IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal http://www.itsatrap.com/ Scandinavian music news, daily mp3 downloads, reviews, interviews and more Tue, 10 Nov 2026 18:56:12 -0800 2026 http://www.itsatrap.com/images/logo.png http://www.itsatrap.com/ IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal 137 141 2012 Manifest Award winners http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39442-2012-manifest-award-winners http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39442-2012-manifest-award-winners http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39442-2012-manifest-award-winners#comments Here are the winners of the 2012 Manifest award, Sweden's indie/alternative Grammy:

Folk/Ballad: Siri Karlsson - Gran Fuego ()
Experimental: Hanna Hartman - H ^ 2 ()
Punk: Obnoxious Youth - The Eternal Void ()
Dance: Jonsson/Alter - Samlad årsproduktion ()
Hardrock: Opeth - Heritage ()
Rhythm: Simone Moreno - Planetas ()
Singer/Songwriter/Country/Americana: Ane Brun - It All Start With One ()
Rock: Pascal/Mattias Alkberg - Allt det här ()
Best Unsigned: Death By Armborst
Jazz: Jonas Holgersson - Snick Snack ()
Hip-Hop: Mofeta & Jerre - Briljanter & Smaragder ()
Synth: Necro Facility - Wintermute ()
Pop: Azure Blue - Rule of thirds ()
Best live act: This is Head ()
SKAP/Manifest Prize for best lyrics: Philip Ekström - Det Vackra Livet ()
SKAP/Manifest Prize for best composer: Maria Lindén - I Break Horses ()
Manifest Prize for best indie: Popkollo

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:23:30 -0800 news general industry awards 2012 Manifest Award nominees http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39195-2012-manifest-award-nominees http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39195-2012-manifest-award-nominees http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39195-2012-manifest-award-nominees#comments The nominees for the 2012 Manifest Awards, Sweden's alternative/indie Grammy, have been announced:

Folk/Ballad:
Marin/Marin – Småfolket ()
Merit Hemmingson – EQ ()
Navarra – Nya fönster ()
Siri Karlsson – Gran Fuego ()

Dance:
Skudge – Samlad årsproduktion ()
Jonsson/Alter – Samlad årsproduktion ()
The Field – Looping State of mind ()
Pallers – The Sea Of Memories ()

Punk:
Sju Svåra År – Storma varje hjärta ()
Obnoxious Youth – The Eternal Void ()
Vånna Inget – Allvar ()
Black Feet – Black Feet ()

Hip-Hop:
Mofeta & Jerre – Briljanter & Smaragder ()
Ison & Fille – För evigt ()
Mohammed Ali – Vi ()
Roffe Ruff – Barrabas ()

Experimental:
Hans Appelqvist – Sjunga slutet nu ()
Hanna Hartman – H ^ 2 ()
Ophir – Opus Operatum ()
Midaircondo feat. Michala Østergaard-Nielsen – Reports on the Horizon ()

Hardrock:
In Solitude – The World. The Flesh. The Devil ()
Opeth – Heritage ()
Terra Tenebrosa – The Tunnels ()
The Haunted – Unseen ()

Rhythm:
Syster Sol – Kichinga! ()
Simone Moreno – Planetas ()
Kapten Röd – Fläcken Som Aldrig Går Bort ()
OK Star Orchestra – The Beat and the Melody ()

Pop:
Azure Blue – Rule of thirds ()
Jonathan Johansson – Klagomuren ()
Korallreven – An album by Korallreven ()
Loney Dear – Hall Music ()

Rock:
Pascal/Mattias Alkberg – Allt det här ()
Kajsa Grytt – En kvinna under påverkan ()
Bob Hund - Det överexponerade gömstället ()
Tramp – Indigo ()

Synth:
Henric de la Cour – Henric de la Cour ()
Necro Facility – Wintermute ()
Mr Jones Machine – Monokrom ()
Covenant – Modern Ruin ()

Jazz:
Jonas Holgersson – Snick Snack ()
Parti & Minut – Från klart till halvklart ()
Priming Orchestra – Deep Blue ()
The Splendor – Delphian Palace ()

Best Unsigned:
Death By Armborst
Storskogen
Schizo and the Personalities
Farsta

Singer/Songwriter/Country/Americana:
Brothers of End – Mount Inside ()
Ane Brun – It All Start With One ()
Promise & the Monster – Red Tide ()
Lars Bygdén – Songs I Wrote ()

Best live act:
Kriget ()
This is Head ()
Graveyard ()
Mattias Alkberg ()

Interesting to see and dominating their respective niches. Winners will be announced on February 3 at a ceremony at Nalen in Stockholm. Read more: http://manifestgalan.se/manifestgalan-2012/nominerade/

]]> Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:53:49 -0800 news general industry awards Top 10s for 2011: Mattias Alkberg http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39119-top-10s-for-2011-mattias-alkberg http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39119-top-10s-for-2011-mattias-alkberg http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39119-top-10s-for-2011-mattias-alkberg#comments Been working all year long, therefore: no TV shows or books or anything personal this year, just records.

In no particular order, other than maybe the five-ten first:
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Terakaft – Aratan N Azawad
Skriet – Det beslutande organet
Bob Hund – Det överexponerade gömstället
Helheim – Heidindomr ok motgangr
Graveyard – Hisingen Blues
Tinariwen – Tassili
Fucked Up – David Comes To Life
Taake – Noregs vapen
Austra – Feel It Break
Autopsy – Macabre Eternal
Portrait - Crime Laesae Majestatis Divinae
Deathspell Omega – Diabolus Absconditus
Knivderby – Dumskallarnas sammansvärjning
Tyler The Creator – Goblin
Veronica Maggio - Satan i gatan
Tsjuder – Legion Helvete
Shabazz Palaces – Black Up
Patrik Backlund – Is An Arsonist
Zomby – Dedication
King Cresote and John Hopkins – Diamond Mine
Jeffrey Lewis – A Turn In The Dream-Songs
In Solitude - The World, The Flesh, The Devil
Kimya Dawson – Thunder Thighs
Roffe Ruff – Barabas
Slöa Knivar – Ingen klass, ingen stil
Tim Hecker – Ravedeath, 1972
Cornershop featuring Bubbley Kaur - Cornershop & The Double 'O' Groove Of
Kajsa Grytt – En kvinna under påverkan
Årabrot – Solar Anus

Records proving the artist have done better but are still to be reckoned with:
British Sea Power – Valhalla Dancehall
The Strokes – Angles
Grace Jones – Hurricane
Off! - First Four Eps
Chad Vangaalen – Diaper Island
Glorior Belli – The Great Southern Darkness
Stephen Malkmus – Mirror Traffic
Thurston Moore – Demolished Thoughts
Kate Bush – 50 Words For Snow

Records that are great but could have done with more time and/or money spent on them:
Vånna Inget - Allvar
Wild Flag – Wild Flag

Great records, though not perfect:
Kurt Vile – Smoke Rings On My Halo
Josh T. Pearson – Last Of The Country Gentlemen
The Rapture – In The Grace Of Your Love
Panda Bear – Tomboy
The Culture In Memoriam – Rest In Pieces
Anna Järvinen – Anna själv, tredje
Tomas Hulenvik - The World Is Ours
Riddarna – Riddarna

Records I love but can't have an objective view on:
Magnus Ekelund & Stålet – Svart Flagg
Birgit Bidder – The Life Home

Song of the year:
Pascal - De är farliga

This years "How come I haven't even heard of them before?":
The Gits

Hopes for next year:
Raketen
The New Man
Nord & Syd
Robert Hurula
Conny Nimmersjö
Kranium
Könsförrädare
Norra Kust

Get a record deal, release an album, goddamn!:
Hospitalet

Oh, and some great shows, mostly at Föreningsgatan 7 (Luleå), by:
Könsförrädare
Terveet Kädet
Slöa Knivar
Hamngatan
Kranium
Dispose
Salenko
22 Pistepirkko

---------------------------
Mattias Alkberg had a busy year in 2011 -- not only was his latest solo album and book "Anarkist", one of the best received Swedish albums of the year, he also did a split with Pascal and probably a whole bunch of other stuff that I can only guess about. As for what 2012 holds, wait and see...
http://www.mabd.se/

]]> Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:12:31 -0800 articles top10s Top 10s for 2011: Kvalität http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39078-top-10s-for-2011-kvalitat http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39078-top-10s-for-2011-kvalitat http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39078-top-10s-for-2011-kvalitat#comments Albums (SWE):
Anna Järvinen - Anna själv tredje
Det Vackra Livet - Det vackra livet
Skriet - Det beslutande organet
Mattias Alkberg - Anarkist
Deportees - Islands & shores
Thus:Owls - Harbours
Jonathan Johansson - Klagomuren
We Are The Storm - To The North-Pole
Bob Hund - Det överexponderande gömstället
Riddarna - Riddarna
Pascal/Mattias Alkberg - Allt det här
Syket - With love

