IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Alcoholic Faith Mission Let this be the last night we care PonyRec/Paper Garden Records

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:14:56 -0700

My first exposure to Alcoholic Faith Mission was quite pleasant, but, with the exception of a few tracks, it was not an enduring experience. Still, I knew there was something there, a delicate concept that had not fully formed on "421 Wythe Avenue". In my review I compared the group to acts such as Broken Social Scene and fellow Danes Slaraffenland, whose "Private cinema", while a far more ethereal work, is a kindred spirit of Alcoholic Faith Mission's gentle, yet driven take on pop music. I also noted that "There is a tragic beauty here, one that blends the emotional registers of Mixtapes & Cellmates and Moonbabies, yet remains quite distinctively an original construct, and it is this ingenuity that sets Alcoholic Faith Mission apart from many of their contemporaries." All of this remains true on "Let this be the last night we care", but the promising intimations are now fully realized -- while retaining the airy, spacious attributes of "421 Wythe Avenue", there is an anthemic, Arcade Fire-like quality permeating the compositions; for fear of waxing poetic, it is as though the intricate clouds of dust of their previous effort have found a way to manifest themselves in a more concrete fashion. "Let this be the last night we care" is brilliant -- engaging even at its most haunted and distraught moments, such as "Sobriety up and left"; moving even when playful; gorgeously layered and focused, all in the same breath. I have had the distinct pleasure of reviewing a number of very strong albums over the past few weeks, and still Alcoholic Faith Mission's stands out from the crowd. It's rare to stumble upon an album like this, one that is reminiscent enough of other acts as to be somewhat nostalgic and yet remains so markedly unique, capable of reminding us where we've been while concurrently functioning as our soundtrack to the present.

Festival report: CMJ 2009

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:15:30 -0700

I looked over the official schedule of artists before heading off to NYC and thought to myself, "Jeez, there really isn't anything I'm interested in seeing." A few familiar names, but hardly anyone with true draw. That is, outside of the Swedish Music Showcase, the one live music event I was already obliged to attend. No worries though, it's not as if an extended weekend in NYC is ever a hardship -- there's always more than enough to keep me busy.

Day 1

Thursday effectively began for me at 6am when my plane touched down on my flight from Seattle, WA. After a not-so-quick trip uptown to visit with my family who were kind enough to put both myself and my wife up for a few days, I was back on train, heading downtown to NYU for the Swedish Music Seminar. I was ignorant of the event's full history, but this series of seminars has existed annually since 2001, though 2009 marks the first time they were included as part of the "official" CMJ program. It was also the first time they would take place over the course of two days, at a much more leisurely (and welcome) pace. I had attended before a couple years ago and enjoyed it a lot, made a ton of fantastic connections and was glad to be back, especially since this time out I was coming as a panelist, not just a wide-eyed blogger, moreso a hardened cynic with an axe to grind. Still, my mission is never to rain on everyone's parade, so I mostly contented myself with passive observation and note-taking.

Panel I - State of the Digital World

Not a lot of surprises here; much of the content was taken up with familiarizing the attendees with the benefits of Spotify and its effect on the populace (such as filesharing use going way down as more users take to streaming/progressive downloads). Not that it's completely faultless -- Spotify has already been successfully cracked, so its advantages against (advanced) users who would prefer to own/retain their files are rendered moot. Naturally, labels are upset that the application model is not 100% safe against piracy, but most smart folks understand that some income is better than none, so you work with what you can. Established artists bitch about the meager revenues Spotify pays while their income from CD sales dwindle into nothingness; it's not so hard to figure out which path is in their best interest. Everyone should be aware by now that the good days are gone forever, but some folks are still struggling mightily to hold on to what little they can and this fruitless battle is a consistently recurring theme of this modern age. An important question: would artists be motivated to create without the promise of a big payday? My answer: most certainly, if they are true artists. Financial rewards mean nothing when you are driven to create.

Another prominent topic centered around the importance of "discovery", the methods with which we are introduced to new music. Be it media (digital or print), word of mouth or via automated systems (see Pandora, Last.fm or any other similar recommendation engine), it remains a crucial component of the industry for both the business and fans. Whether or not the algorithm methods will ever supplant the power of personal recommendation remains to be seen, but so far it appears that the latter is winning. As sometime IAT contributor Nancy Baym suggested recently¹, trusting the algorithm can lead to an artistic cul-de-sac, an endless self-reinforcing ghetto. Personal taste is never so cut and dry; we desire nuance and surprise.

Panel II - The Power of Women in the Industry

Women remain a minority in the music industry, but it's not as bad as it used to be. Almost all of the women on today's panel have been working a long time to overcome adversity and prejudice and are now masters of their own destiny, successfully running their own businesses. Nowadays, they say, it's not so much a matter of fighting sexism, it's more about being good role models for change. The lesson: speak out, start it up and don't wait for someone to give you permission. To paraphrase panelist Sofia Talvik, "No one else will work as hard for you as you." That's good advice for anyone, male or female.

Panel III - Media in Today's Music World

The point of view I attempted to impose on the audience in my panel: most modern music magazines deserve to fail. 90% of all music should be destroyed. The industry must be burned to the ground so it can be built again. And also: content is king. I don't believe I was as eloquent as intended, but that's the gist. Our world is becoming more and more niche oriented every day, so to be all things to all people, to be the diamond-selling (or event platinum) superstar is nigh-impossible. Revel in the cult, the obscure; don't look back, forge a new path -- ubiquity is the exception to the rule. And I really am serious about hastening the death of music -- Sweden still reigns supreme when it comes to overall musical quality (percentage good versus total output), but the more the barrier to entry is lowered, the more we have to suffer through endless mediocrity. Honestly, I'd much rather hear something I immediately hate than waste endless hours mulling through albums that inspire mere shrugs, as I do now. Fellow panelist Matthew Schnipper was wise in turning Fader Magazine away from regular record reviews; it's a soul-sucking exercise, possibly deadly when your enterprise is dependent on advertiser dollars. Still, I remember zines like "Grimoire of Exalted Deeds", where 90% of the reviews were absolutely venomous -- I didn't always agree with them, but I knew that when they actually liked something, there was something to it. I am drawn to strong editorial voices, strong emotions. I believe that things will eventually work themselves out, but the sides are being drawn.

Panel IV - CMJ 09 Super Panel: Idol Views from Two Music Nation Leaders - USA and Sweden

I'll own up to watching a few seasons of AI in my time, but c'mon- it's more about the spectacle of human drama than the music. Pass!

Swedish Music Showcase @ Norwood

I was far from my best by the time the bands started playing, but I tried to hold on as long as I could. Jaw Lesson (nee Hajen) confirmed what I already suspected: fantastic voice but lacking the material to match. If nurtured correctly, she will be great someday. Next was Francis whose blues-punk was far more extroverted, but still somewhat lacking. I am reluctant to completely write them off, but would consider their US prospects to be dismal -- they are a decent band, but far from world-class. Sofia Talvik, on the other hand, is totally hopeless. She's an absolutely brilliant self-marketer, but her music is boring and forgettable. Then we have Moonbabies, the one band I really wanted to see most, who eluded me. After fulfilling my obligation of two (short) DJ sets and a 16hr day on 3hrs sleep, plus factor in an exhausted wife and a 45+ min journey to bed, I decided to call it a night. My most sincere apologies! As for Adam Tensta who was set to perform even later, you are good at what you do and I respect that, but I'm not into it. Swedish hip-hop is at its best when it's in Swedish or when it's not trying to be like other hip-hop. Rep for the home team and the fans will follow.

Tracks played:

The Goner - Haven
David Åhlén - Spirit fall
Rickard Jäverling - The wedding ring
Erik Enocksson - Non strigis
Brothers of End - Why
Johan Heltne - Din alkoholism är ingen alkoholism
Detektivbyrån - Laka-koffa
-----------
[ingenting] - Medan vi sov
Bröderna Lindgren - Annan sort
Penny Century - Just because
Mattias Alkberg - Jag bara tänkte, liksom, att
Samuraj Cities - 2 close 2 yr hrt
Broder Daniel - Underground

Day 2

Panel I - Industry and Business Radar

Having missed the introductions, I stumbled into a panel that was dominated by a couple folks extolling all of the big deals they've made for their established artists/bands/brands. Seriously, who the fuck cares if Dr. Dre made a bundle by lending his name to a line of headphones? How is that at all relevant to a room of people interested in importing (or exporting) Swedish music? I have zero interest in hearing the bullshit of a few schmoozers talking about how successful they are at selling corporations their manufactured version of cool and extending their tenuous longevity in the business. At best, that's the domain of already-made-it; at worse, it's music for people who don't care about music. For all the talk of finding new markets and new audiences, they sure seemed clueless about the one they were in front of. Thankfully, Patrik Larsson of Headlock Management managed to get a few words in about the importance of artist development, building leverage and the importance of sometimes saying no. Likewise, Elliot Aronow of RCRDLBL pointed out that most people in the world simply don't care -- you have to figure out ways to make them care.

Panel II - What's Currently Hot (or Not?) in the Music Industry

Sadly, no one seemed interested in making bold, broad statements on the subject matter, but a few folks name-dropped their personal faves. No consensus though, hardly worth repeating. Patrik Larsson did however reiterate the value of artistic development, a hot topic for anyone on the business side of things. Where there was once a tried and true path is now a vast, uncharted ocean. Possibilities are endless, but how many of them are worth pursuing? Most folks agree that communication is key though -- find your fans, keep them close, make them feel special. And then sell them expensive crap they didn't know they needed so that they feel even more special. Or something like that, I might've nodded off.

Panel III - Melodifestivalen

Melodifestivalen and Eurovision have their allure, but they cannot compete with the sights and sounds of NYC. Pass!

¹ this post alludes to what I'm talking about, but I believe that Nancy has elaborated elsewhere (if I remember correctly)

Moonbabies @ CMJ

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:04:10 -0700

Updated show info for Moonbabies in NYC at CMJ:

10/22 - Pianos, BrooklynVegan Party (12 pm)
10/22 - Norwood Club, ExMS (10 pm)
10/23 - Crash Mansion

Sirius playlist week #41

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:12:30 -0700

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

01. Bröderna Lindgren - Annan sort (feat. Britta Persson)
02. TALK 1
03. Rigas - Tonite
04. Sienna Root - The road to Agatha (Ahir Bhairav)
05. The Gentle Act Incident - The city doesn't know me
06. Asha Ali - Hurricane
07. TALK 2
08. Agent Side Grinder - Die to live
09. Moloken - My enemy
10. Boys of Scandinavia - Good looking
11. TALK 3
12. Sivert Høyem - Moon landing
13. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
14. The Movements - Save me
15. TALK 4
16. Mikkel Meyer - Tunge (feat. Non)
17. Sahara Hotnights - Impressed by me
18. Samuraj Cities - The weekend is almost over
19. TALK 5
20. Adjagas - Mánu rávdnji

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.

