IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Hemstad: Never forget

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:39:58 -0800

Swedish wordless indiepop act Hemstad may be more or less inactive these days, but they are not completely forgotten -- head to their myspace to check a few new/old tracks just posted online: http://www.myspace.com/hemstad

Hemstad back in print

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:15:36 -0700

Catbird Records has informed me that the long out-of-print self-titled album from Swedish act Hemstad is once again available again now that they've recovered a stack of unused CD inserts from the print warehouse and are re-pressing and hand-assembling 'em with super-affordable CDRs. Check it: http://www.catbirdrecords.com/cbr_003.shtml
They also tell me there's a small possibility that the band's shelved follow-up album might eventually see the light of day, but nothing's confirmed yet on that front. Wait and see!

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:33:01 -0700

Detektivbyrån will release the album "E18" in Japan via P-Vine Records. Said album is a collection of everything the band has recorded so far including the brilliant "Hemvägen" EP plus "Lyckans undulat", the song from the split 7" w/Hemstad and one bonus track. Official release date is May 2 and cover art can be viewed here: http://detektivbyran.blog.com/3035608/

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:05:41 -0700

Catbirdseat has posted Hemstad's out-of-print self-titled 2006 EP up for streaming at Muxtape. Read more about it here: http://www.catbirdseat.org/archives/000981.php
Does this mean I should post my last remaining copy up for sale on eBay?

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:31:24 -0800

James Ausfahrt (Agent Simple, Hemstad) has a new album out on Fridlyst called "Party for the arty people/arty for the party people". Listen to samples: http://www.myspace.com/jamesausfahrt

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

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

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

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

Copies of the new Detektivbyrån/Hemstad split 7" just showed up: [click here]

Festival report: Roskilde

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Words by Jonas Appelqvist, pics by Martin Eriksson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Slaraffenland
This quintet had the unpleasant task of performing at 12pm. in front of hungover festival visitors, but considering that their music can be categorized as free-jazz/indiepop with some postrock-vibes, they (and the crowd) did a terrific job. The atmospheric sounds they created was indeed a wake-up call and they demanded attention. With saxophone, trombone, oboe and a fantastic playful drummer accompanied by driven guitars, it's not hard at all to guess that this is a Rumraket-band, the label run by Danish act Efterklang. Considering their Swedish and Danish membership, you would have guessed that they would be quite well-known in Scandinavia, but apparently they've earned themselves an acclaimed name abroad instead. A pity really. 'Cause this band was appreciated at Roskilde and I'm sure they would be in the rest of the Nordic countries as well. It was epic and breathtaking at times. Especially in my favorite song, the last in the set, "Watch out" where the poppy side of the band breaks through and creates an atmosphere of well-being. And I'm not sure that that's what the band strived for when they wrote the tune, but that's the feeling that comes to me. And it's a good one. Over all.

Mon, 21 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The new Detektivbyrån/Hemstad split 7" on Italian label Black*Kitten Records has been confirmed for release on June 21.

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

In other news: guitarist Karl Ander has left Hemstad and the band is seeking a replacement. Think you're up for it? They're holding "open auditions" in the Göteborg area so contact them at hemstadhemstad[at]gmail[dotcom] to set up a date. Otherwise, check out their myspace page for a new song clip: http://www.myspace.com/hemstad

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

IAT recommended acts Detektivbyrån and Hemstad will be teaming up for a split 7" to be released via Italian label Black*Kitten Records. No release date yet, but expect it sometime around spring.

Top 10s for 2006: Chris Magnussen (Hemstad/Das Kometen)

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Top ten music related things (in no specific order) that made an impact on Chris Magnusson during the year of 2006:

A) Hemstad's debut album.

B) Holy Shit's song "Skyscrapers in Heaven".

C) All of Ariel Pink's work.

D) Peter Bjorn And John's production on the song "Objects Of My Affection".

