Check out this trailer for the upcoming Efterklang album "Piramida", due out this September via 4AD/Rumraket. The clip features footage of the band in the abandoned Russian island of Spitsbergen, an Arctic island near the north pole where the namesake ghost town of Pyramiden is located.

Dungen - Skit i allt
Paleface - Helsinki – Shangri-La
Frisk Frugt - Dansktoppen møder Burkina Faso i det himmelblå rum hvor solen bor, suite
Susanne Sundfør - The Brothel
Robyn - Body talk
Jónsi - Go Do
Efterklang - Magic Chairs
Serena Maneesh - S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor
The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a scheme
Ólöf Arnalds - Innundir skinni
Kvelertak - Kvelertak
First Aid Kit - The big black & the blue

The winner will be announced during by:Larm in Oslo February 17-19. More here: http://nordicmusicprize.com/

01. Efterklang - Magic chairs
02. Søren Huss - Troen & ingen
03. 4 Guys From The Future - Under the new morning sun
04. De Eneste To - De eneste to
05. Love Shop - Frelsens hær
06. Agnes Obel - Philharmonics
07. The Floor Is Made Of Lava - Howl at the moon
08. The Malpractice - Tectonics
09. The Rumour Said Fire - The arrogant
10. The Informations - Noah's ark

Link: http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/45156

Album:
De Eneste To - De eneste to (Copenhagen Records/Sony Music)
Efterklang - Magic chairs (A:larm Music)
Kashmir - Trespassers (Sony Music)
The Floor Is Made Of Lava - Howl at the moon (Target Distribution)
The Rumour Said Fire - The arrogant (A:larm Music)

Band:
De Eneste To (Copenhagen Records/Sony Music)
Efterklang (A:larm Music)
Kashmir (Sony Music)
The Floor Is Made Of Lava (Target Distribution)
The Rumour Said Fire (A:larm Music)

Female artist:
Fallulah (Sony Music)
Henriette Sennenwaldt (Under Byen) (A:larm Music)
Medina (A:larm Music)
Naja Rosa (Zewski Music)
Rebekka Maria Andersson (RebekkaMaria) (A:larm Music)

Male artist:
Jacob Bellens (Murder) (Good Tape Records)
Jesper Lidang (The Rumour Said Fire) (A:larm Music)
Kasper Eistrup (Kashmir) (Sony Music)
Søren Huss (Universal Music))
Tobias Kippenberger (The Floor Is Made Of Lava) (Target Distribution)

Newcomer:
De Eneste To (Copenhagen Records/Sony Music)
Fallulah (Sony Music)
Ginger Ninja (Sony Music)
The Rumour Said Fire (A:larm Music)
Vinnie Who (EMI Music)

Hit song:
Dúné - Dry lips (Iceberg Records)
Dúné - Let go of your love (Iceberg Records)
Hej Matematik - Party i Provinsen (Copenhagen Records)
Nephew Feat. Landsholdet - The Danish way to rock (Copenhagen Records)
Turboweekend - Trouble is (Sony Music)

Music video:
Burhan G Feat. Nik & Jay - Tættere på himlen (dir: Michael Sauer Christensen) (Copenhagen Records)
De Eneste To - Morten (dir: Casper Dalhoff) (Copenhagen Records/Sony Music)
Kashmir - Still boy (dir: Jakob Printzlau) (Sony Music)
The Floor Is Made Of Lava - Leave me now (dir: Casper Balslev) (Target Distribution)
Under Byen - Unoder (dir: Manyar I. Parwani) (A:Larm Music)

Full list: http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/44683

Danish act Efterklang and French director Vincent Moon have collaborated on an album-length film project entitled "An island" and this is the first preview clip. Look for it to premiere in February 2011. Direct link: http://vimeo.com/16564996

02/17 - Muziekcentrum Vredenburg, Utrecht
02/18 - Muziekcentrum Frits Philips, Eindhoven
02/19 - De Oosterpoort, Groningen
02/20 - De Doelen, Rotterdam

01. Familjen
02. Robyn
03. Säkert!
04. Håkan Hellström
05. Moneybrother
06. First Aid Kit
07. Kent
08. The Tough Alliance
09. Efterklang
10. Broder Daniel

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

01. Säkert!
02. Jens Lekman
03. Robyn
04. Håkan Hellström
05. Shout Out Louds
06. Kent
07. The Concretes
08. Best Coast
09. Efterklang
10. The Radio Dept.

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

01. Robyn
02. Familjen
03. Oskar Linnros
04. The Drums
05. Jens Lekman
06. Efterklang
07. The National
08. Shout Out Louds
09. Dungen
10. Bob Hund

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

At a festival that's one of Scandinavia's most music business-oriented, awash with press and promoters, the rabid enthusiasm of the crowds here came as a pleasant surprise. At SPOT this weekend there was an unbridled this-is-the-best-show-ever vibe at gigs ranging from the metal of Kellermensch to the hip-hop of Specktors and the ethereal indie of singer-songwriter Moto Boy. Ginger Ninja (bad name, good band) were tearing it up, too.

But it's Iceland's FM Belfast who have to take the top prize when it comes to audience participation. They persuaded an entire auditorium to hide, crouched on their haunches, to create the illusion of an empty concert hall before popping up again when the beat dropped. The Sunday night set featured the incourageable Icelanders' partaaaay-style take on everything from "Welcome to the jungle" (by "Guns n' Motherfucking Roses" they reminded us) to "Pump up the jam" by Technotronic and RATM's "Killing in the name of" (released as their single "Lotus").

