

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish post-rockers Ef have a new live video posted online: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=2011494618

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

Some new dates for Swedish post-rockers Ef:

02/14 - Burgerweishus, Deventer (NL)
02/15 - Winstons Kingdom, Amsterdam (NL)
02/16 - Koornbeurs, Delft (NL)
02/17 - Music in Mind Festival, Brügge (BEL)
02/19 - La fleche d´or, Paris (FRA)
02/20 - Radio Oriente, Karlsruhe (GER)
02/21 - d:qliq, Luxemburg (LUX)
02/22 - Clubkeller, Frankfurt (GER)
02/24 - Jaz, Rostock (GER)

Ef Give me beauty… or give me death! And the Sound

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Trying to find any other word than 'moving' to describe Ef's debut is something I've been struggling with these past few days. With a wide arrangement of instruments to use at their discretion, they've constructed a sublime collection of post-rock that's as forceful as it is grounding. Each song careens down a path of delay-driven guitars and yearning strings and even a few scattered vocals here and there to give the record a little more room to breathe. At times "Give me beauty…or give me death!" seems to have the power to make time speed up around you with the captivating rise and fall of "Final touch/hidden agenda", and at other times, it can slow things down with the humbling sway of "Hello Scotland". Any post-rock listener should take note: Ef might just be the band you're looking for during this cold, cold winter.

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

New European dates for Swedish post-rockers Ef:

02/13 - 1000 Fryd, Aalborg (DK)
02/14 - Burgerweeshuis, Deventer (NL)
02/15 - Winston Kingdom, Amsterdam (NL)
02/16 - Koornbeurs, Delft (NL)
02/17 - Music in Mind, Brugge (BEL)
02/19 - La Flache D'or, Paris (FRA)
02/21 - D.qlique, Luxemburg (LUX)
02/22 - Clubkeller, Frankfurt (GER)
02/24 - JAZ, Rostock (GER)

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Upcoming European dates for Swedish post-rockers Ef:

09/20 - Rio Rio, Göteborg (SWE)
09/27 - UT Connewitz, Leipzig (GER)
09/28 - NBI, Berlin (GER)
09/29 - Kult 41, Bonn (GER)
09/30 - JH De Choke, Herselt (BEL)
10/01 - Negasonic, Aalst (BEL)
10/02 - Bitterzoet, Amsterdam (NL)
10/04 - 603qm, Darmstadt (GER)
10/05 - Cul De Sac, Tillburg (NL)
10/06 - MS Stubnitz, Amsterdam (NL)
10/07 - JAZ, Rostock (GER)

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish post-rockers Ef have cancelled their UK tour planned for September and will instead try to return sometime in early 2007. The reason? Money. Isn't it always? But on the plus side, they'll be doing some more dates around Northern Europe and you can get the latest here: http://www.efmusic.nu/live.htm

MP3: Ef - Ett

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Despite the ridiculous, pretentious title, Ef's debut full-length "Give me beauty... or give me death!" is actually quite good. I didn't really have high expectations since I found their earlier demo material to be lacking, but I have to admit that they really pulled it together. The playing is much more solid and the arrangements are tight and really flow nicely, exactly the way good post-rock should. Perhaps they listened to my criticism that "less is more" because the busy math-rock riffs I disliked in the past are gone. Regardless of where the inspiration came from, it's a marked improvement. This particular track I've posted also shows that these guys are more than capable of incorporating string arrangements as well. Genre aficionados will probably complain that the songwriting isn't all that original (it's not), but it's solid enough that I don't care. It sounds good and that's enough for me. Originality it totally overrated anyway.

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

Ef's debut album "Give me beauty... or give me death!" has been licensed to Japan's Thomason Sound for release over there. Look for it on July 5.

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

Absolut Noise does a little Q&A with Ef: http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2006/04/dark-side-of-moon_25.html

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The new website for And The Sound is now online: http://andthesound.se
As mentioned before, the old webzine is gone and now replaced by a label/booking agency/promotor group. Their first release will be the debut full-length "Give me beauty... Or give me death" from Göteborg-based post-rock act Ef.

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Upcoming tourdates for Swedish post-rockers Ef:

04/06 - Sticky Fingers, Gothenburg (SWE)
05/18 - NBI, Berlin (GER)
05/19 - Koornbeurs, Delft (NL)
05/20 - ViRi Festival, Eindhoven (NL)
05/21 - Negasonic, Aalst (BEL)
05/22 - Carlo Levi, Liege (BEL)
05/23 - Club Keller, Frankfurt (GER)
05/24 - Az Conni, Dresden (GER)
05/25 - Béi Chéz Heinz, Hannover (GER)
05/26 - Asta Stube, Hamburg (GER)
05/27 - 1000fryd, Aalborg (DK)
08/07 - Formanova Festival, Fredricia (DK)
09/21 - The Grapes, Sheffield (UK)
09/22 - Catch 22, London (UK)
09/23 - Tap N Tin, Chatham (UK)

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish post-rockers Ef have posted a couple new songs from upcoming album "Give me beauty... Or give me death" on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ef

