IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

New music from Sambassadeur this spring?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:47:38 -0800

Swedish indiepop act Sambassadeur is reportedly working on a new album with producer Mattias Glavå for release this coming spring via Labrador Records.

Top tens for 2010: It's a Trap! Contributors

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:20:18 -0800

Stefan Nilsson

01. Håkan Hellström - 2 steg från paradise
I like all of Hellström's albums but his previous one had about 3-4 songs that I loved, so I was a but surprised that "2 steg..." turned out to be his best album of his career.

02. Masshysteri - Masshysteri
Pure melodic punk perfection. A darn shame they've split up.

03. Robyn - Body talk
A bit disappointing that all the talk of 3 albums turned out to be 15 new songs in total, but thankfully some of the songs were killer ones!

04. Monty - 2010
A great album that I believe didn't get the attention it deserved. Montt Mardié in Swedish sounded excellent.

05. Johan Heltne - Sara,
This is what Kent would sound if they were still good (plus if they were a bit more into jazz).

06. CEO - White magic
With no new The Tough Alliance we had to do with CEO, which was just fine, just fine.

07. jj - jj n° 3
A lot of people weren't that keen on jj's second album but I really liked it. Shame they're so terrible live though.

08. The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a scheme
Another boring live band, although I don't care as long as they release albums as brilliant as this.

09. Ludwig Bell - Jag har försökt förklara
Some of it a bit too cheesy perhaps, but some of the songs on Bell's album are pure pop masterpieces.

10. Orup - Född i november
The big Swedish comeback of the year? Orup delivered a great personal album, oddly enough with lyrics not written by him.

Fantastic songs in no particular order

Supergruppen - Farsta centrum by night
Ludwig Bell - Silvertejp
Oskar Linnros - Ack, Sundbyberg
Masshysteri - Dom kan inte höra musiken
Robyn - Dancing on my own
Håkan Hellström - Man måste dö några gånger innan man kan leva
Museum of Bella Arts - Who do you love
Säkert! - Dansa, fastän

Best cover of the year:
jj - My life

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

Albums (in no particular order, except for "You're a wasteland...""):

"You're a wasteland, honey" Robert Svensson (my album of the year)

"Let this be the last night we care" Alcoholic Faith Mission (my only other 10/10)

"Trilogi" Fredrik

"This wilderlessness" Yamon Yamon

"In never out" Pg.lost

"Conscious castle" Another Nation's National Anthem

"s/t" EP, Night Minutes

"Dada bandits" Rubik

"White mountain" Kiki Pau

"Clinging to a scheme" The Radio Dept.

mp3:
"The sound and the sore" Cut City

Laura Studarus

Jónsi: Go -- Not just my top Scandinavian album, but my top album of the year. Period. There's so much emotion in this one that the first time I heard it (a lo-bit stream over crappy computer speakers) I cried. The fact I also happen to be a noted wimp should in no way stop you from checking this out.

Club 8: The people's record -- Yet another in a long string of reasons why Johan Angergård (Club 8/Legends/Pallers/Acid House Kings) should continue on his quest for world domination. (Or failing that, musical domination.) So many bands lose their way after so many albums -- their attempts to infuse their sound with new elements as convincing as a child's Halloween "scary" costume. And then there's Club 8 -- who has mixed afro/Cuban beats in with their sweet pop, and created a delicious hybrid beast...all without sacrificing an iota of their identity along the way.

Jens Lekman: Sure he didn't put an album out this year, but he played a one-off gig in Los Angeles that had everyone swooning. One of the best performers working today. Full stop.

Ólafur Arnalds: ...And they have escaped the weight of darkness -- Second in emotional resonance only to Go. It can be difficult to write about experimental instrumentals without sounding foolish -- so at the risk of sounding increasingly stupid, this album will recalibrate your perception of beauty.

The Radio Dept.: Clinging to a scheme -- It's about time! Back and better than ever. Welcome.

Casiokids: Topp stemning på lokal bar -- Are these "kids" playing near you? (Given their touring schedule it's a real possibility.) Go! Go! Go! Are you currently at a Casiokids concert? Dance! Dance! Dance!

Seabear: We built a fire -- Another gloriously dreamy album from the Icelandic collective. This is nostalgic chamber pop ready to soundtrack new memories.

Kaskas: In the meanwhile -- Finland's Yo La Tengo blending influences and styles with grace. A side-project that -- if the world is just and good -- will become a full-time gig.

Söder tea: If this were music, it would be a perfect ten. I'm starting to feel like a junkie asking my friends in Sweden to hook me up. No I can't quit any time I want, and of course, I don't have a problem.

Sambassadeur: European -- Classic pop with an orchestral flair. Why these guys haven't caught on stateside is one of life's great mysteries. (Then again, I'm from the country that just nominated Justin Bieber for a Grammy, so what do I know?)

PopMatters says The Radio Dept. is #1

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:50:27 -0800

No big surprise really: The Radio Dept. tops PopMatters' top 10 indiepop albums of 2010 list: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/134171-the-best-indie-pop-of-2010/
Also, coming in at #8, is fellow Labrador act Sambassadeur.

MP3: Autisterna - Sov

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Got a new track for you today from Austisterna, a Göteborg-based act named after Stig Larsson's debut novel. Though I have been bestowed with the exclusive privilege of posting said track by label Groover Recordings, I wouldn't be doing so if it wasn't good and so logically it follows that yes, it is indeed a fine piece of work and one well worth checking out. Fit for this grey season too, not just because I'd rather be hibernating as the song title suggests ("Sov" = "Sleep"), but also because the band's violinist provides an extra little heart-tug with her languid melody line laying over the delicate tinkling of piano, a melancholy sound that's perfect for these short, dark days. It's been three years since the band's debut "Sista scenen" and now the follow-up "Legender", recorded once again with producer Mattias Glavå (Håkan Hellström, Broder Daniel, Franke, Sambassadeur etc.), is finally ready and will be released on March 2 on both CD and LP, as well as digital. "Sov" is merely a taste though; the first proper single "Rachael Ray" doesn't come out until January 10 and I'm sure that if it's anything as good as this, we can look forward to a fantastic record.

Musik med Sambassadeur (#2)

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:40:46 -0700

More newly published, older live recordings at PSL, this time from Sambassadeur: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2010/08/17/musik-med-sambassadeur-2/

This week's Last.fm chart

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:28:09 -0700

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. CEO
02. Kent
03. Robyn
04. Familjen
05. Oskar Linnros
06. Håkan Hellström
07. Sambassadeur
08. Markus Krunegård
09. The National
10. Teenage Fanclub

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Sambassadeur - I can try (video)

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:20:25 -0700

Here's the new Sambassadeur video for the single "I can try": http://www.vimeo.com/12641915

Sambassadeur - I can try

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:47:16 -0700

The new Sambassadeur single "I can try", officially due out July 7 via Labrador Records, is being given away as a free download: http://www.labrador.se/icantry

Under the Radar talks to Sambassadeur

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:57:51 -0700

Under the Radar interviews Swedish indie act Sambassadeur: http://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/sambassadeur/

Musik med Sambassadeur

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:44:23 -0700

Live music at PSL with Sambassadeur: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2010/04/19/musik-med-sambassadeur/

This week's Last.fm chart

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:46:23 -0800

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. The Radio Dept.
02. Beach House
03. Sambassadeur
04. Moto Boy
05. Jens Lekman
06. Håkan Hellström
07. Shout Out Louds
08. Jonathan Johansson
09. Yeasayer
10. Club 8

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

PopMatters reviews Sambassadeur

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:58:06 -0800

PopMatters is so-so on the new Sambassadeur album "European": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/121511-sambassadeur-european/

This week's Last.fm chart

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:09:16 -0800

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Sambassadeur
02. Shout Out Louds
03. Efterklang
04. Beach House
05. The Radio Dept.
06. Jens Lekman
07. Oh No Ono
08. Yeasayer
09. The Soundtrack of Our Lives
10. El Perro del Mar