- Sophy Grimshaw

The two most internationally established acts on the bill are big hitters (in this context, anyway) Efterklang and The Kissaway Trail. The former's new album "Magic chairs" is seeing them garner more British buzz than ever (from the BBC, NME, Mojo, et al); while The Kissaway Trail are also on a roll and have just returned from tour dates in the States with new disc "Sleep Mountain" in tow, the band's first American release.

Last night's opening night concert was a unique collaboration between the bands Efterklang and Slaraffenland at the main concert hall (Musikhuset).

Naming themselves Slaraffenklang for the evening, the two acts merged as one and performed each others' songs as well as 'mash-ups' that combined two tracks simultaneously.

So Slaraffenland performed Efterklang's "Cutting ice to snow", and Efterklang responded with their take on Slaraffenland's track "Postcard". A highlight, from where I was standing at least, was a beautifully successful inter-mingling of "Mirror mirror" from Efterklang's "Magic chairs" with their comrades' track "Falling out".

Band uniforms of skeleton t-shirts (Slaraffenland) and coloured button-downs (Efterklang) were the only device that marked out which tribe was which.

Oh, and we were especially impressed when Efterklang's Casper Clausen accidentally spilled his drink across the stage of the concert hall, disappeared during an instrumental interlude, and reappeared with a towel he'd fetched to mop up the stage. The Danes! They really are civically-minded!

Other folks playing over the nest few days include Chimes and Bells and the truly spooky singer-songwriter Susanne Sundfør (check out her album "The brothel" if you haven't yet experienced her). Both acts were among the most buzzed-about at the By:Larm festival in Oslo earlier this year. It'll be interesting to see whether the first full length album from Chimes and Bells, due in 2011, will get the act the wider attention they deserve.

I'm here along with some other British journalists and will continue to blog with a few updates and interviews before things wind down on Sunday.

- Sophy Grimshaw

In theory. Imagine when I get the album and it plays more as a spiritual sister to Asteroids Galaxy Tour (one more band and it's officially a movement), a faulty electro-Motown update that I can't even dignify with the term pastiche, as the internet connotation of that word is moving ever so slightly towards "encomium" in our nostalgia-driven society. The sprightly percussion and electro-punk lean of album opener "Hawk" -- maybe the only redeemable song on this mini-album -- can't save SGSM from an overall lack of catchy choruses or cohesive arrangements. Typical of a crop of rising pop outfits in Scandinavia, SGSM tries to look in too many directions at once. Here's a nod to Pink Floyd, here's Le Tigre, and let's steep that all in the tinny pulse of turn-of-the-80s Krautrock! Overly smitten critics use buzzwords like "ELO" and "Kraftwerk", and in the process they forgive them for a dearth of palatable songs.

I don't know. Maybe the iPod commercialistas who find these bands great in 15 second snippets will continue to force feed us downmarket ethereals like SGSM in order to heighten the pop-futuristic appeal of tablet-based products. Maybe it's what we deserve. Whatever the case, I'm not nearly satisfied with Denmark's recent pop output. The country of Roskilde and indie greats The Raveonettes, Efterklang and Under Byen, to me, is of late lagging behind its Northern cousins in the pop arena. Whatever. Maybe we'll get lucky and the new Alphabeat album will become the Danish pop savior of 2010. Hah.]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:35:37 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33616-this-weeks-last-fm-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33616-this-weeks-last-fm-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33616-this-weeks-last-fm-chart#comments Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Beach House
02. The Radio Dept.
03. Loney, Dear
04. Shout Out Louds
05. jj
06. Moto Boy
07. Håkan Hellström
08. Yeasayer
09. David & the Citizens
10. Efterklang

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

01. Sambassadeur
02. Shout Out Louds
03. Efterklang
04. Beach House
05. The Radio Dept.
06. Jens Lekman
07. Oh No Ono
08. Yeasayer
09. The Soundtrack of Our Lives
10. El Perro del Mar

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Also shouting loud and getting everybody excited and sweaty last night were The New Wine, whose combination of Kiss-like black facepaint and Scandi checked shirts was surely an intriguing choice of stage gear during this Oslo Fashion Week.

Meanwhile, at the gentler end of the musical scale, Efterklang made the 4AD night no one will forget with a mesmerizing set they were clearly enjoying as much as the crowd were. Those who enjoyed it would surely also have dug Icelanders For a Minor Reflection -- four enchanting 19 year old boys who played at the start of the fest.

Oslo's own electronica hero Diskjokke brought the beats and glitter with a set that provided much needed dance-till-you-drop action, after all the (admittedly brilliant) Icelandic experimental noodling that had been going on this weekend. Diskjokke's dance party was almost impossible to beat, although another hometown act, Ingrid Olava, is the talented gal whose set made the cover of the day's festival newspaper. Her beautiful visage is already plastered all over town on the cover of Fredag mag, too.

- Sophy Grimshaw

(sorry for the delay in posting, but we had our reasons -Ed.)

01. Kent
02. Hello Saferide
03. Local Natives
04. Håkan Hellström
05. Jens Lekman
06. Port O'Brien
07. Taken By Trees
08. Efterklang
09. Laakso
10. Phoenix

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

First time I saw Our Broken Garden was last year at EuroSonic in Groningen in a very intimate venue. I admit that I was absolutely stunned by Anna Brønsted's melancholic voice. Later on I learned that she is a touring member of Efterklang, but most importantly that her music inspired the same reactions in ex-Cocteau Twins member Simon Raymonde, who currently runs Bella Union (home to greats such as Fleet Foxes, Explosions In The Sky, The Dears and Midlake) and who immediately signed them. Our Broken Garden have just finished a mini Belgian tour together with fellow Danes Under Byen. I caught up with Anna Brønsted before their Brussels-gig and managed to ask her a couple of questions.

