IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! - Another tunnel, another light (video)

Tue, 17 May 2011 20:10:33 -0700

"Another tunnel, another light" is the debut video from It's a Bird! It's a Plane!, the Swedish duo of Joel Sjöö (They Live By Night) and Andreas Söderlund (Sounds Like Violence, Niccokick). Direct link: http://youtu.be/ymU-B3iaFZw

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! to support Glasvegas

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:01:39 -0800

It's a Bird! It's a Plane!, the new Swedish act featuring Joel Sjöö (They Live By Night) and Andreas Söderlund (Sounds Like Violence, Niccokick), will be doing a number of European dates supporting Glasvegas:

03/06 - Vega, Köpenhamn (DK)
03/07 - Kägelbanan, Stockholm (SWE)
03/09 - Molotow, Hamburg (GER)
03/10 - Magnet, Berlin (GER)
03/17 - Nouveau Casino, Paris (FRA)
03/18 - Sugar Factory, Amsterdam (NL)

MP3: Andreas Söderlund - Hawaii

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:49:06 -0700

I like this song a lot. It's really different from Andreas Söderlund's other bands (Niccokick/Sounds Like Violence) material in that it's very beat heavy and loaded with synths. Heavy 80s vibe too, especially with the over-the-top guitar solo ala "Beat it" (though Andreas doesn't milk it as much as I'd like). Curious to hear how the rest of the album stacks up, especially since title track "Daustralien" is more typical for him and far less exciting. I think the more he steps away from his over-emotive rock guy shtick, the better. A solo album is the perfect opportunity to indulge in indulgent sounds and with "Hawaii", he does it well.

Andreas Söderlund - Daustralien (video)

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:12:05 -0700

Andreas Söderlund's debut solo single from the upcoming album of the same name. It won't sound unfamiliar to anyone who knows his work with Niccokick or Sounds Like Violence, but it's not like that's a bad thing. Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ7oPxid5OQ

Andreas Söderlund going solo

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:24:44 -0700

Swedish artist/producer Andreas Söderlund (Niccokick, Sounds Like Violence, Hello Saferide, etc.) is working on a Swedish-language solo album for release later this year. Hear samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/andreassoderlund

Mon, 26 May 2008 13:32:37 -0700

Check out a unique remix of Niccokick's "The poet": http://www.acapela-group.com/Greetings/fish-1-4-b8e2174a720c8

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:05:59 -0700

Here's the playlist for this past weekend's radio show:

01. Pluxus - Bootstrap
02. TALK 1
03. Marit Bergman - Straight into my lovers arms
04. Grande Roses - Dead town
05. Mikko Singh - Rauha
06. TALK 2
07. Namur - Draw us near
08. Lapko - Sawyer the brother
09. Paper - To her
10. TALK 3
11. Johnossi - Train song
12. Markus Krunegård - Rocken spelar ingen roll längre
13. Printer - You need to
14. TALK 4
15. Firefox AK - Once I was like you (Boeoes Kaelstigen remix)
16. Aerial - Time is on fire
17. Sahara Hotnights - Visit to Vienna
18. TALK 5
19. Siena Root - Time will tell
20. Kristofer Åström - I collect knives
21. Anna Ternheim - Better be
22. TALK 6
23. Anna Leong - Guollotine
24. Folie - Krogg
25. Hearts of Black Science - Empty city lights
26. TALK 7
27. Inuit - En förlorad generation
28. The Psyke Project - Dark halls red floors
29. Memento Mori - Epilog
30. TALK 8
31. The Bear Quartet - Lights out, sound off
32. Fun - I know Ted Kennedy
33. Johan Heltne - Hjärta. Instinkt. Principer.
34. TALK 9
35. Lama - Bussi
36. Niccokick - Love & neon lights
37. Little Jimmy Reeves - Drowsy dogs
38. C.Aarmé - Visions
39. TALK 10
40. No Privacy - Blood over Denmark

Reminder: my show on Sirius Blog Radio runs Saturdays at 12 noon and midnight ET on channel 26 (Left of Center).

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:13:51 -0700

Niccokick's new video for "Teenage love" is streaming at Aftonbladet: http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/noje/musikvideor/article2435531.ab

Niccokick The good times we shared, were they so bad? Startracks

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Niccokick don't seem to have changed much since I last saw them live with Snook four years ago (no, not in Uppsala). They still very much embody the typical sound of "Swedish" indie-rock with its anthemic melodies and carpets of distorted guitars. Singer Andreas Söderlund has been pretty active in the meantime (in sideproject Sounds like Violence and as producer of acts such as Hello Saferide and David and the Citizens) and it shows. Niccokick's sound is more diverse on their second LP than previously -- the additional synths and the odd cello have definitely helped. And while Andreas' voice comes across as desperate as ever, it's nice to hear him cover other emotions as well. The songwriting is similarly passionate and direct, yet never embarrassing, and generally very dancable and catchy. Actually, that's also the record's main problem: all that energy, passion, and directness can become a bit too much at times. It's still a very good indierock album though, great for the dancefloor and probably even better when performed live on stage.

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:46:36 -0700

Check out Djembefitta, a new thrash-punk/crossover act from Göteborg that prides themselves on being anti-everything usually associated with Gbg music: http://www.myspace.com/djembefitta
Their manifesto: "Our aim is to kill pop music from Gothenburg where every band has a singer that sings out of tune. Håkan Hellström/Bad Cash Quartet/Hästpojken/Broder Daniel/Jens Lekman/Niccokick (well they live close enough to Gothenburg to count) et al are so terrible but everybody loves them... Isn't that strange?"

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:32:25 -0700

Niccokick are keeping a tour blog (in Swedish): http://www.niccokick.com/news.asp?newsID=289

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:56:01 -0800

Niccokick has a nice new website: http://www.niccokick.com/

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:36:31 -0800

Live music from Niccokick today at PSL: http://svt-psl.colo.netstar.se/default.aspx?entryID=468

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:18:39 -0800

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

01. C.Aarmé - Blodet
02. TALK 1
03. Kaka - The hotspurs (the less we know the faster we go)
04. Bitch Boys - Automobile
05. Benea Reach - Rejuvenate
06. TALK 2
07. The Second Band - The urgency of now
08. Breach - Murder
09. Montys Loco - Criminal
10. TALK 3
11. Det Gamla Landet - Krutrök
12. Trapdoor Fucking Exit - Cardiac arrest
13. I Am Bones - Home is the one corner of hell that didn't catch fire
14. TALK 4
15. Madrugada - Look away Lucifer
16. Timo Räisänen - Sixteen
17. When - The king
18. TALK 5
19. Beyond Dawn - Increasing the gravity
20. Ljudbilden & Piloten - Plokk
21. As In RebekkaMaria - She lion (Pato Sick Hangover remix)
22. TALK 6
23. Robert Svensson - 1987 (ft. Adam Olenius)
24. Paper - To her
25. Animal Alpha - Even when I'm wrong, I'm right
26. TALK 7
27. Niccokick - The poet
28. Asha Ali - Coward heart
29. Viola - I don't know how to party
30. TALK 8
31. Voices Break the Silence - No matter if it's now
32. Marybell Katastrophy - Red red lips
33. Anna Ternheim - Shoreline
34. TALK 9
35. Ulf Ljusberg - Here, me
36. Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-garde - Democracy
37. Once We Were - Carnival
38. Birds On Holiday - I had a plan
39. TALK 10
40. Björn Kleinhenz - Tredje Långgatan 26

MP3: Niccokick - The poet

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:14:42 -0800

I had been planning to post Niccokick's new single "The poet", but then Absolut Noise pretty much made my opinion redundant, but fuck it- it's President's Day here in the US and I have the day off from the dayjob and am feeling lazy, so I'm gonna post it anyway. Like Aymeric says, "The poet" is a great song in classic Niccokick style, full of attitude and a little bit reckless. The band is truly at their best when they teeter on the brink and are just barely holding on. It's about energy and feeling, not craftsmanship and the closer they get to losing control, the more exciting it is to listen to. It's about getting lost in the moment, even if you feel a little bit silly about it. Don't be too self-conscious about it.