Sweden at CMJ 09 - Turning the Market Around: Creative Dialogues for Stepping up the Game

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:16:09 -0700

If you're going to CMJ or will happen to be in NYC in late October, the Consulate General of Sweden and Export Music Sweden are once again teaming up for a series of panel discussions on the current state of the music industry and yours truly will be there. Read more and register (free) here: http://www.swedenabroad.com/Page____22227.aspx
NYC friends who care to hang out and/or show me + my wife around are encouraged to get in touch! And as for the showcase, artists slated to appear include Hajen, Francis, Sofia Talvik and Moonbabies.

Kulturradet Bidragsbeslut (Swedish cultural grants)

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:48:29 -0700

If you're curious about what Swedish artists are receiving state funding this year, the latest recipients are now listed: http://www.kulturradet.se/sv/Bidrag/Beviljade-bidrag/2009/
Nice to see that Moonbabies are coming to NYC in October! And new music from Junip on the way?

Alcoholic Faith Mission 421 Wythe Avenue PonyRec

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Denmark has established itself as a sanctuary for offbeat pop musicians. I was easily won over by Slaraffenland's "Private cinema" and Larsen & Furious Jane's "Zen sucker", to name just a few, and it is within this eccentric, peripheral vein of pop music that Alcoholic Faith Mission exist. On "Gently", which begins (and continues on as) a lavish, beautifully layered composition, a female vocalist delicately sings: "Just 'cause I'm a whore, you know it doesn't mean I don't feel it when you fuck me." This strange juxtaposition of the beautiful and the base continues on in the next track, "Nut in your eye", a track that by name alone should be on a throwaway hip-hop album, but in substance falls not too far from the realm of Broken Social Scene. "421 Wythe Avenue", while moving away from the resplendent/sexual parallelisms, continues on musically in much the same way as the opening tracks -- ethereally layered electronic elements and vocals, solid acoustic and electric guitar work, all tethered to shifting centers and uncertain musical landscapes. There is a tragic beauty here, one that blends the emotional registers of Mixtapes & Cellmates and Moonbabies, yet remains quite distinctively an original construct, and it is this ingenuity that sets Alcoholic Faith Mission apart from many of their contemporaries.

Moonbabies live, on video

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:40:46 -0700

Moonbabies posted a recent 25-minute live clip for viewing at their website: http://moon-babies.blogspot.com/2009/06/streaming-live-video.html
No new material to preview unfortunately, but the songs featured are all hits as far as I'm concerned.

Burning Hearts Aboa sleeping Shelflife Records

Wed, 20 May 2009 13:31:22 -0700

Everything about Burning Hearts just seems to fit - from the beautifully conceived cover art (that reminds me of the early dust jackets of Kurt Vonnegut's "Cat's cradle") to the whirling swells of pop instrumentation that provide the landscape for Jessika Rapo's voice (one that wonderfully channels Nico at times) to glide along. There is a twee playfulness reminiscent of Belle and Sebastian and Camera Obscura, but Burning Hearts are very much a collaboration that could only have come together in Scandinavia. Opener "I lost my colour vision" exists somewhere between Club 8 and Moonbabies, and "Aboa sleeping" continues to transverse this Nordic territory throughout with a dexterity that only echoes certain bands, Granada and The Chrysler among them, without feeling weighed down by their influence. "Aboa sleeping" is a lavishly imagined pop album, one where my favorite tracks has shifted almost every listen. There is one stumble on the record, however - the strangely conceived "The galloping horse" was removed from my iTunes quite quickly (I can only listen to the sound of heart arrhythmia and a narrator from a 1950s-style medical instructional film played over an arpeggiated synthline so many times). Stumbles and arrhythmia aside, "Aboa sleeping" is one of the best albums Shelflife has put out, and Burning Hearts have proven themselves one of the strongest members of a very strong label roster.

Moonbabies add date in Switzerland

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:10:38 -0700

Updated Moonbabies dates for next week:

04/02 - Die Box, St Gallen (CH)
04/03 - K4, Nürnberg (GER)
04/04 - Vortex, Siegen (GER)

Two Moonbabies gigs set for early April

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:44:13 -0700

Moonbabies will be taking a break from working on their new album to play a couple shows in early April:

04/03 - K4, Nürnberg (GER)
04/04 - Vortex, Siegen (GER)

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:33:56 -0800

Swedish duo Moonbabies are now firmly established in their new German home and have revamped their website: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/
They've also started a blog to follow along as they work on their next album with all sorts of bonus downloads and more: http://moon-babies.blogspot.com/

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:02:09 -0700

Moonbabies will do two shows this coming weekend, the last they'll be doing for a long while as they plan on taking a break to create a new record:

08/22 - Studenterhuset, Copenhagen (DK)
08/23 - Park-Aid Festival, Schenefeld (GER)

King of All the Animals Paper beats rock Pyramid

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

I've always held a soft spot in my heart for Tigerbombs, mostly as a damned fun summer band, though Pepe Trouble's solo act took me by surprise: not only in solidifying his songwriting amongst the strongest summer-pop work out there, but also by branching out his pop craftsmanship along more serious avenues. With a truly all-star Scandinavian cast, including Astrid Swan, Samae Koskinen (of Sister Flo), and Sweden's The Mopeds, amongst many, many others, King of All the Animals is a talented collection of tried and tested musicians, and "Paper beats rocks" is even further testament to this statement. Instead of the Caesars (Palace)-like tact that Tigerbombs adopt -- chock full of rock organ hooks and fills -- King of All the Animals is a much more typically Scandinavian pop group. "1000-mile-heartache" feels like it fell straight out of a 80s coming-of-age film, a Modern English vibe wrapped around an almost Shout Out Louds-type delivery. "Everything burns red" bristles with perfect guitar hooks and the layered, saturated approach that Moonbabies have perfected. There are a few stumbles on the record, all of which are easily forgiven (and almost more easily forgotten as one become more familiar with the album), and none of which even mildly threaten to derail this proficient and entertaining work. Listen to "The Cologne beat" and you'll know exactly where all my excitement for "Paper beats rock" comes from.

MP3: The Opium Cartel - Flicker girl

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:49:00 -0700

One of the perks of running this site that I enjoy most is developing relationships with artists I admire. It's not just interacting via email interviews, but moreso the conversations that go on off the record. Stuff like talking Broder Daniel with Gustaf Kjellvander or even shooting the shit with the dudes from The Swedish Model, discussing the future of physical products. Of course, it's always about the music in the end and so when I get a chance to peep in on the creative process, that's always the best. I'm not much a collector of b-sides and alternate mixes for the most part, but sometimes that really is the best way to get inside an artist's head to see how they work. Moonbabies are a great example -- their songs go through so many variations before arriving at the finished product and it's amazing to hear how many different ways a single piece of music can be expressed. Another great example is Jacob Holm-Lupo and his current project The Opium Cartel. Like Moonbabies' Ola Frick, I get the impression that Jacob labors endlessly in the studio, adding endless layers of instrumentation until he can finally realize the symphony in his head. Ah, the double-edged sword of modern technology! So naturally, when presented the opportunity to share a work-in-progress from him, I gotta jump on it.

If you remember the previous Opium Cartel track I posted last September, this one mines similar territory, though is a bit quieter/folksier. I still hear a bit of the same dark, atmospheric vibe that's in all of Jacob's work dating back to White Willow, however the guest vocals from Rachel Haden (currently on tour with Todd Rundgren, believe it or not) push it closer to Kate Bush avant-pop territory. It starts off twinkly, but slowly progresses into, well, progressive territory. This mix isn't even close to refined so I'm sure the finished version will be even bigger (Jabob: "None of the TOC tracks have actually been mixed yet, and this one suffers a bit from that, as it has like a million tracks"), but it's pretty damn good as-is, so listen up and let your mind fill in the blanks for its as-yet untapped potential. The song and the main melody are in place and that is what's most important.

Errata: the lineup for this recording is Jacob and Rachel plus frequent collaborator Mattias Olsson (Pineforest Crunch, Molesome, etc.) and flautist Ketil Einarsen (Jaga Jazzist). Expect a late 2008/early 2009 release.

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:41:02 -0700

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

01. Boys of Scandinavia - Worse than a girl
02. TALK 1
03. Markus Krunegård - Jag är en vampyr
04. Deathbed - Neon light fantasy
05. The Grand Opening - Dark dark dawn
06. TALK 2
07. The Bear Quartet - I have an itch
08. C.Aarmé - Dustin
09. Noxagt - Wall's end
10. TALK 3
11. Menfolk - Hell is in Texas
12. Detektivbyrån - Hemvägen
13. Folk&Røvere - Solveigs sang
14. TALK 4
15. Bobby Baby - Goodbye love
16. Häive - Raina: Yömyrsky
17. Peter Bjorn and John - All those expectations
18. TALK 5
19. Meleeh - Vittra
20. Rigas - The hardest pocket to pick
21. The Kid - Mayhem troopers
22. TALK 6
23. Cortex - Warrior night
24. Tiger Lou - The war between us
25. Sophie Rimheden - Stay the night (ft. Adam Tensta)
26. TALK 7
27. Moto Boy - Beat heart
28. Nina Ramsby & Martin Hederos - Kanske jag kommer hem
29. September Malevolence - Who watches the watchmen?
30. TALK 8
31. Säkert! - Sanningsdan
32. Paper - Before that day
33. Moonbabies - Walking on my feet
34. TALK 9
35. Susanne Sundfør - I resign
36. Stina Nordenstam - Trainsurfing
37. Red Moon - The height
38. TALK 10
39. Broder Daniel - When we were winning

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:23:54 -0700

Finalized dates for the upcoming Moonbabies tour:

05/02 - Debaser, Malmö (SWE)
05/03 - Mau Club, Rostock (GER) w/Computer
05/06 - Club Stereo, Nürnberg (GER)
05/07 - Das Haus, Ludwigshafen (GER)
05/08 - Steinbruch, Duisburg (GER)
05/09 - Projekt 7, Magdeburg (GER) w/Computer
05/10 - Revolver Club @ Grüner Jäger, Hamburg (GER)
05/11 - Bassy, Berlin (GER)

For these dates the core duo of Ola and Carina will be augmented by drummer Per Nordborg and cellist Åsa Gjerstad.