How come you are extensively touring Belgium?

I noticed when I was touring with Efterklang that the Belgians are very attentive to this kind of music like Under Byen, Efterklang and Our Broken Garden, and then one day I got an offer from Belgian promoters Quiet Concerts to tour here, so that's why we're here now.

How has it been with Bella Union so far?

Wonderful! Bella Union is a label who is in the music buisness for the right reasons. Simon and the dudes are very idealistic about bringing out music which they really like, even though it might not be selling a lot. I think that's a brave point of view to have these days. They have a couple of big names like for example Fleet Foxes and Midlake who makes it possible for them to sign smaller acts as well. I am very happy with the guys at Bella Union, it feels safe and close to work with them.

How did the whole link emerge?

I added Simon as a friend on Myspace and he wrote me back saying: "Hi Anna, this sounds amazing, can I hear some more?" [Laughs] At first I couldn't believe he wrote me back, so when it slowly sank into my brain it made me very happy and proud.

Were you a fan of Cocteau Twins before?

Yeah, I love Cocteau Twins. I love the dreamy landscapes and Elizabeth's voice. But actually I got to know them quite late as I grew up on the countryside and the more alternative vibes of bands like the Cocteau Twins didn't reach the small village I lived in. I grew up listening to my dad's old jazz records.

What do you think are the actual merits of being on such a label?

I feel proud to be on a label that works with music out of love. And it feels good to be among other bands that you like and feel related to musically. Bella Union has integrity -- which I think is very important in the world of today.

What's the story on the beautiful video of "When your blackening shows"?

Phil Molloy, the director, came up with the whole idea for the video. It was filmed (by Nick Aiton) close to where we live in Denmark. I find this map in the video, and then I see that there are some lighting tents and I begin to search for them. The tents are all handmade by Phil. He did an amazing job!

But you go there and the tents are empty?

...Yeah, and then they begin to light up and one person then appears...

And you are holding hands! Is this a happy ending?

[Laughs] I don't know! I guess it is... Actually I like to think about my music in not very rational landscapes. I like visions combined with the music which are a bit surrealistic and trippy. A lot of the songs are related to some subconscious area of life, for example, dreams I have at night. I like this subconscious and abstract universe where things get a bit supernatural, and maybe unrealistic and irrational.

What's the story behind your bruise on the cover of the album?

It was a way to illustrate the title of the record, which is "When your blackening shows". That song is about showing each other the vulnerabilities and bruises which I think we all have inside is.

What other female singers do you like/are you influenced by?

I really love Kate Bush. I think she sings so beautifully and her music and the universe she makes is so special. Her expression is very feminine and strong at the same time. She is a brave woman. And also Elizabeth Fraser, her voice and expression is so pure and honest. As a child I've been listening to a lot of jazz music, because my dad is a jazz piano player. So I also heard a lot of Monica Zetterlund, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday.

The album is quite sorrowful. How about you? Does this reflect you as a person?

It definitely does. But I think we all contain many different personalities, moods and energies. We can all feel weak and strong, happy and sad you know, at different times. But it's true that "When your blackening shows" reflects especially that mellow side of life.

Is the process of writing music/lyrics and easy one?

It varies a lot. I usually have an idea of some lyrics before I start writing the music. Sometimes a song comes very easily, it almost feels like I didn't write it, and sometimes I really fight for one song for a long time.

How about the lyrics? Do you find it easy to express yourself in a foreign language?

I find it inspiring that English is not my mother tongue. And I don't think too much about whether it is one hundred percent correct the way I use the language. I like the thought that I might put words together in a new or not completely correct way.

What inspires you?

Many things. A movie, a book. The other day I went to an art exhibition by Thomas Kluge, so amazing and very inspiring. Human relations, different energies and moods also inspire me.

Do you play any instruments yourself?

I play the piano and sometimes I play the bass as well [as in the band The Sad Lovers which Anna has together with Under Byen bass player Sara Saxild]

You don't really use any digital gear on stage. Is this out of principle?

No, not really. It's just a matter of finding instruments that sounds good. And old gear often does.

Any signs of a new album?

I am working on new songs at the moment, and we're slowly working on new recordings -- We'll play some of the new songs tonight!

When is it going to be released?

Sometime next year I hope...

Is it going to sound similar and keep the vintage sound?

It will be quite different I think.

But you are working with the same people?

Yes, Søren Bigum and Moogie Johnson. I write the music and then we work out some drafts together. So far, it's hard to say when it is so new, but so far it seems it's going to be quite different from the first album.

What are your immediate plans after the tour?

I am going home to relax for a few days and then practice for my solo show in Bruges on 31st October at the Music in Mind Festival.