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:51:52 -0800

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

01. Niccokick - The poet
02. TALK 1
03. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr Happy
04. David Sandström - Apropå det här med att finnas till
05. Mew - Why are you looking grave?
06. TALK 2
07. C.Aarmé - Rhythm
08. Dieter Schöön - Lot's of free Shoes but nowhere to run
09. Meshuggah - Pravus
10. TALK 3
11. Elin Ruth Sigvardsson - Antidote
12. The Bear Quartet - Volksblues
13. Ljudbilden & Piloten - Wedding
14. Lack - Naked girls
15. TALK 4
16. Don't Be A Stranger - Lonely together
17. Namur - Marching
18. NEI - Trip to Luleå
19. TALK 5
20. Printer - All right
21. Moto Boy - Beat heart
22. Christel Alsos - Come back to me
23. TALK 6
24. Promoe - Headache
25. Mustasch - Dogwash
26. Montt Mardié - Too many songs unwritten
27. Pascal - Smärtstillande
28. TALK 7
29. Pan Sonic - Virta 1
30. Pekker - Ass electro
31. Regulations - Police siren
32. TALK 8
33. Deud - Lördag
34. Linus Larsson & John Roger Olsson - Beyond the south tunnel
35. Barra Head - Undermine
36. TALK 9
37. Aerial - Kallisti
38. Paris - Office killer
39. Lukestar - The shade you hide
40. TALK 10
41. Jazkamer - Metal music machine

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:33:53 -0800

New in-stock and ready for ordering:

Niccokick - The good times we shared, were they so bad? (CD)
Firefox AK - Winter rose (CDS)
Lukestar - Lake Toba (CD)
v/a - Proggen klassiker (2CD)

Restocks:

Miss Li - Got put a rainbow in the sky (CD)
Jonna Lee - 10 pieces, 10 bruises (CD)
Timo Räisänen - Love will turn you around (CD)

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:16:41 -0800

Posted today: Jonas Appelqvist's report from this past weekend's IAT! Clubnight featuring Niccokick. Check it out!

Live report: Niccokick @ IAT! Clubnight #5, Debaser, Malmö 02/02/08

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The band entered the stage later than scheduled in front of a packed venue. The simple explanation to why the show was a bit put off was the large amount of people waiting in line outside Debaser Malmö anxious to see Niccokick perform. After all, it's been a while since last time. Especially since frontman Andreas Söderlund has been so busy producing and touring with Hello Saferide as well as releasing an album with Sounds like Violence. Rumor has it that the band was about to split up a year ago, nothing of that was obvious this night. The opening tune from the new album was also the opener to the gig, the beautiful "15 broken bones". Backed up with a horn section consisting of a trombone and a trumpet, the band seemed to love every second of it. As did the crowd - considering that they only had the streaming versions of the new songs on the band's myspace to refer to. Something Andreas perhaps didn't think of when he requested the audience to be more on their toes. But hey, that's a marginal note. However, when they kick started "The poet", a minor indie pop anthem if you ask me, the venue became a melting pot. And the gig went on in that way, with the cute "Teenage love" with its "ba-ba-baa"-choirs. All in all, they did 6 songs from the new album, a short and concise gig. But the real climax was reached when they entered the stage for an encore set featuring old favorites "Run run run" and "I drink to get thrilled"! Sing-a-longs are always the perfect way to end a gig, especially if they're this great!

Text by Jonas Appelqvist
Pics by Sofia Qvarnström

MP3: Niccokick - Love & neon lights

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:46:13 -0800

Tomorrow: Niccokick play a record release party for their new record "The good times we shared, were they so bad?" at Debaser, Malmö as part of the It's a Trap! Clubnight series. Today: a song from their 2004 debut "Awake from the dead, my dear best friend". When Niccokick are at their best, as they are on this song, they are hysterical and reckless. As with Håkan Hellström's top-shelf material, the euphoria of being alive is almost too much to take and they can't help but shout it out loud. "Give me sex, give me drugs, give me rock'n'roll!" I want everything that makes life worth living and I want it now! It's about being young and not giving a fuck. Go wild! Get loaded, fall in love, live for the moment! As far as Friday-night anthems go, this is near-perfect.

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:55:27 -0800

Niccokick's entire new album "The good times we shared, were they so bad?" is streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/niccokick
I should be getting copies for mailorder sometime next week. Oh, and of course you shouldn't forget about the record release show at the It's a Trap! Clubnight @ Debaser in Malmö on Saturday! It'll be a good time f'sure!

MP3: Dreamboy - What have I done

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:19:10 -0800

I've been meaning to post something from Dreamboy for awhile and I figure that today's a good a day as any, especially since it coincides with the publication of Simon's full album review. Taken as a whole, I don't have much to add to his critique beyond pointing out that Niccokick frontman Andreas Söderlund co-produced half the album, so any comparisons between the two bands are unsurprising. Otherwise, he's right-on, so with that in mind, let's check out a song. "What have I done" is emphatic indierock that reminds me of "Pinkerton"-era Weezer, an album that was a very important part of my freshman year in college. I can't hear stuff like this without thinking back to that year in the dorms. I was already more jaded than most at that point, but with my mid-20s still far ahead of me, I had yet to experience the sort of depressed self-reflection expressed in this song. I know it's ridiculous in retrospect, but I definitely went through a long slump of not knowing what to do with myself as I contemplated my legacy. Ridiculous, right? Thank god age adds perspective.

Dreamboy It means the world to me I Can Hear Music

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

This debut album by Dreamboy (from Stockholm, Sweden) is very impressive, and it received quite good reviews in Sweden and I think they've started to receive some good airplay lately. The album starts out brilliantly - all the best tracks are on the first half of the album, the songs on the second half are like weak imitations of what came before. If I had this album on vinyl, you would be able to come to my house in a few years and eat directly from the b-side, that's how great the difference is. Anyway, Dreamboy have that quirky American-sounding indie pop sound going, and a lot of the songs sound very much like Niccokick (especially the first two) and there's a bit of Shout Out Louds and Weezer in there as well. They've also managed to get a duet with the currently most sought-after duet partner in Sweden – Annika Norlin (Säkert!/Hello Saferide) on "Stockholm, we've got a problem" which is a great song about... Stockholm, but like some of the other songs, it contains some "clever" lyrical references that kind of bug me. That's a minor criticism though, this is an album well worth buying if you're after some well made and quite varied melodic indie rock that packs a punch!

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:04:24 -0800

Niccokick's video for their new single "The poet" can be viewed here: http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=25815929

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:08:38 -0800

"The poet", the first single from Niccokick's forthcoming album, is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/niccokick

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:40:57 -0800

It's a Trap! Clubnights for 2008 are starting to get confirmed! First up, we will host Niccokick's record release party for their new album "The good times we shared, were they so bad?" on February 2 (album release is February 6 via Startracks). Awesome! As for the rest of our spring schedule, stay tuned!

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 11:42:31 -0800

Niccokick, WTF? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7kBa8jYv2k

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:01:35 -0800

Niccokick's new album "The good times we shared, were they so bad?" is confirmed for release on February 6 via Startracks.

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:51:08 -0800

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

01. Kristofer Åström - Just a little insane
02. TALK 1
03. Darkthrone - Canadian metal
04. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
05. Niccokick - Love & neon lights
06. TALK 2
07. Death By Kite - Bhf. Asta
08. The Alpine - Iceland
09. Pluxus - Bootstrap
10. TALK 3
11. Graveyard - Thin line
12. Hospital - Something in the water
13. Attrap - Just a word away
14. TALK 4
15. Jonna Lee - I wrote this song
16. Paper - My life is going under
17. Broder Daniel - You bury me
18. TALK 5
19. Radio LXMBRG - Score on the floor
20. Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
21. Rather Sound Than Safe - The beat
22. Det Gamla Landet - Det heliga landet
23. TALK 6
24. Paris - When I laid my eyes on you
25. No Hope for the Kids - Rainy day
26. Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-Garde - If this is the way
27. Barra Head - Overseas
28. TALK 7
29. Superfamily - Warszawa
30. Oskar Schönning - S
31. Brick - Automen
32. TALK 8
33. Miss Li - Leave my man alone
34. Kasper Bjørke - Liquid propagnosia
35. Loveninjas - I wanna be like Johnny C
36. Anti Cimex - Only in dreams
37. TALK 9
38. Pan Sonic - Virta 1

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:54:11 -0700

Niccokick reports that they are mixing their new record and on-track for a January release: http://www.niccokick.com/nyheter.asp?nav=nyheter&ID=268

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for my radio show this week:

01. At the Gates - Suicide nation
02. TALK 1
03. Moving Oos - Stronger
04. Eskju Divine - Hold on
05. Mechanical Bird - Sunday
06. TALK 2
07. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Quiet
08. DS13 - Thrash lifestyle
09. Montt Mardié - Metropolis
10. Junior Senior - Can I get get get
11. TALK 3
12. Niccokick - Love & neon lights
13. Kristofer Åström - I collect knives
14. Death Breath - His protoplasmic worship
15. TALK 4
16. Mob - Ghost track
17. MZ412 - Unhealing wounds
18. Ugress - Manhattan sapphire
19. TALK 5
20. Shining - Låt oss ta allt från darandra
21. No Hope for the Kids - Rainy day
22. Moneybrother - Det blir ingen dans
23. Amandine - For all the marbles
24. TALK 6
25. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle
26. Last Days of April - Aspirins and alcohol
27. M:40 - När bomberna faller
28. TALK 7
29. Espen Jørgensen - The immaculate conception
30. Motorpsycho - For free
31. The Carny - Man under the sun
32. TALK 8
33. Karin Ström - Klaustrofobi
34. Badun - Pulsen
35. Meshuggah - Future breed machine
36. Värttinä - Mero
37. TALK 9
38. Randy - Better than art
39. Closer - Open casket
40. Alog - Buffalo demon
41. TALK 10
42. On Trial - Speaking of witch

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Startracks finally has a new website: http://www.startracks.se/
Check out the jukebox - almost every single Startracks release is available for streaming. They've also announced the signing on Niccokick! Look for a single this fall and a new album in early 2008.