E) J Dilla's song "Two Can Win".

F) The death of Fagin Studio (RIP).

G) The back-2-basics-style-a'la-early-the-Cure-vibe of The Whitest Boy Alive.

H) A mix tape I found outdoors.

I) All shitty music released in the year of 2006.

J) Roland Juno-60

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Hemstad's debut CD is out now on Catbird Records.
www.hemstadhemstad.com
www.myspace.com/hemstad

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

Stylus reviews Hemstad: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/hemstad/hemstad.htm
You can buy the disc here: [click here]

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Stylus interviews Ryan of music blog The Catbird Seat and label Catbird Records, home of Swedish acts Hemstad and Pet Politics: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/label_profile/catbird-records.htm

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Hemstad has revamped their website yet again: http://www.hemstadhemstad.com/

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Tack! Tack! Tack! checks in after returning home from Emmaboda:

T!T!T! at Emmaboda had a strong red threat of Sweden through the line-up. From Brighton (home of Sweden Made Me) came Bobby McGees. The UK-Sweden link was further bolstered by Monster Bobby's membership in 2/7 Swedish band The Pipettes.
Nevertheless, this was T!T!T! at Emmaboda with IAT jocks.
Festival faves The Bobby McGees gave up seven songs to 150 people crowded in the D&tC tent with Monster Bobby following on with a further six songs, increasing the crowd to 250 - this in competition against Hello Saferide performing on the main stage. Not too shabby we say.
Bands to catch the eye of T!T!T! included Familjen, Hemstad, I'm From Barcelona, Vapnet, SMK, Hello Saferide and D&tC, to name just a few. We missed them, but The Tiny were said to be immense. Old timers like Billie the Vision and the Dancers gave a memorable show, and trumpetplayer Lisa promised to marry T!T!T! Even more lovely was when The Pipettes dedicated "Pull shapes" to T!T!T!
T!T!T! dedicated it to all the other would-be proponents of music on the scene for Scandi music. From Spain, Italy, Scotland, England, Ireland, USA and elsewhere; everyone was there. You know who, Tack!

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The kind folks of Hemstad have posted a little mixtape for free download: http://www.hemstadhemstad.com/

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish instrumental indiepop act Hemstad will be releasing a 7" single for the song "Kaserntorgets Charkdisco" in the UK this October via the label Wigwam. More details to come.

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Das Kometen, the solo project of Chris Magnussen of Hemstad, has posted a new video: http://www.suchgreatheights.se/daskometen/video2.htm

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Hemstad sideprojects James Ausfahrt and Das Kometen both have brand new EPs available for free download via the Bat Boogie X netlabel: http://www.suchgreatheights.se/label/index.htm

Tue, 30 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Das Kometen, the solo project of Chris from Hemstad, has posted some new songs for free download: http://www.suchgreatheights.se/daskometen/index.htm

Fri, 26 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Delusions of Adequacy reviews Hemstad: http://www.adequacy.net/review.php?reviewID=6977
Buy the CD: [click here]

Hemstad s/t Catbird Records

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

There's a song on here called "Som en b-sida om sommaren" ("Like a b-side in summer") and that pretty well encapsulates this record. Pick a hot and steamy night. String some inflatable palm trees with lights. Fill a kiddie pool with ice & beer & soda and your backyard with friends. Imagine sand between your toes. Pop this one in your boombox and start doing the twist. All instrumental, it's part silly, part surf, part B-52s, part casios, occassionally a little annoying, but mostly just fun fun fun. Let the summer dance parties begin.

Thu, 11 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Chris Magnusson of Hemstad has a new electropop solo project called Das Kometen that you can check out right here: http://www.suchgreatheights.se/daskometen/index.htm
Beware of the auto-playing video, but keep an eye out for the hilarious outdoor keyboard/groove shots.

