02/12 - Bootleg Theater, Los Angeles
02/13 - Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles
02/15 - Subterranean Art House, Berkeley
02/16 - Hemlock Tavern, San Francisco
02/17 - The Red Vic, San Francisco

10/18 - Michelberger Hotel, Berlin
10/19 - Beta Bar, Chemnitz
10/20 - Gebäude 9, Lüneburg
10/21 - Beatpol, Dresden
10/22 - Cafe Wagner, Jena
10/23 - Galerie Kub, Leipzig

A new video from Fredrik, the first official clip from the band's new album "Flora" outside of the excellent full album stream. Details:

Inspired by early motion picture magicians like Stan Brakhage, Harry Smith, Isidore Isou and Viking Eggeling, it features an abstract take on Palm Shadowplay using "a vintage British overhead projector, an off-white canvas, scissors, paper, 8 hands and a fishtank full of flammable liquids". The colorations are natural and come from the way the lens refracts light at various distances, much like a prism. The effect has been "accentuated and slightly colour-corrected to fit the overall style".

"Flora" also got a decent review at Pitchfork today: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15388-flora/

01. Jonathan Johansson
02. Anna Järvinen
03. Jens Lekman
04. Acid House Kings
05. Fredrik
06. Holy Ghost!
07. The Radio Dept.
08. Syket
09. Lykke Li
10. Palpitation

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/

The entirety of Fredrik's excellent new album "Flora", now streaming via YouTube. Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPcsMWXIwQg
Recommended!

A lo-key, densely arranged cacophony, theirs is a brand of hypnotic chanting and melodic repetition that could easily grow stale or downright grating in lesser, or less restrained hands. Instead, we're offered remarkable variance, from the clattering urgency of "Vattenfront" to the haunting, never-quite-peaking crescendo of "Inventress of ill (and everything)". Though perhaps it's the driving, narrative-heavy track "The shape and colour of things gone blind" (a reference to member Ola Lindefelt's reported synesthesia) that offers the best context in which to discuss/dissect the album. Armed with a world-view turned some 180-degrees from current trends, Fredrik doesn't just make music to hear, but to get lost in.]]> Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:41:44 -0800 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36156-fredrik-origami-biograf-the-kora-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36156-fredrik-origami-biograf-the-kora-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36156-fredrik-origami-biograf-the-kora-records#comments Anna Moberg making her debut on "Origami", Fredrik's newest effort builds on the dreamscapes explored on the collected EPs of "Trilogi". The introduction of a new member often changes a group's sound, for the better in Fredrik's case, but it's subtle; the "Origami" EP could have been included alongside the three collected in "Trilogi" without feeling forced or tacked on. The same ethereal quality remains, but the first two tracks on "Origami", "Dance of the peacock phantom" and "White on white", feel more focused than many of the efforts on "Trilogi", all without seeming divorced from the contemplative nature of that record. The layering on these first two tracks is wonderful, creating a lush soundscape that doesn't feel rushed through despite the relatively short lengths of the songs, and yet unveils new aspects with each listen. Closer "ABC", clocking in at almost seven minutes, is gorgeous: meditative without meandering, the constant percussion driving the airy instrumentation along, giving a sense of tangibility to the abstract composition. If this is a taste of what's to come, I'm excited to see what Fredrik have planned for 2011.]]> Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:34:25 -0800 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36005-top-tens-for-2010-its-a-trap-contributors http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36005-top-tens-for-2010-its-a-trap-contributors http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36005-top-tens-for-2010-its-a-trap-contributors#comments Stefan Nilsson

01. Håkan Hellström - 2 steg från paradise
I like all of Hellström's albums but his previous one had about 3-4 songs that I loved, so I was a but surprised that "2 steg..." turned out to be his best album of his career.

02. Masshysteri - Masshysteri
Pure melodic punk perfection. A darn shame they've split up.

03. Robyn - Body talk
A bit disappointing that all the talk of 3 albums turned out to be 15 new songs in total, but thankfully some of the songs were killer ones!

04. Monty - 2010
A great album that I believe didn't get the attention it deserved. Montt Mardié in Swedish sounded excellent.

05. Johan Heltne - Sara,
This is what Kent would sound if they were still good (plus if they were a bit more into jazz).

06. CEO - White magic
With no new The Tough Alliance we had to do with CEO, which was just fine, just fine.

07. jj - jj n° 3
A lot of people weren't that keen on jj's second album but I really liked it. Shame they're so terrible live though.

08. The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a scheme
Another boring live band, although I don't care as long as they release albums as brilliant as this.

09. Ludwig Bell - Jag har försökt förklara
Some of it a bit too cheesy perhaps, but some of the songs on Bell's album are pure pop masterpieces.

10. Orup - Född i november
The big Swedish comeback of the year? Orup delivered a great personal album, oddly enough with lyrics not written by him.

Fantastic songs in no particular order

Supergruppen - Farsta centrum by night
Ludwig Bell - Silvertejp
Oskar Linnros - Ack, Sundbyberg
Masshysteri - Dom kan inte höra musiken
Robyn - Dancing on my own
Håkan Hellström - Man måste dö några gånger innan man kan leva
Museum of Bella Arts - Who do you love
Säkert! - Dansa, fastän

Best cover of the year:
jj - My life

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

Albums (in no particular order, except for "You're a wasteland...""):

"You're a wasteland, honey" Robert Svensson (my album of the year)

"Let this be the last night we care" Alcoholic Faith Mission (my only other 10/10)

"Trilogi" Fredrik

"This wilderlessness" Yamon Yamon

"In never out" Pg.lost

"Conscious castle" Another Nation's National Anthem

"s/t" EP, Night Minutes

"Dada bandits" Rubik

"White mountain" Kiki Pau

"Clinging to a scheme" The Radio Dept.

mp3:
"The sound and the sore" Cut City

Laura Studarus

Jónsi: Go -- Not just my top Scandinavian album, but my top album of the year. Period. There's so much emotion in this one that the first time I heard it (a lo-bit stream over crappy computer speakers) I cried. The fact I also happen to be a noted wimp should in no way stop you from checking this out.

Club 8: The people's record -- Yet another in a long string of reasons why Johan Angergård (Club 8/Legends/Pallers/Acid House Kings) should continue on his quest for world domination. (Or failing that, musical domination.) So many bands lose their way after so many albums -- their attempts to infuse their sound with new elements as convincing as a child's Halloween "scary" costume. And then there's Club 8 -- who has mixed afro/Cuban beats in with their sweet pop, and created a delicious hybrid beast...all without sacrificing an iota of their identity along the way.

Jens Lekman: Sure he didn't put an album out this year, but he played a one-off gig in Los Angeles that had everyone swooning. One of the best performers working today. Full stop.

Ólafur Arnalds: ...And they have escaped the weight of darkness -- Second in emotional resonance only to Go. It can be difficult to write about experimental instrumentals without sounding foolish -- so at the risk of sounding increasingly stupid, this album will recalibrate your perception of beauty.

The Radio Dept.: Clinging to a scheme -- It's about time! Back and better than ever. Welcome.

Casiokids: Topp stemning på lokal bar -- Are these "kids" playing near you? (Given their touring schedule it's a real possibility.) Go! Go! Go! Are you currently at a Casiokids concert? Dance! Dance! Dance!

Seabear: We built a fire -- Another gloriously dreamy album from the Icelandic collective. This is nostalgic chamber pop ready to soundtrack new memories.

Kaskas: In the meanwhile -- Finland's Yo La Tengo blending influences and styles with grace. A side-project that -- if the world is just and good -- will become a full-time gig.

Söder tea: If this were music, it would be a perfect ten. I'm starting to feel like a junkie asking my friends in Sweden to hook me up. No I can't quit any time I want, and of course, I don't have a problem.

Sambassadeur: European -- Classic pop with an orchestral flair. Why these guys haven't caught on stateside is one of life's great mysteries. (Then again, I'm from the country that just nominated Justin Bieber for a Grammy, so what do I know?)

Berlin, February 2010
- I don't know man. The air is just so toxic.
Fredrik show, backstage at NBI, Berlin, hanging out with one of the David Bazan tour dudes. It was one of those conversations where you slowly drift away in your head and leave your organism nodding with a vague expression in your face. At the word "toxic" I snapped out of the bubble. I was just about to say something about Detroit urban farming when I realised this guy was actually talking about the atmosphere in Midlake's tour van.

NYC, March 2010
I hung out with a Japanese friend in New York and he took me down through a maze of walkways to a small Washoku place with a giant tree trunk for a bar. The weird and great thing wasn't something someone said, but the fact that they blasted Mono so loud nobody could speak, and that we managed to try a dozen or so mindblowing sakes using sign language.

Lund, April 2010
- FY FAN VILKEN JÄVLA MUSIK!
("GODDAMN THIS IS TERRIBLE MUSIC!")
After a harsh noise set with Argonaut at Galleri Bryder, Lund (part of a short tour with Skeppet and Luva). This 50-something woman literally exploded from the back of the room when the music stopped. I had to put it in upper case since it was nearly as loud as the music. It turned out she actually loved our stuff and meant it as a compliment. Then she hung out and told us all about Argentina in the 70s, life as a curator, politics and the rest.

Paris, September 2010
- Monsieur, monsieur - qu'est-ce que vous avez fait? Vous sentez de la vanille.
("Excuse me, what have you done? You smell of vanilla.")
Me casually walking over to a friend's house next to the Pere Lachaise cemetery (where Jim Morrison, for some unexplainable reason, decided to be buried) to make some music. A random woman in her early 30s stopped me in the street. I still have no idea what that was about. I really don't like vanilla.

Paris, October 2010
- Thanks, I really enjoyed that.
- Look, I'm not the garden gnome.
One Man Nation playing the Instants Chavirés mini-festival in Montreuil (Paris suburb). Apparently there had been a misprint in the program and OMN had spent most of his day being confounded with a Koala Lumpurian light installation.

Berlin, October 2010
-Excuse me sir. Are you Israeli?
This very normal-looking German man leaned over on the subway between Görlitzer Bahnhof and Kottbusser Tor. I was in a mood. I answered "Sure". The man nodded. I said "And Swedish." The subway stopped. "And Ethiopian." I got off. It rained.

Malmö, November 2010
- Men vad fasen har du gjort med ditt långa hår?!
- Whatever happened to your long hair?
There's a tradition in Scandinavia to go swimming in the ocean all year around. It's weird, but very relaxing. Imagine eucalyptus flavoured saunas in a turn-of-the-century type wooden building on giant poles in the water, full of naked people -- and almost no talk. As I was climbing out of the icy water, this elderly man pointed at me and made this comment, in a slightly offended kind of way. I haven't had long-ish hair since I was 12 and bought my first distortion pedal. Naked, I must have reminded him of someone else.