Listmania! 2007 so far

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

An ever-increasing glut of new releases and an always-shrinking attention span means that it's harder than ever to keep track of all the music that is able to withstand the test of time. We can help! Yes, it's time once again for the feature that everyone loves to hate - the top 10 list. Okay, top 3s. We're only halfway through 2007, after all. So what has the collective contributing force of It's A Trap! been listening to the most these past six months? Read on!
- Avi Roig, Editor-in-Chief

Jonas Appelqvist:

Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
An album that crawls under your skin to move you in every way imaginable. Atmospheric, dark and gloomy, yet filled with hope and warmth. Pure magic.
Säkert! - s/t (Razzia)
Annika Norlin together with peeps from Isolation Years. Immediate success of course. And in dialect, which is a huge plus!
Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
Needless to say, everything Markus Krunegård touches turns to gold (remember Hets from last year's top ten-list?). Indiepop at its best.

Nancy Baym:

Isolation Years - Sign sign (NONS)
Lacks the high points of their previous records, but it's their most consistent and it spent most of January on repeat.
The Fine Arts Showcase - Sing Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
Just released and maybe I'll tire of it, but not yet. 30 minutes of delicious pop ditties sung by a man who really knows how to sing. Very tasty, but leaves me hungry for more.
My Midnight Creeps - Histamin (MMC Records/EMI)
Big loud swamp rock with massive guitars. Excellent music for falling on your knees and pumping fists in the air and some walls of sound that epitomize all that rock and roll should be.

Jason Christie:

Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
It is zeitgeist. Everything about this is fresh. Not-a-jot of cynicism. Sweden's best act now.
Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing (Stand By Your Band)
Thankfully carving out a breezier side on the new disc. This year's surprise.
Laakso - Mämmilä rock (PEC FI)
Laakso are HUGE. Apparently took 45 years to make using a process more secretive than Iran's muclear program and as mental as the 'Sinner or a winner' bloke on Piccadilly Circus.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson:

Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod)
Released on the last day of the first month of 2007, and still, four months later, amongst my favorite records of the year. Aerial's dark symphony of guitars, the waves of sound breaking over the guiding hands of the drums and bass, both maintaining some form of structural integrity in the midst of the beautiful chaos, and yet still prone to their own skillful flourishes, finds me just as wonderfully lost in the dense layers of their compositions today as I was in the early days of this year.
Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
Instead of building on the playful, sometimes brash narratives of "Howl howl gaff gaff", the newest effort from Shout Out Louds displays a far more complicated, mature, and powerful sound. It is rare that musicians evolve so noticeably in a record's time, and arguably even more surprising that a group's sophomore album so excels their debut, but "Our ill wills" proves that while it may be a rare accomplishment, it is one that can be achieved.
The Chrysler – The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
While not everyone's cup of tea, The Chrysler are, at least in my humble opinion, one the greatest indie bands around. "The Benelux years" outshines their previous efforts, which is no easy feat, and has already cemented itself as a record that will continue to grow on me as the months and years slip by.

Matt Giordano:

Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
This should be Laakso's international breakthrough. We'll just see if someone is brave enough to work with it.
Vapnet - Något dåligt nytt har hänt (Hybris)
This band just keeps delivering the goods, and it keeps getting better.
Montt Mardié - Clocks/Pretender (Hybris)
David Pagmar's second album is his vision finally coming into fruition.

Hanzan:

Säkert! - s/t (Razzia)
I never got Hello Saferide. Sure, it was charming, but never blew me away. Säkert! however has made me laugh, cry, blush. It's made me angry, happy, nostalgic, sometimes all this during the same listen. Brilliant.
Eldkvarn - Svart blogg (EMI)
The alcohol-drenched romantism of "Fulla för kärlekens skull" alone could almost have earned Eldkvarn a place on this list. Thankfully the rest of "Svart blogg" is amazing too. Cathartically personal, "Svart blogg" is one album I didn't think I'd love. But clearly do.
Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
Shamelessly playful electropop that should be the soundtrack to everyones summer (and autumn and winter). Familjen holds the Scanian flag high, presenting some of the best Swedish electronic pop in a long time.

Nick Levine:

Robyn/Kleerup - With every hearteat (Meatboys mix)
Massive track added onto the UK release of Robyn's album. However, the Meatboys mix is far superior to the original.
Those Dancing Days - demo
The Swedish buzz band of the year so far. Definitely one to watch out for in 2008.
Kalle J - Vingslag 7" (Unga Hjärtan)
I don't know much about Kalle J, but this song incorporates oodles of feel good vibes and is shaping up to be one of my anthems of the summer.

Kevin Renick:

Kate Havnevik - Melankton (Continentica)
One hell of a swirling, self-assured, orchestrally dramatic singer/songwriter debut, this outing by Norway's latest female wunderkind is a gem, and "New day" is among the best songs of the year.
Rumskib - s/t (Darla)
As a fan of ethereal shoegaze when it's got real heart and style, I was mesmerized by the work of this Danish duo. Dreamy, melodic and beautifully produced songs featuring the voice of Tine Louise Kortermand.
Dungen - Tio bitar (Subliminal Sounds/Kemado Records)
Another dose of immacutely rendered, fuzzed-out prog from the dazzling mind and chops of Sweden's Gustav Ejstes. Remarkably free of fat and not cowering in the shadow of its highly acclaimed predecessor.

Avi Roig:

Aerial - The sentinel (Nomethod)
#1 with a bullet. An album I loved wholeheartedly from the very first moment I heard it.
Kristofer Åström - RainawayTown (Startracks)
Older, wiser and with a new backing band to match. This is a record that will sound just as good 10 years from now.
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (Razzia)
A toss-up between this and Säkert!. Behind the indiepop hits (Maia's "And I found this boy" vs Annika's "Vi kommer att dö samtidigt") hides two deeply touching records, Maia edges out slightly ahead due to my sadly lacking Swedish skills.

Christian Stenbacke:

Sounds Like Violence – With blood on my hands (Burning Heart/Deep Elm)
Andreas Söderlund is nothing more than pure genious. No matter if he plays with his collegues in Niccokick, produces Hello Safreride or goes back to the basics with neo-hardcore band Sounds Like Violence, everyting reeks with his presence. "With blood on my hands" is the most definite angst-ridden, panic-strucken, anxiety-filled record you'll come a cross this year.
Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
Shout Out Louds may have gone The Cure, but I don't really care. Great music is always great music, no matter what, right? Beacuse "Our Ill Wills" is certrainly great music. I doubt that you'll ever hear a more well-crafted popsong than "Impossible" for a long time to come.
Isolation Years – Sign sign (NONS)
It was a very close call between Isolation Years and Kristofer Åström, both artists have put out two insanely good records this first half of 2007. The choice finally fell upon "Sign sign", a record filled with the sweet and emotional, almost charitable, popmusic that has become the distinguishing mark of the lads from Norrland, Sweden.

Simon Tagestam:

Säkert! - s/t (Razzia)
Ace melodies and lyrics make this the best album of 2007, yet.
The Tough Alliance - New chance (Sincerely Yours)
What a comeback!
Lovekevins - Vs the snow (Songs I Wish I Had Written)
Clever indie pop with a lot of warmth and humour. A personal favourite.

Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Niccokick is working on a new album for release this fall that will come out on an as-yet-to-be-confirmed label (not Burning Heart): http://www.niccokick.com/nyheter.asp?nav=nyheter&ID=266

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish indierockers Niccokick will record a new album in December.

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

Niccokick has posted a brand new demo track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/niccokick

Think-Box Demo self-released

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This is manic indierock, not too unlike Danish hype act Figurines crossed with a touch of Niccokick's histrionics. Unfortunately, it's not quite as memorable as either of those acts and I doubt they'll ever rise above mediocre, but who knows? Stranger things have happened.

