IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Spotify in the US: first impressions

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:54:24 -0700

First of all, it sounds good and works more or less as-advertised aside from a few small hiccups. The ads are minimally intrusive and I can easily see how nice it would be on a mobile device, though I'm not a gadget guy by any stretch of the imagination. On the other hand, I find it incredibly annoying that I can't search by label. Unless there's something I'm missing? It's also annoying that a Sweden-based music service would be so lacking so much classic Swedish music (examples abound, but Ebba Grön is notably absent for one, along with much of Popsicle's discography), but of course that's the fault of short-sighted major labels, not the service itself. Overall I'd say the experience is good though, despite my complaints. The Bear Quartet's entire catalog is available along with most everything else from every other decent current Swedish indie label. Can't beat that. Will I shell out for the premium service? Eh, doubtful but we'll see.

Andreas Matsson to produce Firefox AK

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:12:20 -0800

Firefox AK will be recording her third album with Andreas Matsson (Popsicle, etc.) sitting in the producer's chair. Expect a fall release via Razzia Records.

New Swedish comics come to the US

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:33:15 -0800

Somewhat OT, but not entirely: Top Shelf Comix is translating and publishing seven new books of Swedish comics (4 graphic novels + 2 anthologies) for release in the US this spring. Of the titles they are handling, the most relevant to itsatrap readers is probably "Hey princess" by Mats Jonsson which is, of course, named after the Popsicle song and is about indie-minded young folks in the mid 90s. Read more: http://www.topshelfcomix.com/swedish-invasion
Also worth noting that they'll be bringing Mats and many of the other authors over in April for appearances + meet'n'greets in both NYC and Chicago.

Sirius playlist week #38

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:16:11 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU featuring special guest Mathias Rask-Andersen from the band Culkin:

01. Culkin - Payperfist
02. TALK 1
03. Him Kerosene - Raceday
04. Park Hotell - Happy love
05. Neil Halstead - Paint a face
06. TALK 2
07. Culkin - Glow
08. Scraps of Tape - Drink forever
09. The Bear Quartet - Northern
10. KVLR - Capitol city child
11. TALK 3
12. Brick - I
13. Blithe - Allegiance
14. Giant Boar - Jessica Hell
15. Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - Marry me
16. Popsicle - Not forever
17. TALK 4
18. Culkin - Insomniac

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.

Hello Saferide More modern short stories from Hello Saferide Razzia Records

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Finally Annika Norlin has released her second album as Hello Saferide. For a while we almost died of Norlin abstinence, didn't we? But hey, the medicine for this cold season is here. The album consists of 12 songs with a little help from Andreas Mattson (Popsicle) and the beloved Maia Hirasawa, among others. Bed for success? Yeah. Rewind, we should call it 12 collections of short stories straightly based on Norlin's interior "I have trouble sleeping but I don't recall I had while in your womb", track 7, "Parenting never ends". This is a new sound from 2006, with a toss of country, especially audible on "Traveling with HS" and on the top of Saferide's lungs while singing "Sancho Panza", she is lingering while passing on to a rock sound. Something has happened with the maturity of her voice and lyrics, I just have to get used to it. This is a nostalgic, flirty album that's easily sad about the definition sex, memories and love. Highlights are "Overall", "Lund" and "I wonder who is like this one". Even if the previous album "Introducing Hello Saferide" may entice young enthusiasts more with its happier tunes, "More moderns short stories..." overall grows and grows and grows. Annika Norlin, please continue with your creativity.

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:53:34 -0700

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

01. Lögnhalsmottagningen - Bodybuilder
02. TALK 1
03. Svart - Carl du lever i en dröm
04. Majessic Dreams - Beautiful days
05. Antennas - Lies (Oscar Tillman remix)
06. TALK 2
07. The Sound O.E - Universal tourist
08. Kaipa - Nattdjurstid
09. Murmansk - Pale
10. TALK 3
11. On Volcano - Ride the wolf
12. Markus Krunegård - Samma nätter vänter alla
13. Ondo - Mahavishnu
14. TALK 4
15. Popsicle - Hey princess
16. CMX - Tulikiveä
17. Ström i P2/Håkan Lidbo - Strömavbrott (Boeoes Kaelstigen Etsi remix)
18. TALK 5
19. The Goner - Kill them all save Simon Joyner
20. Cult of Luna - Eternal kingdom
21. Montys Loco - Ages ago
22. TALK 6
23. Mattias Alkberg BD - Allting är drömt
24. Masshysteri - Monoton tid
25. Ljudbilden & Piloten - You know you're doing OK
26. Abduktio - Thermador
27. TALK 7
28. Hebosagil - Big sun
29. Anna Ternheim - To be gone
30. Kusowsky - Tjuvar
31. Fredrik - 1986
32. TALK 8
33. Johan Heltne - 16 Avenue de l'Opera
34. Cortex - Arkham
35. Kleerup - Until we bleed (ft. Lykke Li)
36. TALK 9
37. Coldworker - Citizens of the cyclopean maze

