IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Swedish label You Are Awesome has signed Con...

Fri, 09 May 2008 16:47:11 -0400

Swedish label You Are Awesome has signed Convoj. No word on a release yet, but I'll keep you posted. In other news, look for the band Esther to release their new single "Throw a spanner" soon with the album "Lie to me, I love a good story" to follow soon thereafter.

Norwegian industrial/metal act V:28 has...

Fri, 09 May 2008 16:39:58 -0400

Norwegian industrial/metal act V:28 has confirmed the lineup for their upcoming "remixes/remakes/fuck-ups" comp, basically a who's who of Scandinavian extreme electronic music: Negru Voda, Beyond Sensory Experience, Nordvargr, Manes, Lrz (Red Harvest), Origami Galaktika, des Esseintes/The Protagonist, Shinjuku Thief, Desiderii Marginis and Thrawn Hellspawn (Paradigma, ex-D�dheimsgard). The disc will also feature two V:28 covers of the bands Bleak and Swans, the latter featuring a guestspot from Coph Nia. No release date yet, but expect a fall release via Vendlus Records.

Gbg-based label Release the Bats (see our...

Fri, 09 May 2008 16:12:20 -0400

Gbg-based label Release the Bats (see our recent interview) has finally released the long-awaited Cure tribute "The shameless kiss of vanity III" on limited edition cassette (250 copies). Said comp featuring 8 bands such as Cut City and The Je Ne Sais Quoi covering the entirety of The Cure's classic "Pornography" album from start to finish. Unfortunately, the cassette dub came out a bit noisy, so the label is throwing in CDR copies with all orders which will include a few tracks from parts I and II. More info and tracklist: http://releasethebats.com/rtb30.html
In other news, RTB has signed the excellent Swedish pop-punk act Hanna Hirsch and will be releasing their debut full-length "Tala svart" as a split with label Diskret F�rlag. Hear samples: http://www.myspace.com/hannahirsch

Finnish act Goodnight Monsters will be s...

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:35:20 -0400

Finnish act Goodnight Monsters will be streaming new tracks off their forthcoming album "Summer challenge" at myspace, one day at a time between the dates of May 17-29. Link: http://www.myspace.com/goodnightmonsters

PopMatters on the new Children of Bodom...

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:13:56 -0400

PopMatters on the new Children of Bodom album "Blooddrunk": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/57675/children-of-bodom-blooddrunk/

Finnish act Damn Seagulls are doing a co...

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:14:18 -0400

Finnish act Damn Seagulls are doing a couple Moscow gigs in July:

07/18 - BB King Club, Moscow
07/19 - Mezzo Forte Club, Moscow

FactMagazine talks to recent Kompakt-signees...

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:50:21 -0400

FactMagazine talks to recent Kompakt-signees Pluxus: http://www.factmagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=528&Itemid=27
Note the tip at the end for Familjen and Mixtapes & Cellmates.

Enslaved's new album, reportedly titled...

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:47:01 -0400

Enslaved's new album, reportedly titled "Vertebrae", is tentatively set for a September release.

Niccokick's new video for "Teenage lo...

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:13:51 -0400

Niccokick's new video for "Teenage love" is streaming at Aftonbladet: http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/noje/musikvideor/article2435531.ab

Jonna Lee's debut album "10 pieces, 1...

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:12:39 -0400

Jonna Lee's debut album "10 pieces, 10 bruises" has been confirmed for a July 4 release in Japan via P-Vine Records.

Swedish indie act New Decade reports tha...

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:04:19 -0400

Swedish indie act New Decade reports that they are working on recording six new songs or so for a mini-album/EP release. Expect it to be out sometime in early summer.

Cult of Luna has a brand new track up on...

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:59:17 -0400

Cult of Luna has a brand new track up on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cultofluna
The band's new album "Eternal kingdom" will be released on June 16 in Europe, July 8 in the US.

Pitchfork reviews Fonal artist Eleanoora Ros...

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:30:09 -0400

Pitchfork reviews Fonal artist Eleanoora Rosenholm and their new album "Vainajan muotokuva": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/49523-vainajan-muotokuva

The House of Sweden in Washington DC is putting...

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:26:38 -0400

The House of Sweden in Washington DC is putting on a special singer/songwriter showcase on Saturday, May 10 featuring Roger Hinchliffe, Elin Ruth Sigvardsson, Chris Wigren, Kajsa Grytt and Abalone Dots. It starts at 1pm and is 100% free, so what have you got to lose?

MP3: Barra Head - Undermine

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:16:13 -0400

Tonight! Malm�! Debaser! Barra Head! Surrounded, too! Hard to believe this will only be BH's 2nd time ever making the drive across the border from CPH for a show in Malm�, but it's the truth. Hopefully there will be many more opportunities to come, but for now I urge you to go go go! It'll be a good time, f'sure.
As for next month's It's a Trap! Clubnight, details are being worked on now. And guess what? There's a high probability I'll even be attending in-person.