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Pitchfork reviews Sambassadeur, Kasper Bjørke

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:52:41 -0800

Pitchfork reviews the new Sambassadeur album "European": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13932-european/
Also covered, Danish producer Kasper Bjørke's "Standing on top of utopia": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13945-standing-on-top-of-utopia/

Sambassadeur - Stranded

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:27:51 -0800

Labrador Records has posted yet another preview track from the new Sambassadeur album "European": http://soundcloud.com/labrador-records/sambassadeur-stranded

Sambassadeur track review at Pitchfork

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:07:37 -0800

Sambassadeur's "Stranded" gets a mediocre track review at Pitchfork: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11747-stranded/

Sirius playlist week #4

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:45:38 -0800

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

01. Komeda - Elvira Madigan
02. TALK 1
03. Joensuu 1685 - I'm on fire
04. Haust - Skate rock
05. Sambassadeur - Sandy dunes
06. Erik de Vahl - Got it all
07. TALK 2
08. The Confusions - Boys will be boys
09. The Knife - Heartbeats
10. Francis - I was never bored at all
11. Monzano - Cold waters
12. TALK 3
13. Ave - The load of human kind
14. Trapdoor Fucking Exit - Cardiac arrest
15. Håkan Hellström - Tro och tvivel
16. Karin Ström - Hackney Downs
17. TALK 4
18. Mr. Death - Misery's womb

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.

This week's Last.fm chart

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:20:12 -0800

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Håkan Hellström
02. Markus Krunegård
03. Yeasayer
04. Girls
05. Kent
06. Frida Hyvönen
07. Shout Out Louds
08. Hello Saferide
09. The Mary Onettes
10. Sambassadeur

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Sirius playlist week #2

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:38:45 -0800

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

01. November - En ny tid är här
02. TALK 1
03. Viola - 2010s (maybe the world won't end)
04. Love Is All - Kungen
05. Niels Nielsen - We are youth
06. NEI - 40 rabbits
07. TALK 2
08. Voices Break the Silence - Lost
09. Oriel Joans - Knuckles whiten
10. Ljudbilden & Piloten - Arms and legs together
11. David Åhlén - Great is thy faithfulness
12. TALK 3
13. Sambassadeur - Sandy dunes
14. Folkvang - Stugsista
15. Nirvana 2002 - Slumber
16. TALK 4
17. Obliteration - Exterminate
18. Java - Smokescreen
19. Thee Gutted String - White
20. TALK 5
21. Grande Roses - The farm

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.

Sambassadeur potential single preview

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:43:54 -0800

Labrador is offering a preview of a few new Sambassadeur songs off their forthcoming record "European": http://www.labrador.se/sambasingel/
One of these tracks will be selected as the next single.

This week's Last.fm chart

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:45:44 -0800

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Håkan Hellström
02. Jens Lekman
03. Shout Out Louds
04. The Bear Quartet
05. El Perro del Mar
06. The Tough Alliance
07. Girls
08. Anna Ternheim
09. Sambassadeur
10. Kings of Convenience

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

This week's Last.fm chart

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:59:46 -0800

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Local Natives
02. Kent
03. Jens Lekman
04. Hello Saferide
05. Håkan Hellström
06. Shout Out Louds
07. Sambassadeur
08. Bob Hund
09. El Perro del Mar
10. The Soundtrack of Our Lives

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

New Sambassadeur gets title, release date

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:25:34 -0800

The new Sambassadeur album "European" is now officially confirmed for release on February 24, 2010.

Sirius playlist week #46

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:17:24 -0800

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

01. Champagne Riot - THe champagne anthem
02. TALK 1
03. C.Aarmé - Bodybuilding
04. Mattias Alkberg - Andra känner
05. Asha Ali - The time is now
06. Karin Ström - Hon som älskade dig
07. TALK 2
08. Masquer - Bang bang
09. Mikkel Meyer - Tartar
10. Rising - Grail of bone
11. TALK 3
12. Sambassadeur - Days
13. Tortyr - Joag
14. Franke - Exil riktas inåt
15. Madamm - Lately I've been so blue
16. TALK 4
17. Taggarna Ut - The secretary
18. José González - In our nature
19. Moloken - Followers
20. Kitty & the K - Iamamf
21. Joel Alme - You will only get it once
22. TALK 5
23. The Movements - Going to your house

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.

Sambassadeur - Days

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:22:01 -0800

Labrador Records has posted the new Sambassadeur single "Days" as a free download: http://www.labrador.se/days/

New Sambassadeur in January

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:37:05 -0700

The new Sambassadeur album has been set for a January 2010 release via Labrador.

Champagne Riot Paris & I Shelflife Records

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Somewhere between the melodic realms of The Radio Dept. and Sambassadeur's "Migration" exists Champagne Riot's contribution to the Scandinavian electropop scene. The production is fantastic, the voice resting perfectly amongst the swells of synthesizers and the hammering of programmed drums, and the songwriting is usually quite solid, producing interesting twists and turns down alleys and avenues not necessarily expected, all without sacrificing the melodic core of the music... Unfortunately, "Paris and I" treads very little new ground. "Before we wave goodbye" wouldn't feel too out of place on "Lesser matters", opener "Scandinavian warfare" echoes the driving, orchestral pop of Sambassadeur's latest effort; in fact there's very little to be found on "Paris and I" that one can confidently label unique. This said, Champagne Riot do not come off as mere imitators and have actually produced a rather entertaining collection of songs. The band's main failing is that they try to burrow into the exact same part of your heart that other acts have already established residence within.

New Sambassadeur?

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:31:50 -0800

Sambassadeur is dropping hints about a new album this fall.

MP3: Champagne Riot - Scandinavian warfare

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:49:29 -0800

Champagne Riot's "Scandinavian warfare" is so gloriously melodramatic, so beautifully despondent. Even without following the lyrics, it's communicated in the melody of the vocal line and the half-resigned way it's sung. Like Sambassadeur's brilliant "Subtle changes", it also has a soaring quality that makes it oh so satisfying and yes, even a little bit epic. The only thing missing: a wordless refrain to go with the strings. Still, one of the best songs of 2008 and totally irresistible.

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:19:29 -0700

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Hello Saferide
02. Tiger Lou
03. Håkan Hellström
04. Fleet Foxes
05. Familjen
06. Christian Kjellvander
07. Sambassadeur
08. Broder Daniel
09. The Radio Dept.
10. Pelle Carlberg

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:07:18 -0700

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Håkan Hellström
02. Laakso
03. The Radio Dept.
04. Detektivbyrån
05. Kent
06. Sambassadeur
07. The Concretes
08. The Kid
09. Studio
10. Tiger Lou

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:37:47 -0700

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Håkan Hellström
02. Laakso
03. The Radio Dept.
04. Detektivbyrån
05. Kent
06. Sambassadeur
07. The Concretes
08. The Kid
09. Studio
10. Tiger Lou

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:04:02 -0700

Sambassadeur is going to Spain in September:

09/10 - La 2 de Nitsa, Barcelona
09/11 - Neu! Club, Madrid
09/12 - Lemon Pop, Murcia
09/13 - La Lata de Bombillas, Zaragoza

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:26:37 -0700

Here's this week's radio show playlist:

01. Desert Planet - Riot sector 68
02. TALK 1
03. Grande - We did it all
04. Sara Berg - Crawl back from under
05. Dialog Cet - Buckfighter
06. TALK 2
07. Doktor Kosmos - Doktor Kosmos släpper en skiva
08. Halph - Weight
09. Bright Oak - The undertow
10. TALK 3
11. Juvelen - They don't love you
12. Frivolvol - Take it from the beginning
13. Little Jimmy Reeves - Sidetracked
14. TALK 4
15. Keith Canisius - Omorose
16. The Kid - Mayhem troopers
17. Lognhalsmottagningen - Bodybuilder
18. Markus Krunegård - Rocken spelar ingen roll längre
19. TALK 5
20. Firefox AK - Techno tears
21. Biker Boy - April song (Mr Bananas remix)
22. Thomas Denver Jonsson - Saved by the bell
23. TALK 6
24. Nina Kinert - Pets & friends
25. Familjen - Hög luft
26. Brainbombs - Down in the gutter
27. TALK 7
28. Anders Persson och Carl Smith - Morgonsol i April
29. Abduktio - Uutisia rintamalta
30. Nordvargr - Rektal B
31. Karin Holmberg + hab - Who we are
32. TALK 8
33. Lapko - Killer whales
34. Madrugada - Lift me
35. Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck - What I came here for
36. TALK 9
37. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
38. Dreamboy - What have I done
39. The Tough Alliance - Lucky
40. TALK 10
41. Logh - Saturday nightmares

