IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Andreas Söderström & Johan Berthling - 30 grader i februari

Mon, 07 May 2012 11:57:56 -0700

Two tracks from the upcoming soundtrack "30 grader i februari" as composed by Andreas Söderström (ASS) and Johan Berthling (Tape). Look for it to be released on June 13 via Kning Disk.

Top 10s for 2011: John Roger Olsson (The Grand Opening/Hearts No Static/Will Gambola Sing)

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

BIGGEST MOMENT:
My daughter Doris starting to walk

BEST ALBUMS:
Hiss Golden Messenger 'Poor Moon'
TW Walsh 'Songs of Pain and Leasure'
Tape 'Revelationes'
Grails 'Deep Politics'
David Bazan 'Strange Negotiations'
The Drift 'Blue Hour'
Tim Hecker 'Ravedeath, 1972'
Idaho 'You Were a Dick'
EDM 'Night People'
A Winged Victory for the Sullen 'A Winged Victory for the Sullen'

BEST VINYL FINDS:
Jetone 'Ultramarin'
Jetone 'Sundown'
Fugazi 'The Argument'
Belong 'Colorloss Record'
Aidan Baker & Tim Hecker 'Fantasma Parastasie'

BEST CONCERTS:
Goran Kajfes and Tape at Södra Teatern, Stockholm
Bonaparte at BootBooHook Festival, Hannover
Junip at BootBooHook Festival, Hannover
The Drift at Debaser Medis, Stockholm
Maserati at Fritzs Corner, Stockholm

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John Roger Olsson is a musician living in Stockholm. Associated with The Grand Opening, Hearts No Static, Will Gambola Sing, Havenaire, Linus Larsson & John Roger Olsson. He also works frequently with even more artists, most recent production works include The Tarantula Waltz, The Late Call and Case Conrad.
http://johnrogerolsson.com/
http://tgomusic.com/
http://heartsnostatic.com/
http://willgambolasing.com/

Hans Appelqvist presents "Sjunga slutet nu”

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:29:10 -0800

Häpna will be releasing the new Hans Appelqvist soundtrack album "Sjunga slutet nu" on November 23, but earlybirds can pick it up at the show with Tape this Thursday, November 10 at Rönnells Antikvariat in Stockholm. More info on the record here: http://www.hapna.com/H47.html

Musik med Ohayo

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:03:31 -0700

New live music with Swedish instrumental act Ohayo at PSL: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2011/09/23/musik-med-ohayo-a-bird-in-the-hand/
Ohayo = Johan Berthling (Tape), Andreas Söderström (ASS) and drummer Per Eklund. The three of them met while performing as El Perro Del Mar's backing band.

The Silent Ballet reviews Tape

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:27:01 -0700

The Silent Ballet reviews the latest Tape album "Revelationes": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/4101/Default.aspx

Ohaya debut coming via Häpna

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:22:38 -0700

Ohaya, the trio of Andreas Söderström (Ass), Johan Berthling (Tape), and Per Eklund -- three artists who came together as a live backing band for El Perro Del Mar, will be releasing their debut album "The state we are in" on May 10 via Häpna. Read more and download a sample tune: http://www.hapna.com/H45.html

Dusted reviews Tape, Moritz von Oswald

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:16:38 -0700

Dusted has a review up of the new Tape album "Revelationes": http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6319
Also covered, the new Moritz von Oswald record "Horizontal structures": http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6319

New Tape album next week

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:14:25 -0800

The new Tape album "Revelationes" will be officially released on March 7 via Häpna with a vinyl edition co-released by US label Immune. And I'm glad to be reminded of it because I've had a promo on my desk for a few days now and shamefully had forgotten all about it until now. D'oh!

New Tape album next year

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:35:03 -0800

Häpna reports that the new Tape album "Revelationes" will be released in early 2011.

Tape live preview, interview

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:29:38 -0800

The Washington Post Express talks to Johan Berthling of Tape ahead of their upcoming live appearance in DC on February 8: http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2010/02/mountains-tape-bossa-dc.php

New music from Little Children

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:14:50 -0800

Swedish artist Little Children (ex-Idiot Kid) is streaming three new tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/littlechildrenmusik
A full-length album has been recorded with Andreas Berthling (Tape) and is on the way.

Top 10s for 2009: Rickard Jäverling

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:40:00 -0800

Here's a top 10 list of more or less musical and magical moments that made this last decade for me.

01. The birth of my first child

02. The joy of working with Swedish label Kning Disk

03. Seeing Gillian Welch live in a small Stockholm venue

04. The thrill of releasing my debut album in 2006

05. The start of a life long love affair with Swedish artist Håkan Hellström

06. Being in and around a fantastic Swedish underground scene with bands/acts like Promise and the Monster, ASS, Jeniferever, Jonathan Johansson, Tape, Johan Heltne, Andreaz Hedén, OK Star Orchestra, Musette, Eric Malmberg, Top Hawk, Johan Borgert, Oskar Schönning, Finn Loxbo, etc, etc, etc...

07. Seeing Bruce Springsteen live, at last

08. The shrinkage of the music world -- that makes it possible for a small artist like me to get fan mail from the smallest corners of the globe

09. My discovery in the great Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlöf - read her, for God's sake!!!

10. And finally, the album of the decade is Midlake's "The trials of Van Occupanther"

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Rickard's sophomore album "The valleys" is out now via Kning Disk. Aside concentrating on being a father in 2010, he also plans to collaborate on a new project with the band Musette.
http://www.javerling.com/
http://www.myspace.com/rickardjaverling

Various Artists Great Northern Recordings compilation #4 Great Northern Recordings

