IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Presenting: Ljusår

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:50:28 -0800

Check out Ljusår, a new Swedish synthpop band featuring ex-members of Kamera: http://ljusar.se/

Kamera - Friday night (video)

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:45:42 -0800

Swedish soon-defunct synthpop act Kamera has a new video for the single "Friday night": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rt-fwU8XsU

Kamera is done

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:35:53 -0700

Swedish synthpop act Kamera is calling it quits after 10 years as a band. Stay tuned for final shows to be announced shortly.

Kamera - Dead man walking

Mon, 18 May 2009 12:14:33 -0700

Kamera is now streaming the new single "Dead man walking" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kamerastyle
The group's new album "Blank expressions" is released on May 20.

Julian Brandt confirms single release

Fri, 08 May 2009 13:34:43 -0700

Julian Brandt (ex-Bobby, The Paper Faces) will release the new single "Love can turn us blind" on June 10. Said track features guest vocals from Kitty Jutbring (Kitty & The K) and will include a remix by Dynamikk as well as the b-sides "Labyrinth of love" (co-written by Carl DeLorean from the band Kamera) and "FreeLove" (by Martin Gore of Depeche Mode). Listen at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/julianbrandt

Kamera - Misfortune strikes again

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:14:55 -0700

Kamera's new single "Misfortune strikes again" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kamerastyle

New album, single from Kamera on the way

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:52:28 -0700

The first single from Kamera's forthcoming album "Blank expressions" will be called "Misfortune strikes again".

New Kamera in March

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:37:17 -0800

Swedish synthpop act Kamera reports their new album is being mixed later this month and should be ready for a March release.

New Kamera album underway

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:00:56 -0800

Kamera is hard at work in the studio and have already completed the the rhythm tracks for their new album.

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:08:28 -0800

Swedish synthpop act Kamera will be entering the studio on December 10 to begin work on their next album.

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:32:09 -0700

Kamera has cancelled their upcoming Japanese tour plans in order to concentrate on preproduction for their next album.

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:44:18 -0700

Swedish synthpop act Kamera will be back in Japan in September:

09/20 - Nakano Moon Step, Tokyo
09/22 - Shibuya Club Asia, Tokyo
09/24 - Akasaka L@n, Tokyo
09/25 - Kagurazaka Explosion, Tokyo
09/26 - Shinjuku Loft, Tokyo

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:44:10 -0700

Swedish synthpop act Kamera will support Blondie on tour in Europe:

07/06 - Academy, Bristol (UK)
07/10 - House of Culture, Helsingfors (FRA)
07/12 - Rock Zottegem, Bryssel (BEL)
07/13 - Limmitshaus, Zurich (CH)
07/15 - Den Attelier, Luxemburg (LUX)
07/16 - Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
07/22 - Echo Arena, Liverpool (UK)
07/25 - Vicar, Dublin (IRL)
07/26 - Academy, Glasgow (UK)
07/28 - ExCel, London (UK)

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:32:53 -0700

PopMatters reviews Kamera's US debut "Ressurection": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/56029/kamera-resurrection/

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:44:48 -0700

Swedish synthpop act Kamera will support Mando Diao on tour in Japan:

04/14 - Club Quattro, Nagoya
04/15 - Club Quattro, Osaka
04/16 - club Quattro, Tokyo
04/17 - Club Quattro, Tokyo

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:45:59 -0700

Swedish synthpop act Kamera is premiering their new video "Like a drug" at Yahoo: http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--57759150

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:08:10 -0800

Swedish synthpop act Kamera has a new website: http://www.kamerastyle.com/

Holiday Fun Club s/t Sounds of Subterrania

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

I remember the day post-punk clicked for me. For the majority of my teenage years I was unable to truly understand its tortuous analyses of self or others, nor the frantic, paranoid pace of these observances. Then it clicked. First Joy Division, then the dam broke, and my life has been far richer for it.

Holiday Fun Club not only sound like an authentic 80s post-punk band (with the obvious exception of certain bits of production, but for the most part the drums, stringy guitars, and bass are spot on), but feel like one, too. I criticized Kamera earlier this year for only mastering the sound of the 80s, but not the soul of the music they replicate. This is not the case for Holiday Fun Club. There is that strange detachment that Gang of Four effortlessly implemented, the empty longing that was distinctly a product of that era of music, complete with the oddities (namely amazingly discordant saxophone solos) that endear bands like Orange Juice to their fans. "Hamburg in the night" is an absolute delight - two minutes of dissonance and rapidity, all leaning on the self-destructive side, and barely able to hold itself together. "Holding my breath" takes a far darker, less focused approach, but succeeds just as well. "Save us" has a touch of New Order's more optimistic craftsmanship and has become my morning song over the past few weeks. There are flaws, just as with so many seminal albums from that time, but these add to the album's genuine sense of belonging in the great catalog of 80s post-punk. Definitely one of my favorite surprises of the year.

Kamera Resurrection Nettwerk

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Sweden's Kamera have a damned fine grasp of what made the songwriting of the 1980s so compelling - even now, bands like Duran Duran and The Cure feel present and important, almost a generation removed from the strange time that spawned them. "Disconnected" displays the group's pop smarts and their ability to put this gift into practice. Unfortunately, this approach isn't always so rewarding. "Resurrection" could easily have been written in the 80s, though it sometimes feels that this was Kamera's only goal. The end result is a competent, well-produced, but underwhelming, and too often formulaic, 1980s inspired album. It's good, it really is, but it's nothing new. Definitely worth a listen, if only to see if you're willing to meet the suggested retail price.

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:11:54 -0700

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Isolation Years - Frosted minds
02. TALK 1
03. Hyacinth House - Lucky stranger
04. Immanu El - Kosmonaut
05. Kamera - Fragile
06. TALK 2
07. Pay TV - Fashion report (clubmix)
08. Fun - I've got a truck
09. Timo Räisänen - Sixteen
10. TALK 3
11. Superfamily - Warszawa
12. Majessic Dreams - Still inside
13. The Indecision Alarm - Time for the big guns, baby
14. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
15. TALK 4
16. The Fine Arts Showcase - Modern love
17. Karin Ström - Ordlös
18. Meleeh - Malign
19. TALK 5
20. Kongh - Pushed beyond
21. Baby Woodrose - Let yourself go
22. TALK 6
23. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Quiet (Cat Burgler remix)
24. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Rhythm
25. The Bell - I need nothing
26. September - Satellites
27. TALK 7
28. Piroth - Waltz for prima ballerina
29. Sällskapet - Järnstaden
30. Montt Mardié - Birthday boy (drama)
31. TALK 8
32. CS Nielsen - Bottle for the road
33. Susanna and the Magical Orchestra - Love will tear us apart
34. Voices Break the Silence - Mopo3
35. TALK 9
36. Plain Fade - Blue skies ahead

Wed, 23 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish synthpop act Kamera has signed an international deal with Nettwork and will have their latest album "Resurrection" released in the US and UK later this year.

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Useless trivia? Juvelen, aka Jonas Petersson, is revealed to be the same Jonas Petersson of 90s indie act Pineforest Crunch: http://www.musicbrigade.com/templates/UserPage____12413.aspx?uid=82&view=5&entryId=5287
Apparently he was also a member of Kamera too? I had no idea.

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Kamera's new album "Resurrection" will be released on February 21.

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Kamera's video for the song "Like a drug" is now online: http://www.kamerastyle.com/video/like_a_drug.html

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Kamera's new single "Like a drug" has been confirmed for an October 25 release.

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish synthpop act Kamera has a new website and a new album coming in October.

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Kamera are now on myspace with some new music: http://www.myspace.com/kamerastyle

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

Swedish synthpop act Kamera has posted a couple new tracks on their website: http://www.kamerapop.com/

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish synth act Kamera is back with a new website and an updated bio: http://www.kamerapop.com/
The band had hoped for a US release of their album following their successful ExMS US package tour, but things didn't work out as planned and the band was dropped. As is often the case with scenarios such as this, tensions ran high and splintered the band - both Jonas and Olof left the band. So now their regrouped and ready to go once again.