Wed, 17 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Burning Heart has announced that they have signed a license agreement with Deep Elm to release Sounds Like Violence's debut full-length in Europe. The band (fronted by Andreas Söderlund of Niccokick/Hello Saferide) garnered a lot of attention for their debut EP "The pistol" in 2004, so expectations are high for the follow-up. They will record at Mission Hall in Lund and it should be ready for a September release.

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

In my mind, the sound of classic Swedish indiepop is forever associated with bands such as Broder Daniel and Bad Cash Quartet. Revved-up garage rock riffs, lots of reverb and baleful, weary vocals. It's echoes can be heard in acts as disparate as Niccokick and The Embassy, but regardless - the roots still show. Citylights, today's featured demo act, epitomizes that original classic sound perfectly. The band's actually been around for awhile now (since '98/99 they say) and they also enlisted the help of Pelle Carlberg to produce their latest recording from which today's new mp3 is taken. The experience shows - this is sublime pop, done just as well as any of the so-called big names. Download more songs from the band's website: http://www.mysecretscience.com/citylights

MP3: Citylights - Moby Dick

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Niccokick posted a new song on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/niccokick

Sat, 04 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Now available in the webstore: various titles from Razzia including Niccokick, Timo Räisänen, They Live By Night and Hello Saferide as well as preorders for new albums from Firefox AK, Loney, Dear and the long-awaited US debut EP from David & the Citizens on NY-based label Friendly Fire! Please note that not only do you save $1 if you preorder now, but you will also recieve said CD on the day of release. Maybe even a day or two before if the postal service hauls ass. Check it out!

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

David & the Citizens will be blogging the recording on their next album: http://citizensdiary.webblogg.se/
The band will officially enter Mission Hall studio on February 8 with producer Andreas Söderlund (Niccokick, Sounds Like Violence), but for now is working on a couple songs at Gula Studion with their old producer Jens Lindgård.

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Niccokick will play two shows in the UK at the end of September:

09/22 - The Junction, Cambridge
09/23 - Barfly, London

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Check out the video for "Love & neon lights" from Niccokick: http://www.niccokick.com/videos.asp?video=loveneonlights

Mon, 23 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

The new Burek V album "Make up" will be released on June 8 via a collaboration between Rhythm Ace Recordings, A West Side Fabrication and Border Music. A video for the title track is being shot with Mats Nordqvist (Niccokick, etc.) and should be released soon.

Fri, 13 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

The new "Jeans & Cover" compilation from Groover Recordings will be released on May 18. The disc contains seventeen Swedish artists performing a bunch of fun cover tunes. Check out the tracklist:

01. Grand Mal - Rich Girl
02. Lasse Lindh – Careless Whisper
03. The Sunshine - Who Loves The Sun?
04. The Flu – Hate To Say I Told You So
05. Hello Saferide - Teen Line
06. The Martial Arts – Hazard
07. Gerald Collier - Rock On
08. The Motorcycle Boy - Dreams
09. The Here and Now – Important In Your Life
10. Niccokick - Vega And Boston
11. Steve Reynolds – Love My Way
12. Timo Räisänen - Halo
13. Sofia Talvik – Nothing Compares 2 U
14. Callahan - Shake your blood
15. MC F-Shock (aka Frida Hyvönen) feat. Jonny Puma – In Public

Read more here, including all of the artist's reasons for their song selections: http://www.grooverrecordings.com/current/j&c.html

Wed, 11 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

"Love and neon lights" by Niccokick is today's pick at recordoftheday.com.

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Niccokick plays the Barfly in London on April 20.

Fri, 04 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The tracklist for Johnny Bråttom's upcoming "Svensk Populärmusik Volym Tre" compilation has been revealed:

01. Björn Kleinhenz - Better company
02. [brus] feat. Gisela - Long flowering day
03. Double-O - Call of a lifetime
04. CDOASS - The correct use of failure
05. The Tiny - Lake
06. Loney, Dear - A few good men
07. Slagsmålsklubben - Supermaskinen
08. Richard Reagh & wwnb2 - Friends
09. Memoplay - Words are small
10. Lassus - Sunshine
11. Soul Supreme - Hit and run
12. Boy Omega - By midnight we'll give it a go
13. Britta Persson - You are the best
14. Talking to Teapots - Waiting for it all to end
15. Kubot - Go west
16. 50 Hertz - Chansen finns men är försvinnande liten
17. Zacke feat. Johnny Redskin - I ain't lyin'
18. Niccokick - Some don't make it through the haze
19. Pete Thompson - Our roads
20. Hans Appelqvist - Godnatt Bremort

It comes out in April.

Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

And that's not all! We've also got a new live review of Niccokick from London. Not bad for a Monday, eh?

Live report: Niccokick @ The Barfly, London 02/11/05

Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Too many slow gigs can really get you bored of going to see bands. Sometimes one slow gig is enough to wish you'd gone to a club instead of a gig. This was the case for me the day before I went to see Niccokick, when I witnessed Logh play an excellent, but very slow, show at the Water Rats, London. Walking home I reminded myself to not go and see any bands who play post-rock, slowcore, or any other music of the sluggish variety, when I feel like dancing (and not dozing). Thankfully Niccokick played the day after, which reimbursed my love for live music, and worked as a shot in the arm. In fact, the first song that they played, "I drink to get thrilled," would in fact have been enough for me to get through up and coming gigs by Sons and Daughters, Low, Willy Mason and other folks who have decided that rock'n'roll music just isn't for them. Calling Niccokick rock'n'roll might be taking it a bit far though, melodic indierock (with quirky but super nice singing) might be a more precise description of their infectious sound, and not all their songs are rocking ones, some are slow and soft, but it's for their shorter and faster numbers that I personally adore them. They're playing again on Tuesday, and even though I had plans to go and see an exciting bill consisting of Hope of the States, Sons & Daughters, The Bravery, and Willy Mason, I just might have to give that a miss for another chance to see Niccokick (also, this time I think they'll be headlining which hopefully means that they'll play a longer set than the eight songs they ripped up at the Barfly).

Set list:
I drink to get thrilled
Love & neon lights
Coming home
Awake from the dead, my dear best friend
Susanne
I want you back
Turn 27
Wasted time

- Simon Tagestam

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

David Fridlund will be doing two videos for his next single "White van". The first one will be animated and it comes from director Peter Johansson, who previously worked with David (and the Citizens) on the clip for "Song against Life". The second is by Anders Weberg (D&tC, The Mo, Niccokick) from Recycled Studio and was recorded at fellow Swedish act Thirdimension's rehearsal space. The release date for the single is February 21.

Thu, 03 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Here's this week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Wilmer X - 13 Våningar Upp
02. Pain - Dancing with the dead
03. Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
04. E.S.T. - Viaticum
05. Anna Ternheim - Somebody Outside
06. The Ark - State of the Ark
07. Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan
08. Christian Walz - Paint by Numbers
09. Daniel Lindström - Daniel Lindström
10. Fernandoz - Minnenas allé
11. Magnus Uggla - Den tatuerade generationen
12. Backyard Babies - Live in paris
13. Dark Tranquility - Character
14. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin vol. 1
15. Lasse Stefanz - Röd Chevrolet
16. Melody Club - Face the Music
17. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
18. Uno Svenningsson - Ett andetag från dig
19. Barbados - Best of Barbados 1994-2004
20. Totta Näslund - Totta 7: Soul!/På drift

Niccokick, Existensminimum, Convoj and Band of Joy are among the first list of bands confirmed for this year's Emmabodafestivalen.

Tue, 25 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Willowtree has confirmed that they will be working with producer Ronald Bood (The Plan, Mando Diao, Niccokick, Keane) on their upcoming album. The group has spent the last few months doing preproduction and will enter the studio in February.

