IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

MP3: Hunt - Ashes of a secret heart

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:32:09 -0700

Hunt is the new band of Susanna Brandin from Winter Took His Life and "Ashes of a secret heart" is the title track to their debut EP. It's not a huge departure from Susanna's previous project -- we're still very much in slowcore territory -- but the full-band instrumentation allows her to explore much bigger dynamics. This song in particular takes a little while to get going, but when it does, oh does it ache! The pain, loneliness and 2nd guessing is further magnified by Jonas Odhner's (Sonores) superbly ethereal production, as he ably captures the final swell of the music as it drifts to its conclusion, a like a wake breaking on the shore. This is beautiful melancholy, as Scandinavia does best.

MP3: Bolywool - Save my soul

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:36:41 -0800

Despite the participation of many folks whose music I admire (Jonas Odhner from Sonores, Susanna Brandin of Winter Took His Life, etc.) and a beautiful presentation, I just can't connect with Bolywool. It's definitely more of a "it's not you, it's me" sorta thing though as I've never been a fan of the Madchester/baggy sound they emulate and never will, no matter how hard I try. I prefer my shoegaze to be more assertive than fey, y'know? Still, personal preference aside, I fully acknowledge that Bolywool's take on that sound is plenty competent so it's not like I can write them off or say "this sucks" or anything because it so obviously doesn't. Bolywool are a good band making music I don't care about. Maybe you will. That's perfectly okay by me.

Viktor Sjöberg confirms details for 'Breakfast in America'

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:45:08 -0700

Viktor Sjöberg has just about finalized his new record "Breakfast in America": http://elefanten.blogspot.com/2009/03/writing-it-all-down.html
Lots of great guests, including Jens Lekman (naturally), Jonas Odhner (Sonores) and Douglas Holmqvist (Auton, Testbild!).

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:00:12 -0700

Structures Sonores, the label of IAT.MP3 artist Sonores, will be putting out the debut album "Any where out of the world" from Swedish electronic act Auton. The label had originally been planning on releasing a comp of contemporary Swedish music entitled "While we're learning to forget", but has since decided to sideline that as Auton's material is said to be far stronger. Listen to samples: http://www.myspace.com/aut0n

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:28:48 -0700

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

01. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle
02. TALK 1
03. QGMR - Pre-emptive retaliation
04. Theresa Andersson - God's highway (ft. Tobias Fröberg)
05. Mental Overdrive - Europa
06. TALK 2
07. Siena Root - Time will tell
08. Marybell Katastrophy - Lost ship
09. José González - Crosses
10. TALK 3
11. Peter Bjorn and John - Inland empire
12. Kompjotr Eplektrika - Skeleton gong
13. Sonores - 16th of June
14. TALK 4
15. Reeperbahn - Havet ligger blankt
16. Joachim Willumsen - Turning 24
17. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Heaven is the notion that all this will end
18. TALK 5
19. Promoe - Det ljusnande FRAmtid

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

MP3: The Greencoats - Hello!

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:30:34 -0700

I considered saving this one for the weekly Gbg Spotlight, but I figure I might as well run with it. The Greencoats are a psych-pop-rock band featuring members from many, many other notable acts such as Franke, Bolywool and Douglas Heart along with guest appearances from Malin Dahlberg (We Are Soldiers We Have Guns) and Jonas Odhner (Sonores), among others, the latter being credited with both percussion and engineering duties (often that's just as important as playing an instrument). Of those acts, Franke is probably the best reference point as they definitely have a lot of the same shambolic rock'n'roll vibe and devil-may-care attitude, though The Greencoats go for a far more retro feel. For instance, check out those excessive drum fills and tell me you don't think of Keith Moon. And that organ tone, too 0- total 60s rock. I dig this.

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:51:23 -0700

We Are Soldiers We Have Guns recently recorded a couple cover tunes at the studio of IAT.MP3 artist Sonores. One is "Olis", a new song from Björn Kleinhenz (hey, another IAT.MP3 artist!) off his forthcoming album and the second is "Parenthesis" by The Blow. No word yet on when/how they'll surface, but I'll keep you posted. In other news, you can now preview tracks from her forthcoming record "Get up, get out" right here: http://wearesoldierswehaveguns.blogspot.com/
It comes out June 30 via Stereo Test Kit.