Heads-up: my show is moving to a new time next week! Starting on Sunday, June 8 my show will be on at 11pm Eastern / 8pm Pacific with a repeat on Monday at the exact same time. I'm also paring down to an hour of programming a week, so expect all-killer/no-filler from here on out! Also, seeing as how I'm leaving for Sweden on June 9, this week's coming show will be a Hultsfred Festival special so mark your calenders, update your alarm clocks or do whatever it is you need to do to remind yourself to listen in!

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:30:03 -0700

Annika Norlin is currently in the studio with Andreas Mattson (Popsicle, etc.) working on a new Hello Saferide album. A tentative release date has been set for September.

Birds on Holiday In foreign countries Sandbox Tree Records

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Sweden's Birds on Holiday play sweet indie pop that sounds like Saturday Llooks Good to Me and they also make me think of a latter-day Popsicle (former Swedish indie stalwarts). They've got two lead singers - a man and woman - a combination that I am particularly fond of. It would be nicer with more duets though, instead of just letting them take turns singing songs. It's a neat little album, with some pretty melodies and the songs are surprisingly well-written and performed. The lyrics aren't that special though; in fact, that's where this album falls short. Some of the songs are also a tad repetitive and annoying. Yes, Birds on Holiday could do with more of the better songs, less of the dull ones, and a bit more finesse lyric-wise (there's nothing better than subversive twee, right?). I still think some of these songs are amazing though, so I'd recommend it to lovers of fluffy indie pop (like Belle & Sebastian et al).

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:07:34 -0700

Long-running Swedish indie label A West Side Fabrication has just released a digital-only retrospective comp entitled "Scandinavian indie, now and then from A West Side Fabrication" that helps to exemplify their place in history with bands such as The Bear Quartet, Popsicle, The Wannadies and more. Check it out at Klicktrack: http://www.klicktrack.com/shop/release.jsp?r=57806

Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Whyte Seeds will be going into the studio in July to record a new album. They say to expect a mix of The Cars and Popsicle along with whatever it is that they sound like.

MP3: Laakso - Long Beach

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Besides my own "Reader's companion" CDs there really isn't a better soundtrack to this site than the new "Svensk indie" compilation just released from NONS. Compiled by journalist/promoter/indie guru Terry Ericsson with assistance from Per Helin and Emelie Bååth, this collection is a monstrous 42-tracks plus copious liner notes (på Svensk, naturally). If you don't already have a good majority of these songs in your collection, this is probably the easiest way to get yourself educated. My interview with Terry is still in the works, but I did catch up with both Emelie and Per to ask them about their favorite selections:

Emelie: My favourite song on the compilation is "Hey princess" by Popsicle. It's one of the songs in my life that always makes me glad and it's also a brilliant and perfect floor filler! I actually first heard it on a dance floor, I don't remember which pop club in Sthlm it was, but it could have been Flowered Up or Too Cool for School sometime around -98. I guess I was too young to discover the song when it first was released. To me, back then, Popsicle was all about "Not forever" and "American poet" but the song "Hey princess" simply had a great revival around that time, the dj:s were playing it on clubs and the younger crowd (with me included) discovered the song and I remember that I fell in love with the song at once.

Per: Suredo - "Average cell". That was one of the first Swedish indie tunes that really caught my attention. When I first heard it I remember thinking; what interesting new English band is this (this was at the time when British still was a positive thing musically wise).

But what about all the great songs that were left out? Their picks...

Emelie: I really tried to get Laakso and their song "Long Beach" on the compilation since Laakso is one of my favourite Swedish bands and "Long Beach" one of their greatest songs, but there simply was no room. Unfortunately.