Top 10s for 2004: IAT! writers

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

Simon Thibaudeau - Top 10 music moments of 2004:

01. Mogwai live (Kicked my ass pretty hard)
02. Haunted - rEVOLVEr (See my full review on the site, best thrash record in some time)
03. WE - Smugglers (ROOOOCCKKK!)
04. Tricky Woo live (If you don't know, you should)
05. The Dears - Protest EP and live (Best live "experience" of the year, EP ain't too bad either)
06. Shalabi Effect - Pink Abyss (How they can improv this record is beyond any comprehension)
07. Controller Controller - History (Still one of Canada's best kept secrets, indie-pop that makes your ass move without your knowledge)
08. In Slaughter Natives - Resurrection (Still the cream of the genre)
09. Lederhosen Lucil live (So much fun, I soiled myself)
10. Devendra Banhart - Nino Rojo (Simple, perfect)

Simon Tagestam - Top 10 Swedish records of 2004:

01. The Tough Alliance - Make it happen (EP)
02. Jens Lekman - Rocky Dennis in heaven (EP)
03. Jens Lekman - When I said I wanted to be your dog
04. Sounds Like Violence - The Pistol (EP)
05. Mattias Alkberg BD - Tunaskolan
06. David Sandström - The dominant need of the nedy soul is to be needed
07. Promoe - The long distance runner
08. Stina Nordenstam - The world is saved
09. Jens Lekman - You are the light (EP)
10. David Fridlund - Amaterasu
11. Chandra - Summer in the sun (EP)
12. The Honeydrips - Save me (7")
13. Alf - Augustibrev
14. The Tough Alliance - Holiday (EP)
15. Heikki - 2
16. Raymond & Maria - Vi ska bara leva klart
17. Marit Bergman - Baby dry your eye
18. Gustav Kjellvander - Proudly Presents the Fine Arts Showcase & the Electric Pavilion
19. Niccokick - Awake from the dead, my dear best friend
20. Starmarket - Abandon time

Matthew W. Smith - Top 11 Scandinavian music moments of 2004:

01. The Accelerator Big One in Stockholm--great bands, much better weather than last year.
02. Kings of Convenience - Riot On An Empty Street album. I'm really looking forward to seeing them for the first time in February.
03. The Hives and Sahara Hotnights on the same bill at the 9.30 Club in Washington, D.C.
04. Another successful shopping spree at Sound Pollution in Stockholm--lots of selections, right in the heart of Gamla Stan.
05. Two heavy metal guys screaming their way through a Madonna song at a karaoke bar in Helsinki--probably the funniest thing I saw all year.
06. An import of the "Bigtime" single by The Soundtrack of Our Lives showing up fairly cheaply at my local independent record store--a hint of good things to come.
07. The Flaming Sideburns stealing at least the first half of a very big show--the 40-band extravaganza that was Little Steven's Underground Garage Festival in New York City. What a travesty they got to play only two songs...
>08. Tiger Lou - Is My Head Still On? album. Good songs and a full sound. "Oh Horatio" is one of my favorites.
09. Nina Persson of The Cardigans singing "You're the Storm" while cradling a Swedish Chef doll given to her on the last night of the Chicks with Attitude tour. I guess you had to be there. It was great to see The Cardies back in North America for the first time in a great while...
10. The song "I Burn Myself On You" by the Lionheart Brothers, as featured on Avi's It's a Trap! compilation. Simply stunning...
11. Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - #1 EP. Loads of talent and potential there...

Nick Levine - Top 10 Scandinavian albums of 2004:

01. Radio Dept. - Lesser matters
The album that just won't die. An updated take on shoegazing that teachers the originators a new trick or two.
02. Concretes - s/t
Its beauty is in its subtlety and understated mystery. A real slow burner.
03. Annie - Anniemal
Perfect pop. Laden with songs Kylie would kill for, and production from both Richard X and Royksopp. I expect this to crossover to a massive mainstream audience next year.
04. Kings Of Convenience - Riot on an empty street
In 2004 Erlend and Eirik returned from the wilderness. On this longplayer the Kings broaden their musical palette to include bossa nova and (shock!) drums.
05. Jens Lekman - When I said I wanted to be your dog
A great up-and-coming singer songwriter. His lyrics are slightly indebted to the anti-folk movement. I'm slowly coming round to the Magnetic Fields comparison.
06. The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Origin I
Did you think that TSOOL were going to let you down? Really?!
07. The Legends - Up against the Legends
Modern take on C86. Bundles of energy.
08. Tiger Lou - Is my head still on?
Woozy production with quality instrumental backing. A cult audience beckons.
09. Moneybrother - Blood panic
White soul that isn't embarrassing to listen to in public.
10. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - #1 EP
Introductory EP from these Swedish newcomers. Quirky pop of the highest order.

Navy Keophan - Top ten albums (Scandinavian and non-Scandinavian) of 2004:

01. Henry Fiat's Open Sore - The parallel universe of... (Coldfront)
Hardcore punk fury with '60s-inspired catchiness.
02. Division of Laura Lee - Das not compute (Burning Heart/Epitaph)
DOLL never fails to impress and they did so with what I consider to be one of the "sleeper" hits of 2004.
03. Knugen Faller - Skellefte stadshotell EP (Cage Match Federation)
Catchy punk-pop from the north of Sweden.
04. The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Armed love (Burning Heart)
Producer Rick Rubin pushes them to their limit and they show that they can still rock.
05. The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives (Interscope)
I don't care what anyone else says about The Hives but I still think that this album was good. I think their label handled the promotion for it wrong but that's another story.
06. Euroboys - Soft focus (Virgin Norway)
With a dash of '70s-inspired California pop and the Beach Boys for good measure, it keeps that feeling of summer all year long around here (although in Southern California, it isn't that hard...)
07. Bruce Banner - I've Had It With Humanity (Busted Heads)
Hardcore punk in the last couple of years has its fair share of greatness and mediocrity. Bruce Banner is not the latter. Intense hardcore from the north of Sweden with vocals by Per and Bobo (ex-DS-13).

The non-Scandinavian part of the top ten:

08. The Chinese Stars - A rare sensation (Three.One.G.)
Disco beats, hypnotic, dissonant guitars, groovy bass lines and a singer who sounds like he never left puberty all add up for a fun time.
09. Some Girls - All My Friends Are Going Death (Deathwish)
I remember the first time hearing this and not being really impressed. Fast forward to six months later and this is some of the best stuff I've heard all year from the genre. The lyrics are thoughtful and the sound is like a kick in the chest.
10. Ludacris - Red light district (Def Jam)
HA! Bet you guys weren't expecting this album here. If there is one thing I like, it's intelligent hip-hop/rap that is done right and Ludacris is a genius. On his latest effort, Ludacris brings the catchiness and sensibility back again.

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

Niccokick Awake from the dead, my dear best friend Razzia Records/BOW Music

Sun, 26 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Niccokick are from Sweden, play fantastic angst ridden "lo-fi rock", and have previous to this full-length, released various eps, 7"s and a self made cd-r. This is a really good album and it contains plenty of excellent tunes, but it's also quite a disappointment, since too many of the songs feature on their other releases. It feels more as a best of disc than a new album. But if you've never heard Niccokick before, this album is a very good introduction and I think you should go out and get it (that is if you like your indie rock stuffed with catchy riffs and songs about not-feeling-too-old and drinking).

Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Niccokick sideproject Sounds Like Violence on tour across Europe:

12/15 - Wild At Heart, Berlin (GER)
12/16 - Underground, Koln (GER)
12/17 - OHK, Oostende (BEL)
12/18 - Het Muziek Cafe, Kerkrade (NL)
12/19 - Alex Skatehall, Osnabruck (GER)
01/08 - VEB, Siegen (GER) w/Razor Crusade
01/09 - Bei Chez Heinz, Hanover (GER) w/Tribute To Nothing
01/10 - White Ape, Rodgau (GER) w/Tribute To Nothing
01/11 - Magnet, Berlin (GER) w/Tribute To Nothing
01/12 - Tryptychon, Munster (GER) w/Tribute To Nothing
01/13 - KTS, Freiburg (GER)
01/15 - Ann & Pat, Linz (AUS)
01/16 - Konkav, Wien (AUS)
01/17 - Kulturladen, Konstanz (GER)
01/20 - Winston International, Amsterdam (NL) w/Cursed
01/21 - Ofenbunker, Landgraaf (NL)
01/22 - AJZ, Bielefeld (GER)

Thu, 11 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Annie - Chewing Gum
02. Dhani - Girl Talk
03. HIM - And Love Said No
04. Lazyboy - Facts Of Life
05. Sugarplum Fairy - Sweet Jackie
06. Bomfunk MC's - No Way In Hell
07. Nephew - Superliga
08. Nightwish - Wish I Had
09. Stephen Simmonds - Mother Mary
10. Hanna Pakarinen - How Can I Miss You
11. Private Line - 1-800-Out Of Nowhere
12. Blue Foundation - Save This Town
13. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Bigtime
14. Promoe - Long Distance Runner
15. Tigerbombs - 1000 Sparks
16. Ana - Don't Cry For Pain
17. Mighty 44 / Anna Nordell - This Love Ain't Going On
18. Masayah - Felicia
19. Negative - In My Heaven
20. Madcon - Doo Wop

Challengers:
01. Ayesha - Squaffie
02. Saybia - I surrender
03. Niccokick - Love and neon lights
04. Johndoe - Pyromantikk
05. Alcazar - Physical

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

Wed, 20 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Head on over to Niccokick's website to listen to clips from almost every song off their new album "Awake from the dead, my dead best friend ": http://www.niccokick.com/musik.asp?nav=musik
The record comes out November 10 on Razzia Records/Bow Music.