Words and pictures by Vasilis Panagiotopoulos

Best musician:
Tim Christensen
Mikkel Hess
Jannis Noya Makrigiannis (Choir of Young Believers)
Mike Sheridan
Frederik Thaae (A Kid Hereafter)
Best live act:
Albertslund Terrorkorps
Efterklang
L.O.C.
Spleen United
Teitur
Best producer:
Troels Abrahamsen (Veto m.m.)
Henrik Balling (Peter Sommer m.m.)
Michael Patterson (Spleen United)
Rune Rask (L.O.C.)
Anders Rhedin & Fridolin Nordsø (Choir of Young Believers)
Best vocalist:
Troels Abrahamsen (Veto)
Marie Højlund (Marybell Katastrophy)
L.O.C.
Jannis Noya Makrigiannis (Choir of Young Believers)
Peter Sommer
Best lyrics:
Annika Aakjær
Sys Bjerre
Jørgen Leth
L.O.C.
Peter Sommer
Year's hope/best newcomer:
Annika Aakjær
Fagget Fairys
Marybell Katastrophy
Mellemblond
Mike Sheridan
Best song:
Choir of Young Believers - Next Summer
L.O.C. - Hvorfor vil du ik'?
Peter Sommer - Vi falder først den dag vi kigger ned
Spleen United - Suburbia
Veto - You Say Yes, I Say Yes
Best composer:
Troels Abrahamsen (Veto m.m.)
Marie Højlund (Marybell Katastrophy)
Jannis Noya Makrigiannis (Choir of Young Believers)
Rune Rask (L.O.C.)
Peter Sommer
Best band:
Choir of Young Believers
Marybell Katastrophy
Spleen United
VETO
Volbeat
Best album:
Choir of Young Believers - This Is For The White In Your Eyes
L.O.C. - Melankolia/XXXCouture
Marybell Katastrophy - The More
Peter Sommer - Til rotterne, til kragerne, til hundene
Veto - Crushing Digits

More here: http://www.steppeulv.dk/

01. Next Life - The decisive
02. TALK 1
03. Florence Valentin - Spring Ricco
04. Scraps of Tape - Bring the heavy
05. Slaraffenland - I'm a machine
06. TALK 2
07. PowerSolo - Pirates of the oblivion
08. Efterklang - Mirador
09. 18th Dye - Soft the hard way
10. Snake & Jet's Amazing Bullit Band - Ten cities beyond
11. TALK 3
12. High Hats - The end
13. Samuraj Cities - Spoonful of talk
14. Jesper Norda - Gentle and slow with a new sharp edge
15. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless
16. TALK 4
17. Kristofer Åström - Twentyseven
18. Turboweekend - Something or nothing
19. Dyno - Deliverance
20. Abcess Exil - Stormens öga
21. TALK 5
22. Ironville - The wild

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU, except for this week when it aired on Monday with a repeat on Tuesday (tonight). That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

03/05 - Nectar Lounge, Seattle, WA
03/06 - Media Club, Vancouver, BC
03/07 - Doug Fir, Portland, OR
03/08 - Bottom Of The Hill, San Francisco, CA
03/09 - Brewery, Visalia, CA
03/10 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA
03/11 - Plush, Tucson, AZ
03/13 - Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City, UT
03/14 - Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO
03/16 - Opolis, Norman, OK
03/17 - Hailey’s, Denton, TX
03/18 - SXSW, Austin, TX
03/19 - SXSW, Austin, TX
03/20 - SXSW, Austin, TX
03/21 - SXSW, Austin, TX
03/23 - The Engine Room, Tallahassee, FL
03/24 - Earl, Atlanta, GA
03/25 - Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
03/26 - DC 9, Washington, DC
03/27 - The First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA
03/28 - Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
03/30 - TT the Bears, Boston, MA
03/31 - tba, Montreal, PQ
04/01 - El Mocambo, Toronto, ONT
04/02 - Garfield Artwork, Pittsburgh, PA
04/03 - Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH
04/04 - Schubas, Chicago, IL

01. Johan Heltne - Din alkoholism är ingen alkoholism
02. TALK 1
03. Doktor Kosmos - Doktor Kosmos spelar på Tensta torg
04. Oliver North Boy Choir - New folder
05. Firefox AK + Laid - Once I was like you
06. TALK 2
07. THe Eight Arms Around You - Guilt ridden
08. Efterklang - Step aside
09. Orjan Hultén Trio ft. Fakir Karlsson - Untitled
10. TALK 3
11. Kornstad Trio - Intornette
12. Dmitry Fydorov - Greetings, D!
13. Disfear - Live the storm
14. TALK 4
15. I Are Droid - Time on time
16. Ihsahn - Unhealer
17. Juvelen - Don't mess
18. TALK 5
19. Henrik Rylander - Information and disinformation for alien civilizations
20. Namur - Draw us near
21. Lukestar - Clockworks of tomorrow
22. TALK 6
23. DS-13 - Prechewed rebellion
24. The Kid - Mayhem troopers
25. Sophie Rimheden - Go away
26. Anders Persson och Carl Smith - Morgonsol i April
27. TALK 7
28. Masshysteri - Monoton tid
29. NSI - 12
30. Zanussi Five - Azrah illusion / Street woman
31. TALK 8
32. Washington - Landslide
33. The Grand Opening - Dark dark dawn
34. Bobby and Blumm - Hiss and rustle
35. Paragon - Aavisst
36. TALK 9
37. Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Bebopalulia

05/06 - Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO
05/07 - Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City, UT
05/09 - Doug Fir, Portland, OR w/Subtle
05/10 - Nectar Lounge, Seattle, WA w/Subtle
05/11 - WOW Hall, Eugene, OR
05/12 - Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, CA
05/13 - The Brewery, Visalia, CA
05/14 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA
05/15 - Casbah, San Diego, CA
05/16 - Plush, Tucscon, AZ
05/17 - Modified, Phoenix, AZ
05/19 - Hailey's, Denton, TX
05/20 - Mohawk, Austin, TX
05/22 - Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta, GA
05/23 - Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
05/24 - Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington DC w/Subtle
05/26 - Sanctuary, Philadelphia, PA
05/27 - The Space, Hamden, CT
05/28 - Knitting Factory, New York, NY
05/29 - TT the Bears, Boston, MA
05/30 - Zoobizarre, Montreal (CAN)
05/31 - El Mocambo, Toronto (CAN)
06/02 - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
06/03 - Record Bar, Kansas City, MT