---------------------------
Releases this year:
Fredrik, Trilogi CD (Kora)
Fredrik, Trilogi 2xLP (Biograf)
Argonaut, Saltvatten MC (AR18)
Fredrik, Origami 7" (Biograf, Kora)

Upcoming:
Lindefelt, Chromatic Wildlife 10"/DVD - Feb 2011 (Kora, Biograf)
Argonaut, TBA - Feb 2011 (Komplott)
Fredrik, TBA CD/LP - Mar 2011 (Kora, Biograf)
http://www.lindefelt.org/

11/24 - Astrastube, Hamburg (GER)
11/25 - Steinbruch, Düsseldorf-Duisburg (GER)
11/26 - Ricarda Huch Haus, Jena (GER)
11/27 - tba, Berlin (GER)
11/28 - Final, Prague (CZ)
11/29 - Eufemia, Warsaw (POL)
11/30 - Stanica, Zilina (SK)
12/01 - Rhiz, Vienna (AUS)
12/02 - Cairo, Würzburg (GER)
12/03 - Ostpol, Dresden (GER)

02/13 - Ryan's, Washington DC
02/14 - Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
02/15 - Piano's, New York, NY
02/16 - tba, New York, NY
02/18 - Union Hall, New York, NY
02/19 - Permanent Records, New York, NY
02/20 - Metro Gallery, Baltimore, MD
02/21 - Midtown Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA
02/22 - Black Cat, Washington DC
02/23 - The M Room, Philadelphia, PA

Also, their 3-part "Trilogi" EP collection is now officially released as an album package via The Kora Group and will soon be available on vinyl via the band's own label Biograf.

01. The Scrags - Death of a rock'n'roll band
02. TALK 1
03. On Trial - Mountain
04. The Psyke Project - In the mist
05. Hello Saferide - X telling me about the loss of something dear, at age 16
06. TALK 2
07. Moto Boy - A room without you
08. If There Is Something - Hommage á Roy Orbison
09. Tiger Lou - So demure
10. TALK 3
11. Honey Is Cool - Nach heart
12. Heroes & Zeros - Oslo fadeout
13. Livaventura - Keep on driving
14. Masshysteri - Tvivel
15. TALK 4
16. Samtidigt Som - Vid min sida
17. Ståålfågel - Kung Misär
18. Fredrik - Black fur
19. Scraps of Tape - Grand letdown
20. TALK 5
21. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Radius

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.

Did you guys grow up in/around Gbg or did you gravitate there by choice? How exactly did the band end up coming together in the first place?

We grew up in places quite close to eachother, a bit north above Gothenburg. Two of us have been friends since we were kids. And we all met through other friends and around music when we all were in the same town for high school. We formed the band in the end of our high school years. We had all played in other constellations, but when the four of us got together and the band became Audrey it felt really good. With many dreams of what could come, but at the same time only a fantastic way of being creative together. So after finishing high school we all moved to Gothenburg and we were quite focused and started to seriously rehearse and play a lot more.

How do you think your surroundings influence you? In what ways does the geography, weather and/or people of Gbg effect your art?

I most definetely think that our nature and seasons affect us a lot. Really dark and foggy can be just as cosy as the light summernights, and the harsh cold but sparkling light snow can make you full of energy, and can give you the sun in a way that the summer can't. And that they are total opposites. And how you can long for them both, in different ways during different times. Because they have positive and negative sides with them.

Being close to the sea has always been a natural beautiful thing to me (Rebecka). And my mood is really affected by the weather. Like painters want to express in a picture what they see and how they feel we have a mix of what we all four feel, think about, and what we think is beautiful and awful. I guess it's not a written recipy how you let the surroundings affect you. Just that you know that they do. And also just as important how your friends and family feels and what people around you can influence you to do something, like them or something totally different, but in your own way.

Is the so-called "postrock" scene as much of a boy's club as I think it is? Has that changed at all over the years you guys have been playing together and touring? What else could be done to make it better..?

I guess I've never felt the negative thing from the people and friends that are closest to you, about us being all female. Instead I think many of our male friends playing in "postrock" bands have encouraged us! But more often it can be that your voice is your special thing, not the instrument. And that you can feel unsure about wheter they like you just because of your music or the fact that it is more exotic with females in this genre. I always try to turn it in the positive way, and listen to the good parts. Beacuse of course there will always be things that you can take in a negative way. And that you can feel hopeless for the whole situation with it being more unusal with women making and playing good music.

But we do what we like and hope that others will feel why we do it and hopefully encourage other women and also other men.

There seems to be quite a mix of great bands in Gbg - any under-appreciated acts you think deserve more attention?

Winter Took His Life is a splendid young woman full of talent!

Hajen is another great girl with a fantastic voice that breaks hearts and her way of playing piano is very rare to!

We recently played in Gothenburg with Euphoria and the Lazy Boy and he's got a cool sound and voice, I hope to hear more from him this spring.

And of course Gothenburgs finest Once We Were, they deserve the world!

Lastly, got a track to share? Tell me about it.

Ok, I think it has to be "11 years - with the Malmö based band Fredrik, it's supernice! I like the arrangements very much and the mystery that they keep trough the song. You can see the cool video here and listen to the song below:

MP3: Fredrik - 11 years

Tracklist: (select text to view or just listen to the narration)
08. Fredrik - 1986
07. Tiger Lou - The less you have to carry
06. Kite - Ways to dance
04. Frida Hyvönen – Dirty dancing (tie)
04. Sigur Rós - Inní mér syngur vitleysingur (tie)
03. The Fine Arts Showcase - Friday on my knees
02. Hello Saferide - Anna
01. Markus Krunegård - Jag är en vampyr

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jonas Appelqvist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matt Giordano

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arnulf Koehncke

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nancy Baym

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simon Tagestam

10. Nordpolen - s/t (Sincerely Yours)

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

08. Envelopes - Here comes the wind (Brille)

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

06. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)

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

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

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

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

01. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)

01. TALK 1
02. Anna Maria Espinosa - A little moonlight
03. Marit Bergman - 1985
04. The Goner - Haven
05. TALK 2
06. Park Hotell - Black hole
07. Fredrik - Holm
08. Emmanuel Tegel - Solaris (beat mix)
09. TALK 3
10. The Alien - Extract #3
11. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Radius (Boeoes Kaelstigen's yea/nay remix)
12. Montt Mardié - Modesty Blaise
13. TALK 4
14. David Sandström Overdrive - Songs that maybe won't be forgotten
15. They Live By Night - Endless summer
16. Katzenjammer - Tea with cinnamon
17. TALK 5
18. Nitad - Dag efter dag

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

11/05 - DC9, Washington DC
11/06 - Metro Gallery, Baltimore, MD
11/07 - Cake Shop, New York, NY
11/08 - Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY
11/09 - Brillobox, Pittsburgh, PA
11/12 - TT the Bear's, Boston, MA
11/13 - Space 538, Portland, ME
11/15 - Piano's, New York, NY

The band's excellent album "Na na ni" finally gets a US release on CD + vinyl on October 28 via The Kora Records.

01. Hello Saferide
02. Håkan Hellström
03. Glasvegas
04. Detektivbyrån
05. The Knife
06. Britta Persson
07. Anna Ternheim
08. Fredrik
09. The Radio Dept.
10. Logh

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. Lögnhalsmottagningen - Bodybuilder
02. TALK 1
03. Svart - Carl du lever i en dröm
04. Majessic Dreams - Beautiful days
05. Antennas - Lies (Oscar Tillman remix)
06. TALK 2
07. The Sound O.E - Universal tourist
08. Kaipa - Nattdjurstid
09. Murmansk - Pale
10. TALK 3
11. On Volcano - Ride the wolf
12. Markus Krunegård - Samma nätter vänter alla
13. Ondo - Mahavishnu
14. TALK 4
15. Popsicle - Hey princess
16. CMX - Tulikiveä
17. Ström i P2/Håkan Lidbo - Strömavbrott (Boeoes Kaelstigen Etsi remix)
18. TALK 5
19. The Goner - Kill them all save Simon Joyner
20. Cult of Luna - Eternal kingdom
21. Montys Loco - Ages ago
22. TALK 6
23. Mattias Alkberg BD - Allting är drömt
24. Masshysteri - Monoton tid
25. Ljudbilden & Piloten - You know you're doing OK
26. Abduktio - Thermador
27. TALK 7
28. Hebosagil - Big sun
29. Anna Ternheim - To be gone
30. Kusowsky - Tjuvar
31. Fredrik - 1986
32. TALK 8
33. Johan Heltne - 16 Avenue de l'Opera
34. Cortex - Arkham
35. Kleerup - Until we bleed (ft. Lykke Li)
36. TALK 9
37. Coldworker - Citizens of the cyclopean maze

Heads-up: my show is moving to a new time next week! Starting on Sunday, June 8 my show will be on at 11pm Eastern / 8pm Pacific with a repeat on Monday at the exact same time. I'm also paring down to an hour of programming a week, so expect all-killer/no-filler from here on out! Also, seeing as how I'm leaving for Sweden on June 9, this week's coming show will be a Hultsfred Festival special so mark your calenders, update your alarm clocks or do whatever it is you need to do to remind yourself to listen in!

Bluebridge the Quartet
SOUNDS LIKE: Postjazz? Well, that's what they call it. Imagine what it sound like if EST indulged their rock side a bit more and I think you'll be close.
HIGHLIGHTS: Bergman, Torsdag, 2008 exclusive
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/bluebridgequartet

Desktop Orchestra
SOUNDS LIKE: It's amazing what you can accomplish with even a basic home studio these days. This is interesting electro/acoustic pop that should appeal to fans of acts like Fredrik or Fontän. Skirts the edges of experimentalism, but never alienating.
HIGHLIGHTS: Both tracks are great
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/desktoporchestradk

Epidemics
SOUNDS LIKE: Ex-members from Disconvenience soldier on with the punk-rock thing, 'cept now the vocal hooks are way bigger and the songs are better. Match that up with some excellent walking basslines and I can't help but think of The Rezillos. Nicely done!
HIGHLIGHTS: Bloodstains, Never grow up
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/epidemicspunk

Gentil
SOUNDS LIKE: Takes the weirdo electro/fucked-up indierock stylings of latter-era Bear Quartet and runs with it. Still a bit rough around the edges, but bursting with potential. Of course that probably means they'll be doomed to obscurity, but I'll be listening.
HIGHLIGHTS: Chapter 1 why language matters, Debaser
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/gentilmusic

Harasser
SOUNDS LIKE: Normally I'd say that attempting to emulate Swedish hardcore legends Breach is an idea that's doomed to fail, but somehow these Danes pull it off. Bravo!
HIGHLIGHTS: Fortabelse
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/fasterkatt

Panter
SOUNDS LIKE: Easily fits within the paradigm of modern indie MOR, but they do it well, so who am I to say it's no good? Again, tons of potential.
HIGHLIGHTS: Every song is eminently likable, but I like the low-key "Part time queers" best
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/pantermusic

Frequent readers of It's A Trap! already know that Johndoe are favourites of both Avi and me. The album "Dødvinkel" was one of the best albums released in 2006 and the band delivered on stage as well. Singer Jonas Skybakmoen won't let any language barrier stand in the way of his songs. Their take of singing in Norwegian lifts the songs to higher dimensions, and that's being said from me as a Swede. I have a hard time embracing non-Swedish or non-English speaking music. I envy those who can. In this case however, I absolutely adore the music combined with their lyrics that reek of self-inflicted pain and reflections of an every day situation, it's like poetry really. The indie-/punk rock of this Trondheim-based quartet is similar to The Clash and MABD and even though the focus is on the melodies and not so much on the guitar riffs anymore, it's hard to not mention Randy on the list of influences. The dub sound of "Pyromantikk" and the punk rock in "Konflikt" gave the show the diversity that live shows need. But nonetheless, it's the songs from the latest release that blow me away, especially "Kjøtere". The ferocity of Johndoe live is breathtaking. We who attended are blessed.