Per: Wow, that¹s many... For me it would probably be any song by Komeda.

Since I figure that trying to decide upon the 'best' Komeda song would be next to impossible, I'm offering up Laakso's "Long Beach" as today's mp3. Why not? Also, if you're in Stockholm, don't forget to check out the release party at Debaser Medis tomorrow October 14. I have no idea who the secret band will be, but I'm sure it'll be good.

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's profile piece is on Andreas Mattsson, a man who I'm sure a lot of you know from his work with legendary Swedish pop act Popsicle, but who is now reinventing himself as a solo artist. Check it: [click here]

Profile: Andreas Mattsson

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Name: Andreas Mattsson

From: Piteå, Sweden

Sounds like: Lo-fi pop folk, a combination that is pulled off quite well here.

Listen: You're never lonely when the band plays

Discography:
2006 - The lawlessness of the ruling classes (Hybris)

Links:
www.hybrism.com

Andreas Mattsson is a man that makes soothing, peaceful music, just as peers Devendra Banhart and David Fridlund have done in recent years. His voice is one of the most soothing I have heard in a long time, and flows like a waterfall over the ground of his guitar playing. I was quite impressed when I first came across "You're never lonely..." (linked above) that I wanted to share a burgeoning new (but not so new) artist with the rest of you.
- Matt Giordano

We (the public) know you as Andreas Mattsson, but what do you excel to be, and where are you from?

Physically I'm from Piteå, 1000 kilometers north of Stockholm, where I live now.
Used to be in a band, Popsicle, in the 90s. We split in '98 and then me and a friend, Niclas Frisk of Atomic Swing fame, started a gospel rock band, The Sweet Chariots, and made one album.
Since then, me and Niclas have been writing songs for other artists and for the band Vanessa & the O's, which we have together with French/English Vanessa and James Iha.
My solo album has been made on spare time since 2000 as a way to make some music without having to compromise and/or cooperate with anyone. I wanted to make all the decisions myself, and produce and play all the instruments.
I guess I just want to make nice music.

I have only heard the one song on the Hybris website, but how would you describe your sound to those unfamiliar?

Non-invasive.

If you could be any non-human being, what would you choose and why?

Maybe a rock. They get to live long and see a lot.

What is your favourite lake? land? lager?

Lake: Pitholmsträsket
Land: Corsica
Lager: Stor stark. (Large strong. That's what you order in Swedish bars. Means draught beer.)

How are Sweden's World Cup chances in your view?

In what sport?

How many hours would you estimate you'll spend this year in downtime between gigs?

Since I'll do approximately six gigs this year, I guess around 8756.

Lastly, what does the rest of this year (and beyond) hold for you?

This summer I'm doing the soundtrack to a Swedish TV thriller and me and my girlfriend are having a second baby. After that I'll take some time off.

Andreas Mattsson The lawlessness of the ruling classes Hybris

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

There's been a lot of talk about how former Popsicle front man Andreas Mattsson, who after Popsicle's demise has spent some of his time writing songs for dodgy pop acts, now is going on tour with critically acclaimed 'noise artists' Tape, and how his first solo album starts with a five-minute instrumental piece (how innovative!). Me, I've been a Popsicle fan as long as I can remember (thanks to my sisters), and with last year's compilation "The good side of Popsicle" my interest in them was suddenly rekindled. "The lawlessness..." is obviously a blessing then, especially since it almost sounds like a straightforward follow up to Popsicle's last album (and their masterpiece) "Stand up and testify". Mattsson's voice, (sad) lyrics, and (gorgeous) melodies haven't changed that much at all – and thank god for that!

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Hybris has posted an mp3 of the brand new single "You're never lonely when the band plays" from Andreas Mattsson (ex-Popsicle, Vanessa and the O's): http://www.hybrism.com/files/andreasmattsson-youreneverlonely.mp3
Andreas' new album "The lawlessness of the ruling classes" comes out March 1.