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:53:04 -0800

Pitchfork reviews the latest Sambassadeur album "Migration": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/48962-migration

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:44:56 -0800

PopMatters reviews Sambassadeur: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/54000/sambassadeur-migration/

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:21:12 -0800

The news is already a few days old, but the new Sambassadeur single "Final say" is available for free download from Labrador: http://www.labrador.se/mp3/sambassadeur_final-say.mp3

Sambassadeur Migration Labrador

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The sophomore effort from Sambassadeur finds them considerably more mature. They've gotten smoother, sexier, and learned how to work an electro beat like a sutra throughout their sound. The result is a polished and immanently likable record, with catchy dance numbers and languid love songs, all bright and shimmering. Those who appreciated their self-titled debut's rotating boy-girl lead vocals may be disappointed that there's only one song on here that Anna Persson doesn't sing (even if she sings them all so very well) and the insistent electronic pulse adds to the sense that there's a bit too much sameness here. But it's great when a band who had such a good first record puts out a second that's every bit as strong but takes them in a new direction.

The Drawbacks Slightly less vague Chocolate Hearts

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Lo-fi Swedish pop has a way of saturating the spaces around the listener, the warmer, 'dirtier' production unable to contain the sunny or downhearted elements of the music within the song or the stereo, almost carelessly allowing them to bleed out. The Drawbacks are no exception. Almost reveling in its softer, near-garage sound (and the 'authenticity' often afforded to albums with this feel), "Slightly less vague" pushes its creators' brand of indie-rock - "Couch buddies" having a relaxed Strokes feel to it; "Adrenaline" stumbling down more Scandinavian avenues; "Celia", my personal favorite, utilizing the vocal elements of the band to their fullest, creating coalescing strata of voices and instrumentation; "Spain" existing in that strange arena of indie-pop that bands like Springfactory exist so wonderfully within - cute and sunny without being trite or superficial, allowing compositions to be endearing and sweet without sacrificing their sophistication. "Slightly less vague" is engaging and charming, making it all too easy to overlook the few flaws present on the album. If Sambassadeur's progression from "Coastal affairs" to "Migration" is any indication of the heights open to lo-fi indie bands, the future is The Drawbacks' for the taking.

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 13:02:46 -0800

This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 albums of the week:

01. Radiohead – In Rainbows
02. Shout Out Louds – Our Ill Wills
03. Sambassadeur – Migration
04. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
05. Panda Bear – Person Pitch
06. Familjen – Det snurrar i min skalle
07. Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope
08. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
09. Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
10. Håkan Hellström – Ett kolikbarns bekännelser

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 11:11:09 -0800

The playlist for my radio show this week featured all of my favorite songs from 2007:

01. Susanne Sundfør - I resign
02. TALK 1
03. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle
04. The Skull Defekts - The secret
05. Ted Gärdestad - Räcker jag till
06. TALK 2
07. CS Nielsen - Black spots
08. Kornstad - Turkey, Texas
09. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
10. The Bombettes - I wanna
11. TALK 3
12. Promise and the Monster - Sheets
13. Repoman - Chemically obsessed
14. The Bell - I am history
15. Säkert! - Allt som är ditt
16. TALK 4
17. Mainliners - Olivia
18. Superfamily - The radio has expressed concerns about what you did last night
19. Karin Ström - Ordlös
20. TALK 5
21. Fun - I've got a truck
22. Tobias Hellkvist - Moment at ven
23. Juvelen - Hanna
24. TALK 6
25. Laakso - Worst case scenario
26. Closer - Sensing the wake
27. Asha Ali - A promise broken
28. TALK 7
29. Paper - My life is going under
30. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
31. Lukestar - White shade
32. TALK 8
33. Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
34. Aerial - You will all die, all things will
35. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
36. TALK 9

Next week (12/29) I'm doing another special theme show on Swedish postpunk.

MP3: Sambassadeur - Subtle changes

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:39:44 -0800

Note: The last few Fridays of the year are dedicated to revisiting great tracks I passed on when they were fresh.

I ignored "Subtle changes" when Labrador first posted it for free download because a) I'm not a Sambassadeur fan and b) every blogger and their mother was already talking about it. If I was to cover it and hate it, I'm just being a contrarian dick, but if it goes the other way, my voice is apt to get lost in the hub-bub. So, I decided to let some distance grow between us and goddamn it if this song one of the year's best singles. I still wouldn't consider myself a full-on Sambassadeur fan as the rest of the album holds no interest for me, but this track is amazing. I love that galloping beat, anchored by the constant strum of acoustic guitars and the hi-hat heavy drumbeat, free from unnecessary or excessive fills. And the way the strings keep pushing higher and higher, elevating the melody to soaring altitude. Even with understated, whispery vocals, "Subtle changes" is undeniably majestic. There's a lot going on in the arrangement too - besides the careful counterpoint accents, if you listen carefully and you'll hear bits of pizzicato strings amidst the subtle, but necessary percussion. Every ingredient is perfectly placed so that it never becomes overwhelming or cluttered. All in all, a pop triumph.

Top 10s for 2007: It's a Trap!

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Another year down, another batch of top 10 lists to add to the already overwhelming commotion. I probably listened to more music than ever in 2007, yet putting together this year's list was painless compared to year's past. The simple reason why: all the best releases were obvious. Yes, there were notable also-rans, but let's leave that to the comments section. For now, let's just stick to top tens.
-Avi Roig, Editor-in-Chief

10. Various Artists - Ny musik för landssorg (Container Recordings)
Exceptionally moving. A high-concept work of art.

09. Repoman - s/t (Monument)
Fierce, unrepentent hardcore. I can only imagine how good this must sound live.

08. Tobias Hellkvist - Transports (self-released)
Beautiful, blissed-out drone. Pure aural sunshine.

07. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
The perfect response for anyone put off by the coldness of The Knife. Familjen is destined for greatness.

06. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (Razzia)
Cute without being too cloying, sweet without being too twee. The best indiepop album of the year.

05. Susanne Sundfør - s/t (MBN)
A tremendously talented young lady from Norway who's probably only just getting started.

04. Aerial - The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
I knew this was top 10 material the first time I heard it. Nobody does epic noiserock better.

03. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
The easy consensus pick. Uneven overall, but forgivable when you consider that this record contains more than a handful of the year's best songs.

02. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Fall, fall, falling (Kalligrammofon)
The yin to Tobias Hellkvist's yang. Where Hellkvist's music makes me want to stand with arms outstretched, ready to embrace the world, Dead Letters makes me want to curl up in a fetal position in a dark corner. I never realized how profoundly moving drone could be until I heard this.

01. Kristofer Åström - RainawayTown (Startracks)
Far and away the album I listened to the most this year and the one I know I'll hold dear for years to come. From tender ballads ("Fallen") to raucous rock'n'roll ("A little out of tune"), this record covers the full spectrum of human experience and puts it into song.

Jonas Appelqvist

10. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
A cover album strictly consisting of songs from obscure indie duo Rough Bunnies is commercial suicide. But Gustaf Kjellvander's craftsmanship is so honest and true, it's impossible not to capitulate.

09. Knugen Faller – Lugna favoriter (Cage Match Federation/Ny Våg)
Fans of Buzzcocks, Gorilla Angreb and X should immediately go get a copy of this one!