Thu, 30 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Nominees for the 2004 Musikförläggarnas Pris:

Best song:
Thomas "Orup" Eriksson - Det gör ont (BMG Music Publishing)
Staffan Lindfors, Johan Kindblom - Ingen vill veta var du köpt din tröja (Air Chrysalis)
Infinite Mass, Rodrigo Pencheff, Amir Chamdin - The Thief (Murlyn Songs)
Lisa Miskovsky, Jocke Berg - Lady Stardust (Universal Music Publishing, BMG Music Publishing)

Best lyrics/composition:
Lisa Miskovsky/Jocke Berg (Universal Music Publishing, BMG Music Publishing)
Marit Bergman (Air Chrysalis)
Per Gessle (Jimmy Fun)
Bo Sundström (Sony ATV Music Publishing)

Most important concert piece:
Daniel Börtz - Hans namn var Orestes (Gehrmans Musikförlag)
Anders Eliasson - Konsert för altsaxofon och orkester (Gehrmans Musikförlag)
Sven-David Sandström - Concert Pieces For Percussion And Orchestra (Gehrmans Musikförlag)
Carl Unander-Scharin - Byrgitta (Manus)

Best international success:
Anders Bagge (EMI Music Publishing/Murlyn Songs)
Andreas Carlsson (Warner/Chappell Music)
The Hives (Songs & Stories Publishing)
Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Henrik Jonback (Toxic) (Murlyn Songs)

Best newcomer:
José González (Misty Music)
Kamera (BMG Music Publishing)
Sara Löfgren (Mariann)
Tobias Karlsson (Warner Chappell Music)

Awards will be handed out at a ceremony in Nalen on October 28.

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

According to MI, Push Music is priming Kamera for the international music market. I thought the new wave thing was kind of over and done with two years ago, but it seems like the hype for the new Faint and Melody Club records has not waned at all. Good luck guys!

Tue, 17 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

As alerted by Zero, Julian from the synthpop group Bobby is working on a new project with Carl Hammar (DayBehavior), Joakim Hjelm and Carl Delorean (Kamera), Space Age Baby Jane, Johan Kinde (Lustans Lakejer) and more. A solo record perhaps? As for Bobby, they are currently persuing a new recording contract and working on new material. Some of the song titles are "Dancing In L.A", "The Cartoon Detectives" and "Come Crashing In".

Thu, 01 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:

01. Steen1 - Jarden träkki (FIN)
02. The Rasmus - Funeral song (FIN)
03. SubUrban Tribe - Silent Rain (FIN)
04. Trilogia - Hei (FIN)
05. DJ Slow - I'm over you Pablo (FIN)
06. Kamera - Suburban boy (SWE)
07. Neljä Ruusua - Elän vain kerran (FIN)
08. Weeping Willows - Stairs (SWE)
09. Nina Rochelle - (Happy) Jag hatar att det e så (SWE)
10. The Alpine - Too many monsters (DK)

Challengers:
01. Paris - Hey Sailor (SWE)
01. Egotrippi - Matkustaja (FIN)
01. Dear - Don't turn the lights on (DK)

Live report: ExMS Swedish Showcase in LA, 03/20/2004

Tue, 30 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Export Music Sweden Swedish Showcase
March 20, 2004
The Troubadour, Hollywood, California

What the heck was I thinking? What kind of fool spends their entire weekend driving six hours each way just to see a show? And what kind of lunatic willingly goes with them? As ridiculous as it may sound, my friend Kelly and I did just that the other week. We hopped in her car late Saturday morning for the long, boring drive down to LA for the Export Music Sweden Showcase at the Troubadour in Hollywood.

It pretty much goes without saying that the journey through Central California is barely worth commenting about. There is always the coastal route, but when time is an issue, you can't pick and choose your scenery. So down through the bread-basket of the West we drove, onward and up over the Grapevine where we then began our descent into smoggy, dirty Los Angeles. I'd like to say that something eventful happened along the way, or that we had some sort of amazing enlightening conversation, but no - that would be a lie. We simply listened to music and tried to keep ourselves from zoning out too much. And likewise when we got there: nothing. A perfect example of what's called hurry up and wait. Anyhow, on to the show...

First up was Kristofer Åström. I've been a fan of Kristofer's for some time now, so he was definitely the person on the bill that I was most excited to see. Of course, the rest of the people in the sparsely populated venue could care less. A number of us gave him our full attention, but it was difficult to not be distracted by the legions of chatterers. No matter, Kristofer performed beautifully and made a few sly, charming comments. "This next song is quiet, so you probably won't hear it," he prefaced before one of his tunes later in the set. Unfortunately, 40 minutes was all we got to hear - just as Kristofer was getting warmed up he told me later. It must be hard doing such an abbreviated performance in front of a less-than-enthusiastic crowd when you are used to headlining shows that can last up to two hours. Still, I was more than pleased I got to see him play at all.

Up second on the bill was Holden. I hadn't heard much more than a song or two from these guys previous to the show, so I had really no idea what to expect. Lucky for me, they kicked it off with "Honeymoon", the one track I knew best. Vocalist Jenny Öhlund immediately had everyone's attention. Having an attractive and energetic frontwoman is always a sure-fire way to get noticed. It doesn't hurt to shed layers of clothing as the set goes on either. But lest I sound shallow, let me assure you that Holden's charms are more than skin-deep. It takes more than a pretty face to keep me interested in a band, and they backed it up well with musical skill, charisma and stage presence. Drummer Johann was especially enthusiastic and a pleasure to watch, too. As for the music, Holden strikes me as a rougher version of Garbage. They've got the same sort of rock-backed-with-electronics vibe, but Holden has far more of the rock. Jenny's voice is far rougher and darker than Shirley Manson's, too. Overall, it's not necessarily the sort of stuff I'd listen to at home, but I definitely enjoyed seeing it in person.

Next was Kamera. I'm not sure what it is, but everytime I'm faced with a new synth-pop band, I always instantly want to hate it. But somehow I rarely do. Maybe it's my heavy metal upbringing, but I just can't shake the prejudice. Anyhow, I listened to Kamera's record on the way down to the show and was feeling kind of lukewarm about them, but they did an excellent job on stage. Their live sound provides just the right amount of edge that I thought was missing from the recording. They had really good energy and stage presence and just simply sounded great. It must also be said that Kamera was my pal Kelly's favorite band of the night. She made me listen to them endlessly on the trip home and I just let her keep the disc when she let me off. They still might not be the sort of thing I'd listen to on a regular basis, but I definitely have newfound respect for them.

Hell on Wheels came on next. Singer/guitarist Rickard had been lying low all day after an extreme night out drinking, so I don't think he even showed up to the venue until right before they hit the stage. And unfortunately, as one would expect from the circumstances, they performed less than perfect. The hangovers were surely a big part of the problem, but I also think they suffered from a less-than-ideal stage set up that had the three members of the band way too far apart. They tried to salvage things, but it just wasn't happening. It's not that it was awful or anything either - I could tell by their expressions that they were simply having an off night. Drummer Johan confessed to me afterwards that he had totally flubbed the first song and I assume that it set a lackluster tone for everyone the rest of the set. I didn't notice the flub myself, I just knew they weren't playing to their full potential. But all is not lost - one mediocre performance does not make them a bad band. Indeed, their newest record "Oh my god! What have I done?" is pretty darn awesome. I've been listening to it a whole bunch recently as a matter of fact. Now I can only hope they return to the US to get a second chance for a better show.

Okay, last up on the bill was Hardcore Superstar. Men in half-shirts are a funny thing, but somehow some folks still insist on doing it. HS frontman Jocke Berg is one of those people. I'm no authority on the matter, but I guess he pulls it off. Kelly said so and I suppose I'll take her word for it. But that wasn't the first thing I noticed about this band. No, the first thing that hit me was their sheer volume. They were far and away the loudest band of the evening with guitarist Silver's double half-stack leading the charge. As for the actual music, they do the Scandinavian hard-rock thing quite well, but a lot of the details were lost in the wash of sound. From my side of the stage I could barely make out what the guitar was doing half the time, but the rhythm section did a more than adequate job of keeping my attention. That dirty Rickenbacker bass tone, busy drumming and screamy vocals on top actually reminded me a lot of later-era Die Kreuzen at times. And oh man, what a drummer they've got. I could probably watch Magnus Andreasson play all night. He looks like a bit like a younger Tommy Lee, but plays like an absolute madman. Out of control cymbal grabs and triplet fills everywhere. Seriously amazing and totally the highlight of the show for me, just by himself.

At the end of the night there was nothing left to do but to say goodbyes and get a headstart on the long trip home. The aforementioned drinking the night before had left most of the Swedes ready for bed, so off we went on our own way. So was it worth it? Indeed it was. It's not too often I can see a show this diverse where I can honestly say I enjoyed every act. Can't wait 'till next year.
- Avi Roig

Thu, 25 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:

01. Steen1 - Jarden träkki (FIN)
02. Neljä Ruusua - Elän vain kerran (FIN)
03. The Rasmus - Funeral song (FIN)
04. SubUrban Tribe - Silent Rain (FIN)
05. Trilogia - Hei (FIN)
06. Nina Rochelle - (Happy) Jag hatar att det e så (SWE)
07. Kamera - Suburban boy (SWE)
08. The Alpine - Too many monsters (DK)
09. The Crash - Still alive (FIN)
10. Shout Out Louds - Please please please (SWE)

Challengers:
01. DJ Slow - I'm over you Pablo (FIN)
02. Weeping Willows - Stairs (SWE)
03. Teddybears STHLM - Cobrastyle (SWE)

Mon, 22 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

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.