Songs (SWE):
Rytmen i natten - Riddarna
80 vårar - Mattias Alkberg
När nätterna når hamn - Jörgen Kjellgren
Du och Jag - Alf
Stanna klocka stanna - Bob Hund
Next to You - Dante
Museum - Thus: Owls
Redan glömda - Jonathan Johansson
New directions - Jens Lekman
Fish band - Syket

Albums:
The Head And The Heart - The Head And The Heart
Active Child - You are all I see
Big Deal - Lights Out
Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver
J Mascis - Several shades of why
Ryan Adams - Ashes and fire
Lanterns On The Lake - Gracious tide take me home
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
120 Days - II
John Maus - We must become the pitiless censors of ourselves

Songs:
Big Pink - Stay gold
Friends - I'm his girl
Bon Iver - I can't make you love me / Nick of time
Burial / Four Tet / Thom Yorke - Mirror
Tame Impala - Remember Me
Is Tropical - Zombie
M83 - Wait
Modeselktor / Thom Yorke - Shipwreck
Bombay Bicycle Club - Lights out, words gone
The Joy Formidable - Austere

Videos:

Fish band - Syket

Hej då - Riddarna

Stockholm - Jonathan Johansson

Släpp taget - Alexis Weak

Tody Motmot - Elias Krantz

Looking forward to:

Album releases from: Riddarna, Sailor & I, Existensminimum, Kent.
Like to hear new tunes from: Sonjagon, Ruset, Pascal, Framtiden, Korea Campfire, Dungen, TSOOL, Karl X Johan, Ít's a Bird it's a Plane, Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, Anna von Hausswolff and Dr Alban

---------------------------
http://www.kvalitat.com/

]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s Top 10s for 2011: Daggan Stamenkovic (Novoton) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39000-top-10s-for-2011-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39000-top-10s-for-2011-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39000-top-10s-for-2011-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton#comments Here goes!
Probably forgot a bunch but whatever.

1. Skriet - Det beslutande organet
I thought I'd separate my own releases () from the list this year but Skriet's second album "Det beslutande organet" ("The governing body") hit me like a ton of bricks (and all the critics as well). It is easily the I album I have listened to and enjoyed the most this year so it has to be number one. A self-recorded beauty with traces of Joy Division, Einstürzende Neubauten and Talk Talk. What's not to like?
http://open.spotify.com/album/3H2WwXXWkvM5AYe4BFdkoo

2. Mattias Alkberg - Anarkist One of Sweden's most skillfull songwriters, authors and singers, with more than 20 years in action (both solo and with The Bear Quartet), returns with an excellent album and poetry book. It got me going anyway!
http://open.spotify.com/album/682R2oGfkyHy1elSmNmf26

3. Cat's Eyes - Cat's eyes
Cat's Eyes, Faris Badwan's (Horrors front man) collaborative project with Canadian opera singer and multi-instrumentalist Rachel Zeffira. Reverb drenched and enjoyably sinister, richly atmospheric and soft-focused pop music. For me, miles better and more exciting than his "real" band. "Face in the crowd" is one of my favorite songs this year.
http://open.spotify.com/album/6IsCfeYFiuk5MhdV69Tvgt

5. The Black Angels - Phosgene nightmare
Last year brought The Black Angels (with "Phosphene dream") back to great form and with the release of "Phosgene nightmare" (Limited Edition B-sides on White Vinyl) I was in heaven. I almost like this six track EP more than last year's proper album, and I loved that one.
http://open.spotify.com/album/72OunaSe9dTLfngPgVYSRB

6. The Vaccines - What did you expect from The Vaccines?
Every now and then a band comes that pick the cherry from all musical ages and make a great new album. Mixing everything from The Ramones to The Jesus and Mary Chain in three chords explosions they found a way into my heart.
http://open.spotify.com/album/6eWtdQm0hSlTgpkbw4LaBG

7. Timber Timbre - Creep on, creepin' on
Taylor Kirk has got loads of style and his croon empower the darkly atmospheric doo-wop and blues he create. All drenched with a style all its own. Quite haunting.
http://open.spotify.com/album/3MwhPlrS5HltOuXvEeWhuB

8. 16 Horsepower - Your, truly
This compilation got me back with 16 Horsepower and who can not love David Eugene Edwards' voice and music?
A nice trip down memory lane.
http://open.spotify.com/album/0fjdUv9iNvpvVkmFGlvRD9

9. Low - C'mon
Recorded in a old church "C'mon" is filled with athmosphere but direct as well. More uniform, in good way. Quite slow as usual but much more soulfull.
http://open.spotify.com/album/3FXselB2qG505kmuB5wL2n

10. releases 2011
By looking at the list it seems I have only listened to mellow and soft music this year, but that's not the case at all in fact. 2011 have been one of the best years for ever with five album releases (all with great reviews). It has been a magnificent year indeed. Besides Skriet, we have released albums by Riddarna, Katharina Nuttall, Paper and a split album with Pascal/Mattias Alkberg. You can listen to it all in the Spotify playlist below. It also looks like 2012 will be hectic for as well. Riddarna and Antennas have already recorded new albums for release next year and both Paper and Black Belt plan to have new albums out as well.
http://open.spotify.com/user/novoton/playlist/35RLkNoAJKiQrwZSrS82uI

---------------------------
Daggan Stamenkovic runs the Swedish label .
http://www.novoton.se/

]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:44:33 -0800 articles top10s Klubbland #35: Pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38317-klubbland-35-pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38317-klubbland-35-pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38317-klubbland-35-pascal#comments There's a new episode of Klubbland online now featuring three live tracks from Pascal: http://blogg.svt.se/klubbland/2011/09/09/35-pascal/

]]> Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:03:02 -0700 news multimedia Du Pacque - Erotique Du Pacque (album teaser) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38283-du-pacque-erotique-du-pacque-album-teaser http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38283-du-pacque-erotique-du-pacque-album-teaser http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38283-du-pacque-erotique-du-pacque-album-teaser#comments

It's been in the works for awhile, but it's finally confirmed that Du Pacque's debut full-length "Erotique Du Pacque" will be released on September 28. The band will play a record release gig that same night at Debaser Slussen in Stockholm with Pascal.

]]> Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:56:20 -0700 news multimedia Allt det här sampler http://www.itsatrap.com/n/37227-allt-det-har-sampler http://www.itsatrap.com/n/37227-allt-det-har-sampler http://www.itsatrap.com/n/37227-allt-det-har-sampler#comments

Sample the new Pascal/Mattias Alkberg split "Allt det här", out now via . Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M93e31jg5c

]]> Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:12:29 -0700 news multimedia Absolut Noise vs Allt det här http://www.itsatrap.com/n/37216-absolut-noise-vs-allt-det-har http://www.itsatrap.com/n/37216-absolut-noise-vs-allt-det-har http://www.itsatrap.com/n/37216-absolut-noise-vs-allt-det-har#comments Absolut Noise talks about the new Pascal/Mattias Alkberg split and also interviews members of both bands: http://www.absolutnoise.com/2011/04/pascal-mattias-alkberg-split-album-allt-det-h%C3%A4r.html

]]> Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:42:09 -0700 news general interviews Pascal/Mattias Alkberg split details http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36940-pascal-mattias-alkberg-split-details http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36940-pascal-mattias-alkberg-split-details http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36940-pascal-mattias-alkberg-split-details#comments Details have been revealed for the upcoming Pascal/Mattias Alkberg split: http://www.kyssmig.com/
Pascal contribute 5 tunes, including a cover of Peter LeMarc's "Håll om mig" with Matti on guest vocals while Matti gives us 4 tunes with his cover selection being "Regnet i Södertälje" by Conny Nimmersjö. The official release date is April 13 via .

]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:44:59 -0700 news general vinyl Mattias Alkberg added to April Clubnight http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36841-mattias-alkberg-added-to-april-clubnight http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36841-mattias-alkberg-added-to-april-clubnight http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36841-mattias-alkberg-added-to-april-clubnight#comments Mattias Alkberg has been added to the April 9th edition of It's a Trap! Clubnight at Debaser Malmö! That makes the full evening's lineup Pascal + Sad Day For Puppets + Mattias Alkberg, which of course adds up to totally awesome.

]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:48:21 -0800 news sitenews live Text & Musik, the festival http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36563-text-musik-the-festival http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36563-text-musik-the-festival http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36563-text-musik-the-festival#comments "Text & Musik" is the name of a new Swedish festival celebrating just that; two nights, two cities, twelve bands, including Mattias Alkberg, Kajsa Grytt, Pascal, Ulf Stureson, Conny Nimmersjö, Magnus Ekelund, The Bells, Hospitalet and more. The first night will take place July 27 at Kägelbanan in Stockholm and from there it will move to Storsjöyran in Östersund way up north for the 29th. Full details at Mattias Alkberg's website: http://www.mabd.se/?p=700

]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:38:25 -0800 news live It's a Trap! Clubnights spring update http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36454-its-a-trap-clubnights-spring-update http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36454-its-a-trap-clubnights-spring-update http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36454-its-a-trap-clubnights-spring-update#comments Thanks to everyone who came out to this weekend's It's a Trap! Clubnight at Debaser Malmö for once again making it a success! The more people that come out, the more we're able to keep bringing you killer shows, like these ones we just confirmed:

03/30 - Syket + First Love, Last Rites
05/28 - Paper

And of course, the previously confirmed Pascal/Sad Day for Puppets show on April 9. See you there?