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Hemstad has posted another song from their latest EP for free download: http://suchgreatheights.se/hemstad/website/media/hemstad-fyllekarring_(albumversion).mp3
Buy it here: [click here]

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

I've been honored with a guest appearance on Hemstad's "H Deux Trois" list: http://suchgreatheights.se/hemstad/website/13.htm
Buy Hemstad CDs here: [click here]

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Hemstad CDs just arrived on my doorstep this afternoon. Get it now!

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Hemstad has a brand new website and a new mp3 from their forthcoming album: http://www.hemstadhemstad.com/

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The winner has been announced in the Hemstad lookalike contest: http://hemstad.blogspot.com/2006/01/winner.html

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Details on the upcoming Hemstad record due out in February via Catbird Records: http://www.catbirdrecords.com/cbr003.html

Top 10s for 2005: Tomas Halberstad (Punk of Country)

Fri, 09 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

This made my 2005:

01. Birds are singing deep within the greenery - Bear Quartet (Song)
This must be the best song ever.

02. Tripper - Efterklang (Album, 2004)
Made my entire winter 2004/2005. Driving around at night in the empty, industrial areas of Hising Island.

03. Ola Borgström, Service (Person)
Intelligent and driven and one who I think will be looked back on as a catalyst for Swedish popular music in the twenty-first century.

04. Tri Repetae - Autechre (Album, 1995)
I can't believe this album is ten years old. I this year got my first car with a decent stereo and rediscovered this album. Excellent car music. Excellent music. Modern music.

05. Hemstad (Band, Entire Mp3:catalouge)
Sweden seem to at any given time have one, just one, really great instrumental rock band. Hemstad is at the moment running the relay for the yellow and blue.

06. Mikrofonkåt - Fredrik Strage (Book, 2001)
Swedish hip-hop, up until 2001, for dummies.

07. Mew and the glass handed kites - Mew (Album)
The fact that they dared to do this album puts them on my list. Like it or not, it's not what you expect.

08. One Thing - Amerie (polyphonic ring tone)
One summer morning, again in a car in the industrial areas of Hising Island, watching the sun rise to a clear blue sky, I heard this song on the radio. I downloaded the ring tone (polyphonic) because fast R'nB tracks tend to sound best as ring tones... you hear them best when the phone is crammed in your pants (have no idea why).
This song is as we say in Sweden; svängig. Which I guess translates best to groovy or; it has a groove to it. Ok, in come the German ring tone makers. I have never heard a stiffer version of any song, ever. It's hilarious!

09. Dotshop.se (internet music shop)
The best way to find new music.

10. Apply some pressure - Maximo Park (song)
When it came out, I loved it. When the album surfaced, not so much. But you shouldn't judge a person by its friends. Alone he or she can be really lovable. In saying that, I hope someone covers this song and gives it a better home.

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

Tomas and his band are currently putting the finishing touches on their second album, tentatively due out March 2006.
www.punkofcountry.com

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

Hemstad has posted a live video clip from their recent show at Debaser in Stockholm: http://hemstad.blogspot.com/2005/11/live-clip-from-debaser.html

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Hemstad has posted a new song for download: http://suchgreatheights.se/hemstad/hemstad%20-%20genki%21.mp3

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Download a brand new song from Hemstad: http://suchgreatheights.se/hemstad/Hemstad%20-%20Dom%20staller%20fan%20inte%20annat%20an%20till%20och%20krav.mp3

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Stefan Strömberg aka Agent Simple has left Hemstad. Åke Strömer aka James Ausfahrt takes his place as the band's new bassist.

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Hemstad has posted a new song for download entitled "Sommar i Göteborg" over at their blog page: http://hemstad.blogspot.com/2005/06/midsommar-in-gothenburg.html

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

Hemstad has posted a few new tracks for download: http://hem.bredband.net/b297475/Hemstad-lyssnabra.htm

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

Download some tracks from Hemstad: http://hem.bredband.net/b297475/Hemstad-lyssnabra.htm