Mon, 18 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The "Independent Sweden" compilation from US/Spanish label Fork Series is finally done, almost a year after it was first announced. Here's the tracklist:

01. David & The Citizens - "New Direction"
02. Niccokick - "Wasted Love"
03. Björn Kleinhenz - "Let's Try"
04. Thomas Denver Jonsson & The September Sunrise - "24 Seven"
05. Ane Brun - "Humming One Of Your Songs"
06. Adria - "Your Shift" *
07. Studio - "Down By The River"
08. Now - "Chin Up" *
09. Kid Commando - "Urban Bushman"
10. CDOASS - "Autovision"
11. Menteroja - "Ho Chi Minh Style"
12. Dr Higgins - "Jag Dansade Ett Liv" *
13. Laakso - "Fight The Fight
14. Celestine - "Beneath Your Sight…" *
15. Sandy Mouche - "Carkeys" *
16. Homeland - "Flood" *
17. Boy Omega - "I Might Not Be Real" *
18. Lemko Hall - "Those Are The Sundogs"
19. The Flu - "Little Friend" *
20. Det Gamla Landet - "Tolv Under" *

* Previously unreleased

Tue, 28 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (07) Marit Bergman - "Can I Keep Him?"
02. (02) The Hives - "Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones"
03. (03) Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Bigtime"
04. (04) Dogs Die In Hot Cars - "I Love You 'Cause I Have To"
05. (05) Thunder Express - "In My Mind"
06. (11) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "#1 E.P."
07. (10) Ron Sexsmith - "Whatever It Takes"
08. (12) De La Soul - "Shopping Bag"
09. (01) The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"
10. (09) Jens Lekman - "Julie E.P."
11. (13) Mando Diao - "Clean Town"
12. (NY) Nancy Sinatra - "Let Me Kiss You"
13. (NY) Blacknuss Feat. Awa Manneh & ADL - "All Your Lovin'"
14. (NY) The Ackermans - "Come On, Come On"
15. (18) Strip Music - "Never Die"
16. (NY) The Hidden Cameras - "I Believe In The Good Of Life"
17. (06) R.E.M. - "Leaving New York"
18. (NY) Manic Street Preachers - "The Love Of Richard Nixon"
19. (17) Svenska Akademien - "Vetande"
20. (NY) Bloc Party - "Little Thoughts"

Hot tracks not in the top 20:
Kings Of Convenience - "Misread"
Talib Kweli Feat. Mary J Blige - "I Try"
Le Tigre - "New Kicks"

Leaving the chart:
(08) Eastern Lane - "I Said Pig On Friday"
(14) Franz Ferdiand - "Michael"
(15) Niccokick - "Love & Neon Lights"
(16) Chromeo - "Needy Girl"
(19) Client - "Radio"
(20) The Cure - "Taking Off"

Mon, 27 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Niccokick has revealed that the name of their debut full-length album will be "Aware from the dead, my dear best friend". It comes out November 10.

Wed, 22 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (03) The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"
02. (01) The Hives - "Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones"
03. (04) Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Bigtime"
04. (NY) Dogs Die In Hot Cars - "I Love You 'Cause I Have To"
05. (05) Thunder Express - "In My Mind"
06. (06) R.E.M. - "Leaving New York"
07. (02) Marit Bergman - "Can I Keep Him?"
08. (08) Eastern Lane - "I Said Pig On Friday"
09. (09) Jens Lekman - "Julie E.P."
10. (NY) Ron Sexsmith - "Whatever It Takes"
11. (18) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "#1 E.P."
12. (NY) De La Soul - "Shopping Bag"
13. (17) Mando Diao - "Clean Town"
14. (07) Franz Ferdiand - "Michael"
15. (NY) Niccokick - "Love & Neon Lights"
16. (15) Chromeo - "Needy Girl"
17. (19) Svenska Akademien - "Vetande"
18. (NY) Strip Music - "Never Die"
19. (20) Client - "Radio"
20. (NY) The Cure - "Taking Off"

New tracks just outside the top 20:
Lars Winnerbäck - "Elegi"
Bloc Party - "Little Thoughts"
The Ackermans - "Come On, Come On"

Leaving the chart:
(10) Cirera - "Motherfucker - Fake Vegetarian Ex-Girlfriend"
(11) Ed Harcourt - "This One's For You"
(12) Kasabian - "L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)"
(13) Faithless - "I Want More"
(14) The Delgados - "Everybody Come Down"
(16) Björk - "Oceania"

Tue, 07 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Niccokick's first official single "Love & Neonlights" comes out on September 20.

Thu, 26 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - Guilty
02. Johnny De Luxe - Drømmer jeg
03. The Hives - Walk Idiot Walk
04. Kemopetrol - My Superstar
05. Snook - Mister Cool
06. The Confusions - Window
07. Beats And Styles - Dance Dance Dance
08. Nik & Jay - En dag tilbage
09. Unni Wilhemsen - Humbly For Her
10. Sondre Lerche - Days That Are Over
11. Venke Knutson - Kiss
12. Lambretta - Kill Me
13. Tiger Lou - Sell Out
14. Moder Jords Massiva - Out of My Hands
15. Erik Faber - Yesterday´s Call
16. Teddybears STHLM - Hey Boy
17. Kings Of Convenience - I´d Rather Dance With You
18. Infinite Mass - The Thief
19. Papa Dee - How About It
20. Niccokick - Run Run Run

Challengers:
01. Karin Park - Superworldunknown
02. Maria Arredondo - Mad Summer
03. The Solution - I Have To Quit You
04. The Tough Alliance - Make It Happen
05. 21st Century Noise - Let´s Leave

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

Thu, 19 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - Guilty
02. The Hives - Walk Idiot Walk
03. Nightwish - Nemo
04. Johnny De Luxe - Drømmer jeg
05. Kemopetrol - My Superstar
06. Unni Wilhemsen - Humbly For Her
07. Nik & Jay - En dag tilbage
08. The Confusions - Window
09. Sondre Lerche - Days That Are Over
10. Lambretta - Kill Me
11. Venke Knutson - Kiss
12. Tiger Lou - Sell Out
13. Kings Of Convenience - I´d Rather Dance With You
14. Eskobar - Bring The Action
15. Teddybears STHLM - Hey Boy
16. Sahara Hotnights - Hot Night Crash
17. Infinite Mass - The Thief
18. Mummypowder - Don´t Hold Your Breath
19. Niccokick - Run Run Run
20. Papa Dee - How About It

Challengers:
01. Eskju Divine - Darkness All Around
02. Beats And Styles - Dance Dance Dance
03. Moder Jords Massiva - Out of My Hands
04. Erik Faber - Yesterday´s Call
05. Snook - Mister Cool

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

Thu, 12 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - Guilty
02. The Hives - Walk Idiot Walk
03. Unni Wilhemsen - Humbly For Her
04. Nightwish - Nemo
05. Sondre Lerche - Days That Are Over
06. Kemopetrol - My Superstar
07. Elastinen - Syljen
08. Nik & Jay - En dag tilbage
09. Lambretta - Kill Me
10. Tiger Lou - Sell Out
11. Kings Of Convenience - I´d Rather Dance With You
12. Teddybears STHLM - Hey Boy
13. Eskobar - Bring The Action
14. The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Black Mask
15. Sahara Hotnights - Hot Night Crash
16. Petter - Repa skivan
17. Euroboys - One Way Street
18. Infinite Mass - The Thief
19. Johnny De Luxe - Drømmer jeg
20. The Raveonettes - Heartbreak Stroll

Challengers:
01. The Confusions - Window
02. Niccokick - Run Run Run
03. Papa Dee - How About It
04. Venke Knutson - Kiss
05. Mummypowder - Don´t Hold Your Breath

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

Streaming playlist: Nothing special

Sun, 01 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

DATE ADDED : 08.01.04
LAUNCH : Real / Windows

Tracklist:
01. The Hives - Abra cadaver
02. Eric Beyond - Step off
03. Niccokick - Run run run
04. Shout Out Louds - Oh, sweetheart
05. José González - Stay in the shade
06. The End Will Be Kicks - Streetcleaner
07. Kristofer Åström - I collect knives
08. The First Miles - Bottle don't let me down
09. Powersolo - Oak tree girl
10. Eskju Divine - Darkness all around
11. Sanctum - Foodchain
12. Logh - An alliance of worlds
13. Dream Evil - The book of heavy metal
14. Entombed - To ride, shoot straight and speak the truth (live Popstad '04)
15. Jan Martens Frustration - Pole position

Fri, 30 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Danish label Crunchy Frog has announced the lineup for their upcoming Vibracrunch 06 Festival on August 14 as part of Malmöfestivalen in Malmö, Sweden: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (US) Moon Gringo (DK), Money Your Love (DK), Tiger Tunes (DK), Sterling (DK), Talking to Teapots (SWE), PowerSolo (DK), Bob Log III (US), Learning from Las Vegas (DK), epo-555 (DK), The Tremolo Beer Gut (DK/SWE), Sandy Mouche (SWE), Niccokick (SWE) and Radio LXMBRG (SWE). Read more: http://www.crunchy.dk/asp/default.asp?News_Id=112

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

Check out some stills from Niccokick's video shoot for "Run Run Run": http://www.fundin.com/photos/gallery.php?dir=Niccokick&img=1

Mon, 12 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Niccokick will finally release their debut as-yet-untitled full-length album on October 18. The first single "Love and Neonlights" comes out September 13 and a tour is planned for November/December.