]]> Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:29:38 -0800 news sitenews live Manifest 2011 nominees are go http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36244-manifest-2011-nominees-are-go http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36244-manifest-2011-nominees-are-go http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36244-manifest-2011-nominees-are-go#comments The nominees for the 2011 Manifest Awards, Sweden's indie/alternative Grammy, have been announced:

Pop:
Anna von Hausswolff - Singing from the grave (/)
jj - jj No 3 ()
CEO - White Magic ()
Nicolas Makelberge - The Unforgettable Planet ()

Dance:
Cloud - Hökarängen Space Program ()
Dmitry Fyodorov - Shapeless ()
Jarl & Fotmeijer - Lifesigns ()
Skudge - Samlad produktion ()

Synth:
Code 64 - Trialogue ()
Cryo - Hidden Aggression ()
Page - Nu ()
Social Ambitions - Almost gone ()

Hardrock/Metal:
Ghost - Opus Eponymous ()
Watain - Lawless Darkness ()
Khoma - A final storm ()
Dark Tranquility - We are the void ()

Rhythm:
Haci Tekbilek - Türlü ()
Helt Off - Marknadens Soldat ()
Million Stylez - Everyday ()
Serengeti - Standing Steady ()

Jazz:
Elin Larsson Group - Live and Alive ()
Lekverk - Everyday ()
NEO (Nässjö Extreme Orchestra) - NEO ()
The Country - The Country ()

Punk/Hardcore
Antipati - Frågor som rör det allmänna ()
Hårda Tider - Gatan Kallar ()
Old Fashioned Ideas - We're in this shit together ()
The Baboon Show - Punk Rock harbour ()

Hip-Hop:
Academics - Tare Lugnt 4 ()
Carlito - Guldburen ()
PH3 - Löser ett fall ()
Zacke - Visst är det vackert ()

Rock:
Bad Hands - Take The Money And Run ()
Dundertåget - Dom feta åren är förbi ()
Pascal - Orkanen närmar sig ()
The Bear Quartet - Monty Python ()

Folk/Visa:
Anders Svensson, Magnus Gustafsson, Susanne Gustafsson, Anders Löfberg, Jörgen Svensson - Bålgetingen, Låtar efter August Strömberg ()
Mats Edén, Daniel Sandén-Warg, Leif Stinnerbom, Magnus Stinnerbom - Anno 2010 ()
OK Star Orchestra - Sound Classique ()
Ola Magnell - Rolös ()

Experimental:
Ombudsman - And His Father Was A Great Machine ()
Erik Enocksson - Man tänker sitt ()
Leif Jordansson - The Comet / The Doll Maker ()
New Tango Orquesta - Vesper ()

Singer/Songwriter:
I'm Kingfisher - Arctic ()
Daniel Norgren - Horrifying Death Eating Blood Spider ()
The Tarantula Waltz - Did Not Leave To Find But To Forget, To Leave Behind ()
The Tallest Man On Earth - Wild Hunt ()

Best live act:
Anna Von Hausswolff
The Tallest Man On Earth
Masshysteri
Robyn

Best unsigned act (in collaboration w/P3 Lab):
Alice B
Katakomb
Ascend
Broken Boys

Winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 4 at Nalen in Stockholm. More info: http://www.manifestgalan.se/

]]> Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:01:37 -0800 news general awards Mattias Alkberg album pushed back to August http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36141-mattias-alkberg-album-pushed-back-to-august http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36141-mattias-alkberg-album-pushed-back-to-august http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36141-mattias-alkberg-album-pushed-back-to-august#comments reports that the new Mattias Alkberg album has been pushed back to August with a single to come in May: http://www.westsidefabrication.se/news/a-brief-notice/
So as to not interfere with the Pascal split, I presume?

]]> Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:52:52 -0800 news general IAT! Clubnights 2011 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36133-iat-clubnights-2011 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36133-iat-clubnights-2011 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36133-iat-clubnights-2011#comments New dates are now confirmed for this season's It's a Trap! Clubnights at Debaser Malmö! First, we have the already-confirmed Last Days of April/Leaders Off show on January 22 and now we have also added Kvelertak + InSekt on February 4 and Pascal + Sad Day for Puppets on April 9. Be there!

]]> Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:03:55 -0800 news sitenews live Top tens for 2010: Mattias Alkberg (The Bear Quartet) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36090-top-tens-for-2010-mattias-alkberg-the-bear-quartet http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36090-top-tens-for-2010-mattias-alkberg-the-bear-quartet http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36090-top-tens-for-2010-mattias-alkberg-the-bear-quartet#comments Best Albums of 2010

Burzum – Belus
Swans – My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky
Stornoway – Beachcomber's Windowsill
Pascal – Orkanen närmar sig
Masshysteri – Masshysteri
Deathspell Omega – Paracletus
Triptykon – Eparistera Daimones
Håkan Hellström – 2 steg från paradise
David Sylvian – Sleepwalkers
Electric Wizard – Black Masses
The Sword – Warp Riders
Slöa Knivar – Ingen klass, ingen stil
The Fall – Your Future Our Clutter
Bäddat för Trubbel – Det här är inte New York
Marnie Stern – Marnie Stern
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Fantasy
Salem – King Nights
Setherial – Ekpyrosis
Wolf People – Steeple
Détente - Decline

Most hated in 2010

Eclecticism. I'm sick of it, but guilty as charged. Check list above for proof.

Most Geeky of 2010

I watched all of Battlestar Galactica, all of it, all the webisodes, miniseries, everything. Twice.

Best films of 2010

Monsters
Toy Story 3
Get Him To the Greek
New Garage Explosion
Mogwai - Burning

Best TV of 2010

Rubicon
Caprica
Justified
Walking Dead
Boardwalk Empire
The Big Bang Theory

Best News of 2010

The Ark

Worst News of 2010

Four more years of fascists governing Sweden. And also the above...

Best Things in General 2010

bob hund, NWOBHM, finally getting Danzig, Touring with Nerverna, recording "Monty Python", recording new Nerverna album, Can, GR†LLGR†LL and a lot of that other Witch House or whatever young people call the music of DJ Shadow and Massive Attack nowadays, Brian Eno's German era in the 70's, Grindcore.

And books; I've been reading a lot this year, I'd say 50 books or something. And I've been writing quite a bit. If things work out, it'll be a busy 2011.

---------------------------
Look for Mattias Alkberg to release a new album with Neverna in 2011, along with a split album with Pascal and who knows? maybe even a new Bear Quartet record as well.
http://www.mabd.se/
http://www.thebearquartet.com/

]]> Mon, 27 Dec 2010 11:11:01 -0800 articles top10s Top tens for 2010: Daggan Stamenkovic (Novoton) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36065-top-tens-for-2010-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36065-top-tens-for-2010-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/36065-top-tens-for-2010-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton#comments Here's my Top ten list for 2010.

1. Pascal - Orkanen närmar sig
Pascal is getting better all time and their third album is all I hoped it would be. Cave rock at it's best!
http://www.kyssmig.com/

2. The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream
I loved their first album and was quite disappointed with their second so i am very glad to hear they are back in great form.
http://www.theblackangels.com/

3. Wolf People - Tidings
I got all these singles/EPs and have loved them to bits but it's great to have them collected in one place. Don't miss out on this. Also check out "Steeple", their proper debut album.
http://www.wolfpeople.co.uk/

4. This Is Head - 0001
A more or less perfect debut album. Great stuff.
http://www.thisishead.com/

5. Archie Bronson Outfit - Coconut
Fine mix of psychedelic garage rock, swaggering grooves, stabbing riffs, and gouging pop hooks.
http://www.archiebronsonoutfit.com/

6. Clinic - Bubblegum
I've been a Clinic fan since day one and i really like this softer and poppier sound.
http://www.clinicvoot.org/

7. Riddarna - Släpp allt, glöm allt!
Riddarna (The Knights) are a trio from Gotland/Gothenburg in Sweden and they are best described like Dungen's obnoxious country cousins born and bred on stoner-rock. In other words, loudmouth rock'n'roll in Swedish that sounds quite unique. Great debut EP.
http://www.riddarna.com/blog/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1-vu-l9aaE

8. The Bear Quartet - Monthy Python
Not being a big BQ fan from the beginning I was surprised how great their album "89" was and now when they follow it up with this it is even better.
http://www.thebearquartet.com/

9. Mattias Alkberg - Nerverna
A quite dark and beautiful album.
http://www.mabd.se/

10. 2011 (Paper and Katharina Nuttall)
As always, stuff I have listened to and enjoyed immensly won't be released until next year. Paper will release a fantastic second album called "Mischmash" and Katharina Nuttall will release her third called "Turn me on". Both fantastic in their own ways. Also, Riddarna will release their debut album and Pascal a new EP. How could I not long for next year.
http://www.myspace.com/paperstockholm
http://www.katharinanuttall.com/