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:24:06 -0800

This fourth installment in Great Northern Recordings's sampler collection offers yet another foray into the realm of the avant-garde and ambient lives of four Swedish artists. Lakes of Grass and Gold kick off the proceedings with a feedback-induced drone that winds up the most unsettling of the units on here. This is particularly evident on second track "Lament" with its eerie, almost Native American chants laid over a creepy soundscape. Stockholm trio Tape offer a selection that, while much brighter in the use of playful melodies, is reflective and ponderous in its melancholic phrasing. There's the very slightest hint of a bleak industrial touch on "Brakes" while "Millipede cathedral" displays an innocent beauty quite at odds with the former effort. First track from The Magic State, "Something else", is firmly ensconced in the uneasy otherworld where pure dark ambient resides, while "Spectrum" comes off as a self-styled dark electronica that offers allure and desperation in equal measures. The icing on this rather atmospheric cake, however, is with closer Tsukimono, the super-prolific Johan Gustavsson from Göteborg, who demonstrates that minimalism can truly evoke emotion when administered with style and expertise. "A little heart explodes" oozes a sort of ethereal euphoria, while closing track "Mimilalanono" does the very same in the blending of styles to create one, unique, trance-inducing sequence. Yet again, Great Northern have shown that they have the vision necessary to bring together Sweden's anomalous underground and showcase the creative talent that the country's scene quite obviously has.

MP3: Tsukimono - Mimilalanono

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:33:44 -0700

It's a fact: the Great Northern Recordings compilation series does an amazing job of exploring new and exciting sounds coming out of the Swedish underground and the latest edition (#4) is no exception. Even better, more established names (such as Tape or Erik Enocksson, here performing as Lakes of Grass and Gold) are paired with up-and-comers like The Magic State and my friend (and IAT.MP3 artist) Johan Gustavsson aka Tsukimono. Artists at the top of their game test their mettle with ones who have a lot more to prove -- it's a great concept and one that's executed flawlessly, especially with the sublime black-on-black packaging that adorns this new volume. It's also a perfect door-opener for anyone new to the scene because a lot of these artists are extremely prolific, yet here anyone can dive in confidently knowing that the material will be Class A across the board. I love Johan dearly, I really do, but I think that even he would admit that some of his output is inconsistent, so let me demonstrate a sample of him at his best by offering one of his two (both excellent) contributions. I do this for two reasons; first, because I really do love this piece and second, it's just as worthy of listening as the other, "bigger" names. Tsukimono has played around with many audio sources over the years, from the found-sound clatter of "Van Venue Hotel" to the stretched-out strings of "Time canvas", but I have always been drawn to his guitar works as far back as when I first heard "Née". Of course, the instrument only serves as a base starting point here on "Mimilalanono"; much of the canvas is composed of shrapnel derived from the original source, reflected back onto itself until it becomes something new, shimmery and more bell-like than string. It's not just repetitious minimalism though, there is subtle dramatic structure as the piece slowly evolves and then returns back towards where it came. Johan told me he is not so fond of the title, but he should be proud of how it came out.

Great Northern Recordings compilation #4 restock

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:01:23 -0700

The first batch of copies for the new Great Northern Recordings compilation #4 (feat. Lakes of Grass and Gold (aka Erik Enocksson), Tape, The Magic State and Tsukimono) sold out mighty quick, but I've managed to score another grip and have updated the storefront accordingly. Buy or die: CD / CS
Don't snooze on this one - once these are gone, they are gone for good!

Deleted Art talks to Fire!

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:43:33 -0700

Deleted Art talks to Andreas Werliin of Wildbirds & Peacedrums about his other project Fire!, which includes Mats Gustafsson (The Thing, etc) and Johan Bertling (Häpna/Tape): http://deletedart.wordpress.com/2009/09/09/you-liked-me-five-minutes-ago/

Sirius playlist week #36

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:29:44 -0700

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

01. NEI - City of gold
02. TALK 1
03. Brothers of End - Why
04. Johndoe - Kvikkleire
05. Viola - Sea curtain
06. TALK 2
07. Marit Bergman - Höstvisa
08. Bad Hands - Bad hands (feat. Nina Kinert)
09. Aerial - I am TV
10. Tape - Brakes
11. TALK 3
12. Tsukimono - Mimilalanono
13. Superfamily - The songs of the weak will die
14. Unter den Linden - Motstånd i läder
15. TALK 4
16. The Bear Quartet - Carry your weight
17. Björn Kleinhenz - Show me love
18. Pets - Don't say your heart is broken (we know it's not)
19. TALK 5

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

Great Northern Recordings compilation #4 is here

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:14:58 -0700

Now in stock: Great Northern Recordings compilation #4, both on CDr and cassette and both packaged in beautiful black-on-black silkscreened sleeves with artwork by Ragnar Persson. As for the music, once again it's some of the best the Swedish underground has to offer: Lakes of Grass and Gold (aka Erik Enocksson), Tape, The Magic State and Tsukimono. Looks good, sounds good, is good!

Great Northern Recordings compilation #4

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:23:43 -0700

Excellent underground/DIY label Great Northern Recordings has put together a new compilation (their fourth) featuring two previously unreleased songs each from the likes of Lakes of Grass and Gold, Tape, The Magic State and Tsukimono plus artwork from Ragnar Persson. The handmade CDR version will be limited to a mere 100 copies and there will also be a cassette edition of 30. A release party will be held at Galleri Hangups in Stockholm on August 28 with a live performance from The Magic State.

Pre-orders for Fire!, Motorpsycho begins Monday

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:23:50 -0700

Rune Grammofon will beging taking pre-orders for the debut album "You like me five minutes ago" from all-star Swedish freejazz act Fire! on Monday: http://www.runegrammofon.com/artists/fire_/rlp-3091---fire_-you-liked-me-five-ago-_lp_
Fire! consists of Mats Gustafsson (The Thing), Johan Berthling (Tape) and Andreas Werliin (Wildbirds & Peacedrums). The official release date is August 10. Also, note that the new Motorpsycho LP will also be available for preorder next week as well.

Rune Grammofon to release debut album from Swedish all-stars Fire!

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:56:23 -0700

Rune Grammofon is stretching out beyond the confines of Norway (again) and will be releasing the debut album from Swedish act Fire!, an all-star group of sorts featuring Mats Gustafsson (The Thing), Johan Berthling (Tape) and Andreas Werliin (Wildbirds & Peacedrums). Expect it in August.