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:12:32 -0700

Upcoming Moonbabies tourdates:

05/02 - Debaser, Malmö (SWE)
05/03 - Mau Club, Rostock (GER)
05/06 - Club Stereo, Nürnberg (GER)
05/07 - Das Haus, Ludwigshafen (GER)
05/08 - Steinbruch, Duisburg (GER)
05/09 - Projekt 7, Magdeburg (GER)
05/11 - Bassy, Berlin (GER)

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:08:29 -0700

Moonbabies are teaming up with Proyecto Batidora to offer fans a chance to remix the track "Sun A.M". Head on over to check it out and to download all the various track components to get started: http://www.proyectobatidora.net/

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:53:58 -0800

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

01. Tiger Lou - The loyal
02. TALK 1
03. Karin Ström - Silent night
04. Saft - I do not smoke
05. Caesars - Strawberry weed
06. TALK 2
07. Meshuggah - Bleed
08. Pacific! - Number one
09. Pascal - Längtar efter dig
10. TALK 3
11. Logh - An alliance of hearts
12. Benea Reach - New waters
13. Astrid Swan - Sea/e life
14. TALK 4
15. Lykke Li - I'm good, I'm gone
16. The High Hats - Bitterswede
17. Lis Er Stille - Lorelei
18. TALK 5
19. The Tough Alliance - Leg 7
20. Cosmic Overdose - En av dom
21. The Second Band - The piano machine
22. TALK 6
23. De Stijl - Date times
24. Death Breath - Death breath
25. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr Happy
26. Randy - Freedom song
27. TALK 7
28. Jonas Knutsson & Horn Please! - Snygg Olles polska
29. Moonbabies - Forever changes everything now
30. Kristofer Åström - Conjure me
31. TALK 8
32. Ljudbilden & Piloten - Wedding
33. Anna Leong - Guillotine
34. Convoj - RAMJAC
35. TALK 9
36. Tsukimono - Gloomy Sunday

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:19:10 -0800

Moonbabies are giving away mp3s for an old, out-of-print 7" first released in 2002: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/
The band is currently taking time off to work on their next album.

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 11:11:09 -0800

The playlist for my radio show this week featured all of my favorite songs from 2007:

01. Susanne Sundfør - I resign
02. TALK 1
03. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle
04. The Skull Defekts - The secret
05. Ted Gärdestad - Räcker jag till
06. TALK 2
07. CS Nielsen - Black spots
08. Kornstad - Turkey, Texas
09. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
10. The Bombettes - I wanna
11. TALK 3
12. Promise and the Monster - Sheets
13. Repoman - Chemically obsessed
14. The Bell - I am history
15. Säkert! - Allt som är ditt
16. TALK 4
17. Mainliners - Olivia
18. Superfamily - The radio has expressed concerns about what you did last night
19. Karin Ström - Ordlös
20. TALK 5
21. Fun - I've got a truck
22. Tobias Hellkvist - Moment at ven
23. Juvelen - Hanna
24. TALK 6
25. Laakso - Worst case scenario
26. Closer - Sensing the wake
27. Asha Ali - A promise broken
28. TALK 7
29. Paper - My life is going under
30. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
31. Lukestar - White shade
32. TALK 8
33. Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
34. Aerial - You will all die, all things will
35. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
36. TALK 9

Next week (12/29) I'm doing another special theme show on Swedish postpunk.

Top 10s for 2007: It's a Trap!

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

Another year down, another batch of top 10 lists to add to the already overwhelming commotion. I probably listened to more music than ever in 2007, yet putting together this year's list was painless compared to year's past. The simple reason why: all the best releases were obvious. Yes, there were notable also-rans, but let's leave that to the comments section. For now, let's just stick to top tens.
-Avi Roig, Editor-in-Chief

10. Various Artists - Ny musik för landssorg (Container Recordings)
Exceptionally moving. A high-concept work of art.

09. Repoman - s/t (Monument)
Fierce, unrepentent hardcore. I can only imagine how good this must sound live.

08. Tobias Hellkvist - Transports (self-released)
Beautiful, blissed-out drone. Pure aural sunshine.

07. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
The perfect response for anyone put off by the coldness of The Knife. Familjen is destined for greatness.

06. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (Razzia)
Cute without being too cloying, sweet without being too twee. The best indiepop album of the year.

05. Susanne Sundfør - s/t (MBN)
A tremendously talented young lady from Norway who's probably only just getting started.

04. Aerial - The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
I knew this was top 10 material the first time I heard it. Nobody does epic noiserock better.

03. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
The easy consensus pick. Uneven overall, but forgivable when you consider that this record contains more than a handful of the year's best songs.

02. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Fall, fall, falling (Kalligrammofon)
The yin to Tobias Hellkvist's yang. Where Hellkvist's music makes me want to stand with arms outstretched, ready to embrace the world, Dead Letters makes me want to curl up in a fetal position in a dark corner. I never realized how profoundly moving drone could be until I heard this.

01. Kristofer Åström - RainawayTown (Startracks)
Far and away the album I listened to the most this year and the one I know I'll hold dear for years to come. From tender ballads ("Fallen") to raucous rock'n'roll ("A little out of tune"), this record covers the full spectrum of human experience and puts it into song.

Jonas Appelqvist

10. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
A cover album strictly consisting of songs from obscure indie duo Rough Bunnies is commercial suicide. But Gustaf Kjellvander's craftsmanship is so honest and true, it's impossible not to capitulate.

09. Knugen Faller – Lugna favoriter (Cage Match Federation/Ny Våg)
Fans of Buzzcocks, Gorilla Angreb and X should immediately go get a copy of this one!

08. The Lionheart Brothers – Dizzy kiss (Racing Junior/NONS)
Psychedelic rock in the vein of fellow countrymen Euroboys.

07. Moonbabies – At the ballroom (Startracks)
The duo of Ola Frick and Carina Johansson left their more experimental side at home, recorded and released a wonderful pop oriented full-length album and it is infectious.

06. Repoman – s/t (Monument)
The ferocity in Repoman's music is breathtaking. Hardcore resembling Converge is always welcome in my book.

05. My Midnight Creeps – Histamin (Dead Moose/EMI)
In the absence of new material from The Soundtrack of Our Lives, this is where to go. Primal rock at its best suffered a huge loss with the death of guitarist Robert Burås. He will be missed. RIP.

04. Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
These guys go from strength to strength. "Black rain from the bombing" gave us a hint on what was coming. This is headstrong indierock that has no intention to rub the right way. Kudos to that!

03. MABD – Ditt hjärta är en stjärna (A West Side Fabrication)
I adored "Tunaskolan" when it came out. This is an even better record. Cynical lyrics, Springsteen-ish vibes and punk rock mixed with Matti Alkberg's unmistakable voice. Magic!

02. Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
There's not a chance to defend you from the attack that is this record. And really, why should you? Surrender to Sweden's finest pop combo!

01. Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
Having released several wonderful records, this is the culmination of their career thus far. Indierock has never sounded this beautiful.

Nancy Baym

10. Pelle Carlberg - In a nutshell (Labrador/Twentyseven Records)
I still feel like he's falling short of his potential, but even a so-so Pelle Carlberg record has enough outstanding moments to carry the day.

09. Vapnet - Något dålight nytt har hänt (Hybris)
Who was it that said they like this band more than ice-cream? Tasty bouncy sweets.

08. Thirdimension - Before the end begins (Hidden Agenda)
A quiet acoustic live performance lets the strength of the songs shine through.

07. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
I am no fan of electronica, but this record's got too much pop sensibility to ignore.

06. Les Issambres - Late fairytales (Fifth Week Records)
This surprise little record out of nowhere enchanted me with its sister/brother vocal arrangements, simple but compelling songs, and non-pretentious flute.

05. Isolation Years - Sign, sign (NONS)
Their most consistent record to date has some great songs, and no duds, but doesn't have the outstanding highlights of some of their previous efforts.

04. Sambassadeur - Migration (Labrador)
The word "lush" is getting tossed about a lot in reference to this record, and indeed, it shimmers and shines. Very nice second record sees them grow in new directions.

03. Club 8 - The boy who couldn't stop dreaming (Labrador)
Soft, seductive, and beautifully performed, the sixth record from Club 8 is easily their best, despite a couple of dull moments.

02. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin (Dead Moose/EMI)
Robert Burås' far-too-early death this year was a heartbreaking loss, but this last offering wonderfully showcases the magnitude of his epic guitar playing genius.

01. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
Gustaf Kjellvander transforms lofi seeds of great ideas into ultracatchy pop brilliance. Easily got more playtime out of me than anything else this year.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

10. The Mary Onettes – s/t (Labrador)
80s throwback bands may have finally been forced to take a backseat this year, but The Mary Onettes celebrate that strange and influential era of music in a way that few bands could ever claim to.

09. Seabear – The ghost that carried us away (Morr Music)
Seabear exude a delightful warmth into their compositions: something lost, almost nostalgia inducing, foreign without being unfamiliar, and altogether wonderful.

08. Jens Lekman – Night falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
Darling of every blogger and hype-generating music website the world over, Jens Lekman did indeed make his mark upon 2007.

07. CS Nielsen – Against the dying of the light (Songcrafter Music)
In September, I wrote that CS Nielsen had crafted one of the greatest albums of the year. I stand by that statement.

06. Anna Järvinen – Jag fick feeling (Häpna)
"Jag fick feeling" will, for the foreseeable future, be one of the first albums I run to as the leaves sicken, bleed out their autumn hues, and gracefully descend to the ground below.

05. Immanu El – They'll come, they come (And the Sound)
As I wrote in my review of this album, Immanu El's "They'll come, they come" is unquestionably a forceful and substantial album; an effort that probes sections of our musical consciousness that have fallen into shadow and been ignored too long.

04. The Chrysler – The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
Dropping one spot since the June round up, "The Benelux years" still surprises me with new layers every time I listen to it. The Chrysler are one of the most underrated bands of all time.

03. Kent – Tillbaka till samtiden (SME)
Kent have absolutely nothing to prove anymore - they are arguably one of the best Swedish bands of all time - and yet they continue to prove themselves, over and over and over again. It's frightening.

02. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
Another album whose position was solidified earlier in the year, "Our ill wills" is still one of the best sophomore albums I have ever heard.

01. Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
I fell in love with this album in January, continued to proclaim its brilliance in June, and, a few hours from December, crown "The sentinel" the best album of 2007. Absolutely brilliant.

Matt Giordano

10. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Fall, fall, falling (Kalligrammofon)
Beautifully subtle and understated noise.

