IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:29:12 -0700

Norway Rat (Årabrot, Noxagt) has signed punk-rockers Lydia Laska and will be releasing the new 7" "Could I have a go on your girl, please?" b/w "Mandy", a new version of the old track from their "We're nothing compared to ourselves" EP. Guests on the a-side include Emil Nikolaisen (Serena Maneesh) on guitar and Sissy Wish on backing vocals. Expect it sometime in November. The band is also working on a new full-length with an eye for a February release.

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:45:50 -0700

Danish experimental/post-rock act Under Byen will be collaborating with Norwegian noiserockers Noxagt on a new piece of music to be premiered at Nordic Music Week in Stavanger, Norway in early November. Read more: http://www.nordicmusicweek.com/

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

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Rune Grammofon will be releasing two new albums in late May, "Norwegianism" from MoHa! and "Conditions for a piece of music" from Ultralyd. MoHa! is the duo of Anders Hana (guitar) and Morten J. Olsen (drums) and Ultralyd is those two plus Kjetil Møster (sax) and Kjetil D. Brandsdal (bass, Noxagt). They reportedly sound nothing alike, as the latter is said to be "kind of slow contemporary chamber rock." Look for both on CD and limited vinyl.

Interview: Don Juan Dracula

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

I first heard the song "Run away with you" with Don Juan Dracula when I was working with a Norwegian music channel and I immediately took a liking to it. I found a couple more of their songs and, on a trip back to Scandinavia, went looking for their record. I had no luck in finding it and soon thereafter heard the band had split up and soon forgot about them as I went on with my life. I think the news that they were back together was posted on our very own itsatrap.com and it was also via this site I came in touch with their manager.
- Per Apelqvist

Don Juan Dracula, what does it mean?

Gentlemen.

You called it a quits and then returned with gigs in both Beijing and New York last year. Why did you quit and why did you come back?

Well, it's not always easy to play in a band for several years. After the YD2 tour in 2005 we where pretty tired of DJD and eachother. We had some disagreements about the band's direction. But mainly we had some deeper conflicts; instead of solving them we tried to ignore them. That didn't work out well, so we reached a point where we were unable to move forward.

With time away from each other we realized we needed to talk things through. We couldn't leave this great band as we have so much life left in us. The short break was good for us all. Then things became much clearer and basically all we wanted was to get back on stage where we belong. The whole process taught us a lot about each other and ourselves. We are now stronger and more inspired than ever.

What's with the white outfits?

Since they are white we need to wash the outfits after each show, so they all go in the laundry together.

If we had black outfits we wouldn't need to wash them at all, but then we would stink... and DJD doesn't stink. We are a clean cut band who loves to shower.

Who are your musical influences?

We all grew up in the 80's and our music taste is therefore naturally influenced by the popular music from back then, and we still love electronic bands like Depeche Mode, OMD, Duran Duran and Pet Shop Boys from that era. But everyone in the band is true music-lovers, so we listen to almost everything, ranging from metal to country music. Our influences are also very different and we think that is very healthy when making music. That is probably why Don Juan Dracula doesn't sound exactly like anything else...

How would you describe your music?

We play catchy and melodious pop music quite simply. It's basically guitar based pop music with a lot of electronic and synth packaging. We have a heavier sound when we play live than on our album, with live drums, bass, guitars and keyboards.

What images would you say your music conveys (I ask this because I am a big fan of your videos)?

Each song is very different and it's basically up to the listener to make up their own images.

When is your new album coming out and can you give us a short description of what it will sound like?

We are currently recording our next album. The record is far from being finished so it's a bit hard to tell. The sound will be quite different from our last album YD2. Hopefully we'll manage to add more of our live energy to it.

What would you say sets the Norwegian music scene apart from the rest of Scandinavia (if you feel there is a difference)?

From our point of view there are not many differences in the Scandinavian underground scene. Although each country has their own specialties, Sweden has historically been better at making and breaking pop bands. Norway still has a lot to learn from Sweden's music industry.

The Danish underground music scene has become much more interesting the last couple of years with great pop bands like Veto, Dúné, Superheroes, Spleen United and a lot more.

What Norway has been good in the last decade is of course the black metal scene. Also the more specific scenes like noise, jazz and electronic music has done quite well outside of Norway. With interesting artists like Lindstrøm, Jaga Jazzist, Noxagt, Kjetil Brandsdal and others making names for themselves outside the Country.

People can't seem to leave out A-ha when they talk about any new band coming out of Norway. How do you feel about being compared to that?

No other Norwegian artist has achieved the same level of success as A-ha internationally. So we do understand that people are comparing other Norwegian artists with A-ha. If you see similarity between DJD and A-ha we're of course flattered since A-ha has some really great albums. From our point of view DJD is far different to A-ha, because we're so much better and so much younger than the oldies in the 80s group A-ha.

People seem to really dig your live shows. Can you share the story about the rented helicopter?

