11/12 - Mezzanine, San Francisco, CA
11/13 - LPR, New York, NY
11/14 - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL

Female Artist: Maria Mena - Cause And Effect (Sony Music)
Male Artist: Thom Hell - God If I Saw Her Now (Voices Of Wonder)
Pop Group: Real Ones - All For The Neighbourhood (Warner Music)
Electronica: Lindstrøm - Where You Go I Go Too (Smalltown Supersound)
Contemporary Classical: Ellen Ugelvik - George Crumb: Makrokosmos I-Ii (Simax Classics)
Rock: Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me)
Blues: Orbo & The Longshots - High Roller (Blue Mood/Grappa)
Country: Ida Jenshus - Color Of The Sun (Universal Music)
Metal: Enslaved - Vertebrae (Indie Recordings)
Hip-Hop: Karpe Diem - Fire Vegger (Bonnier Amigo)
Folk: Gjermund Larsen Trio - Ankomst (Heilo)
Jazz: Helge Lien Trio - Hello Troll (Ozella/Musikklosen)
Ballad: Halvdan Sivertsen - Mellom Oss (Nordaførr/Emi Music Norway)
Open Class: Farmers Market - Surfin' USSR (Ipecac)
Lyrics: Odd Børretzen - "Paradise Bay" Fra Albumet Syv Sørgelige Sanger Og Tre Triste (Big Box Music As)
Popular Composer: Thom Hell - "Darling" Fra Albumet God If I Saw Her Now (Voices Of Wonder)
Contemporary Composer: Risto Holopainen - Garbage Collection (Mere Records)
Music video: Madcon - "Liar" (Bonnier Amigo Music), dir. Kaveh Tehrani
Hit: The Blacksheeps - Oro Jaska Beana (MBN)
Newcomer: Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart (Nightliner/Universal Music)
Spellemann: Espen Lind
Export prize: Madcon

More here: http://www.spellemann.no/

01/29 - Studio B, NYC, NY
01/30 - Smart Bar, Chicago, IL
01/31 - Paradise, San Francisco, CA

Female artist:
Ane Brun - Changing Of The Seasons (Det Er Mine)
Ingrid Olava - Juliet's Wishes (EMI Music Norway)
Maria Mena - Cause And Effect (Sony Music)
Marit Larsen - The Chase (EMI/Virgin)
Male artist:
Bjørn Eidsvåg - Pust (Petroleum/Sony Music)
Julian Berntzen - Rocket Ship Love (Universal Music)
Thom Hell - God If I Saw Her Now (Voices Of Wonder)
Åge Aleksandersen og Sambandet - Katalysator (EMI Music Norway/Solregn)
Pop group:
Lester - This Village (Deaf Ear Records)
Real Ones - All For The Neighbourhood (Warner Music)
The Margarets - Twenty Years Erased (Division Records as)
Electronica:
Lindstrøm - Where You Go I Go Too (Smalltown Supersound)
Mental Overdrive - You Are Being Manipulated (Smalltown Supersound)
Skatebård - Cosmos (Digitalo Enterprises)
Rock:
Grand Island - Boys & Brutes (Racing Junior)
Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me)
Motorpsycho - Little Lucid Moments (Rune Grammofon)
Tommy Tokyo & Starving For My Gravy - Smear Your Smiles Back On (Warner Music)
Metal:
Benea Reach - Alleviat (Tabu Recordings)
Enslaved - Vertebrae (Indie Recordings)
Keep of Kalessin - Kolossus (Indie Recordings)
Jazz:
Helge Lien Trio - Hello Troll (Ozella/Musikklosen)
Mathias Eick - The Door (ECM/Grappa)
Moment - Paradiso (Schmell)
Radka Toneff - Butterfly (Curling Legs as)
Open class:
Annbjørg Lien - Waltz With Me (Heilo)
Farmers Market - Surfin' USSR (Ipecac)
H.K.H. Kronprinsesse Mette-Marits Utvalgte Salmer - Sorgen og Gleden (Kirkelig Kulturverksted)
Lars Horntveth - Kaleidoscopic (Smalltown Supersound)
Best newcomer:
Erlend Bratland - True Colors (Sony Music)
Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart (Nightliner/Universal)
Ingrid Olava - Juliet's Wishes (EMI Music Norway)
Katzenjammer - Le Pop (Propeller Recordings)
Best video:
Beady Belle - Self-Fulfilling (Jazzland Records/Sonet/Universal)
Madcon - Liar (Bonnier Amigo Music)
Madrugada - Look Away Lucifer (Malabar Recording Company)
Maria Mena - All This Time (Sony Music)
Thom Hell - My Heart Is Longing For A Soul (Voices Of Wonder)

01. I'll be by your side (Tensnake remix)
02. I know you're my love (Juan MacLean remix)
03. Find my soul (Holy Fuck remix)
04. Anorak Christmas (Woodhands remix)
05. He keeps me alive (Skatebård remix)
06. Hold me so tight (The Cansecos remix)
07. Skating in the moonshine (Jon Brooks remix)
08. Jackie junior (Junior Boys remix)
09. Time to let go (Lindstrøm remix)
10. Sleep in my arms (Between Interval remix)

It gets a North American release on April 15 via Paper Bag Records.