Well, even with the risk of being slightly challenged here, Randy was top notch! It is no secret that I rank them as one of the best bands in Sweden and even when they're quite unfocused in their performance, they still kick most bands asses any day. Fredrik, Johan B, Stefan and Johan G are a tight combo and it shows. Seeing that this was a gig outside of any current tour, they still managed to put on an awesome show. Not only are they flawless performers, the songs in the setlist are of such high quality that they would make Jello Biafra or Glenn Danzig (Misfits era) envious. 'Cause one of the trademarks of this band is that they have always stolen with class and, making the music into something their own, something Randy-ish. Focusing on the four most recent records of their back catalogue, they know how to play their cards to the crowd and the crowd swallowed every bit. Hook, line and sinker. The only song not featured on those records was the Lita Ford cover "Kiss me deadly" (from the "The rest is silence" album) with which they closed the gig. And that right there is what makes this band so great; crowd-pleasing, uncompromising AND with great taste in music, all at the same time. The next time I see them (for the 22nd time) I hope they will play "Humanalogism" or "You are what you fight for". I know it's a utopia, but it would be awesome.

Text by Jonas Appelqvist
Pics by Sofia Qvarnström

Describe the journey from the forming of the band to landing a contract with TMC and the release of your debut album, "Embrace".

It's been a bumpy journey, but we're back on tracks now. Where shall I start? We formed the band, intentionally as a side project [to the rock'n'roll band Well, a band featuring both Petter and Fredrik -ed.], but it soon grew out of those bounds. We started to record things, mostly acoustic stuff, and we also did some acoustic gigs. I think it was by the summer of 2005 that we actually began thinking of releasing something. Said and done., we released a five track compilation EP in December 2005. Since then we've put together an awesome touring band, played about 75 shows, everything while trying to make a deal for releasing a full length album. We finally settled with TMC and we're happy that they're releasing the record in a lot of countries. It gives us more territory to tour and of course a chance to get through to more people.

On the 2005 "Let's take a ride EP", you and your partner in crime Fredrik Liberg, play all the instruments and write all the songs, why is that?

I think it's mostly due to liking the situation of being able to control the whole process, from songwriting, to arranging, to playing and recording. I've been in a lot of bands before where equality actually ruined the whole thing. It's our songs and so far we've preferred to keep them hidden until both the actual arrangement and song is ready for take off.

Do you have another approach on "Embrace"?

Kind of. We've been more willing to let people into the process this time. I mean, of course there's a bunch of instruments that we would like to have as a part of Sleeping Beauty that we can't handle ourselves. This time around we used more violin from Anna Engberg, more backing vocals from friends and an old time friend of mine, Rasmus Blanck, came by and played some trombone and stand up bass.

What are your takes on the genre Sleeping Beauty resisdes within?

We certainly started out in the alt-country genre, which we still resides within in some ways. But I'm quite convinced that we're tearing ourselves in at least two parts now. On this album we are heading in a much more pop oriented direction, but at the same time we are looking back and digging deeper into the blues and the Americana-stuff that's out there. I'm pretty sure it's going to annoy people that both directions will meet up on the same record, but I'm not very concerned about that, you know, the records I enjoy the most are the most diverse ones.

Americana/folkpop, do you consider it to be on the rise in both Sweden and Scandinavia? Is there an audience for this kind of music?

It was on the rise when we got the idea of forming the band. I remember the increasing buzz, I think it was kinda after Ryan Adams released his "Heartbreaker" album and domestic Americana stuff like Christian Kjellvander was all over the place, but honestly the music scene seems more disco than folky right now. But I like to dance occasionally, so what the hell... There's an audience for this kind of music obviously, I mean, people are coming out to the shows all the time. I believe the audience to be quite limited, restricted, for artists that don't evolve or stubbornly resides with the same genre and keep the same approach through album after album. Still, looking at the big picture, I find the live scene in Sweden to be healthier than it has been in a long time.

After the release of "Let's take a ride EP", Sleeping Beauty toured quite fiercly around Sweden and even made it across the borders as well. London, Paris and the United States, that's something backed up with only one EP. How was this possible? And what are your expectations for the follow up of "Embrace"?

It was possible mainly through extensive underground promotion for the EP. It didn't sell huge quantities but we certainly used the promo copies in a good way. They went out to promoters all over Europe. It did cost us a lot to do that, but now it looks like it was a good move, since it's always easier to return to a venue than to find a new one. This time around I hope that the touring will be better planned at least, I don't particularly like when the tour dates are scattered. I prefer to stay out for a longer period of time. We'll have to see what happens. We'll probably tour mostly in Sweden and Scandinavia this summer/autumn and then focus on Europe and hopefully the States by the end of the year.

Do you feel yourself that you, or the band, have the need to do even better with a whole album instead of just an EP?

I do feel that we need to do better, but the competition part is all in my head. I compete with myself, with my rules and my judges. But over all I think it's just human to have a will to do better. Then there's another, longer, discussion when it comes to what you actually mean by the word "better". In one way we've already done better since I absolutely think the album is so much better than the EP.

And what is really the difference between an EP and an album?

Musically, I totally convinced that there is a difference for all bands. The EP is such a short format that it's nearly impossible to think of it as a whole piece. It is a bunch of separate songs on a disc. An album (however old fashioned it might sound) is always more representative for what an artist wants to do. An overall feeling of the message, musically or lyrically. Last time around we had to cut out a lot of songs form the recording sessions in order to create a good mix of slow songs, fast songs etc. on the EP. On "Embrace" I think you'll hear all the directions Sleeping Beauty's been going lately. Of course we did cut out some songs, but I think they will appear somewhere sooner or later. I just remembered a good tune, "Two hearts", that didn't make it. Remind me about that one if it's not on the next album!

Tell me a little bit more about the recording of "Embrace". As I understand it, most of the recordings took place in Fredrik's livingroom/bedroom in Göteborg?

Yeah, every note is actually recorded either in Fredrik's bedroom or in the basement. It was a way to be able to work at any time of the day, and even more important: To be able to work when we wanted to. Even though it probably slowed down the recording process, it was worth it for all the good times we had. I mean, a recording session on a Friday or Saturdays usually turned out into a small party, when the touring band would come by with some beer and some good records. I don't know how many nights I've been sleeping on Fredrik's couch and been thrown back to reality by waking up in the basement surrounded by wires and cans last year. But it was certainly fun. Don't know how we'll do it next time. But I really like the thought of recording at home.

What is the difference with recording by yourself and say record together with a producer in a high tech expensive studio?

I would really like to work with a full time producer some time in the future. Right now I'm satisfied with learning step-by-step how to do it myself. I know it's been said by a million bands before, but it is actually amazing that it's possible to record with cheap technology in your own basement. I mean, Sleeping Beauty shouldn't have been able to afford to record the album in any other way. Donate for better sound! Is this an American site? Yeah? Ethan Johns, come over here and produce us! We'll do it ourselves until you decide to hop on a plane! So far, Fredrik's the guy that's been most into learning the technique and producing, but I'll soon catch up with bastard – I know how to press play and delete my own takes...

As the band gets more publicity I can imagine that more people are interested in trying to take advantage of both you yourself and the band. Do you get many proposals (both buisness and musically) that you actually turn down?

Not so far. Of course we've been turning down some gigs and appearances at places that wouldn't suit us, but not to the point where we've got the feeling that people want to use us for any specific purpose expect musically. In general we appreciate when people take the time to offer us something, but ask me in a year or so. I might have changed opinion. You get both surprised, bored and amused, everyday in this business.

Do you think it's important to have continuity with the people you co-operate/collaborate with? Benjamin Taft, for instance, has directed all of your videos so far, what's it like to work with him?

I think it's a big part of the formula for success, however limited. Is fundamental to work with people you trust, and with people that are willing to work within the same conditions as we are. I mean, Benjamin for instance, has been working with us from the first video and onwards, with the knowledge that it won't get him or us rich. He's been doing it for his own enjoyment, development and with a hope that if the song breaks, he'll get a share of that break. We surely love him for that! And he's just an example, I mean, we've been working with the same management since the start and it is not until now it seems it will pay off for them as well. Continuity is certainly the key. But isn't that the case in most areas?

Tell me a little bit more about the making of video of the first single of the album, "Summer smile". What is the concept of the video and did it turn out the way you wanted it to?

Originally we had a large scale plan for mass participation in the video. A shooting actually took place in Göteborg, Sweden, but the results weren't satisfying at all, unfortunately. But from that disappointment, Mr. Taft developed the idea of making the video mostly animated. He involved his sister, Rebecca, to animate birds and whales and other crazy stuff. I think we even got a volcano that's erupting strawberries. It's modern psychadelia. Sleeping Beauty went down to Malmö and recorded some green screen-shots and then we were animated into the plot. It's a joyful video, easy to connect with, stuff happening all the time! I'm totally pleased with it. I hope that Mr. Taft is too. Even though he fled to Asia after the final cut was made...

To me that one song seems like the ultimate summer song, is this a deliberate move? To have an extremly easily accessible tune out one month before the start of the summer?

Ultimate summer song? Haha, I don't know about that. It's a sad tune in a happy dress. Most people in Sweden probably don't think about it, but, as you know, a "summer smile" could be just a happy smile, but it's also a word for the smile of, let's say, a hockey player that has been having a few fights too many. You know, a few teeth gone and scars all over his face. It's a song about taking a stand for something and being able make a turn and putting your foot down. Eh, whatever, as you say, it's still a good summer song. I like the way we managed to squeeze in some glockenspiels and mandolins as well.

What are your thoughts about singles anyway? How much "business" do you apply to the choice of an upcoming single?

I personally enjoy singles to a limited extent. I used to buy them for the b-sides, but nowadays when most singles are released only digitally, I don't care much for them. I understand that it's an easy way for the radio to select playlists and so on, but it's a shallow way of listening to music in many ways. I mean, if you fill up your iPod with only singles, it's like deleting the artists from the songs. Only one song remains of an intended piece. I don't wanna sound too old fashioned, but I prefer whole albums ten out of ten times. What was the question? Business? Yeah, of course it's business. It's all about business when it comes to singles. The record company would never release a track like "Gone so far" or another one of our 6-minute songs. It would be rejected by the radio as soon as it arrives in their mailbox.

Talking about business, how much business is Sleeping Beauty? Is it even possible to separate music and business if you want to suceed in this music climate we have today?

Right now when we're promoting the album, business is overshadowing it all. But it's fine by me at this point. The music has its time and the business has its time. That's the way it is, and personally I kinda like it in some ways. It gives you perspective. You get to look at yourself from another angle and it gives you a lust for picking up the guitar again. We'll promote the album until we and the record company thinks it's enough. The best promotion is of course touring and radio. I just got an e-mail telling me that the first single has been picked up by the Swedish radio, so I guess that's a start. But I can tell you, I'm really longing for the road right now.

