IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Spoon Train allstars present Sunturns, the Christmas band

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:41:40 -0700

Members of the Norwegian indie acts Mylittlepony, The Little Hands of Asphalt, Monzano and Einar Stray are joining forces to record a Christmas album as the band Sunturns. Said album, which is simply titled "Christmas", will include new tunes, covers of songs from the various member's individual catalogs, as well as covers of Low's "Just like Christmas" and Swearing At Motorists' "Losing mine" and will be released on November 25 via Spoon Train Audio.

Monzano interview at The 405

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:28:22 -0800

Lazy Acre Records interviews Norway's Monzano as part of their week-long takeover of the site The 405: http://thefourohfive.com/articles/4844

Top tens for 2010: It's a Trap!

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:17:20 -0800

Not everything in the picture above is officially a 2010 release, but they are all various things I picked up this past year and would recommend you do the same, should the opportunity present itself. Bonus points to anyone who can name every record pictured! Anyhow, as I was saying, there was quite a lot of really good music released in 2010, but at the same time, very few crossed the line into greatness. This year, only three albums made the cut.

Dear Euphoria - This night will flee (Given Productions/Herbivor Music)

A deep and richly satisfying listening experience that speaks of love and emptiness and the vast space between, with each repitition revealing new insight. Beautifully haunting.

Masshysteri - s/t (Ny Våg/Feral Ward)

The perfect pop-punk album. RIP.

Okkultokrati - No light for mass (Fysisk Format/Lilla Himmel/Odio Sonoro/Ormeyngel Records)

Apocalyptic visions set to a soundtrack of the rawest metal/punk sludge. A zeitgeist-defining album of unmatched ugliness.

Best Song:

Susanne Sundfør - The brothel
I still get goosebumps every time.

Best Demo:

Underachiever - This is where I lost the ability to love
Faster Katt - Demo 2010

The notion of a demo is almost completely lost in this digital age, but there are still those who carry the torch, preferring to test the waters with honest, rough-edged recordings before commiting to any sort of "official" release. In 2010 I listened to way more, way better demo/self-released material this year than any big-name releases, so this list could be a lot longer, but these two stuck with me the longest.

Other Records Worth Mentioning

Like I said at the top, there really were a lot of really good albums this year. Here's a few more that might not rate as high as the three above, but are all well worth your time:

The Bear Quartet - Monty Python (Adrian Recordings)
BQ's endless restlessness and constant desire to innovate remains one of their greatest assets, but it also means that they sometimes miss the mark. Still, the band remains one of Sweden's all-time greats, if not the greatest.

Darkthrone - Circle the wagons (Peaceville)
The opposite of BQ in that the band is continually regressing, but very similar in the approach that they continually churn an almost overwhelming amount of quality material.

Enforcer - Diamonds (Earache/Heavy Artillery)
Too goofy to be truly great, but guaranteed to stay in steady rotation for years to come.

Johan Helte - Sara, (Raffaella)
On the cusp of greatness. Ask me again about this record in six months.

Kimono - Easy music for difficult people (Kimi Records)
My sleeper pick of the year. It's hard to cite exactly what's so gripping about this record, I just know that I keep listening to it regularly.

Monzano - By this time last year everything will seem younger (Spoon Train Audio/How is Annie Records)
Another one on the cusp. Not sure anymore if I permanently burned myself out on these literary indie gents from Norway or if it's one that'll come back to me after some time apart.

Britta Persson - Current affair medium rare (Selective Notes)
More than a few exceptional moments (see "Toast to M" for example), but not enough cohesion.

Robyn - Body talk (Konichiwa Records)
There's a reason this is on everyone's list.

Säkert! - Facit (Razzia Records)
A good album that simply hasn't connected with me as much as I had hoped.

The Tallest Man on Earth - The wild hunt (Dead Oceans)
Another one that made a lot of year-end lists for good reason.

Tiger Tape - I woke up in Hökarängen (Cosy/Lo And Behold)
My favorite indiepop album of 2010.

Plus a few more names: Ikons, Haust, Slöa Knivar, Lapko, Fun, Meleeh, Moto Boy... and let us not forget all of the amazing reissues from The Crypt such as Pan-Thy-Monium, Crypt of Kerberus, Uncanny, Furbowl and so on. So yeah, lots of good music. No complaints!

New Monzano EP now streaming

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:41:31 -0700

Monzano's new "Apple handsome EP" is now streaming at Bandcamp: http://lazyacrerecords.bandcamp.com/album/monzano-apple-handsome-ep
Shame that half the tracks are previously released, but whatever -- still a great band.