Hälsningar från skogen, the box

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:19:37 -0700

Kning Disk has released a special limited box-set soundtrack to the film "Hälsningar från skogen" ("Greetings from the Woods") featuring exclusive tracks from many fine Swedish artists such as José González, Hans Appelqvist, Jean-Louis Huhta and Tape. Full details here: http://www.kningdisk.com/02_releases_kd063.asp?id=1063

Rumraket to release new albums from Slaraffenland, Taxi Taxi!

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:47:12 -0800

Danish label Rumraket reports that they'll be releasing Slaraffenland's 3rd album in April and will also be putting out Taxi Taxi!'s much-anticipated full-length debut (produced by Johan Berthling of Tape/Häpna) later on in 2009, as well as a live album/DVD from labelheads Efterklang.

Raven Sings the Blues year-end picks

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:34:32 -0800

Tape and Paavoharju made Raven Sings the Blues year-end best-of list: http://ravensingstheblues.blogspot.com/2008/12/well-here-it-is-end-of-2008.html
Also note Eddy Current Suppression Ring at #1; like I said in my comments, that's definitely a top 10 album.

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:54:11 -0800

Motel De Moka include Paavoharju, Tape and Lykke Li in their best-of-2008 list: http://www.moteldemoka.com/2008/12/08/mokas-top-10-albums-2008/

Top 10s for 2008: John Roger Olsson (The Grand Opening)

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The bands/artists I've been listening to most this year:

01. Smog

02. American Music Club

03. Stars of the Lid

04. The Sea and Cake

05. Sophie Zelmani

06. Tarentel

07. Cass McCombs

08. Tim Hecker

09. Ass

10. Tape

The songs I've been listening to most times this year:

01. Smog – Drinking at the dam

02. Cass McCombs – Morning shadows

03. Cass McCombs – Petrified forest

04. Tim Hecker – Rainbow blood

05. Tape – Moth wings

06. Cass McCombs – Crick in my neck

07. Ass – Escape From NY (main title)

08. American Music Club – All the lost souls welcome you to San Francisco

09. Ass – Wheels and wings

10. Cass McCombs – That's that

Highlights this year:

-Celebrating 1 year living together with my fiancé.

-Starting 2 new bands (Ola-Ola & The True Socialists and Hearts No Static).

-Releasing the second The Grand Opening album "Beyond the brightness" and going on tour to support it.

-The summer vacation in Italy and at my parents in Ånge.

-Quitting my job after 8 years.

-Getting a new job.

-My new Gibson ES-335.

-Getting a bit closer to completing my solo album.

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Besides fronting The Grand Opening and developing his solo career, JRO also plays drums in both Will Gambola Sing and Leonwalls (among others) and is producing The Tarantula Waltz' new album, due out early 2009. To top it off, he also claims to be "pretty decent" at tennis and frankly, I wouldn't be all that surprised if that's true. One thing he can't do however, is drive in a calm, safe fashion, at least not in my experience.
www.tgomusic.com
www.myspace.com/thegrandopening

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:33:05 -0700

Watch a PSL live session wiht Anna Maria Espinosa doing the song "Glowing with you" along with help from Charlotte Centervall (Cookies 'n Beans) and Tomas Hallonsten (Tape): http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2008/09/22/musik-med-anna-maria-espinosa/

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:45:22 -0700

PopMatters gets around to covering Tape's latest album "Luminarium": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/63186/tape-luminarium/

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:02:05 -0700

Paper Thin Walls on the Tape track "Moth wings": http://www.paperthinwalls.com/singlefile/item?id=1755

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:25:51 -0700

Missed it on Friday, but Dusted featured a guest list from Tape as part of their weekly feature: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/751

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:11:34 -0700

New music from Air France at Pitchfork: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/51035-air-france-collapsing-at-your-doorstep-mp3stream
A new track from Häpna artists Tape was posted today as well: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/49845-tape-mystery-mutiny-mp3stream

Tue, 20 May 2008 13:47:21 -0700

The Silent Ballet is not so impressed with Tape's new album "Luminarium": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/1422/Default.aspx

Sun, 18 May 2008 11:55:24 -0700

Here's this week's radio show playlist:

01. Siena Root - Waiting for the sun
02. TALK 1
03. Cult of Luna - Eternal kingdom
04. Svartbag - Black Capricorn
05. Kite - Ways to dance
06. TALK 2
07. Eero Johannes - Finnrexin
08. Looptroop Rockers - The building
09. Holiday for Strings - Touch the tiger
10. TALK 3
11. Silverbullit - Magnetic city
12. Thomas Denver Jonsson - My wardrobe
13. Samtidigt Som - Constant in motion
14. Wolfbrigade - Feelings you don't want to feel
15. TALK 4
16. Johndoe - Piggtråd og piss
17. Sol Andersson - All is full of love
18. King of All the Animals - The snowflake song (I Was A Teenage Satan Worshipper remix)
19. TALK 5
20. Last Days of April - You don't believe me (Monster & Maskiner remix)
21. Pacta Sunt Servanda - To claim your prize
22. The Goner - Spirit round-up
23. TALK 6
24. Tape - Altamira
25. Letum - Tallriksis
26. Zeigeist - Black milk
27. TALK 7
28. Knife and Ape - Semiotic dysfunction
29. Terveet Kädet - Message
30. Giant Boar - Chronic date
31. The Lionheart Brothers - Time river floaty
32. TALK 8
33. Echo Is Your Love - Lion tamer vs tigers
34. Agent Side Grinder - Lashes of flashes
35. Skitsystem - Solidaritetens sista utpost
36. TALK 9
37. Final Exit - Punk enough

Reminder: my show on Sirius Blog Radio runs Saturdays at 12 noon and midnight ET on channel 26 (Left of Center). My show is being preempted this coming weekend (05/24) for a special Memorial Day Block Party special, but I'll be back in full effect on June 7.