Jens Lekman Live @ Lido, Berlin, 02/16/08

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It was Jens Lekman's third time in Berlin and the venues keep getting bigger. When I saw him last, I was somewhat disappointed (which might have been influenced by having to dodge the trombone player's instrument half the evening) but this night clearly made up for it all. With a slightly reformed band including violin, cello, and Viktor Sjöberg (of Sonores and other projects) on "sounds and electronics", Jens quickly won over an audience that had previously had their enthusiasm dampened by a Placebo-soundalike opening band. Including the samples in the live-show not only widened the possibilities, but also allowed all musicians to take a dance across the stage during "A sweet summer night..." A truly memorable night was then rounded out with Jens thumb-pianoing charmingly through "A little lost" (see here) and then grinning happily while the audience came "running with their heart on fire." The best nights always end too soon, even if you can watch Erlend Øye dance by himself to Bob Marley's "Waiting in vain"...

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:18:10 -0800

The Viktor Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble (ft. members from IAT.MP3 artists Sonores and Tsukimono) will celebrate the release of their new album "Do nothing 'til you hear from me" (iDEAL) on February 9 with a show at Hagateatern in Göteborg. Support will come from Variam and Arco.

MP3: Talking to Drake - I knew

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:55:49 -0800

I've got an extremely fresh song for you today from Swedish shoegazers Talking to Drake, a track that was just finished this past weekend if what the band tells me is true. As to the story of Talking to Drake, I really don't know much of anything except that Martin Senter from Seven Feet Four plays drums and even that piece of knowledge is kinda useless since that band is a poor reference point for the music TTD make. TTD is much more akin to the languid dreaminess of Sonores, a slow-burning darkness that gradually unfolds and envelopes your senses. It's the kind of music that's best suited for headphones. In fact, for full appreciation, I suggest you block out the distractions of the outside world as much as possible - turn it up and close your eyes, let it carry you away.

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

More (better) video footage from Viktor Sjöberg's performance at Koloni on Monday: http://elefanten.blogspot.com/2007/08/live-video.html
I couldn't tell for sure with the other clip posted yesterday, but that's Jonas Odhner who, along with Viktor, is a member of IAT.MP3 act Sonores. On drums is Johan Gustavsson from Tsukimono/Scraps of Tape.

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

It's official: not only is IAT favorite Viktor Sjöberg (both solo and with Sonores, among other acts) performing with Jens Lekman as part of his band on tour in the US, but he'll also be performing a solo closing set after each night's performance. Whether that means a DJ set or a set of Viktor's own music remains to be seen, but either way I'm excited. Those dates again:

10/23 - Jake's, Bloomington, IN
10/25 - Black Cat, Washington, DC
10/26 - First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA
10/27 - Webster Hall, New York, NY
10/29 - Paradise, Boston, MA
11/01 - Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
11/02 - Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago, IL
11/03 - Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis, MN
11/06 - Nectar, Seattle, WA
11/07 - Someday Lounge, Portland, OR
11/09 - Bimbo's 365 Club, San Francisco, CA
11/10 - Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Last night's playlist for my show on Sirius Blog Radio:

01. Isolation Years - Yellow cross on blue
02. TALK 1
03. Johndoe - Nattskift
04. Montys Loco - Wasteland
05. Once We Were - Cut corners
06. TALK 2
07. [ingenting] - Mycket vasen for ingenting
08. Margaret Berger - Robot song
09. Namur - Marching
10. Lampshade - New legs
11. TALK 3
12. Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
13. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Quiet
14. Fattaru - 100:-
15. Juvelen - Hanna
16. TALK 4
17. Säkert! - Allt som är ditt
18. Sonores - 16th of June
19. Detektivbyrån - E18
20. TALK 5
21. At the Gates - The swarm
22. Barra Head - Kill the lights
23. TALK 6
24. The Tough Alliance - Leg 7
25. Torpedo - My evil twin
26. Alog - Catch that totem!
27. TALK 7
28. Valley Days - 10k angels
29. A-ha - Celice
30. Victims - Who the fuck are we?
31. TALK 8
32. The Vicious - Alienated
33. Viola - Unreal life
34. Zweizz - Nowadays the only boring everything is so frustrating
35. Viktor Sjöberg - Winter guitars
36. TALK 9
37. Closer - The talker
38. Aerial - My god, it's full of stars!
39. The Kissaway Trail - La la song
40. Laakso - Italy vs Helsinki
41. The Psyke Project - Panic
42. TALK 10
43. C.Aarmé - We are the world

Next week: expect lots more killer jams including totally a brand new track from Closer and maybe even a spotlight set on post-rock/ambient music. Good times!

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

The Silent Ballet reviews Sonores: http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/366/Default.aspx

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Sonomu has a nice review of Sonores posted today: http://sonomu.net/text/~sonores-elefante/
Again, this is one of 2006's best releases and is highly recommended.

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Dark Dose on Sonores: http://darkdose.com/?p=145
I passed the CD to Jesse when his band Daylight Dies passed through Seattle on tour with Katatonia and Moonspell. I didn't stick around for the latter (besides the fact that I'm not really a fan, it was raining hard and I had a long drive home), but the others were great. Good to read that he's enjoying the disc, just as I thought he would - it easily made to be one of my top picks from last year.