Thu, 01 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Tons of new bands confirmed for the Malmöfestivalen today including Sahara Hotnights, Teddybears Sthlm, Markoolio, Kaizers Orchestra, Sandy Mouche, PowerSolo, Tiger Tunes, The Tremolo Beer Gut, Learning From Vegas, Sterling, Epo-555, Niccokick, Latin Kings, Promoe, Chords, Pluxus, Universal Poplab, Conevant, Alice in Videoland and more.

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Names and details are starting to be confirmed for this year's Malmö Festival and so far the artist list includes Thor Freddy, Freddie Wadling, José González, Soilwork, Mad Sheer Kahn, Lisa Miskovsky, Bad Cash Quartet, Mattias Alkberg BD, Niccokick, Sophie Rimheden, Nina Rochelle, Cajsalisa Ejemyr, The Kid, Deportees, Under Byen and more. More info: http://www.malmofestivalen.nu/

Wed, 26 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Beastie Boys "Ch-Check It Out"
02. (06) Marit Bergman "I Will Always Be Your Soldier"
03. (07) David & The Citizens + Mattias Alkberg "Big Chill"
04. (02) Morrissey "Irish Blood, English Heart"
05. (08) Strip Music "Desperation"
06. (03) The Embassy "Wearing Our Pop Art Hearts On Our Sleeves EP"
07. (04) The Von Bondies "Tell Me What You See"
08. (NY) Infinite Mass "The Thief"
09. (12) Outkast "Roses"
10. (13) My Red Cell "In A Cage (On Prozac)"
11. (14) Tiger Lou "Sell Out"
12. (09) Raymond & Maria "Ingen vill veta var du köpt din tröja"
13. (11) Franz Ferdinand "Matinee"
14. (16) Graham Coxon "Bittersweet Bundle Of Misery"
15. (17) The Tough Alliance "Make It Happen"
16. (05) Sahara Hotnights "Hot Night Crash"
17. (10) PJ Harvey "The Letter"
18. (NY) Svenska Akademien "Psalm För Mörkrädda"
19. (19) Ash "Orpheus"
20. (NY) Niccokick "Run Run Run"

Leaving the chart:
15. Kristofer Åström "The Wild"
19. Velvet Revolver "Slither"
20. Shout Out Louds "Oh, Sweetheart"

Fri, 21 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Niccokick's new EP "Run! Run! Run!" has been confirmed for a June 9 release.

Mon, 17 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

New Scandinavian bands added to Arvika are Minus (ICE), Soviac, Niccokick and Snook.

Fri, 14 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - Funeral Song
02. Kashmir - Aftermath
03. HIM - Solitary Man
04. Ab Ovo - Give Me Punk
05. Paleface - Colgate Soulmate
06. Gemy - Aha Love
07. Paperback Freud - Kate
08. Blue Foundation - End Of The Day
09. The Unisex - Mushrooms and Broccolli
10. C21 - All That I Want
11. Beats And Styles - Allstars
12. Sondre Lerche - Two Way Monologue
13. Infinite Mass - No.1 Swartskalle
14. Amulet - We Are Thunders
15. Winta - I Want You
16. The Cardigans - Live And Learn
17. Tim Christensen - Jump The Gun
18. Fjärde Världen - Här i vårt kvarter
19. Niccokick feat. José González - I Want You Back
20. Petter - Fredrik Snortare och Cecilia Synd

Challengers:
01. Grand Avenue - This Is Not An End
02. Bergman Rock - Jim
03. Tungtvann - Slepp Dae Laus
04. Promoe - These Walls Don´t Lie
05. Alcazar - This Is The World We´re Living
06. The Legends - Call It Ours

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

Thu, 06 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - Funeral Song
02. Kashmir - Aftermath
03. Paleface - Colgate Soulmate
04. Paperback Freud - Kate
05. HIM - Solitary Man
06. Blue Foundation - End Of The Day
07. Beats And Styles - Allstars
08. Sondre Lerche - Two Way Monologue
09. Fjärde Världen - Här i vårt kvarter
10. DJ Slow - I´m Over You Pablo
11. Tim Christensen - Jump The Gun
12. Fenomenon - Time
13. Niccokick feat. José González - I Want You Back
14. Swan Lee - I Don´t Mind
15. Infinite Mass - No.1 Swartskalle
16. The Cardigans - Live And Learn
17. Winta - I Want You
18. Lisa Miskovksy - Sing To Me
19. Jokeren - Kvinde Din Mogluder
20. Petter - Fredrik Snortare och Cecilia Synd

Challengers:
01. C21 - All That I Want
02. Gemy - Aha Love
03. Amulet - We Are Thunders
04. The Unisex - Mushrooms and Broccolli
05. Ab Ovo - Give Me Punk

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

Thu, 29 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - Funeral Song
02. HIM - Solitary Man
03. Tim Christensen - Jump The Gun
04. The Cardigans - Live And Learn
05. DJ Slow - I´m Over You Pablo
06. Sondre Lerche - Two Way Monologue
07. Infinite Mass - No.1 Swartskalle
08. Beats And Styles - Allstars
09. Swan Lee - I Don´t Mind
10. Petter - Fredrik Snortare och Cecilia Synd
11. Maria Mena - You´re The Only One
12. Winta - I Want You
13. Lisa Miskovksy - Sing To Me
14. Fenomenon - Time
15. Jokeren - Kvinde Din Mogluder
16. Blue Foundation - End Of The Day
17. Fjärde Världen - Här i vårt kvarter
18. Paleface - Colgate Soulmate
19. Da Buzz - Dangerous
20. Span - Don't Think The Way They Do

Challengers:
01. Papa Dee - Murder In The Dancehall
02. Paperback Freud - Kate
03. Niccokick feat. José González - I Want You Back
04. Kashmir - Aftermath
05. Sander - Mellom fjord og fjell

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

Tue, 27 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Snook's debut album "Vi Vet Inte Vart Vi Ska Men Vi Ska Komma Dit" has been confirmed for a May 12 release via Groover Recordings. As mentioned before, they'll be taking part in the 'Hultsfred on Wheels' tour this summer in Sweden with Niccokick.

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

Full tracklist for the upcoming Niccokick EP "Run! Run! Run!" due out in May:

01. Run! Run! Run!
02. Rich Brunettes
03. When people turn into ghosts
04. Lost souls play R'n'R

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

Speaking of Niccokick, members Daniel and Philip's other band Sounds Like Violence have lined up a bunch of UK tour dates. I mentioned one yesterday, but here's the full list:

05/31 - Rugby Club, Kendal
06/01 - Satchmo's, Hanley
06/02 - Le Pub, Newport
06/03 - 24 / 7, Liverpool
06/04 - Acklam, Middlesbrough
06/05 - WorcesterArts Workshop, Worcester
06/06 - Satans Hollow, Manchester
06/07 - Shakespeare's Head, Leicester
06/08 - King Alfreds, Southampton
06/09 - The Western, St Ives
06/10 - Cavern Club, Exeter
06/11 - The Metro, London
06/12 - Village Hall, Glasbury
06/13 - Brickyard, Carlisle

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/

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

Bands confirmed for the Malmöfestivalen are Lisa Miskovsky, Bad Cash Quartet, Mattias Alkberg BD, Nina Rochelle, Cajsalisa Ejemyr, The Kid, Deportees, Niccokick, Sophie Rimheden and Under Byen (DK). More details: http://www.malmofestivalen.se/

Tue, 13 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Niccokick and Snook are two of the bands heading out on the 'Hultsfred on Wheels' tour in Sweden. Dates:

03/23 - Sivans, Växjö
04/24 - Klubb La Luna, Örebro
04/27 - Mejeriets café, Lund
04/28 - Tivoli, Helsingborg
04/29 - Kalmar Nation, Stones, Uppsala
04/30 - Restaurang Trädgården, Klubb Lyckliga Gatan, Borås
05/01 - Gudskelov, Norrköping
05/04 - Bommens Salonger, Göteborg
05/05 - Kino, Karlskrona
05/06 - Platens Bar, Linköping
05/07 - Arena, Karlstad
05/08 - Svea, Jönköping
05/09 - Debaser, Stockholm

More info: http://www.rockparty.se/content/turne/2004/index.asp

Fri, 26 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

New bands added to the Augustibuller lineup: the newly returned Satanic Surfers, Deportees, Skitsystem, Praetorian Platoon, Niccokick, The Change and Seven Feet Four.