Tue, 07 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish post-rockers Ef have announced that their new album will be called "Give me beauty... or give me death". Just a little dramatic, eh? See them live:

03/10 - Hugos, Norrköping (SWE) w/Kristian Anttila
04/26 - Sticky Fingers, Gothenburg (SWE)
05/20 - ViRi Festival, Eindhoven (NL)
05/22 - Carlo Levi, Liege (BEL)
05/23 - Club Keller, Frankfurt (GER)
05/24 - Az Conni, Dresden (GER) w/Mobile
05/25 - Béi Chéz Heinz, Hannover (GER) w/Delbo and Klez_e
05/26 - Asta Stube, Hamburg (GER)
05/27 - 1000fryd, Aalborg (DK) w/Mimas
08/07 - Formanova Festival, Fredricia (DK)
09/21 - The Grapes, Sheffield (UK) w/Alex Kid
09/22 - Catch 22, London (UK) w/UpCandDownC
09/23 - Tap N Tin, Chatham (UK) w/UpCandDownC

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

Jezebel Recordings has updated their website with artwork, details and mp3 clips from their new "A trilogy of dreams noise and silence" 7" series featuring the Swedish post-rock acts EF, Molia Falls and Scraps of Tape. Go there now: http://www.jezebelrecordings.com/

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Check out an article from DecoyMusic on the Swedish post-rock/instrumental scene including the acts September Malevolence, Scraps of Tape, Ef, Ellis the Vacuumchild and Once We Were: http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4442

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Jezebel Recording's upcoming post-rock 7" collection "A trilogy of dreams noise and silence" will release one record each from Ef, Molia Falls and the previously mentioned Scraps of Tape. They should be out in October/November.

Mon, 11 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish post-rockers Ef will tour Europe in October. Keep up-to-date with their gig schedule here: http://www.twee.nu/ef/live.htm

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

US label Raise the Red Flag has signed Swedish post-rockers Ef and will release the band's debut CD by the end of the year.

Ef Demo self-released

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

The Swedish post-rock scene is constantly improving in quality and likewise, so is Ef. Each new recording from these guys shows more and more promise, but I still think they have some ways to go. Quality music of this genre relies heavily on tension, but Ef has a hard time staying restrained long enough for that feeling to set in. The climatic noisy moments work well, but the quieter parts need to be quieter and they need to be drawn out as they build-up. Less is more! Same goes for the heavy use of effects - a little can go a long way and I think some extra restraint in that department would do some good as well. But regardless of these issues, I must reiterate how impressed I am by this band's progress. Give them time and they'll get it right.

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

Swedish post-rockers Ef have posted their latest 3-track demo for download: http://www.twee.nu/ef/hear.htm
I was forunate enough to receive a CDR copy of this the other week and can happily report that the band is getting better and better with each new release. I still think they overplay a bit, but there are far worse musical crimes than that.

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

Check out a brand new demo track from Swedish post-rockers Ef: http://twee.ath.cx:8080/%7Eef/Tomorrow_my_friend_112.mp3

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

Ef reports that they recently completed a new recording with Kristian Antilla engineering. Two songs, about 30 minutes worth of material. Look for them to have it for sale soon at upcoming shows. I'm presuming it'll be a CDR release?

Thu, 30 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

The En Ljummen i Gräset festival website has posted a bunch of live tracks from last year's show, including stuff from Richard Reagh, Britta Persson, Loney, Dear, Plod, Ef, Fire Fox and more: http://www.ljummen.com/index.php?page=tidigare

Mon, 27 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Stjärna webzine interviews Swedish instrumental post-rock act Ef: http://www.stjarnaproductions.com/viewfeature.php?id=24

Thu, 26 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The Swedish indie/postrock band Ef has posted a recording on their entire show at Ljummenfestival in Stockholm last month. Download it from their website: http://www.efmusic.net/

Wed, 07 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The full line-up and schedule for the En ljummen i gräset Festival at Vintervikens trädgård has been announced:

07/24: Differnet, Loney, Dear, K (Krister Linder/Dive), The Fine Arts Showcase, EF, The Sorayas, Deltahead, Cirera, Walter Sound System
07/28: Jens Lekman, Britta Persson, Natasha Lea Jones (UK)
07/31: Popundret, richard reagh&wwnb2, QOPH, Namur, I Love You Baby, The Bright And Shiny, Thomas Denver Jonsson, Tony Clifton, Walter Sound System
08/07: The Deportees, Paatos, Montys Loco, Empire Dogs, The Tiny, Plod, Dexter's Moon, Walter Sound System
08/11: Heikki, Hip Whips
08/14: First Floor Power, Ane Brun, Rundfunk, Tobias Fröberg, Fire fox, The Sunshine, Le Muhr, Un Rodo Cora

More info: http://www.ljummen.com/

Fri, 25 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

EF has posted the song "11 shots and a sudden death" for download: http://twee.ath.cx/%7Eef/Ef-demo3-112/ef-11_shots_and_a_sudden_death_demo3_2004.mp3