The video for the new Gatas Parlament si...

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:30:01 -0400

The video for the new Gatas Parlament single "Counter strike" w/ Supa Sayed is now online: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=33470331

That new Hwasser release on Rico I was t...

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:24:03 -0400

That new Hwasser release on Rico I was telling you about last week is now officially available: http://www.ricorico.se/

The "new" Bitch Alert CD/DVD "Pink bu...

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:51:32 -0400

The "new" Bitch Alert CD/DVD "Pink bunnies get hit by big trucks" will be out on May 14 in Finland. Said record includes new versions of songs from all four of the band's previous albums along with all of their music videos and two electronic press kits.

I didn't realize it until now, but Swedish punx...

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:42:45 -0400

I didn't realize it until now, but Swedish punx Meanwhile have finally released their new album "Reality or nothing" via Feral Ward. Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/meanwhilepunk

Tomt Recordings has another new websingle from...

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:33:14 -0400

Tomt Recordings has another new websingle from the always-awesome Bj�rn Kleinhenz posted for free download: http://www.tomtrecordings.se/singles/kleinhenz-poets-dying.php
Very recommended, of course.

Swedish electro artist Karin Str�m will...

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:22:07 -0400

Swedish electro artist Karin Str�m will make her NYC live debut on May 15 at at Rehab on 25 Avenue B. Details: http://www.clubmidway.com/indexfull.htm

MIC Norway profiles The Lionheart Brothers...

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:09:45 -0400

MIC Norway profiles The Lionheart Brothers ahead of their upcoming UK tour: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2008050812373864477912

Tribunal Records has signed Swedish metal act...

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:53:07 -0400

Tribunal Records has signed Swedish metal act Enemy Is Us and will be releasing their new album "Venomized" on June 10. Hear samples: http://www.myspace.com/enemyisus

Gaffa reports that Naja Koppel from S...

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:35:30 -0400

Gaffa reports that Naja Koppel from Savage Rose will be releasing a photo book later this week and is also working on a solo album: http://gaffa.dk/nyheder/view.php/news_id=21953 (in Danish)
Hear a demo track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/najamusic

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:...

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:22:53 -0400

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Kurt Nilsen - Rise To The Occasion
02. Vassendgutane - Xo
03. Malin - Pang
04. Madrugada - Madrugada
05. Maria Haukaas Storeng - Hold On Be Strong
06. Ane Brun - Changing Of The Seasons
07. Lassie N The Lads - Storyteller
08. Diverse artister - Sorgen og gleden: Matte Marit
09. Elvira Nikolaisen - Indian Summer
10. Ingrid Olava - Juliets Wishes
11. Thom Hell - God If I Saw Her Now
12. Julian Berntzen - Rocketship Love
13. Celine - B�stev�nna
14. Surferosa - The Beat On The Street
15. Kaizers Orchestra - Maskineri
16. Roy L�nh�iden - N�r dagen demrer bl�tt
17. Sondre Bratland - Det er den draumen
18. Publiners - driv
19. Gluecifer - kings of rock
20. Motorpsycho - Little Lucid Moments

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:...

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:40:41 -0400

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Charlotte Perrelli - Hero
02. Christer Sj�gren - Jubileum 40 �r med Christer Sj�gren
03. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
04. Peter Lemarc - Lemarc live!
05. Melissa Horn - L�nga n�tter
06. Amy Diamond - Music in motion
07. Nordman - Dj�vul eller gud
08. Brolle - Ett hj�rta som gl�der som en g�ng brann
09. The Hellacopters - Head off
10. Tiamat - Amanethes
11. H�kan Hellstr�m - F�r sent f�r Edelweiss
12. BWO - Pandemonium - The singles collection
14. Linda Bengtzing - Vild & galen
15. In Flames - A sense of purpose
16. Mikael Wiehe & Ebba Forsberg - Dylan p� Svenska
17. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
18. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren �r...
19. Chords - Things we do for things
20. Takida - Bury the lies

Swedish indie act Yvonne is back? Really...

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:35:59 -0400

Swedish indie act Yvonne is back? Really? It looks they've been confirmed to play Send it the Clowns @ Debaser in Stockholm on June 7. Details: http://www.myspace.com/sendintheclownsstockholm

New stuff on the way from Fonal Records:...

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:22:10 -0400

New stuff on the way from Fonal Records:

05/14 - Paavoharju - Laulu laakson kukista CD/LP/Download
05/14 - Lau Nau - Nukkuu CD/Download
05/21 - Risto - Ylim��r�iset! Download EP
05/21 - Risto - Live! CD/Download

Finnish free-folk weirdos Kemialliset Yst�v�...