Top 10s for 2006: It's a trap!

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Official top 10 releases for 2006, in alphabetical order:

There was a glut of good music in 2006, but only a few truly great albums. I found myself enjoying a very high percentage of the music that came my way, but very little remained in regular rotation for any length of time. Too much of a good thing? Perhaps. Regardless, I had some trouble compiling my list since I wanted to ensure that my selections were fit for posterity. That means albums like The Knife's "Silent shout" and Motorpsycho's "Black hole/black canvas" were out, despite being admirable pieces of work. They deserve high praise, but I simply didn't listen to them that much. Similarly, I'm From Barcelona and Peter Bjorn and John were off the list because their 2006 releases pale in comparison to what came before (both the original "Sing!!" demo EP from IFB and PB&J's "Falling out" are 100% unfuckwithable). What's left? Well, lots actually. The difficulty is separating all the 8s from the 9s and 10s. Let's get going then:

01. Aerial - Black rain from the bombing (Nomethod)
It came out in January and stuck with me throughout the entire year. That alone says something. As for the music, it's an amazing display of epic bombast and twisting riffs. Why can't more post-rock be noisy like this?
MP3: Time is on fire

02. The Book of Daniel - Songs for the Locust King (Black Star Foundation)
A late in the year release so I was reluctant to list it, but there's no denying the quality. Full of wisdom and poetry.
MP3: The camels parade

03. C.Aarmé - Vita (Carcrash/Burning Heart)
The brightest stars always burn out the fastest. RIP.
MP3: We are the world

04. Closer - Tokpela EP (Closersounds)
One of those bands I fell in love with the moment I first heard it. Heavy rock doesn't get better than this.
MP3: Open casket

05. Johndoe - Dødvinkel (JHND)
This one snuck up on me and is probably the one record on this list I've listened to the most.
MP3: Kjøtere

06. Montys Loco - Man overboard (NONS)
God, I hate the genre label 'folktronic', but I really can't think of a better way to describe this. Quirky instrumentation and arrangements aside, the music is simply brilliant and would work in any context.
MP3: Wasteland

07. Namur - Songs from the Valley of Baca (Thehourislate)
It's probably for the best that David Åhlén retired this stage moniker because this will be hard to top. Nothing wrong with quitting while you're ahead.
MP3: Marching

08. Raison d'Être - Metamorphyses (Cold Meat Industry)
I honestly don't believe I've heard another dark-ambient album this good. Ever.
MP3: Metamorphyses phase I

09. Oskar Schönning - Happy jazz, please (Amigo)
Another one of those records that found its way into steady rotation without much thought. Echoes of that other famous bassist/bandleader Charles Mingus along with fellow Swede Jan Johansson, but with an ear to the future.
MP3: Happy jazz, please

10. Sonores - Elefanten (Structures Sonores)
These guys asked me if I wanted to co-release this with them and I said no because I thought I was too busy. I blew it.
MP3: Jonathan

Best two demos I heard all year: Circle Six and Iisole

Four favorite non-Scandinavian releases:
Converge - No heroes (Epitaph)
Kayo Dot - Dowsing anenome with copper tongue (Robotic Empire)
Jesu - Silver (Hydra Head)
Rome - Berlin (Cold Meat Industry)

Two old metal warhorses who prove that age doesn't mean a thing: Iron Maiden & Slayer

What to expect for 2007? Well, my predicted goth revival for 2006 didn't live up to expectations even though it seemed to spawn quite a few excellent releases (The Kid and 1999, for example). Regardless, I'm not going to let that stop me from making more asinine predictions. My pick for the new trend of 2007: industrial/EBM. I swear, it's gonna happen. It's time.

Honorable mentions:
Asha Ali - s/t (NONS)
Detektivbyrån - Hemvägen (Danarkia)
The Fine Arts Showcase - Radiola (Adrian Recordings)
Kazakstan - s/t (Katalyst)
Knife and Ape - Hex! (Deleted Art)
Lampshade - Let's away (Glitterhouse)
Lemonator - At the presence of great beauty (Odor)
Once We Were - Contra (Tenderversion)
Britta Persson - Top quality bones... (Amigo)
Plain Fade - Aure (Punos Sound)
Promoe - White man's burden (Burning Heart)
Tsukimono - Neé (Kalligrammofon)

Top 10s for 2006: Staff picks

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Not everyone was able to get their lists in on time, but I think you'll find more than enough titles here well-worth investigating, whatever your tastes may be. Enjoy!