We always put a lot of effort into our live shows. Rule number One for DJD performing live – play like it's your last gig ever. Unfortunately that has given us some headaches and challenges when irreplaceable equipment has been smashed or burned.

The helicopter... we did the opening gig at Øya festival 2005. We decided to spend all our gig money on the show because we wanted to give the crowd something special. Which resulted in DJD landing in a rented helicopter in front of the stage while our local marching band was playing Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries".

- Tons of pyrotechnics (fireworks) and lights

- A string quartet joined us playing "Into the sunset" while 50 pigeons where released from the stage

- Finally the marching band played the outro while we took off in the sky with our helicopter.

That is basically a brief for a perfect DJD concert.

I've gotten the impression that you are, besides very talented musicians, a fun bunch to be around. Can you share another fun story about Don Juan Dracula?

Yes, when the band is together we like to be social and meet lots of people. It is important to have a laugh and unwind. After a show we like to socialize with the crowd and we often find ourselves making new friends at after parties. We have tons of funny stories in the history of the band, but most of them will remain within DJD. There was a fun story from Beijing where we played darts at a local pub. After several beers, we realized they had a scene for pool dancing. After each DJD member had been through a sensual dancing session onstage – we were unfortunately kicked out.

I have heard you have recently been getting airplay at LIVE 105 in San Francisco. What are your plans for the future? Is breaking in America a goal for you?

We are very pleased with the response our music is receiving in the US. Live 105 in San Francisco and Popscene (San Francisco Club) have been very supportive which is great! Special thanks to Aaron Axelsen & DJ Omar. Also a major supporter is 'The Feast of Fools Podcast' in Chicago, thanks to the Hosts Fausto & Marc.

Online Blogs and Podcasts have really given us a huge boost and exposed us to an International audience. Our manager is working with labels to get our music released. The goal is to release our albums around the world. Breaking into the US sounds great of course, but we'll take one step at a time.

Finally, when will I see you in London?

We should have played in London a long time ago! So we will definitely play there when we promote the new album. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long!

Per Apelqvist is looking forward to the next Tack!Tack!Tack! in May.

Ed: Note that the DJD track "Run away with you" appears on "It's a trap! reader's companion volume two".

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Norwegian noiserockers Noxagt have updated their website with more North American tourdates: http://www.noxagt.com/

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Norwegian instrumental act Noxagt will tour the US again in March:

03/12 - tba, Jackson, MS
03/14 - One Eyed Jack's, New Orleans, LA w/Zoroaster
03/15 - Rudyard's Pub, Houston, TX
03/16 - SXSW Eclipse showcase, Room 710, Austin, TX
03/23 - Scolaris Office, San Diego, CA
03/24 - The Scene Bar, Los Angeles, CA
03/27 - Hemlock Tavern, San Francisco, CA
03/28 - The Stork Club, Oakland, CA
03/30 - Roturre, Portland, OR w/Earth
03/31 - tba, Seattle, WA w/Earth
04/04 - Turf Club Minneapolis, MN
04/11 - Static Age, Asheville, NCe
04/14 - Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, Charlottesville, VA
04/15 - Rock n Roll Hotel, Washington, DC
04/19 - Club Europa, Brooklyn, NY @ w/Zoroaster, Unearthly Trance, Under Satans Sun

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Pitchfork reviews Noxagt: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/38648/Noxagt_Noxagt

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Indieworkshop on the new Noxagt: http://www.indieworkshop.com/music.php?id=2724

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Dusted reviews the latest from Noxagt: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/3062

Noxagt s/t Load Records

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

I don't know if there's a proper term to describe what Noxagt exactly is. When I listened to their third release on Providence, Rhode Island's Load Records, the only word I could think of was 'intense'. I had an assumption of what to expect with this record when I saw it was a Load release: it was definitely going to be noisy and maybe even challenge me to enjoy it (which I did.) Although some may think that seven tracks is a bit short for an album, Noxagt make effective use of this by playing unrelenting instrumental/sludge rock in the vein of bands like High on Fire and labelmates Lightning Bolt. Each track pummels into the listener's ear as bass, drums and spring-loaded guitar combine to create droning soundscapes that get progressively more violent and intense as you listen.

MP3: Noxagt - Nintety parallels ago

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Noxagt isn't quite like the other bands on the Load Records roster. Even though the label is well-known for putting out all sorts of challenging art-rock, I usually associate their aesthetic with louder/faster duos such as Friends Forever and Lightning Bolt. Those bands are fine I suppose, but I find that they tend to get fairly tedious upon repeat listens. Noxagt however traffics in a different kind of brutality - a bass-heavy pummeling that's not so preoccupied with filling space as it is with laying down beats that make your head nod. The baritone/bass/drums instrumentation naturally accentuates the low-end and the (mostly) mid-tempo pacing of the songs gives the material room to breathe. This song I've posted today is particularly slow and dirge-like. At first it doesn't really seem like it's going anywhere, but once it opens up, it sure gets painful. It a good way, of course.