Album: Natasja - I Danmark Er Jeg Født
Group: Dúné - We Are In There You Are Out Here
Female Artist: Natasja - Natasja
Male Artist: Thomas Troelsen - Private
Newcomer: Dúné
Hit: Alphabeat - 10.000 Nights Of Thunder
Rock: Dúné - We Are In There You Are Out Here
Pop: Alphabeat - Alphabeat
Electronica: Efterklang - Parades
Hip-Hop: Suspekt - Prima Nocte
Hard Rock: Hatesphere - Serpent Smiles And Killer Eyes
Songwriter: Natasja
Producer: Private - My Secret Lover (Thomas Troelsen)
Music Video: JaConfetti - Step Up (Mary Mary)
Artwork: Efterklang - Parades (Hvass, Hannibal & Ufex)
IFPIs Ærespris: Anne Linnet

03/26 - The Talking Heads, Southampton (UK) w/Our Broken Garden
03/27 - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham (UK) w/Our Broken Garden
03/28 - Corporation, Sheffield (UK) w/Our Broken Garden
03/29 - The Button Factory, Dublin (UK) w/Our Broken Garden
03/30 - Cyprus Avenue, Cork (UK) w/Our Broken Garden
03/31 - The Point, Cardiff (UK) w/Our Broken Garden
04/01 - The Ruby Lounge, Manchester (UK) w/Our Broken Garden
04/02 - Queen Elizabeth Hall, London (UK) w/Our Broken Garden, Wildbirds & Peacedrums
04/03 - Pressure Point, Brighton (UK) w/Our Broken Garden
04/05 - Grand Mix, Lille (FRA)
04/07 - Point Ephemere, Paris (FRA)
04/08 - tba
04/09 - tba
04/10 - tba
04/11 - Vera, Groningen (NL)
04/12 - Motel Mozaique Festival, Rotterdam (NL)
04/13 - Ekko, Utrecht (NL)

Look for a new 7" single featuring the track "Caravan" to be released soon. Director Anders Morgenthaler is working on a video as well.

Found You Recordings also reports that they have licensed the Wildbirds & Peacedrums album "Heartcore" to The Leaf Label (Efterklang, etc.) for European/international release. It comes out April 14.

Best music: Peder
Best producer: SuperTroels
Best band: Efterklang
Best vocalist: Ane Trolle
Best lyrics: Natasja
Best hope/newcomer: Choir Of Young Believers
Best song: Natasja - Giv Mig Danmark Tilbage
Best composer: Efterklang
Best live act: Trentemøller
Best album: Efterklang - Parades
Pioneer prize: Sebastian

Album:
Efterklang - Parades
Natasja - I Danmark Er Jeg Født
The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust
Tina Dickow - Count To Ten
Volbeat - Rock The Rebel/Metal The Devil

Group:
Alphabeat - Alphabeat
Dúné - We Are In There You Are Out Here
Efterklang - Parades
The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust
Volbeat - Rock The Rebel/Metal The Devil

Female Artist:
Anne Linnet - Anne Linnet
Ane Trolle - JaConfetti
Natasja - Natasja
Annisette - Savage Rose
Tina Dickow - Tina Dickow

Male Artist:
Isam Bachiri - Isam B
Jens Unmack - Jens Unmack
Thomas Troelsen - Private
Sune Wagner - The Raveonettes
Michael Poulsen - Volbeat

Newcomer:
Alphabeat
BliGlad
Dúné
JaConfetti
The Kissaway Trail

Hit:
Alphabeat - 10.000 Nights Of Thunder
Infernal - I Won't Be Crying
KNA - Connected Fibs (Løgn & Latin)
Private - My Secret lover
TV-2 - S.O.M.M.E.R

Rock:
Dúné - We Are In There You Are Out Here
Figurines - When The Deer Wore Blue
The Kissaway Trail - The Kissaway Trail
The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust
Volbeat - Rock The Rebel/Metal The Devil

Pop:
Alphabeat - Alphabeat
Isam B. - Institution
Private - My Secret Lover
Tina Dickow - Count To Ten
TV-2 - For Dig Ku' Jeg Gøre Alting

Electronica:
Efterklang - Parades
JaConfetti - The Rainbow Express
People Press Play - People Press Play

Hip-Hop:
Booty Cologne - BC
Marwan - P.E.R.K.E.R.
Suspekt - Prima Nocte

Hard Rock:
Hatesphere - Serpent Smiles And Killer Eyes
Mnemic - Passenger
The Psyke Project - Apnea

Songwriter:
Jens Unmack
Natasja
Thomas Troelsen (Private)
Sune Wagner (The Raveonettes)
Tina Dickow

Producer:
Natasja - I Danmark Er Jeg Født (Pharfar)
Private - My Secret Lover (Thomas Troelsen)
Suspekt - Prima Nocte (Rune Rask & Troo.L.S)

Music Video:
Efterklang - Mirador (Hvass, Hannibal & Ufex)
I Know That You Know - You Need Paths To Draw Maps (Fabulab)
JaConfetti - Step Up (Mary Mary)

Artwork:
Efterklang - Parades (Hvass, Hannibal & Ufex)
Savage Rose - Universal Daughter (Nego & Brando)
TV-2 - For Dig Ku' Jeg Gøre Alting (Jo Dam Kærgaard)