Crappy food, untuned guitars and sleeping in the bus. I'm already like an old man in a fairly young body: You know, I like strolling around the towns we play and looking for historical marks, book stores or concrete jungles. Touring is education, evolution and partying for me...

]]> Wed, 23 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2143 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2143 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2143#comments Satanic Surfers are calling it a day after 17 years: http://www.satanic-surfers.com/news.asp
Ex-members Rodrigo, Fredrik and Daniel will continue on in the new band Enemy Alliance, Andy has a band called Sista Sekunden and Robert plays in Trenches.]]> Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2244 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2244 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2244#comments New European dates for Swedish hardcore act Traktor:

04/18 - Beteigeuze, Ulm (GER)
04/19 - Sunny Red, München (GER)
04/20 - United Club, Torino (ITA)
04/21 - Papperlapp, Bolzano (ITA)
04/22 - The Cage Club, Livorno (ITA)
04/23 - Csa Capolinea, Faenza (ITA)
04/24 - Keller 264, Freiburg (GER)
04/25 - Hirscheneck, Basel (CH)
04/26 - ISC, Bern (CH) w/ Alarma Man
04/27 - Espace B, Paris (FRA)
04/28 - WBC, La Rochelle (FRA)

Bassist Fredrik will be forced to sit this one out as his girlfriend will soon give birth to their child. Robert Lindblom will fill in. In other news, the video for "Vultures" is now online: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2013558241]]> Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25644-top-10s-for-2006-jonas-skybakmoen-johndoe http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25644-top-10s-for-2006-jonas-skybakmoen-johndoe http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25644-top-10s-for-2006-jonas-skybakmoen-johndoe#comments 01. "Nicolai Dunger sjunger Edith Södergran" - the best record I've heard in years

02. Johndoe at Kvarteret in Bergen - so much love from so many people is addictive

03. Listening to Peter Bjorn and John's "Roll the credits" extremely loud when I was drunk in October

04. Watching the making of before mentioned Dunger-album on Swedish television - the part with the lake, the northern sunset and "Glädjen Är En Fjäril" playing in the background

05. The West Wing - Santos for president!

06. Hearing Harry Nilsson's version of "Many Rivers To Cross" for the first time

07. "Ut og stjæle hester" (book by Per Petterson, which I read again this year, and it's even better the second time)

08. Jason cartoons, especially "Hemingway"

09. Recieving MySpace-comments from Fredrik in Randy, reminding us of good times at Galjonen in Stockholm

10. Hearing the alternative mix of "Throwaway Style" (The Exploding Hearts) and realizing it's the best song ever


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

Jonas sings and plays guitar in the Norwegian band Johndoe. Johndoe released their third album "Dødvinkel" in September this year and is currently trying to play as many gigs as possible.
www.johndoe.no
www.myspace.com/jhnd

]]> Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26067-don-agbai-cats-and-travel-ep-vapen-godis http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26067-don-agbai-cats-and-travel-ep-vapen-godis http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26067-don-agbai-cats-and-travel-ep-vapen-godis#comments "Barcelona 2002 (All I wanted was a postcard)" in a radio-friendly pop version as well as an extended dance remix. It's a great song, as is the opener "A trip to Venice". Although there's certainly an '80s influence here in the thumping beats and rhythmic synth work, this disc doesn't really sound retro. The pleasingly casual vocals and impeccable sound give the recording a zesty, fresh vibe. Band members Johan, Tobias and Fredrik perform with an enthusiasm that leaps from the grooves and I can't imagine anyone not liking this disc unless they're just indifferent to dance pop in general.]]> Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25612-profile-franky-lee http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25612-profile-franky-lee http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25612-profile-franky-lee#comments Name: Franky Lee

From: All over Sweden

Sounds like: Catchy, punky rock'n'roll

Listen: Solitary

Discography:
2007 - tba (Burning Heart)

Links:
www.frankylee.com
www.myspace.com/frankyleeband

It's only natural that someone who's been in the same band for many years will begin to feel like branching out. Such is definitely the case for Millencolin guitarist Mathias Färm, so it should come as no surprise that he's decided to branch out and front a band of his very own - Franky Lee. So far there's only one song been made public (see link above), but considering the involvement of ex-Peepshows guitarist Magnus Hägerås and Randy drummer Fredrik Granberg, one can surely expect greatness. Burning Heart thinks so - the band's already been signed with the debut album due out early next year. Mathias was kind enough to answer a few questions:

Why start a new band? What made you decide you wanted to do your own thing and why did you choose those two particular dudes to play with?

Well, I have a lot of songs just laying around so why not do something useful with them! I always wanted to try to sing in a band and now when I had the opurtunity to do it with Magnus and Fredrik, I thought I'll give it a go. Magnus is a great guitar player and also my guitar tech with Millencolin and Fredrik, he's just one hell of a drummer...

I imagine you guys are all pushing 30 or thereabouts now - do you still consider yourself a punk-rocker? how has your opinion of punk changed over the years?

I've never really considered myself punk (well, maybe as a teenager I tried to be one). For me punkrock has always been a way to to what you wanna do with no rules. That's why I respect all kinds of music even if it's Madonna or Sex Pistols.

It seems to me (at least here in the US) that a lot of people get into pop-punk when they are teenagers and then grow out of it. Is it the same in Sweden? Or do you think that your audience has aged with you?

Hmmm, our crowd is younger than us, especially here in Sweden. Outside of Sweden it's more accepted to be into pop-punk (or what you wanna call it). Since Sweden is such a small country everything is very trend-oriented here. If hip-hop is the new cool, all the kids are into hip-hop or if the new thing is punk everyone is into that. I've never grown out of the music I love, hope I'm not the only one.

You've got a lot of tattoos right? What's your most embarassing one? Who's got the worst tattoo in the band?

I got my first tattoo back in 93', It's a tattoo that I named "my grunge compas." It looks terrible, but now it's hidden inside my other stuff...puhhh!

What's the best thing about being in a band?

Well for me it's always been when you're up on stage and are having a good gig, also that I get a lot of time off!!!

If you weren't playing music, what do you think you'd be doing?

No idea, maybe working in my studio recording and producing bands!

Tell me about the last book you read.

Last book I read was "Stalingrad" by Anthony Beevor, life wasn't easy back in those days. I'm really interested in WW2, terrible stuff that happened in a terrible time... not that long ago!

What's the future look like for Franky Lee?

Great.. We're gonna start with a couple of secret gigs around Sweden. The album will be released early next year followed by massive touring around the world!!!!

]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25602-interview-jonas-skybakmoen-johndoe http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25602-interview-jonas-skybakmoen-johndoe http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25602-interview-jonas-skybakmoen-johndoe#comments It used to be that bands singing in their own native languages (ie, not English) were doomed to obscurity. Of course there's been a few exceptions here and there over the years, but they're almost all nothing but novelty acts. But the times are a-changing and there seems to be growing acceptance of that fact that we live in an increasingly international world full of wonderful multilingual music. If freak-folk from Finland can catch a break in the States, why not a Norwegian rock'n'roll band? It could happen! And why not?

I had seen the name Johndoe here and there for awhile and had even started reporting on them as early as March 2003, but I must confess that it wasn't until Fredrik from Randy cited them as his new favorite band that I really started paying attention and actually gave them a listen. The music of Randy is a good reference point, too - both bands play similarly energetic rock'n'roll, very much rooted in punk-rock, but way more than just mohawks and safety-pins. Grounded in tradition, but not bound by it. It makes perfect sense for them to be fans of eachother and, subsequently, to tour together as well.

When I saw the news that Johndoe was coming out with a new record I figured this would be a perfect opportunity to catch up with the band and hopefully (re)introduce them to a new audience that appears to be more receptive than ever. Singer/guitarist Jonas Skybakmoen was more than happy to oblige.
- Avi Roig

Tell me about the new album - how is it different from what you've done before? What's that title mean?

I guess the title "Dødvinkel" could be translated into "blind spot". Word-by-word it would be "dead angle" - so in Norwegian the title has another bleak twist to it. We wanted that. This is by far our most depressing record yet. It wasn't really intentional, it just happened. And somehow it's a very Norwegian record. It's about living up here in Trondheim, about things we know. Roots, love, agony, and longing, maybe. And musically... This isn't exactly the rock'n'roll capitol of the world, you know? We admire musicians that are able to tell people where they're coming from. Björn Olsson got this incredible Swedish thing going on. Same with Nicolai Dunger and his latest album "...sjunger Edith Södergran". We wanted to make something honest, simple and believable. Something from Trondheim. It's probably old fashioned, I don't know - songs about heartache and running away is pretty classic stuff. But we wanted this to be a manifold record as well - we wanted a bit of everything in there. There's a lot of piano and background vocals going on, and only one guitar solo. That's pretty bold by our standards. We spent almost two years writing songs for this record - and then we recorded 11 of them live in the studio and that's "Dødvinkel".

I know it's the standard dumb question, but why sing in Norwegian?

When we first started back in 1994, Swedish punk was the big thing in Trondheim. BirdNest-bands like Charta 77, Dia Psalma and DLK. They used to come here and play UFFA or Veita and there would be total madness. I even remember a riot in the street after a Charta 77 show. One of our mates had "Ebba - the movie" on VHS. It was the best thing we had ever seen. We played some Ebba Grön songs and then we started to write ourselves. In Norwegian, of course. I mean, we didn't even think it over. We have seriously never considered singing in English. I guess it's about wanting to communicate. It's hard to write in Norwegian, though. We gotta be ten times better than all the English-singing groups in Norway 'cause they can get away with any dumb lyric. We can't and that's a big challenge. Personally, I enjoy Norwegian and Swedish lyrics the most. It just feels closer to what I know and what my life is like.

Do you consider yourselves to be punk anymore? What does it mean to be a punk band in 2006 anyway?

I don't really know if we are a punk band. I know that punk rock has shaped us in many ways - and that it probably shows in all from stage presence to song writing. But we have a kind of laid-back relationship to the whole punk thing. Yeah, we love the Misfits, but we also love Bruce Springsteen. Talking New Jersey, Ralphie from "The Sopranos" is the worst punk ever! And "Dødvinkel" isn't a punk album. We are breaking way too many punk rock rules. What's up with all those rules, really? I mean, you can't still consider 999 to be the best band on earth. They visited Trondheim recently, they're extremely old. Maybe the punkest thing a band can do nowadays is to have complete control over their own music - a thing which even The Clash struggled to achieve. But it's probably easier now, with the Internet and all. You don't really need major labels, do you? You need Clear Channel and MySpace, though. I like the old-school punk thing, releasing 7"s and LPs and sounding like 1983. But that's not us, really. People should check out the Ny Våg-label in Umeå, Sweden.

What's up with the new label? What happened with Sony? How much of the work are you taking up yourselves?

We decided to release the new album ourselves - and Sony was happy to let us go. Our last album "Pyromantikk" didn't sell enough copies the first two weeks to make us a priority within the Sony system. We toured a lot and practically pushed the album all on our own. At the same time, Sony and BMG decided to join forces in Europe and a lot of the people we had been working with were simply afraid of losing their jobs. And suddenly they had all these Norwegian Idol artists on their roster. They sold far more than us, of course. We didn't want to whine about it. We wanted to do our thing and make it fun to release records again. So we started JHND. We got in touch with Sonet, which is a branch of Universal Music. They are gonna sell our record. We have always been doing almost everything ourselves - from day one we've been managing Johndoe together with our best friend. Another friend helps us with album covers and web design. My old schoolmate is making our new video. I guess we are pretty demanding people to work with. We want things to be done right away - and that's why we often end up doing it ourselves.

