IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Monastir Good things never last A West Side Fabrication

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

I was originally drawn to Scandinavian music because of the differences I was hearing in it, yet a lot of stuff coming out lately sounds distinctly like many other groups. That doesn't make it bad, but it kinda makes it difficult to wax enthusiastic about such music beyond saying "Yeah, it's decent." Take the latest record by Swedish rockers Monastir. It has some energetic guitar work, some big blustery rock vocals (with just enough distortion to give it a bit of edge), and a great production. The song "So defeated" has already charted, and several others here are just as good if not better. But, while I enjoyed this disc overall, it's not one I see myself coming back to often. It's sort of a made-for-driving CD, yet it falls short of being a classic. I do like the '60s-influenced harmony vocals melding with a modern indie sound and more than a little mid-period Who flavoring. There are some nice keyboard textures, especially on "I freak out on everyone" and "Echoes in my head", and any disc with a song that celebrates being "young and stupid" or that provides imbibing accompaniment like "Saturday night and I'm feeling alright/Gonna have me a drink or two...I don't really care about you," is gonna induce smiles, for sure. I would use the word "sturdy" to describe this: there are some okay melodies, but most of it kinda sounds the same, and there's little here not being done better by other groups. Monastir just didn't create much of a, well, STIR, for me.

Thu, 09 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (ÅT) Martha Wainright - "Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole"
02. (03) Timo Räisänen - "Fear No Darkness Promised Child"
03. (04) Arctic Monkey - "When the Sun Goes Down"
04. (01) Dub Sweden - "We're so Loud"
05. (NY) We Are Scientists - "The Great Escape"
06. (NY) Youngblood Brass Band - "Nuclear Summer"
07. (NY) Mylo - "Muscle Car (Sander Kleinenberg remix)"
08. (02) Alf - "Manchester Man"
09. (20) Sandy Mouche - "Spiderweb suit"
10. (07) Architectures in Helsinki - "lt'5"
11. (NY) Cat Power - "The Greatest"
12. (NY) Tim Neu - "If U Let Me Go"
13. (10) Stars - "Your Ex-lover is Dead"
14. (ÅT) SwingFly - "Something Got Me Started"
15. (NY) The Bravery - "Fearless"
16. (NY) Firefox AK - "Madame, Madame!"
17. (ÅT) Irene - "Baby I Love Your Way"
18. (NY) Loney Dear - "The City, the Airport"
19. (NY) Hello Saferide - "Long Lost Pen Pal"
20. (NY) Sway - "Little Derek"

Leaving the chart: Christian Kjellvander w/Nina Persson, Whyte Seeds, Belle & Sebastian, Damian Marley w/NAS, The Go Team!, Dilated Peoples, Matiyashu, Novastar, Håkan Hellström, The Sounds, Death Cab For Cutie, Mattafix and Monastir.

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Here's the latest Swedish student radio top 20 chart:

01. (01) Dub Sweden - "We're so Loud"
02. (09) Alf - "Manchester Man"
03. (NY) Timo Räisänen - "Fear No Darkness, Promised Child"
04. (08) Christian Kjellvander w/Nina Persson - "Roaring 40's"
05. (02) Arctic Monkeys - "When the sun goes down"
06. (06) Whyte Seeds - "Bold as Love"
07. (NY) Architecture In Helsinki - "It'5"
08. (05) Belle & Sebastian - "Funny Little Frog"
09. (17) Damian Marley w/NAS - "Road to Zion"
10. (11) Stars - "You Ex-lover is Dead"
11. (NY) The Go Team - "Ladyflash"
12. (10) Dilated Peoples - "Back Again"
13. (NY) Matiyashu - "King Without Crown"
14. (NY) Novastar - "Never Back Down"
15. (ÅT) Håkan Hellström - "13"
16. (07) The Sounds - "Song With a Mission"
17. (13) Death Cab For Cutie - "Crooked Teeth"
18. (NY) Mattafix - "To & Fro"
19. (NY) Monastir - "So Defeated"
20. (NY) Sandy Mouche - "Spiderweb Suit"

Leaving the chart: Martha Wainright, SwingFly, Irene, Absentee, Maxïmo Park, Beth Orton, Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins, Ashanti and Daddy Yankee.

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The latest top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
02. (09) The Sorayas - "Hours to Days"
03. (05) Gorillaz - "Dirty Harry"
04. (02) The White Stripes - "The Denial Twist"
05. (07) Róisín Murphy - "Sow Into You"
06. (06) The Fine Arts Showcase - "Chemical Girl"
07. (05) Franz Ferdinand - "Walk Away"
08. (08) El Perro Del Mar - "God Knows (You Gotta Give To Get)"
09. (04) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
10. (13) Dannii Minogue & The Soul Seekerz - "Perfection"
11. (11) Unarmed Enemies - "Missing Out"
12. (10) ObnoXiuz - "Lägg benen på ryggen och dra"
13. (NY) Håkan Hellström - "13"
14. (17) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Is This Love?"
15. (NY) The Mitchell Brothers - "Alone With the TV"
16. (NY) Peshi - "Jasper Flute"
17. (NY) Monastir - "So Defeated"
18. (18) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Weight of the World"
19. (12) Goldfrapp - "Number 1"
20. (14) Baby Shambles - "Albion"

Leaving the chart: The Embassy, Queens of the Stone Age, Röyksopp and Saïan Supa Crew.

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The new Monastir album "Good things never last" will finally be released on November 16 via A West Side Fabrication. The new single "So defeated" will be sent to radio shortly. In other AWSF news, look for new albums from both Boy Omega and Björn Norestig early next year.