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:51:22 -0700

Häpna has now posted details for Tape's new album "Luminarium" including a free mp3 download: http://www.hapna.com/H42.html

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:52:39 -0700

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

01. Peter Morén - This is what I came for
02. TALK 1
03. Entombed - Hollowman
04. King Of All The Animals - Concrete skyline
05. Jettie - The lay up
06. TALK 2
07. Happy Trash Culture - Frisky pet
08. Josse - You had a plan
09. Ondo - Sleep
10. TALK 3
11. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - This room seems empty without you
12. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss
13. Marvins Revolt - Deliberate deeds
14. Marybell Katastrophy - Hey Frank
15. TALK 4
16. The Bear Quartet - Mvh contempt
17. Lögnhalsmottagningen - Snacka gär ju
18. Ghost Brigade - Based on you
19. TALK 5
20. September Malevolence - I shut doors and windows
21. The End Will Be Kicks - Ass of a friend
22. Anna Leong - Battered, bruised and cold
23. TALK 6
24. Bright Oak - On the list
25. Tape - Moth wings
26. Axewitch - Hot lady
27. TALK 7
28. Nationalteatern - Jack the Ripper
29. Tsukimono - Heart beater
30. Zeigeist - Bunny
31. TALK 8
32. First Floor Power - The jacket (Karin Dreijer remix)
33. No Hope for the Kids - Angels of destruction
34. Docenterna - Popmusik
35. Vapnet - Skorpan
36. TALK 9
37. Björn Kleinhenz - Olis
38. Fireside - Ambulance
39. Looptroop Rockers - Living on a prayer
40. TALK 10

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:23:37 -0700

Coming to London in mid-May: "Swedish Outsiders", a festival of experimental sound and film: http://www.no-signal.net/
Artists presenting include Hans Appelqvist, Mats Gustafsson, Folke Rabe, Tape, Wildbirds & Peacedrums, Henrik Rylander and much, much more. See a pdf of program notes here: http://www.no-signal.net/swedish/nosignal-SwedishOutsidersFestival-PR.pdf

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:52:47 -0700

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

01. Franke - Jag älskar dig
02. TALK 1
03. White Knives - Welcome transplants
04. Bobby and Blumm - Drow a bow
05. Anna Leong - Guillotine
06. TALK 2
07. Juvelen - Don't mess
08. Eucharist - The Eucharist
09. Sophie Rimheden - Go away (ft. Aaron Phiri)
10. TALK 3
11. Form One - Money (ft. Vincent)
12. Tape - Augustan chateau
13. Moneybrother - They're building walls around us
14. TALK 4
15. Lapko - Killer whales
16. The State of Floral Beings - Bad broker
17. Opération Zéro - Grand Pere
18. TALK 5
19. Pistol Disco - Beat of the tune
20. Kusowsky - Jonny
21. Motorhomes - Into the night
22. TALK 6
23. They Live By Night - Endless summer
24. Cleaning Women - Clean up your body
25. Kaka - What a frame
26. Gorgoroth - Krig
27. TALK 7
28. Markus Krunegård - Samma nätter väntar alla
29. Snöleoparden - Waterpuppet theatre
30. Oskar Schönning - Stoner
31. TALK 8
32. Tellu - Tuulet
33. Convoj - Cultural legacy
34. Lukestar - White shade
35. Silver - The personal decay
36. TALK 9
37. Brick - Labrador
38. Callisto - Anastasis
39. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - When she's GONE
40. TALK 10
41. Magyar Posse - Singlesparks are spectral fires

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:52:07 -0800

Swedish avant/drone duo Tape will release their new album "Luminarium" in April via Häpna, but before that in March, the label will reissue the group's first two out-of-print records "Opera" and "Milieu" with bonus tracks. There will also be a split 7" with Tenniscoats in March as well.

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:53:56 -0800

Folke, the pop alias of jazz bassist Torbjörn Zetterberg, will release his self-titled debut solo album on April 2 via Finest Quality Recordings. The record was produced by Johan Berthling (Tape, The Tiny) and features guest appearances by Ellekari Larsson and Leo Svensson (The Tiny), John Eriksson (Peter Bjorn and John), Lars Skoglund (Laakso), Ola Hultgren (Loney, Dear), Tomas Hallonsten (Tape) and more. Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/folkemusic

Idiot Kid Darkness in our house Slottet

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Somber and brooding, an intimate and intensifying examination of life and its complications, "Darkness in our house" is a bleak effort given warmth and presence from its composers. The strength of Linus Lutti's voice is complimented by its raspy fragility, making it the perfect narrator for the windswept, empty terrains the music explores and expands into, braced when needed by Ann-Sofie Lundin's backing register. The delicate production granted to the record by Johan Berthling (The Tiny, Tape) enhances the personal element of the album, making it all the more confessional and passionate. Not necessarily a record I'd recommend listening to every day during these winter months, but Idiot Kid are definitely worth a few minutes' research if not an investment.

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:48:26 -0800

Swedish experimental/drone act Tape will see their first two albums "Opera" and "Milieu" reissued in the near future with new bonus material. Also look for the group's fourth album this spring.

Various Artists Whispers from the forest, screams from the mountains The Wire

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

I know it probably seems odd to review a free comp with limited availability (it was primarily distributed to subscribers of UK mag The Wire with copies of the December issue), but when you consider how well this collection captures the most exciting aspects of Sweden's current music scene, it should hopefully make sense. Simply put, Häpna, Ideal Recordings and Kning Disk are the top three Swedish labels currently releasing a consistent stream of interesting, forward-thinking music. Even with the few artists I'm not so fond of such as Nicolai Dunger's A Taste of Ra, I would never fault their craftsmanship or imagination. It might not appeal directly to my own personal tastes, but it has my utmost respect and that is of crucial importance. There's always something to admire, even when you are not inclined to investigate further.