How important is DIY to you?

We've always been doing a lot of stuff ourselves. Not everything - we've got a booking agency in Oslo and Sonet is helping out with promotion and sale. We pay them and call them every day. And the rest is pretty much up to us. I think every band has been through a DIY-phase at some point. You know, putting up posters, calling the local newspaper, spreading the word through the Internet. Our DIY-phase seems everlasting. We want things to be done our way. It's fun - you can design a poster one day, and then go on to make a song the next. I personally like the creative work the most. And we're all about the music, really - the songs are our main focus. But there's still more to be done, you gotta be pretty structured and focused. I guess you need a plan from square one, and stick to it. There's always people calling, wanting to do something with Johndoe - be it a gig at some mall or an interview on summer fashion - and then you gotta ask yourself; Is this a part of the plan? And if not, well, you won't do it. We started our own label this January. It may sound like a big step, coming from Sony and all. But it really wasn't. We don't longer have to call up some A&R, try and convince him that we need to do another video, and then sit back and wait for an answer for four weeks. We've been in the game for a while now, we know people, we can make this happen on our own.

How does the Trondheim compare to the hyped Bergen scene? Is there the same sort of cross-genre camaraderie among bands? How does it compare to cities like Oslo?

Trondheim is different from Bergen and Oslo in many ways. First of all, we don't have the same amount of high quality studios and producers up here. The "bigger" bands in Trondheim often record their albums elsewhere - we actually went to Bergen to record our first album. Trondheim don't have a single functioning booking agency for rock artists. We've got a few people doing management and a couple of indie labels. Bands from up here need connections in Oslo, really. And yes, the Bergen scene has been the centre of attention for a while now. It seems to me that they're very focused on melody down there - while Trondheim has always been rock-country. We're catching up, though. We've got some great bands, like the Lionheart Brothers, Desperado and New Violators, to mention a few. Thomas from Desperado released one of our EPs on his Dead Letter label a couple of years ago. Marcus from Lionheart produced a single for us last year. Everybody drinks beer at Blæst on fridays. So yeah, we're connected in many ways.

How does the Norwegian scene compare to Sweden?

I tend to fall in love with almost anything coming from Sweden. It seems to me that the Swedish artists have got this amazing sense of melody - be it The Knife or Mattias Alkberg BD or Dungen, you know? Something that in a way connects them to the same place. A northern twist, or whatever. The Swedes seem so open-minded when it comes to music - the audience kinda embraces extremeties and strangeness, especially when it comes to artists singing in Swedish. And they like new music as well as old. The media in Norway keep talking about the four big bands in Norwegian-language rock - Jokke, DumDum Boys, Raga Rockers and DeLillos. They all started out in the 80s, and they are doing huge comeback tours now (except for Jokke, who sadly died in 2000 and who probably is the greatest of them all, some kind of Alf Prøysen for his generation). We need some young folks too, we need something new.

Ever have any international aspirations? Do you think there's a potential market for Norwegian-language rock outside or Scandinavia? What's your take on the success that Kaizers Orchestra has achieved?

Maybe we got some international aspirations in the back of our heads. We've been focusing on Norway all the way, but we went to Sweden last year together with Randy. Only four gigs, but it was great, and we got some nice feedback as well. We need someone to put out our record over there! What Kaizers Orchestra has done is simply amazing. I think it's about their massive live shows - that kind of showmanship is universal. Our friends in Nullskattesnylterne have toured Germany a couple of times, singing in Norwegian dialect Trøndersk and all. So it's definitely possible, although I think Great Britain would be a hard nut to crack.

In the first question you talked about pain of growing up in Trondheim and how it's reflected in your music. What was growing up there really like? Any stories from your childhood that exemplify the experience? What do you get out of it when you capture these emotions in song? Do you think it can resonate with people who have never been to Trondheim or do you consciously try to make things more universally applicable?

I don't necessarily mean that Trondheim is a shitty place to live, Trondheim can be nice. Personally, I grew up some place between the suburb and the city. A lot of people - I suppose both working, middle and upper-middle class - came to live in these brand new, but cheap terraced houses in the early 80s. My childhood wasn't painful or anything. Some kids started doing drugs, and some didn't. I often bump into people I grew up with downtown and it's pretty clear to me who made it and who didn't. Sometimes it's totally surprising and that's kinda depressing. We've tried to capture that feeling of chance in a couple of our songs. There's a bit of dreading the future, you know. Anything can happen. That disturbes me.

I guess Trondheim functions as a backdrop to our songs - Trondheim is what we know. There's portraits of nature and landscapes, there's actual street names and landmarks and such. I don't think it's excluding, it's rather the opposite - I can read a Richard Ford short story from Great Falls, Montana and still relate to it, right? Not despite of, but rather because of all the depictions of farms, motels, mountains, cars. It makes the story come alive, I guess it wouldn't be so good without it. And I think our stories are understandable, they're pretty universal. We've got this one song that mentions an old German bunker situated just outside my childhood home, but it's really a song about fearing the unknown to the point of mindless patriotism. It's kinda gloomy. At the same time - this is probably our most poppy record. We've fallen in love with simple melodies, straight-forward arrangements - you know, songs, rather than just riffs and poses.

What do you do when you're not playing music? Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

We play a lot of soccer, usually indoors. Then we watch soccer on TV. We also play FIFA 2006 and Pro Evolution Soccer 5. Some of us even play the flash-game "Play for your club" on the Internet. Ten years from now? I don't really wanna think about it.

Okay, so you don't want to think about 10 years down the road. What's Johndoe up to for the next couple of months then?

The album will hit the stores on September the 18th. We will start our national tour in early October and probably keep going until Christmas. The whole thing is being planned right now. We're designing the cover, making a video - basically getting the Johndoe machinery ready for the fall. I'm really looking forward to playing these tunes live, I can't wait! We're hoping to go to Sweden again in early 2007. Time will tell.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5954 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5954 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5954#comments I'm pretty sure it's old news that Norwegian hardcore act The Spectacle is breaking up, but member Fredrik has posted a new epitaph for the band: http://www.the-spectacle.com/
I'm bummed that their plans to do a final US tour never came to fruition, but what can ya' do?]]> Wed, 03 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7181 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7181 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7181#comments Lots of great posts over at Finnish music blog Lupatarkastaja recently. Not only is it now being published more regularly in English, but there's tons of good new music from bands such as Ghost Brigade (a new project featuring members of Sunride and Revolt with guest appearances from Munter of Swallow The Sun and Fredrik from Swedish stoner-rock band Dozer) and a new post-rock mix featuring tracks from Circle Six (very highly recommended), Icos, From Now On and more. Oh, and don't forget Teemu's take on my own latest netrelease from Sonores.]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25515-top-10s-for-2005-erik-welen-tiger-lou-torpedo http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25515-top-10s-for-2005-erik-welen-tiger-lou-torpedo http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25515-top-10s-for-2005-erik-welen-tiger-lou-torpedo#comments 01. The Ark @ Umeå Open
Never really liked this band. At all. But they totally blew me away. I was drunk as hell because of Avi (I blame it all on you) but I think that I would have loved them even on a sober night.

02. American Dad
Best tv-show ever. Klaus is the best fish in tv history.

03. The Car Crash of February
It's should be on my hate list of 2005. But lots of good things have come out of it as well. A closer friendship with my bandmates and a new appreciation of life. And the final evidence for me that God's a joke.

04. Lungfish @ St Felui Festival
The beard. It's all about the beard.

05. The Da Vinci Code
It's a million years old by know but I still read it like it's the first time. I love this book.

06. Myspace @ Internet
Even though it's total corporate bullshit and sold out to Clear Channel or whatever evil major Christian company of your choice... it's still a nice billboard for bands.

07. Piratbyrån

08. Alarma Man @ Blow Up A Panda Festival
Best and loudest band on the festival.

09. Germany
Best country in the world. Even if they're stiff and boring it's still nice to get a chance to talk to people that actually care about you and your band(s).

10. Fredrik Holmgren @ Startracks
Fredrik prefers boxing. That's why I like him.


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

Erik plays bass for two very excellent bands: Tiger Lou and Torpedo. He is also a fun drunk.
www.tigerlou.com
www.torpedo.se

]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9592 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9592 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9592#comments I figure I might as well keep with the theme of the most recent podcast and post another fine track from Starmarket. I was considering trying to track down some Shredhead mp3s, but I get the feeling that those dudes probably don't want that stuff distributed online so prominently. Anyhow- Starmarket, as you can probably infer, are another fine band from Umeå in Northern Sweden. Their sound is part mid-90s noisepop mixed with a bit of post-hardcore, kinda like Fireside who I featured on a Friday classic post two weeks ago. This track happens to be one of the more tender numbers from the band's early period. It's incredibly melodic, but rhythm section keeps things heavy and powerful. The band is still kicking around nowadays, but they've gone through quite a few member changes over the years. Magnus and Johan went on to form KVLR (one of my absolute favorite bands), Patrik plays with Family Music and Fredrik also does The Crystal Committee. There's probably tons more too, but really - who needs to read through their entire incestous musical family tree? Not gonna happen. Just download the track whydoncha?]]> Fri, 05 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25471-interview-peter-ahlqvist-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25471-interview-peter-ahlqvist-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25471-interview-peter-ahlqvist-burning-heart-records#comments Way back in mid-March I took a roadtrip with my friend Kelly down to LA for the Export Music Sweden Swedish Showcase. As has already been posted, I got the chance to sit down and talk with Anders from Moneybrother before the show. Well, I also got a chance to sit down with Peter Ahlqvist, big cheese for Burning Heart Records. And I do mean big, dude is like eight feet tall. Anyhow, we grabbed a table in the barroom while Deportees finished up their soundcheck nextdoor and had ourselves a little chat. Here's how it went:

(note: Kelly was mostly busy sending text messages to her fake boyfriend, but she does chime in towards the end)

Avi: So let start with congratulations on a #1 record.

Peter: Yeah, it's good! Actually had one before, but it was in Norway and doesn't really count the same way.

A: Oh? What #1 in Norway?

P: Turbonegro

A: Oh, right right.

P: Three weeks in a row or something. Big band over there.

A: Oh yeah and they have that new one coming out. That's probably going to be a big record...

P: I hope so. It's good. Better than the last one.

A: So how is Moneybrother doing now with that Kent record out? Is it still holding on?

P: No, uh (laughs). They released it the last day of the week because they wanted to have a #1 that first week and the next week. They said they sold like half a million records on the last one.

A: So like how people are there in Sweden and how many records?

P: It's great actually how big they are.

A: Right.

P: I'm not sure actually that that's just Sweden, I think that's Scandinavia total, but they're still big in Sweden. But it's good, we're happy we're #2 at least. So that's good, as good as it can get.

A: But still y'know, you look at the cover of Sonic and see Anders is on the cover and Kent is down a ways.

P: But still they are such a mainstream popular band.

A: I don't think they're quite the talk as much as...

P: But you like them personally?