Fri, 17 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

The Monastir song "Life is long, when your lonely" was featured on the HBO sex-drama "The L word" during a lesbian love scene on a recent episode. Nice one guys! Listen to the song yourself at the bands purevolume site. In other news, the band reports that the new album is finished and mastered. It won't be out until fall, but samples will be posted soon.

Thu, 24 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Monastir sideproject Holiday With Maggie has signed with Italian label Wynona Records. Look for their debut album "Skyline drive" to be released in Europe and the US this coming April.

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

After spending the last half of the year or so doing various side-projects (Holiday With Maggie, Meleeh), Monastir reports that they will be starting preproduction on a new album in January.

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

It has finally been revealed that the upcoming Bear Quartet tribute album from A Tenderversion Recording/A Westside Fabrication will be called "Money Talks" and will be released on September 22. Once again, here's the tracklist:

01. Laakso - Blizzard
02. The Concretes - Just Locals
03. Junip - Carsick
04. Håkan Mild - Hunchback
05. Andreas Mattson - Machine Gun
06. The World - Euthanasia
07. Seven Shells - Old Friends
08. Erik Devahl - Straw
09. Kåre Vernby & Dibaba - If You Have A Heart
10. Boy Omega - Last Ball
11. Reverend Big O - I'm Slow
12. Kristofer Åström - Twinreceiver
13. Monastir - Ghosts For Laundry
14. Bad Cash Quartet - Put Me Back Together
15. They Stole A Million - Speedy
16. Audrey - Helpless

Mon, 21 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

A Tenderversion Recording is the name of a new label run by Martin Lundmark. in collaboration with Per Tannergård and José González. Their first release will be a five-track EP from Audrey, who they describe as Cat Power and Björk. Look for it in July. But what I'm more excited about is the upcoming Bear Quartet tribute they are doing as a co-release A Westside Fabrication. At long last, here's the full tracklist:

It should be amazing, I'm sure. As for later on, they'll release the debut album "Read between the lines at all times" from postrock/minimalist/nolse act Scraps of Tape in August and records from Once We Were and September Malevolence in the fall. More details when I get them.

Fri, 18 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Some news from A West Side Fabrication....

The rumors are true: there is indeed a Bear Quartet tribute in the works. 15 bands, out in August.
Also coming in August is an album from new signee Boy Omega, who they describe as Bright Eyes with the voice of Robert Smith from The Cure.
They also signed power-pop act/Monastir sideproject Holiday With Maggie and will release their new album "Skyline Drive" on June 30.
Lastly, Finland's Penniless will release "All Good Things Come To Those Who Wait" as their new single which will come with three unreleased b-sides.

Wed, 10 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Holiday with Maggie, Magnus and Marcus from Monastir's other band, have posted two new demo mp3s up on their website. Check it:

01. Make it, don't break it
02. The great northern

Wed, 04 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Check out samples from Monastir's latest album "The Modern Sound for a Loser Generation": http://www.syftrecords.com/label/monastir.html (scroll to the bottom)

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

Sweden's Monastir is heading over to Japan along with the UK's Farrah for a couple dates in February:

02/12 - Shibuya Club Quattoro, Tokyo
02/13 - China Town, Hiroshima
02/14 - Keith Flack, Fukuoka
02/15 - Shinsaibashi Club Quattoro, Osaka

Check out a flyer here: http://www.syftrecords.com/label/monastir.html

Tue, 23 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Lake of Tears will enter the studio on February 13 to begin work on their new album, tentatively titled "Black Brick Road". An August release on Noise Records is expected.

German radio show "45 minutes", broadcast every second sunday at 7.30 pm on Radio Blau Leipzig, recently published their best-of-the-year lists and they contain a ton of Nordic acts. Here's some highlights:

Top 100 LPs 2003
01. The Bear Quartet "angry brigade" (A West Side Fabrication)
03. David & The Citizens "until the sadness is gone" (Adrian)
05. The Legends "up against the legends" (Labrador)
06. The Radio Dept. "lesser matters" (Labrador)
08. The Embassy "futile crimes" (Service)
10. Wan Light "let's wake up somewhere else" (Labrador)
12. Mew "frengers" (Sony)
13. Monastir "the modern sound for a loser generation" (A West Side Fabrication)
16. Peter Bjorn And John "s/t" (Beat That!)
17. The Crystal Committee "forever overhead" (Chalksound)
18. Dub Sweden "welcome to our world" (Silence)
21. Franke "optimismens hån" (Service)
22. Club 8 "strangely beautiful" (Labrador)
23. Komeda "kokomemedada" (Sonet)
32. The Concretes "s/t" (Licking Fingers)
42. Broder Daniel "cruel town" (Dolores)
50. The Cardigans "long gone before daylight" (Stockholm)
57. Laakso "miss you, i'm pregnant" (Adrian)
58. The Raveonettes "chain gang of love" (Dragnet)
73. Paola "stockcity girl" (Dolores)
83. Burek V "s/t" (A West Side Fabrication)
85. Carpet People "more bad weather coming out of the rain" (Chalksound)
88. Isolation Years "it's golden" (Stickman)
89. Douglas Heart "douglas heart" (Labrador)
93. Mando Diao "bring 'em in" (Majesty)
94. The Knife "deep cuts" (Rabid)
97. Ariel Kill Him "in the pyramid" (Kasual)
99. Edson "every day, ervery second" (Labrador)

For the rest of the list, as well as their singles chart, go here: http://www.pop-on-paper.de/