99 Minutes #6

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 14:47:49 -0700

Episode #6 of Norwegian music podcast "99 Minutes" is now online: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2010100410432464509498
Featured artists include Dimmu Borgir, Alog, Monzano, Supersilent, Hanne Hukkelberg, Jenny Hval, Motorpsycho and more.

Sirius playlist week #23

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:51:29 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. TALK 1
02. Dear Euphoria - Coming down
03. Magnus Pelander - A sinner's child
04. Monzano - Grand siblings
05. TALK 2
06. Haust - Pointing and laughing
07. Pets - A good day for telling lies
08. Adventure Of - Time will tell
09. Swedish House Mafia - One
10. TALK 3
11. Supersci - Snap out of it
12. Pearl Fiction - The ruby fever
13. Britta Persson - Meet a bear
14. TALK 4
15. Nidingr - Reginsmol
16. The Bear Quartet - You you you you you you
17. Grande - You are the night
18. Rasmus Kellerman - The greatness & me
19. TALK 5
20. Susanne Sundfør - The brothel

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

MP3: Monzano - Know your velocity

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:29:35 -0700

It never occurred to me until my wife mentioned it last night, but Monzano sounds a heckuva lot like Hello Saferide. It's true: same wistful tone, same literate lyrics, even the same vocal range. Similar instrumentation and production too, though that's far less striking in the vast ocean of guitar-based indierock. Guess it's no surprise then that I consider their album "By this time last year everything will seem younger" to be one of 2010's best releases. Six months later and I've still got it on regular rotation.

Sirius playlist week #14

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:39:06 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. TALK 1
02. Robyn - Fembot
03. Monty - Orden
04. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Bye bye pianotie
05. Palpitation - What if
06. TALK 2
07. The Tallest Man on Earth - Burden of tomorrow
08. Dyno - Don't speak love
09. Margaret Berger - Will you remember me tomorrow?
10. Holiday for Strings - Shelter Island
11. TALK 3
12. Tutankamon - Have you ever been in love?
13. Kråkesølv - Skredder
14. The Tiny - Last weekend
15. Asha Ali - The time is now
16. TALK 4
17. Monzano - Yes, we can't
18. Donkeyboy - Ambitions
19. Kite - Ways to dance
20. Bertine Zetlitz - 500
21. TALK 5
22. Makthaverskan - German boy

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Monzano - Yes we can't (live acoustic)

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:04:45 -0800

Watch Monzano perform their new single "Yes we can't" acoustically for Groove.no: http://vimeo.com/9573507
I love the line "I never thought it would come to this / I read every page of The Economist".

Sirius playlist week #8

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:39:06 -0800

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Agent Side Grinder - The screams
02. TALK 1
03. Susanne Sundfør - The brothel
04. The Skull Defekts - Millions
05. Torpedo - Accelerate
06. TALK 2
07. Donkeyboy - Ambitions
08. Haust - Skate rock
09. Ikons - The hawk
10. Dyno - Deliverance
11. TALK 3
12. Monzano - Waterways and altitude
13. Moto Boy - The heart is a rebel
14. The Graviators - Back to the sabbath
15. Sonic Ritual - (Don't wanna) Feel alright
16. TALK 4
17. Oskar Schönning - Farsan

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Spoon Train spring sampler

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:49:22 -0800

Norwegian label Spoon Train Audio has posted a spring sampler comp in time for by:Larm: http://spoontrain.no/blog/audio/2010/02/spoon-train-sampler-spring-2010
It's worth grabbing for the Monzano tracks alone.

Sirius playlist week #4

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:45:38 -0800

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Komeda - Elvira Madigan
02. TALK 1
03. Joensuu 1685 - I'm on fire
04. Haust - Skate rock
05. Sambassadeur - Sandy dunes
06. Erik de Vahl - Got it all
07. TALK 2
08. The Confusions - Boys will be boys
09. The Knife - Heartbeats
10. Francis - I was never bored at all
11. Monzano - Cold waters
12. TALK 3
13. Ave - The load of human kind
14. Trapdoor Fucking Exit - Cardiac arrest
15. Håkan Hellström - Tro och tvivel
16. Karin Ström - Hackney Downs
17. TALK 4
18. Mr. Death - Misery's womb