Read more: http://www.dma08.dk/

01/31 - Club Transmediale @ Maria am Ostbahnhof, Berlin (GER)
02/01 - UT Connewitz, Leipzig (GER)
02/02 - Gleis, Münster (GER)
02/03 - BeatPol (Star Club), Dresden (GER)
02/04 - Arena, Vienna (AUS)
02/07 - tba, Milano (ITA) w/Peter Broderick
02/08 - Sintetica, Firenze (ITA) w/Peter Broderick
02/09 - Init, Rome (ITA) w/Peter Broderick
02/10 - Bronson, Ravenna (ITA) w/Peter Broderick
02/12 - Ziegel Oh Lac at Rote Fabrik, Zürich (CH)
02/14 - Bad Bonn, Düdingen (CH)
02/15 - Rocking Chair, Vevey (CH)
02/16 - Nordklang Festival, St. Gallen (CH) w/Taxi Taxi!
02/17 - Tap Tab, Schaffhausen (CH)
02/19 - Apolo, Barcelona (ESP)
02/20 - NeuClub, Madrid (ESP)
02/22 - Le Florida, Agen (FRA)
03/06 - Sønderborghus, Sønderborg (DK)
03/07 - Musikcafeen, Aarhus (DK)
03/08 - Pitstop, Kolding (DK)
03/12 - Pustervik, Gothenburg (SWE)
03/13 - John Dee, Oslo (NOR)
03/14 - Store Vega, Copenhagen (DK) w/Lise Westzynthius
03/15 - Mejeriet, Lund (SWE)

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, 26 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20731 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20731 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20731#comments Scandinavian artists on postrock webzine The Silent Ballet's top 50 albums of 2007 list include Aerial (#50), Hannu (#38), Tuna Laguna (#33), Scraps of Tape (#28), Efterklang (#22), Olafur Arnalds (#12) and Vladislav Delay (#4): http://www.thesilentballet.com/tsbt/2007/50_41.html]]> Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:28:05 -0800 news general awards http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25745-top-10s-for-2007-johannes-dybkj-aelig-r-andersson-lampshade-as-in-rebekkamaria http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25745-top-10s-for-2007-johannes-dybkj-aelig-r-andersson-lampshade-as-in-rebekkamaria http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25745-top-10s-for-2007-johannes-dybkj-aelig-r-andersson-lampshade-as-in-rebekkamaria#comments 01. Spring and summer days (especially the ones in Paris, Copenhagen and Berlin)

02. The music of Loney, Dear, Bob Dylan, Hero Horns and Sufjan Stevens (always)

03. Remixes and liveshows with our new project As In RebekkaMaria - makes me wanna dance

04. Album: Efterklang - Parades (best Danish album ever)

05. Klubb Smørrebröd at Debaser, Malmö

06. Tez - the human beatbox guy from CocoRosie

07. My new vinyl player and speakers

08. Belgian chocolates and beer (I visited Brussels for my first time this year)

09. Books of Paul Auster

10. Dancing of DJ'ing at nightclubs to the tunes of Turboweekend, Trentemøller, Campsite and SuperTroels

---------------------------
Johannes Dybkjær Andersson is the bass player of Lampshade, drummer in the live band of As In RebekkaMaria, DJ in JOJO DJ TEAM with Johannes of Campsite, manager of a lot of different bands, host at Klubb Smørrebröd at Debaser Malmö, booker for the Nordklang Festival and Tivoli, Copenhagen (Fredagsspot).
www.lampshade.dk
www.myspace.com/lmpshd
www.myspace.com/asinrebekkamaria
www.myspace.com/smorrebrod

]]> Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20553 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20553 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20553#comments Gaffa's top 10 Danish albums of the year:

01. Efterklang - Parades
02. The Raveonettes - Lust, Lust, Lust
03. Speaker Bite Me - Action Painting
04. Natasja - I Danmark Er Jeg
05. The Kissaway Trail - The Kissaway Trail
06. The Fashion - The Fashion
07. Volbeat - Rock The Rebel/Metal The Devil
08. Booty Cologne - 2007 B.C
09. Dúné - We Are In There, You Are Out Here
10. The Floor Is Made of Lava - No Fruit All Juice

Read more: http://gaffa.dk/artikler/view.php/news_id=20250]]> Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:35:53 -0800 news general http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20268 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20268 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20268#comments Pitchfork reviews the new Efterklang album "Parades": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/46761-parades]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:17:05 -0800 news reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19988 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19988 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19988#comments PopMatters reviews the new Efterklang record: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/47182/efterklang-parades/ Also reviewed, Vladislav Delay's album "Multila": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/vladislav-delay-multila/]]> Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:08:24 -0700 news reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19987 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19987 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19987#comments Paper Thin Walls has a Efterklang track review: http://www.paperthinwalls.com/singlefile/item?id=1037]]> Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:58:35 -0700 news reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19986 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19986 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19986#comments Musique Machine on the new Efterklang album "Parades": http://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=1466]]> Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:34:12 -0700 news reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19808 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19808 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19808#comments Stylus reviews Efterklang's new album "Parades": http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/efterklang/parades.htm]]> Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:12:40 -0700 news reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19793 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19793 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19793#comments Download Efterklang's new video for "Mirador": http://www.efterklang.net/vids/efterklang_mirador_18mb.mov]]> Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:17:43 -0700 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19763 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19763 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19763#comments The Silent Ballet reviews the new Efterklang record "Parades": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/908/Default.aspx]]> Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:33:19 -0700 news reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19590 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19590 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19590#comments The Silent Ballet interviews Efterklang: http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/367/ItemID/875/Default.aspx]]> Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:25:34 -0700 news interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19506 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19506 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19506#comments The Milk Factory interviews Efterklang: http://www.themilkfactory.co.uk/st/2007/09/interview-efterklang-the-dream-factory/]]> Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:13:32 -0700 news interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/50 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/50 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/50#comments Efterklang has posted the new song "Cutting ice to snow" for free download: http://www.efterklang.net/home/downloads
It will appear on the band's new record "Parades", due out October 15.]]> Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/237 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/237 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/237#comments ROSA, The Danish Rock Council, is putting on a series of shows at Debaser in Malmö under the name 'Klubb Smörrebröd' featuring what they hope to be a bright selection of Danish artists. So far only The Kissaway Trail and Kloak have been confirmed for September 27, but other names such Kashmir, Speaker Bite Me, Efterklang, Figurines and more have been brought up as potential offerings for later in the year. Learn more at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/smorrebrod]]> Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/361 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/361 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/361#comments Efterklang on tour in the UK:

11/21 - Thekla Social, Bristol
11/22 - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
11/23 - Bush Hall, London
11/24 - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
11/25 - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
11/27 - The Arches, Glasgow
11/28 - Whelans, Dublin
11/29 - Spring & Airbrake, Belfast
11/30 - Roadhouse, Manchester
12/01 - Concorde 2, Brighton]]> Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/399 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/399 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/399#comments Check out a promo clip for the new Efterklang album "Parades", due out October 15: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpzcOP-arYg]]> Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/650 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/650 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/650#comments A book soundtrack? Featuring Efterklang? Read more: http://efterklang.net/home/2007/07/23/efterklang-on-book-soundtrack/]]> Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25704-festival-report-roskilde http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25704-festival-report-roskilde http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25704-festival-report-roskilde#comments Words by Jonas Appelqvist, pics by Martin Eriksson

Besides the music, you can sum up this years festivity in Roskilde in two words. Mud. And rain. The movie quote "dry land is not a myth!" is not at all overrated when speaking of how it was at the festival and camping area. Reminiscing back to 1997, the year that everyone talks about as "the one with all the rain and mud", this year's festival really had its moments weather-wise but it rained as much as it did in one week 1997 in just one day (Thursday, first day of the festival) this year, simply making it impossible to go anywhere without a pair of proper rubber boots. It poured down 0,9843 in (25 mm) on that day. It was hell to be exact.

Fortunate for me, I had rubber boots and managed to get around up until the last day when a throat infection and blisters from my newly bought boots brutally stopped me. Apart from that, I got around seeing lots of bands (not counting the Scandinavian acts reviewed here), drinking beer and meeting lots of friends and, hey, that's festival life for you. Due to the bad weather, Roskilde wasn't really the party I expected, but it was never dull. Roskilde never is. And I will definitely be back next year, you can count on that!

Some of the bands I saw: The Arcade Fire, Mastodon, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The National, Beastie Boys, Camera Obscura, Roky Erickson & The Explosives, Strike Anywhere, among others.

Unfortunately Cold War Kids had to cancel because their tour bus had broken down. It's a pity.

Death By Kite
It was with low expectations I went to see these Danes and luckily for me, I was wrong. Death By Kite really invited the crowd to a show with their indiepop as main attraction. And with a bang. Seeing as their recently released self-titled album (by the nice blokes at Quartermain Records) is somewhat of a hit in Denmark, they gathered quite an audience. Björn Lange and his partners delivered Placebo-esque rock with a touch of Sonic Youth and, hey, I'm not complaining. It's just that it's not too original, y'know. And a lot of the material is a bit similar. Other than that, it was an excellent show where the three members were well in tune with each other and when "Bhf. Asta" rang out, the roaring from the crowd nearly lifted the tent roof at the Pavilion Junior-stage.

Decorate. Decorate.
The fact that this band formed in 2006 does not at all affect the tight feeling they have developed. Playing arty rock in the vein of Interpol seems to be the new black in Denmark and these guys are good at it. That doesn't mean it's good. In fact, it's really dull at times. Doing their best to get the crowds attention from the beginning by playing the semi-hit "Karen" did more harm than good. The tunes that followed that one, which indeed is a great song, sounded like bleak carbon copies. Thumbs up for the artistic intentions. However, it was one big yawn, to be honest.

Detektivbyrån
Classic Swedish folk music mixed with dreamy psychedelic pop music - is that appreciated today? That's what I was wondering before I went to see Detektivbyrån, the charming trio from Värmland. And apparently, yes - approximately 2000 people went as well and saw a humble, playful band get lost in melodies and rhythms not far from Pluxus at times. But the huge difference between the two acts is that Detektivbyrån uses almost all acoustic instruments exclusively and that their tunes are so much better orchestrated. With just an EP out ("Hemvägen"), one brand new single called "Lyckans undulat" and a 7" split with Hemstad, this instrumental band has nothing to lose and a whole lot to win. And, I might add, when playing the single track it struck me that drummer Jon Ekström must have a metal background or something like that. I could tell from the first stroke. The tunes with a more waltz feeling, where the concertina takes a main role, kind of get me to think of Philemon Arthur & the Dung, but, of course, performed in a widely different way. Since PA&tD are long time favorites, I love the fact that these guys acknowledge them once again. Being Swedish, I, and a lot of people in the audience, could enjoy their banters when they apologized for their bad English and expressed sincere love for the people that went to see them. Definitely a nice afternoon gig. The only minus is that it can be hard to stay focused for that long listening to instrumental music.

In Flames
This death metal platoon is, by now, scene veterans and a worldwide name. Something that announcer Per Sinding-Larsen stated at the Orange Stage before the gig. Since the audience consisted exclusively of metal heads, that information seemed a bit unnecessary, but you know - a background like that calls for a band that can live up to it. As In Flames entered the stage, expectations rose and the sound knocked them down again. The first couple of songs suffered from the worst sound ever. Not only was it low, Anders Fridén's cordless microphone was not top notch. We did, however, get to hear "Leeches" third and by then, it was the band I expected to get to see. Being a group that started the well known Gothenburg metal-scene along with acts like At the Gates and Dark Tranquility, In Flames has taken quite a step from that scene and created a mix of neo-metal and heavy death metal. Something that, according to the puritans of metal, is off limits. in a way, I can agree. It just doesn't get me started. The rest of the crowd however, loved it unconditionally. Especially songs like "Trigger" from "Reroute to remain" where the singalong was deafening. Still, the experience was a bit disappointing.