---------------------------
Daggan runs who will be doing a bunch of stuff in 2011 as outlined in #10 above.
http://www.novoton.se/

]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:04:15 -0800 articles top10s Mattias Alkberg + Pascal = true http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35992-mattias-alkberg-pascal-true http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35992-mattias-alkberg-pascal-true http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35992-mattias-alkberg-pascal-true#comments has announced that they'll be doing a split album with like-minded acts Pascal and Mattias Alkberg with five songs each to be followed by a joint tour. More details: http://gaffa.se/nyhet/45447

]]> Wed, 15 Dec 2010 22:03:48 -0800 news general 2011 Swedish Grammis http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35985-2011-swedish-grammis http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35985-2011-swedish-grammis http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35985-2011-swedish-grammis#comments Here's the nominees for the 2011 Swedish Grammis:

Best album:
Håkan Hellström - 2 Steg Från Paradise
Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli
Robyn - Body Talk
Säkert! - Facit
The Radio Dept. - Clinging To a Scheme

Best artist:
Håkan Hellström
Johnossi
Oskar Linnros
Petter
Robyn

Best song:
Anna Bergendahl - This Is My Life
Daniel Adams-Ray - Gubben I Lådan
Eric Saade - Manboy
Erik Grönwall - Higher
Johnossi - What's The Point
Mohombi - Bumpy Ride
Oskar Linnros - Från Och Med Du
Robyn - Dancing On my Own
Salem Al Fakir - Keep On Walking
Swedish House Mafia – One

Best group:
Dungen - Skit I Allt
Hästpojken - Från Där Jag Ropar
Johnossi - Mavericks
Kent - En Plats I Solen
The Radio Dept. - Clinging To A Scheme

Best folk/visa:
Blandade Artister - Sonja Åkesson Tolkad Av
First Aid Kit - The Big Black & The Blue
Jonas Knutsson - Blåslåtar
Ola Magnell - Rolös
Toni Holgersson - Ibland Kallar Jag Det Kärlek

Best hardrock/metal:
Ghost - Opus Eponymous
Khoma - A Final Storm
Pascal - Orkanen Närmar Sig
Sabaton - Coat Of Arms
Watain - Lawless Darkness

Best jazz:
Dan Berglunds Tonbruket - Tonbruket
Goran Kajfes - X/Y
Magnus Carlson & The Moon Ray Quintet - Echoes
Oddjob - Clint
Peter Asplund Quartet - Asplund Meets Bernstein

Best songwriter:
Annika Norlin & Henrik Oja - Facit
Håkan Hellström - 2 Steg Från Paradise
Klas Åhlund & Robyn - Body Talk
Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli
Pernilla Andersson - Ö

Best female artist:
Anna Von Hausswolff - Singing FromThe Grave
Britta Persson - Current Affair Medium Rare
Pernilla Andersson - Ö
Robyn - Body Talk
Säkert! - Facit

Best male artist:
Daniel Adams-Ray - Svart Vitt Och Allt Däremellan
Håkan Hellström - 2 Steg Från Paradise
Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli
Salem Al Fakir - Ignore This
The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt

Best newcomer:
Anna Von Hausswolff - Singing From The Grave
Ceo - White Magic
First Aid Kit - The Big Black & The Blue
Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli
Swedish House Mafia - Until One

Best producer:
Adrian Lux
Joakim Åhlund & Håkan Hellström
Klas Åhlund
Max Martin
Red One

Best international success:
Dungen
Max Martin
Red One
Robyn
Swedish House Mafia

Best lyrics:
Annika Norlin - Facit
Håkan Hellström - 2 Steg Från Paradise
Ola Magnell - Rolös
Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli
Plura Jonsson - Kärlekens Väg - En Mässa

Best urban/dance:
Boeoes Kaelstigen - Tanum Teleport
Familjen - Mänskligheten
Petter - En Räddare I Nöden
PH3 - PH3 Löser Ett Fall
Swedish House Mafia - Until One

Best Innovator:
Johnossi
Robyn
Nomy
Magnus Weideskog
Iamamiwhoami

Winners will be announced at a ceremony at Kungliga Operan in Stockholm on January 17.

]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:42:38 -0800 news general awards industry Top tens for 2010: Kvalität http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35909-top-tens-for-2010-kvalitat http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35909-top-tens-for-2010-kvalitat http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35909-top-tens-for-2010-kvalitat#comments Top 2010 from Kvalität

01. www.kvalität.com is online

02. Songs:
Uphill – Korea Campfire
Marken låg stilla – Dungen
Meet a bear – Britta Persson
Måne över Fårösund – Pascal
Whan we go to war – Tobias Fröberg
Play the world – Nina Kinert
David – The Radio Dept.

03. Albums:
0001 – This is Head
Singing from the grave – Anna von Hausswolff
Shallow grave – The Tallest Man on Earth
Clinging to a scheme – The Radio Dept.
Bigfield – Harald Björk
Glöm allt, Släpp allt EP - Riddarna

04. Videos:




05. Newcomers of the year:
Ruset – www.myspace.com/ruset
Hjärtat - www.myspace.com/makemefeelnothing
Riddarna - www.myspace.com/riddarna

06. Kvalität hope 2011 will bring:
Albums from Sonjagon, Ruset, Sibling Sense, Hjärtat, Existensminimum, Pascal and Dr. Alban.

---------------------------
Kvalität is a live music video site based in Sweden.
http://www.kvalitat.com/

]]> Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:10:36 -0800 articles top10s Pascal nominated for best art vinyl http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35682-pascal-nominated-for-best-art-vinyl http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35682-pascal-nominated-for-best-art-vinyl http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35682-pascal-nominated-for-best-art-vinyl#comments Pascal's "Orkanen närmar sig" is one of the nominees for Art Vinyl's top album covers of 2010: http://www.artvinyl.com/en/nominate/nominations.html

]]> Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:35:22 -0800 news general awards Mattias Alkberg + Pascal? http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35417-mattias-alkberg-pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35417-mattias-alkberg-pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35417-mattias-alkberg-pascal#comments Gaffa reports that rumors are circulating regarding a Mattias Alkberg/Pascal collaboration of sorts: http://gaffa.se/nyhet/43730
As to whether that means a tour, split or actually playing together remains to be seen.

]]> Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:54:21 -0700 news general Masshysteri s/t Ny Våg/Feral Ward http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35060-masshysteri-s-t-ny-vag-feral-ward http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35060-masshysteri-s-t-ny-vag-feral-ward http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35060-masshysteri-s-t-ny-vag-feral-ward#comments Masshysteri's "Masshysteri" is the album I've kept on returning to continually in the last 4-5 months. Despite the album only being 10 songs and about 28 minutes long, repeated listenings don't seem to do it any harm, only the opposite -- the songs now feel like an extension of my spine. Masshysteri are not doing anything new music- or lyric-wise, and there are a some similar Swedish bands (e.g. Pascal), but the frenetic energy and the heavenly melodies on this album are just mind-blowing. I'd rank this album alongside any of Swedish punk pioneers Ebba Grön, which is mighty high praise. It's just a great shame that more people haven't heard it!]]> Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:11:28 -0700 reviews Sirius playlist week #11 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33584-sirius-playlist-week-11 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33584-sirius-playlist-week-11 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33584-sirius-playlist-week-11#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Laakso - Worst case scenario
02. TALK 1
03. Du Pacque - Walk straight
04. Pascal - Tutti frutti
05. Nirvana 2002 - The awakening of...
06. Lapko - I shot the sheriff
07. TALK 2
08. The Floor is Made of Lava - The bigger picture
09. No Balls - Guilt blocker
10. Obliteration - Styxerian path (into darkness)
11. Next Life - Anti matter
12. TALK 3
13. Ikons - Imperiet
14. The Skull Defekts - Habit
15. Familjen - När planeterna stannat
16. TALK 4
17. Meleeh - Sun and moon
18. Kite - I give you the morning
19. Ef - 401 Lwa
20. TALK 5

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

]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:33:31 -0700 news sirius Pascal e-card http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33364-pascal-e-card http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33364-pascal-e-card http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33364-pascal-e-card#comments Check out an e-card for the new Pascal album "Orkanen närmar sig", out now via : http://www.novoton.se/pascal/

]]> Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:19:37 -0800 news multimedia Musik med Embee, Maia Hirasawa, Pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33283-musik-med-embee-maia-hirasawa-pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33283-musik-med-embee-maia-hirasawa-pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33283-musik-med-embee-maia-hirasawa-pascal#comments Live music with Embee and Maia Hirasawa at PSL: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2010/02/12/musik-med-embee-feat-maia-hirasawa-jens-siverstedt
And another clip with Pascal here: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2010/02/15/musik-med-pascal/

]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:56:24 -0800 news multimedia Sirius playlist week #7 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33252-sirius-playlist-week-7 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33252-sirius-playlist-week-7 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33252-sirius-playlist-week-7#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Champagne Riot - The champagne anthem
02. TALK 1
03. The Late Parade - We will walk straight through this wall
04. Bolywool - Save my soul
05. Darkthrone - Eyes burst at dawn
06. Boy Omega - Follow the herd
07. TALK 2
08. Isobel & November - She came down the mountain
09. Dream Evil - Kill, burn, be evil
10. TALK 3
11. Martin Senter - Ingenting förlorat
12. Pascal - Tyst här i mörkret
13. Hello Saferide - Anna
14. Brothers of End - Big bird
15. TALK 4
16. Voices Break the Silence - Lost