As for the styles of music explored in this collection, it's incredibly rich and diverse. There's everything from pop melodicism (Anna Järvinen, Eric Malmberg, Balroynigress) to dark, terrifying drones (Sewer Election, Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words, The Skull Defekts), fractured experimentalism (Hans Appelqvist, Tape, Folke Rabe) and classical composition (Erik Enocksson, Jerry Johansson and Library Tapes). All in all, a perfect portrait of where to look for the future of Swedish music. Ignore it and get left behind.

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:27:09 -0800

In case you were wondering, here's the tracklist for that free comp of Swedish music "Whispers from the forests, screams from the mountains" that comes with the latest issue of UK mag The Wire:

01. Hans Appelqvist - Jag en gök (Häpna, from the album "Sifantin och mörkret")
02. Eric Malmberg - Milda döden hämtar oss alla till slut (Häpna, from the album "Verklighet & beat")
03. Anders Dahl - Hundloka - percussion, guitar, bouzouki (excerpt) (Häpna, from the album "Milieu")
04. Tape - Augustan chateau (Häpna, from the album "Sifantin och mörkret")
05. Anna Järvinen - Helsinki (Häpna, from the album "Jag fick feeling")
06. A Taste Of Ra - Morning of my life (excerpt) (Häpna, from the album "Morning of my life")
07. Christine Ödlund - Lightning & voices (Ideal, from the upcoming album "Phenomena")
08. Nash Kontroll - All muzzles look the same (Ideal, from the "Must be destroyed" 7")
09. Mokira - Skaka hund skaka (Ideal, previously unreleased)
10. Sewer Election - White Golgotha (Ideal, previously unreleased)
11. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Heaven is the notion that all this will end (Ideal, previously unreleased)
12. Skull Defekts, The - Finding your way through the forest by settng it on fire (Ideal, previously unreleased)
13. Erik Enocksson - The state the sea left me in (Kning Disk, from the album "Farväl Falkenberg")
14. Dan Fröberg - We'll never be the same again (song) (Kning Disk, previously unreleased)
15. Jerry Johansson - Next door conversation part II (excerpt) (Kning Disk, from the album "Next door conversation")
16. Folke Rabe - Swinee river (Kning Disk, previously unreleased)
17. Library Tapes - Fragment VIII (Kning Disk, from the "Fragment" EP)
18. Balroynigress - Shampo and champagne (Kning Disk, from the album "Shampo and champagne")

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:43:27 -0800

Ideal Recordings, Häpna and Kning Disk, three of the best current Swedish labels for exciting new music, are teaming up with UK mag The Wire for a special sampler entitled "Whispers from the forests, screams from the mountains" featuring 77 minutes of what they do best. I don't know the full tracklist, but Ideal reports that they are contributing exclusive works from Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words, Sewer Election, Christine Ödlund and Mokira plus a track from Nash Kontroll off their upcoming 7". In conjunction with said comp's release, the three labels will again team up for a live show at Konsthallen in Göteborg on December 8 featuring Balroynigress (Kning Disk), Hans Appelqvist (Häpna), DLSODW (Ideal) and a special performance by the ensemble of Jean-Louis Huhta (The Skull Defekts), Anders Dahl and Johan Berthling (Häpna/Tape).

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Timo Räisänen - My valentine
02. TALK 1
03. Torpedo - From Russia with love
04. Desert Planet - Breakout button
05. Ebba Grön - Mamma pappa barn
06. TALK 2
07. The End Will Be Kicks - Don Johnson
08. Skywriter - Where both worlds never meet
09. Skull Defekts - The secret
10. TALK 3
11. Tsukimono - Tokyo OEast
12. Kristin Asbjørnsen - Trying to get home
13. Enemy Alliance - Government subsidized ghetto
14. TALK 4
15. The Indecision Alarm - Where every fucking dream is killed
16. Dismember - Soon to be dead
17. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Moments
18. TALK 5
19. Kristofer Åström - All in
20. Pan Sonic - Virta 1
21. Ulver - Of wolf and fear
22. TALK 6
23. Mainliners - Olivia
24. 120 Days - Let me come down
25. Universal Poplab - 60 is the new 40
26. TALK 7
27. Dag Vag - Popitop
28. The Bombettes - Lust is the new black
29. Breach - Big strong boss
30. TALK 8
31. CS Nielsen - Black spots
32. Tape - Sand dunes
33. The Psyke Project - For us to see for us to help
34. TALK 9
35. Cortex - Shark boys die hard
36. Viola - I don't know how to party
37. Don't Be A Stranger - Lonely together
38. TALK 10
39. Broder Daniel - What clowns are we

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish drone act Tape on tour in Japan with Tenniscoats:

09/08 - Zaim Cafe, Yokohama
09/09 - Urbanguild, Kyoto
09/10 - Kinshu-Kaikan, Okayama
09/11 - Cafe Taiyo no Tou, Osaka
09/12 - Cafe Taiyo no Tou, Osaka
09/13 - K·D Japon, Nagoya
09/14 - Fukugon-Temple, Hamamatsu
09/15 - 0-Nest, Tokyo
09/16 - Hokusen Gallery Ivory, Sapporo
09/17 - Hokusen Gallery Ivory, Sapporo

A Perfect Friend s/t Stilll

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

A Perfect Friend is a collaboration between singer/songwriter Thomas "Denver" Jonsson and C-J Larsgarden (of Pacta Sunt Servada and various other projects). Their debut album moves within the disarming, harmless confines of what most music critics like to call 'folktronica'. There are scratches, beeps, static and gentle rhythms, accompanied by organ and glockenspiel, reminiscent of a less ethereal Tape or Library Tapes. The duo set themselves apart a bit from the average electroacoustic/folktronica/ambient constellation with the use of Thomas' vocals on some tracks, but in the end there just isn't much about this album which makes it stand out from the pack. Still, it is a fine soundtrack to a hazy afternoon by the water, with the summer sun in your eyes.