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:13:06 -0400

Finnish free-folk weirdos Kemialliset Yst�v�t are coming back to the US at the end of the month:

05/24 - The Silent Barn, New York, NY
05/25 - The Talking Head Club, Baltimore, MD
05/26 - Johnny Brenda�s, Philadelphia, PA
05/27 - Cake Shop, MYC, NY
05/28 - tbc, Providence, RI
05/29 - Space, Portland, ME
05/30 - Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
05/31 - tba
06/01 - P.S.1, Long Island City, NY

MP3: Siena Root - Time will tell

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:55:31 -0400

Siena Root is the kind of band that forces me to involuntarily break into air guitar heroics every time I hear them. I swear that I try my best to remain skeptical of retro rock like this, but I can't help it. Shit is irresistible! They bust out mad pentatonics ala Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, but instead of the doom and gloom most people (wrongly) associate with that band, the music is incredibly catchy and even kinda glorious when you get down to it. It manages to tap into this weird false nostalgia for a time I never lived, yet somehow that doesn't bother me. I just want to turn it up and rock out. Screw over-analyzing it, grab your favorite mind-altering substance and enjoy.
If you dug that Graveyard track I posted awhile back, you'll love this.

Pitchfork reports that Robyn is ditching...

Wed, 07 May 2008 19:14:11 -0400

Pitchfork reports that Robyn is ditching my neck of the woods (the Pacific NW) for a guest spot on "The View": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/50522-robyn-postpones-two-shows-to-play-the-view

The Hellacopters are working on compilin...

Wed, 07 May 2008 19:03:57 -0400

The Hellacopters are working on compiling a retrospective DVD documentary and are looking for people to send in footage. Contact film@hellacopters.com if you have rare clips to share.

Roxy Recordings (The Ark, H�stpojken...

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:47:39 -0400

Roxy Recordings (The Ark, H�stpojken) has signed As In RebekkaMaria in Sweden and will be releasing the single "Yours truly" on May 30 with the album "Queen of France" to follow later, coinciding with a tour. See our review of the original Danish release here.

Check out Robyn's new video for "Ecli...

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:27:34 -0400

Check out Robyn's new video for "Eclipse": http://www.spinner.com/2008/05/02/robyn-eclipse-video-exclusive/
Check out an alternate take here: http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&vid=7e0eacaf-758a-40c5-982b-f0fba16227cc&fg=rss&from=34

Opeth will play a few Australian shows i...

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:22:32 -0400

Opeth will play a few Australian shows in September:

09/02 - Metro City, Perth
09/04 - The Barton Theatre, Adelaide
09/05 - Palace Theatre, Melbourne
09/06 - The Big Top, Sydney
09/07 - The Arena, Brisbane

Swedish weirdo pop/industrial act The State...

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:04:47 -0400

Swedish weirdo pop/industrial act The State of Floral Beings are offering their new album "Total" for free download via myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thestateoffloralbeings
And if you're feeling tentative, you can stream it there as well.

Norwegian act Kaizers Orchestra is launc...

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:54:24 -0400

Norwegian act Kaizers Orchestra is launching a series of vinyl 7" singles and the first one is out now. It features "Apokalyps meg" on the a-side and a duet with Swedish artist Stefan Sundstr�m on the song "Du og meg Lou, og din fru" on the flip. Read more: http://www.kaizers.no/articles/19/20/document221.ehtml

H�pna has now posted details for Tape's...

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:51:22 -0400

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

Boeoes Kaelstigen are offering up their...

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:40:24 -0400

Boeoes Kaelstigen are offering up their remix of the new Firefox AK single "Once I was like you" as a free download: http://boeoeskaelstigen.co.uk/?p=56
Well worth checking out if you ask me.

Aftonbladet is showcasing the video for the new...

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:47:32 -0400

Aftonbladet is showcasing the video for the new Jupither single "Last forever": http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/noje/musikvideor/article2411530.ab

The title track for Jeniferever's new EP...

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:32:53 -0400

The title track for Jeniferever's new EP "Nangijala" is now streaming on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jeniferever
As mentioned before, it will be released on blue 10" vinyl/digital download on June 16 via Club AC30.

Swedish lounge-metal act Hellsongs is no...

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:22:56 -0400

Swedish lounge-metal act Hellsongs is now working with Bodog Music Group for a international release of their debut album "Songs in the key of 666". It will be out in Europe this summer with the rest of the world to follow in fall.

Norwegian sludgecore band Haust will rel...

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:13:37 -0400

Norwegian sludgecore band Haust will release their debut full-length album "Ride the relapse" on June 16 via Fysisk Format Records. Hear samples: http://www.myspace.com/haust

Check out a band-approved fan-made video for Da...