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

]]> Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:23:26 -0800 news sirius A review of a review http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33061-a-review-of-a-review http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33061-a-review-of-a-review http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33061-a-review-of-a-review#comments Mimmi Skog of Pascal calls out Aftonbladet writer Per Magnusson for sexism: http://rogertsblogg.blogspot.com/2010/01/att-recensera-en-recensent.html (in Swedish)

]]> Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:04:04 -0800 news general industry Pascal - Min enda vän (video) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/32817-pascal-min-enda-van-video http://www.itsatrap.com/n/32817-pascal-min-enda-van-video http://www.itsatrap.com/n/32817-pascal-min-enda-van-video#comments Check out Pascal's new video "Min enda vän": http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=102025158

]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:50:32 -0800 news multimedia Top 10s for 2009: Daggan Stamenkovic (Novoton/Klicktrack) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/32655-top-10s-for-2009-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton-klicktrack http://www.itsatrap.com/n/32655-top-10s-for-2009-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton-klicktrack http://www.itsatrap.com/n/32655-top-10s-for-2009-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton-klicktrack#comments Here's my top list for 2009

01. Buying an old school and moving out in the country again and running a really cool café there this summer with some friends. Lots of work but definitely worth it.
http://www.hablingbo.com/

02. Releasing SKRIET's (Isak from Pascal's side project) debut album. A subdued and dark album which fit my autumn mood perfectly.
http://www.myspace.com/skrietsthlm

03. A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding head. Great album I only which the vocals were a little bit higher, but great none the less.
http://www.aplacetoburystrangers.com/

04. Tap Tap - On my way. Maybe not as perfect as their debut album but great anyway. Maybe it's just that the surprise factor of hearing them for the first time isn't as big this time. I think it will grow on me though.
http://www.myspace.com/taptapmusic

05. Pascal - Orkanen närmar sig (The hurricane is approaching). Technically this won't be released until January 2010 [however] since we have been working with it since July it has made a big impact in me this year. Pascal's best and heaviest album so far. Really great stuff!
http://www.kyssmig.com/

06. Brian Eno & David Byrne - Everything that happens will happen today. Maybe I'm getting old but I really enjoyed this quite mellow album from two of my favorite artists. Nice to see them working together again. It's not as close to being as good as "My life in the bush of ghosts" (which is one of my favorite records) but very enjoyable anyway.
http://www.everythingthathappens.com/

07. Antennas album ("Feeling feline tonight") making great success in Austria and topping their indie charts for week. Also the band having a successful tour in Europe following the album.

08. Bat For Lashes - Two suns. An album filled with gauzy vintage synths and odes to teenage love . It's bravely backward-looking and weirdly prescient at the same time. If only all pop could be this good.
http://www.batforlashes.com/

09. Existensminimum - OK boys. Magnus returned with a synth driven pure pop album and I just love it to pieces.
http://www.existensminimum.com/

10. The Bear Quartet - 89. I never been a huge fan of The Bear Quartet but this album is so fucking good I just couldn't stop listening to it.
http://www.thebearquartet.com/

---------------------------
Daggan runs the label Novoton and is one of the founders of Klicktrack. Next year he is looking forward to releasing new albums by Pascal, Paper, Norma and Antennas.
http://www.novoton.se/
http://www.klicktrack.com/

]]> Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:11:09 -0800 articles top10s New Pascal album confirmed, preview posted http://www.itsatrap.com/n/32238-new-pascal-album-confirmed-preview-posted http://www.itsatrap.com/n/32238-new-pascal-album-confirmed-preview-posted http://www.itsatrap.com/n/32238-new-pascal-album-confirmed-preview-posted#comments Novoton has announced that Pascal's forthcoming album "Orkanen närmar sig", their third overall, will be released on January 27. Hear a couple sample tunes at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/raukenroll

]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:04:45 -0800 news general multimedia Absolut Noise interviews Pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30950-absolut-noise-interviews-pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30950-absolut-noise-interviews-pascal http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30950-absolut-noise-interviews-pascal#comments Absolut Noise talks to Swedish noisepop act Pascal about their upcoming third album: http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-about-their-next-record.html

]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:15:13 -0700 news interviews New Pascal being mixed next week http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30583-new-pascal-being-mixed-next-week http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30583-new-pascal-being-mixed-next-week http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30583-new-pascal-being-mixed-next-week#comments Pascal will mix their new album next week. See live video footage of them performing new tracks here: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Knivbarbro&view=videos

]]> Fri, 29 May 2009 16:43:25 -0700 news general multimedia Presenting: Skriet http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30534-presenting-skriet http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30534-presenting-skriet http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30534-presenting-skriet#comments Novoton has announced the signing of Skriet, the more subdued and electronic sideproject of Isak Sundström from Pascal and Jacob Frössén. The debut single "Fåglarna" is out now and can be previewed at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/skrietsthlm
Expect an album in August.

]]> Tue, 26 May 2009 18:36:56 -0700 news general 2009 Manifest Award winners http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29063-2009-manifest-award-winners http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29063-2009-manifest-award-winners http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29063-2009-manifest-award-winners#comments Here are the winners of the 2009 Manifest Awards, Sweden's alternative Grammy:

Jazz: Bobo Stenson Trio - Cantando (ECM/Naxos)
Punk/Hardcore: Disco Volante - We are forever (Not enough)
Hårdrock/Metal: Grand Magus - Iron Will (Rise above/Border)
Rhythm: Movits - Äppelknyckarjazz (BD Pop/Universal)
Experimental: Anders Dahl - Doorbells (Bombaxbombax)
Hip-hop/RnB/Soul: Chords - Things We Do For Things (Juju/Playground)
Best Live: Robyn (Konichiwa Records)
Folk/Visa: Gunnel Mauritzson Band - Det som sker...(Sandkvie Records/CDA)
Synth: Elegant Machinery - A soft exchange (Out of Line/Sound Pollution)
Singer/Songwriter: First Aid Kit - Drunken Trees (Rabid Records/Border)
Pop: Frida Hyvönen - Silence Is Wild (Licking Fingers/Playground)
Rock: Pascal - Galgberget (Novoton/Bonnier Amigo)
Dance: Style of Eye - Duck cover and hold (Pieces of eight records)
MySpace-prize for best unsigned act: Tim Schmidt
Vice Label Award: Service

Read more here: http://www.manifestgalan.se/125.aspx

]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:37:53 -0800 news general awards Antennas Feeling feline tonight Novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28767-antennas-feeling-feline-tonight-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28767-antennas-feeling-feline-tonight-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28767-antennas-feeling-feline-tonight-novoton#comments Antennas do not lend themselves easily to comparisons -- there are elements of the pop structures of Shout Out Louds, of the angular nature of Laakso's approach, among other such attempts to define their sound, but very few of these associations hold up as you move through the tracklist. "The collector" is kitschy-chic, like a Weeping Willows ballad hijacked by CDOASS; "Lies" has far more soul and funk in its composition than three Swedes should be able to manifest in song; "Youngbloods" channels a bit of Brit-rock suave before throwing itself recklessly down dance-punk avenues; "Upwardly mobile" could almost be a Hot Chip track... and yet "Feeling feline tonight" feels like a unified work, each track flowing easily into the next, despite the differences in tone and method. Novoton Records apparently can do absolutely no wrong: "Book of Norma" was my first 10 out of 10, postpunkers Paper and Pixies-style rockers Pascal both put out fantastic efforts in 2008, and "Feeling feline tonight", with its ability to combine 80s pop craftsmanship and angular indie rock with the interesting, reactionary elements of some 90s music (think Stone Roses and Pulp), only strengthens Novoton's position as one of the very best labels in Sweden. "Feeling feline tonight" is my first great surprise of the year.]]> Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:03:53 -0800 reviews Manifest nominees are go http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28642-manifest-nominees-are-go http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28642-manifest-nominees-are-go http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28642-manifest-nominees-are-go#comments The nominees for the Manifest Awards, Sweden's alternative Grammy, have been announced:

Synth:
Thermostatic - Humanizer (Wonderland Records)
Zeigeist - The Jade Motel (Spegel/Imperial Recordings/Playground)
Moonlight Cove - Orphans of the Storm (Kinetophone/Hot Stuff)
Elegant Machinery - A soft exchange (Out of Line/Hot Stuff)
Rhythm:
Movits - Äppelknyckarjazz (BD Pop/Universal)
Erici - Brasilicum (Erici Music/Dead Frog)
Saft Stockholm - Ordet (Saft Productions/Stockholm Electronica)
Kungers - Galaxen (Rätta Visan/Border)
Experimental:
Anders Dahl - Doorbells (Bombaxbombax)
Nina de Heyney, Charlotte Hug & Christian Jormin - Acoustic Electronic (LJ Records)
Pär Thörn - Schöneberg/Stammheim/Gärdet/Rågsved (Treffpunkt)
Anders Hultqvist - Traces (Chamber Sound)
Pop:
Frida Hyvönen - Silence Is Wild (Licking Fingers/Playground)
Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from... (Razzia/Bonnier Amigo)
Joel Alme - A Master Of Ceremonies (Sincerely Yours/Border)
Nordpolen - På Nordpolen (Sincerely Yours/Border)
Rock:
The Hellacopters - Head Off (Wild Kingdom/Sound Pollution)
Pascal - Galgberget (Novoton/Bonnier Amigo)
Fatboy - In My Bones (Fat State Production/Playground)
Manikins - Crocodiles (P.Trash Records)
Dance:
Pär Grindvik - Samlad årsproduktion (Stockholm LTD)
Anders Ilar - Sworn (Level Records 11)
Style of Eye - Duck cover and hold (Pieces of eight records)
Zoo Brazil - No Place Like Home (Gung Ho! Recordings)
Jazz:
Bobo Stenson Trio - Cantando (ECM/Naxos)
Nina Ramsby & Ludwig Berghe Trio - Du har blivit stor nu [En kamp!] (Moserobie/Bonnier Amigo)
e.s.t. - Leucocyte (ACT/Bonnier Amigo)
The Splendor - Sound of Splendor (HOOB/Border)
Punk/Hardcore:
Disco Volante - "We are forever" (Not enough)
Disfear - "Live the storm" (Relapse/Border)
Nitad - "Ibland kan man inte hindra sig själv" (Kranium)
Meanwhile - "Reality or nothing" (Feral Ward)
Hårdrock/Metal:
Burst - Lazarus Bird (Relapse/Border)
Dismember - Dismember (Regain/Sound Pollution)
Grand Magus - Iron Will (Rise above/Border)
Opeth - Watershed (Roadrunner/Bonnier Amigo)
Hip-hop/R'n'B/Soul:
Chords - Things We Do For Things (Juju/Playground)
Afasi & Filthy – Fläcken (P.o.p.e./Playground)
Masse - Gott & Blandat Vol. 2
Allyawan - Blu Duk Mixtape Vol. 2
Folk/Ballad:
Gunnel Mauritzson Band - Det som sker...(Sandkvie Records/CDA)
Maria Hörnelius, Bernt Andersson & Kjell Jansson - En sång för Kent (Eld Records/Border)
Jonas Knutsson & Johan Norberg - Skaren - Norrland III (Act/BAM)
Bjernulf/Björklund/Lindh – Pål Olles väg (Courage)
Singer/Songwriter:
Melpo Mene - Bring the Lions Out (Imperial Recordings/Playground)
Hyacinth House - Black Crows Country (True Music Production/Glitterhouse)
First Aid Kit - Drunken Trees (Rabid Records/Border)
Olle Nyman - Venture (A West Side Fabrication/Border)
Live:
Detektivbyrån (Danarkia)
The Hellacopters (Psychout Records)
Lykke Li (LL Recordings)
Robyn (Konichiwa Records)
Myspace prize for best unsigned act:
Montauk
Hero in action
Miranda Gjerstad
Sci-Fi Hands
John F Karlsson
Dyno
Tim Schmidt
Nottee
The Bellevues
Diskoteket

Go here for more: http://www.manifestgalan.se/

]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:39:27 -0800 news general awards Top 10s for 2008: Daggan (Novoton) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25787-top-10s-for-2008-daggan-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25787-top-10s-for-2008-daggan-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25787-top-10s-for-2008-daggan-novoton#comments 01. Pascal - Galgberget
http://www.klicktrack.com/novoton/releases/pascal/galgberget
I know I work with the band, but even if I didn't an album like this would be number one on my list any day. Pascal are back with their sophomore album "Galgberget", and what a follow up it is. They have fine tuned their cave rock and are both heavier and noisier than ever. More anger and bitterness. More hate, longing and much much more love. Just as Pascal likes it.

02. Woven Hand - Ten stones
http://www.myspace.com/wovenhand
I've been a fan of Woven Hand since day one and I know that some older fans didn't like this album, but I love it. I like that there is a little more rawness and energy. It's a great album.

03. Norma - Book Of Norma
http://www.klicktrack.com/novoton/releases/norma/book-of-norma
Another one of my bands and what a debut album they made. They mix ambient, Kraut, noise, electronica, indie often with a strict, repetitive bass/drum pattern and a magnificent, wide and almost hypnotic sound. This is rich, panoramic music with a warmth that you don't hear often from other bands trying to do something in this genre. German Kraut is one obvious thing, but also the spacerock of Spiritualized and Spacemen3 comes to mind. Newer references may be Silverbullit, 120 Days, Serena Maneesh and The Lionheart Brothers. Check out the review here at It's a Trap! and you'll get how good it is.

04. Clinic - Do it
http://www.clinicvoot.org/
Britain's finest psych rock combo return with a great summer album which I listen to almost exclusively the whole summer, and still do. "Corpus Christi now you miss me."

05. Ultravox - Ultravox!, Ha! Ha! Ha!, Systems of romance
http://www.metamatic.com/

05. Gary Numan - Replicas
http://www.numan.co.uk/
Every year I seem to have a trip down the memory lane and this year it was both Ultravox three first albums with John Foxx (don't care much for the ones with Midge Ure though). Still fucking brilliant. Enough said. I also listened a lot to a almost perfect album by Gary Numan - Replicas. Check them all out, it's well worth it.

06. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr. Happy
http://www.klicktrack.com/klicktrack/releases/montys-loco/farewell-mr-happy-2
Montys Loco are back with their forth album recorded in Namibia and Sweden. It explores organic sounds and electronic atmospheres created by Marie Eklund, Monty's guitarist and producer. PJ Harvey meets Suicide and Neubauten!

07. Spiritualized - Songs in A&E
http://www.myspace.com/spiritualized
"Songs in A&E" is a return to fantastic form by Spirtualized. All of Jason Pierce's fascinations of the past years appear here in a beautiful way. I'm always pleased to see old favourites release great albums.

08. Holiday For Strings - Upcoming second album
http://www.myspace.com/holidayforstrings
So it's not out yet but I got a CD with some of the new tracks which I absolutely loved. It's going to be a great album. Head over to their MySpace page and listen to them.

09. Glasvegas - Glasvegas
http://www.glasvegas.net/
I haven't really had time to get into it properly because I am always a little sceptic to bands that are hyped this much. However good music is good music even if it is being hyped, sometime it's hyped because it's good. I am sure this will be listened to a lot the next couple of months.

10. Fatboy - In my bones
http://www.klicktrack.com/klicktrack/releases/fatboy/in-my-bones
And to end the list a little bit of Rockabilly from Sweden. Fatboy's second album is truly genuine. Something with a feel for history, but that is fashionably out of date. A combo that looks like it sounds, that isn't afraid to laugh in the face of expectation.

---------------------------
Daggan runs the label Novoton and is one of the founders of Klicktrack. Next year he is looking forward to release new albums by Antennas, Existensminimum and Pascal as well as a side project by Isak from Pascal.
www.novoton.se
www.klicktrack.com

]]> Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/24234 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/24234 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/24234#comments Labrador is offering up the new Legends single "Seconds away" as a free download: http://www.labrador.se/mp3/the_legends-seconds_away.mp3
If you dig feedback squall pop ala JAMC/Pascal/etc., you'll dig this. I'm not normally a Legends fan, but I am definitely into it. C'mon, who doesn't love shrill feedback braindrills? Not me! Anyhow, the official date for the disc release (w/b-side remixes and so on) is November 5.

]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:44:01 -0700 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23839 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23839 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23839#comments Novoton Records (Antennas, Pascal) has signed Hyper Plastic (ex-This Perfect Day) and will be releasing a 12" vinyl EP in early November. Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/hyperplastic

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:57:02 -0700 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23652 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23652 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23652#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Pascal - Längtar efter dig
02. TALK 1
03. Division of Laura Lee - Central Park
04. New Decade - While tonight still is
05. Abduktio - Uutisia rintamalta
06. TALK 2
07. Echo Is Your Love - Lion tamer vs tigers
08. Fireside - Silver muscle car
09. Him Kerosene - Ladybugs
10. TALK 3
11. NEI - New morning
12. The Bear Quartet - All your life
13. Park Hotell - Dead ringers
14. KVLR - Spit
15. Electric Retard - Skate girl
16. TALK 4
17. Samuraj Cities - Ugly kids are alright
18. Barra Head - Iron to skin
19. Death By Kite - Himmelfahrtskommando
20. TALK 5
21. Blithe - Haven
22. Starmarket - You can't come
23. Lukestar - White shade
24. Monkeystrikes - Tahonga take away
25. TALK 6
26. Voices Break the Silence - This awful friend

Reminder: My show on Sirius Left of Center (channel 26) airs Sundays at 11pm ET with repeats on Monday at the same time.