Jonas Appelqvist:

01. The Fine Arts Showcase – Radiola (Adrian Recordings)
When Christian released a kinda mediocre record, Gustav stepped up, delivered and restored the honour of the Kjellvander brothers.

02. C.Aarmé – Vita (Burning Heart)
Music for the gut, not the brain. Göteborg's finest punks just recently split up, it's a pity.

03. Hets – s/t (V2/Etikett: Hets)
I was a bit hesitative when I heard that members from Laakso, Fireside and Moneybrother formed a band. They proved me wrong.

04. Raised Fist – The sound of the republic (Burning Heart Records)
This long awaited full-length proved to be exactly what I hoped for. Uncompromising hardcore, this time with hooks!

05. Insurgent Kid – Paranoia (Wasted Sounds)
Just recently released and it went straight into this list. The punkrock on this disc is, in fact, all I ever need.

06. Khoma – The second wave (Roadrunner)
I always knew something good would come out of Plastic Pride.

07. Aerial – Black rain from the nombing (Nomethod)
Epic and almost instrumental post-rock from Sandviken that moved me big time.

08. Tar... Feathers – Make way for the ocean floor to fall to the surface (Release the Bats!)
Self-willed indiepop that sounds like Modest Mouse mixed with Xiu Xiu at times.

09. Darkthrone – The cult is alive (Peaceville)
Pioneers that released their most interesting record since "Total Death". Black-metal with one hell of a punkrockattitude!

10. Cult of Luna – Somewhere along the highway (Earache)
One of the records I've listened to the most in 2006 and it's still intriguing.

Top 3 non-scandinavian records of 2006:
Converge – No heroes (Epitaph)
Electric President – s/t (Morr Music)
Cursive – Happy hollow (Saddle Creek)

Nancy Baym:

01. Hell On Wheels - The odd church (Hybris/PlayRec)
It's catchy, it's quirky, it's consistently strong. And it's interesting too.

02. Skywriter - Where both worlds never meet (Iceberg Records)
The slow ones drag a bit, but the fast songs are a sublime mix of sexy, cool, driving and restrained.

03. Consequences - s/t (BOW/Groover Recordings)
Puts the "infection" in infectious pop. I can't stop listening to it and really don't want to either.

04. Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's block (V2/Wichita)
Not as good as last year's "Falling out", but an okay Peter Bjorn and John record is still better than most.

05. Pelle Carlberg - Everything. Now! (Labrador)
He's thoughtful, he's sensitive, he's twee, but most of all he's the perfect mix of soothing and beautiful. Frazzled nerves be gone!

06. The Phonies - Gran tourettes (Money Laundry Records)
Inconsistent record from Finland's Phonies, but it's best songs are exhuberant enough to carry the rest.

07. Billie the Vision & the Dancers - The world according to Pablo (self-released)
While I'm From Barcelona gets all the buzz, I prefer this. It's kind of mellow, a little dark, sort of conceptual if you bother to figure it out, but most of all, it just sounds good.

08. David & the Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
David Fridlund's a melodic genius and the music may be better than ever, but Fridlund's angst runs too close to whining too much of the time.

09. Starflower - Moment in the sun (Music Is My Girlfriend)
Tranquil and poppy, youthful and tuneful, it's a gentle little debut from a band I hope will diversify its sound in releases to come.

10. The Charade - Real Life Drama (Skipping Stones)
Half of this is too sweet for me, but the rest is charming as all get out, and "September" easily wins the award for catchiest sugar pop song of the year.

Honorable Mentions:

Sivert Høyem and the Volunteers - Exiles (Hektor Grammofon)
It's not out yet and I've only heard 2 songs, but given his track record with Madrugada and his last solo record, it's guaranteed a spot in my top 10 when I do get to hear the rest.

Tiger Lou - The loyal (Startracks)
It came out in 2005 but now I've finally heard this record. It's got such a cool consistent vibe, such a unique sound, and I'm under it's spell completely.

Matt Giordano:

01. Peter Bjorn and John - Writers block (V2/Wichita)
After last years excellent "Falling out" I expected a great album, but this release just floored me.

02. Loney, Dear - Sologne (Dear John)
Yes, this is technically a re-release, and yes, it's that good.

03. The Fine Arts Showcase - Radiola (Adrian)
This is the new album I listened to most this year, and a it was quite a leap artistically for Mr. Kjellvander.

04. Hell On Wheels - The odd church (Hybris)
This one sat in my room for about a month until one day I brought it in the car with me, and to say the least, I was impressed.

05. Vapnet - Jag vet hur man väntar (Hybris)
"Thoméegränd" instantly hit me with pure pop genuis, and this album is so textured and deep, it has yet to be fully realised.