Wed, 24 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Some new Scandinavian names added to the Hultsfred lineup: HIM, The Crash, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Meshuggah, Asta Kask, Niccokick, Sugarplum Fairy and Rallypack.

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

The upcoming "Independent Sweden" compilation from Spain's Fork Series is nearing completion and the final tracklist should be available soon. Bands confirmed so far include Adria, Ane Brun, Celestine, David & the Citizens, Laakso, Det Gamla Landet, José González, Lemko Hall, Niccokick, Menteroja and Dr. Higgins.

Mon, 08 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Niccokick will be releasing a new four-song EP in April.

Thu, 04 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

The Legends, Niccokick, Deportees, Strip Music and Moonbabies are the first bookings confirmed for the Pop Dakar Festival in Stockholm on May 22.

Fri, 06 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Outlandish - Walou
02. Eskobar - Love Strikes
03. Grand Avenue - Take It As It Comes
04. The Crash - Still Alive
05. Safri Duo feat. Clark Anderson - All The People In The World
06. The Rasmus - First Day Of My Life
07. Backyard Babies - Minus Celsius
08. Redrama - Hang It Up
09. Erik Faber - Century
10. Lisa Miskovsky - Lady Stardust
11. Surferosa - Lucky Lipstick
12. Maria Mena - You´re The Only One
13. September - We Can Do It
14. Pauline - Babylon
15. Niccokick - Turn 27
16. David - What The Hell
17. Majid - Boys And Girls
18. Jokeren - Havnen
19. Lene - Pretty Young Thing
20. Snook - Såpbubblor

Challengers:
01. Morten Abel - Birmingham Ho
02. Elin Sigvardsson - Paper Cup Words
03. The Perishers - Let There Be Morning
04. Shout Out Louds - Please Please Please
05. Learning From Las Vegas - The Only One
06. Chords - Wrap Your Chops
07. Winta & Anton Gordon - Hot Romance (Rok With You)

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

Fri, 30 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Outlandish - Walou
02. Eskobar - Love Strikes
03. Safri Duo feat. Clark Anderson - All The People In The World
04. The Crash - Still Alive
05. The Rasmus - First Day Of My Life
06. Backyard Babies - Minus Celsius
07. Redrama - Hang It Up
08. Erik Faber - Century
09. Grand Avenue - Take It As It Comes
10. Maria Mena - You´re The Only One
11. Christine Milton - Superstar
12. Lisa Miskovsky - Lady Stardust
13. L.O.C. - Undskyld
14. September - We Can Do It
15. Paperboys - Hey Man
16. Surferosa - Lucky Lipstick
17. Lene - Pretty Young Thing
18. Evan - Will You Love Me Forever
19. Pauline - Babylon
20. Majid - Boys And Girls

Challengers:
01. Jokeren - Havnen
02. Gluecifer - A Call From The Other Side
03. Morjac - Stars
04. Jannik - Feels Like Crying
05. Niccokick - Turn 27
06. Snook - Såpbubblor
07. David - What The Hell

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

Fri, 30 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

New acts added to the City Sound Festival lineup: Marit Bergman, Hell On Wheels, Niccokick, Deportees, Strip Music, Monkeystrike, Racing Ape and Douglas Heart.

Tue, 27 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Rockfoto.nu also has new pics of Laakso as well as Niccokick.

Streaming playlist: Guest DJ: Orosco

Fri, 16 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

DATE ADDED : 01.16.04
LAUNCH : [stream no longer available]

01. Action Biker - Farrah
02. Broder Daniel - Shoreline
03. De Stijl - Date times
04. Tuva Novotny - Newfound lover
05. Rocky Dennis (Jens Lekman) - Maple leaves
06. The Kid - Baton Rouge
07. Slagsmålsklubben - Övningsköra
08. Esther - Touchdown
09. Hell On Wheels - It's wrong being a boy
10. Kitty & the K - I am a MF
11. The Knife - You take my breath away
12. Magnus Carlson - Elin
13. Moneybrother - It's been hurting all the way with you Joanna
14. Niccokick - Turn 27
15. Radio Dept. - Why won't you talk about it
16. Shout Out Louds - 100 Degrees
17. The Concretes - You can't hurry love
18. Bom Bom - 123 bom bom
19. José González - Heartbeats

Fri, 02 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish webzine The Cricket has posted even more best-of lists and 2004 outlooks from various music figures including Jari Haapalainen (Bear Quartet), Mattias Alkberg (also in Bear Quartet), Niccokick, Hell On Wheels, Labrador Records and more.

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

By way of Dagensskiva, here is thist week's Swedish student radio top 20:
01. (03) Bergman Rock "Help The Band"
02. (01) The Radio Dept. "Pulling Our Weight EP"
03. (NY) The Strokes "Reptilia"
04. (06) The White Stripes "The Hardest Button To Button"
05. (05) The Chemical Brothers "Get Yourself High"
06. (NY) Basement Jaxx "Good Luck"
07. (08) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "We're All In Love"
08. (09) Niccokick "Turn 27 EP"
09. (10) Dizzee Rascal "Jus'a Rascal"
10. (12) Bubba Sparxxx "Deliverence"
11. (04) Monastir "The Shape Up EP"
12. (NY) The Darkness "Christmas Time. (Don't Let The Bells End)"
13. (13) Chicks On Speed "Wordy Rappinghood"
14. (02) Essex Green "By The Sea"
15. (15) Chords Ft. Timbuktu And Miki "Wrap Your Chops"
16. (NY) José Gonzalez "Remain EP"
17. (14) The Knife "Handy-Man"
18. (17) Mew "She Came Home For Christmas"
19. (18) The Raveonettes "Heartbreak Stroll"
20. (NY) The Carnation "New Sensation"
Leaving the chart: 07. The Coral "Bill Mc Cai"
11. Holly Golightly "Walk A Mile"
16. The Mountain Goats "Palmcorder Yajna"
19. Timbuktu med Peps "Dynamit"
20. Alice In Videoland "Got To Go"

Dates have been confirmed for Opeth's 'Lamentations Over America Tour 2004'. Support will come from Moonspell and another as-yet-unnamed band, possibly Devildriver (ex-Coal Chamber). Details:
01/20 - Reds, Edmonton (CAN)
01/21 - MacEwan Hall, Calgary (CAN)
01/23 - Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver (CAN)
01/24 - Graceland, Seattle, WA
01/25 - Roseland, Portland, OR
01/27 - House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA
01/28 - Marquee Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
01/29 - Canes Bar & Grill, San Diego, CA
01/30 - House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
01/31 - Avalon, San Francisco, CA
02/02 - Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO
02/03 - Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS
02/05 - Trees, Dallas, TX
02/06 - Backroom, Austin, TX
02/07 - Engine Room, Houston, TX
02/09 - Masquerade, Tampa, FL
02/10 - Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale, FL
02/11 - House of Blues, Orlando, FL
02/13 - Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
02/14 - Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte, NC
02/15 - 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
02/16 - Bogarts, Cincinnati, OH
02/18 - Quest, Minneapolis, MN
02/19 - House of Blues, Chicago, IL
02/20 - Harpos, Detroit, MI
02/21 - Saratoga Winners, Latham, NY
02/22 - Club Soda, Montreal, CAN
02/24 - Opera House, Toronto, CAN
02/25 - Steel Music Hall, Rochester, NY
02/26 - Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
02/27 - Irving Plaza, New York, NY
02/28 - Palladium, Worcester, MA

Tue, 16 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

In a message posted to their web forum, the Weeping Willows have confirmed that they will be releasing a new single in January with an album to follow in February or March.

Revolver.nu has updated with features on Laakso and Niccokick along with their best songs of 2003 lists. (in Swedish)