Fri, 19 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

By way of Dagensskiva, here is thist week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (03) Bergman Rock "Help The Band"
02. (01) The Radio Dept. "Pulling Our Weight EP"
03. (NY) The Strokes "Reptilia"
04. (06) The White Stripes "The Hardest Button To Button"
05. (05) The Chemical Brothers "Get Yourself High"
06. (NY) Basement Jaxx "Good Luck"
07. (08) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "We're All In Love"
08. (09) Niccokick "Turn 27 EP"
09. (10) Dizzee Rascal "Jus'a Rascal"
10. (12) Bubba Sparxxx "Deliverence"
11. (04) Monastir "The Shape Up EP"
12. (NY) The Darkness "Christmas Time. (Don't Let The Bells End)"
13. (13) Chicks On Speed "Wordy Rappinghood"
14. (02) Essex Green "By The Sea"
15. (15) Chords Ft. Timbuktu And Miki "Wrap Your Chops"
16. (NY) José Gonzalez "Remain EP"
17. (14) The Knife "Handy-Man"
18. (17) Mew "She Came Home For Christmas"
19. (18) The Raveonettes "Heartbreak Stroll"
20. (NY) The Carnation "New Sensation"

Leaving the chart: 07. The Coral "Bill Mc Cai"
11. Holly Golightly "Walk A Mile"
16. The Mountain Goats "Palmcorder Yajna"
19. Timbuktu med Peps "Dynamit"
20. Alice In Videoland "Got To Go"

Dates have been confirmed for Opeth's 'Lamentations Over America Tour 2004'. Support will come from Moonspell and another as-yet-unnamed band, possibly Devildriver (ex-Coal Chamber). Details:

01/20 - Reds, Edmonton (CAN)
01/21 - MacEwan Hall, Calgary (CAN)
01/23 - Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver (CAN)
01/24 - Graceland, Seattle, WA
01/25 - Roseland, Portland, OR
01/27 - House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA
01/28 - Marquee Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
01/29 - Canes Bar & Grill, San Diego, CA
01/30 - House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
01/31 - Avalon, San Francisco, CA
02/02 - Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO
02/03 - Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS
02/05 - Trees, Dallas, TX
02/06 - Backroom, Austin, TX
02/07 - Engine Room, Houston, TX
02/09 - Masquerade, Tampa, FL
02/10 - Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale, FL
02/11 - House of Blues, Orlando, FL
02/13 - Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
02/14 - Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte, NC
02/15 - 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
02/16 - Bogarts, Cincinnati, OH
02/18 - Quest, Minneapolis, MN
02/19 - House of Blues, Chicago, IL
02/20 - Harpos, Detroit, MI
02/21 - Saratoga Winners, Latham, NY
02/22 - Club Soda, Montreal, CAN
02/24 - Opera House, Toronto, CAN
02/25 - Steel Music Hall, Rochester, NY
02/26 - Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
02/27 - Irving Plaza, New York, NY
02/28 - Palladium, Worcester, MA

Thu, 11 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

By way of Dagensskiva, here is thist week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (03) The Radio Dept. "Pulling Our Weight EP"
02. (07) Essex Green "By The Sea"
03. (17) Bergman Rock "Help The Band"
04. (09) Monastir "The Shape Up EP"
05. (06) The Chemical Brothers "Get Yourself High"
06. (02) The White Stripes "The Hardest Button To Button"
07. (01) The Coral "Bill Mc Cai"
08. (05) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "We're All In Love"
09. (08) Niccokick "Turn 27 EP"
10. (NY) Dizzee Rascal "Jus'a Rascal"
11. (13) Holly Golightly "Walk A Mile"
12. (14) Bubba Sparxxx "Deliverence"
13. (11) Chicks On Speed "Wordy Rappinghood"
14. (12) The Knife "Handy-Man"
15. (NY) Chords Ft. Timbuktu And Miki "Slap Your Pops"
16. (NY) The Mountain Goats "Palmcorder Yajna"
17. (09) Mew "She Came Home For Christmas"
18. (18) The Raveonettes "Heartbreak Stroll"
19. (20) Timbuktu Med Peps "Dynamit"
20. (NY) Alice In Videoland "Got To Go"

Leaving the chart:
10. Yo La Tengo "Today Is The Day EP"
15. Laakso "Demon"
16. The Cardigans "Live And Learn"
19. Fattaru Ft. Masayah "Ton För Ton"

Thu, 04 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

By way of Dagensskiva, here is thist week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (01) The Coral "Bill Mc Cai"
02. (02) The White Stripes "The Hardest Button To Button"
03. (04) The Radio Dept. "Pulling Our Weight EP"
04. (09) Monastir "The Shape Up EP"
05. (08) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "We're All In Love"
06. (06) The Chemical Brothers "Get Yourself High"
07. (NY) Essex Green "By The Sea"
08. (06) Niccokick "Turn 27 EP"
09. (NY) Mew "She Came Home For Christmas"
10. (11) Yo La Tengo "Today Is The Day EP"
11. (12) Chicks On Speed "Wordy Rappinghood"
12. (20) The Knife "Handy-Man"
13. (NY) Holly Golightly "Walk A Mile"
14. (NY) Bubba Sparxxx "Deliverence"
15. (13) Laakso "Demon"
16. (07) The Cardigans "Live And Learn"
17. (NY) Bergman Rock "Help The Band"
18. (NY) The Raveonettes "Heartbreak Stroll"
19. (NY) Fattaru Ft. (Masayah) "Ton för ton"
20. (10) Timbuktu Med Peps "Dynamit"