]]> Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:42:16 -0700 news sirius http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23073 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23073 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23073#comments I almost forgot, but here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Jesper Norda - Tommorrow you'll be forgiven but tonight you will have your teeth knocked out
02. TALK 1
03. On Volcano - Out of sight
04. Monday Monkey Riot - Go ape
05. Dmitry Fyodorov - Warcollapse!
06. TALK 2
07. Wired for Mono - Don't look down
08. Small - Come around (vs Hippo remix)
09. September Malevolence - ...accidents happen so fasr
10. TALK 3
11. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Facelessness erase every trace of humanity
12. Napoleon - Send me a woman
13. Rigas Den Andre - I am crane
14. TALK 4
15. Mist - Subjective pop song
16. Ebba Grön - Tyst för fan
17. Neveres - Pause
18. Pascal - Cadillac
19. TALK 5
20. Komeda - Blossom (got to get it out)

Reminder: my show on Sirius Left of Center (channel 26) is now on Sundays at 11pm ET with repeats on Monday.

]]> Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:13:55 -0700 news sirius http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23072 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23072 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23072#comments Here's the video for the new Pascal single "Cadillac": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ9G7LnA3D8

]]> Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:11:30 -0700 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21968 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21968 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21968#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Frivolvol - Out come the knives
02. TALK 1
03. Lapko - Dead disco
04. Gentle Touch - Once you used to
05. Pellarin - Whistle like you're 56
06. TALK 2
07. Björn Kleinhenz - Light of love
08. Pascal - Smärtsillande
09. Ljudbilden & Piloten - Weddings
10. TALK 3
11. Margaret Berger - Samantha
12. Doughnuts - Become one
13. Kusowsky - Jonny
14. NEI - The devil
15. TALK 4
16. Happiness - Loot at that rabbit go!
17. Firefox AK - Pushing
18. Fattaru - Hörde jag skål
19. TALK 5
20. Britta Persson - Cliffhanger
21. Grizzly Twister - Black box
22. The Social Services - Baltic Sea
23. TALK 6
24. Montys Loco - Criminal
25. Fontän - Alla kan se dig
26. Animal Alpha - Pin you all
27. TALK 7
28. Astrid Swan - Spartan picnic
29. Barra Head - Undermine
30. Fun - 2:22men
31. TALK 8
32. Ted Gärdestad - Oh, vilken härlig dag
33. Christian Kjellvander - Poppies and peonies
34. Echo Is Your Love - Lion tamer vs tigers
35. TALK 9
36. I Am Bones - Home is the one corner of hell that didn't catch fire
37. Miss Li - I'm sorry, he's mine
38. The Deer Tracks - YesThisIsMyBrokenShield
39. TALK 10
40. Entombed - Damn deal done

]]> Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:25:38 -0700 news sirius http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21887 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21887 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21887#comments The Next Big Thing weighs in favorably on the latest Novoton releases from the bands Pascal and Paper: http://nextbigthing.blogspot.com/2008/03/day-care-centre-jumpin-jackpot-of.html

]]> Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:21:23 -0700 news reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21876 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21876 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21876#comments New mailorder arrivals now in stock:

Paper - An object (CD)
Pascal - Galgberget (CD)

]]> Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:15:02 -0700 news sitenews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21648 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21648 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21648#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

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

]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:53:58 -0800 news sirius http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21610 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21610 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21610#comments PopMatters reviews Pascal's latest record "Galgberget": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/54141/pascal-galgberget/

]]> Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:45:46 -0800 news reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21350 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21350 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21350#comments 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

]]> Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:51:52 -0800 news sirius Pascal Galgberget Novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26326-pascal-galgberget-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26326-pascal-galgberget-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26326-pascal-galgberget-novoton#comments "Förbi fabriken", this three-piece combo has been associated with The Jesus and Mary Chain and sure, I see where that's coming from. However, I'm more inclined to name The Cramps as a major influence. The naïve and primitive musical approach that is the trademark of said band is also a large part of Pascal and of "Galgberget" in particular. Each song featured is an attack that when combined, forms an unstoppable force of distortion, reverb and repeating lyrics. The lyrics are, in their simplicity, superb and maybe it's just because they are that simple, it makes them so good. For example, take the first tune "Stort och vackert" wherein they sing (translated) "I'm gonna build something big and beautiful/that I can crush you with." That right there are the only words to that song. The "less is more" device is integral to the whole record and I can cope with that. Especially when it's done this well! Dealing with love, suicide, Elvis ("Min enda vän"), the lyrics accompany the dark and sometimes gloomy music perfectly. And the cover of Judas Priest's "Painkiller" ("Smärtstillande") is awesome! If you're only gonna buy one Swedish punk rock album this year, be sure to buy this one. A good time is guaranteed.]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21126 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21126 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21126#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Elias and the Wizzkids - Young and hairy
02. TALK 1
03. Barra Head - Common ground
04. Familjen - Kom säger dom
05. José González - Killing for love
06. TALK 2
07. Marybell Katastrophy - Red red lips
08. Trentemøller - Moan (Trentemøller remix ft. Ane Trolle)
09. Lykke Li - I'm good, I'm gone
10. TALK 3
11. Dreamboy - Stars
12. Laakso - Worst case scenario
13. Marit Bergman - This is the year
14. TALK 4
15. Abhinanda - Rumble
16. Docenterna - Bensin i blodet
17. The Bombhappies - And at Belle Bed Inn, I found you
18. TALK 5
19. Firefox AK - Winter rose (ft. Tiger Lou)
20. Peloton - Nozal
21. The Bell - Target group
22. TALK 6
23. Moto Boy - Young love
24. Aerial - Kallisti
25. Truckfighters - Atomic
26. TALK 7
27. I'm From Barcelona - Treehouse
28. Pascal - Smärtsillande
29. Hero Dishonest - Fist song
30. Vijaya - Your gun will never set you free
31. TALK 8
32. Matts Katt - About the French
33. C.Aarmé - Dustin
34. Leütenhaven - Abbatoir the ghost
35. TALK 9
36. Lukestar - Shade you hide
37. Christian Kjellvander - Two souls
38. Royal Downfall - A life of constant failure
39. TALK 10
40. Entombed - Lights out

]]> Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:20:55 -0800 news sirius MP3: Pascal - Smärtstillande http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28233-mp3-pascal-smartstillande http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28233-mp3-pascal-smartstillande http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28233-mp3-pascal-smartstillande#comments When Pascal's debut album "Förbi fabriken" was released, the PR machine wanted them to be heralded as noiserock saviors. It was suggested that this was the band that supposed the sweep away all the weak-ass bullshit to make way for some real rock'n'roll. Trouble was, said album was flat and lifeless and didn't much of anything except maybe ennui. Now with the release of sophomore album "Galgberget", Pascal actually does start to live up to the hyperbole. It's loud and raw and full of renewed vibrancy. But don't mistake squalls of feedback for a Jesus and Mary Chain soundalike - where as JAMC are cool and detached, Pascal are energized and engaged. One listen to the chorus of lead single "Längtar efter dig" will show you that.

The song I'm most interested in however, would have to be their cover of Judas Priest's "Painkiller", named here in Swedish as "Smärtstillande". They successfully manage to take one of Priest's heaviest tracks and completely rework it in their own style. It's got the same sinister vibe, but it's definitely not metal. Here I thought that Death's excellent version was the be all end all, but nope, I was wrong. Pascal makes it their own and in that process, transforms it into something extra special. Exceptionally well done.

]]> Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:47:55 -0800 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20944 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20944 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20944#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Britta Persson - Cliffhanger
02. TALK 1
03. Death By Kite - Sweet M
04. KVLR - Traitors and thieves
05. Anna Ternheim - Today is a good day
06. TALK 2
07. Don Juan Dracula - Take me home (Johan Angebjörn remix feat. Sally Shapiro)
08. Amorphis - Weaving the incantation
09. Thomas Denver Jonsson - Dreams at the film club (feat. Nina Kinert)
10. TALK 3
11. Don't Be A Stranger - Lonely together
12. Madrugada - Tonight I have no words for you
13. Majessic Dreams - Have to go
14. TALK 4
15. Pavan - The bird
16. Bröderna Lindgren - Om en guldfisk (feat. Kristofer Åström)
17. The Tarantula Waltz - Where I end and you begin
18. Adam Tensta - They wanna know
19. TALK 5
20. Commando M Pigg - Mot stjärnorna
21. Gravy - Rock scientists
22. Jonas Game - ADHD
23. TALK 6
24. Linus Larsson & John Roger Olsson - In the shadow
25. Idiot Kid - Go to sleep
26. Mats Öberg - Cool water - på Den Gyldene Freden
27. TALK 7
28. Pascal - Längtar efter dig
29. The Bear Quartet - I would be poor
30. Peloton - Aranburu
31. Royal Downfall - Lightning strikes twice
32. TALK 8
33. Made In Sweden - Winter's a bummer
34. Erik Enocksson - The state the sea left me in
35. Asha Ali - Coward heart
36. TALK 9
37. A-ha - Celice

]]> Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:19:16 -0800 news sirius http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20853 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20853 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20853#comments Absolut Noise has a track from the new Pascal album "Galgberget": http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2008/01/some-loud-thunder.html
Eardrums has a full review as well: http://eardrumsmusic.com/2008/01/06/pascal-soon-out-with-new-album-galgeberget/
I thought the band's first album "Förbi fabriken" was kinda boring, but this new one lives up to the hype of the PR. Way more exciting, noisy and energetic.