Rock:
120 Days - 120 days
Big Bang - Too much yang
My Midnight Creeps - Histamin
King Midas - Sorry
The Lionheart Brothers - Dizzy kiss

Pop:
Marit Larsen - Under the surface
Rockettothesky - To sing you apple trees
Superfamily - Warszawa
Magnet - The simple life
Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør

Metal:
Dimmu Borgir - In sorte diaboli
Satyricon - Now diabolical
Audrey Horne - Le fol
Mayhem - Ordo ad Chaou
Keep of Kalessin - Armada

Jazz:
Supersilent - 8
Shining - Grindstone
Håkon Kornstad - Single engine
Tord Gustafssen Trio - Being there
Hanne Hukkelberg - Rykerstrasse 68

Electronica:
Kim Hiorthøy - My last day
Lindstrøm - It’s a feedelity affair
Pleasure - Pleasure 2
The Whitest Boy Alive - Dreams
Bjørn Torske - Feil knapp

Hip-hop/Rap:
el Axel - It is what it is
Karpe Diem - Rett fra hjertet
Darkside of the Force - El dia de los puercos
Tungtvann - Siste Skanse
Samvirkelaget - Musikk

Newcomer:
Susanne Sundfør
Moving Oos
Ida Maria
Rockettothesky
Elvira Nicolaisen

Live:
Big Bang
Superfamily
King Midas
The Grand
Samvirkelaget

Go here for more details or to vote for your favorite: http://www.alarmprisen.no/2007/index.php/og-de-nominerte-er/#more-76]]> Thu, 27 Sep 2007 11:55:07 -0700 news general awards http://www.itsatrap.com/n/599 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/599 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/599#comments Paper Thin Walls sits down with Lindstrøm and Prins Thomas to do a track-by-track analysis of their album "Reinterpretations": http://www.paperthinwalls.com/listeningparty/index?id=22]]> Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/715 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/715 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/715#comments Fat Planet on Norwegian producer Lindstrøm: http://www.fatplanet.com.au/blog/2007/07/17/lindstrom-on-this-weeks-fat-planet/]]> Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25684-interview-don-juan-dracula http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25684-interview-don-juan-dracula http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25684-interview-don-juan-dracula#comments I first heard the song "Run away with you" with Don Juan Dracula when I was working with a Norwegian music channel and I immediately took a liking to it. I found a couple more of their songs and, on a trip back to Scandinavia, went looking for their record. I had no luck in finding it and soon thereafter heard the band had split up and soon forgot about them as I went on with my life. I think the news that they were back together was posted on our very own itsatrap.com and it was also via this site I came in touch with their manager.
- Per Apelqvist

Don Juan Dracula, what does it mean?

Gentlemen.

You called it a quits and then returned with gigs in both Beijing and New York last year. Why did you quit and why did you come back?

Well, it's not always easy to play in a band for several years. After the YD2 tour in 2005 we where pretty tired of DJD and eachother. We had some disagreements about the band's direction. But mainly we had some deeper conflicts; instead of solving them we tried to ignore them. That didn't work out well, so we reached a point where we were unable to move forward.

With time away from each other we realized we needed to talk things through. We couldn't leave this great band as we have so much life left in us. The short break was good for us all. Then things became much clearer and basically all we wanted was to get back on stage where we belong. The whole process taught us a lot about each other and ourselves. We are now stronger and more inspired than ever.

What's with the white outfits?

Since they are white we need to wash the outfits after each show, so they all go in the laundry together.

If we had black outfits we wouldn't need to wash them at all, but then we would stink... and DJD doesn't stink. We are a clean cut band who loves to shower.

Who are your musical influences?

We all grew up in the 80's and our music taste is therefore naturally influenced by the popular music from back then, and we still love electronic bands like Depeche Mode, OMD, Duran Duran and Pet Shop Boys from that era. But everyone in the band is true music-lovers, so we listen to almost everything, ranging from metal to country music. Our influences are also very different and we think that is very healthy when making music. That is probably why Don Juan Dracula doesn't sound exactly like anything else...

How would you describe your music?

We play catchy and melodious pop music quite simply. It's basically guitar based pop music with a lot of electronic and synth packaging. We have a heavier sound when we play live than on our album, with live drums, bass, guitars and keyboards.