Leaving the chart:
03. Moneybrother "It's Been Hurting All The Way With You, Joanna"
14. Daft Punk "Something About Us"
15. Rocky Dennis "Maple Leaves EP"
16. M.A.S.S. "Live A Little"
17. De Stijl "My Own Way"
18. Radiohead "2+2=5"
19. Travis "The Beautiful Occupation"

Fri, 28 Nov 2003 00:00:00 -0800

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

01. Glitz - Away from you (FIN)
02. Technicolour - Fireflies (FIN)
03. Nina Rochelle - Taxi 43 (SWE)
04. The Rasmus - The first day of my life (FIN)
05. Garbo - Won't be in your way (DK)
06. Xantom - Miss you (DK)
07. Johnny Deluxe - Elskovspony (DK)
08. Zen Café - Piha ilman sadettajaa (FIN)
09. User - To feel (SWE)
10. Jonna - Kaikki talossa (FIN)

Challengers:
01. The Latin Kings - Cashen dom tas (SWE)
02. Klovner i kamp - Konger i kamp (NOR)
03. Fintelligens - Vaan sil on väliä (FIN)

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

01. Peter LeMarc - Det som håller oss vid liv
02. The Refreshments - Rock 'n' Roll X-mas
03. Markoolio - I skuggan av mig själv
04. Peter Jöback - Jag kommer hem igen till jul
05. Lisa Miskovsky - Fallingwater
06. Carola - Guld platina & passion - det bästa
07. Per Gessle - Mazarin
08. Backyard Babies - Stockholm Syndrome
09. Lasse Stefanz - Det här är bara början
10. Lars Roos - För de som älskar
11. José González - Veneer
12. Bo Kaspers orkester - Vilka tror vi att vi är
13. Mauro Scocco - La Dolce Vita
14. Carola - Jul i Betlehem
15. Christer Sjögren - För kärlekens skull 14 visklassiker
16. Helen Sjöholm / Anders Widmark - Genom varje andetag
17. Mats Ronander - Bästa
18. Bamse - Bamses dunder-hits
19. Broder Daniel - Cruel town
20. Lisa Ekdahl - En samling sånger

By way of Dagensskiva, here is thist week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (01) The Coral "Bill Mc Cai"
02. (02) The White Stripes "The Hardest Button To Button"
03. (03) Moneybrother "It's Been Hurting All The Way With You, Joanna"
04. (NY) The Radio Dept. "Pulling Our Weight EP"
05. (04) The Chemical Brothers "Get Yourself High"
06. (05) Niccokick "Turn 27 EP"
07. (12) The Cardigans "Live And Learn"
08. (15) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "We're All In Love"
09. (11) Monastir "The Shape Up EP"
10. (08) Timbuktu Med Peps "Dynamit"

11. (NY) Yo La Tengo "Today Is The Day EP"
12. (NY) Chicks On Speed "Wordy Rappinghood"
13. (10) Laakso "Demon"
14. (07) Daft Punk "Something About Us"
15. (09) Rocky Dennis "Maple Leaves EP"
16. (NY) M.A.S.S. "Live A Little"
17. (NY) De Stijl "My Own Way"
18. (NY) Radiohead "2+2=5"
19. (18) Travis "The Beautiful Occupation"
20. (NY) The Knife "Handy-Man"

Leaving the chart:
06. Paris "Rainy Day In London"
13. Bring Me The Fucking Riot...Man "Lolita Riotta"
14. The Legends "There And Back Again"
16. Guided By Voices "The Best Of Jill Hives"
17. Slow Train Soul "In The Black Of Night"
19. Primal Scream Ft. (Kate Moss "Some Velvet Morning"
20. The Bear Quartet "Ask Me, Don't Axe Me"

As you've probably already heard, the first couple bands for next year's Hultsfred fest have been confirmed: Broder Daniel, C.Aarmé, Rocky Dennis, The Legends, Snook and The Kid. The show isn't until next July, but tickets go on sale at the end of December. Details: www.rockparty.se

Fri, 21 Nov 2003 00:00:00 -0800

By way of Dagensskiva, here is thist week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (07) The Coral "Bill Mc Cai"
02. (NY) The White Stripes "The Hardest Button To Button"
03. (11) Moneybrother "It's Been Hurting All The Way With You, Joanna"
04. (NY) The Chemical Brothers "Get Yourself High"
05. (NY) Niccokick "Turn 27 EP"
06. (01) Paris "Rainy Day In London"
07. (17) Daft Punk "Something About Us"
08. (08) Timbuktu med Peps "Dynamit"
09. (ÅT) Rocky Dennis "Maple Leaves EP"
10. (09) Laakso "Demon"

11. (12) Monastir "The Shape Up EP"
12. (NY) The Cardigans "Live And Learn"
13. (13) Bring Me The Fucking Riot...Man "Lolita Riotta"
14. (14) The Legends "There And Back Again"
15. (NY) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "We're All in Love"
16. (05) Guided By Voices "The Best Of Jill Hives"
17. (18) Slow Train Soul "In The Black Of Night"
18. (NY) Travis "The Beautiful Occupation"
19. (03) Primal Scream Ft. (Kate Moss "Some Velvet Morning"
20. (04) The Bear Quartet "Ask Me, Don't Axe Me"

Leaving the chart:
02. Christian Kjellvander "Portugal"
06. The Latin Kings "Cashen dom tas"
10. The Kid "Baton Rouge"
15. The Strokes "12:51"
16. Björns Vänner "Vad ska jag med ett foto på dig? "
19. José Gonzales "Crosses EP"
20. The Warlocks "Baby Blue"