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

In other Hybris news, here's some their updated release schedule:

Siberia - "Omtagning" single
Hell on Wheels - "Alexandr" single and video
Vapnet - "Thoméegränd" EP and video
Andreas Mattsson (ex-Popsicle, Vanessa and the O's) - "The lawlessness of the ruling classes" album

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Hybris has announced the signing of both Hell on Wheels and ex-Popsicle member Andreas Mattsson. Check out the label's updated release schedule:

The Kid - CD Album (late January)
Andreas Mattsson - CD Album (February)
Hell on Wheels - CD Album (early March)
Vapnet - CD EP (February)
Vapnet - CD Album (late March)

Popsicle The good side of Warner Music Sweden

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

If you like your music twee and melodic, you should check out this compilation from Popsicle, a Swedish band that were active in the '90s, and released some fine albums. This is a double cd, with the standard "one cd full of hits / the other full of b-sides" design. Earlier this year, Popsicle came back from the dead for a one-off gig, and every day I prick my stomach with a needle for missing that show. I have many fond memories from these tunes, and if you're a fan of Teenage Fanclub and their ilk – you should get this and get some of those memories yourself!

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

Preview the new Vanessa and the O's album over at their website: http://www.vanessaandtheos.com/
As mentioned before, the group is an all-star collaboration featuring James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins), Niclas Frisk (Atomic Swing), Andreas Mattson (Popsicle) and French frontwoman Vanessa Quiñones along with special guest guitarist/engineer Pelle Gunnerfeldt.

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

It's been awhile since we heard anything about 'em, but international supergroup Vanessa and the Os will finally be releasing their debut album "La ballade d'O" on May 25. As mentioned before, the band features James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins), Niclas Frisk (Atomic Swing), Andreas Mattson (Popsicle) and French frontwoman Vanessa Quiñones. The ever-so dependable Pelle Gunnerfeldt recorded them.

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

Legendary Swedish pop act Popsicle will be reuniting once again for a special exclusive concert at Cirkus in Stockholm on April 4. Support will come from [ingenting] and El Perro Del Mar and tickets go on sale February 4.

Top 10s for 2004: Johan Bergqvist

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Top 10 personal moments of 2004:

01. The release of my debut album "Throwaway Moments".

02. The one-off reunion of Popsicle that I found out about one day too late. I will never get over missing it.

03. Slussens pensionat for three days with The Soundtrack of Our Lives.

04. The discovery of the greatness of Will Owsley. Do yourselves a favor and buy his debut album "Owsley".

05. Getting my stolen car stereo back. A true miracle.

06. Finally getting a copy of Popsicle's "Dusty Roads" single that's been out of print for ages.

07. Listening to the new mixes of Pearl Jam's "Once", "Alive" and "Black" for the first time (off their new greatest hits album "rearviewmirror").

09. Getting my first pay check from my new job so that I could buy a new pair of jeans.

10. Having some kind of Lebanese kebab dish that I don't know the name of at a really small restaurant in Stockholm that I don't know the name of.

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

Johan is a solo artist from Falun, Sweden, currently residing in Hultsfred. As stated above, his latest album "Throwaway Moments" was released earlier this year and he's already preparing to record the follow-up. Johan also runs the very excellent official Union Carbide Productions website and has designed sites for bands like The 21st Century Noise and Mattias Hellberg.
www.johanbergqvist.com / www.pristine.se / www.unioncarbideproductions.com

Thu, 02 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

P3 Musikjournalen is reporting that legendary Swedish pop act Popsicle is reuniting for the Pet Sounds 25th anniversary. Read more: http://www.sr.se/p3/musikjournalen/arkiv.asp?DagensDatum=2004-12-02&Artikel=514605 (in Swedish)

Mon, 17 Nov 2003 00:00:00 -0800

The Bukks premiere their new video for the track "The Move" tomorrow November 18 at Alcazar in Stockholm. The band, who's debut album is due out shortly, consists of ex-Popsicle drummer PA Wikander, famed producer Micke Herrström (credits incl. Popsicle, Stefan Sundström, Thåström and Hederos & Hellberg, etc.), Lars Bygdén ($1000 Playboys) and Niklas Barve. Mattias Hellberg and Stefan Sundström will DJ the event. More info: http://www.dustmusic.net/

Thu, 22 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Trapdoor Fucking Exit has put up the video for the song "Short Term Investment", recorded live at Umeå Punkfest in 2001. Check it out.

Amulet recently filmed a video for the single "Breaking News". They say it "involves a low key gig at an abandoned house and a deathdefying girl in a van who brings terror to the city of Oslo." I'll let you know if they post in online.