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:09:22 -0400

Check out a band-approved fan-made video for Danish punkrockers Emily and the Orgasm Addicts and their theme song: http://youtube.com/watch?v=RAeRFedVJI4

Finnish act Lodger has updated their web...

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:03:17 -0400

Finnish act Lodger has updated their website with a bunch of new content, downloadable and otherwise: http://www.lodger.tv/

Sharin Foo will have her sister Loui...

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:53:40 -0400

Sharin Foo will have her sister Loui stand in for her with The Raveonettes while she sits out of touring during the remainder of her pregnancy. Loui directed the band's video for "Aly walk with me" and is also involved with the art/music collective Ohhmarymary.

Britta Persson is doing a few dates in G...

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:46:06 -0400

Britta Persson is doing a few dates in Germany later this month:

05/15 - Cafe Central, Weinheim
05/16 - Objekt 5, Halle
05/17 - Falkendom, Bielefeld
05/18 - NBI, Berlin

The lineup has been finalized for next month's...

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:43:14 -0400

The lineup has been finalized for next month's Nordic Jazz Fest at the House of Sweden in Washington DC on June 12-13: http://www.norway.org/culture/music/nordic+jazz+-08.htm
Featured acts include Kristian Blak and Yggdrasil, Wildbird and Peacedrums, Iro Haarla Quintet and Ola Kvernberg Trio.

Norwegian legends Motorpsycho have lined...

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:38:17 -0400

Norwegian legends Motorpsycho have lined up a few additional US shows besides Terrastock:

06/20 - Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH
06/21 - Terrastock Festival, Louisville, KY
06/22 - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL

Swedish label Service (Jens Lekman, T...

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:24:40 -0400

Swedish label Service (Jens Lekman, The Embassy) has announced the signing of Ikons (remember?). Check out the new single "Guns" right here: http://srvice.com/catalog/item.php?catno=SRVC001
Service has also relaunched themselves as a cooperative and is offering up public membership in exchange for use of their new subscription service: http://srvice.com/catalog/item.php?catno=JOIN_SERVICE

Check out some brand new Division of Laura L...

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:06:06 -0400

Check out some brand new Division of Laura Lee remixes: http://www.divisionoflauralee.com/remix/

MP3: Doktor Kosmos - Doktor Kosmos sl�pper en skiva

Wed, 07 May 2008 11:54:06 -0400

"Doktor Kosmos sl�pper en skiva"? Why yes, they do, er did. I really appreciate the conceit of giving every single track on the new album "Hall�?" a self-referential song title. Plan a media strategy, write some songs, play some shows and yes, even hold a dreaded band meeting. But it's the act of putting out a record that serves as my favorite track. Normally I'd say that embracing a late 80s postpunk sound (funk bass and all, although not on this track) is a bad move, but they pull it off. It works especially well here since they manage to keep things on the straight and narrow pop tip. Phaser on the acoustic guitar? Wacky slapback on the snare? Sure! Why not? Small risks in terms of the big picture. Good times!

REVIEW: Millencolin - Machine 15 (Burning Heart Records)

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Millencolin have been going now for 15-16 years, hence the name of their seventh album (it sounds a bit cynical and bitter to call your band a "machine", doesn't it?). Lou Giordano who produced Millencolin's fifth album "Home from home" has again been called in, I suspect, to give the album that polished Foo-Fighters-feel, and he's succeeded. It is a very slick album, with Millencolin nurturing their softer more melodic side. They've also gone a bit wacky and added strings on some of the tracks, a trick that works just fine despite it not being that obvious. I prefer Millencolin when they've got a sound that's dirtier and more rock'n'roll and with less arena rock ambitions, so I'm not that keen on this album. Another thing that bugs me is that Nikola Sarcevic's lyrics are really terrible. I mean, they're among the worse I've ever heard; even though he's pretty good at writing choruses, some of the verses just make me cringe. Millencolin's lyrics have always been bad and full of horrible rhymes, but listening to "Machine 15" I can't help getting outright annoyed by them. Despite all this, it's a solid album with a handful of skatepunk hits that should appeal to the Kerrang/Alternative Press demographic.

Norwegian indie act Ping is offering up...

Tue, 06 May 2008 20:05:28 -0400

Norwegian indie act Ping is offering up their 2000 out-of-print album "It's a picnic" as a free download: http://www.thepingpage.com/2008/05/its-a-picnic-old-wierd-and-rare/

Watch a short video interview with Jos� Gonz...

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:40:18 -0400

Watch a short video interview with Jos� Gonz�lez talking about his current "Green Tour" initiatives, the inspiration behind his most recent album "In our nature" and various other subjects: http://current.com/items/88929690_jose_gonzalez_goes_green

Check out the new Cat Burglar remix of...