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

MP3: Monzano - Cold waters

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:29:58 -0800

Monzano never made much of an impression on me in the past, but their new record "By this time last year every thing will seem younger" (due out February 15 via Spoon Train Audio) is easily the best new thing I've heard so far in 2010. "Cold waters" was previously featured on volume 2 of the "Oslo" comp series and is the first song the band recorded for said album, an obvious example of leading with your best foot forward. I hear it as a toned-down take on the same sort of indie/rock territory covered by countrymates Lukestar -- similar androgynous vocals, similar twisting melodies and interweaving guitar lines, but with everything notched down a smidge. They never truly "rock out" per se, but they don't really need to (like the mandolin wasn't an immediate tip-off). As for the "Islands in the stream" references, this is definitely not anything close that duet's adult contemporary/soft-rock vibe, but I think they do emulate a bit of those Barry Gibb harmonies and a touch of his melodic lilt here. Say what you will about the Bee Gees, I think that's a good thing; this is a good song. Oh and good thing I picked up a Dolly Parton 7xLP boxset last weekend, or I might not have been able to cross-reference. I can't hang with most of her 80s output (cocaine sure did bad things to country back then), but there's more than enough good stuff in there to make it worthwhile.

Monzano confirm new album, offer sample

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:11:41 -0800

Norwegian indie act Monzano has announced that their 2nd album is done and confirmed for a February 8 release via Spoon Train Audio. Hear a sample cut at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/monzano

Download the new Hiawata single 'Vally boys' plus b-sides

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:41:01 -0800

As promised, the new Hiawata single "Valley boys" is now available as a free download along with b-side covers by Harrys Gym/I Was a King, Monzano, Dylan Mondegreen, My Little Pony and more. Get it right here: http://sellout-music.net/hiawata-valley_boys.zip

The Little Hands of Asphalt - Spit back at the rain

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:53:01 -0800

How Is Annie is offering a 5-track EP from new act The Little Hands of Asphalt. for free download: http://www.howisannierecords.com/article.php?id=137&p=
Said band is the solo project of Sjur Lyseid from Monzano. A full-length album called "Leap years" will be out on March 9.

Hiawata! to release new single + cover treatments

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:39:35 -0800

The new Hiawata! single "Valley boys" will be given away as a free download along with b-side covers from fellow Norwegians Monzano, My Little Pony and Harrys Gym. The exact release date is still tba however.

Monzano set for intergalactic tour?

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:27:54 -0800

Monzano bassist Eivind Almhjell to be the first Norwegian in Space? Read more: http://www.howisannierecords.com/article.php?id=122&p=

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:39:17 -0800

Norweigian indie act Monzano will tour Japan next summer with support from label Friend of Mine Records. Dates tba.

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:05:34 -0700

Norwegian indierock act Monzano has revamped their lineup by swapping out two members: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=56233538&blogID=439637427

Wed, 28 May 2008 11:52:31 -0700

Monzano's new video for "Poster boy" is now online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5QTOoIqw6Q

Tue, 06 May 2008 15:33:42 -0700

Norwegian indierockers Monzano have posted a number of the various bonus tracks on myspace from the Japanese version of their album "High horses and one trick ponies": http://www.myspace.com/monzano

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:37:53 -0700

Norwegian act Monzano has posted their new single "Pine trees" on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/monzano

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:27:16 -0700

Spoon Train Audio is releasing a new compilation entitled "Oslo!" featuring 15 various Oslo-based indie/pop acts showcasing their local scene. Here's the tracklist:

01. The Little Hands of Asphalt - Oslo
02. Nomber 5s - You Know
03. Truls and the Trees - Upside Journey
04. Ingeborg Selnes - The Blow
05. Je Suis Animal - Labyrinth Game
06. Campfire Kansas - Everything After
07. Harmonica - Princess
08. Lukestar - Peregrin
09. Jim Protector - Finally! A Flicker of Hope!
10. Yoyoyo Acapulco - Kamasutra Tsunami
11. Lofiman - The Music's There To..
12. My Little Pony - MacGyver Blues
13. Cold Mailman - The Great Escape
14. Monzano - Poster Boy
15. Hiawata! - Dylan McKay

Preview a few tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/poposlo

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:40:17 -0800

Norwegian act Monzano has signed with Friend of Mine Records in Japan. They will release the band's debut album over there this coming spring with three extra tracks tacked on as a bonus. Hear the band here: http://www.myspace.com/monzano

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Eardrums reviews the new album from Norwegian indiepop act Monzano: http://eardrumsmusic.com/2007/09/10/monzano-high-horses-and-one-trick-ponies-album-review/

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Eardrums has some new music from Norwegian act Monzano: http://eardrumsmusic.com/2007/08/20/new-from-monzano-new-astronomy/

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Monzano has added a bunch of new tracks to their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/monzano

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Norwegian indie act Monzano will record their debut album "High horses and one trick ponys" this summer for eventual release via How Is Annie?. Expect a single in August.