A: I haven't heard the new one yet, but I thought the last one was kind of mediocre.

P: Uh huh, that's the biggest one of course. But I like some of the old stuff.

A: Oh yeah, me too. I mean, the last one isn't bad. I'm curious about the new one, but in no rush to hear it.

P: No, same here. (laughs)

A: So now that you have this big success, what's next? What are you working on?

P: We're always working on tons of records, not just big ones.

A: You're not just concentrating on the pop stuff?

P: No no, I think the majority of our bands are punk bands in one or another. There's always a punk angle to the bands we are signing. Even Anders was in punk bands and Monster. I think everyone has some punk thing going. We're doing Turbonegro, we're doing Millencolin, new Looptroop. And that's all coming out in spring.

A: Right, all pretty big records.

P: Yeah, all big. And then we have Lost Patrol Band and Club Killers which is a cool band. Have you heard of them?

A: I think I've heard the name.

P: It's basically three of the guys from Moneybrother. They're all here actually, but not the trumpet guy.

A: Oh, were they on the comp? That live track, that's right.

P: They are a live band who are like a project... they're a real band now. Basically they play a club in Stockholm - Debaser - every second week or every month. They play ska, rocksteady; only covers. And they have fifteen people in the lineup and then they invite a lot of guests like Håkan Hellström, someone from The Hellacopters, Sahara Hotnights, Weeping Willows, everything. They have guest vocalists for all the songs.

A: So that's what the recording's gonna be like?

P: Yeah yeah, totally. It's like Buena Vista Social Club, but more indie/ska and in Sweden. It's started to become pretty popular - they have some great festival gigs last summer. This will be the first release, live at the club. It was recorded live during several nights or whatever and then put together.

A: Is it all ready to go?

P: Yeah, it'll be out in May.

A: So actually will be appearing on it then? The people you mentioned already?

P: Yeah, Håkan Hellström, Magnus Carlsson, Maria from Sahara, some hip-hop guys, Moneybrother's on two tracks. Then they have their own singer which is a girl, Anna Maria EspinosaModer Jords Massiva.

A: Kind of the all-stars, eh?

P: Yeah, I hope they're gonna develop into a real band.

A: And actually tour and everything?

P: Uh-huh. And write their own stuff. Which they want to do, but I don't know if they can get the time because of Moneybrother.

A: Are they going to do any festivals this summer?

P: Yeah, but they are also subject to what they can do because of Moneybrother. The drummer is also from Weeping Willows, the horn section is from a lot of bands.

A: Of course Moneybrother will in-demand this summer I imagine.

P: Yeah, right. It's gonna be tough for them. It's an interesting thing and of course if Moneybrother plays a festival they might also play the same festival.

A: Yeah, as long as none of the other bands are doing anything else?

P: Yeah. So that's what we're releasing this spring. And we've got tons of new stuff in the autumn actually.

A: What else you working on?

P: Sara from INC, a new band called The Vicious. We're doing that. That's more the Dead Boys kind of punk-rock.

A: So not going back to like the Doughnuts metalcore thing?

P: (laughs) no no... So that's a good one. And then we have a band called The Accidents.

A: Oh yeah, I have their record.

P: Yeah, it's more rock n' roll.

A: Yeah, that's another kind of all-star band in some ways.

P: Yeah, but some of the band members are from Voice of a Generation who just broke up. So now they have the bassplayer from VOAG and it's totally his band.

A: So they're going full-out now? Not like a side-project?

P: Yeah, also because one of the guys from VOAG who left and split up the band - he works for Burning Heart. That's why he wanted to quit. And he's still in The Accidents as well, but he's only gonna be on the record. He's not gonna tour.

A: Right. Now what does he do at Burning Heart?

P: He's running the publishing. He works for the publishing company which is part of Burning Heart in a way.

A: Right.

P: It's a different company that does the publishing for Refused, The Hives, whatever, a tons of bands.

A: Yeah, it's a lot of work I would imagine.

P: It's a lot of work, so it's tough.

A: Right. So how do you go about discovering new bands then? Do you go out to a lot of shows? Demos?

P: It's not demos really, it's more recommendations and usually we sign bands that already have a reputation.

A: Yeah, all those bands seem to have people that are already established.

P: Yeah, and live shows - yeah, I go to live shows, but not that many. It's hard - I don't travel a lot. If there's a band I really want to see and want to sign, of course I go. Usually I hear about a band through others and then go to the show. But it's not often you see a band that blows you away.

A: Has that ever happened to you?

P: Yeah. In a way I see that sometimes. Like I saw Flogging Molly on the Warped Tour a couple years ago. I really liked that because I thought it was excellent live and then we licensed them for Europe. But otherwise, thinking about it - it's not often I see a band live and go wow, this is something I have to work with. It's more like I heard about the band and then I see them live.

A: So nobody out of the blue then?

P: Not really. Flogging Molly I would say is the only one.

A: Is that different from the way you used to do things when you first started the label?

P: Of course, that was more demos actually at the beginning. And we started to sign a few bands that developed into others or started new bands or people recommended.

A: Well and Fredrik Holgren might accuse you of stealing his bands.

P: Ahhh yeah, but he was not involved in doing that deal with Refused. But that's the way - it's hard in the beginning. We signed the demos for a lot of the bands like No Fun At All, Millencolin. I did the first Refused EP which was basically me and Fredrik had around the same time, but he - initially he had a deal with the band and then I put out the EP. But all these bands, the early bands Millencolin, 59 Times the Pain, Breach and so on, that was through demos. Lately, it's not the same way now. That was part of the punkrock, hardcore way. And that was what Burning Heart was at the beginning, sort of a more punkrock hardcore thing.

A: Do you consider yourself a different kind of label now?

P: In a way. It's a more established label. It's not the same way. We don't pick demos with bands, there's not the same amount of good new bands around. It's not the scene. It's not something happening at the moment that you can relate to in the same way. On the other hand, I mean, sometimes you hear stuff like I heard a demo from Regulations I wanted to do. I dunno if you're familiar with them?

A: I've heard the name.

P: It's punkrock basically. It's gonna come out on Dennis' own label. Dennis and Stefan from Randy are gonna put it out. And maybe hopefully I'll be able to work with it later on. Vicious also, but that was also because I know Sara was in the band. You always have something. In the beginning it was different. I think we are still the same kind of label, though we are more established and we can work with more bigger bands.

A: So you think the scene has changed then?

P: Totally.

A: Do you think the DIY thing isn't going quite as strong or?

P: It wasn't much of a DIY thing at that point. It was because everyone started their punkrock label, but no - I wouldn't say it's as strong these days. It's definitely not as strong as it was when Refused and all those bands came. Then there were a lot of smaller Swedish punkrock labels established. And they were all gone after a few years, but a lot of them started and managed to do some okay things. A lot of indie labels sold a lot of records. Today there aren't that many.

A: Why do think that is?

P: I think there was an over-establishment at some point, in a way. But now... I think there was a boom in the scene and something new that came with Offspring and Green Day that totally changed. The kids were totally into it and there was a lot of new things about snowboarding and skateboarding.

A: The pop-punk explosion?

P: Yeah, it was - and the hardcore explosion followed. It was the same kind of thing. But now I don't see the same explosion in any scene. Y'know, for many years we had a lot of Swedish bands that wanted to sound like the Hellacopters and Backyard Babies. A lot of new bands started with that. And then if you go into that, maybe you have your own scene in a way, but you don't start booking shows. You don't bring bands from... It's a different thing. When the punkrock thing came a lot of people did their own thing with bands. That is pretty much gone. I would say of course there are many left, but it was such a big thing back then. I don't see any Swedish bands like that. There are mostly indie ones and very few hardcore ones.

A: So what do think's gonna happen in the future? Where do you see it going?

P: I don't know. I've been doing punkrock since 1980 when I did my first fanzine. I've seen so many changes, but it's always - I think there will always a place for something like harder music or extreme music. I don't see it as going away, but I don't see anything happening now that I can say oh, that's gonna happen in two years or Labrador Records is gonna be huge or whatever. They're a label that's got some cool things going on, even though they don't sell that much.

A: Yeah, they're very well known. Even here in the States you hear a lot of people talking about them.

P: Yeah, but otherwise I don't see any hardcore coming back. I see a lot of punk bands coming up. A lot of the bands, especially up north and so on - a lot of people are going back to playing punkrock. Everyone plays in a punkrock... as opposed to hardcore, they play punkrock influenced by all the American hardcore like Black Flag or Circle Jerks and also early Swedish punk or early English punk or whatever. And then there's a lot of oi! bands. That scene is also happening in a way. You never know, maybe there will be something.

A: Have your tastes changed as you've gotten older? Are you still into that stuff and following it?

P: I think I listen to the same type of music now. I mean, you get a little bored with only listening to punkrock. I don't pick up tons of new records and fall in love with them, but every now and then something comes along that I really like. For me, I think I've heard most of the good punk. I think it's been done in the past. I think there's always some good bands. I try to pick up good new bands I hear on other labels every now and then, but really - I'm not that excited about it. I'm still excited if I put on Minor Threat or if I put on...

A: The classics?

P: The classics, totally! I still listen to old oi! and that stuff and of course all the hardcore as well, or maybe some Hatebreed or something like that, but I don't pick new hardcore angry bands or melodic skatepunk bands or whatever. It's just not interesting anymore. I mean, there's always good bands.

A: So what do you listen to then?

P: I listen to everything. It's a lot of punkrock, a lot of indie bands. I still buy a lot of records.

A: Name some names that you've been hearing

P: Isolation Years is a great band. I like a band like Anti-Flag. Once more, I don't listen to that much new stuff I don't think.

A: So are just listening to more like the oldies?

P: No, really I buy a lot of stuff, but I'm not that really...

A: Nothing's been too terribly exciting?

P: I like Bloc Party. It's good. I like Libertines a bit, but it's not the classics. I like the old bands. I'm into stuff I've heard before, like Radio Dept. - I rather listen to something old like Ride.

A: You'd rather listen to the original?

P: Yeah, in a way. But still, it's hard to say that. Yes, it sounds sad, but... I like Koma. You know them? I like that record.

A: Yeah, they're on my comp that I put out.

P: Great band. But I don't see anything special that I really, totally am devoted to. My main preference is old ska. I listen to a lot of old ska, but it's hard to get new stuff in that genre that is good.

A: So then let's switch gears here...

P: It sounds bad, I want to be able to say "ah, this band's fantastic." But of course it's hard to be excited about music. I tried to put out good new stuff, but I can't say that I have to check out the new electro-punk scene from this place. It's not like that. I'm not into a special genre. I try to stick with what I really like. Before I could maybe buy everything on Revelation or everything on this label, but it's not like that anymore.

A: Right. So you're bringing Moneybrother over to the States. Do you think you have a good chance of getting him a break over here?

P: I hope so. I don't know - it's so hard to say. From a business point of view, I think he's a great artist and if people saw him live I'm sure he would be enormous. He's a great live act. You never know how things will work out in the US. There's already a lot of interest. If that's real interest, I don't know. I hope people check him out.

A: Are you hearing it from industry people or from like, the streets?

P: I would say only industry people so far because we haven't really done anything on the street market. He's such a new artist. I mean, it's only happening in Sweden. A few people know about Burning Heart, but maybe it's a bit out of the... it's a little bit different from what we used to put out so maybe, our original audience maybe doesn't...