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for my radio show this week:

01. Death By Kite - Scared of heights
02. TALK 1
03. Kompjotr Eplektrika - Crakkin zombees...
04. Monomen - Asian spacestation
05. José González - Hints
06. TALK 2
07. I Am Bones - Backpackers
08. Ellen Beach - The widespread acclaim
09. Moder Jords Massiva - Ingenting
10. TALK 3
11. Iisole - The words
12. Kornstad - Sweden
13. Cortex - Mind of darkness
14. TALK 4
15. Silverbullit - Run
16. [ingenting] - Hollywood dreams
17. In Flames - The jester race
18. TALK 5
19. Nicolai Dunger - Soul rush
20. Existensminimum - Changing lines
21. Echo Is Your Love - Peace song
22. TALK 6
23. Laakso - The death of us
24. Christian Kjellvander - Words in the wires
25. Mustasch - Double nature
26. TALK 7
27. Tellevika + Firefox AK - Eric
28. Tape - A spire
29. C.Aarmé - Golden retriever
30. TALK 8
31. The Bear Quartet - Put me back together
32. Susanne Sundfør - Walls
33. The Hellacopters - Like no other man
34. TALK 9
35. Aerial - You will all die, all things will

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Maria Eriksson of The Concretes just released a solo record under the name Santa Maria. The record was produced by Johan Bethling (Tape) and features guest appearances from both Lars Skoglund and Marcus Krunegård of Laakso. Read more: http://www.slottet.eu/santamaria/

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Dates for the upcoming Tape, Ass and Tenniscoats (JAP) tour:

09/30 - Kulturnatten, Norrköping (SWE)
10/03 - Ugglan, Stockholm (SWE)
10/04 - Ugglan, Stockholm (SWE)
10/05 - Nefertiti, Gothenburg (SWE)
10/06 - Landmark (Bergen Kunsthall), Bergen (NOR)
10/07 - Spasibar, Oslo (NOR)
10/09 - tba, Malmö (SWE)
10/10 - Huset / Magstraede / Rumraket, Copenhagen (DK)
10/11 - tba, Århus (DK)
10/13 - Vrijhaven, Den Haag (NL)
10/14 - Netwerk, Aalst (BEL)
10/15 - Worm, Rotterdam (NL)
10/16 - Extrapool, Nijmegen (NL)
10/17 - Divan du Monde, Paris (FRA)
10/20 - Cuba, Munster (GER)
10/21 - Ausland, Berlin (GER)

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish minimalist duo Tape will be touring Europe in October with Japanese act Tenniscoats and Ass, the solo project of fellow Swede Andreas Söderström. Dates tba.

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

Updated tourdates for The Concretes:

04/29 - Triptych Festival, The Venue, Edinburgh (SCO) w/Tape
04/30 - Triptych Festival, The Tramway, Glasgow (SCO) w/Belle & Sebastian
05/04 - Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, ON (CAN)
05/05 - Petit Campus, Montreal, QC (CAN)
05/07 - Club 9:30, Washington, DC
05/08 - Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
05/10 - Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
05/11 - TLA, Philadelphia, PA
05/13 - Martyrs', Chicago, IL
05/14 - The Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN
05/17 - Richard's On Richards, Vancouver BC (CAN)
05/18 - Crocodile Cafe, Seattle, WA
05/19 - Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
05/20 - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
05/23 - The Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA
05/24 - The Casbah, San Diego, CA
06/16 - Hultsfred Festival, Hultsfred (SWE)
07/14 - Summercase Festival, Madrid (ESP)
07/15 - Summercase Festival, Barcelona (ESP)

Support on all North American gigs will come from New Buffalo.

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish ambient artists Tape on tour, including a number of gigs as Andreas Mattson's backing band:

04/15 - Konserthuset/Stenhammarsalen, Gothenburg (SWE) (backing Andreas Mattsson)
04/19 - KB, Malmö (SWE) (backing Andreas Mattsson)
04/20 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (SWE) w/The Tiny
04/26 - Triptych Festival, Mono, Glasgow (UK) w/Tarwater
04/29 - Triptych Festival, The Venue, Edinburgh, w/The Concretes
04/30 - Triptych Festival, The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen (UK) w/Arab Strap, etc
04/23 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (SWE) (backing Andreas Mattsson)
05/20 - "Made in Umeå festival", Umeå (SWE)
05/30 - Luminaire, London (UK) w/Volcano!, Greg Davis, Sebastien Roux
06/03 - Venn festival, Bristol (UK)
06/10 - Teatro i, Milano (ITA)

Andreas Mattsson The lawlessness of the ruling classes Hybris

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

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

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Pitchfork reviews Swedish ambient/drone artists Tape: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/t/tape/rideau.shtml

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Dusted reviews Swedish ambient minimalist artists Tape: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2651

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Check out the video for "Fractured rays" from Swedish drone act Tape: http://www.jossystem.se/hapna/tape_video_high.mov
The clip was directed by Dan Brännvall.

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Nominees for this year's Manifest Awards, Sweden's alternative to the Grammy:

Hip-hop/r&b/soul:
Form One - Meet Johnny Rhino
Hearin´Aid - The Boom Lucy
Jaqee – Blaqalious
Looptroop - Fort Europa
Timbuktu – Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö

Electronica/post-rock/synth:
Folie – Eyepennies
Midaircondo – Shopping For Images
Ola Bergman – The satellite city
Tape – Rideau
Thermostatic – Joy-Toy

Pop/Rock:
Embassy – Tacking
Jenny Wilson – Love And Youth
Blood Music – Sing a Song Fighter
El Perro Del Mar - Look! It’s El Perro Del Mar!
Lucknow Pact – A Few Drinks- A Few Laughs

Jazz:
E.S.T. - Viaticum
Jeanette Lindström – In The Middle Of This Riddle
MUSICMUSICMUSIC – What´s a good boss anyway?
Bobo Stenson trio – Goodbye
Ulf Wakenius – Notes From The Heart

Singer/songwriter:
Lars Bygdén – Trading Happiness for Songs
Frida Hyvönen – Until Death comes
Hello Saferide – Introducing: Hello Saferide
Christian Kjellvander – Faya
Billie the vision and the Dancers – The world according to Pablo