Wed, 12 Nov 2003 00:00:00 -0800

By way of Dagensskiva, here is thist week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (01) Paris "Rainy Day In London"
02. (07) Christian Kjellvander "Portugal"
03. (02) Primal Scream Ft. (Kate Moss "Some Velvet Morning"
04. (03) The Bear Quartet "Ask Me, Don't Axe Me"
05. (09) Guided By Voices "The Best Of Jill Hives"
06. (04) The Latin Kings "Cashen fom tas"
07. (NY) The Coral "Bill Mc Cai"
08. (NY) Timbuktu Med Peps "Dynamit"
09. (17) Laakso "Demon"
10. (08) The Kid "Baton Rouge"

11. (11) Moneybrother "It's Been Hurting All The Way With You, Joanna"
12. (NY) Monastir "The Shape Up EP"
13. (13) Bring Me The Fucking Riot...Man "Lolita Riotta"
14. (10) The Legends "There And Back Again"
15. (12) The Strokes "12:51"
16. (05) Björns Vänner "Vad ska jag med ett foto på dig?"
17. (NY) Daft Punk "Something About Us"
18. (NY) Slow Train Soul "In The Black Of Night"
19. (NY) José Gonzales "Crosses EP"
20. (16) The Warlocks "Baby Blue"

Leaving the chart:
06. Nicolai Dunger "Hunger"
14. Rocky Dennis "Maple Leaves EP"
15. Captain Murphy "I'm A What"
18. Franz Ferdinand "Darts Of Pleasure"
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Fortune Faded"
20. Broder Daniel "When We Were Winning"

Mon, 13 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Monastir has confirmed that their new EP "Shape Up" will be out on November 5. They are currently working on a video for the title track with Martin Larsson of Polfilm.

Fri, 19 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Monastir has a new EP called "The Shape Up" coming out in mid-October. The title track comes from their full-length "The Modern Sound For A Loser Generation" and will be backed by four brand new tunes.

Wed, 21 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

DigitalMetal.com declares that Solefald's new album "In Harmonia Universali" positions them as "as leaders of the avant-harde, depth metal movement." Sure, that works for me I guess. Read the full review.

The first slew of bands confirmed for Trästocksfestivalen which takes place in Skellefteå from July 17-19: Christian Kjellvander, The Concretes, Monastir, The Bear Quartet, Totalt Jävla Mörker, Peter Bjorn And John, KVLR and Darcy.

Here's the bands confirmed to play Mit Nästa Liv which takes place July 18-19 at Ljungnäs, just north of Kalmar in Sweden: Rocky Dennis, The Kid, Ed Greene, Dialog Cet, Handsome Train, Myredpocketbook, Dorotea, Eisenhower, Hormones in Abundance, Rough Bunnies, Cat and Dog Dialogue, and Javelins. More info: www.mittnastaliv.tk

The Sounds will be on WXRK 92.3 in New York this Sunday at 11 pm. The band's official site says "KROQ", but they're just confused because the station goes by the name "K-Rock." Visit the station's website here.

Villa Records, in conjunction Johnny Bråttom Records, just put out an anti-war comp entitled "Support". The tracklisting:

01. José González - Heartbeats
02. Alarma man - Fuck you, you fucking fuck
03. Boy Omega - Come to my house
04. Sin närmiljö - Rudad
05. Björn Kleinhenz - A day and a night
06. Niccokick - I drink to get thrilled
07. Bremen Brotröster GmbH - Main theme from Mr Kaputt's birthday party
08. Songs from the empire - You are my sunshine
09. The book of Daniel - Soultraffic through friday
10. Kubot - Regnvals
11. I am Ferguson - Right hand pain
12. Music 77 - Snow white
13. Chelsea's corner
14. DJPJGJ - Gutt trumset
15. Quit your dayjob - Look! A dollar!
16. Dorotea - Let's give it a shot
17. Johan Norefalk - Never ends

View the cover art here.

In other Villa news, the label has said that the Boy Omega/The Book Of Daniel split 7" has been delayed, but they hope to have it by June. They will also be releasing a new CDr called "Blues for Papa Nyll" from The Appalachian Foothill Brothers, a new band featuring Gustafsson-brothers: Daniel from The Book Of Daniel and Martin from Boy Omega.

This week's roundup of new records from Musikindustrin.nu features releases from Carola, Colony 5, Crystal Blue and many more. They also have a focus piece on the new Lost Patrol record. (in Swedish)

Aftonbladet reports that Per Gessle (one half of Roxette) is planning on touring in support of his new solo album. Read more. (in Swedish)

Fireside, Brolle JR, The Mo, Florence Valentine, De Stijl and Elin Sigvardsson are now on the bill for Piteå Dansar Och Ler fest.

Even more bands added to Hultsfred: Timbuktu w/Damn!, Discharge, Junior Senior, Florence Valentin, Phunky Drakes, Soundclash: Topaz vs. Axxion Pack, Elin Sigvardsson and Johan Borgert.

And for the We & Yous fest we now have The Radio Dept., Dr. Higgins, José Gonzales, Sandy Mouche, Speedmarket Avenue, Ant, Gisel, Hospital, The Winston Solution, Adria, The Dannys Says and Homeland.

By way of Unioncarbideproductions.com comes word that the coming UCP box-set will be entitled "Career Opportunities 1986 - 1993". The webmaster over there also says he's gotten some new videos and photos recently and will be posting them online in the near future. I'll keep you informed.

Now streaming in mp4 format over at Black Box Recorder is Niko Skorpio's "Delta Amoeba" and "the SKORPIOns" EPs. The music is described as "the sonic experimentation and aesthetic of an underground noise album but somehow channels recent "electronica" without compromise. Imagine if trip-hop star Tricky gave up the reefer, moved to Finland, and got depressed and lost his mind... and you'll be on the right path." Sound intriguing, does it not?