09. The Chrysler - The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
The Chrysler upped the tempo on their third album, and it's easily their best.

08. Christian Kjellvander - I saw her from here/I saw here from her (Startracks)
On his third, and best album, the arrangements have finally acted on the ideas.

07. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Pan European (Adrian Recordings)
Brilliant electronica from this Swedish duo.

06. Montt Mardié - Clocks/Pretender (Hybris)
This second album sees big band and swing return to the musical landscape.

05. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
Gustaf reinterprets the Rough Bunnies to gorgeous results.

04. Juvelen - s/t (Hybris)
Hot and sweaty pop music has returned!

03. The Tough Alliance - A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Göteborg's best have honed their sound into hedonistic pop bliss.

02. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
Sweden's best band delivered its third album in such a fashion only they could - with "Italy vs. Helsinki".

01. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
Familjen's debut album is the best pure pop full-length I have heard all year.

Nick Levine

10. Ninja – I don't play guitar (Popyhtiö)
Finland's answer to Robyn. At the forefront of Finnish pop music. This record has some serious crossover potential.

09. Billie the Vision & The Dancers – Where the ocean meets my hand (Love Will Pay the Bills)
Not a radical departure from previous releases. But hey, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

08. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian/Hybris)
Zeitgeist-defining record. Sweden's answer to new rave?

07. Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
More upbeat than Jen's previous efforts. Is this mellowing due to his recent engagement?

06. Boat Club – Caught the breeze (Luxury)
Atmospheric shoegaze and Balearic-lite prog pop.

05. Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
The most commercially successful release from Laakso thus far.

04. Studio – West Coast (Information)
I'm counting this as it only got a UK release this year. Credit must also be given for some of Studio's superb remixes for the likes of Shout Out Louds and Rubies.

03. Those Dancing Days - s/t (V2)
Undoubtedly the biggest Swedish buzz band of the year. Helped in no small part by It's a Trap.

02. The Tough Alliance – A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Stunning comeback record, after the experimentation of 2006's "Escaping your ambitions".

01. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
This records features the best use of cowbell in 2007.

Christian Stenbacke

10. Kent – Tillbaka till samtiden (SME)
The journey back into the dark electronical realms of the 80's might not have been the perfect career move, but on the other hand, since when has Kent ever cared about such a petty thing?

09. Sällskapet – s/t (Universal)
Cold and dark and damp - Pelle Ossler vs. Joakim Thåström - Life drained from the body, machines in control, the last thing leaving mankind is hope. Are you ready to enter room 212?

08. Kristofer Åström – RainawayTown (Startracks)
There is something special about Kristofer Åström. He has the ability to get to the things that really matter with small words and measures.

07. Bloodlights – s/t (Playground Music)
All things have to come to and end, Glucifer is no more, but the Captain lives on. Bloodlights is cock rock at its best.

06. The Mary Onettes – s/t (Labrador)
It's so obvious and it's so perfect. The Mary Onettes hardly try to hide their Anglophile influences and why should they?

05. Christian Kjellvander – I saw her from her/I saw here from her (Startracks)
Christian Kjellvander is a man of quality; every song sung from his lips is of highest standard.

04. José González – In our nature (Imperial/Mute)
The man is just marvelous; catching every single raw emotion there is with his incredible guitar work and simple, yet direct, voice.

03. The Raveonettes – Lust lust lust (Border Music/Vice)
Finally back to basics; the magic of Sune Wagner and Sharin Foo's voices bound together and the bleak Jesus & Mary Chain meets 50s surf music is a fascinating combination.

02. Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
Instead of calling it quits, Logh decided to pull it together and release a new album, the best decision ever made.

01. Sound Like Violence – With blood on my hands (Burning Heart)
What is Niccokick compared to this? This is the best album this year by far; the impact of every song is overwhelming.

Simon Tagestam

10. The Hives – The black and white album (Interscope)
Not as good as I wanted it to be, but The Hives manage to deliver a bunch of great songs.

09. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
A strong and solid second album from Shout Out Louds.

08. Frida Hyvönen – Pudel (Licking Fingers)
A mini album that has given me very high hopes for Hyvönen's second proper full-length.

07. Anna Järvinen – Jag fick feeling (Häpna)
It took me some time to warm to this Järvinen's solo debut, but now I find it really cosy and pleasant, it's a great album for cold winter nights.

06. Jonas Game – ADHD (Sincerely Yours)
Bad Cash Quartet's drummer managed to make a very personal and intriguing album full of hits.

05. The Tough Alliance – A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Nice to see TTA back on track after last year's weird ambient album.

04. The Lovekevins – Vs the snow (Songs I Wish I Had Written)
I knew that The LKs were good, but I didn't think they could be this good!

03. Alexis Weak – Välkommen till Gullmarsplan (La Vida Locash)
Ok, it's only a half an hour (free!) mixtape, but I got really addicted to Alexis Weak's personal rapping style in 2007.

02. Säkert! – s/t (Razzia)
It was nice to see the Swedish public embracing Annika Norlin's side project and making her the star she deserves to be.

01. Jens Lekman – Nights falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
Ah, the King of Sweden! Or, at least he should be. Lekman is the greatest.

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:36:01 -0800

Top 10s for 2007, a new one each and every day from here on out until 2008. Today's guest: Ola Frick from Moonbabies. And don't forget yesterday's contributor, the very talented Marit Bergman. Check 'em out!

Top 10s for 2007: Ola Frick (Moonbabies)

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Here's my 2007 list:

01. On the road again in Germany with Moonbabies, better than ever, I want to live on the road until I'm seriously old.
02. Making radical plans for our lives with my fiancée.
03. New York for the first time. Nothing is the same from now on...
04. Shooting video #2 in Orlando with Eric & Shannon of Zombieduck Films.
05. Summer Vacation in January 2007, after we finished at the Ballroom, and Sweden was freezing cold. Drinks by the pool and so on.
06. Loney, Dear Live @ Debaser, Malmö.
07. Frozen Mango Margaritas & Spinnace Tortillas @ Café Habana, Nolita.
08. Tortoise Live @ Webster Hall, NYC.
09. Discovering "Sunset Boulevard", one of the greatest movies ever.
10. John Martyn's album "Solid air".

---------------------------
Ola is a founding member of the Moonbabies, who released their 3rd full-length album "Moonbabies at the ballroom" in 2007. Other credits as a producer/engineer during 2007 include Swedish acts Emerald Park (album to be released in 2008), Andi Almqvist (Red Room Stories, 2007), Twin Piloda (album expected to be out in 2008) and Apa State Mental (s/t, out now).
www.moonbabiesmusic.com
www.myspace.com/moonbabies

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:49:25 -0800

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

01. Soviac - I got the ribbah
02. TALK 1
03. Downstairs - Peephole city
04. Moonbabies - At the ballroom
05. Tar... Feathers - You are lucky to have nothing
06. TALK 2
07. Truckfighters - Atomic
08. Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Corny waltz
09. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Quiet
10. TALK 3
11. Norma - The dark
12. Karin Ström - Klaustrofobi
13. Vapnet - Tjernobyl
14. TALK 4
15. Montt Mardié - The windmill turns all the same
16. Motorpsycho - Hyena
17. Musti Laiton - Tämän iltainen
18. Holiday Fun Club - Hamburg in the night
19. TALK 5
20. Rigas - It's a shame
21. Repoman - Jawbone night
22. Iisole - The words
23. TALK 6
24. The Fine Arts Showcase - Modern love
25. Kasper Bjørke - Back & spine (Fidel Astro remix)
26. Promoe - Headache
27. TALK 7
28. Viola - Imaginary times
29. New Decade - While tonight still is
30. Promise and the Monster - Sheets
31. Trapdoor Fucking Exit - Choking on teeth
32. TALK 8
33. Totalitär - Nej vi ska inte ha nåt
34. Him Kerosene - Whatever get you by
35. The Social Services - Up in arms
36. Jens Lekman - The opposite of hallelujah
37. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
38. TALK 9
39. Maia Hirasawa - And I found this boy

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:04:53 -0800

Swedish acts confirmed for EuroSonic: I'm from Barcelona (official opening act for EuroSonic 2008), Detektivbyrån, Those Dancing Days, Promise and the Monster, Lykke Li, Cult of Luna, Miss Li, Little Dragon, Moonbabies, Taxi Taxi, Friska Viljor, Burst and Andi Almqvist. The festival, one of Europe's preeminent platforms for new music, will feature a special focus on Sweden and takes place in Groningen, the Netherlands, on January 10-12. More info: http://www.noorderslag.nl/

MyFriends: The Deed, Hymns from Nineveh, In a City By the Sea, The Mymmelins, Twin Piloda

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This time out, I'm all about sideprojects.

The Deed
SOUNDS LIKE: The guys from Iisole are involved in a bazillion different projects so here's one featuring Martin Nilsson. Like his main band, this is definitely in the melancholic (post-)rock realm (think: Logh), but a bit more laid back.
HIGHLIGHTS: All three tracks are great, you only gotta give 'em time to reveal themselves
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/nilssonmartin

Hymns from Nineveh
SOUNDS LIKE: Devotional music from Jonas Petersen of Danish act Attrap. Take it from a non-Christian - this is very well done.
HIGHLIGHTS: Rejoicingalongsong, A tired man sings abide
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/hymnsfromnineveh

In a City By the Sea
SOUNDS LIKE: More melancholic musings, this time from Mikael Kærsgaard of Munich, a band who happens to be good friends with the aforementioned Attrap. Again, quite nice.
HIGHLIGHTS: He's allright [sic], Shipwrecks
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/inacitybythesea

The Mymmelins
SOUNDS LIKE: Fun's younger, grungier brother.
HIGHLIGHTS: Vompat disco, Conflict in the backyard
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/themymmelins

Twin Piloda
SOUNDS LIKE: High quality pop from Måns Wieslander, a man best known to me for his work with Moonbabies.
HIGHLIGHTS: Shut up and wave, Cousin evil
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/twinpiloda

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 11:25:26 -0700

Moonbabies will release "Take me to the ballroom" as a single on October 31 via Startracks/V2. The CDS version will include the previously unreleased tracks "Flip-top boxer" and "Crispin Glover". Check out the brand new video for the track here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeZhV028z60
The band has also totally revamped their website and you can go there for more info and tourdates: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:18:29 -0700