Dance/techno:
Hundarna från Söder – Troika
DK7 – Disarmed
Skugge & Stavöstrand – Humla
John Dahlbäck – Man From the Fall
Dibaba – Songs For Good Lives

Hardrock/punk:
Randy – Randy the band
Disco Volante – Blood On The Walls
Witchcraft - Firewood
Regulations - s/t
Grand Magus - Wolf’s return

Folk/world-music:
Sofia Karlsson – Svarta Ballader
Harv – Polka Raggioso
Ellika och Solo – Abraka/Tack
Svenska Akademien – Resa sig opp
Simone Moreno – Samba Makossa

Best live act:
David Sandström Overdrive
Frida Hyvönen
Jenny Wilson
Robyn
Timbuktu

Best newcomer:
The Tough Alliance – New school
Timo Räisänen - Lovers are Lonely
Frida Hyvönen – Until Death Comes
Montt Mardié – Drama
Suburban Kids With Biblical Names – #3

Best unsinged act:
She
Insert Coin
Anagoes
Intohimo
Loney, Dear

Winners will be announced on February 9.

Mon, 14 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Almost Cool reviews Tape: http://www.almostcool.org/mr/1617/

Tape Rideau Häpna

Sun, 23 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Tape reminds me of the Montreal collective Set Fire to Flame (that include some GYBE members) and that, in itself, is a compliment. Combining some post-rock structures and patterns with sound-collage and ambient soundscapes, Tape manage to make cohesive music, despite its complexity. This album is very, very good.

Podcast: The new black (is the old black)

Sat, 22 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

DATE ADDED : 10.22.05
LENGTH : 28:13 min
DOWNLOAD : itsatrap_podcast_10222005.mp3 (19.4mb)
RSS : [click here]

Tracklist:
01. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - The order of the phrases makes no difference at all
02. Alog - Red swing shift
03. Sanctum - Let's play
04. Single Unit - Moving in caves, enter abstract
05. EST - (hidden track)
06. Pacta Sunt Servanda - Work Idiot Work
07. Wimme - Oainnáhus (vision)
08. Tape - A spire
09. Rotoscope - Divide and dissovle

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

New mp3 today from Tape from their third album "Rideau", out next week on Häpna. As Jens Lekman says in his recent interview with PopMatters, "the most exciting stuff is happening on the Häpna label" and I'm inclined to agree. Surely you've heard some of the hype on now-departed organ/drum duo Sagor & Swing, but there's much more to be discovered. I find myself listening to a lot of droning ambient music these days now that I'm working from home and can listen to my choice of music without fear of annoying coworkers. However, I still have to worry about annoying my wife, so compromises must be made! This is the stuff that we can wholeheartedly agree on: it's inobstrusive enough that you can work without distractions, but not so much so that you can't enjoy it. And we all know that noise/drone is the new black, right? Get with it! I especially love this track for the buzz of the shakers - it reminds me of cicadas and summertime.

MP3: Tape - Exuma

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Scandinavian acts confirmed for this year's Sonar Festival: DJ99/Guttorm Andeasen (NOR), Pellarin & Mylleager (DK), The Beautiful People (NOR), Tape (SWE), Djsos Krost (DK), Efterklang (DK) and Pharfar & Ned Flanders (DK). Full list here: http://ilx.p3r.net/thread.php?msgid=5640226

Tue, 08 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

In October Västerås, Sweden will play host to the 2004 'New Perspectives' Festival which will feature all sorts of avant-rock, free-jazz and improvisation. Artists scheduled to appear so far include Merzbow, Thurston Moore & Jim O' Rourke (Sonic Youth), Blonde Redhead, Tape, Hans Appelqvist, Henrik Rylander (ex-Union Carbide Productions), Ebbot Lundberg (Soundtrack Of Our Lives), Jean-Louis Huhta (Lucky People Center), Johan Skugge and Kent Tankred. Read more: http://www.nyaperspektiv.se/

Wed, 10 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Häpna will be releasing two new CDs in April, one from Patrik Torsson called "Kolväteserenader" about life on board an oil tanker, and the new one from Sagor & Swing. As mentioned before, the label is holding a festival at Fylkingen in Stockholm on April 23-24 with David Grubbs, Marcus Schmickler, Mats Gustafsson, Tape, Andreas Tilliander, Hans Appelqvist and Sagor & Swing.

Fri, 20 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Häpna Records, the home of artists Sagor & Swing, Tape and Hans Appelqvist, will be holding a festival in Stockholm on April 23-24. Confirmed to play so far are David Grubbs, Marcus Schmickler (Pluramon), Andreas Tilliander and Mats Gustafsson.

Fri, 09 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Here's the nominees for the Swedish Manifest awards:

Pop/Rock:
Hell on Wheels - Oh my God What have I done
Radio Dept. - Lesser matters
Concretes - Concretes
Franke - Optimismens hån
The Knife - Deep cuts

Hardrock/Punk:
Arch Enemy - Anthems of rebellion
Burst - Prey on life
Cult of Luna - The beyond
Katationa - Viva emptiness
Nasum - Helvete

Hip hop/R&B/Soul:
Chords - The garden around the mansion
Speech Defect - Freshcoast gettin' rowdy
Soul Supreme - The Saturday nite agenda
Advance Patrol - Utskrivna
Kaah - Jideblasko international

Postrock/electronica:
Namur - Conquer me
Sagor & Swing - Allt hänger samman
Sophie Rimheden - Hi-fi
Slagsmålsklubben - Den svenske disco
Tape - Milieu

Dance/house/techno:
Hundarna från Söder - Hundarna från Söder
Forss - Soulhack
Plej - Electronic music from the Swedish leftcoast
Stateless - Art of no state
Steve Angello - ...presents tracks

Folk/World music:
Lisa Rydberg - Östbjörka
Frifot - Sluring
Anders Nygårds & Magnus Stinnerbom - Dalahyl
Anders Norrudde, Leo Svensson and Göran Fredriksson - Med hull och hår
Cerro Esperanza Band - Nubes del alma

Singer/Songwriter:
Ane Brun - Spending time with Morgan
Ulf Stureson - Allt jag ville säga
Christian Kjellvander - Introducing the past
Johan Borgert - Johan Borgert
José Gonzàlez - Veneer

Best live artist:
Looptroop
Moneybrother
Randy
Timbuktu med Damn
Killers

Best newcomer:
Miss Universum
José Gonzàlez
Shout Out Louds
Radio Dept.
Paris

Winners are chosen by the SOM (Svenska Oberoende Musikproducenter) (Swedish Independent Musicproducers) and will be announced at an awards ceremony on January 29 at Debaser in Stockholm.