Backyard Babies have confirmed that Joe Barresi will be the producer on their forthcoming album. Some of his previous credits include artists such as Sheryl Crow, Limp Bizkit, Monster Magnet, Kyuss, QOTSA, Hole and L7. Recording starts in Sweden in June with mixing to follow in LA.

Christian Kjellvander's new video for "Homeward Rolling Soldier" is now available for viewing: low / med / high

Fri, 09 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Fresh from the rumor mill is news that Last Days of April will indeed be heading over to America to promote the US release of "Ascend to the Stars" on Crank! Records. No exact dates yet, but I'm hearing they'll be doing something like six weeks, so they'll be sure to play nearly everwhere. More news when I get it.

Scratchie Records recently relaunched their website including a page dedicated to their darlings The Sounds. And in case you didn't know, the band cancelled those rumored headlining gigs they had scheduled before their upcoming Ravonettes/Vue jaunt. Oh, and Rolling Stone recently did a feature on the band, too.

Hell n' Diesel will be holding a release party at Timmerstugan in Falköping on May 30 for their new single "Tears for the Wicked".

Mean Street Magazine recently did a short interview with Sahara Hotnights. They also did a feature on TSOOL for last month's Coachella fest issue.

Some of the recent Norweigan bands added to the Quart festival lineup: Tonka, Gaute Drevdal, Bjørn Berge, Panzer, Splitimage, and Guardians of Time.

The Gatethering recently released "You Learn About It", the first single from their newest album "Souvenirs". They also did a video for the song with 13-year old director Tim Blok. Apparently, he's the youngest music video director ever which is kind of cool, I guess. Anyhow, fans of atmospheric rock music should definitely investigate the album. I know I'm really enjoying it.

America's The End Records has announced that it will reissue a remastered version of Ulver's first demo "Vergtatt" (or isn't it "Bergtatt"? not sure if it's a typo) on 10" vinyl. They'll also be doing quite a few other great releases in this new series which they are dubbing 'Infinite Vinyl' such as "Tommorrow Will Never Come", a 7" from Agalloch that will include two unreleased acoustic tracks from the original "The Mantle" sessions. The full list of scheduled releases so far:

IVS 001 Agalloch - Tomorrow Will Never Come 7"
IVS 002 Ulver - Vergtatt 10"
IVS 003 Katatonia - Viva Emptiness
IVS 004 Emperor - As The Shadows Rise 7"
IVS 005 Samael - Blood Ritual
IVS 006 Arcturus - Constellation / My Angel 10"
IVS 007 Katatonia - Saw You Drawn 10"

The Swedish MIC reports that Swedes seem to prefer their own domestically-produced music versus international imports. The latest charts show a 54% dominance in albums and 52% in singles and that data is significant of a trend that has been ongoing all year.

Moneybrother's new album has been generating all sorts of positive reviews, such as this one from Aftonbladet and yesterday's Dagensskiva review. Personally, I think the single ("Reconsider Me") is fantastic, but I'm not sold on the entire album just yet. Anyway, it's up to you to decide for yourself. Aftonbladet has a couple sound samples for you to hear, too.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. HIM - Funeral of hearts
03. Outlandish - Guantanamo
04. A-Teens - Perfect Match
05. Jennifer Brown - Weak
06. Darude - Music
07. Kwan - Shine
08. Equicez - Live From Pass It
09. Mew - Comforting Sounds
10. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
11. Paragon - Försök Förstå
12. The Jessica Fletchers - Let´s Go
13. Timbuktu - Ett Brev
14. Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry
15. Moon Gringo - Buzz Aldrin
16. Nik & Jay - Elsker Hende Mere
17. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
18. Surferosa - Neon Commando
19. Melody Club - Cover Girl
20. Pauline - Runnin´ Out Of Gaz

Challengers:
01. Homy - Bus Stop
02. Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck - One Good Moment
03. Magnet - The Day We Left Town
04. Monastir - Teenage Years
05. Stephen Simmonds & Dilba - For Father

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

Here's something interesting that came to me by way of the pHinnweb list: www.radiofetthode.no. Streaming Internet radio featuring all sorts of various Scandinavian artists + more. Very cool.

Speaking of yesterday's Cdoass signing news, it has been pointed out to me that they used to be a demowebben band. Check out some old tracks from the band right here.

Finland's Amorphis has completed work on a video for the song "Evil Inside", their first single from the upcoming album "Far From The Sun". Taku Kaskela directed. The record comes out in Scandinavia on May 26 from Virgin Records and you can listen to streamed versions of a couple from their web jukebox, located here.

Did you realize that Turbonegro's new album "Scandinavian Leather" went straight to #1 on the Norweigan charts, selling twice as many copies as Madonna's "American Life" at #2? Pretty crazy, eh? They also added one more date to their current tour itinerary: May 30 in Fredrikstad, Norway. For those still unfamiliar with the band, perhaps this e-card will help.

Wed, 30 Apr 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Another treat from the folks at Chalksounds today - this time we've got a live video from that Carpet People record release show. The song is called "Girl Without a Skin" and you can view it here.

In related news, Carpet People are also heading out on their very first tour in four years! The dates:

05/16 - Umeå, Kamenski w/Perishers
05/17 - Sandviken, Kungen w/EP's trailer park
05/18 - Stockholm, Kafe 44 w/Chloe
05/30 - Popaganda Festivalen

Happy Tom of Turbonegro posted a pretty funny indictment of the Norweigan press over at www.scandinavianleather.com today.