Thu, 18 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:

01. Steen1 - Jarden träkki (FIN)
02. Trilogia - Hei (FIN)
03. SubUrban Tribe - Silent Rain (FIN)
04. Nina Rochelle - (Happy) Jag hatar att det e så (SWE)
05. The Alpine - Too many monsters (DK)
06. Kamera - Suburban boy (SWE)
07. The Crash - Still alive (FIN)
08. Patrik Isaksson - 1985 (SWE)
09. Backyard Babies - A song for the outcast (SWE)
10. Neljä Ruusua - Elän vain kerran (FIN)

Challengers:
01. The Rasmus - Funeral song (FIN)
02. Shout Out Louds - Please please please (SWE)
03. Paris - Rainy day in London (SWE)

Thu, 11 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:

01. Steen1 - Jarden träkki (FIN)
02. Trilogia - Hei (FIN)
03. The Alpine - Too many monsters (DK)
04. SubUrban Tribe - Silent Rain (FIN)
05. Nina Rochelle - (Happy) Jag hatar att det e så (SWE)
06. Kamera - Suburban boy (SWE)
07. The Crash - Still alive (FIN)
08. Backyard Babies - A song for the outcast (SWE)
09. Viikate - Leimu (FIN)
10. Blindside - All of us (SWE)

Challengers:
01. Neljä Ruusua - Elän vain kerran (FIN)
02. Patrik Isaksson - 1985 (SWE)
03. Hackensack - I can be with you (DK)

Thu, 04 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:

01. Steen1 - Jarden träkki (FIN)
02. Nina Rochelle - (Happy) Jag hatar att det e så (SWE)
03. The Alpine - Too many monsters (DK)
04. The Crash - Still alive (FIN)
05. SubUrban Tribe - Silent Rain (FIN)
06. Viikate - Leimu (FIN)
07. Clawfinger - Recipe for hate (SWE)
08. K-System - Dream my dream (FIN)
09. Backyard Babies - A song for the outcast (SWE)
10. Beats and Styles - Allstars (FIN)

Challengers:
01. Trilogia - Hei (FIN)
02. Kamera - Suburban boy (SWE)
03. Blindside - All of us (SWE)

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Some of these have already been mentioned, but here's the complete list of acts from around Scandinavia heading over to Austin, TX in March for the SXSW festival: Kristofer Åström (SWE), Alamo Race Track (NL), Bettie Serveert (NL), The Defectors (DK), Demons (SWE), Division Of Laura Lee (SWE), Thomas Dybdahl (NOR), El Caco (NOR), Janne Haavisto & The Farangs (FIN), Hardcore Superstar (SWE), Hell on Wheels (SWE), The Hives (SWE), Holden (SWE), Hush (DK), The (International) Noise Conspiracy (SWE), The Jessica Fletchers (NOR), Junior Senior (DK), Kamera (SWE), The Latebirds (FIN), Randi Laubek (DK), League of XO Gentlemen (NL), Learning From Las Vegas (DK), Erja Lyytinen (FIN), Marynka and Some Lovely Girls (NL), On Trial (DK), Persil (NL), Powersolo (DK), St Thomas (NOR), Silver (NOR), Singapore Sling (ICE), Tasha's World (NL), Venus Flytrap (NL) and zZz (NL). And no matter what they say, Danko Jones is not from Sweden. Read more, get artist profiles and listen to samples: http://www.sxsw.com/music/

Tue, 17 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Kamera has a new website in both Swedish and English, no doubt in anticipation of their upcoming London gigs: http://www.kamerapop.com/

Fri, 13 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Outlandish - Walou
02. Grand Avenue - Take It As It Comes
03. Safri Duo feat. Clark Anderson - All The People In The World
04. Eskobar - Love Strikes
05. The Crash - Still Alive
06. Winta & Anton Gordon - Hot Romance (Rok With You)
07. The Rasmus - First Day Of My Life
08. Elin Sigvardsson - Paper Cup Words
09. Erik Faber - Century
10. Redrama - Hang It Up
11. Maria Mena - You´re The Only One
12. Backyard Babies - Minus Celsius
13. September - We Can Do It
14. Lisa Miskovsky - Lady Stardust
15. Shout Out Louds - Please Please Please
16. Pauline - Babylon
17. Learning From Las Vegas - The Only One
18. Jokeren - Havnen
19. Morten Abel - Birmingham Ho
20. The Perishers - Let There Be Morning

Challengers:
01. Alice In Videoland - Got To Go
02. Gaute - Miss you when you´re gone
03. Barbi Esco - Fairy Tale
04. Her Majesty - You and me against the world
05. William Hut - It´s the breeze
06. Kamera - Suburban boy
07. Velcra - Can´t stop fighting

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

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Kamera's "Golden Hits" EP will be released on 10" vinyl by German label Lonestar Records.

Tue, 10 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Kamera is another one of the bands participating in the Export Music Sweden showcases in the US this coming March which includes dates in NYC, Austin (SXSW) and LA.

Tue, 10 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Dead Frog Records act Holden is yet another act that's been selected by EXMS to go to the US for SXSW. That makes the lineup: Hell On Wheels, Kamera, Kristoffer Åström and Hardcore Superstar. Anyone else?

Mon, 09 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish synth-poppers Kamera will be making their way over to London for a few dates later this month:

02/18 - Chapel Bar, London
02/19 - Mass (above Bug Bar), Brixton w/Rocks Lane

Thu, 05 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

By way of Dagensskiva, here is the Swedish student radio top 20 for the week:

01. (08) The Von Bondies "C'mon C'mon"
02. (01) Broder Daniel "Shoreline"
03. (02) Belle & Sebastian "I'm A Cuckoo"
04. (04) Tiger Lou "Oh Horatio"
05. (05) The Latin Kings "T.L.K."
06. (06) David & The Citizens "Graycoated Morning"
07. (19) Jens Lekman "Rocky Dennis In Heaven EP"
08. (07) Franz Ferdinand "Take Me Out"
09. (12) Her Majesty! "You And Me Against The World"
10. (03) Shout Out Louds "Please Please Please"
11. (09) Organism 12 "Sångfågel"
12. (NY) Peaches Ft. Iggy Pop "Kick It"
13. (NY) Björns Vänner "Alexander Lukas"
14. (NY) Tribeca "Solitude"
15. (15) Timbaland & Magoo "Indian Flute"
16. (NY) Grandaddy "I'm On Standby"
17. (14) Edson "I Believe In A Thing Called Love"
18. (18) Obie Trice Ft. (Nate Dogg "The Set Up"
19. (NY) Aerospace "In A Place Of Silver Eaves EP"
20. (10) Nicolai Dunger "Here's My Song You Can Have It" (Album Sampler)

Leaving the chart:
11. The Thrills "Don't Steal Our Sun"
13. Bergman Rock "Help The Band"
16. Kamera "Suburban Boy"
17. Beezewax "Big Bad Car"
20. Disco Volante "Distort The South"

Wed, 28 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

By way of Dagensskiva, here is the Swedish student radio top 20 for the week:

01. (02) Broder Daniel "Shoreline"
02. (01) Belle & Sebastian "I'm A Cuckoo"
03. (03) Shout Out Louds "Please Please Please"
04. (04) Tiger Lou "Oh Horatio"
05. (06) The Latin Kings "T.L.K."
06. (05) David & The Citizens "Graycoated Morning"
07. (08) Franz Ferdinand "Take Me Out"
08. (NY) The Von Bondies "C'mon C'mon"
09. (NY) Organism 12 "Sångfågel"
10. (NY) Nicolai Dunger "Here's My Song You Can Have It (Album Sampler)"
11. (10) The Thrills "Don't Steal Our Sun"
12. (15) Her Majesty! "You And Me Against The World"
13. (06) Bergman Rock "Help The Band"
14. (NY) Edson "I Believe In A Thing Called Love"
15. (11) Timbaland & Magoo "Indian Flute"
16. (12) Kamera "Suburban Boy"
17. (NY) Beezewax "Big Bad Car"
18. (NY) Obie Trice Ft. (Nate Dogg "The Set Up"
19. (NY) Jens Lekman "Rocky Dennis In Heaven EP"
20. (14) Disco Volante "Distort The South"