Mon, 15 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

The Hives will premiere their brand new single at the P3 Gold Awards on January 23 at Storan in Göteborg. Other acts set to play include Nicolai Dunger, Lisa Miskovsky, Patrik Isaksson, Elin Sigvardsson, Timbuktu, Broder Daniel and Soundtrack Of Our Lives. As for the awards themselves, here's the nominees:

Guldmicken (best live act):
José González
Moneybrother
Randy
Robyn
Timbuktu

Best song:
The Cardigans - "For What It's Worth"
Per Gessle - "Här Kommer Alla Känslorna (På En Och Samma Gång)"
Lisa Miskovsky - "Lady Stardust"
Timbuktu - "The Botten Is Nådd"
Broder Daniel - "When We Were Winning"

Best group:
Alcazar - "Alcazarised"
Bad Cash Quartet - "Midnight Prayer"
Broder Daniel - "Cruel Town"
The Cardigans - "Long Gone Before Daylight"
The Knife - "Deep Cuts"

Best male artist:
Per Gessle - "Mazarin"
José González - "Veneer"
Moneybrother - "Blood Panic"
Timbuktu - "The Botten Is Nådd"
Lars Winnerbäck - "Söndermarken"

Best female artist:
Lisa Miskovsky - "Fallingwater"
Miss Universum - "Selfelected"
Pauline - "Candy Rain"
Sophie Rimheden - "Hi-Fi"
Elin Sigvardsson - "Saturday Light Naïve"

Best newcomer:
José González
Miss Universum
Moneybrother
Pauline
Radio Dept.

Best rock:
Arch Enemy - "Anthems of Rebellion"
Cult Of Luna - "The Beyond"
Mörk Gryning - "Pieces of Primal Expressionism"
Nasum - "Helvete"
Satirnine - "Void of Value"

Best dance:
Jesper Dahlbäck - total production 2003
Eric Prydz - total production 2003
Forss - "Soulhack"
Hundarna från Söder - "Hundarna Från Söder"
Plej - "Electronic Music From The Swedish Leftcoast"

Best pop:
Franke - "Optimismens Hån"
The Knife - "Deep Cuts"
Radio Dept. - "Lesser Matters"
Sophie Rimheden - "Hi-Fi"
Tape - "Milieu"

Best hip-hop/soul:
Advance Patrol - "Utskrivna"
Fattaru - "Jordnära"
Ken - "Det Bortglömda"
Latin Kings - "Omerta"
Timbuktu - "The Botten Is Nådd"

For more info, go to P3 Gold's website.

Tue, 10 Jun 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Sondre Lerche has posted a bunch of photos along with a new entry in his tour diary from his current jaunt together with Ed Hartcourt.

The Confusions' updated tour schedule:

07/01 - TBA, London
07/02 - Underworld, London w/Non Of The Above, Girlinky & Lux
07/05 - Gatufesten, Sundsvall
07/17-19 - Trästocksfestivalen, Skellefteå

Puffball, Sahara Hotnights, and Division of Laura Lee are among the bands now confirmed for the Kerrang! 'Snickers Game On' festival at the Millenium Dome in London on June 21-22. More info: www.snickersgameon.co.uk

Logh reports that are taking a bit of a break this summer as they've just finished a large batch of touring. "[We] are tired and need some rest, since it has been kind of a hectic year," they say, but they will still be doing a couple festival gigs in the near future. Check their page for the latest. For the fall, they've already got a Scandinavian tour lined up in September and a European jaunt tentative for October/November. And that's not even the last of it - they also have the vinyl release of "The Raging Sun" set for September along with two new 7" releases set to drop before the end of the year. That doesn't sound like taking it easy to me!

Via the Cardigans Country site, comes this link for a stream of yesterday's Pinkpop performance. They've also got a couple new articles posted online over there, so check 'em out if you're curious.

Delusions of Adequacy lauds The Virtues in their review of the album "Ruminate".

Melody Club, Kashmir, Ralph Meyers and the Jack Herren band, Cato Salsa Experience, Gluecifer, Delaware, and The Jessica Fletchers are just a few of the bands that have been confirmed for Norway's Working Class Music Festival in Drammen on June 6-7. Go here for the full scoop.

Norweigan pop-singer Lene Marlin's forthcoming album has been delayed indefinitely due to an ongoing contractual dispute with her manager. Read more. The new record was produced by Glen Ballard (Alanis Morisette) and is the follow-up to 1999's hugely successful "Playing My Game".

Pitchforkmedia.com review the new album from Swedish experimental artists Tape.

Nicolai Dunger will play at Torgrocken in Sundsvall, Sweden on July 17.

Aftonbladet reports that Kent will be heading over to Japan from October 8-19.

The rumors have been flying for a long time (I first saw word last October), but we can now finally confirm that The (International) Noise Conspiracy is indeed working with producer extraordinaire Rick Rubin on their next album. "We are writing songs, then it will be intriguing to see what [he] can do with them," says vocalist Dennis Lyxzen. They'll be heading to LA in August to work on it.

Ex-Aqua singer Lene Nystrøm will be releasing her first solo single "It's Your Duty" in September, with the full-length album "Surprise" to follow in September or October.