JR Ewing has posted some video footage of them playing the Ieper Festival in 2002.

David & the Citizens just put a new photo gallery up on their website.

Spiritual Beggars recently did a session for the BBC's Radio One 'Friday Rock Show' and recorded the tracks "Beneath The Skin", "Young Man, Old Soul", "Mantra" and "Not Fragile" (Bachman Turner Overdrive cover) for a possible future release. Read more.

Sweden's The Leslies has announced an upcoming split EP with Paper Moon of Canada. It's actually one of many new releases planned by Endearing Records for their 'International Pop Exchange' series that will pair two bands from different countries for each split.

Erlend Øye, Randy, Meshuggah, Looptroop, Cult of Luna and Immortal have all been confirmed for this year's Quart fest on July 5.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives have announced a couple new gigs around Sweden this summer:

06/06 - Gothenburg, Ostindienfararen
07/31-08/03 - Storsjöyran, Östersund
08/08 - Hamnfesten, Luleå
08/26 - Slussens pensionat, Gothenburg

Aftonbladet has posted Mando Diao's new video for the song "Sheepdog". You can also view some web-TV interviews with The Rasmus over at there, too. (in Swedish)

P3 reports that Per Gessles will be releasing his new solo album "Mazarin" this summer on June 16. The first single will be "Här kommer alla känslorna (på en och samma gång)".

Monastir is heading out on the road beginning in May:

05/01 - Göteborg
05/02 - Hässleholm
05/03 - Lidköping
05/17 - Gävle
06/06 - Uppsala
07/17 - Trästock, Skellefteå
07/18 - Rockawaybeach, Norberg
08/1-2 - Augustibuller, Lindesberg

This week's NME had this to say about Wired for Mono's show at Brixton Windmill:

...Wired For Mono are dirty drone rock boys in disguise and "A Harbour An Anchor" is the loudest thing NME has heard in a dog's age. The sheer volume is comparable to the avant-garde Noo York art attack of early Sonic Youth, while "Colin's Dream" is a disorientating Byrds-type psychedelic-raga freak-out. As brilliant debut single "Travel In Turns" gets twisted from an alt.country groover into a pilled-up Rolling Stones space drone, the vigilant audience takes careful steps backwards: it’s an apocalyptic soundclash between the Charlatans-type canyon-rock and the audio-roar of a 747 taking off. Amazing stuff."

They are playing May 1 at Helldorado in Nyköping with Caesars Palace. Check out a poster for the show here.

Mon, 31 Mar 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Whyte Seeds will be on MTV Morning Glory playing live and being interviewed. It'll be aired Saturday 5/4 @ 10:00, Sunday 6/4 @ 10:00, and Tuesday 8/4 @ 19:00.

Magnus from The Cardigans on the new video:

Amir Chamdin who did "FWIW" will do "The storm" video. He has requested a lot bare chests and wet looks ! :-) We will shoot it around the 8:th of April in a secret but familiar place!

Scapesonik just put out a new demo. Email them if you're interested. The price is 30 SEK/$3/£2 plus postage.

Lullacry's new single out on April 28 will be for the song "Alright Tonight". A re-recording of the track "Sweet Desire" will be included as the b-side.

Gluecifer reports that they are indeed heading back to the US to tour in support a domestic release of "Basement Apes". No dates yet, but I'll be sure to let you know. As for their next album, they're still doing preproduction and writing and expect to have it done around August or September for a January 2004 release.

Askil Holm reports that the opening date on his tour went really, really well and he's getting great reviews. He's also got some more dates lined up for the future:

04/4 - Ålesund, Scena
04/5 - Kristiansund, No Name Bar
04/23 - Rørvik, Bryggas Fire Stuer
04/24 - Trondheim, Nidaros Bluesfestival
05/2 - Bergen, Ole Blues Festival
05/3 - Oslo, John Dee Rockefeller
05/5-17 - Norway, tba

Nicolai Dunger has got a couple gigs lined up for April and May:

04/01 - Köln, Gebäude 9
04/02 - München, Orange house
04/03 - Berlin, Knaack
04/17 - Vicar Street, Dublin w/The Frames
05/29 - Union Chapel, London w/The Frames

Dead Frog Records has signed Mary Celeste. Zero magazine describes them as dark pop music like older stuff from The Cardigans.

The Cardigans have been confirmed for this year's Quart Festival in July along with the Norweigan acts Ephemera, Surferosa, Ricochets, Exploding Plastix, Alpine Those Myriads!, Ralph Myers & The Jack Herren Band and Datarock.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

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

Challengers:
01. Waldo - Face The Fact
02. Millencolin - E20 Norr
03. A-ha - The Sun Always Shines On TV
04. Randi Laubek - In Port
05. Jonna - Tyytyväinen

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

ExMS has posted the "Swedish Music Update #2/2003" for viewing. Nothing really new if you follow this site, but maybe worth a look anyway.

Monastir's new album "The Modern Sound for a Loser Generation" comes out today, but you can also download the new single "Teenage Years" from their mp3.com page.

Now confirmed for Emmaboda fest: Dorotea, Hell on Wheels, Parker, Sparks of Seven and Surounded. Oh, and some other non-Scandinavian bands like Sleater Kinney and Mates of State are playing, too.

Franke's debut album "Optimismens Hån" comes out April 28. Look for 'em on the festival circuit this summer.

The new album from the Lars Vegas Trio "Viva Lars Vegas - Sverige Blev För Litet" comes out on April 22. The first single will be for the track "Låt Det Vara Kul" which will also contain a version of "Kom Hem" by Barbados.