06. Firefox AK - Madame, madame! (Razzia)
It took me a while, but I have finally realised how genius this album is.

07. Nicolai Dunger - Sjunger Edith Södergran (EMI)
I believe this is Mr. Dunger's most cohesive album to date, and perhaps his most intimate.

08. Sibiria - Inom familjen (Hybris)
Martin A and Martin H put out two stellar albums in one year. Gorgeous.

09. The Knife - Silent shout (Rabid)
This album is both bleak and enchanting.

10. David & The Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
This album is so solid, and it should silence all of the naysayers.

Other:

Best 2005 release of 2006:
El Perro Del Mar - El Perro Del Mar (Memphis Industries/The Control Group)
Gorgeous, that is the only way to describe the songwriting of Sarah Assbring, and it's good to see the rest of the world catching on.

Top three non-Scandinavian releases:

Tom Waits - Orphans (Anti)
This is absolutely essential.

Nobody & Mystic Chords Of Memory - Tree colored see (Mush)
Another post-Beachwood Sparks work of excellence, now I'm only wishing for Beachwood Sparks to reunite.

My Morning Jacket - Okonokos (RCA)
America's best current live band, and this is their document.

Top ten songs of 2006*
01. Montt Mardié - "My girlfriend is in the Grand Prix finals" from "Science" (Hybris)
02. Peter Bjorn and John - "Paris 2004" from "Writers block" (V2)
03. Kristofer Åström - "So much for staying alive" from "Black Valley" (Startracks)
04. Loney, Dear - "The city, the airport" from "Sologne" (Dear John)
05. Tom Waits - "Bottom of the world" from "Orphans" (Anti)
06. Vapnet - "Thoméegränd" from "Jag vet hur man väntar" (Hybris)
07. The Velvet Teen - "Gyzmkid" from "Cum laude" (Slowdance)
08. Nicolai Dunger - "Lyckokatt" from "Sjunger Edith Södergran" (Dolores)
09. Loose Fur - "The ruling class" from "Born again in the USA" (Drag City)
10. Islands - "Don't call me Whitney, Bobby" from "Return to the sea" (Equator)

*These songs, as well as 31 others appear on my "Best of 2006" mix, which I have made 20 copies of as a double-disc set to give away to the readers of It's A Trap! Here's the deal, the first twenty people to email me at matthew dot giordano at macys dot com with their name and postal address will receive a copy (as well as tracklisting) in the mail. Enjoy.

Kevin Renick, in alphabetical order:

01. Ampop - My delusions (Dennis Records)
Balancing the epic and the emotive is an increasingly dicey proposition as more and more groups on both sides of the Atlantic sacrifice one or the other in the process. Iceland's Ampop gets the blend just right with these 11 surgingly powerful, yet fragile tunes. .

02. El Perro Del Mar - s/t (Memphis Industries)
Possibly the most bubbly, infectious, melodically rich, beautifully sung sad album ever made.

03. Sofia Hardig - The need to destroy (Filthy Records)
An adventurous electronica foray in which Sofia makes an art out of distorted vocals that are nonetheless emotionally wrenching. Dark, machine-laden grooves that grip the soul.

04. The Knife - Silent shout (Brille Records)
By any standard, one of the year's boldest and most significant records, especially for a spooked, tech-savvy, mask-wearin', brother-sister dance-tronica act.

05. Lampshade - Let's away (Glitterhouse)
The sophomore release by this fabulous Swedish/Danish group is just as good as the debut; RebekkaMaria and company fuse primal rock and Scandi sensuality together in a thoroughly compelling manner.

06. Mew - And the glass-handed kites (Sony BMG Music)
A continuously flowing, continuously melodic and dazzling production that got many satisfying spins on my car stereo in 2006.

07. Monty's Loco - Man overboard (NONS)
Take a female vocalist who's like a tougher Emiliana Torrini, add equal parts acoustic/electronic instrumentation, throw in a few dollops of inspired weirdness and mix/produce well. Result: a grabber of an album that tickles the sonic taste buds..

08. Britta Persson - Top quality bones and a little terrorist (Amigo)
I like my Scandinavian music to be a little tart. Britta's debut CD is positively lemony from start to finish, a real standout in a year filled with great records by Scandi girls.

09. Patrik Skantze and the Free Souls Society - Fiction at first view (Mimo Sound)
A master class in inspired prog songcraft, superb guitar playing and the art of channeling diverse influences into your own lovingly prepared recipe.

10. Sonores - Elefanten (Structures Sonores)
As a long-time fan of both atmospheric ambient and mournful female vocals, this texturally absorbing disc had me at "eftermiddag".