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. TALK 1
02. Repoman - Chemically obsessed
03. Moder Jords Massiva - Vapen
04. Kornstad Trio - Intornette
05. TALK 2
06. Ghost Brigade - Autoemotive
07. Rather Sound Than Safe - The beat
08. September - My neighbourhood
09. TALK 3
10. Ebba Grön - 800°
11. Torpedo - My evil twin
12. Jonna Lee - Dried out eyes
13. TALK 4
14. Marvins Revolt - Bugs in time
15. Pimentola - Death is a secret
16. Nils Berg - Sailors fighting in the dance hall
17. TALK 5
18. Lampshade - By and by I come
19. Midnight Choir - Will you carry me across the water
20. Moonbabies - Walking on my feet
21. TALK 6
22. Candlemass - Elephant star
23. Front and the Factory Lies Beneath - Under a black sun
24. Cortex - Warrior night (live)
25. TALK 7
26. The Grizzly Twister - This city is a halo
27. New Decade - I guess you ran from something
28. The Grand Opening - Don't drop off
29. TALK 8
30. The Bear Quartet - I'm still her
31. Paper - My life is going under
32. Darkthrone - Wisdom of the dead
33. Detektivbyrån - Nattöppet
34. TALK 9
35. Mob - Ghost track
36. Fare You Well - Deceiving eyes
37. TALK 10

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies are in desperate need of a new drummer for their upcoming tour in October as former member Mattias Pedersen can no longer tour. They are also looking to add another (preferably female) member to their live band, so if you're in or around Malmö (or willing to relocate I suppose), go here for details: http://moonbabiesmusic.com/index2.html

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

Emerald Park has posted some new tracks on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/emeraldpark
As mentioned before, Emerald Park is recording their new album together with Ola Frick (Moonbabies) and they now report that most of the eleven tracks are done. I don't think they're signed yet, but I don't think that'll last too long.

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Stylus likes the new Moonbabies album: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/moonbabies/moonbabies-at-the-ballroom.htm

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies will see their latest album "Moonbabies at the ballroom" released in GAS on August 31 via V2 and the band will be coming over in October/November to tour in support. Check out a new German e-card here: http://v2digital.net/de/moonbabies/

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Erasing Clouds reviews the US release of The Chrysler's "Cold War classic": http://www.erasingclouds.com/wk1207chrysler.html
Hit the frontpage of the site for reviews of Moonbabies and Cake On Cake as well.

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies have posted a bunch of various new live clips to their website: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/
Good to see someone using something better than YouTube quality.

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

PopMatters is not so stoked on the latest Moonbabies record "The Moonbabies at the ballroom": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/34100/moonbabies-moonbabies-at-the-ballroom/

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for my radio show this week:

01. Pistol Disco - Walking with Jesus
02. TALK 1
03. Heroes & Zeros - Into the light
04. Vijaya - Your gun will never set you free
05. Convoj - My timekeeping heart
06. TALK 2
07. Darkthrone - Too old, too cold
08. A Perfect Friend - Rush hour
09. Death By Kite - Hiroshima
10. TALK 3
11. Fun - I've got a truck
12. Moonbabies - Walking on my feet
13. The Perishers - When I fall
14. TALK 4
15. Regulations - Police siren
16. Viola - Ordinary teenage sensation
17. Björn Kleinhenz - Starlit queen
18. TALK 5
19. Gravy - Glory to our brilliant name
20. Hero Dishonest - Stalin vs Hank Hardy
21. Sophie Zelmani - To know you
22. Ulver - Capitel III: Graablick blev hun vaer
23. TALK 6
24. Håkan Hellström - Ramlar
25. Abhinanda - Highway tonight
26. Single Unit - Passion, pirates & parasites
27. TALK 7
28. Kompjotr Eplektrika - Skulldrummantra
29. The Tiny - Just like you
30. Death Breath - Death breath
31. TALK 8
32. Entombed - Serpent speech
33. The Cardigans - Marvel hill
34. Soviac - I got the ribbah
35. TALK 9
36. The Bear Quartet - Put me back together
37. You Is Stupid - I am history
38. Paris - 60 minutes
39. The Process - Mot Sverige i tiden
40. TALK 10
41. Weeping Willows - I give you the morning

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies will head to Florida in early July to shoot a video for their next single ("Cocobelle"?) with directors Eric Althin and Shannon Henegan of Zombieduck Productions, the same folks who worked on the clip for "War on sound". They might spend some time in NYC too. As for live dates, I know nothing.

Fri, 25 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Tonight on Sirius Blog Radio! A full two-hour set of summer jams, possibly including today's mp3 selection somewhere in the mix. And speaking of mix, I took a chunk of tonight's playlist and made it into a podcast for you to download. The tracklist is top secret for now, but I bet you'll recognize most, if not all, of the tunes. Also: this weekend is an extra-special Blog Party weekend on Sirius Left of Center. That means that tonight's show and last week's with Ola Frick from the Moonbabies will be on repeat throughout the holiday weekend along with the last two shows of all my Blog Radio associates. Check it out! And then starting next week, my show moves to its new time at 12pm ET on Saturdays. Sweet!

Thu, 24 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Tack!Tack!Tack! got a mention over at Popjustice: http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1145&Itemid=206
T!T!T! is tonight, but should you find yourself in or around Berlin, be sure to check out Sweden, Sweden! tomorrow night at Club Magnet with the amazing lineup of Moonbabies and Seven Feet Four plus DJs Tiger Lou, Firefox AK and more! Seriously, so many of my favorite people all in one place. It's gonna be amazing.

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

Check out a new profile piece on the Moonbabies over at One Times One: http://www.onetimesone.com/interviews/moonbabiesballroom.php

Sat, 19 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

My special guest on my radio show this week was Ola Frick of the Moonbabies. Here's what we played:

01. Johndoe - Kjøtere
02. TALK 1
03. Mixtapes & Cellmates - The better half of cynical boys
04. The End Will Be Kicks - Ass of a friend
05. Breach - Lost crew
06. TALK 2
07. Silverbullit - Only gold
08. Lack - Primo Levi
09. Samuraj Cities - All along the shoreline
10. Rockettothesky - Barrie for Billy MacKenzie
11. TALK 3
12. Fireside - Let Rasputin do it
13. Heroes & Zeros - Into the light
14. Moonbabies - War on sound
15. TALK 4
16. Moonbabies - Cocobelle
17. TALK 5
18. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom (comp version)
19. Björn Kleinhenz - Pocket of gold
20. TALK 6
21. Loney, Dear - Saturday waits
22. Revolvo - Marmelade
23. TALK 7
24. Emerald Park - Open up
25. KVLR - Capitol city child
26. TALK 8
27. David & the Citizens - Are you in my blood?
28. TALK 9
29. David Åhlén - Wasted breaths
30. Maia Hirasawa - Still June
31. TALK 10
32. Moonbabies - Sun A.M. (outtake version)
33. TALK 11
34. Moonbabies - Don't ya know?

Not only did Ola reveal that he used to be a member of the Mercyful Fate fanclub, but it also looks like he'll be recording the next David & the Citizens record. Excellent!

MP3: Moonbabies - I'm insane but so are you

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies frontman Ola Frick was one of my first interviews for this site way back when, so it's quite fitting that he's also the inaugural interview subject on my radio show tonight. I already posted a track from the new record "Moonbabies at the ballroom", but you can never have enough Moonbabies so here's something from their (recently reissued) first album "June and novas". The sound is slightly less polished than their more recent material, as one would rightly expect. However, the songs and the arrangements are absolutely fantastic. That's why Moonbabies are one of my favorite bands, not just because they are kind, intelligent people willing to open up and chat with someone like me (though that certainly helps). Tune in tonight if you can and check it out!

Sat, 05 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Friday's Sirius Blog Radio playlist:

01. The Alpine - Mondays look the same
02. TALK 1
03. Gravy - Back with the nerds
04. Giant Robot - Best match
05. Jomi Massage - A detail
06. TALK 2
07. Broder Daniel - Shoreline
08. The Grand Opening - Don't drop off
09. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
10. Britta Persson - Oh how wrong
11. TALK 3
12. Lemonator - Would you die for me?
13. Trapdoor Fucking Exit - Short ends
14. Billie the Vision and the Dancers - Overdosing with you
15. TALK 4
16. Folie - Rocin
17. Robyn - Handle me
18. Laakso - Norrköping
19. TALK 5
20. Magnet - I walk the line
21. Isolation Years - Albino child
22. KVLR - Construction work
23. TALK 6
24. Anna Leong - 61
25. Tigerbombs - One giant leap
26. Motorpsycho - Hyena
27. TALK 7
28. Oskar Schönning - Other birds
29. Pan Sonic - Rähinä II / Mayhem II
30. Mercyful Fate - Evil
31. TALK 8
32. Ricochets - Come around over
33. Ghost Brigade - Based on you
34. Smalltown - The music
35. Popface - In the night
36. TALK 9
37. Circle Six - 1

Wed, 02 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

If you appreciated yesterday's Moonbabies post, you might be interested to note that Ola Frick is currently seeking production work for the times when he's not out doing stuff with the band: http://www.myspace.com/moonbabiesola
In Sweden at his home studio in Malmö or abroad, doesn't matter.

MP3: Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The difference between the "Reader's companion" version of the Moonbabies track "At the ballroom" and the final album version are very subtle. It gives you a good idea of the kind of studio wizardry that Ola Frick is capable of, but it's not the full story. Prior to receiving the approved song that ended up on my comp, I was sent two other mixes, the first being drastically different from either of the ones made public. It's still very much the same song, but the arrangement is much more sparse and heavy on the snare backbeat. It makes me hopeful that someday they will put out a collection of demos and outtakes because I'm sure it would be fascinating. As for my favorite pick of the litter, I must bow to the band's sensibilities and agree that the newest, full-album version is by far the best. It's such a lush and gorgeous piece of pop beauty. I daresay it's almost perfect, but I suspect that Ola could still whip up an even better take that would blow me away.

Moonbabies At the ballroom Startracks/Hidden Agenda

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

I have been quite interested in hearing the upcoming Moonbabies record ever since hearing "Take me to the ballroom" on "Reader's companion volume two" last spring. The album version of said track is just stellar, which is hard to imagine based on the quality of the older version. I still consider that to be one of the album's top tracks, and actually, the band's success on the album lies mostly in the uptempo numbers. "Don't ya know?" carries the album into the danceable stratosphere, whereas "Weekend a-go-go" harkens back to some of the best alt-rock that come out a decade ago. The production on this album is just so full, yet retains a playful atmosphere. I can see this album really bringing the band a ton of success especially in the States, as I can easily see the songs on both radio and TV.