Legendary prog-folk or whatever-you-wanna-call-em band Träd, Gräs & Stenar have lined up a couple of shows in Stockholm:

4/5 - Gustav Vasa Church, Odenplan w/Stefan Sundström, Sofia Jannok, + more. Read more.
4/8 - Lava, Kulturhuset w/Cul de Sac, Damo Suzuki (the singer from Can). Read more.

Sunride has posted mp3 samples of every song from their new album over at their website. "Through the Red" comes out May 19 and the band is also going out on the road to promote it. The dates:

05/07 - Säätämö, Turku, Finland w/Dozer
05/08 - Klubi, Tampere, Finland w/Dozer
05/09 - Stella Star, Helsinki, Finland w/Dozer
05/10 - Lutakko, Jyväskylä, Finland w/Dozer & Ass Cobra
05/14 - Kino, Pori, Finland
05/15 - tba, Finland
05/16 - Bar 15, Seinäjoki, Finland
05/17 - Torvi, Lahti, Finland
05/23 - Burgerweeshuis, Deventer, The Netherlands w/Hermano
05/24 - Mikrokosmos, Magdeburg, Germany
05/25 - Knaack, Berlin, Germany
05/26 - Rosenkeller, Jena, Germany
05/27 - Paradox, Ingolstadt, Germany
05/28 - 013, Tilburg, The Netherlands

Wed, 26 Mar 2003 00:00:00 -0800

I put up a bunch of the pictures that were taken on the KVLR tour up at Indie Workshop. Kind of a tour diary, more of a photo journal. Anyhow, there's some dece pics worth checking out. Also be sure to check out this site for some great pics from the Flagstaff show. A digital camera just can't really compete with true quality B&W photography.

Umeå Open, the first big fest of the year starts tonight. I'll try to get reports and photos as soon as I can.

Mattias from The Soundtrack of Our Lives will be on 104.3 FM in NYC on March 30 at 9pm. More info and streaming information can be found here.

Word has it that "You're The Storm" will be the next single from The Cardigans. Apparently the band has even re-entered Tambourine Studios to record some brand new b-sides for it to be included along with a few earlier versions of the song.

Arve from Supersilent will be performing solo on 5/10 at Mai Jazz, an international jazz festival in Stavanger, Norway. More info here. In other Supersilent-related news, Helge aka Deathprod has finished mixing and mastering the new album from Shining. The band is a jazz quartet from Norway led by Jørgen Munkeby (ex. Jaga Jazzist) and the record will be out 5/12 on Jazzland.

Sahara Hotnights are going worldwide! They'll be playing in Australia with The Datsuns beginning in late April/early May and also hitting Tokyo, Japan on May 6. The details:

04/24 - Brisbane Australia, The Waterloo
04/26 - Sydney Australia, Metro
04/28 - Melbourne Australia, Hi Fi Bar
05/01 - Adelaide Australia, Enigma Bar
05/02 - Perth Australia, The Globe
05/06 - Tokyo Japan, Astro Hall

Kristofer Åström has hinted that he might be doing another EP this summer and definitely a new album next year. Nothing definite yet, as he says it's mostly up to Startracks, his label.

The Legends will be featured on the May single from Labrador Records. They are described as "C-86 and northern soul influenced punkpop" by the label and they put up a preview mp3 for the track "Make It All Right". Check em out this Friday at Klubb Instant Feelings in Stockholm.

The new single from Carpet People was sent out to Swedish radio today, so be sure to call in and request it. I've got a promo copy of the album and can confirm that it's really, really good. Lots of good stuff coming from Chalksounds in the near future, so pay attention! The album hits stores April 11.

Here's some video footage of Surferosa playing at So What in Oslo. The band will be opening for Turbonegro with JR Ewing on the upcoming big Norweigan tour. I think they sound kinda like the Norweigan version of The Sounds, but whatever.

Monastir is hitting the road in support of their new album "The Modern Sound For A Loser Generation" which comes out Monday. The dates so far:

3/28 - Lund, Blekingska Nationen
3/29 - Oslo, Mono
4/10 - Stockholm, Tantogården
4/31 - Göteborg, Sticky Fingers
5/2 - Hässleholm, Perrong 23
5/3 - Lidköping, Nätverket
5/17 - Gävle, Musikhuset
7/19 - Norberg, Rockaway Beach
7/18 - Skellefteå, Trästock

The details for this year's big Kalas tour have been announced. And yes, the rumors are true: scheduled to perform are Håkan Hellström, Lars Winnerbäck, Timbuktu & Damn, Magnus Carlson, Marit Bergman and Her Majesty. One local band gets to open each show, too. Here are the dates:

7/10 - Norrköping, Folkets Park
7/11 - Kalmar, Kalmarsundsparken
7/13 - Visby, P18/Visborgslätten
7/17 - Örebro, Brunnsparken
7/18 - Skövde, P4/Heden
7/19 - Lysekil, Pinneviken/Gullmarsvallen
7/24 - Malmö, Mölleplatsen
7/25 - Varberg, Varbergs Fästning
7/26 - Göteborg, Bananpiren
7/31 - Säter, Skinnbo Udde
8/2 - Stockholm, Universitetet

In Flames, Mando Diao and The Sounds have been confirmed for the Piteå Dansar Och Ler fest which will take place July 23-27. More info here.

The two HIMs of the world have apparently come to an agreement over use of their names. The 'evil' H.I.M. of Finland (which stands for 'His Infernal Majesty') has finally settled with the Chicago band of the same name and will now be able to release records in the US under their acronym. The details of the deal have not been released, but you can read a touch more of the back story here. (from Blabbermouth)