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:15:43 -0400

Check out the new Cat Burglar remix of "Made in Spain" by Molotov Jive: http://www.myspace.com/molotovjive

In Flames will doing a European headline...

Tue, 06 May 2008 17:42:45 -0400

In Flames will doing a European headline tour following their current stint in the US on the Gigantour and the summer festival season: http://www.inflames.com/Tour.aspx

Norwegian indie label How is Annie Records will...

Tue, 06 May 2008 17:36:42 -0400

Norwegian indie label How is Annie Records will be putting out a new record from dreampop act All the Islands on May 13 entitled "Polarise". Hear samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/alltheislands

Swedish indie act Delacroix has posted t...

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:29:33 -0400

Swedish indie act Delacroix has posted the new track "Wait is all we do" as a free download: http://www.delacroixband.com/recordings.php

Listen to a couple tracks from Shaking King...

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:27:08 -0400

Listen to a couple tracks from Shaking King King, a new act signed to Dreamboat Records (Galento): http://www.myspace.com/shakingkingking

Norwegian indierockers Monzano have post...

Tue, 06 May 2008 15:33:42 -0400

Norwegian indierockers Monzano have posted a number of the various bonus tracks on myspace from the Japanese version of their album "High horses and one trick ponies": http://www.myspace.com/monzano

New profiles at MIC Norway of experimental/jazz...

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:26:20 -0400

New profiles at MIC Norway of experimental/jazz/avant artists Maja S. K. Ratkje and Mathias Eick.

The New York Sun profiles Anna Ternheim:...

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:22:28 -0400

The New York Sun profiles Anna Ternheim: http://www2.nysun.com/article/75917

Vocalist Jason Campbell has left Danish...

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:13:57 -0400

Vocalist Jason Campbell has left Danish metalcore act As We Fight. The band's friend Esse aka Numbnuts will be filling in for the upcoming tour.

Another new Paragon track at Discobelle...

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:24:40 -0400

Another new Paragon track at Discobelle today: http://www.discobelle.net/2008/05/06/pretend-that-you-know/

Infidels Forever have parted ways with d...

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:22:09 -0400

Infidels Forever have parted ways with drummer Christian "Grizzly" Hansen.

Jonna Lee has hinted that her album "...

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:16:40 -0400

Jonna Lee has hinted that her album "10 pieces, 10 bruises" will be getting a wider release in the near future: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=41450093&blogID=390621903
It also appears that she's making quite a bit of progress on her next album already.

Check out the new LaPuma video for "C...

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:01:36 -0400

Check out the new LaPuma video for "Chill chill", featuring what appears to be a very pregnant lead singer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD6PL9fny4A
Too bad they don't feature her body more in the video, it's pretty damn awesome I think to see a mom-to-be rockin' out.

MP3: Johan Heltne - Hj�rta. Instinkt. Principer.

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:47:38 -0400

More Jesus rock today, except that Johan Heltne doesn't exactly rock. And I'm also not sure how religious he is, though he does say that his album "Vetenskapliga bevis f�r att Jesus lever" ("Scientific proof that Jesus is alive") was informed by religious experience, in a way. It's a fascinating work, made that much better by the fact that I can barely wrap my head around it. From the lush string arrangements on songs such as the one I've posted today to soft indiepop ala Vapnet, Heltne and his friends have put together quite a record. There's magic in the mystery, that's for sure. This track also has me thinking that more musicians should try to forgo classic rock instrumentation. I still love guitars, but there seems to be so much more subtlety and nuance here, especially when compared to the more traditional "indie" numbers he does. Regardless, it's all good, just don't let this one pass you by. It's got underrated hit written all over it.

Download a couple King Of All The Animals...

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:08:49 -0400

Download a couple King Of All The Animals remix tracks, courtesy of fellow Finns I Was A Teenage Satan Worshipper and Regina: http://www.tigerbombs.com/koata.htm
The track "Concrete skyline" is available to download on that page as well and I recommend that you grab it too.

Pitchfork bestows the coveted "recommended" rat...

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:04:27 -0400

Pitchfork bestows the coveted "recommended" rating on Swedish artist The Tallest Man On Earth, a name you might be familiar with from the "Upp till kamp!" soundtrack: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/49623-shallow-graves

Peter Mor�n does the guest list thing fo...