Best EP: Detektivbyrån - Hemvägen (Danarkia)
Best CD to reevaluate your life to: Es - Sateenkkarisuudelma (K-RAA-K)
Best reasons to have faith that the spirit of weirdness lives on in Scandiland: The Bear Quartet, Sir Eric Beyond, and Tar...Feathers

Simon Tagestam:

01. Vapnet – Jag vet hur man väntar (album / Hybris)
Vapnet lived up to all my expectations and delivered a fantastic album

02. Moneybrother – De vet ingenting om oss (single / Hacka Skivindustri)
This song came totally unexpected and instantly floored me.

03. Lo-Fi-Fnk – Boylife (album / La Vida Loca)
Very exciting album from Sweden’s new dance kings, now TTA gone all new age.

04. Mattias Alkberg BD - Ditt hjärta är en stjärna (album / A West Side Fabrication)
Third and best album from this Bear Quartet member.

05. Taxi Taxi – Old big trees (song on myspace)
Killer song. Got high hopes for these young twins.

06. I'm From Barcelona - Let me introduce my friends (album / Dolores)
Hate them live, but still love their music.

07. Juni Järvi - Wherever thou art (album / Everlasting)
The surprise hit of the year, a collection of some magnificent songs.

08. [ingenting] - Mycket väsen för ingenting (album / Labrador)
An album that deserved much more attention and praise than it got.

09. Juvelen – Watch your step (song on myspace)
Sounds exactly like Prince when he was at his best. Pretty damn good that is!

10. Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-Garde - s/t (album / Flora & Fauna)
Weirdest and most wonderful gig at Emmaboda this year where 'Sir Eric', even though he's Swedish, only talked in English in-between songs. He also released a fine record.

Three amazing songs from albums that I wasn't too keen on:
Fattaru – 100 spänn
Hello Saferide – The quiz
Peter Bjorn and John – Young folks

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

Jonas Appelqvist is in the works of completing the first fullengthrecord with Blinders On, indierock based in Malmö. The band is, as I write this, finished with the mixing and the mastering of the album entitled "Obsolete music", so we should expect a release in January. The 17th, to be precise. More on that after New Year's Eve.

Nancy Baym can be found happily blogging away at Online Fandom and digging music at Last.fm.

Matt Giordano wishes everyone safe, yet wine-filled holidays and New Year's celebrations, and hopes those who'll be getting his "Best of 2006 mix" enjoy them. He also hopes Arsenal can pick up the pace in the premier league and that Scandinavian bands continue to release the world's best music. Here are the new releases he's looking forward to in 2007: two Laakso records, Kristofer Åström, Shout Out Louds, Via Audio, Christian Kjellvander, Spoon, Tiger Lou (I can hope), My Morning Jacket (I can hope), Nick Cave (I think it's about time for another), Moonbabies, Nicolai Dunger, and all Hyrbis releases.

Kevin Renick is exhausted from trying to pare down the list of favorites from a really great year in music.

Simon Tagestam is a regular contributor to IAT and he doesn't really have any plans for 2007, except some vague ideas concerning a Nintendo Wii, his mother's 60th birthday, more tattoos, and badminton.

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Photos of IAT.MP3 artists Sonores on tour in the UK: http://www.flickr.com/photos/viktorsjoberg/sets/72157594372622600/

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Aversionline on Sonores: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/10/sonores-elefanten-cd.html
One of the year's best records - very highly recommended.

MP3: Sonores - Jonathan

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

I'm anticipating that I will be totally exhausted and preoccupied on Tuesday morning since my friends from Kayo Dot are staying over while on tour, so I'm writing this on Monday afternoon. They're not Scandinavian, but I still highly recommend that you check 'em out regardless. They make the kind of progressive music that truly transcends boundries. Radiohead is a mere rockband by comparison. Don't believe me, click on that link and check out their myspace profile. Verses? Choruses? Don't be so narrowminded. In a lot of ways, the music of Sonores reminds me of Kayo Dot. Sonores doesn't really ever get all that heavy, but their chord voicings and unique sonic textures give me the same kinds of chills. It's that sinister undercurrent that does it to me, as well as the fact that their music is both evocative and intellectually stimulating. Kayo Dot is often far more overtly distressing, but the band's softer passages conjure up the same feelings. It's music that's not easily pinned down by tags according to genre though you may find other music with similar emotional attributes. It's a record I feel very strongly about, a no-brainer as a pick for October's album of the month. Seriously, if you don't like this, we may need to reevaluate our friendship.
Buy "Elefanten": [click here]
(Update: the dudes didn't actually sleep here last night, but man am I tired. Staying up 'till 3am gets harder the older I get. Amazing show though. "_____ on limpid form" was a definite highlight.)

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

October's album of the month: Sonores - Elefanten
Brilliant band, brilliant album. The IAT.MP3 EP only hints at their talent, the full-length confirms it. This will definitely be one of my favorite albums released this year.