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies have solidified their new touring lineup and have a few dates coming up, including one in the UK set for July: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

The new Moonbabies album "Moonbabies at the ballroom" is now confirmed for a March 21 release in Scandivia via Startracks/V2 and May 29 in the US via Hidden Agenda/Parasol. Once again, check out the video for the single "War on sound": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv9oAulmgCI

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Moonbabies' new video for "War on sound" is streaming online: http://www.aftonbladet.se/atv/player.html?catID=2672

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

The new Moonbabies album will be called "At the ballroom". Expect a March release via Startracks.

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Moonbabies are seeking new members for their live band: http://moonbabiesmusic.com/liveband.html

Top 10s for 2006: Staff picks

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Not everyone was able to get their lists in on time, but I think you'll find more than enough titles here well-worth investigating, whatever your tastes may be. Enjoy!

Jonas Appelqvist:

01. The Fine Arts Showcase – Radiola (Adrian Recordings)
When Christian released a kinda mediocre record, Gustav stepped up, delivered and restored the honour of the Kjellvander brothers.

02. C.Aarmé – Vita (Burning Heart)
Music for the gut, not the brain. Göteborg's finest punks just recently split up, it's a pity.

03. Hets – s/t (V2/Etikett: Hets)
I was a bit hesitative when I heard that members from Laakso, Fireside and Moneybrother formed a band. They proved me wrong.

04. Raised Fist – The sound of the republic (Burning Heart Records)
This long awaited full-length proved to be exactly what I hoped for. Uncompromising hardcore, this time with hooks!

05. Insurgent Kid – Paranoia (Wasted Sounds)
Just recently released and it went straight into this list. The punkrock on this disc is, in fact, all I ever need.

06. Khoma – The second wave (Roadrunner)
I always knew something good would come out of Plastic Pride.

07. Aerial – Black rain from the nombing (Nomethod)
Epic and almost instrumental post-rock from Sandviken that moved me big time.

08. Tar... Feathers – Make way for the ocean floor to fall to the surface (Release the Bats!)
Self-willed indiepop that sounds like Modest Mouse mixed with Xiu Xiu at times.

09. Darkthrone – The cult is alive (Peaceville)
Pioneers that released their most interesting record since "Total Death". Black-metal with one hell of a punkrockattitude!

10. Cult of Luna – Somewhere along the highway (Earache)
One of the records I've listened to the most in 2006 and it's still intriguing.

Top 3 non-scandinavian records of 2006:
Converge – No heroes (Epitaph)
Electric President – s/t (Morr Music)
Cursive – Happy hollow (Saddle Creek)

Nancy Baym:

01. Hell On Wheels - The odd church (Hybris/PlayRec)
It's catchy, it's quirky, it's consistently strong. And it's interesting too.

02. Skywriter - Where both worlds never meet (Iceberg Records)
The slow ones drag a bit, but the fast songs are a sublime mix of sexy, cool, driving and restrained.

03. Consequences - s/t (BOW/Groover Recordings)
Puts the "infection" in infectious pop. I can't stop listening to it and really don't want to either.

04. Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's block (V2/Wichita)
Not as good as last year's "Falling out", but an okay Peter Bjorn and John record is still better than most.

05. Pelle Carlberg - Everything. Now! (Labrador)
He's thoughtful, he's sensitive, he's twee, but most of all he's the perfect mix of soothing and beautiful. Frazzled nerves be gone!

06. The Phonies - Gran tourettes (Money Laundry Records)
Inconsistent record from Finland's Phonies, but it's best songs are exhuberant enough to carry the rest.

07. Billie the Vision & the Dancers - The world according to Pablo (self-released)
While I'm From Barcelona gets all the buzz, I prefer this. It's kind of mellow, a little dark, sort of conceptual if you bother to figure it out, but most of all, it just sounds good.

08. David & the Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
David Fridlund's a melodic genius and the music may be better than ever, but Fridlund's angst runs too close to whining too much of the time.

09. Starflower - Moment in the sun (Music Is My Girlfriend)
Tranquil and poppy, youthful and tuneful, it's a gentle little debut from a band I hope will diversify its sound in releases to come.

10. The Charade - Real Life Drama (Skipping Stones)
Half of this is too sweet for me, but the rest is charming as all get out, and "September" easily wins the award for catchiest sugar pop song of the year.

Honorable Mentions:

Sivert Høyem and the Volunteers - Exiles (Hektor Grammofon)
It's not out yet and I've only heard 2 songs, but given his track record with Madrugada and his last solo record, it's guaranteed a spot in my top 10 when I do get to hear the rest.

Tiger Lou - The loyal (Startracks)
It came out in 2005 but now I've finally heard this record. It's got such a cool consistent vibe, such a unique sound, and I'm under it's spell completely.

Matt Giordano:

01. Peter Bjorn and John - Writers block (V2/Wichita)
After last years excellent "Falling out" I expected a great album, but this release just floored me.

02. Loney, Dear - Sologne (Dear John)
Yes, this is technically a re-release, and yes, it's that good.

03. The Fine Arts Showcase - Radiola (Adrian)
This is the new album I listened to most this year, and a it was quite a leap artistically for Mr. Kjellvander.

04. Hell On Wheels - The odd church (Hybris)
This one sat in my room for about a month until one day I brought it in the car with me, and to say the least, I was impressed.

05. Vapnet - Jag vet hur man väntar (Hybris)
"Thoméegränd" instantly hit me with pure pop genuis, and this album is so textured and deep, it has yet to be fully realised.

06. Firefox AK - Madame, madame! (Razzia)
It took me a while, but I have finally realised how genius this album is.

07. Nicolai Dunger - Sjunger Edith Södergran (EMI)
I believe this is Mr. Dunger's most cohesive album to date, and perhaps his most intimate.

08. Sibiria - Inom familjen (Hybris)
Martin A and Martin H put out two stellar albums in one year. Gorgeous.

09. The Knife - Silent shout (Rabid)
This album is both bleak and enchanting.

10. David & The Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
This album is so solid, and it should silence all of the naysayers.

Other:

Best 2005 release of 2006:
El Perro Del Mar - El Perro Del Mar (Memphis Industries/The Control Group)
Gorgeous, that is the only way to describe the songwriting of Sarah Assbring, and it's good to see the rest of the world catching on.

Top three non-Scandinavian releases:

Tom Waits - Orphans (Anti)
This is absolutely essential.

Nobody & Mystic Chords Of Memory - Tree colored see (Mush)
Another post-Beachwood Sparks work of excellence, now I'm only wishing for Beachwood Sparks to reunite.

My Morning Jacket - Okonokos (RCA)
America's best current live band, and this is their document.

Top ten songs of 2006*
01. Montt Mardié - "My girlfriend is in the Grand Prix finals" from "Science" (Hybris)
02. Peter Bjorn and John - "Paris 2004" from "Writers block" (V2)
03. Kristofer Åström - "So much for staying alive" from "Black Valley" (Startracks)
04. Loney, Dear - "The city, the airport" from "Sologne" (Dear John)
05. Tom Waits - "Bottom of the world" from "Orphans" (Anti)
06. Vapnet - "Thoméegränd" from "Jag vet hur man väntar" (Hybris)
07. The Velvet Teen - "Gyzmkid" from "Cum laude" (Slowdance)
08. Nicolai Dunger - "Lyckokatt" from "Sjunger Edith Södergran" (Dolores)
09. Loose Fur - "The ruling class" from "Born again in the USA" (Drag City)
10. Islands - "Don't call me Whitney, Bobby" from "Return to the sea" (Equator)

*These songs, as well as 31 others appear on my "Best of 2006" mix, which I have made 20 copies of as a double-disc set to give away to the readers of It's A Trap! Here's the deal, the first twenty people to email me at matthew dot giordano at macys dot com with their name and postal address will receive a copy (as well as tracklisting) in the mail. Enjoy.

Kevin Renick, in alphabetical order:

01. Ampop - My delusions (Dennis Records)
Balancing the epic and the emotive is an increasingly dicey proposition as more and more groups on both sides of the Atlantic sacrifice one or the other in the process. Iceland's Ampop gets the blend just right with these 11 surgingly powerful, yet fragile tunes. .

02. El Perro Del Mar - s/t (Memphis Industries)
Possibly the most bubbly, infectious, melodically rich, beautifully sung sad album ever made.

03. Sofia Hardig - The need to destroy (Filthy Records)
An adventurous electronica foray in which Sofia makes an art out of distorted vocals that are nonetheless emotionally wrenching. Dark, machine-laden grooves that grip the soul.

04. The Knife - Silent shout (Brille Records)
By any standard, one of the year's boldest and most significant records, especially for a spooked, tech-savvy, mask-wearin', brother-sister dance-tronica act.

05. Lampshade - Let's away (Glitterhouse)
The sophomore release by this fabulous Swedish/Danish group is just as good as the debut; RebekkaMaria and company fuse primal rock and Scandi sensuality together in a thoroughly compelling manner.

06. Mew - And the glass-handed kites (Sony BMG Music)
A continuously flowing, continuously melodic and dazzling production that got many satisfying spins on my car stereo in 2006.

07. Monty's Loco - Man overboard (NONS)
Take a female vocalist who's like a tougher Emiliana Torrini, add equal parts acoustic/electronic instrumentation, throw in a few dollops of inspired weirdness and mix/produce well. Result: a grabber of an album that tickles the sonic taste buds..

08. Britta Persson - Top quality bones and a little terrorist (Amigo)
I like my Scandinavian music to be a little tart. Britta's debut CD is positively lemony from start to finish, a real standout in a year filled with great records by Scandi girls.

09. Patrik Skantze and the Free Souls Society - Fiction at first view (Mimo Sound)
A master class in inspired prog songcraft, superb guitar playing and the art of channeling diverse influences into your own lovingly prepared recipe.

10. Sonores - Elefanten (Structures Sonores)
As a long-time fan of both atmospheric ambient and mournful female vocals, this texturally absorbing disc had me at "eftermiddag".

Best EP: Detektivbyrån - Hemvägen (Danarkia)
Best CD to reevaluate your life to: Es - Sateenkkarisuudelma (K-RAA-K)
Best reasons to have faith that the spirit of weirdness lives on in Scandiland: The Bear Quartet, Sir Eric Beyond, and Tar...Feathers

Simon Tagestam:

01. Vapnet – Jag vet hur man väntar (album / Hybris)
Vapnet lived up to all my expectations and delivered a fantastic album

02. Moneybrother – De vet ingenting om oss (single / Hacka Skivindustri)
This song came totally unexpected and instantly floored me.