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:03:12 -0400

Peter Mor�n does the guest list thing for Pitchfork, throwing in shout-outs for Park Hotell and The Bear Quartet: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/49705-guest-list-peter-morn

REVIEW: Zeigeist - The Jade Motel (Spegel/Imperial Recordings)

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Listen to them once and you'd be forgiven for mistaking Zeigeist for fellow Swedish art poppers The Knife. The first few tracks certainly support this theory. But listen again and you'll start to notice the (admittedly minor) differences. For one, Zeigeist trade off vocal duties between Princess and Per (no surnames needed, apparently), giving their sound a little bit more variety. Secondly, though they wear their "artsy" label proudly on their sleeves, Zeigeist's music is almost always more direct and more pop. This would be an amazing thing if the songs on their debut had the kind of hooks needed to match their fantastic electro dance beats. The album improves as it goes on, but even with repeated listens, there isn't much to sink your teeth into. "Black milk" and "Cuffs" have some interesting ideas, while "Wrecked metal" is probably the most immediately catchy of all the tracks. The frustrating thing is that it's clear that the band has enough creativity to come up with something really jaw-dropping. I'm sure every song works better as a part of their reportedly theatric live shows, but on record it's a little less than inspiring.

Swedish rockers Wired For Mono have a br...

Mon, 05 May 2008 19:37:50 -0400

Swedish rockers Wired For Mono have a brand new single called "There is a light" posted for free download: http://www.wiredformono.com/

The tracklist for the new skweee comp "Museu...

Mon, 05 May 2008 19:18:42 -0400

The tracklist for the new skweee comp "Museum of Future Sound Part Two" has been revealed: http://www.flogstadanshall.com/f2.html
I just ordered a bunch of copies for resale, so hopefully they'll be here soon.

Time Out NY previews the El Perro Del Mar...

Mon, 05 May 2008 19:04:47 -0400

Time Out NY previews the El Perro Del Mar/Lykke Li/Anna Ternheim US tour: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/articles/music/29016/el-perro-del-mar-lykke-li-anna-ternheim

Tar... Feathers are starting to put toge...

Mon, 05 May 2008 19:03:16 -0400

Tar... Feathers are starting to put together a European summer tour: http://www.tarfeathers.com/

Norwegian sax player H�kon Kornstad has...

Mon, 05 May 2008 17:15:28 -0400

Norwegian sax player H�kon Kornstad has updated his website with news on various releases he has on the way, including collaborations with Eivind Opsvik (Opsvik & Jennings), H�vard Wiik (Atomic), Ingebrigt H�ker Flaten (The Thing) and Maria Kannegaard: http://www.kornstad.com/
Note that he's also doing a Monday residency at Nublu in NYC this month.

Crucified Barbara are blogging from the...

Mon, 05 May 2008 17:01:06 -0400

Crucified Barbara are blogging from the studio as they record their next album: http://crucifiedbarbara.blog.com/

Check out Inuit, a new Norrland-based in...

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:15:11 -0400

Check out Inuit, a new Norrland-based indierock act featuring ex-members from Elodie, Appleforth and more: http://www.myspace.com/inuittheband

Two Left Hands On Two Right Arms, 23 Seconds an...

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:13:40 -0400

Two Left Hands On Two Right Arms, 23 Seconds and Deersound are three Swedish netlabels that are teaming up for a new collaborative project called "Tid" or "Time", a series of releases based on the title subject encompassing seventeen different artists and a variety of sounds. Read more and download the first EP: http://www.oljud.nu/tid/en

More live music at PSL with, uh, Lykke Lisa...

Mon, 05 May 2008 15:52:20 -0400

More live music at PSL with, uh, Lykke Lisa Lovisa Corneliusson: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2008/05/05/musik-med-lykke-lisa-lovisa-corneliusson/

Asha Ali on tour alongside Ken String...

Mon, 05 May 2008 15:47:50 -0400

Asha Ali on tour alongside Ken Stringfellow and Trouble Over Tokyo:

05/06 - Szene, Wien (AUS)
05/07 - Orto Bar, Ljubljana (SLO)
05/08 - P.P.C., Graz (AUS)
05/09 - Kaserne Basel, Basel (CH)
05/11 - ISC ("Schwedische N�chte"), Bern (CH)
05/14 - Cinema Paradiso, St. P�lten (AUS)
05/15 - Step V�lkermarkt, V�lkermarkt (AUS)
05/16 - Backstage, Wiener Neustadt (AUS)
05/17 - Sublime, Aflenz Kurort (AUS)

Jaga Jazzist trumpet player Mathias E...

Mon, 05 May 2008 15:42:01 -0400

Jaga Jazzist trumpet player Mathias Eick has a new album out on revered German jazz label ECM called "The door", his very first as a band leader. Read more: http://www.jagajazzist.com/news.php

pHinnWeb has some details on the new Pan Son...

Mon, 05 May 2008 14:50:37 -0400

pHinnWeb has some details on the new Pan Sonic DVD "Kuvaputki": http://phinnweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/pan-sonic-kuvaputki-dvd.html

Swedish duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums at Pa...

Mon, 05 May 2008 14:48:05 -0400

Swedish duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums at Paper Thin Walls: http://www.paperthinwalls.com/singlefile/item?id=1482

The new album "Humanizer" from Swedish b...