Leaving the chart:
09. Weeping Willows "Stairs"
13. Courtney Love "Mono"
16. Mazarine Street "Bourgeois Blood"
17. The Strokes "Reptilia"
18. Dizzee Rascal "Jus'a Rascal"
19. Backyard Babies "A Song For The Outkast"
20. Muse "Hysteria"

Thu, 22 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

By way of Dagensskiva, here is the first Swedish student radio top 20 for the year:

01. Belle & Sebastian "I'm A Cuckoo"
02. Broder Daniel "Shoreline"
03. Shout Out Louds "Please Please Please"
04. Tiger Lou "Oh Horatio"
05. David & The Citizens "Graycoated Morning"
06. Bergman Rock "Help The Band"
07. The Latin Kings "T.L.K."
08. Franz Ferdinand "Take Me Out"
09. Weeping Willows "Stairs"
10. The Thrills "Don't Steal Our Sun"
11. Timbaland & Magoo "Indian Flute"
12. Kamera "Suburban Boy"
13. Courtney Love "Mono"
14. Disco Volante "Distort The South"
15. Her Majesty "You And Me Against The World"
16. Mazarine Street "Bourgeois Blood"
17. The Strokes "Reptilia"
18. Dizzee Rascal "Jus'a Rascal"
19. Backyard Babies "A Song For The Outkast"
20. Muse "Hysteria"

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

The fine people over at Parasol have posted their top picks of 2003 and of course there's tons of Nordic acts on their lists. Check it out.

Now up at Rockfoto.nu are new pics of Kamera, Rocky Dennis and more.

Wed, 10 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Go to the Kamera website and look under 'Bilder' for pics from their show at Mosebacke as well as images from their new video for the song "Suburban Boy".

Wed, 10 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Last Saturday BBC6 DJ Steve Lamacq did a special 'Rebel Playlist' feature on Soak the Sin, Bad Cash Quartet and Kamera, three bands that caught his interest from the Access All Areas seminar/festival in Stockholm. Check out the playlist here and listen to it on-demand for the rest of the week from here. (see 'Listen Again')

Mon, 08 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

New at Rockfoto.nu: pics from the Access All Areas seminar including Bad Cash Quartet, Bear Quartet, The Concretes, David & The Citizens, First Floor Power, Hell On Wheels, José Gonzales, Kamera, Melody Club, Soak The Sin, Teenage Idols, Whyte Seeds and more.

Via pHinnWeb: International Helsinki/Manchester-based electronic music label Mate Recordings has updated their website with news of upcoming live events, Roger's "Art Schools, Art Students" tour, upcoming plans for Bynatone and a new Kompleksi CDR comp that's being circulated.

Thu, 13 Nov 2003 00:00:00 -0800

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - First Day Of My Life
02. Outlandish - Aicha
03. Redrama - Hang It Up
04. Lisa Miskovsky - Lady Stardust
05. Beats & Styles - Dynamite
06. Backyard Babies - Minus Celsius
07. Da D.o.n.s - She Don´t Know My Game
08. Mew - 156
09. C21 - One Night In Bangkok
10. Turbonegro - Sell Your Body (To The Night)
11. Lene Marlin - You Weren´t There
12. Paperboys - On The Low
13. Fu:el - Next Summer
14. Equicez - Barnslig
15. Erik Faber - Century
16. Broder Daniel - When We Were Winning
17. The Rasmus - In My Life
18. Lene - It´s Your Duty
19. The Latin Kings - Cashen Dom Tas
20. Kamera - Fragile

Challengers:
01. Negative - The Moment Of Our Love
02. Blackstrap - In Colored Ways
03. Magnus Carlson - Elin
04. The Fashion - Let´s Go Dancing
05. Ingrid Marguerite - Hello

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

Thu, 23 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0700

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Outlandish - Aicha
02. Lisa Miskovsky - Lady Stardust
03. Mew - 156
04. Lene Marlin - You Weren´t There
05. Broder Daniel - When We Were Winning
06. Beats & Styles - Dynamite
07. Redrama - Hang It Up
08. Lene - It´s Your Duty
09. Kamera - Fragile
10. The Rasmus - In My Life
11. Looptroop - Don´t Hate The Player
12. User - To Feel
13. Whyte Seeds - So Alone
14. Mustasch - Black City
15. Da D.o.n.s - She Don´t Know My Game
16. Paperboys - On The Low
17. Turbonegro - Sell Your Body (To The Night)
18. Bad Cash Quartet - Midnight Prayer
19. Safri Duo - Fallin´ High
20. Span - Papa

Challengers:
01. The Sonnets - Tale Told By The Cynical
02. Bo Kaspers Orkester - Långsamt
03. Nathalie Nordnes - Only Because
04. Equicez - Barnslig
05. Baby Woodrose - Pouring Water

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

Fri, 17 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0700

New Swedish tourdates for Kamera:

10/30 - Stadshotellet, Hedemora
10/31 - Palace, Kalmar
11/01 - Magasinet, Kristanstad
11/06 - Hells Kitchen, Uppsala
11/29 - Frimis, Örebro
12/05 - Valand, Göteborg
12/11 - HC, Sälen
12/13 - Medborgarhuset, Säffle
01/16 - Blue Moon Bar, Västerås (tbc)
01/23 - Blue Moon Bar, Stockholm (tbc)
01/30 - Nöjesfabriken, Karlstad
01/31 - The Cod, Strömstad

Thu, 16 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0700

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Outlandish - Aicha
02. Lene Marlin - You Weren´t There
03. Mew - 156
04. The Rasmus - In My Life
05. Bad Cash Quartet - Midnight Prayer
06. Broder Daniel - When We Were Winning
07. Beats & Styles - Dynamite
08. Lene - It´s Your Duty
09. Kamera - Fragile
10. Junior Senior - Rythm Bandits
11. Looptroop - Don´t Hate The Player
12. Paperboys - On The Low
13. Mustasch - Black City
14. Killer - Naughty Boy
15. The Raveonettes - That Great Love Sound
16. Safri Duo - Fallin´ High
17. Da D.o.n.s - She Don´t Know My Game
18. Whyte Seeds - So Alone
19. Fattaru - Bättre
20. Span - Papa

Challengers:
01. Lisa Miskovsky - Lady Stardust
02. Redrama - Hang It Up
03. Turbonegro - Sell Your Body (To The Night)
04. Bosson - You Opened My Eyes
05. User - To Feel

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

Thu, 09 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0700

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Outlandish - Aicha
02. Mew - 156
03. Lene Marlin - You Weren´t There
04. Lene - It´s Your Duty
05. The Rasmus - In My Life
06. Bad Cash Quartet - Midnight Prayer
07. Beats & Styles - Dynamite
08. Carpark North - Transparant And Glasslike
09. Junior Senior - Rythm Bandits
10. Safri Duo - Fallin´ High
11. Killer - Naughty Boy
12. José Gonzalez - Heartbeats
13. Eagle-Eye Cherry - Skull Tattoo
14. Looptroop - Don´t Hate The Player
15. Da D.o.n.s - She Don´t Know My Game
16. The Raveonettes - That Great Love Sound
17. Whyte Seeds - So Alone
18. Paragon - Lev Ditt Liv
19. Da Buzz - Tonight (Is The Night)
20. Fattaru - Bättre

Challengers:
01. Mustasch - Black City
02. Broder Daniel - When We Were Winning
03. Paperboys - On The Low
04. AYA - Other Side
05. Kamera - Fragile

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

Mon, 22 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700

New bands added to the Access All Areas industry showcase on November 26-27 in Stockholm: Hell on Wheels, The Wilson Hospital, Teenage Idols, Kamera, Bear Quartet, Melody Club, David & the Citizens, The Universe, Silverbullit, and Whyte Seeds. More info: www.accessallareas.se

Thu, 04 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Kamera's debut album has been confirmed for an October 24 release.

Fri, 22 Aug 2003 00:00:00 -0700

New pictures at Rockfoto.nu for Kristian Anttila, Dub Sweden and Kamera.

Thu, 17 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Rockfoto.nu has posted a bunch of pics taken at the Avrika festival. Some of the bands pictured include HIM, HÅkan Hellström, Kamera, Looptroop, Mando Diao, Melody Club, Moneybrother, Paris, Shout Out Louds, The Sounds and more.

Mon, 07 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Guitarist Jean-Pierre De Sade has rejoined Notre Dame. Frontman/mastermind Snowy Shaw says that they persuaded him to come back with "an offer he couldn't refuse." He says "fangs-a-bunch" to everyone who sent audition materials and says they'll hold onto it "in case the master of moodswings (Jean-Pierre) has second thoughts." Look for the new album sometime this fall.