What images would you say your music conveys (I ask this because I am a big fan of your videos)?

Each song is very different and it's basically up to the listener to make up their own images.

When is your new album coming out and can you give us a short description of what it will sound like?

We are currently recording our next album. The record is far from being finished so it's a bit hard to tell. The sound will be quite different from our last album YD2. Hopefully we'll manage to add more of our live energy to it.

What would you say sets the Norwegian music scene apart from the rest of Scandinavia (if you feel there is a difference)?

From our point of view there are not many differences in the Scandinavian underground scene. Although each country has their own specialties, Sweden has historically been better at making and breaking pop bands. Norway still has a lot to learn from Sweden's music industry.

The Danish underground music scene has become much more interesting the last couple of years with great pop bands like Veto, Dúné, Superheroes, Spleen United and a lot more.

What Norway has been good in the last decade is of course the black metal scene. Also the more specific scenes like noise, jazz and electronic music has done quite well outside of Norway. With interesting artists like Lindstrøm, Jaga Jazzist, Noxagt, Kjetil Brandsdal and others making names for themselves outside the Country.

People can't seem to leave out A-ha when they talk about any new band coming out of Norway. How do you feel about being compared to that?

No other Norwegian artist has achieved the same level of success as A-ha internationally. So we do understand that people are comparing other Norwegian artists with A-ha. If you see similarity between DJD and A-ha we're of course flattered since A-ha has some really great albums. From our point of view DJD is far different to A-ha, because we're so much better and so much younger than the oldies in the 80s group A-ha.

People seem to really dig your live shows. Can you share the story about the rented helicopter?

We always put a lot of effort into our live shows. Rule number One for DJD performing live – play like it's your last gig ever. Unfortunately that has given us some headaches and challenges when irreplaceable equipment has been smashed or burned.

The helicopter... we did the opening gig at Øya festival 2005. We decided to spend all our gig money on the show because we wanted to give the crowd something special. Which resulted in DJD landing in a rented helicopter in front of the stage while our local marching band was playing Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries".

- Tons of pyrotechnics (fireworks) and lights

- A string quartet joined us playing "Into the sunset" while 50 pigeons where released from the stage

- Finally the marching band played the outro while we took off in the sky with our helicopter.

That is basically a brief for a perfect DJD concert.

I've gotten the impression that you are, besides very talented musicians, a fun bunch to be around. Can you share another fun story about Don Juan Dracula?

Yes, when the band is together we like to be social and meet lots of people. It is important to have a laugh and unwind. After a show we like to socialize with the crowd and we often find ourselves making new friends at after parties. We have tons of funny stories in the history of the band, but most of them will remain within DJD. There was a fun story from Beijing where we played darts at a local pub. After several beers, we realized they had a scene for pool dancing. After each DJD member had been through a sensual dancing session onstage – we were unfortunately kicked out.

I have heard you have recently been getting airplay at LIVE 105 in San Francisco. What are your plans for the future? Is breaking in America a goal for you?

We are very pleased with the response our music is receiving in the US. Live 105 in San Francisco and Popscene (San Francisco Club) have been very supportive which is great! Special thanks to Aaron Axelsen & DJ Omar. Also a major supporter is 'The Feast of Fools Podcast' in Chicago, thanks to the Hosts Fausto & Marc.

Online Blogs and Podcasts have really given us a huge boost and exposed us to an International audience. Our manager is working with labels to get our music released. The goal is to release our albums around the world. Breaking into the US sounds great of course, but we'll take one step at a time.

Finally, when will I see you in London?

We should have played in London a long time ago! So we will definitely play there when we promote the new album. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long!

Per Apelqvist is looking forward to the next Tack!Tack!Tack! in May.

Ed: Note that the DJD track "Run away with you" appears on "It's a trap! reader's companion volume two".

]]> Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2575 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2575 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2575#comments Pitchfork reports the hyped techno producer Lindstrøm (aka Hans-Peter Lindstrøm) will be working with fellow Norwegians 120 Days on the band's sophmore album: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/41200/Exclusive_Lindstrom_to_Produce_New_120_Days_Jams]]> Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2855 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2855 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2855#comments The winners of this year's Spellemannprisen, aka the Norwegian Grammys:

Female artist: Marit Larsen - Under The Surface (EMI Music Norway)
Male artist: Thomas Dybdahl - Science (Universal Music AS)
Pop group: Minor Majority - Reasons To Hang Around (Big Dipper Records)
Electronica: Lindstrøm - It's A Feedelity Affair (Smalltown Supersound)
Rock: 120 Days - 120 Days (Smalltown Supersound)
Metal: Enslaved - Ruun (Tabu Recordings)
Hip-hop: Darkside Of The Force - El Dia De Los Puercos (C+C Records)
Jazz: Atomic - Happy New Ears! (Jazzland)
Open class: Hanne Hukkelberg - Rykestrasse 68 (Propeller Recordings AS)
Best newcomer: 120 Days - 120 Days (Smalltown Supersound)
Best song: Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes, Askil Holm - Hallelujah (Playroom/SonyBMG/Universal)
Music video: Marit Larsen - Don't Save Me (EMI)
Spellemann: Vamp
Hederspris: Sissel Kyrkjebø, Bjørn Eidsvåg and Åge Aleksandersen