Mon, 05 May 2008 14:01:13 -0400

The new album "Humanizer" from Swedish bitpop/techno act Thermostatic will be released on May 30 via Wonderland Records. Pre-order info and other details here: http://www.thermostatic.se/templates/shop.asp?id=11

Norwegian label Checkpoint Charlie Audio Produc...

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:30:11 -0400

Norwegian label Checkpoint Charlie Audio Productions has posted some tentative details for their 2008 release schedule: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=61441543&blogID=390231543

Indie Rock Reviews interviews Danish act Sho...

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:26:06 -0400

Indie Rock Reviews interviews Danish act Shout Wellington Air Force: http://www.indierockreviews.com/documents/Shout%20Wellington%20Air%20Force%20indierockreviews1.htm

Gothtronic reviews the new Zeigeist albu...

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:12:05 -0400

Gothtronic reviews the new Zeigeist album "The Jade Motel": http://www.gothtronic.com/?page=23&reviews=4884

Discobelle has new music from Sophie Rimhede...

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:07:08 -0400

Discobelle has new music from Sophie Rimheden's new sideproject Alela & DJ Fi: http://www.discobelle.net/2008/05/04/alela-dj-fi/
Also at Discobelle, the Licky remix of Biker Boy's May single: http://www.discobelle.net/2008/05/03/biker-boy-may-song-licky-remix/

Danish techno act Printer has posted the...

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:04:26 -0400

Danish techno act Printer has posted their new video for "You need to" on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slz_WwuW3M4
Buy Printer CDs right here.

The Bombettes have announced that Jen...

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:47:04 -0400

The Bombettes have announced that Jenka Nilsson has been added to the band as new guitarist, so expect them to start playing shows again soon starting with a local gig at Verket in Ume� on May 24. In other news, their excellent "What's cooking good looking?" 7" will be repressed on red vinyl with a new 4-track 7" to follow soon as well.

Swedish electropop act Alice In Videoland...

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:38:18 -0400

Swedish electropop act Alice In Videoland have signed with German label Prussia Records who will be releasing their most recent album "She's a machine" throughout Europe on June 20. Expect European tourdates to be announced soon as well.

Marit Bergman's nice new single "Stra...

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:30:47 -0400

Marit Bergman's nice new single "Straight into my lovers arms" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/maritbergman
Subscribers can download the track from the lounge section of her website or you can also purchase it from iTunes, et al. Also, let it be known that new Marit Bergman subscribers joining up this month are eligible to win a drawing for a new Sony Ericsson Walkman Phone, pre-filled with Marit's music.

Aversionline reviews the Lighthouse Project...

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:19:31 -0400

Aversionline reviews the Lighthouse Project/Satura Lanx split "Come to accept": http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2008/05/05/lighthouse-projectsatura-lanx-come-to-accept-split-7/

Here is the...

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:14:19 -0400

Here is the It's a Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 tracks of the week:

01. Coldplay - Violet Hill
02. The Radio Dept. - Freddie and the trojan horse
03. H�kan Hellstr�m - f�r en l�ng l�ng tid
04. The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement
05. Lykke Li - Little Bit
06. M83 - Kim & Jessie
07. H�kan Hellstr�m - S�ng I Buss P� Villov�gar 2007
08. H�kan Hellstr�m - F�r sent f�r Edelweiss
09. H�kan Hellstr�m - Tro Och Tvivel
10. Markus Kruneg�rd - Jag �r En Vampyr

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/

MP3: Namur - Draw us near

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:09:52 -0400

The best religious music is ostensibly about struggle. Not just the struggle between good and evil/heaven and hell, but the struggle of faith. Remember, the name Israel (as given to Jacob) literally means "to wrestle with angels" or, to extrapolate further, to wrestle with God or even to wrestle with the idea of God itself. The music of Namur possesses a yearning quality that exemplifies this, the struggle to put faith into song, to cleave to God in a meaningful way. There's no hokey sentimentalism, rather there is honest feeling and emotion. You'd never know it from the sound of most contemporary "worship music", but faith is not necesarily an easy thing. Heartfelt platitudes, however well-intentioned, don't do it justice. When faith is challenged and those challenges overcome, only then can be considered strong. Namur is sacred music, but not in the way you might expect, but in a way that I find eminently satisfying. It's glorious, but it is not so easily accessible. The title itself, "Draw us near", suggests an absence or a distance to be traversed. By burying his vocals deep in the mix, David �hl�n further muddles the contention of the subject matter. We struggle to do good, to be closer to God, but it is not easy. Or, to flip the biblical decree that "God made us in His image" on its head, perhaps we struggle to be more like God ourselves (if this is the case, may your God be benevolent and kind as opposed to angry and full of wrath). Essentially, an unsurmountable task; a job that will never be truly finished. I hear this music as a way of reaching out and it moves me, even though we don't share the same faith. It's Namur's passion that is most important and, on this track, that passion is unmistakable.