Eric Gadd, Da Buzz and Kamera have been added to the Rockoff Festival in Mariehamn on July 18-26. More info: www.mariepark.com/rockoff

Wed, 04 Jun 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Added the rest of those Madrugada live mp3s on the right. Enjoy.

That charming young Norweigan, Sondre Lerche, just posted a new tour diary entry on his website.

Rec90 artists Lorraine are heading to Germany on tour this month with the band Delaware:

06/08 - Berlin, Magnet
06/09 - Hannover, Gig
06/10 - Leipzig - Moritzbastei
06/11 - Hamburg, Tanzhalle
06/12 - Kassel, K19
06/15 - Regensburg, Alte Mälzerei
06/16 - Köln, MTC
06/17 - Frankfurt, Nachtleben

Those of you in Deustchland can look for a track from the band on the sampler CD from the May edition of Zillo magazine, too. They also play the Working Class Hero Festival in Drammen Norway on August 6 and expect to have their debut full-length "The Perfect Cure" out in September.

Some news from Norway's Jester Records, the label of Ulver mainman Garm aka Kristoffer Rygg aka Trickster G:

September 15 marks the day that both Ulver's soundtrack to the film "Svidd Neger" and Virus' new album hit the stores. The other upcoming Ulver release, "A Quick Fix" EP, is now slated for August. Ulver even got a write-up in the Village Voice awhile back, too.
The new single and video "Sleepers" from Kåre João is out and getting spun NRK2 and ZTV. I haven't seen it myself, but they say it was shot on 16mm b&w film and resembles "such fine pieces of art as Jim Jarmusch's "Stranger than Paradise" and Gus Van Sant's "Drugstore Cowboy".
When's new album is due to be mixed in July with a release sometime this winter.
And lastly, the label is in negotiation with Tigerbeat6, the label of Kid606 for licensing of Jester's "cut-cool electronic" catalogue. The other part of their catalogue (or however you want to refer to it) is currently distributed by The End Records in North America.

The Crown has finished the recording of their album "Possessed 13" and is currently taking a three-week break before entering the mixing stage back at Studio Fredman. This release will be the band's sixth album and is the first one back with original vocalist Johan Lindstrand after a one-off with Tomas Lindberg (ex-At the Gates).

Due to singer Maja Ivarsson's bronchitis and over exhaustion, The Sounds have been forced to cancel a number of upcoming gigs. THe following dates are affected:

06/07 - Nuremberg, Germany
06/08 - Eifel, Germany
06/12 - Hultsfred Festival, Sweden
06/13 - Norwegian Wood, Norway
06/14 - Nyköping, Sweden
06/17 - Gothenburg, Sweden
06/18 - Gröna Lund, Stockholm, Sweden
06/20 - Wiesen, Austria
06/21 - Southside, Munich, Germany
06/22 - Hurricane, Hannover/Hamburg, Germany
06/27 - Kiruna Festival, Sweden
06/28 - Skellefteå Festival, Sweden

The band plans to recover at their home in Helsingborg, Sweden before setting back out on the road again.

Amorphis has posted a video interview with vocalist Pasi Koskinen and guitarist Esa Holopainen as part of their electronic press kit.

The UK's XL Recordings (Electric Six, Badly Drawn Boy, White Stripes, The Prodigy, etc) imprint Rex Records will put out the Radio Dept.'s album "Lesser Matters" this coming fall.

All six bands representing Finland's Popcity 2003 will perform at the Provinssirock festival in their own hometown Seinäjoki and takes place June 13-15. They are: Georg Kalliola & JooJoo Miehet, Kayah, Kuolleet intiaanit, Stigma, Trigon and Velvetcut. The Finnish Music Information Centre launched the Popcity project as a way to promote as-yet unknown bands from a different annually chosen town. Read more.

Saami artist Mari Boine has won the 2003 Nordic Council Music Prize of 47k EUR. "Mari Boine is one of the leading lights on the new Saami music scene. Boine's music defies facile attempts at labelling. It is based on joik but the complimentary stylistic ingredients include African rhythms, world music and rock-funk." Read more.

Confirmed bands for Festival Mission Impossible which takes place August 23 at Smedjebacken in Dalarna: The Hellacopters, The Ark, Pugh Rogefeldt, Docenterna and The Mainliners. At total of 16 acts will perform and tickets will cost 200 SEK.

The full lineup for Göteborgskalaset: Looptroop, Fireside, Moneybrother, Raised Fist, Mory Kante, Christian Kjellvander, Franke, Hammerfall, Evergrey, Cult of Luna, Her Majesty, Isolation Years, Florence Valentin, Shout Out Louds, Mando Diao, The Latin Kings, Advance Patrol, Ison & Fille, The Ark, Komeda, Paola, The Concretes, Satirnine, Thomas Rusiak, Dub Sweden, Kajsa Grytt, Kamera and Kristian Anttila.

The Maggots' new album "Do The Maggot" doesn't come out until August 25, but they're already heading out on tour in the UK:

06/12 - Sheffield, Casbah
06/13 - Aberdeen, Dr Drakes
06/14 - Edinburgh, Studio24
06/15 - Day off
06/16 - Newcastle
06/17 - York, Fibbers
06/18 - Nottingham, Junktion7
06/19 - High Wycombe
06/20 - London, Dirty Water
06/22 - Stockholm, Debaser/Gearclub

In case you were unaware, Timbuktu addressed stateminister Göran Persson in his song "Ett Brev" and now Göran is just about ready with his response. Apparently he wrote something together with an unnamed colleague in rap form (!!!) and it will be published in SSU's magazine Frihet on June 18. What comes next is anyone's guess.

The Killers, Gaffaman, Crash, Ziggy Kropp & Karma, Sirqus Alfon and Soul Source have all been added to Hultsfred fest.

Wired for Mono reports they will be heading back over to England in mid-July for a few dates, details to be posted on their website soon. They'll also be back in the studio recording some new material this month along with playing Friday at Debaser in Stockholm.

Tue, 27 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Green Carnation's new album "A Blessing in Disguise" is gathering all sorts of accolades including Album of the Month in the magazines Terrorizer, Metal Hammer, and BW&BK. They play the Quart Festival on July 5.

The Peepshows just posted a couple photos from their recent tour with The Hellacopters. Check them out here.

Voice of a Generation just posted a bunch of new pics, too. Theirs are from the band's recent shows in Marburg and Berlin.

The Cardigans have revealed that their upcoming performance at the Rock am Ring fest on June 6 will be webcasted by WDR Rockpalast. Go to their homepage on that date to view the stream. The band will also be doing a live chat the same day at 8:30pm mid-european summer time.

As hinted at before, Norway's St. Thomas is starting to make headways in the UK. "Hey Harmony" is the Album of the Week for the Sunday Times and the magazine Bang gave it a 5 out of 5. Here's the full review from the former:

Looking back on the success of "Harvest", Neil Young famously commented that he had found himself in the middle of the road and, not much liking it there, "headed for the ditch". While many of us have enjoyed the erratic, ditch-bound career that followed, those who own "Harvest" and no other Young albums should consider getting better acquainted with St. Thomas — aka Norwegian Thomas Hansen — whose quavering falsetto, simple mixture of folk and alt-country and tendency to leave a chorus just sort of hanging there all recall Young at his kindest and gentlest. Hansen had his own middle-of-the-road moment when his previous album, "I'm Coming Home", made him a star in Norway. He reacted in the traditional way — drinking too much, behaving badly at gigs and ending up in the tabloids for all the wrong reasons. But you wouldn't know it by listening to "Hey Harmony". Light, fluffy, upbeat and irrepressibly catchy, the songs suggest a sunny view of the world. The musicians — including Howe Gelb and various Lambchop members — play with tasteful simplicity. And when Hansen sings "we're having a Sunday party, come on over and be our friends" it sounds like an invitation you should accept.

Nasum has posted an extensive tour diary on their site with photos and video footage from their recent trip to Finland. Definitely entertaining. Also, for those that missed it, Shane Embury of Napalm Death and original Nasum member Rickard Alriksson recently joined the band onstage at their record release show this past weekend. See pictures here.

In Flames reports they have completed pre-production on six new songs at their house/studio in Denmark. They plan to spend about another week there writing and recording before heading back to Sweden where they will record the actual album this coming fall. Check out some pics from the so-called "Tuborg Sessions" right here.

The first dates of the rumored HIM tour supporting Ozzy Osbourne have been announced:

09/05 - London, Wembley Arena
09/07 - Birmingham, NEC
09/08 - Rotterdam, Ahoy
09/10 - Oberhausen, Arena
09/13 - Helsinki, Arena
09/15 - Stockholm, Globen
09/16 - Oslo, Spektrum
09/19 - Zurich, Hallenstadion
09/20 - Salzburg, Stadion
09/22 - Stuttgart, Schleyerhalle
09/24 - Vienna, Stadthalle
09/25 - Munich, Olympiahalle

Godsmack opens the shows and HIM plays right before Ozzy for about 45-50 minutes. After this tour HIM also plans to head out on their own around Europe on their own tour. More info when I get it.