03. Lo-Fi-Fnk – Boylife (album / La Vida Loca)
Very exciting album from Sweden’s new dance kings, now TTA gone all new age.

04. Mattias Alkberg BD - Ditt hjärta är en stjärna (album / A West Side Fabrication)
Third and best album from this Bear Quartet member.

05. Taxi Taxi – Old big trees (song on myspace)
Killer song. Got high hopes for these young twins.

06. I'm From Barcelona - Let me introduce my friends (album / Dolores)
Hate them live, but still love their music.

07. Juni Järvi - Wherever thou art (album / Everlasting)
The surprise hit of the year, a collection of some magnificent songs.

08. [ingenting] - Mycket väsen för ingenting (album / Labrador)
An album that deserved much more attention and praise than it got.

09. Juvelen – Watch your step (song on myspace)
Sounds exactly like Prince when he was at his best. Pretty damn good that is!

10. Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-Garde - s/t (album / Flora & Fauna)
Weirdest and most wonderful gig at Emmaboda this year where 'Sir Eric', even though he's Swedish, only talked in English in-between songs. He also released a fine record.

Three amazing songs from albums that I wasn't too keen on:
Fattaru – 100 spänn
Hello Saferide – The quiz
Peter Bjorn and John – Young folks

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

Jonas Appelqvist is in the works of completing the first fullengthrecord with Blinders On, indierock based in Malmö. The band is, as I write this, finished with the mixing and the mastering of the album entitled "Obsolete music", so we should expect a release in January. The 17th, to be precise. More on that after New Year's Eve.

Nancy Baym can be found happily blogging away at Online Fandom and digging music at Last.fm.

Matt Giordano wishes everyone safe, yet wine-filled holidays and New Year's celebrations, and hopes those who'll be getting his "Best of 2006 mix" enjoy them. He also hopes Arsenal can pick up the pace in the premier league and that Scandinavian bands continue to release the world's best music. Here are the new releases he's looking forward to in 2007: two Laakso records, Kristofer Åström, Shout Out Louds, Via Audio, Christian Kjellvander, Spoon, Tiger Lou (I can hope), My Morning Jacket (I can hope), Nick Cave (I think it's about time for another), Moonbabies, Nicolai Dunger, and all Hyrbis releases.

Kevin Renick is exhausted from trying to pare down the list of favorites from a really great year in music.

Simon Tagestam is a regular contributor to IAT and he doesn't really have any plans for 2007, except some vague ideas concerning a Nintendo Wii, his mother's 60th birthday, more tattoos, and badminton.

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Some big news for y'all: Startracks, one of my favorite Swedish labels, has announced the signing of one of my favorite Swedish bands Moonbabies. A perfect match! And not only that, they've bought the rights to their back-catalogue too! Look for the band's debut album "June and novas" to be reissued in January along with a special digipack edition of sophomore release "The orange billboard" with bonus tracks. The first single from the band's still-untitled third album will be "War on sound" and it will be released in late January with the album to follow in March. For US fans: Parasol/Hidden Agenda will still be handling the band, same as before. Startracks bossman Fredrik Holmgren comments:

Why...? 2006 I was feed up with filesharing, internet, media and the idea of everyone being into electronica... I wanted to die! 2007 not much will change, people will still think electronica is the thing and I will still deliver content to filesharing networks, but after releasing records for 25 years, I feel that this is my call. And what would the artist do without me?.....right, that is beyond imagination.
I will release albums with Christian Kjellvander, Kristofer Åström, Tiger Lou, Moonbabies in 2007 and I will sign a few new ones as well. I'm back, I'm needed... I'm fantastic!

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish power-pop artist and singer/songwriter Måns Wieslander is now on myspace with what I assume are a bunch of new songs he's recording with Ola Frick, pop mastermind of Moonbabies: http://www.myspace.com/manswieslander

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

UK label Big Scary Monsters will attempt to follow in my illustrious footsteps by releasing a comp of Swedish music entitled "Svenskt" on October 16. The lineup looks pretty damn good actually - names confirmed include Alarma Man, Audrey, David and the Citizens, Last Days of April, Logh, Molia Falls, Moonbabies, The Sound OE and, Traktor, pretty much all bands I would heartily endorse. Check out the comp's own myspace page for more: http://www.myspace.com/svenskt

MP3: Popface - In the night

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

Popface plays sophisticated pop music. In a lot of ways they are the Norwegian version of Moonbabies - the songs are all very well composed and there's not a single misplaced note. Every strum, every noise is deliberate and labored over. Their newest album "Eleven pieces of a broken heart" is largely instrumental which I think only adds to their mystique. It also ensures that the vocal pieces jump out and are that much more exciting. This particular track I've posted today is the one that jumped highest. Hard to believe it's taken me this long to finally hear Popface seeing as this is their fourth full-length record. "Atmospheric art-pop" they call it, I just call it impressive.

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

Moonbabies have posted five outtakes from "The orange billboard" for free download! Check it: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/
Not only are these guys incredibly prolific, but there also so consistently good. I was just listening to an early mix of "Take me to the ballroom" from "Reader's companion volume two" and thinking about how amazing they are. The older version is substantially different than the final version on the disc, but also quite a stunner. Who knows what other gems the vault might hold?

Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Emerald Park has posted a third song from their current recording session with Ola from Moonbabies: http://myspace.com/emeraldpark

Tue, 23 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies have a new website and have posted some news about my lovely comp and about another new song of theirs that's featured in the movie "New York waiting": http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/

Fri, 19 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Remember yesterday when I mentioned Emerald Park and the new record they're making with Ola from Moonbabies? And I said I was going to ask for permission to share some of those songs with you? Well, permission has been granted - listen to two tunes right here: http://www.gronkvist.net/emeraldpark_demo2006/

Thu, 18 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Jonatan and Micke have left the band Emerald Park, but the rest of the band is continuing on with recording a new album under the tutelage of Ola from Moonbabies. I've been fortunate enough to hear two songs and it sounds damn good. Maybe I'll get permission to share one of them with you someday.

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

I'm not posting a new mp3 today because I have something even better for you, the tracklist for "It's a trap! reader's companion volume two". Behold:

01. HELLO SAFERIDE - If I don't write this song, someone I love will die (SWE)
from the album "Introducing: Hello Saferide" (Razzia)
02. RICOCHETS - Cold outside (NOR)
from the album "Isolation" (KongTiki)
03. VIOLA - Invisible revolution (FIN)
from the album "Anyone can stop us" (If Society)
04. BJÖRN KLEINHENZ - Pocket of gold (SWE)
previously unreleased
05. PLAIN FADE - Itä-Aure (FIN)
previously unreleased
06. THE BEAR QUARTET - Birds are singing deep within the greenery (SWE)
from the album "Saturday night" (A West Side Fabrication)
07. MOONBABIES - Take me to the ballroom (SWE)
from the as-yet-untitled forthcoming third full-length album (Moonbabies Music)
08. MUNCK//JOHNSON - Slavesong (DK)
from the album "Count your blessings" (PonyRec)
09. PHONOPHANI - I.F.A. (NOR)
from the self-titled album (Biophan [1998]/Rune Grammofon [2006])
10. MONEY.PAPER.THEPOLICE - Jim Morrison (SWE)
previously unreleased
11. DET GAMLA LANDET - När vi vaknar (SWE)
previously unreleased
12. THE FIRST MILES - The best one around (DK)
from the album "Aim for the heart, go!" (Little Bad Bear)
13. PARIS - Captain Morgan (SWE)
from the album "Secrets on tape" (Parismusic/V2)
14. THE END WILL BE KICKS - Medicine and airbags (SWE)
previously unreleased
15. DON JUAN DRACULA - Run away with you (NOR)
from the album "Young debutantes II" (Switch Off)
16. TIGER LOU - Nixon (SWE)
from the album "The loyal" (Startracks)
17. THE GRAND OPENING - Slow motion (SWE)
previously unreleased

Artwork is still being finalized, but if you head over to my myspace page you can see the cover art and listen to Björn Kleinhenz's track. Exact release date is still tbc, but I expect CDs in-hand by early April.

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Moonbabies have a new temporary website while they toil over their third album: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/

Top 10s for 2005: Sellout! Music

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

01. Moneybrother - To Die Alone

02. Nada Surf - The Weight is a gift

03. LCD Soundsystem

04. Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise

05. Håkan Hellström - Et kolikbarns bekännelser

06. Common - Be

07. Serena-Maneesh - s/t

08. The Juan Maclean - Less than human

09. Alarma Man - s/t

10. Anthony Hamilton - Ain't Nobody Worryin'

Other good albums:
* Hellacopters - Rock&Roll is Dead
* Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
* Kanye West - Late Registration
* JR Ewing - Maelstrom
* Isolation Years - Cover the distance
* Ben Lee - Awake is the new sleep
* Ben Folds - Songs for silverman
* Trail Of Dead - Worlds apart
* Beezewax - Who to salute (this might have made it to my top 10, but since it's my brother's band I can't really be very objective about it and I chose to not include it. but it's solid!)
* Kenneth Ishak - Everything has soul (same as above!)

It's been a good year with lots of great shows and records, and I've got a feeling that next year will be great as well.

Torkel Ødegård (SellOut! Music mailorder chief)

01. Beezewax - Who To salute (album)
Great pop album, with a more experimental approach than they've had before. And with good results.

02. Queens of the Stone Age - Lullabies to paralyze (album)
Not as good as "Songs for the deaf", but a pretty good rock record nonetheless. A worthy sequel.

03. The Posies - Every Kind Of Light (album)
Cool album, although some songs are a litte weak.

04. Coheed And Cambria - Welcome Home (song)
Heavy, raw and big! Great rock song!

05. Trail Of Dead - Worlds Apart (album)
In my opinion one of the best rock bands today. Although a bit too long, it has a great deal of cathcy rock songs. The good songs far outweigh the not so good ones.

06. Hellacopters - Rock'n'roll is dead (album)
Catchy poppy rock from sweden. cool sound.

07. El Caco - The search (album)
Cool heavy rock from norway. One of the best Norwegian rock records of the year.

08. YMCK - Family Music (album)
Nice jazzy nintendo pop

09. J-Kwon - Tipsy (song)
Cathcy hip-hop

10. Kanye West - Gold Digger (song)
Good beats, with a good production

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

Sellout! Music is a Norwegian label that's home to many bands such as Moonbabies, Delorean, Anna Leong, Kenneth Ishak and more.
www.sellout-music.net

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Moonbabies will have the title track from their recent "War on sound" EP featured on this Sunday's episode of "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC this Sunday at 10pm. Check it: http://abc.go.com/primetime/greysanatomy/musiccast.html

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Moonbabies check in from the studio: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/news/news.htm#studio2

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Splendid reviews the Moonbabies' "War on sound": http://www.splendidmagazine.com/review.html?reviewid=1128942462726727

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies have started work on their third full-length album.