MP3: The Grand Opening - Secret view

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The Grand Opening's debut full-length "This is nowhere to be found" is a perfect record for the segue into fall. Melancholy and full of yearning and nostalgia, the music evokes the same sort of feelings I associate with the season. The days grow shorter, shadows grow longer and the leaves fall from trees. It's a time of inward reflection as we prepare for winter. As with Sonores (who I posted about recently), this record marks the first steps of an IAT.MP3 netlabel act branching out into the 'real world' with a physical product. I couldn't be more proud - I feel like a father whose children are now grown up and leaving home for the first time on their own and I want them to do well. TGO's record is especially pleasing to me because I knew they had immense potential when I first heard their demo and now they've gone and proved it. The "Location EP" netrelease was pretty damn good I must admit, but "This is nowhere to be found" is miles ahead. Three of the songs make appearances on the new album and the difference between the two versions is astounding. However, you'll have to either visit myspace or buy the record to hear 'em because I've posted a different song today, "Secret view". I love the tone of that bassline as played on Rhodes keyboard (at least I'm fairly sure what they used) combined with a simple drum loop and smattering of overdubbed percussion. The guitar only provides atmosphere and the melody is carried solely by vocals and chimes. So beautiful, so sublime.
Buy the "Don't drop off" 7": [click here]

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Speaking of Sonores, here's some upcoming live dates:

10/20 - Kulturhuset Underjorden, Göteborg (SWE)
11/09 - Qubar, Margate (UK)
11/10 - Lido, Margate (UK)

MP3: Sonores - That wish!

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Spotty Internet access here in the Silicon Valley (who woulda thought?) means no Thursday post. But I'm still on vacation, so you should be happy that you get anything at all. Moving on to close out the week: IAT.MP3 netlabel artists Sonores and The Grand Opening both have new full-length albums. Both of course, are excellent. You'll have to wait a little while for TGO's record, but Sonores' "Elefanten" is out now. Download a new album track from the mp3 playlist and read an interview with mainman Jonas Odhner right here: [click here]

Interview: Jonas Odhner (Sonores)

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

I had absolutely no expectations when I started the IAT.MP3 netlabel. I figured I'd offer some additional exposure to a few semi-unknown acts and that would be it. Now it's come to pass that two of the artists I've worked with are releasing official full-length albums. The Grand Opening's debut comes out later this fall and Sonores' marvelous "Elefanten" is out now. I'm proud of all the releases I've done, but Sonores is something special and original. Dark, dreamy and drenched in reverberating layers of sound, the music they create under the guidance of main songwriter/mastermind Jonas Odhner is incredibly evocative. The mood drifts between soothing and disturbing, sometimes even within the space of a few bars. It is music designed for headphone listening, walking the city at night. I hate to ruin some of the mystery and allure of what goes on behind the scenes, but I cannot resist. Jonas was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

Tell me about how Sonores came together - what inspired you to begin to create music like this and how did everyone get involved?

I met Viktor 4-5 years ago, I was going with a friend to his place and lay some scratch on a song they were working on. We started talking about doing something together. I don't remember how long it took, but it took some time before we actually started making music together. Then we decided that we wanted a singer and Viktor knew Elisabet a bit so we asked her.... I don't remember if we ever discussed what kind of music it should be, maybe we did, but I think it just came quite natural because of the musical background we had.

The album has been in the works for a long time now - what took so long? Also, how does your creative process work? Are all the songs composed note-by-note or are there also elements of improv?

One of the biggest reasons is I work 5 days a week and it's often hard to sit on the tram for 1 hour to the studio after work, be there for 2-3 hours then 1 hour home because I must get up early. Quite depressing, but it could be worse of course. I'm glad I have a job, otherwise I could not have bought all the instruments or even have a studio. But it's also the first time I wrote songs and I don't always know how to do it proper, so that takes a long time just figuring it out. I often just sit in the studio playing on some sort of idea, just adding layers of different instruments, then Viktor comes and he is adding something. We have always done the vocals last, Elisabet wants an almost-finished track when she starts working with the vocals. That means we are not a "traditional" band that hangs out and jams, even if it would be great to do that sometimes... we have talked about it, but it never happens.

You use a lot of what I can only describe as jazz textures - are you formally trained in music theory at all? Where does the inspiration for your music come from? How much of what you do is your ideas alone and how much comes from collaboration?