Export Music Sweden is planning an outing in Tokyo, Japan for October 16-19. The event has been dubbed 'Swedish Style' and details are currently being worked out in conjunction with the embassy. No bands have been announced yet, but I'll be sure to keep you posted. Read this for more.

Digfi.com has published the schedule for Stockholm's Popaganda fest which takes place this coming weekend. Be sure to check it out so you don't miss the bands you intend to see.

Bands now added to the Avrikafest tour with Kamera now include Quit Your Dayjob, Alice In Videoland, Kristian Anttila, Don Juan Dracula, Nina Natri and Kitty.

And speaking of Avrika, here's some more bands added to the regular fest bill: Fireside, Mikael Wiehe, Paola, Moneybrother, Dub Sweden, USCB Allstars, De Stijl, Seven, the Monotypes, Love Olzon, Franke, Kristian Anttila, Nine, Dozer and TPIKSA.

Fireside, Burek V, David & The Citizens, Cult of Luna, and Heikki have now all been confirmed for the lineup of the free Trästock festival which takes place at Nordanå in Skellefteå on July 17-19.

We are now almost finnished with the recordings. We have until sunday this week and then we take a break for 3 weeks before we enter again for the final mix in mid June. It sounds very fuckin' great and we can't wait to release this fury upon your souls. It has gone very smooth in the studio, no problems at all and everybody is working their asses off. When we're not beating our instruments we are kickin' eachothers asses in Tekken 4 and the undisputed champion is for the moment Janne. We have now tuned down the guitars even more to get a more deadly sound to the songs and it fuckin' working, and the fast songs have become even more faster than the pre-production we did. As I'm writing this I have only one more song to do vocals on and that's "Dawn of Emptiness" , a mid tempo song that's gonna end the album along with the instrumental piece "The Endless Gate". Marcus has also some solos left to do and the shit he's done so far has fuckin' blown me away.

That's The Crown's vocalist Johan Lindstrand discussing the band's progress on the new album "Possessed 13" from their message board. The tentative release date is set for September.

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

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

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

Turbonegro's complete festival schedule for the summer:

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

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mon, 19 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Okay, I know it's totally goofy, but I posted an mp3 excerpt of the new Weird Al track that parodies The Hives. Download it on the right.

Scandinavianleather.com has put up a Turbonegro trivia contest to compete for special limited edition copies of the new album.

JR Ewing has two new interviews online, one from sandiegopunk.com and another from punk/porn site burningangel.com. And as said before, there's also been another date added on the upcoming Turbonegro/Surferosa Norweigan stadium tour on May 30 in Fredrikstad. Tickets are going fast, so be sure to get yours if you want to attend.

The Cardigans have posted an interview that Magnus did with Amir, Henrik and Mattias, the three gentlemen behind the recent videos. In other news, the band has added a woman named Eva on as their temporary sixth member to play keyboard, guitar and sing back ups on the upcoming summer tour dates. "She is very nice, 163 tall, brunette, a little older than us, very experienced in the Swedish music scene. And she is good looking," they say.

Bergland Productions has announced that Cucumber Slumber (feat. Ståle Storløkken of Supersilent) has started work on a new record and should have it out sometime this coming fall. The band's last album "New Cumber" came out in 2001.

The Sounds will be on David Letterman tonight. Check local listings for airtime.

StillHoldingOn.net recently did an interview with Swedish hardcore act Misconduct. The band also confirmed a bunch of shows on their upcoming European tour with 25 Ta Life. Go here for the latest.

KVLR has posted a whole bunch of new pictures from their recent time in the studio. They recorded a total of four new songs for their next album and plan to do the rest after they return from tour at the end of the summer. And yeah, like I said before, they've been getting assistance from Marcus and Lena of Komeda. If the rough mix stuff I've heard is any indication, the record is gonna be great. Can't wait.

The buzz-band Radio Dept. will be heading over to the US for a few select west coast dates:

07/10-13 - San Francisco, CA - Pop Holiday Fest at Bottom Of The Hill w/Even As We Speak, Aerospace, Pipas, Evening Lights, more
07/15 - Portland, OR at The Blackbird w/Aerospace, Pipas, Evening Lights, The Frenchmen
07/16 - Seattle, WA at Chop Suey

Håkan Hellström will be releasing a new single for the song "Mitt Gullbergs Kaj Paradis" on June 20 that'll include two new songs for b-sides. Just in time for the Kalas tour, eh?

Neovoid has posted a review of ex-black metal band Manes new album "Vilosophe". The label Code666 describes them as a mix of Katatonia, Radiohead and Aphex Twin, but I'm not sure I'd completely agree with that assesment myself. Katatonia yes, but that's a no-brainer for this sort of pop-infused avant metal. Anyhow, I agree that it's a good album and well worth investigating for people who are into different kinds of heavy music.

Read PopMatter's review of "Sky Pilots", the latest album from Finland's Flaming Sideburns.

The full schedule and set times for Pop Dakar have been published. Check it out. Bands scheduled to appear include Paris, Bear Quartet, First Floor Power, Radio Dept. and more.

Here's a short tour diary with photos and video from the recent Narcissists tour in Germany.

Swedish webzine Samson & Rourke has put up a featured review and contest for Logh.

Big news from Nasum! Bassplayer Jesper has decided to leave as to focus on his other band Burst, which he has been involved with for over 10 years with some of his childhood friends. There's no animosity on anyone's part, the time just came to make a decision between the two projects. Read the full statement from the band on the subject. In other smaller news, Nasum has added Urban Skytt from Regurgitate on 2nd guitar and put up a newly redesigned website. As mentioned before, the band will play a record release show for the new album "Helvete" at Hotel Continental in Örebro on May 24.

I first talked about it way back in March, but here's a new MIC Norway feature on the upcoming 'Midnight Sun' tour featuring Supersilent, DJ Strangefruit, Arve Henriksen and Sidsel Endresen that's coming to the UK later this month. Those dates again:

05/22 - Exeter, Phoenix
05/23 - Bath, Bath International Music Festival Pavillion
05/24 - Belfast, Crescent Arts Centre
05/25 - Salisbury, Salisbury Festival
05/26 - Birmingham, Medicine Bar
05/27 - Liverpool, Unity Theatre
05/28 - London, 93 Feet East

Unioncarbideproductions.com sends word that there will indeed be a promo CD from the band available at Hultsfred this year featuring newly remixed versions of the songs "Be Myself Again" and "San Fransisco Boogie". There's also word of a potential commerical release for the single, but nothing's been decided yet. Also by way of UCP.com, comes this article paying tribute to the band. Check it out.

Expressen reports that Timbuktu will be contributing music to the film "Hip Hop Hora". It was directed by Teresa Fabik and premieres on February 6. Björn Kjellman stars. Read more. (in Swedish)

The new album from The Perishers will come out in September with the first single "Sway" to drop in June.

Jakob Hellman, Helena Bergström, Kjell Höglund & Johan Johansson and Tomas Di Leva have all been added to the roster of the Visfestivalen which takes place in Västervik on July 10-12.

Dates scheduled so far for the upcoming Avrikafest tour, featuring the band Kamera along with various DJs and more:

05/30 - Oslo, So What
05/31 - Fredrikstad, Dis Café
06/01 - Göteborg, Sticky Fingers
06/03 - Malmö
06/04 - Örebro
06/05 - Linköping, Platens Bar
06/06 - Stockholm, Debaser/Ultrachrome
06/07 - Karlstad, Arena

Norway's Moonfog records, the label run by Satyr of Satyricon, has signed the new band Disiplin to their roster. The band was started by Savant M of Myrkskog back in 2000 and will be entering the studio in August to record their debut album. "It´s very rare that a new band on the scene succeeds in catching my interest on the strength of a demo alone," says Satyr, "apart from the obvious fact that I enjoy their music and that I have a great belief in their potential, I think they have that undistinguishable Moonfog sound." And the sound he's talking about? Well, Savant describes the band as "based on old school black metal with inspiration from thrash and death metal." Read a recent interview with the band here. (in Norweigan)

Check out the latest edition of reviews and samples from Brainwashed, including writeups on Scandinavian artists such as Supersilent, Erkki Kurenniemi, the "Arctic Hysteria - Early Finnish Avant-Gardeners" comp, and more.