Read more: http://www.ifpi.no/spellemann/vinner.html]]> Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2962 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2962 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2962#comments Smalltown Supersound will release their new "Sunkissed" mix CD on January 20 in Norway, May elsewhere. Artists contributing include Erot, Lindstrøm, Prins Thomas, Serena Maneesh (Riton mix), 120 Days (Mental Overdrive mix), Rune Lindbæk, Kango, DiskJokke, Bjorn Torske and more.]]> Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3229 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3229 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3229#comments The nominees for the 2006 Spellemannprisen, the Norwegian Grammy, have been annnounced:

Female artist:
Elvira Nikolaisen - Quiet Exit (Sony BMG)
Marit Larsen - Under The Surface (EMI Music Norway)
Mira Craig - Mira Mira (Homemade Records)
Male artist:
Bjørn Eidsvåg - Nåde (Petroleum/Sony BMG)
Odd Nordstoga - Heim Te Mor (Universal Music AS)
Thomas Dybdahl - Science (Universal Music AS)
Pop group:
Delillos'85 - Suser Videre (Universal Music AS)
Jim Stärk - Turn Around And Look (Sweet Recordings)
Minor Majority - Reasons To Hang Around (Big Dipper Records)
Electronica:
Lindstrøm - It's A Feedelity Affair (Smalltown Supersound)
Splaxxter Watts - The Shakeout (Cafe Superstar DA)
The Whitest Boy Alive - Dreams (Smalltown Supersound)
Rock:
120 Days - 120 Days (Smalltown Supersound)
Bonk - Bonk Against Nothing (Racing Junior)
Madrugada - Live At Tralfamadore (EMI Music Norway)
The Low Frequency In Stereo - The Last Temptation Of... (Rec 90)
The School - Espionage (Kong Tiki Records)
Metal:
Benea Reach - Monument Bineothan (Tabu Recordings)
Enslaved - Ruun (Tabu Recordings)
Gorgoroth - Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam (Regain Records)
Keep Of Kalessin - Armada (Tabu Recordings)
Hip-hop:
Darkside Of The Force - El Dia De Los Puercos (C+C Records)
Karpe Diem - Rett Fra Hjertet (Bonnier Amigo Music Norge)
Tungtvann - Siste Skanse (C+C Records)
Jazz:
Atomic - Happy New Ears! (Jazzland)
Helge Sunde/Norske Store Orkester - Denada (Act)
Håkon Kornstad/Håvard Wiik - The Bad And The Beautiful (Moserobie)
Ken Vandermark/Paal Nilssen-Love - Seven (Smalltown Superjazzz)
The Thing - Action Jazz (Smalltown Superjazzz)
Open class:
Hanne Hukkelberg - Rykestrasse 68 (Propeller Recordings AS)
Kristin Asbjørnsen - Wayfaring Stranger - A Spiritual Songbook (Universal Music AS)
Mari Boine - Idjagiedas - In The Hand Of The Night (Universal Music AS)
Terje Isungset - Igloo (All Ice Records/Grappa)
Wibutee - Sweet Mental (Sonne Disk)
Best newcomer:
120 Days - 120 Days (Smalltown Supersound)
Elvira Nikolaisen - Quiet Exit (Sony BMG)
Marte Wulff - Jacket (It's Definitly Records)
Mira Craig - Mira Mira (Homemade Records)
Rockettothesky - So Sing You Apple Trees (Trust Me Records)
Music video:
Bjørn Eidsvåg M/Elvira Nikolaisen - Floden (Sony BMG)
Christel Alsos - Come On (Sony BMG)
Grand Island - Us Annexed (Racing Junior)
Marit Larsen - Don't Save Me (Emi)
The White Birch - Seer Beliver (Racing Junior)

The rest of the categories are here: http://www.spellemann.no/nomine.html]]> Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3720 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3720 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3720#comments Dusted does the guestlist thing with Lindstrøm: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/546]]> Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3880 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3880 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3880#comments Stylus rates the new Lindstrøm album quite highly: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/lindstrm/its-a-feedelity-affair.htm]]> Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3922 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3922 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3922#comments Pitchfork labels the new album from Norwegian producer Lindstrøm as 'best new music': http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/39324/Lindstr%C3%B8m_Its_a_Feedelity_Affair]]> Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 news