08. The Lionheart Brothers – Dizzy kiss (Racing Junior/NONS)
Psychedelic rock in the vein of fellow countrymen Euroboys.

07. Moonbabies – At the ballroom (Startracks)
The duo of Ola Frick and Carina Johansson left their more experimental side at home, recorded and released a wonderful pop oriented full-length album and it is infectious.

06. Repoman – s/t (Monument)
The ferocity in Repoman's music is breathtaking. Hardcore resembling Converge is always welcome in my book.

05. My Midnight Creeps – Histamin (Dead Moose/EMI)
In the absence of new material from The Soundtrack of Our Lives, this is where to go. Primal rock at its best suffered a huge loss with the death of guitarist Robert Burås. He will be missed. RIP.

04. Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
These guys go from strength to strength. "Black rain from the bombing" gave us a hint on what was coming. This is headstrong indierock that has no intention to rub the right way. Kudos to that!

03. MABD – Ditt hjärta är en stjärna (A West Side Fabrication)
I adored "Tunaskolan" when it came out. This is an even better record. Cynical lyrics, Springsteen-ish vibes and punk rock mixed with Matti Alkberg's unmistakable voice. Magic!

02. Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
There's not a chance to defend you from the attack that is this record. And really, why should you? Surrender to Sweden's finest pop combo!

01. Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
Having released several wonderful records, this is the culmination of their career thus far. Indierock has never sounded this beautiful.

Nancy Baym

10. Pelle Carlberg - In a nutshell (Labrador/Twentyseven Records)
I still feel like he's falling short of his potential, but even a so-so Pelle Carlberg record has enough outstanding moments to carry the day.

09. Vapnet - Något dålight nytt har hänt (Hybris)
Who was it that said they like this band more than ice-cream? Tasty bouncy sweets.

08. Thirdimension - Before the end begins (Hidden Agenda)
A quiet acoustic live performance lets the strength of the songs shine through.

07. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
I am no fan of electronica, but this record's got too much pop sensibility to ignore.

06. Les Issambres - Late fairytales (Fifth Week Records)
This surprise little record out of nowhere enchanted me with its sister/brother vocal arrangements, simple but compelling songs, and non-pretentious flute.

05. Isolation Years - Sign, sign (NONS)
Their most consistent record to date has some great songs, and no duds, but doesn't have the outstanding highlights of some of their previous efforts.

04. Sambassadeur - Migration (Labrador)
The word "lush" is getting tossed about a lot in reference to this record, and indeed, it shimmers and shines. Very nice second record sees them grow in new directions.

03. Club 8 - The boy who couldn't stop dreaming (Labrador)
Soft, seductive, and beautifully performed, the sixth record from Club 8 is easily their best, despite a couple of dull moments.

02. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin (Dead Moose/EMI)
Robert Burås' far-too-early death this year was a heartbreaking loss, but this last offering wonderfully showcases the magnitude of his epic guitar playing genius.

01. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
Gustaf Kjellvander transforms lofi seeds of great ideas into ultracatchy pop brilliance. Easily got more playtime out of me than anything else this year.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

10. The Mary Onettes – s/t (Labrador)
80s throwback bands may have finally been forced to take a backseat this year, but The Mary Onettes celebrate that strange and influential era of music in a way that few bands could ever claim to.

09. Seabear – The ghost that carried us away (Morr Music)
Seabear exude a delightful warmth into their compositions: something lost, almost nostalgia inducing, foreign without being unfamiliar, and altogether wonderful.

08. Jens Lekman – Night falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
Darling of every blogger and hype-generating music website the world over, Jens Lekman did indeed make his mark upon 2007.

07. CS Nielsen – Against the dying of the light (Songcrafter Music)
In September, I wrote that CS Nielsen had crafted one of the greatest albums of the year. I stand by that statement.

06. Anna Järvinen – Jag fick feeling (Häpna)
"Jag fick feeling" will, for the foreseeable future, be one of the first albums I run to as the leaves sicken, bleed out their autumn hues, and gracefully descend to the ground below.

05. Immanu El – They'll come, they come (And the Sound)
As I wrote in my review of this album, Immanu El's "They'll come, they come" is unquestionably a forceful and substantial album; an effort that probes sections of our musical consciousness that have fallen into shadow and been ignored too long.

04. The Chrysler – The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
Dropping one spot since the June round up, "The Benelux years" still surprises me with new layers every time I listen to it. The Chrysler are one of the most underrated bands of all time.

03. Kent – Tillbaka till samtiden (SME)
Kent have absolutely nothing to prove anymore - they are arguably one of the best Swedish bands of all time - and yet they continue to prove themselves, over and over and over again. It's frightening.

02. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
Another album whose position was solidified earlier in the year, "Our ill wills" is still one of the best sophomore albums I have ever heard.

01. Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
I fell in love with this album in January, continued to proclaim its brilliance in June, and, a few hours from December, crown "The sentinel" the best album of 2007. Absolutely brilliant.

Matt Giordano

10. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Fall, fall, falling (Kalligrammofon)
Beautifully subtle and understated noise.

09. The Chrysler - The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
The Chrysler upped the tempo on their third album, and it's easily their best.

08. Christian Kjellvander - I saw her from here/I saw here from her (Startracks)
On his third, and best album, the arrangements have finally acted on the ideas.

07. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Pan European (Adrian Recordings)
Brilliant electronica from this Swedish duo.

06. Montt Mardié - Clocks/Pretender (Hybris)
This second album sees big band and swing return to the musical landscape.

05. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
Gustaf reinterprets the Rough Bunnies to gorgeous results.

04. Juvelen - s/t (Hybris)
Hot and sweaty pop music has returned!

03. The Tough Alliance - A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Göteborg's best have honed their sound into hedonistic pop bliss.

02. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
Sweden's best band delivered its third album in such a fashion only they could - with "Italy vs. Helsinki".

01. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
Familjen's debut album is the best pure pop full-length I have heard all year.

Nick Levine

10. Ninja – I don't play guitar (Popyhtiö)
Finland's answer to Robyn. At the forefront of Finnish pop music. This record has some serious crossover potential.

09. Billie the Vision & The Dancers – Where the ocean meets my hand (Love Will Pay the Bills)
Not a radical departure from previous releases. But hey, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

08. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian/Hybris)
Zeitgeist-defining record. Sweden's answer to new rave?

07. Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
More upbeat than Jen's previous efforts. Is this mellowing due to his recent engagement?

06. Boat Club – Caught the breeze (Luxury)
Atmospheric shoegaze and Balearic-lite prog pop.

05. Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
The most commercially successful release from Laakso thus far.

04. Studio – West Coast (Information)
I'm counting this as it only got a UK release this year. Credit must also be given for some of Studio's superb remixes for the likes of Shout Out Louds and Rubies.

03. Those Dancing Days - s/t (V2)
Undoubtedly the biggest Swedish buzz band of the year. Helped in no small part by It's a Trap.

02. The Tough Alliance – A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Stunning comeback record, after the experimentation of 2006's "Escaping your ambitions".

01. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
This records features the best use of cowbell in 2007.

Christian Stenbacke

10. Kent – Tillbaka till samtiden (SME)
The journey back into the dark electronical realms of the 80's might not have been the perfect career move, but on the other hand, since when has Kent ever cared about such a petty thing?

09. Sällskapet – s/t (Universal)
Cold and dark and damp - Pelle Ossler vs. Joakim Thåström - Life drained from the body, machines in control, the last thing leaving mankind is hope. Are you ready to enter room 212?

08. Kristofer Åström – RainawayTown (Startracks)
There is something special about Kristofer Åström. He has the ability to get to the things that really matter with small words and measures.

07. Bloodlights – s/t (Playground Music)
All things have to come to and end, Glucifer is no more, but the Captain lives on. Bloodlights is cock rock at its best.

06. The Mary Onettes – s/t (Labrador)
It's so obvious and it's so perfect. The Mary Onettes hardly try to hide their Anglophile influences and why should they?