Here's some new dates from Sunride:

06/12 - Tavastia, Helsinki, Finland w/Endstand
08/16 - Nosturi, Helsinki, Finland w/Sweatmaster, Minus SF
08/30 - FUZZFEST 2, Musikens Hus, Göteborg, Sweden w/Mushroom River Band, Terra Firma, Awesome Machine, more

The new album "Through The Red" comes out today and the band will be playing around Europe later this month.

The Hommos have rescheduled their gig at the Barfly Camden in London from May 26 to the 27th.

Johan Bergqvist has finished up work on the video for the song "Lovelace" and posted it online. Check it: low / high
The track comes from a mini-album that was released last September and is being reissued later this summer as a precursor to the forthcoming full length.

More US press for David & the Citizens: The album "For All Happy Endings" is now reviewed on indiepages.com.

Rumor has it that Thirdimension is planning a US tour in the near future.

Another sign things are probably not okay for The (International) Noise Conspiracy? Keyboardist Sara Almgren has been recruited by Marit Bergman to play guitar in her touring band. If you weren't already aware, Sara used to play guitar for the all-girl hardcore/metal act Doughnuts. They released a couple reconds on Victory in the mid-90s. Anyhow, Marit has decided to ditch the guitar on stage so she can, I assume, focus more on her singing. Look for her on the Kalas tour this summer, among other festival dates. In other news, my sources tell me she plans on doing five different cover tunes for her new EP "From Now On" which comes out on June 12. More details when I get 'em.

Laakso will be heading into the studio soon to lay down the tracks for their debut full length. They say to expect a good live sound as evidenced already on their debut EP "Long Beach".

The terminally underappreciated Notre Dame, led by the multitalented Snowy Shaw (Dream Evil, ex-Mercyful Fate, Illwill, etc.), reports that they have completed work on the new album "Creepshow Freakshow Peepshow". Originally titled "Vaudeville le Devil", the album will be the first lacking guitarist Jean-Pierre De Sade and should be out later this year from Osmose Productions.

Thu, 01 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Watch the new video for "On the 54" from The Dandelions right here.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. HIM - Funeral of hearts
02. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
03. A-Teens - Perfect Match
04. Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry
05. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
06. Mew - Comforting Sounds
07. Kwan - Shine
08. Jennifer Brown - Weak
09. Surferosa - Neon Commando
10. Melody Club - Cover Girl
11. Moon Gringo - Buzz Aldrin
12. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
13. Whyte Seeds - Slow motions
14. Dub Sweden - Walk Me Home
15. Timbuktu - Ett Brev
16. Empire Dogs - The Dogs
17. Nik & Jay - Elsker Hende Mere
18. The Cardigans - For What It´s Worth
19. Equicez - Live From Pass It
20. Pauline - Runnin´ Out Of Gaz

Challengers:
01. The Jessica Fletchers - Let´s Go
02. Darude - Music
03. Outlandish - Guantanamo
04. K Ragnstam - Perfect Vacation
05. Paragon - Försök Förstå

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

Kamera has announced a bunch of new dates for the summer:

05/30 - Fredriksta (NOR)
05/31 - Oslo (NOR), So What
06/01 - Västerås
06/02 - Stockholm, Debaser
06/03 - Jönköping
06/04 - Göteborg, Nefertiti
06/05 - Halmstad
06/06 - Linköping, Platens Bar
06/07 - Karlstad, Arena
06/26-29 - Skellefteå, Skellefteåfestivalen
07/05 - Sundsvall, Gatufesten
07/10 - Arvika, Arvikafestivalen
07/04-12 - Visby, ZTV Sommarstad Gotland
07/13 - Malta
07/19 - Torquay (GB)
07/20 - Brighton (GB)
07/23 - Åland, Rock Off Festival (tbc)
08/08 - Norrköping, Karnevalen

Pitchforkmedia reviews the American release of "C'mon Let's Pretend" from the Sahara Hotnights. Whaddya know? They actually like it.

Moonbabies have got a couple gigs lined up:

05/02 - Fredericia, Ungdomens hus w/The Violet Hour
05/03 - Copenhagen, Huset w/The Violet Hour

Reports are coming in on the big concert yesterday at Gröna Lund with Soundtrack of Our Lives, The Ark and Mando Diao: tsool.tk / Dagens Nyheter / Expressen

In other Mando Diao news, the band has reportedly fired organist Daniel Haglund. Haglund was apparently taking time off to spend time with his family and was given the news when he tried to return.

And the Sound is saying that Niklas and Thomas from Him Kerosene are rumored to be starting a new band. Nothing's confirmed yet, but I'll keep you posted.

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

01. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
02. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
03. v/a - Fame Factory volym 4
04. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
05. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
06. Jill Johnson - Discography
07. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
08. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
09. Elin Sigvardsson - Saturday light naive
10. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
11. Mauro Scocco - Beat hotel
12. Lasse Tennander - Därifrånochhit sånger 1974-2003
13. The Refreshments - On the rocks
14. Antique - Blue love
15. Siw Malmkvist - Siws bästa
16. Roxette - The pop hits
17. The Knife - Deep Cuts
18. Magnus Uggla - Klassiska mästerverk
19. Robyn - Don´t stop the music
20. Dilba - Revolution

More from Aftonbladet: An article on Marie Fredriksson's (Roxette) recovery from brain surgery.

Don't forget to download the new free Soviac single today. Check it. The song is called "Boogie Woogie" and it's taken from the upcoming album "Triology Sexlife Rodeo Friscotti" due out later this fall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thu, 10 Apr 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Johan Bergqvist reports he has finished up shooting the video for his new single "This Could Be Our Time". And if you look to your right you'll see that you can download an exclusive mp3 of the track right now. But yeah, the video's done and the CD is being sent off to get mastered, so it's on track for its May release. Johan's also got plans for yet another video - on April 26 he's off to shoot one for the song "Lovelace" as he says he "found a nice location with a grand piano." I'll keep you posted.

People in the US - don't forget about Sahara Hotnights on Conan O'Brien tonight along with guest Adam Sandler.

Here's a bunch of pics from the 2001 Avrika fest, including acts such as The Hellacopters, TSOOL, Mustasch, Nasum, and The Haunted.

Problems arose when the grizzly bear appearing in the video went berserk...

Apparently there were some problems onsite at Turbonegro's video shoot for the song "Sell Your Body (To The Night)" which was being filmed in LA with help from the Jackass dudes. Read more at the the band's website.

"Their mesmerising guitar excursions are worthy of early Pink Floyd; the tunes are beyond brilliant; this is, without question, among the most supremely desirable stoner albums you are likely to hear all year" - James Delingpole, Sunday Telegraph, on "Every Time A Bell Rings An Angel Gets Its Wings"

Folks in London get the lucky opportunity to see Logh for free at 93ft East in London on April 14. The show starts at 7:30 and if I was you, I wouldn't miss it.

Been awhile since I heard from these guys, but the Diamond Dogs are going on tour:

4/21 - Monroes, Workingston (UK)
4/22 - Roadmenders, Norhhampton (UK)
4/23 - Markoni Club, Chelmsford (UK)
4/24 - Penningtons Live, Bradford (UK)
4/25 - Baths Hall, Scunthorpe (UK)
4/26 - Cheese and Grain, Frome (UK)
4/27 - Patti Pavilion, Swansea (UK)
4/28 - Camden Underworld, London (UK)
5/02 - Culturen, Västerås
5/08 - El Sol, Madrid (ESP)
5/09 - Stereo, Alicante (ESP)
5/10 - La Casa del Loco, Zaragoza (ESP)
5/13 - University, Granada (ESP)
5/15 - La Nasa, Santiago (ESP)
5/16 - Auditorium Intersecciones, Oviedo (ESP)
5/17 - Azkena, Bilbao (ESP)

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

01. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
02. v/a - Fame Factory volym 4
03. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
04. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
05. Mauro Scocco - Beat hotel
06. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
07. Jill Johnson - Discography
08. The Refreshments - On the rocks
09. Dilba - Revolution
10. Emil Sigfridsson - Tillbaka till igår
11. Fernandoz - Vem får din kärlek i natt
12. Roxette - The pop hits
13. Gloria - People like you and me
14. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
15. The Knife - Deep Cuts
16. The Sounds - Living in America
17. Wilmer X - Lyckliga hundar
18. Rikard Wolff - Du får mig (om jag får dig)
19. Anders Widmark featuring Sara Isaksson - s/t
20. Kikki Bettan Lotta - Live från Rondo

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

01. (01) The White Stripes "7 Nation Army"
02. (02) Fireside "All You Had"
03. (08) The Dandy Warhols "We Used To Be Friends"
04. (15) The Knife "You Take My Breath Away"
05. (04) Shout Out Louds "100 Degrees"
06. (09) Her Majesty "F.U.N.E.R.A.L."
07. (03) Timbuktu "Ett brev"
08. (05) Jurassic 5 Ft. Mya "Thin Line"
09. (06) First Floor Power "Happy Endings"
10. (07) The Coral "Don't Think You're The First"

11. (NY) Floetry "Floetic"
12. (14) The Concretes "You Can't Hurry Love"
13. (NY) Interpol "Obstacle 1"
14. (NY) Asian Dub Foundation Ft. Sinead O'Connor "1000 Mirrors"
15. (10) Isolation Years "Open Those Eyes"
16. (11) Blur "Out Of Time"
17. (NY) David & The Citizens "New Direction"
18. (NY) Turbonegro "F**k The World (F.T.W.)"
19. (19) The Kills "Fried My Little Brains"
20. (17) Komeda "Reproduce"

Leaving the chart:
(12) The Donnas "Take It Off"
(13) Melody Club "Covergirl"
(16) Kamera "At Work"
(18) Ron Sexsmith Ft. Chris Martin "Gold In Them Hills"
(20) Lil' Kim Ft. Mr Cheeks "The Jump Off"

ZTV will begin broadcasting a TV version of Hitlisten, Sweden's official sales chart, compiled by IPFI affiliate GLF and published every Thursday.