I'm not trained at all in music theory, sometimes I wish I was though... I have picked up a little from friends. Mainly my inspiration comes from films and sounds, with sounds I'm meaning... for an example I'm sitting in the studio and playing guitar and I'm always using tape echoes... it's often very long echoes kind of reverb/echo, that's why the music tend to be quite slow. You get in a certain mood when you sit and play/pick the same chordstructure for two hours very slowly with tons of tape echo and that's maybe the main reason we don't have a traditional structure on the songs with verse-bridge-chorus etc. But of course I get inspiration from other music, but I only have a few favourite artists that I listen to VERY much and the past year I've listened to Anekdoten, Morte Macabre almost too much according to friends. But I have my iPod and the shuffle button is very good. I also have a little book at work where I write ideas, I always here things in songs like a types of effect on the vocals or sound on a guitar etc. but I always forget the book at work...

Now that the album is finally out, what's next?

Now we are re-arranging the songs for a live situation and it's quite hard since we are only 3 in the band. If we are going to perform it without pre-recordings we need to be like 6 or 7 people and we have tried with friends, but they all have other bands that are more important for them so right now that's not an option. So we are going to use pre-recordings and change the songs a little. It would be great to be a full band with 7 people though, but sadly there's no way right now. So hopefully we will get some live dates and get out and tour... and of course start working with the new album. This time it will go faster... hopefully

MP3: Élodie - Overload

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

A good follow-up to yesterday's post on Under Byen is today's mp3 from Élodie. Both bands are female-fronted and could be considered post-rock by the way they embrace slow-building dynamics. The main difference however is that Élodie is more of a pop band. Where Under Byen is unique for their heavy percussion, Élodie soothes with lush, gentle melodies. It's a shame that their new EP "At the end of the line" is the last we'll hear from them - the band recently played their final show at Trästockfestivalen in their hometown of Skellefteå. If you've been at all into any of the other dark and dreamy pop I've been raving about this year such as Lampshade or Namur, then this is definitely up your alley. Not only is there a ton of similar music in this vein being released now, a very high percentage of it is remarkably good. There's more on the way too - keep an eye out for posts on new music Sonores and The Grand Opening in the near future, both amazing bands (and also both IAT.MP3 artists releasing their first official full-lengths).
Buy "At the end of the line": [click here]

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

I neglected to mention it the other day, but I've got new CDs from Kazakstan (see my fawning review here) and IAT.MP3 artist Sonores in the webstore now. Both of course are very highly recommended. I also took some time to throw some new tracks into the webstore's jukebox, so check it out if you've got the time.

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

IAT.MP3 artist Sonores has now released their official debut album: http://elefanten.blogspot.com/2006/08/structures-sonores-1-is-here.html
Highly recommended, of course.

Tue, 02 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Dark Dose, one of my favorite mp3 blogs that doesn't update nearly as often as they should, was kind enough to post their thoughts on IAT.MP3 artist Sonores: http://darkdose.com/?p=121
As I posted in their comments, Jonas from Sonores just told me over the weekend that the music for their album is done, he just needs to finish up all the details concerning the artwork. I'll keep you posted, but in the meantime you can still download the free netrelease on the right.

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish electronic/experimental artist Viktor Sjöberg (who also plays with IAT.MP3 artists Sonores - look to the right) has posted some of the artwork for his new CD "On a winter's day", to be released shortly via Kalligrammofon. Check it: http://elefanten.blogspot.com/2006/04/relations-and-dynamics.html

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish electronic artist Tsukimono (aka Johan Gustavsson, also in Scraps of Tape) has a new track including on the "Tribute to John Peel" mp3 comp session five: http://www.tributetojohnpeel.org/
He also has a new release Kning Disk Gallery Edition entitled "Two hearts beats slower than one, two heartbeats slower than one" which will be released this weekend at the iDEAL Festival in Göteborg. As mentioned before, Gallery Edition releases are 3" CDRs, typically recorded live at the scene and burned/distributed on the spot. Very limited, of course. Johan will also be performing at the fest as part of the Viktor Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble which also features members of acts such as IAT.MP3 artists Sonores (look to the right) and Gbg-experimental artists Testbild!, Ljudbilden & Piloten, The Roaring, Conduo Orchestra and more.

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Lots of great posts over at Finnish music blog Lupatarkastaja recently. Not only is it now being published more regularly in English, but there's tons of good new music from bands such as Ghost Brigade (a new project featuring members of Sunride and Revolt with guest appearances from Munter of Swallow The Sun and Fredrik from Swedish stoner-rock band Dozer) and a new post-rock mix featuring tracks from Circle Six (very highly recommended), Icos, From Now On and more. Oh, and don't forget Teemu's take on my own latest netrelease from Sonores.

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Look to the right! It's a new EP for free download on the IAT.MP3 netlabel! I am extremely pleased to bring you this three-song EP from Sonores, a Göteborg-based trio who make dark and dreamy pop music. Read more details here and please, by all means, spread the word! This is some amazing stuff that needs to be heard.