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

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 - Take me to the ballroom

Moonbabies
At the ballroom
Startracks/Hidden Agenda

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.
- Matt Giordano

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/

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

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

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

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

Top 10s for 2006: Staff picks

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!

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

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

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.

Popface - In the night

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?

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