05. Christian Kjellvander – I saw her from her/I saw here from her (Startracks)
Christian Kjellvander is a man of quality; every song sung from his lips is of highest standard.

04. José González – In our nature (Imperial/Mute)
The man is just marvelous; catching every single raw emotion there is with his incredible guitar work and simple, yet direct, voice.

03. The Raveonettes – Lust lust lust (Border Music/Vice)
Finally back to basics; the magic of Sune Wagner and Sharin Foo's voices bound together and the bleak Jesus & Mary Chain meets 50s surf music is a fascinating combination.

02. Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
Instead of calling it quits, Logh decided to pull it together and release a new album, the best decision ever made.

01. Sound Like Violence – With blood on my hands (Burning Heart)
What is Niccokick compared to this? This is the best album this year by far; the impact of every song is overwhelming.

Simon Tagestam

10. The Hives – The black and white album (Interscope)
Not as good as I wanted it to be, but The Hives manage to deliver a bunch of great songs.

09. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
A strong and solid second album from Shout Out Louds.

08. Frida Hyvönen – Pudel (Licking Fingers)
A mini album that has given me very high hopes for Hyvönen's second proper full-length.

07. Anna Järvinen – Jag fick feeling (Häpna)
It took me some time to warm to this Järvinen's solo debut, but now I find it really cosy and pleasant, it's a great album for cold winter nights.

06. Jonas Game – ADHD (Sincerely Yours)
Bad Cash Quartet's drummer managed to make a very personal and intriguing album full of hits.

05. The Tough Alliance – A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Nice to see TTA back on track after last year's weird ambient album.

04. The Lovekevins – Vs the snow (Songs I Wish I Had Written)
I knew that The LKs were good, but I didn't think they could be this good!

03. Alexis Weak – Välkommen till Gullmarsplan (La Vida Locash)
Ok, it's only a half an hour (free!) mixtape, but I got really addicted to Alexis Weak's personal rapping style in 2007.

02. Säkert! – s/t (Razzia)
It was nice to see the Swedish public embracing Annika Norlin's side project and making her the star she deserves to be.

01. Jens Lekman – Nights falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
Ah, the King of Sweden! Or, at least he should be. Lekman is the greatest.

Podcast: Top Songs of 2007

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

DATE ADDED : 12.13.07
LENGTH : 29:24 min
DOWNLOAD : itsatrap_podcast_12132007.mp3 (33.7mb)
RSS : [click here]

Tracklist: (select text to view)
08. The Lovekevins - Tamagochi freestyle
07. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
06. Pelle Carlberg - I love you, you imbecile
05. Vapnet - Tjernobyl
04. Asha Ali - A promise broken
03. Laakso - Norrköping
02. The Tough Alliance - First class riot
01. Laakso - Worst case scenario

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:04:01 -0800

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

01. The Bombettes - I wanna
02. TALK 1
03. Anna Järvinen - Helsinki
04. Leütenhaven - Still life (trompe l'oeil)
05. Pay TV - Fashion report
06. TALK 2
07. Timo Räisänen - My valentine
08. Jonna Lee - And your love
09. José González - Killing for love
10. The Bear Quartet - It only takes a flashlight to create a monster
11. TALK 3
12. Kristofer Åström - The dark
13. Munck//Johnson - The streets
14. Bertine Zetlitz - Draggin' me down
15. Dieter Schöön - Warm hearts
16. TALK 4
17. Superfamily - The radio has expressed concerns about what you did last night
18. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Ashen like the sky
19. Kazakstan - Song to the past
20. TALK 5
21. Marvins Revolt - Bugs in time
22. Menfolk - Ghosts
23. Pelle Carlberg - I love you, you imbecile
24. TALK 6
25. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
26. Stina Nordenstam - So Lee
27. Tobias Hellkvist - Abomination
28. TALK 7
29. Marybell Katastrophy - Slabiak
30. Sinikka Langeland - Høstnatt på Fjellskogen
31. David Åhlén - Wasted breaths
32. Printer - Minds out
33. TALK 8
34. Montys Loco - Wasteland
35. Lampshade - Fjäril
36. NEI - Trip to Luleå
37. Laakso - Hang me in the Christmas tree
38. TALK 9
39. Honey Is Cool - Drums and boys

Don't forget to vote for Sirius Blog Radio at the Plug Awards! Vote here: http://www.plugawards.com/general_vote.php
We are nominated under the category "Media (Obsessive) > Specialty Show Of The Year (Commercial Radio)".

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:21:40 -0800

This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 albums of the week:

01. Anna Ternheim – Somebody Outside
02. Shout Out Louds – Our Ill Wills
03. Sambassadeur – Migration
04. The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
05. Jens Lekman – Oh You're So Silent Jens
06. The Knife – Silent Shout
07. Damien Rice – O
08. The Shins – Wincing the Night Away
09. Peter Bjorn and John – Writer's Block
10. Familjen – Det snurrar i min skalle

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:22:11 -0800

The nominees for the Swedish Radio P3 Guld awards have been announced:

Pop:
Anna Järvinen - Jag fick feeling
Friday Bridge - Intricacy
Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala
Sambassadeur - Migration
Taken By Trees - Open Field

Dance:
Aril Brikha - Ex machina
Axwell - collected work
Minilogue - collected work
The Field - From here we go sublime
Tiger Stripes - collected work

Rock/metal:
Arch Enemy - Rise Of The Tyrant
Dark Tranquility - Fiction
Kongh - Counting heartbeats
Marduk - Rom 5:12
Mustasch - Latest version of the truth

Hiphop/soul:
Petter - God damn it
Ken - Äntligen hemma
Adam Tensta - It's a Tensta Thing
Million stylez - From A Far
Basutbudet - Svensk bas

Newcomer:
Adam Tensta
Maia Hirasawa
Million Stylez
Neverstore
Those Dancing Days

Female artist:
Laleh - Prinsessor
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Miss Li - God Put A Rainbow In The Sky
September - Dancing Shoes
Säkert! - Säkert!

Male artist:
Danny - Heart. Beats.
Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Mange Schmidt - Känslan kommer tillbaks
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Group:
Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
Mando Diao - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend

Song:
Kleerup with Robyn - With Every Heartbeat
Mange Schmidt feat. Petter - Giftig
Oh Laura - Release Me
Sahara Hotnights - Cheek To Cheek
Säkert! - Vi kommer att dö samtidigt

Guldmicken (live):
Laakso
Mustasch
Salem Al Fakir
Säkert!
Timo Räisänen

More info: http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/p3/nyhetssidor/index.asp?programID=3014

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:04:27 -0800

This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. Radiohead
02. Sigur Rós
03. Jens Lekman
04. Kent
05. Belle and Sebastian
05. Bloc Party
07. Shout Out Louds
08. The Knife
09. The Shins
10. Sambassadeur

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

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

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

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

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 11:00:46 -0800

This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 albums of the week:

01. Radiohead – In rainbows
02. Sambassadeur – Migration
03. José González – In our nature
04. The Postal Service – Give up
05. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills
06. Mew – Frengers
07. Beirut – Gulag orkestar
08. The Knife – Silent shout
09. Radiohead – OK computer
10. The Arcade Fire – Funeral

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:21:28 -0700

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Boys of Scandinavia - Beautiful as a person
02. TALK 1
03. Don't Be A Stranger - Perfect problem
04. Timo Räisänen - Sixteen
05. Promise and the Monster - Sheets
06. TALK 2
07. Deathbed - When hope leaves a body
08. Closer - Sensing the wake
09. TALK 3
10. The Tarantula Waltz - Two arrows
11. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
12. Anna Järvinen - Götgatan
13. TALK 4
14. Eric Malmberg - Slutet på en epok
15. Mustasch - Bring me everyone
16. September - Until I die
17. TALK 5
18. Leütenhaven - Still life (trompe l'oeil)
19. Frode Haltli - The latter
20. Lykke Li - Little bit
21. TALK 6
22. Downstairs - Peephole city
23. The Cardigans - Don't blame your daughter (Diamonds)
24. Paris - When I laid my eyes on you
25. TST - We are the kids
26. TALK 7
27. Ghost Brigade - Based on you
28. Mikko Singh - Palmun juurella
29. Audionom - Dc2
30. TALK 8
31. Ulver - Solitude
32. The Psyke Project - I get paralyzed
33. Silverbullit - Winter coat
34. TALK 9
35. Bodies Without Organs (BWO) - Let it rain
36. Icos - On my own
37. Torpedo - Hang me high
38. TALK 10
39. Graveyard - Satan's finest

FYI, in case you missed my announcement: next week will be a spooky Halloween-themed program.