Mando Diao
The first time I saw this Borlänge band they had just released the EP "Motown blood" and they were fresh, cocky youngsters. They're still cocky, but definitely not newcomers anymore. With three full-length records out they can sort out the hits and give the crowd what they want, namely rock. The horn section was a really great addition to the gig's intensity wherein the band often rely on the changing vocal harmonies of lead singers Björn Dixgård and Gustaf Norén. It added an extra dimension to the bands ecstatic performance. And when the two singers sang "Long before rock n' roll" in John & Paul-style; no one could really doubt this band's qualities. The fact that they, the day after this gig, was invited to play at the Live Earth-marathon around the globe is proof enough. On the downside, I'd appreciate some variations in their songs. But if you're just going to see one rock n' roll gig this year, it should be one where Mando Diao is headlining.

Quit Your Dayjob
Uncompromising, sadistic, humorous and mad. Hell yeah! QYDJ, one of Sweden's most insane bands, delivered a show at 3am like there was no tomorrow. One hour before the gig, people stood chanting the lyrics to "Look! A dollar". With songs that are rarely longer that 1:30 and a mixed-up surf/punk/electro sound, the band has found a winning concept. And it showed at Roskilde this year. Keyboardist Marcass tried his best to instigate the crowd (I made a bet with photographer Martin that he would strip off his clothes between the two first songs. I lost. But he did it later on as I had foreseen.) and singer and guitarist Jonass tried to beat his guitar to pieces while spitting the one-line lyrics into the microphone. And the people gathered at the Pavilion Stage loved it. And so did I, despite the fact that this was my 5th Quit Your Dayjob gig. The furious versions of "Pissing on a panda" and "Wasted" were masterpieces and the new material, taken from a forthcoming album due to be released this fall, sounded great. Speaking of new material, rumor has it that a female vocalist from one of Sweden's top pop/rock bands right now is doing guest vocals on one of the songs. I thought she would turn up for this gig but no, I was wrong again. Either way, I pity those who didn't take the opportunity to go see QYDJ at this year's Roskilde.

Slaraffenland
This quintet had the unpleasant task of performing at 12pm. in front of hungover festival visitors, but considering that their music can be categorized as free-jazz/indiepop with some postrock-vibes, they (and the crowd) did a terrific job. The atmospheric sounds they created was indeed a wake-up call and they demanded attention. With saxophone, trombone, oboe and a fantastic playful drummer accompanied by driven guitars, it's not hard at all to guess that this is a Rumraket-band, the label run by Danish act Efterklang. Considering their Swedish and Danish membership, you would have guessed that they would be quite well-known in Scandinavia, but apparently they've earned themselves an acclaimed name abroad instead. A pity really. 'Cause this band was appreciated at Roskilde and I'm sure they would be in the rest of the Nordic countries as well. It was epic and breathtaking at times. Especially in my favorite song, the last in the set, "Watch out" where the poppy side of the band breaks through and creates an atmosphere of well-being. And I'm not sure that that's what the band strived for when they wrote the tune, but that's the feeling that comes to me. And it's a good one. Over all.]]> Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 articles fest http://www.itsatrap.com/n/791 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/791 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/791#comments Rant Magazine interviews Efterklang: http://www.tilfeldigproductions.com/rantmagazine/?p=478]]> Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/895 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/895 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/895#comments Danish post-rock act Efterklang has confirmed their new album "Parades" for release on October 15.]]> Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/960 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/960 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/960#comments Tobias Hellkvist, another artist I've featured here recently, has a new untitled song up on myspace from his forthcoming record: http://www.myspace.com/tobiashellkvist
More acoustic guitar-based than pure drone and, like all his stuff, it's really, really nice. Tobias' remix of "Doppelgänger" by Efterklang is also online now and can be downloaded right here: http://efterklang.net/home/2007/06/21/doppelganger-remix/]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27728-mp3-tobias-hellkvist-when-everything-fell-apart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27728-mp3-tobias-hellkvist-when-everything-fell-apart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27728-mp3-tobias-hellkvist-when-everything-fell-apart#comments Swedish artist Tobias Hellkvist first made a name for himself with his sublime acoustic cover of Efterklang's "Step aside" (listen at myspace). The electronics of the original are beautifully transcribed to organic instruments. In many ways, it's not too disimilar to José González's famous version The Knife's "Heartbeats". Neither cover supplants the original electronic version; they stand alone as individual works, like two sides of a coin. On Tobias' new album "Transports" however, the focus is shifted from sublime acoustic pop to drone as the work is entirely instrumental and lacking in conventional guitarwork or song structures. The track "Moment at Ven" (listen at the aforementioned myspace link) is most straightforward of the pieces in that it's built around a recognizable guitar figure, albeit enhanced with digital effects and backed by field recordings. It's a beautiful, languid piece of music, but I've decided to share one of the longer, more abstract tracks instead.
"When everything fell apart" buils layers upon layers of shimmering waves of sound, gradually getting louder and more intense as the piece continues. To me, it's the sound of lying in the sun without care of obligation: pure bliss. Voices and guitar fragments come and go, but the gentle wave of the cental chordal theme continues unabated throughout. It's the kind of ambient dronepop that I can listen to on endless repeat (and sometimes do). You want feel-good summer jams? Look no further.]]> Tue, 15 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1573 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1573 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1573#comments Dusted reviews the new Efterklang EP "Under giant trees": http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/3549]]> Fri, 04 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news