Turbonegro's complete festival schedule for the summer:

06/02 - Flippaut festival, Bologna, Italy
06/05 - Ruisrock, Turku, Finland
06/12 - Hultsfred Festival Hultsfred, Sweden
06/20 - Kick off Festival, Wiesen, Austria
06/21 - Southside Festival, Neuhausen, Germany
06/22 - Hurricane Festival, Schlessel, Germany
06/27 - Roskilde Festival, Denmark
06/28 - Open Air, St Gallen, Switzerland
07/05 - London, Meanfiddler (clubshow) UK
07/12 - T in the Park, Kinross, Scotland, UK
08/07 - Nordland Musikkfestukke, Bodö, Norway
08/08 - Öya festivalen, Oslo Norway
08/09 - Wrightegaarden, Langesund, Norway
08/23 - Reading Festival, Reading UK
08/24 - Leeds Festival, Leeds, UK

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Outlandish - Guantanamo
03. A-Teens - Perfect Match
04. Her Majesty - F.U.N.E.R.A.L
05. Jennifer Brown - Weak
06. HIM - Funeral of hearts
07. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
08. The Cardigans - You´re The Storm
09. Melody Club - Cover Girl
10. Darude - Music
11. Mew - Comforting Sounds
12. Kwan - Shine
13. Equicez - Live From Pass It
14. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
15. Elin Sigvardsson - Where To Start
16. Timbuktu - Ett Brev
17. Paragon - Försök Förstå
18. Pauline - Runnin´ Out Of Gaz
19. Surferosa - Neon Commando
20. Homy - Bus Stop

Challengers:
01. Jon - This Side Up
02. Antique - Moro Mou
03. Fireside - All You Had
04. The Concretes - You Can´t Hurry Love
05. Kamera - At Work
06. C21 - She Cries

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

Labrador Records is now distributed by Mortes Nois in Estonia. For more info email mrnois@hot.ee.

Dolores Records has announced they will be releasing a limited edition CD single for the new supergroup Vanessa and the O's on June 10. The band features ex-members of Popsicle along with James Iha from Smashing Pumpkins and is described as electronic pop in French. Crazy, eh? More info soon.

Bad Taste Records is the label of the month over at the Danish radio program New Rocking Sounds which airs Tuesdays at 8pm on 93.7 in Århus. They'll be interviewing Last Days of April, Logh and various others from the roster along with playng tunes from said bands. Be sure to check it out or wait for the clips to hit the online archives.

Listen to "Mattias Alkbergs Begravning" from Planekonomi, another band featuring Mattias from Bear Quartet. More info here. Look for 2 EPs this fall and a full-length sometime next year.

One of my pals over at indieworkshop.com reviews the new Flaming Sideburns album today.

"No one has satisfactorily explained why a country of 4.5 million generates so much music: is it the dark winters? Subsidised music lessons? Rubbish TV?" - John Bungey, The Times (UK)

Norweigan music appears to be making quite a few headways beyond their borders as evidenced in this article from MIC Norway. Turbonegro and Jaga Jazzist might be the first names to come to mind for most folk, but now there's also Beady Belle, Tord Gustavsen, Per Arne Glorvigen, and St. Thomas to pay attention to.

Johnny Bråttom Records will be holding a record release show on May 30 at Kulturkammaren in Norrköping for their forthcoming "Svensk Populärmusik Volym Två" compilation. The bands scheduled to appear are Slagsmålsklubben, recent Dolores-signees Cdoass, Bremen Brotröster GmbH, Björn Kleinhenz, and The Flu. As for the tracklisting of said comp, it is as follows:

01. Cdoass - The Box
02. Niccokick - Run, Run, Run
03. Björn Kleinhenz - How Long Is The Night?
04. Slagsmålsklubben - Filter Fabric Facts (DJ Upperkurt Instrumental Remix)
05. Idiot Savants - Daily Routine
06. Music 77 - Kameror
07. Pete Thompson - Folk Song
08. Lola Barbershop - Ticket To Happiness
09. The Kid - Baton Rouge
10. Junip - Turn To The Assassin
11. The Topeka Twins - Hunting Song
12. Menteroja - Call Me
13. Bremen Brotröster GmbH - Greater/Better
14. The Flu - Golden Hair
15. Celestine - Sunflower
16. José González - Heartbeats
17. Café Polymorf - A Good Time
18. Quit Your Dayjob - Pissing On A Panda
19. Joni - Frank Xerox
20. Ane Brun - Are They Saying Goodbye?
21. Sandy Mouche - A Year

Aftonbladet reports that famed Swedish videomaker Jonas Åkerlund is working with Blondie on the single "Good Boys" in LA. The new album ""The Curse of Blondie" comes out around September or October. Åkerlund's previous credits include artists such as Satyricon, Madonna, Metallica and The Prodigy.