A: Well you're not going to be licensing it to Epitaph then I guess?

P: No, I don't think so, but you never know. They're here, they're gonna listen. It could be something for Anti, but they usually only work with established artists. I don't want to say it - I hope it's going to work in the US. I can't say this is an American-style artist or this is something that will definitely go down in the US, but at the same time, no one thought that The Hives would work in the US and no one thought that this and this band would work in the US. It's all a matter of timing or whatever happens.

A: Are you really pushing on it? Do you think it's worth it?

P: We're over here, so yeah. We're trying to get something going. It's so hard to get things established in the US, it's such a big market. But I think every Swedish artist, since we are such a small country and only have a home market of 9 million people; every Swedish artist wants to go here. They sing in English because they have to to get over here and go to England and make it. We'll see. We're not depending on it. Of course it's everyone's dream to make it in the US somehow.

A: So, anyone else on Burning Heart you thinking of maybe bringing over? Or that you would like to?

P: Yeah. Of course Millencolin is doing their thing.

A: Well they're doing the Warped Tour this summer right?

P: Yeah, they're doing their thing. It's been running for what, 10 years or whatever. And Turbonegro is probably gonna come over and tour a lot more on this record. They are more, um, in-shape these days. (laughter)

Kelly: So they won't be so hard to look at?

(laughter)

P: Hank?

K: I don't know - it was just a naked man with a big bushy mustache was on my living room wall.

P: Yeah, that's Hank. Actually, on the new CD there's an extra added DVD with a workout video with Hank. So he's fit now.

(more laughter)

K: That's hilarious! Does he have a lot of enthusiasm like Jane Fonda on his workout tape?

P: No... I mean, I don't know if it's even funny, but it's cool to have it. (laughs) I would say that people who train for real will go "Oooh, he doesn't do anything right." It isn't exactly strict and all that stuff, so we'll see.

A: Yeah, I remember when Turbonegro played at Punx With Presses... that must've been like '96 or '97. That was ages ago.

K: I vaguely remember.

A: I remember when they came through and was like "Turbonegro? That's a funny band name." I missed the show, stupidly. Everyone else the next day was like "You missed the best show ever!"

P: It's a funny band. They were supposed to called - they changed it after a week of something- their first name was Nazi Penis. They took Turbonegro instead.

K: Flaccid penis?

A&P: Nazi.

K: Anyway...

P: Yeah, it's a funny band. But they are going to tour.

A: So you think there's a good future for importing bands over?

P: It's tough of course because of the cost of touring and of course bands, if really want to make it in the US they have to dedicate a lot of time. A lot of the bands that old don't have that time. They have their families. But we trying some newer bands that I really hope we can do more - we're signing a lot of "baby bands", younger bands. Hopefully we can get them over here. At the same time they need to develop in Europe as well. It's more important for us to have them touring in Europe than to come over here.

A: Have you ever thought of establishing a Burning Heart office in another country?

P: Not in the US. We were thinking of it before when we started to work with Epitaph. They were some plans to maybe have someone work for Burning Heart, but it hasn't really turned out that way. We haven't really pushed it either because it demands a lot of work.

A: Would it worthwhile for the benefits you'd get out of it?

P: Not now, if it was done five, six years ago maybe it would've been something. But then you would've needed some person who's really working it over here. We have an office in Germany. It's just one person actually, but he does the markteting and promotion there. We tried to sign a German band, but it was failed in the very last minute. They were on a label and their manager had the label and then he was picked up by Roadrunner, the whole label.

A: Which band was that?

P: Days in Grief. Has a bit of a Refused thing going, but more melodic maybe. At the Drive In, Refused with more melody.

A: So are there other bands outside of Scandinavia that you've thought about picking up?

P: We're talking to a band called Hell Is For Heroes.

A: Aren't they from New York?

P: No, they're English. They used to be on EMI in the UK. They sold a lot of records over there, but now they left EMI and want to do more of a Dischord thing on their own.

A: Oh, they're starting their own label then?

P: In the UK. They put it out in the UK, but then we're going to come along and do it for the rest of the world.

A: So you're going to license it not just for Scandinavia, but for everywhere?

P: For everywhere. And on the next record we're probably doing to do everything, even the UK. They are more of a post-hardcore, Fugazi/Refused/emo, but it has both the old and the new in there somehow. That's a band we really think is good and we're going to try to work hard and also try to get over here.

A: You've never limited yourself to local bands?

P: No, but still - the majority - it so much easier to be closer to your band. We try to sign American bands amd license American bands to do them over in Europe. but most of the time it's hard because they only want to sign for one album. They want to have a major deal over here and then we are out of the picture. So they say "You can only do one record."

A: Who have you been interested in?

P: Well we did Flogging Molly and then they started their own label. We only did one record and we wanted to work with them more and then they did their own, their label here started up in Europe and so they got a very good deal. We did Midtown. We did Give Up the Ghost, but they broke up.

A: Yeah, I do remember that. They broke up like right before they were supposed to tour?

P: Yeah, their second. What else? We still do Samiam.

A: I forget that they're still around. Living in the Bay Area, that's a band I grew up with.

P: They're actually in Europe now on a tour.

A: They do pretty well over there I'd imagine?

P: I don't know - it's been three or four years. I hope it's good, but the last record didn't do as good as the others. I think if they could do a another great new record I think they could do pretty okay because there was a lot of excitement for the tour.

A: Yeah, it's strange because over here, Samiam are hasbeens. (to Kelly) Would everyone even show up if they played you think? Do you remember them?

K: I remember them from like 10 years ago, but I haven't heard anything. I think that people would go.

A: I dunno. It's hard to say.

P: It's hard, I understand. They've done some really good records.

K: I feel like their records are always in people's record collections.

A: I see them along the same lines as J-Church - they're a band that people kind of don't really appreciate, but they persist. And they keep going and people go "Oh? Is that band still around?"

P: Yeah, maybe here. In Germany...

A: Yeah, that whole genre just seems to do a lot better in Germany.

P: Yeah yeah, but they were too early with that stuff. They're too old. If they were a little bit younger and nicer looking they would be really...

A: That is true. They aren't necessarily posterboys.

P: Yeah (laughs)

]]> Sat, 30 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11553 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11553 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11553#comments The video for Johndoe's latest single "Ord mot ord" is now available for streaming: http://www.johndoe.no/video/
The track comes from the Norwegian punk band's most recent album "Pyromantikk", a recommended favorite of Fredrik from Randy who says it's "the best record i´ve heard since .... well I dont know." Definitely worth checking out.]]> Fri, 25 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25448-top-10s-for-2004-fredrik-brandstrom-starmarket-the-crystal-committee http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25448-top-10s-for-2004-fredrik-brandstrom-starmarket-the-crystal-committee http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25448-top-10s-for-2004-fredrik-brandstrom-starmarket-the-crystal-committee#comments Top 10 best places in 2004:

01. Berlin. You never get tired of Böölin.

02. Midsommarkransen. My new hood.

03. Lofoten. Bird frenzy.

04. Sahara. I got there on my trip to Tunisia.

05. Autobahn. The only great thing Hitler did.

06. Luleå archipelago. Much better than the one in Stockholm.

07. Björkliden. Skiresort where I played with Randy. Great until I broke my hand while skiing.

08. Norr Mälarstrandskrogen. Pub/pizza joint next to our rehearsal space.

09. Catalonia, Spain. Shiny happy people.

10. East germany. It was more mysterious before the wall came down.


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

Fredrik sings and plays guitar for long-running Swedish indierockers Starmarket and also showcases his mellower side with The Crystal Committee. Starmarket recently released what I believe is their sixth album "Abandon Time" on Germany's Strange Fruit Records and will be touring Europe beginning in February.
www.starmarket.nu / www.thecrystalcommittee.com / www.strangefruit.de / www.chalksounds.com

]]> Tue, 28 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12389 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12389 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12389#comments Two new top 10 lists today: one from Mikkel of Denmark's Cph-sound and one from Fredrik of Dead Frog Records. Be sure to check 'em out and keep on sending those lists in.]]> Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25437-top-10s-for-2004-fredrik-muskos-dead-frog-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25437-top-10s-for-2004-fredrik-muskos-dead-frog-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25437-top-10s-for-2004-fredrik-muskos-dead-frog-records#comments Discoveries and reflections of 2004:

01. It amazing that most people just go with the flow when it comes to music, and buy music straight off the charts.

02. Independent music has got a bright future, thanks to those who are interested enough to look beyond the charts.

03. DIY has never been bigger in the music industry, and it's growing!

04. It's not all about numbers of records sold - equally important is the love of music and having fun along the way.

05. Good music = Revolution.

06. Despite all the flashy music and media sites out there, Content is still King.

07. The major labels are dying.

08. The Internet has changed the music industry more than the tape recorder.

09. The world is one market - A fact known to people for years. The industry has just woken up.

10. To all garage bands and talents out there - the future is yours!


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

Fredrik is the guy who does most of the graphics and web stuff for the independent Swedish pop label Dead Frog Records. Bands on the label include Waver, Parker, Kordon, Jeremiha and Psycho Sonic Cindy.
www.deadfrogrecords.com

]]> Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25435-top-10s-for-2004-fredrik-granberg-randy http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25435-top-10s-for-2004-fredrik-granberg-randy http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25435-top-10s-for-2004-fredrik-granberg-randy#comments 01. My new apartment in Gröndal. It rules!

02. Getting a home theater in my new apartment.

03. "Yngwie Malmsteen drunk on drums", Search for that phrase on soulseek or direct connect or whatever and download the funniest clip ever.

04. Touring in California, the best time of my life!

05. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Movie of the year.