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:54:21 -0700

Morningside Records and Labrador are collaborating on a new venture entitled 'Label Me Lucky' which will be releasing the new Sambassadeur album "Migration" in Denmark on November 5. See the label website for more details, though it doesn't offer any info on future plans: http://www.labelmelucky.net/

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:02:28 -0700

The new Sambassadeur album "Migration" is officially confirmed for release on October 24 via Labrador Records.

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The new Sambassadeur single "Subtle changes" is now officially available as a free download from the label Labrador: http://www.labrador.se/news.php3?lab=070828.102847

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The new Sambassadeur single "Subtle changes" will be officially released on August 29.

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Pitchfork has a new Sambassadeur track: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/44863-sambassadeur-subtle-changes-mp3stream

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

There will be a new Sambassadeur album out in early November.

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Labrador will release new full-length albums from Irene, The Radio Dept. and Sambassadeur this coming fall in September, October and November respectively.

Sambassadeur Coastal affairs Labrador

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Sambassadeur's eponymous debut was one of 2005's best records - lovely lazy jangle pop with just a wee bit of electrobeat that managed to be blissfully gentle without crossing the line into annoyingly twee. This EP picks up right where that one left off, with 4 songs that show the band continuing to do what they do best. It's a must for those who enjoyed the first record, and a good taster for those curious about the band.

The Charade A real life drama Skipping Stones Records

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The Charade have lineage in a number of well regarded Swedish bands of days past, including Happy Deadmen and Red Sleeping Beauty, so they can at least make some claim to innovating this kind of supertwee relaxed music that brings to mind big fluffy clouds, sunny days, cotton candy, and prozac. Like Club 8, Acid House Kings, or Sambassadeur, they have gorgeous etherial female vocals with some male backgrounds (and occassional leads). The Charade also throw in a lot of background harmonies reminiscent of girl groups of the 60s. If that much fluff weren't enough, they've got happy optimistic lyrics about things going right. There's not a trace of darkness to be found. Were there not so many songs that are catchy, pretty, or both, it'd be excruciating. Instead it's a fine gentle pop record with some strong highlights mixed with mediocre filler.s

Tue, 30 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group most-played artist chart:

01. The Pipettes
02. The Knife
03. Belle and Sebastian
04. Radiohead
05. The Radio Dept.
06. Death Cab for Cutie
07. Calexico
08. Kent
09. Sufjan Stevens
10. Hot Chip

Top 10 tracks for the week:

01. The Pipettes - Dirty Mind
02. Hot Chip - Over and Over
03. The Pipettes - Pull Shapes
04. Sambassadeur - Kate
05. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
06. The Pipettes - Your Kisses are Wasted on Me
07. Peter, Bjorn and John - Young Folks
08. David & the Citizens - Are you in my blood?
09. The Tough Alliance - Silly Crimes
10. The Tough Alliance - Kill Kill Kill

If you want to see your favorites listed here you should join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Mon, 15 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group most-played artist chart:

01. The Knife
02. Tiger Lou
03. Death Cab for Cutie
04. Belle and Sebastian
05. The Radio Dept.
06. Radiohead
07. Kent
08. The Postal Service
09. The Flaming Lips
10. Gnarls Barkley

Top 10 tracks for the week:

01. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
02. Tiger Lou - Nixon
03. The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
04. Band of Horses - The Funeral
05. I'm from Barcelona - We're From Barcelona
06. Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken
07. Le Sport - it's not the end of the world
08. Alarma Man - Doctors, Listeners And Spectators Says Viva The Knife
09. Hell on Wheels - Come On
10. Sambassadeur - Kate

If you want to see your favorites listed here you should join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

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

This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group most-played artist chart:

01. The Radio Dept.
02. Tiger Lou
03. Radiohead
04. Vapnet
05. The Flaming Lips
06. Death Cab for Cutie
07. Built to Spill
08. Belle and Sebastian
09. Bright Eyes
10. Kent

Top 10 tracks for the week:

01. Gnarls barkley - Crazy
02. Vapnet - Thoméegränd
03. The Radio Dept. - A window
04. Sambassadeur - Kate
05. Band of Horses - The Funeral
06. My Enemy - What is love
07. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California
08. Built to Spill - Conventional Wisdom
09. Holy Madre - Shallow Bay
10. The Radio Dept. - Tell

If you want to see your favorites listed here you should join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Thu, 04 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Check out a track from the new Sambassadeur EP "Coastal affairs": http://www.labrador.se/mp3/sambassadeur-kate.mp3

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"
02. (04) SLS - "Get back"
03. (02) Laakso - "Never satisfied"
04. (03) Arctic Monkeys – "The view from the afternoon"
05. (15) Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Dani California"
06. (05) Dirty Pretty Things - "Bang bang you´re dead"
07. (08) Supersci ft. Chords - "On the grind"
08. (11) Justice vs. Simian - "We are your friends"
09. (10) Lil' Kim - "Whoa"
10. (NY) I´m From Barcelona - "Collection of stamps"
11. (09) The Sounds - "Tony the beat"
12. (18) The Fine Arts Showcase – "The shoplifter’s union"
13. (07) Martha Wainwright - "Factory"
14. (NY) The Pipettes – "Your kisses are wasted on me"
15. (06) Plan B – "No good"
16. (NY) Tiger Lou - "Nixon"
17. (19) Up Hygh ft. Little Brother - "Keep on"
18. (16) Johnossi - "Execution song"
19. (NY) Sambassadeur - "Kate"
20. (20) Sture Alléns Dansorkester – "Lita på mig"

Leaving the chart: Las Palmas - "Du har mail", Ghostface Killah ft. Ne-Yo – "Back like that", Lo-Fi-Fnk - "Wake up" and Mystery Jets - "The boy who ran away".

Fri, 14 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Sambassadeur has posted a couple tracks from their upcoming EP "Coastal affairs" for preview on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sambassadeurtheband

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Labrador has announced that Sambassadeur's new EP "Coastal affair" will be released on May 3 and the new [ingenting] EP "Sommardagboken" one week later on May 10.

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish indiepop act Sambassadeur will release a new EP on May 3. Tracklist:

01. Kate
02. Think Nothing Of It
03. Marie
04. Claudine

Various Artists Records make great pets Stereo Test Kit

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

What a great compilation this is! It's the first in the series from Stereo Test Kit Records, and it's a fantastic mix of the best Swedish indie music around. It starts of with two of my favourite songs this year: El Perro Del Mar's "Dog" and Heikki's "Former hero", then it continues with a few tracks by artists I've never heard but were surprised how good they were (e.g. Björn Kleinhenz) and some other tracks I've heard before that I really like (Sambassadeur's "Between the lines" being one of them). The compilation is pretty cheap as well, so if you've never heard of most of these bands I think you should try and get your curious fingers on it. Now I can't wait until Stereo Test Kit release the second volume; if the quality will be this high it can't be anything but a must-have.