]]> Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:56:56 -0800 news multimedia Top 10s for 2007: Daggan (Novoton) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25755-top-10s-for-2007-daggan-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25755-top-10s-for-2007-daggan-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25755-top-10s-for-2007-daggan-novoton#comments Here's a "top-10" list from me. Feel free to use it if you like. In no particular order. Just 10 great releases which got my juices flowing ;-).

Tap Tap - Lanzafame
A truly superb album. I hear Bowie, Velvet Underground, Talking Heads in here and I love it.
http://www.myspace.com/taptapmusic

Wolf People - EP
A psych-rock treat
http://www.myspace.com/wolfpeople

Pascal - Galgberget (upcoming album)
Heavier and more noisy then ever. Don't miss this one.
http://www.myspace.com/raukenroll

The Wolfgang Press - Bird wood cage
An oldie from 1988 which I rediscovered and listened to a lot this year. It was great back then and I see now why I loved it so much, and still do.
http://www.4ad.com/thewolfgangpress/releases/birdwoodcage-0/

Pet Politics - When I get old (track)
A great artist and I really have to do something with him now.
http://www.myspace.com/petpoliticstheband

Norma - 1 (EP)
A perfect mixture of ambient, kraut, noise, electronica, indie
http://www.myspace.com/theamazingnorma

Dieter Schöön - Lablaza
A very original and cool album.
http://www.myspace.com/dieterschoon

Black Belt - Two minutes to midnight
A hard rocking epos. Just listen to the closing song "Midnight".
http://www.myspace.com/blackbeltspace

Hot Silk Pockets (band)
A recommended listen.
http://www.myspace.com/hotsilkpockets

Love Is A Burning Thing - Dancer on a chair (track)
A song that make me just want to jump around.
http://www.myspace.com/liabt

"Can't wait for"
Antennas', Paper's and Norma's upcoming albums. All due to be released this spring and from what I have heard all equally great in their own ways.

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

Daggan is the head of Novoton Records and also runs the mp3 download service Klicktrack.
www.novoton.se
www.klicktrack.com

]]> Sat, 22 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20667 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20667 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20667#comments Pascal now has three new tracks from their forthcoming album "Galgberget" up on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/raukenroll
It comes out January 22 via Novoton.]]> Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:54:13 -0800 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20262 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20262 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20262#comments Novoton has announced that Pascal's sophomore album "Galgberget" will be out on January 22 with the first pressing coming in a special sleeve. The first single "Längtar efter dig" will be out in December and will include various TBA b-side remixes.]]> Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:53:24 -0800 news general http://www.itsatrap.com/n/196 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/196 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/196#comments Look for a new single from Pascal in October with an album to follow in November.]]> Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news Top 10s for 2006: Daggan (Novoton) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25643-top-10s-for-2006-daggan-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25643-top-10s-for-2006-daggan-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25643-top-10s-for-2006-daggan-novoton#comments 01. The Black Angels - Passover (album)
The best album this year. This is how it should sound my friends

02. Pascal - Förbi Fabriken (album)
The best thing that have happened to me since JAMC

03. Existensminimum - Last night my head tried to explode and i wrote everything down (album)
Utterly brilliant neo-kraut debut album by Existensminimum

04. Antennas - Sins (album)
Antennas debut album promises greatness for the future

05. Pet Politics - "In my Head" and "The Spring" (EPs)
Two great, now probably sold out, EPs by one of Swedens finest artists

06. The Magic City - The Magic City (Promo EP)
Dark and hypnotic with a groove based on deep bass sound and monotone drumbeat. I know it was made in 2005 but I really got into it this year.

07. Promise and The Monster - Antarktis (song)
Hunting, desolate and beautiful. I just can't stop listening to it

08. Clinic - Visitations (album)
Another great album by one of my fav bands

09. Dödens Lammungar (band)
Neo-goth have never sounded this sweet

10. Danava - By The Mark (song)
Hawkwind lives!

Just outside the list: The new, Jari Haapalainen produced, album ("Two minutes to midnight") by Black Belt. It was recorded by the end of 2006 and I have listened to it a lot but it will be released in the beginning of February 2007 and I know it will end up on my best of 2007. No doubt about it. Paper - Great indiepunkkrautrocknewwave


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

Daggan is the head of Novoton Records and also runs the mp3 download service Klicktrack.
www.novoton.se
www.klicktrack.com

]]> Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5669 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5669 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5669#comments Novoton has posted a couple new videos for free download:

01. Existensminimum - Changing lines
02. Pascal - Jonnie]]> Wed, 24 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6692 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6692 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6692#comments Photo: Henrik was recently updated with new pics from Irene, Pascal and The Kid: http://www.photohenrik.com/]]> Thu, 09 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6913 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6913 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6913#comments Photo: Henrik is updated with new pics of Irene and Pascal: http://www.photohenrik.com/]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news Pascal Förbi fabriken Novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26290-pascal-forbi-fabriken-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26290-pascal-forbi-fabriken-novoton http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26290-pascal-forbi-fabriken-novoton#comments Jesus & the Mary Chain. I've tried and tried to like it, but I've come to the conclusion that Pascal are to me another band where style overshadows any real substance, "Förbi fabriken" lacks a key ingredient – good songs. I feel a bit sorry for Pascal, they've got their heart in the right place, but I can't help to think of them as way too puerile and – in places - plain embarrassing. They're the embodiment of the band that you go and see when you're a kid at the local youth club that put on a great show and who all the girls fall in love with, but then they never go anywhere and they'll loose the girls' attention, since their songs are all crap. Call me posh if you like, but I'm going to stick with Mattias Alkberg BD and pass on this one.]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 reviews MP3: Pascal - Förbi fabriken http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28056-mp3-pascal-forbi-fabriken http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28056-mp3-pascal-forbi-fabriken http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28056-mp3-pascal-forbi-fabriken#comments New mp3 today from Pascal, a Swedish throwback to the big guitar-heavy alt-rock bands of the 90s. Y'know, bands like The Pixies or Throwing Muses. I've always been kind of lukewarm about that stuff (my tastes lean more towards the more discordant, AmRep/Touch & Go-esque bands of that era), but Pascal has been getting tons of rave reviews so I figure there's gotta be something to it, right? Well, it's still taking some time to grow on me but I'm gonna throw it out there anyhow 'cuz it isn't always all about me. If you do like though, let me encourage you buy the whole record.]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7225 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7225 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7225#comments New mp3 today from Pascal, a Swedish throwback to the big guitar-heavy alt-rock bands of the 90s. Y'know, bands like The Pixies or Throwing Muses. I've always been kind of lukewarm about that stuff (my tastes lean more towards the more discordant, AmRep/Touch & Go-esque bands of that era), but Pascal has been getting tons of rave reviews so I figure there's gotta be something to it, right? Well, it's still taking some time to grow on me but I'm gonna throw it out there anyhow 'cuz it isn't always all about me. If you do like though, let me encourage you buy the whole record.]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7354 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7354 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7354#comments Pascal's new album "Förbi fabriken" is now available as a paid download: [click here]]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7730 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7730 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7730#comments Pascal has posted a new song for download: http://www.kyssmig.com/sounds/pascal_forbi_fabriken.mp3]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7739 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7739 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7739#comments Pascal has slightly revamped their website: http://www.kyssmig.com/]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news Top 10s for 2005: Daggan Stamenkovic (Novoton/Klicktrack) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25534-top-10s-for-2005-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton-klicktrack http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25534-top-10s-for-2005-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton-klicktrack http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25534-top-10s-for-2005-daggan-stamenkovic-novoton-klicktrack#comments 01. Seeing Pascal live for the first time and signing them on the spot

02. The Klicktrack.com launch

03. Pet Politics - The cold wind blows (song)

04. Paper - our so long (song)

05. Antennas - Always on my mind (single)

06. Existensminimum - Running down everyone (single)

07. Yttling Jazz - Oh Lord, why can't I keep my big mouth shut

08. Photographer Unknown - Sunday afternoon (song)

09. Seeing Efterklang live at Hultsfred

10. Grizzly Bear - Horn of plenty


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Daggan is the head of Novoton Records and also runs the mp3 download service Klicktrack. His most recent signing Pascal will release their debut album in January.
www.novoton.se
www.klicktrack.com

]]> Tue, 20 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9108 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9108 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9108#comments Download a demo version of the track "Hungrigt hjärta" ("Hungry heart") from recent Novoton signees Pascal: http://www.kyssmig.com/sounds/pascal_hungrigt_hjarta.mp3
The band is described by their label as a mix of The Cramps, Jesus and Mary Chain, Joy Division, and Spacemen 3 with a bit with Ebba Grön. The debut album comes out in November.]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9446 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9446 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9446#comments Novoton Records (Antennas/Existensminimum/Black Belt) has announced the signing of Pascal. Look for their debut album to be released this coming fall.]]> Wed, 17 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news