Tue, 09 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

French label Textile Records will be releasing a split 12" featuring Norwegian/Load Records acts Noxagt and Ultralyd. It will be out in mid-May and will feature all-exclusive material.

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Noxagt's forthcoming self-titled album, their third overall, will be out May 30 on US label Load Records. Look for US and European tourdates to be confirmed soon.

Fri, 16 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Upcoming live dates for Lasse Marhaug, one half of Jazzkammer:

September - Norwegian tour w/Noxagt
09/23 - The Wire Festival 2, Empty Bottle, Chicago (US)
10/09 - Observatori Festival, Valencia (SPA). [w/Anla Courtis]
10/15 - Ultima Festival, Oslo (NOR) [Splatterkammer: Nikko/Jazzkammer]
10/29 - Decibel Festival, Buenos Aires (ARG) [Jazzkammer]
February 2005 - New Zealand tour [Del]

Wed, 14 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Norway's Noxagt are on the John Peel show tonight: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/alt/johnpeel/thisweek/thisweek.shtml#sess2

Wed, 07 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Splendid reviews Noxagt: http://www.splendidezine.com/review.html?reviewid=1088176789250557

Thu, 24 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Dusted reviews Noxagt: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/1497

Thu, 24 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Norwegian singer/songwriter Thomas Dybdahl together with Nils Erga of Noxagt have produced the soundtrack for the upcoming film "Monstertorsdag". It hits theatres on October 9. Also coming in October from Thomas will be his brand new full-length album. More details when I get them. His 2002 album ""....That Great October Sound" will get a European release on June 26 via Glitterhouse.

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The latest Aquarius new release list features samples and reviews of Noxagt, Hotguitars and tons of other new records: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html

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

Pitchfork reviews the new Noxagt record "The Iron Point": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/n/noxagt/iron-point.shtml

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

The Wire's top 50 of 2003 list includes Jaga Jazzist and Noxagt: http://www.thewire.co.uk/archive/charts/2003_Rewind.html

Thu, 16 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Indieworkshop is hailing Noxagt's "Turning It Down Since 2001" as "one of the best albums of 2003."

Thu, 31 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Synesthetic Records will be releasing the debut CD from Hellfire, a Norweigan sludge-rock group featuring 2/3rds of the dudes from Noxagt. No word on a date, but they it'll be a limited edition of only 500 copies.
The first couple artists have been announced for the upcoming Tinitus Festival at Münchenbryggeriet in Stockholm on November 14: Lustans Lakejer, Controlled Analogue Programming (C.A.P.), and Hocico from Mexico. For more info and audio samples, go here: www.tinitus.com

Tue, 29 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Musique Machine has posted a review of Noxagt's latest record "Turning it down since 2001" out now in the US on Load Records. Download a sample mp3 of the track "Cupid Shot Me" from here.

Sat, 17 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish prog-metallers Opeth will be teaming up with cult UK proggers Porcupine Tree for a North American tour starting in July. PT-frontman/mastermind Steven Wilson produced the last few Opeth albums, so this news doesn't come as huge surprise, but is still very exciting nonetheless. The confirmed dates so far:

07/15 - Toronto, ONT @ TBA
07/16 - Montreal, Spectrum
07/17 - NYC, Irving Plaza
07/19 - Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance Center
07/20 - Philadelphia, PA @ TBA
07/21 - Washington DC @ TBA
07/22 - Detroit, MI @ TBA
07/24 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora
07/25 - Chicago, IL @ Vic Theater
07/26 - Minneapolis, MN @ TBA
07/28 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theater
07/30 - West Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
07/31 - San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
08/03 - Portland, OR @ TBA
08/04 - Seattle, WA @ TBA

Webzine Aversionline has a feature on Finnish hardcore thrash fanzine Downsided. Check it. And, as usual, they have tons and tons of new reviews for your perusal, focusing mostly on the hardcore, metal and noise scene. Some of the bands covered: Acursed, Counterblast, Dead in the Water, Katatonia, Marduk, Nasum, Rentokiller, and Sayyadina. I may not always agree with the writer's taste, but he does a great job of covering everything in an extremely fair and honest way. One of the few reviewers who's unafraid to tell it like it is.

Aquarius Records has published their bi-weekly new arrivals list, featuring reviews and samples of new releases from Scandinvavian artists such as Enslaved, Brainbombs, Cult of Luna, Eturivi, Finntroll, Noxagt, Turbonegro and much, much more. Recommended reading.

The Leppäkoski Rhythm Festival takes place in Leppäkoski, Finland on July 4-5 and will feature Brothomstates (Warp Records, FIN/UK), Vesna (St. Petersburg, Russia), Ninja Ensemble, Rauhanorkesteri, Grayframe DJs and many more. More info here.

In other Finnish festival news, Luomo and Moloko are rumored to be making an appearance at this year's Koneisto fest. No confirmation on the news, but the full list of performers is due to be published this coming Friday. I'll keep you informed.