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies have posted some pics from the recent video shoot they did for their next single "Forever changes everything now": http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/news/news.htm

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Some upcoming shows for the Moonbabies:

08/13 - Hansa Sail, Lohro Buhne, Rostock (GER)
09/02 - Studenterhuset (X-fest), Copenhagen (DK) w/Erwin Thomas
09/23 - Loppen (Quartermain Evening), Copenhagen (DK) w/New City, Flying Virgins
10/07 - Gimle (Quartermain Evening), Roskilde (DK) w/New City, Flying Virgins
11/10 - Rust, Copenhagen (DK)

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

The Mystical Beast posts a short quip about the Moonbabies and their new EP "War on sound": http://mysticalbeast.blogspot.com/2005/07/three-covers-three-moonbabies-snow.html
I agree with his assessment that Moonbabies are a group just aching to break. They're certainly good enough - I guess it's just a matter of waiting for the "right" people to notice.

Wed, 20 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

PopMatters has posted a feature on the Moonbabies: http://popmatters.com/music/nowhearthis/moonbabies-050720.shtml

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Delusions of Adequacy loves the new Moonbabies EP: http://www.adequacy.net/review.php?reviewid=5682

Wed, 15 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Today's new mp3 is a Midnight Oil cover from the Moonbabies off their brand new EP "War on sound" out now on the band's own fledgling label Moonbabies Music and licensed to Hidden Agenda (US), Sell!Out Records (NOR) and Quarterstick (DK). I probably sound like a broken record, but if you haven't checked this band out yet, you are seriously missing out on one of the greatest pop acts working right now. I usually try to avoid passing out grand superlatives such as "brilliant", but that really is the most apt descriptor for their craft. Every time I hear something new from these guys, it blows my mind by how good it is. Of course the new EP is no exception. It succeeds in every way an EP is supposed to: some new material, some tasteful cover tunes and some more experimental stuff that might not fit perfectly on a full-length. Just what I need to whet my appetite for the next album. Needless to say, very recommended.

Mon, 09 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Check out the brand new Moonbabies video for "War on sound": http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/mp3/moonbabies-waronsound-video.mov

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies have given their website yet another facelift: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/
They also have an e-card for the new "War on sound" EP. Check it out here: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/e-card/index.html

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The upcoming mini-album from the Moonbabies has been confirmed for a May 6 release date. It now appears that the band will release it in Sweden via their own newly-established label Moonbabies Music.

Fri, 11 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Splendid does the pointless question thing with the Moonbabies: http://www.splendidmagazine.com/departments/pq/moonbabies.html

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The previously announced Moonbabies EP due out in April is actually turning out to be a mini-album as the band recorded eight new songs instead of just four. Once again, look for it on Chalksounds in Sweden, in the US on Parasol/Hidden Agenda.

Wed, 19 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Chalksounds has confirmed that the Moonbabies have officially entered the studio and will be releasing a new EP sometime around April.

Wed, 29 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Chalksound's tentative release schedule for 2005:

01/28 - Ellis The Vacuumchild - Peace by extermination CD
02/21 - TEWBK - The end will be kicks CD
03/26 - Anna Leong - Fever 7"
03/?? - Moonbabies - TBA CDS
04/06 - Convoj - TBA CDEP
09/?? - Moonbabies - TBA CD
10/?? - Anna Leong - TBA CD

Tue, 28 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Ola Frick of the Moonbabies takes a look back at 2004: http://www.moonbabies.nu/news/news.htm

Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Moonbabies are back from a successful tour of Germany and have posted an acoustic radio version of "Fieldtrip USA" for download: http://www.moonbabies.nu/audio/audio.htm

Wed, 08 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Coolfer predicts that the newest Moonbabies album "The orange billboard" is an early contender for inclusion on many year-end lists and rightfully so I think: http://www.coolfer.com/blog/archives/2004/12/tuesday_shorts.html
The record came out last year in Sweden via Chalksounds and was released in the US on Hidden Agenda in early 2004.

Tue, 07 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Today's end-of-the-year top 10 list comes to us from Ola of the Moonbabies. Check it out! Their last album "The Orange Billboard" easily became one of my favorites last year and I'm eagerly awaiting new material which I hear should be ready sometime next year. Word on the street has it that the early demos are already mindblowing.

Top 10s for 2004: Ola Frick (Moonbabies)

Tue, 07 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

01. Touring with the band in Europe, one of the best times ever, on tour its very easy forgetting everything.

02. Getting "Orange Billboard" on vinyl, the first Moonbabies LP that is...

03. The Streets "A grand don't come for free", it was supposed to be so eeeeasy. Fantastic concept album.

04. Discovering "The Dreaming" by Kate Bush, whooa!

05. Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless mind, Movie of the year!

06. Lost in Translation, another really good film.

07. Getting my Martin guitar (Unfortuantly cracking a big hole in it on tour in Germany)

08. Bjork - Who is it (track from "Medulla")

09. Family Guy, Tv show. My other penis is a vagina.

10. 100 Höjdare, Swedish tv-show. Nu Jävlar... You released the fucking fury.

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

Moonbabies are a brilliant pop band from Malmö, Sweden. Find out more at their official website: www.moonbabies.nu

Mon, 15 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Moonbabies have a new website design online: http://www.moonbabies.nu/
In other news, it looks like those dates with Matt Sharp are cancelled, but don't despair - the band has added another three acoustic dates to their tour instead. Here's their latest schedule:

12/03 - Studio Musikclub, Neubrandenburg (GER)
12/04 - Garage Pankow, Berlin (GER)
12/05 - Tanzhalle, Hamburg (GER)
12/06 - Junges Theater, Bremen (GER)
12/07 - Karlstorbahnhof, Heidelberg (GER)
12/08 - Cafe Cairo, Würzburg (GER)
12/09 - Hafen 2, Offenbach (GER)
12/10 - Ilses Erika, Leipzig (GER)
12/11 - Getrenkekombinat, Rostock (GER)

Wed, 27 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Moonbabies will be supporting Matt Sharp (ex-Weezer, The Rentals) on tour in Northern Europe:

11/27 - Frankfurt-Nachtleben (GER)
11/28 - CH-Genf-L'uisine (SWI)
11/29 - Atomic Cafe, München (GER)
11/30 - Rote Fabrik, Zürich (SWI)
12/01 - Schwimmbad, Heidelberg (GER)

Thu, 14 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The Moonbabies' most excellent album "The Orange Billboard" will finally be released in Germany, Switzerland and Austria on October 28 and the band will be touring in support. Well, not all of the band actuall, just Ola and Carina doing an acoustic set supporting German singer/songwriter Monta. Dates:

12/04 - MS Stubnitz/Jaz, Rostock
12/05 - Tanzhalle, Hamburg
12/06 - Junges Theater, Bremen
12/07 - Karlstorbahnhof, Heidelberg
12/08 - Cafe Cairo, Wurzburg
12/09 - Hafen 2, Offenbach
12/10 - Ilses Erika, Leipzig

Moonbabies will return again with the full band for another tour in January.

Fri, 03 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Chalksounds has signed a new distribution deal with Brokensilence Distribution for the territories of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. First up will be a rerelease of "The Orange Billboard" from the Moonbabies this coming fall. Look for upcoming tour dates in that part of the world as well.

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Chalksounds has just signed a deal for UK distribution with Shellshock and their first release over there will be the Moonbabies. Look for "The Orange Billboard" to hit on September 13. A tour is also being planned and if you can help out, you should contact magnus@chalksounds.com.

Wed, 09 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

PopMatters reviews the Moonbabies: http://popmatters.com/music/reviews/m/moonbabies-orange.shtml

Tue, 08 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Twenty-four new bands confirmed for Malmöfestivalen: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (US), Moonbabies, Koma, Alf, Bob Log III (US), Moder Jords Massiva, Hip Whips, Ramses Revolution, Nils Ericsson, Peter Lundblad, Fibes, Oh Fibes!, Death By Stereo (US), Voice Of A Generation, Division Of Laura Lee, Ane Brun, Cirera, Misteltein, Totalt Jävla Mörker, Barbi Esco, Snook, MBMA feat. DJ Large, Organism 12 & PST/Q, Her Majesty, Universal Poplab and Kitty & the K.

Streaming playlist: Summertime

Sat, 05 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

DATE ADDED : 06.05.04
LAUNCH : [stream no longer available]

01. The Motorhomes - I wanna make you sing
02. Caesars Palace - Over 'fore it started
03. Paris - Hey sailor!
04. The Fine Arts Showcase - Galveston
05. Junior Senior - Shake your coconuts
06. Moonbabies - In the banshees
07. Bad Cash Quartet - big day coming
08. Broder Daniel - What clowns are we
09. The Hives - Main offender
10. Division Of Laura Lee - Dirty love
11. Komeda - Blossom (got to get it out)
12. Isolation years - (I sat on a) Garbage bin
13. David & the Citizens - Graycoated morning
14. Marit Bergman - Adios amigos
15. The Bear Quartet - Where do you put your hate
16. Soviac - You R an ass (emmon remix)
17. Hell On Wheels - A summer killing a spring
18. Heikki - Former hero
19. Randy - Summer of bros (live)

Fri, 28 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Chalksounds has officially announced that Vinyl Junkies will be releasing the Moonbabies' latest album "The Orange Billboard" in Japan. There's no release date yet, but the new version will include two new bonus tracks, "In the banshees" and "Umbrella meets the sky". I've heard the first one and of course it's great. Otherwise, the band has already started work on their next album and will be playing a couple festival gigs this summer.

Fri, 23 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Download the new video for "Sun AM" from the Moonbabies: http://www.chalksounds.com/moonsunam.mov

Thu, 22 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Bands now confirmed for the Pop Dakar Festival on May 22 in Stockholm: Ane Brun, Bad Cash Quartet, Black Belt, Deportees, Elias One Man Band, Isolation Years, Moonbabies, Niccokick, Quit Your Dayjob, Strip Music, The End Will Be Kicks, The High Heeled Honeys and The Legends. Details: http://www.popdakar.nu/

Tue, 20 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Download a video of the Moonbabies playing their latest single "Forever Changes Everything Now" live and acoustic last week at Nalen in Stockholm: http://www.moonbabies.nu/mp3/moonbabies_nalen_2004-04-15.AVI