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Sambassadeur, Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, Labrador, Apparat Organ Quartet and Cartridge are heading out on the road together on what's being called the "Skandinaviskt Tour". It's not 100% confirmed yet, but here's the plan so far:

11/12 - tba
11/13 - Weltbühne, Hamburg (GER)
11/14 - Magnet Club, Berlin (GER)
11/16 - Arena, Wien (AUS)
11/17 - UT Connewitz, Leipzig (GER)
11/18 - tba
11/19 - tba

More info (eventually): http://www.skandinaviskt.com/

Sun, 10 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Noisedfisk interviews Sambassadeur: http://noisedfisk.com/2005/07/08/an-interview-with-sambassadeur/

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Jenny Wilson - "Let My Shoes Lead Me Forward"
02. (03) LCD Soundsystem - "Disco Infiltrator"
03. (04) The Sunshine - "She's My Television"
04. (02) Josh Rouse - "It's the Nighttime"
05. (12) Svenska Akademin - "Du Vill Så Du Kan"
06. (13) El Perro Del Mar - "Here comes that Feeling (21)"
07. (15) Missy Elliott - "Lose Control"
08. (05) Turbonegro - "High On The Crime"
09. (06) Röyksopp - "Only This Moment"
10. (07) Mattias Alkberg BD - "Politix"
11. (08) Daft Punk - "Technologic"
12. (09) Doktor Kosmos - "När Min Pojke Går På Stan"
13. (10) The Hellacopters - "Everything's On TV"
14. (11) Hello Kinski - "The story of Eric and Jerry"
15. (14) Timbuktu - "Det Löser Sig"
16. (16) White Stripes - "Blue Orchid"
17. (17) Thievery Corporation - "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter"
18. (18) Sambassadeur - "New Moon"
19. (19) Queens of the Stone Age - "In my head"
20. (20) Juliette & The Licks - "You´re Speaking My Language"

Thu, 26 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

The UK's Stereo Test Kit Records is starting a new compilation series called "Records Make Great Pets" in which each edition will highlight the scene from a particular country. The focus on volume one? Why, Sweden of course. The tracklist:

01. El Perro Del Mar - Dog
02. Heikki - Former hero
03. Audrey - Triumphal arch
04. Britta Persson - Defrag my heart
05. Laurel Music - The way love goes
06. Caroline Soul - People I know (don't want me)
07. Melpo Mene - Don't save me
08. Club 8 - Cold hearts
09. Sambassadeur - Between the lines
10. Chasing Dorotea - The anchor song
11. Björn Kleinhenz - Out of style
12. Speedmarket Avenue - He's a rebel
13. we are soldiers we have guns - Tourists in our hometown
14. Iamuse - Dullcity (just in time)
15. Music 77 - Juniper Leo

It comes out on July 4. More details here: http://www.stereotestkit.com/pets.htm

Wed, 25 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Updated Sambassadeur tourdates:

06/09 - Klubb Ease Down, Jönköping (SWE)
06/10 - Debaser, Stockholm (SWE)
06/14 - Water Rats, London (UK)
06/16 - Metro, London (UK)
07/23 - Trästock, Skellefteå (SWE)
07/29 - Trädgården@Annas Klubb, Stockholm (SWE)
07/30 - Parklife Sthlm, Stockholm (SWE)
08/06 - Stadsfesten, Landskrona (SWE)
09/10 - Klubb Velvet, Uppsala (SWE)

Wed, 18 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Jenny Wilson - "Let My Shoes Lead Me Forward"
02. (06) Mattias Alkberg BD - "Politix"
03. (04) The Sunshine - "She's My Television"
04. (18) The Hellacopters - "Everything's On TV"
05. (11) Timbuktu - "Det Löser Sig"
06. (05) Queens of the Stone Age - "In my head"
07. (15) Foo Fighters - "Best of you"
08. (07) White Stripes - "Blue orchid"
09. (08) Turbonegro - "High On The Crime"
10. (02) Eels - "Hey Man (Now You´re Really Living)"
11. (NY) Doktor Kosmos - "När Min Pojke Går På Stan"
12. (13) Turin Brakes - "Fishing for a dream"
13. (12) The Fine Arts Showcase - "The Hazel Ridge"
14. (19) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "Funeral Face"
15. (NY) Sambassadeur - "New Moon"
16. (NY) Juliette & The Licks - "You´re Speaking My Language"
17. (17) The Lost Patrol - "Golden Times"
18. (NY) Svenska Akademin - "Du Vill Så Du Kan"
19. (16) New Order - "Jetstream"
20. (20) Daft Punk - "Technologic"

Leaving the chart: Hal, Thievery Corporation, The Tough Alliance and Maximo Park.

Sambassadeur Live @ The Betsey Trotwood, London, 04/09/05

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Saturday night at a smokey pub in Clerkenwell, London. The clock's just gone 10 and in the basement of The Betsey Trotwood music history is being made. Never ever have a band played such a small venue. Picture your living room. Now divide it by three and you have the room that Sambassadeur played in. Three guitars, a bass and an Ipod. That and a constant elbow in your side is what you got for your fiver. Not that it was difficult, but the gig was sold out! Their sound is comparable with fellow label mates Radio Dept. They have a similar fondness of guitars. Sambassadeur build their music around melodies carefully crafted for their lead guitarist. A tall bass player with sideburns and an mp3-player courtesy of Apple supplied the beats. Unfortunately some of their background drumming sounded like they've just put the same song on repeat. I like the idea of pre-recorded beats which is less noisy than a drum kit. It gives the melodies a bigger rein but I doubt it would work at Wembley, which, according to one of the singers, is where we'll see them next. Sambassadeur divides the singing between Anna Persson and Daniel Permbo. They literally sing every other song. Anna seems timid. Her voice is quiet and she is almost hiding behind her microphone. That is probably down to the fact that they were playing live, because when you hear her voice recorded on their single "Between the lines", it's strong and in charge. Her colleague, Daniel, is slightly more charismatic and actually managed to say something in between the songs.
Their English label, AC30, describes Sambassadeur's music as "heartfelt, gentle and emotive songs, simple and understated. Pure indie guitar pop from Sweden." My opinion as well
(On a different note. My friend and IAT colleague Per Appelqvist, who also attended the gig, fell madly in love with singer Anna Persson. From a distance, obviously. Too shy to approach her, he had to make due with another pint in the bar.)

Wed, 09 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Finland's 22 Pistepirkko is still managing to hold onto the top spot on the Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (01) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
02. (02) Lo-Fi-Fnk - "... and the JFG"
03. (05) Timo Räisinen - "Don't Let the Devil Ruin it All"
04. (04) De Stijl - "Queen Midas"
05. (06) Hot Hot Heat - "Goodnight Goodnight"
06. (ÅT) Diplo - "Newsflash"
07. (07) Maximo Park - "Apply Some Pressure"
08. (NY) Jenny Wilson - "Summer Time"
09. (15) Embee featuring José González - "Send Someone Away"
10. (19) Basement Jaxx - "Oh My Gosh"
11. (08) Wolfmother - "Woman"
12. (03) The Donnas - "I don't Want to Know (If You don't Want Me)"
13. (11) Estelle - "Go Gone"
14. (13) The Postal Service - "We Will Become Silhouettes"
15. (ÅT) Radio Luxemburg - "It's Cruel Up North"
16. (NY) Logh - "Destinymanifesto"
17. (12) Beck - "Epro"
18. (16) The Lovekins - "Happy Happy"
19. (17) New Order - "Krafty"
20. (NY) Maxim - "I don't care"

Leaving the chart: Stereophonics, Moby, Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck, Kent and Sambassadeur.

Mon, 07 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

22 Pistepirkko still reigns supreme on the Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (01) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
02. (05) Lo-Fi-Fnk - "... and the JFG"
03. (10) The Donnas - "I don't want to know (If you don't want me)"
04. (NY) De Stijl - "Queen Midas"
05. (02) Timo Räisinen - "Don't Let the Devil Ruin it All"
06. (NY) Hot Hot Heat - "Goodnight Goodnight"
07. (20) Maximo Park - "Apply Some Pressure"
08. (NY) Wolfmother - "Woman"
09. (07) Stereophonics - "Dakota"
10. (03) Moby - "Lift Me Up"
11. (NY) Estelle - "Go Gone"
12. (11) Beck - "Epro"
13. (NY) The Postal Service - "We Will Become Silhouettes"
14. (ÅT) Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck - "The Good You Bring"
15. (04) Embee featuring José González - "Send Someone Away"
16. (NY) The Lovekevins - "Happy Happy"
17. (12) New Order - "Krafty"
18. (09) Kent - "Max 500"
19. (NY) Basement Jaxx - "Oh My Gosh"
20. (17) Sambassadeur - "Between the Lines"

Leaving the chart: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Radio Luxemburg, Little Barrie, Deportees, Diplo, Tweet featuring Missy Elliott, Razorlight and Roots Manuva.