Magnus Carlson from the Weeping Willows has his new Eggstone-produced solo album coming out July 9. Turns out he's getting even more outside help, this time from film director Lukas Moodysson (Fucking Åmal/Show Me Love, Tillsammans/Together)and Radio Dept. Lukas has reportedly helped out with some lyric writing while Radio Dept. and Magnus played together at their home in Malmö. The first single will be for the song "Jag ber dig", a cover of the Northern Soul-hit "Beggin'" with Swedish lyrics.

Moneybrother is heading on tour in support of his new, forthcoming album "Blood Panic". The dates:

5/21 - Stockholm, Södra Teatern
5/22 - Karlstad, Glada Ankan
5/23 - Oslo, So What
5/30 - Göteborg, Playground @ Pustervik
5/31 - Linköping, Rocksensation
5/27 - Malmö, Trenchtown @ KB

Mobbade Barn Med Automatvapen (MBMA) have a new 12" coming out in May called "Nu Ännu Drygare" with four songs. Breakmecanix and Embee (Loop Troop) handled the production and Timbuktu and Chords make guest appearances.

Here's an interview with Sami Liuski of Rovaniemi, Finland aka 8-Bit Rockers and Bangkok Impact among others. He talks about his upcoming touring activities and the Finnish electronic music scene, among other interesting topics. Those dates:

4/23 - Pianos, NYC, NY
4/24 - Rhode Island
4/25 - Rex Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
4/26 - Touch Supper Club, Cleveland, OH
4/27 - Empty Bottle, Chicago, MI
4/30 - Noise Lab, Seattle
5/01 - Blackbird, Portland, OR
5/02 - Obscura Digital, San Fransisco
5/05 - Knitting Factory, Los Angeles
5/06 - Los Angeles
5/08 - Sin 13, San Antonio
5/09 - The Elysium, Austin, TX
5/10 - Mermaid Lounge, New Orleans
5/11 - Miami
5/13 - Highlight, Chappel Hill, North Carolina
5/14 - Heaven and Hell, Washinton DC
5/16 - Ivy South, NYC, NY, USA

Danish dance duo Junior Senior are heating things up over in Britain. Not only are they in the singles chart at #5 with "Move Your Feet", but they're also planning to do either dates over there in May, starting with Glasgow Barfly on the first and ending with Liverpool Barfly on the 11th.

Division of Laura Lee has lined up a few extra dates around their appearance at the upcoming Coachella fest near LA:

4/21 - Houston, Engine Room
4/22 - Austin, Emos
4/23 - Dallas, Gypsy Tea Room
4/25 - Phoenix, Mason Jar
4/26 - Indio, Coachella

UPDATED: David & the Citizens will be on P3 Pop on April 14 from 10pm till midnight. They'll be playing live and chatting with Hanna in studio. They'll be sure to play the song "Glued to the Light" from the new EP "New Direction" they say, but they'll also be premiering two brand new tracks. As this news implicates, the band is already making plans for their next record - they'll be hitting the studio in May with plans to get it out around September.

In Flames have revealed the details for their forthcoming EP entitled "Trigger". The track listing is as follows:

01. Trigger (single edition)
02. Watch Them Feed (new song)
03. Land Of Confusion (Genesis cover)
04. Cloud Connected (Club Connected Remix)
05. Moonshield (C64 Karoke Version)

Look for it soon on Nuclear Blast. In other news, the band recently returned home from their most recent trek across the US and had this to say on their website:

Hello all, thanx a million for the GREAT support from both old and new fans on In Flames/Mudvayne tour in the US. We had a great time, and as usual we met some really cool people on the road( talking about you, our wonderful fans) and we made some good friends in the other bands- Mudvayne, Grade 8, and Depswa - we really hope to meet up again soon!!!!
On the way home we were forced to make an emergency landing in New Foundland, due to some strange objects on the aircraft that needed closer attention. This of course scared the hell out of us, but luckily it was false alarm, so as we speak we are in Sweden, jet-lagged as hell, but really glad to be on safe ground at home again.
In the end of June we will go back on the road again on a headline spin across the US, bringing some great acts along with us (see soon for official update on this). The tour will take us to places we didn´t hit on the last tour and some that we did play... Hope to see ALL of you out there. Also, watch out for our video/EP for "Trigger" that will be out very soon

Swedish power-metallers Hammerfall have booked themselves a short Czech Republic tour along with the following festival dates:

6/27 - Bang Your Head - Balingen, GER
6/28 - Masters Of Rock, Vizovice, CZ
6/29 - Centre of Town, Jihlava, CZ
6/30 - Hall Lokomotiva, Plzen, CZ
7/04 - Sundsvalls Gatufest - Sundsvall, SWE
7/05 - Töreboda Festival - Töreboda, SWE
7/25 - Karlskoga Stranddagar - Karlskoga, SWE
8/30 - Bloodstock Metalfest - Derby, UK

Transport League has announced that Crash Music Inc. will license their most recent EP "Grand Amputation" for release in the US. It was originally released last year on their own label Hoffa Communications through MNW distribution. In other news, the band reportedly just did some time in the studio with producer J. Reivén (ex-LOK) working on a new demo.

Mon, 07 Apr 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Read a short, gushing review of the new album "Souvenirs" from the Netherland's The Gathering. As mentioned in therein, the album features guest appearances from Mathias Elk of Jaga Jazzist and Trickster G (Kris Rygg) of Ulver, and yes, I agree that it really is great.

Reviews and samples of new releases from Ulver, Katatonia, JR Ewing and more from Aquarius Records. Mailorder, too.

As already reported, Arve and Jarle from Supersilent will be appearing solo and as part of the Tord Gustavsen Trio on May 10 at the Maijazz festival in Stavanger, Norway. It's not confirmed that Supersilent themselves will also be playing the fest on the day before. In other news, Arve makes a guest appearance on the new Jørn Simen Øverli album "Pengenes Oppmuntrende Virkning" along with Stian Carstensen from Farmers Market.

Mustasch is entering the studio on April 22 to record a new album under the tutelage of producer Jacob Hellner (credits include Rammstein, Clawfinger, and Fläskkvartetten). They expect to have it out around fall.

Here's an interview with Ebbot from TSOOL talking about touring the US among other things. (in Swedish)

25 years ago the first Swedish punk single "Vårdad klädsel" from Kriminella Gitarrer came out. There's gonna be a show celebrating this event at Vågen in Göteborg on October 4 featuring Brända Barn, Asta Kask, Attentat, Stry Terrarie and Freddie Wadling plus more to be announced. Tickets go on sale April 11.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

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

Challengers:
01. Left Lane - Walk after you
02. HIM - Funeral of harts
03. Ralph Meyrz & The Jack Herren Band - Think Twice
04. Whyte Seeds - Slow motions
05. Don Diego - Min lat

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

Lotta will be playing Tavastia in Helsinki on April 15 with Buddaboys. Even better, Yle Radio X3M will be broadcasting the show live.

Orange Crunch has a new EP coming out on Dead Frog in May. They play Alcazar in Stockholm tomorrow night, too.

The Svensk Rockarkiv will be making a roadshow appearance at Hultsfred fest this year. The archive was started in 1993 as a place to keep documentaries, photos, records and so on from all sorts Swedish artists through the ages.

The winners of the 2002 SAMA awards have been announced:

Best newcomer: Melody Club
Best song: Melody Club – Electric
Best album: Covenant – Northern Light
Best artist: Apoptygma Berzerk