06. My Judas Priest and Iron Maiden satin jackets from eBay, I am now a fullblown shopaholic

07. John Doe - Pyromantikk, The best album I have heard in years

08. My vacation in Pipa Brazil.

09. Fat Mike, always and forever

10. The Office season 1&2 dvd box set. Funny as hell!


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

Fredrik plays drums in Randy, long considered to be one of Sweden's strongest live acts and one of world's best melodic punk bands. The band's last album "Welfare problems" came out in 2003 and the group recently contributed the song "Beware" (ft. Fat Mike of NOFX) to the "Heartattack" compilation, out now on Burning Heart records. The group is currently beginning rehearsals and will be recording a new album soon.
www.randytheband.com / www.burningheart.com

]]> Mon, 20 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14965 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14965 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14965#comments Fredrik may have beaten me to it by posting an mp3 to the most recent Startracks newsletter, but I'm going to go ahead and put up a new Kristofer Åström mp3 anyway. The track is the first single from the new acoustic album "Loupita" and features guest vocals from Britta Persson. Britta is a young up-and-coming singer/songwriter herself and her demo is pretty great. I'm sure we'll be hearing lots more from her in the future.]]> Wed, 26 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15660 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15660 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15660#comments Logh's drummer Fredrik has decided to step down and only play with the band as a touring guitarist. New old drummer Marco Hildén (Cult of Luna) will once again take over the throne of honor. The band is currently hard at work on their third album and has plans to do a European tour in May/June as well as some more shows around Scandinavia in April/May.]]> Mon, 12 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15887 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15887 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15887#comments Revolver webzine talks to Gustaf Kjellvander of The Fine Arts Showcase and brother of Christian: http://www.revolver.nu/articleframeset.php?article_id=949 (in Swedish)
Fredrik might get pissed with me, but everyone pretty much already knows that he's the new Startracks signing. Some secret, eh? I'm not sure of the release date, but it's all recorded and ready to go. I also hear that UK label Must Destroy Music is out of the picture now, but I don't have details.]]> Mon, 22 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15869 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15869 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15869#comments I went down to LA on Saturday for that ExMS Swedish Showcase at the Troubadour and it was fantastic. Not only did all five bands (Kristofer Åström, Holden, Kamera, Hell on Wheels and Hardcore Superstar) put on a good show, but everyone was tremendously nice and fun to hang out with. Big ups to everyone involved involved, including Christer at ExMS, Fredrik from Startracks, Alf the tour manager, HS' label folks and so on and so forth. I'm so glad I made the trip. Look for a full write-up soon. I'll try and post some of the pics I took, too.]]> Mon, 22 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15937 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15937 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15937#comments Aftonbladet's Fredrik Svedjetun own take on his fight with Hardcore Superstar guitarist Silver Silver: http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,448935,00.html (in Swedish)
For you non Swede-speakers like me, Fredrik called Silver a Dregen (Backyard Babies, ex-Hellacopters) copycat and the dude got pissed and they took it outside.]]> Thu, 18 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15954 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15954 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15954#comments And while we're on this train of thought, fellow Startracks artist Christian Kjellvander will indeed be coming over to the States on a personal trip in July. I presume he'll be visiting family around Seattle? Anyhow, don't despair because he will be doing some dates while he's over here. I've already put in my bid to get him to come to San Francisco and I'm sure I'll learn more after talking to label honcho Fredrik on Saturday.]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/17322 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/17322 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/17322#comments My goodness! Fredrik at Dead Frog Records is a machine! 57 brand new demo reviews posted today.]]> Mon, 15 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/17655 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/17655 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/17655#comments Here's a couple songtitles for the brand new songs that Starmarket has laid down for their new album: "Ship of Sorrow", "Antichrist" and "The Vanishing Gates". As mentioned before, guitarist Fredrik is filling for Pelle of Fireside on their upcoming BRMC support gigs, as he's busy in the studio with The Hives. Starmarket plans to finish recording when Fredrik returns and hopefully have it all wrapped up sometime before Christmas. Still no word yet on what label will release the finished product.]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2003 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18090 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18090 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18090#comments Meshuggah checks in to report that they've starting writing for the new record, but have been forced to keep a low profile this past summer due to drummer Tomas's wrist problems. If you remember, they had to cancel a few festival gigs because of it. In other news, Tomas and guitarist Fredrik are up in Umeå working on recording "Drumkit From Hell II", a drum sample CD. It's due out early next year and you can read more about it here.]]> Fri, 26 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18285 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18285 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18285#comments Fredrik from Randy is selling his old drum set. Check it out.]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18781 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18781 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/18781#comments Swedish prog-metal band Pain of Salvation has announced a couple upcoming gigs at Lokomotivet in Eskilstuna where they will preview material from their new album "Be". They say this also might be the only chance to see the actual recording lineup perform the material. "Apart from the band there will be nine orchestra musicians on stage, and Fredrik will play the grand piano and the harpsichord/cembalo," notes vocalist/ guitarist Daniel Gildenlöw, "we are talking the real thing here, no synthesizers! We promise a very special experience with music styles colliding, video projections and a very intriguing concept revolving around the Story of Everything, gods and slaves..." The dates booked are August 30, September 5, September 6, September 12, and September 13. Look for the album next spring from Inside Out Music.]]> Wed, 30 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19241 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19241 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19241#comments The Klerks will be appearing on the MTV Nordic program Morning Glory on February 8, 9 and 11. They will perform the single "She, She, She" and do an interview.

Here's the dates for Opeth's upcoming Australian tour:

4/10 - Brisbane, The Arena
4/11 - Melbourne, The Corner
4/12 - Adelaide, Uni Bar
4/13 - Sydney, The Metro

Seen the video for "By the Grace of God" from The Hellacopters yet? Click here.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives has announced the dates for their upcoming US tour:

3/15 - Orlando FL The Social
3/16 - Ft. Lauderdale FL Culture Room
3/18 - Atlanta GA Cotton Club
3/20 - New York NY Irving Plaza
3/21 - Washington DC 9:30 Club
3/22 - Philadelphia PA Theatre of Living Arts
3/23 - Boston MA Paradise
3/24 - Providence RI Met Cafe
3/26 - Ottawa Barrymore's Music Hall
3/27 - Montreal Cafe Campus
3/28 - Toronto Opera House
3/29 - Columbus OH Little Brother
3/31 - Detroit MI Magic Stick
4/2 - Minneapolis MN 400 Bar
4/5 - Denver CO Bluebird
4/8 - San Francisco CA Bimbo's 365 Club
4/10 - Seattle WA Graceland

In a sign of big things to come, The Sounds have two songs featured in the upcoming movie "Final Destination 2", "Dance With Me" and "Rock'n'Roll". As stated before, James Iha's Scratchie Records will be releasing the album in the states. The movie hits US theatres tomorrow.

The Wannadies's full version of the video for "Little by Little" gets its TV premiere on MTV2 at 6:20. They may not be one of my faves, but the video's greatness is undeniable.

Kristofer Åström reports that Fireside has finished up with nine of the songs for the upcoming album and comments "it's turning out really good. I'm satisfied with how it sounds." Eh, not the boldest statement I've heard, but I'm still quite excited for when it finally comes out. Don't forget to download the new track "Throw it Away" if you haven't already.

Bad Taste Records has kindly put up the video for "Playerin" from Last Days of April. Check it: High / Low (Real Media)
Also, if you haven't already done so, vote for the band's video for "All Will Break" on the MTV Up North Chart or check out that mp3 I put up on the right.

Logh will be on P3 Live tonight at 9pm (12 noon Pacific). I plan on recording it, but you can also listen online at the P3 site. (click the link 'Lyssna' in the upper-right)

Hot on the heels of news of their StarEP release, Moneybrother has revealed they are working on a full length for Burning Heart Records. Mainman Anders Wendin (ex-Monster) says that him and producer Jari Haapalainen (The Bear Quartet) have twelve tracks ready to go for a summer release. He's also got an all-star lineup for the backing band: Fredrik Sandsten (The Soundtrack of Our Lives), Magnus Öström (Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Nicolai Dunger's "Soul Rush"), Björn Yttling (Peter, Björn & John, live keyboards for Ceasars Palace), plus Monster's horn section (Viktor Brobacke, Gustav Bendt and Patrick Andersson). The music is decribed as a mix of soul, reggae, and punk - not far from the sound of his old band.

Soviac reports they are finished with the second part of their new recording. They are working at Pelle Gunnerfeldt's Gröndal Studio with Johan Gustavsson (Randy) and Kalle Ohlsson (The Bear Quartet).

The new album from Crystal Committee is now available from Chalksounds and you can download the preview mp3s for "So Sinister" and the title track "Forever Overhead". Described by the label as "A true indierock masterpiece in the vein of Ride, early Starmarket", the band consists of Fredrik from the aforementioned Starmarket with help from Mattias Norlamder (Blithe, Komeda), Kristoffer Larsson (Cobolt) and Pontus Levahn (also in Starmarket).

Also from Chalksounds comes this mp3 from Carpet People. The track is called "A Road Trip" and it comes from the forthcoming album "More Bad Weather Coming Out of the Rain".

LOK has a live album called "Blästrad Levande" coming out on February 24. The recording is from a show in Göteborg last August 14. Preview the cover art here.]]> Wed, 29 Jan 2003 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19261 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19261 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19261#comments Here's a short little article with some info concerning the next record from The Soundtrack of Our Lives. Drummer Fredrik makes comments. (in Swedish)

Beyond Dawn has had the new album "frysh" pushed back to March. In other news, a video is being made for the track "Among the Sedatives" by Vildensky featuring "clip-art animation of the band performing various heroic deeds."

I had no idea, but KEXP Seattle has a great archive of live-in-the-studio recordings of bands such as The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Sahara Hotnights, Kings of Convenience, Cato Salsa Experience and much much more. Check it.

Enter to win a $250 gift certificate for Ben Sherman from The Soundtrack of Our Lives and Filter mmm here.

Vote for your choices in the Swedish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA) right here. Vote for one of nominees or write in your own choice.

Joakim Thåström will be releasing a live EP on January 24. It's called "Thåström på Röda sten" and will feature six tracks from his Kalas tour performance in Göteborg last summer and the video for "Släpp aldrig in dom".

Here's the nominees for the P3 Guld awards:

Best female artist
Awa Manneh - "Sounds Like Me"
Frida Snell - "Black Trillium"
Marit Bergman - "3.00 A.M. Serenades"
Paola - "Stockcity Girl"
Robyn - "Don't Stop The Music"

Best male artist
Christian Kjellvander - "Songs from a Two Room Chapel"
Håkan Hellström - "Det är så jag säger det"
Stephen Simmonds - "For Father"
Thåström - "Mannen som blev en gris"
Timbuktu - "Wått´s Dö Madderfakking Diil"

Best group
Caesars Palace - "Love for the Streets"
The Hellacopters - "By the Grace of God"
Kent - "Vapen & ammunition"
Looptroop - "The Struggle Continues"
Mando Diao - "Bring ´Em In"

Best newcomer
The Sounds
Melody Club
Paola
Mando Diao
Marit Bergman

Best song
"Calleth You Cometh I" - The Ark
"Dom Andra" - Kent
"Keep This Fire Burning" - Robyn
"Kom igen, Lena!" - Håkan Hellström
"Someone New" - Eskobar feat Heather Nova

Best live artist
The Ark
Doktor Kosmos
The Hellacopters
Marit Bergman
Looptroop

More info and voting here.

The Hellacopters latest record "By the Grace of God" has gone gold in Sweden with sales of over 30k. It's their 2nd gold album, the first being "High Visibility".

Finland's Enternal Tears of Sorrow have broken up. The statement from the band:

With mixed feelings we have to announce that Eternal Tears of Sorrow have decided to split up. EToS have been on a break since March 2002. During the break, it has become obvious that it is time to quit.
This band started as a free-time activity about ten years ago. As we got more success, we also needed to give more and more of our time to the band. Day by day, we realised the band had become a full-time job for us. Now it's time to move on and do something different. This band achieved much more than we could imagine when we formed up this band.

However, we don't stop making and playing music. Check out the official EToS website regularly for information about the members and their other projects and bands. The site has been online for almost seven years now and will remain as it is. Only the address has changed: www.etos.tk.

We thank all our fans for support! A huge number of nice things happened to us between 1994 and today, thanks to you! On behalf of Eternal Tears of Sorrow in early January 2003, Jarmo Puolakanaho & Altti Veteläinen (the founding members)

Dave Lombardo (Slayer!) plays on four songs from the new upcoming Apocalyptica record "Reflections". If you didn't already know, Apocalyptica is the Finnish cello trio made famous for their covers of Metallica songs.]]> Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:00:00 -0800 news