Wed, 23 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

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

01. (01) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
02. (08) Timo Räisänen - "Don't Let the Devil Ruin It All"
03. (02) Moby - "Lift Me Up"
04. (03) Embee featuring José Gonzélez & Supreme - "Send Someone Away"
05. (04) Lo-Fi-Fnk - "... And the JFG"
06. (05) The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Heading for a Breakdown"
07. (06) Stereophonics - "Dakota"
08. (14) Radio Luxemburg - "It's Cruel Up North"
09. (07) Kent - "Max 500"
10. (08) The Donnas - "I don't Want to Know (If You don't Want Me)"
11. (ÅT) Beck - "Epro"
12. (10) New Order - "Krafty"
13. (ÅT) Little Barrie - "Free Salute"
14. (20) Deportees - "Champagne Eyes"
15. (NY) Diplo - "Newsflash"
17. (12) Sambassadeur - "Between the Lines"
16. (NY) Tweet featuring Missy Elliott - "Turn Da Lights Off"
19. (13) Razorlight - "Golden Touch"
18. (NY) Roots Manuva - "Colossal Insight"
20. (15) Maximo Park - "Apply Some Pressure"

Leaving the chart: Håkan Hellström, Mando Diao, Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck, Stereo Total and Moneybrother.

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

London's AC30 club will be releasing the Sambassadeur EP "Between the lines" on April 4 on license from Labrador via their own in-house label. To celebrate, the band will be making their UK debut with two showcase nights in Lodon, first at Ian Watson's How Does It Feel Club at the Windmill in Brixton on April 7 and then at the Betsey Trotwood in Farringdon on April 9.

Thu, 17 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

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

01. (01) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
02. (05) Moby - "Lift Me Up"
03. (NY) Embee featuring José González & Supreme - "Send Someone Away"
04. (NY) Lo-Fi-Fnk - "... and the JFG"
05. (NY) The Soundtrack of Our Lives - "Heading for a Breakdown"
06. (07) Stereophonics - "Dakota"
07. (NY) Kent - "Max 500"
08. (02) Timo Räisänen - "Don't Let the Devil Ruin it All"
08. (12) The Donnas - "I don't Want to Know (If You don't Want Me)"
10. (14) New Order - "Krafty"
11. (09) Håkan Hellström - "En midsommarnattsdröm"
12. (18) Sambassadeur - "Between the Lines"
13. (NY) Razorlight - "Golden Touch"
14. (NY) Radio LXMBRG - "It's Cruel Up North"
15. (NY) Maximo Park - "Apply Some Pressure
16. (16) Mando Diao - "Down in the Past"
17. (17) Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck - "The Good You Bring"
18. (11) Stereo Total - "I am Naked", 3v
19. (06) Moneybrothers - "They're Building Walls Around Us"
20. (08) Deportees - "Champagne Eyes"

Leaving the chart: Annie, Beck, Bloc Party, Bugz in the Attic, Johnossi, Little Barrie and M83.

Wed, 09 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

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

01. (01) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
02. (NY) Timo Räisänen - "Don't Let the Devil Ruin It All"
03. (NY) Beck - "Epro"
04. (02) Bloc Party - "So Here We Are"
05. (NY) Moby - "Lift Me Up"
06. (03) Moneybrother - "They're Building Walls Around Us"
07. (NY) Stereophonics - "Dakota"
08. (10) Deportees - "Champagne Eyes"
09. (09) Håkan Hellström - "En midsommarnattsdröm"
10. (07) M83 - "Don't Save Us From the Flames"
11. (06) Stereo Total - "I am Naked"
12. (11) The Donnas - "I Don't Want to Know (If You Don't Want Me)"
13. (NY) Little Barrie - "Free Salute"
14. (12) New Order - "Krafty"
15. (05) Bugz in the Attic - "Booty La La"
16. (NY) Mando Diao - "Down in the Past"
17. (17) Kristoffer Åström & Hidden Truck - "The Good You Bring"
18. (14) Sambassadeur - "Between the Lines"
19. (18) Annie - "My Heartbeat"
20. (04) Johnossi - "Man Must Dance"

Leaving the chart: Timbuktu, Kasabian, Sage Francis, Le Tigre, Venue Kids and Miss Thing.

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

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

01. (NY) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
02. (10) Bloc Party - "So Here We Are"
03. (15) Moneybrother - "They're Building Walls Around Us"
04. (06) Johnossi - "Man Must Dance"
05. (02) Bugz in the Attic - "Booty La La"
06. (NY) Stereo Total - "I am Naked"
07. (07) M83 - "Don't Save Us From the Flames"
08. (03) Kasabian - "Processed Beats"
09. (01) Håkan Hellström - "En midsommarnattsdröm"
10. (04) Deportees - "Champagne Eyes"
11. (NY) The Donnas - "I don't Want to Know (If You don't Want Me)"
12. (NY) New Order - "Krafty"
13. (08) Timbuktu - "Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö"
14. (NY) Sambassadeur - "Between the Lines"
15. (13) Sage Francis - "Sea Lion"
16. (11) Le Tigre - "TKO"
17. (NY) Kristoffer Åström & Hidden Truck - "The Good You Bring"
18. (09) Annie - "My Heartbeat"
19. (NY) Venue Kids - "Down & Out"
20. (NY) Miss Thing - "Jump Up & Rail"

Leaving the chart:
01. Doves - Black And White Town
02. Orishas - Naci Orishas
03. Acid House Kings - This Heart Is A Stone
04. The Radio Dept. - This Past Week
05. Eminem - Like Toy Soldiers
06. Hello Kinski - I've seen you around, what's your destination
07. Mr Jones Machine - Jaguar
08. The Chrysler - Blue Gold

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Labrador Records updated release schedule:

02/09 - Sambassadeur - Between the lines EP
03/02 - Acid House Kings - Do what you wanna do EP
04/04 - Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - #2 EP

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

That upcoming Firefox 7" on Labrador I mentioned last week is actually coming out on a new sublabel called Heartbeat. Heartbeat will be dedicated exclusively to releasing 7" singles. Firefox's "What’s that sound" comes out in February. Coming up after that will be "Watch my back" from Labrador-mainstays The Radio Dept. and then "Dead leaves" from recent signees Sambassadeur. More info: http://www.labrador.se/heartbeat.php3

Mon, 06 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Labrador Records has announced the signing of Sambassadeur. No word on what's up with any sort of album release or anything, but you can download the track "Between the lines" right here: http://www.labrador.se/mp3/sambassadeur-between_the_lines.mp3

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

Sambassadeur and Sibiria have been added to the We&You Festival in Malmö. More info: http://www.revo9.com/festival/

Tue, 18 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Eighteen unsigned bands have been annouced for the Rookie-scenen at the Hultsfred Festival: 50 Hertz (Malmö), Nadie Affecta (Stockholm), A Good Name For A Band, (Karlstad), Avsmak (Falun), Crisp Und Steel (Göteborg), The Iskariots (Göteborg), LO-FI-FNK (Stockholm), Miss The Point (Falun), Ninja Massacre (Umeå), Ninsun Poli (Stockholm), Psyjuntan (Hultsfred), richard reagh&wwnb2 (Stockholm), Set My Path (Göteborg), Sambassadeur (Göteborg), Slackerville Zoo (Malmö/Lund), The Sunshine (Stockholm), Trendkill (Veddige) and Vicious Irene (Göteborg).