Sorry, no new Gbg Spotlight content this week -...

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:02:59 -0400

Sorry, no new Gbg Spotlight content this week -- I have multiple interviews in progress, but nothing ready for posting just yet. Expect the series to return this coming Saturday.

REVIEW: Teitur - Live @ Health Sunday, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY, 05/04/08

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Seeing as how this was Health Sunday, the rating is obvious. However, for those whom are unaware, Health Sunday consists mainly of playing soccer, and that is just what we did. We were graced this past weekend by the Faroese band Teitur, who, amidst their US tour, could not turn down an opportunity to partake in a match. A lovely day it was, sunny and around 70�F, the the lads did not disappoint. Singer Teitur Lassen had quite the success at the forward position, both assisting and scoring; and bassist Mikael Blak was a stalwart in the midfield slot. WIth a majority of the tour to go in support of their new album "The singer" (out soon), perhaps you can coax the band into playing a match -- I don't think it would be too difficult.

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

Sun, 04 May 2008 11:25:00 -0400

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

01. Johan Heltne - Din alkoholism �r ingen alkoholism
02. TALK 1
03. Doktor Kosmos - Doktor Kosmos spelar p� Tensta torg
04. Oliver North Boy Choir - New folder
05. Firefox AK + Laid - Once I was like you
06. TALK 2
07. THe Eight Arms Around You - Guilt ridden
08. Efterklang - Step aside
09. Orjan Hult�n Trio ft. Fakir Karlsson - Untitled
10. TALK 3
11. Kornstad Trio - Intornette
12. Dmitry Fydorov - Greetings, D!
13. Disfear - Live the storm
14. TALK 4
15. I Are Droid - Time on time
16. Ihsahn - Unhealer
17. Juvelen - Don't mess
18. TALK 5
19. Henrik Rylander - Information and disinformation for alien civilizations
20. Namur - Draw us near
21. Lukestar - Clockworks of tomorrow
22. TALK 6
23. DS-13 - Prechewed rebellion
24. The Kid - Mayhem troopers
25. Sophie Rimheden - Go away
26. Anders Persson och Carl Smith - Morgonsol i April
27. TALK 7
28. Masshysteri - Monoton tid
29. NSI - 12
30. Zanussi Five - Azrah illusion / Street woman
31. TALK 8
32. Washington - Landslide
33. The Grand Opening - Dark dark dawn
34. Bobby and Blumm - Hiss and rustle
35. Paragon - Aavisst
36. TALK 9
37. Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Bebopalulia

Swedish experimental/psych artist The Goner...

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:45:28 -0400

Swedish experimental/psych artist The Goner is streaming new tracks from his latest CDR release "Halartrallar": http://www.myspace.com/gonergonergoner
Nice stuff, well worth checking out.

Israeli webzine Metalist has a nice long interv...

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:42:56 -0400

Israeli webzine Metalist has a nice long interview with Finnish artist Niko Skorpio (Thergothon, Haeretici 7o74, Reptiljan, Some Place Else): http://www.metalist.co.il/InterviewPrivate.asp?id=303&lang=eng

Rune Grammofon has posted details on their next...

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:35:06 -0400

Rune Grammofon has posted details on their next release, Elephant9's debut "Dodovoodoo": http://www.runegrammofon.com/artists/elephant9/rcd-2075---elephant9-dodovoodo
Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/elephant9theband

Norwegian "Reader's companion" alums...

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:31:29 -0400

Norwegian "Reader's companion" alums Don Juan Dracula have confirmed their new album "New sensations" will be out on June 23, just in time for them to make their triumphant return to the live stage on June 27 at the Hove Festival. Hear two new tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/donjuandracula

Check out the video for the international hip-h...

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:21:12 -0400

Check out the video for the international hip-hop collaboration "Diversidad" which features cameos from Promoe (Looptroop Rockers) and Noora Noor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtJrD2SJY5c

Killing the Legacy revisits the 7" debut from F...

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:10:07 -0400

Killing the Legacy revisits the 7" debut from Finnish hardcore act Down My Throat who will be playing their final show at the upcoming Fullhouse Records 10-year anniversary show: http://killingthelegacy.blogspot.com/2008/05/damned-to-live.html

Check out The National Bank's new video...

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:01:11 -0400

Check out The National Bank's new video for the track "Home": http://www.universalmusic.no/les_mer.asp?newsid=4789

Danish IAT.MP3 act Imagine I Had Hands h...

Fri, 02 May 2008 14:42:59 -0400

Danish IAT.MP3 act Imagine I Had Hands have a brand new track up on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/imagineihadhands
Naturally, it is very recommended.