This new album will be 'harder' than the previous one and more guitars. To sum it up: a groovier album!

That's Peter Tägtgren of Pain describing work on the new album. He says he's already finished all of the backing music along with five of the thirteen vocal tracks and should be able to have it out sometime this fall on Stockholm Records.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Robert Wells - Rhapsody in rock the complete collection
02. Alcazar - Alcazarized
03. Eddie Meduza - Live(s)!
04. v/a - Fame Factory volym 5
05. Moneybrother - Blood panic
06. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
07. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
08. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
09. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
10. Jill Johnson - Discography
11. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
12. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
13. Antique - Blue love
14. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
15. Monia - Söderns hjärtas ros
16. Siw Malmkvist - Siws bästa
17. Elin Sigvardsson - Saturday light naive
18. Simson Dupont - Simson Dupont
19. Fame - Give me your love
20. The Sounds - Living in America

Tomas Ledin is going on tour in support of his new live album "I Sommarnattens Ljus" which comes out on June 2. The dates so far:

07/08 - Öja Slott, Öja
07/19 - Bergs Slussar, Linköping
08/03 - Stadsparken, Örebro

The lineup for Sommarrock, which takes place July 10-12 in Svedala, Sweden: Mikael Wiehe, Bubbles, Joddla w/Siv, Advance Patrol, The Ark, Danne Stråhed, Häjkån Bäjkån Band, The Mo and Di Leva.

This week's Swedish college radio chart (from Dagensskiva):

01. (01) Badly Drawn Boy "All Possibilities"
02. (NY) Grandaddy "Now It's On"
03. (NY) Timbuktu "The Bottom Is Nådd!"
04. (04) The Postal Service "Such Great Heights"
05. (NY) The Cardigans "You're the Storm"
06. (03) Dave Gahan "Dirty Sticky Floors"
07. (05) The White Stripes "7 Nation Army"
08. (NY) Placebo "This Picture"
09. (NY) Mando Diao "Sheepdog"
10. (02) Bad Cash Quartet "Dirty Days"

11. (17) The Donnas "Who Invited You"
12. (14) The Black Keys "Hard Row"
13. (09) The Raveonettes "Beat City"
14. (06) Christian Kjellvander "Homeward Rolling Soldier"
15. (15) Moloko "Forever More"
16. (NY) Tricky "Antimatter"
17. (NY) The Thrills "Big Sur"
18. (ÅT) Miss Universum "Fertilize"
19. (07) Dada Flair Ft. Christian Dohber "Freedom"
20. (08) Gusto "Guns in the Ghetto"

Leaving the chart:
(10) Randy "A Man in Uniform"
(11) Solomon Burke "Soul Searching"
(12) Fireside "All You Had"
(13) Magnus Carlson "Jag ber dig"
(16) Queens Of The Stone Age "Go With The Flow"
(18) The Go-Betweens "Caroline and I"
(19) David & The Citizens "New Direction"
(20) Hot Hot Heat "Bandages"

The full details for Finland's Koneisto Festival has been released. Some of the artists scheduled to appear include Björn Torske, Ralph Myerz & Jack Herren Band, Erlend Oye (acoustic set + "magnificent singing DJ set"), Datarock, Jori Hulkkonen, Rinneradio (feat. Dj Slow, Siiri Nordin and MC Paleface) among many others. The acclaimed electronic music festival was the first of its type for all of Scandinavia and the selection of performers "seeks to establish an interesting balance between commercial and experimental music" over the event's 9 stages. It all goes down in Helsinki from July 25-27 and more info can be found from the fest's official website.

Blabbermouth reports that HIM will be touring Europe in support of Ozzy Osbourne and Godsmack this September. I'll keep you posted.