01. Bröderna Lindgren - Annan sort (feat. Britta Persson)
02. TALK 1
03. Rigas - Tonite
04. Sienna Root - The road to Agatha (Ahir Bhairav)
05. The Gentle Act Incident - The city doesn't know me
06. Asha Ali - Hurricane
07. TALK 2
08. Agent Side Grinder - Die to live
09. Moloken - My enemy
10. Boys of Scandinavia - Good looking
11. TALK 3
12. Sivert Høyem - Moon landing
13. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
14. The Movements - Save me
15. TALK 4
16. Mikkel Meyer - Tunge (feat. Non)
17. Sahara Hotnights - Impressed by me
18. Samuraj Cities - The weekend is almost over
19. TALK 5
20. Adjagas - Mánu rávdnji

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.

01. Annan sort (Britta Persson)
02. Superhjälten (Hajen)
03. Det är jag som bestämmer (Patrik Arve)
04. Dom bästa (Those dancing days)
05. Aldrig hem igen (Nina Ramsby)
06. Helt ny värld (Ebbot Lundberg)
07. Kasta iväg mig (Olle Ljungström)
08. Nu (Britta Persson)
09. Här kommer ambulansen (Nina Ramsby)
10. Snabba som raketer (Mattias Alkberg)
11. Om en skalbagge (Caroline Wennergren)
12. Jag vet (Kristofer Åström)
13. Vilse (Hajen)

Black and white - Linnea Jönsson (Those Dancing Days)
Bad hands - Nina Kinert
Northern lights - Britta Persson & Karl Larsson (Last Days of April)
Kick you out - Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters) & Howlin' Pelle (The Hives)
Andra relationen - Subbah
Close enough - Choir of Kiemi
We love blood - Henric de la Cour (Strip Music)
Cartoon wolf - David Sandström
I can do it - Therese Johansson (Lowood)
Sillodill - Britta Persson

09/18 - No Ar Coquetel Molotov, Recife
09/19 - Orbita, Fortaleza
09/24 - SESC Pompéia, Sao Paulo
09/26 - BECO, POA
09/27 - CCJ, Sao Paulo

01. Bob Hund
02. Håkan Hellström
03. Mew
04. The Soundtrack of Our Lives
05. The Radio Dept.
06. Moneybrother
07. Deportees
08. Britta Persson
09. Broder Daniel
10. Hello Saferide

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05/08 - Knust, Hamburg (GER)
05/10 - Quasimodo, Berlin (GER)
05/11 - Objekt 5, Halle (GER)
05/12 - B 72, Wien (AUS)
05/13 - Registratur, München (GER)
05/15 - Kino, Ebensee (AUS)
05/16 - Schlachthof, Wels (AUS)
05/17 - E-Werk, Erlangen (GER)

So with a rather large grain of salt, let me present to you It's a Trap's 2008 top albums of the year.
- Avi Roig

10. Siena Root - Far from the sun (Transubstans)
Graveyard and Witchcraft get all the acclaim, but Siena Root is the better band.

09. Nitad - Ibland kan man inte hindras sig själv (Kranium/Deranged)
Fucked Up, another band who put out one of 2008's best releases ("The chemistry of commmon life"), have moved far beyond the realms of hardcore. Nitad have stepped up to take their place.

08. Park Hotell - Free for friends (Ultra Radio Records/BD Pop)
I can't stand Morissey, yet somehow some Swedish acts are able to take his influence and turn it into something wonderful. If only more indiepop bands were as good as Park Hotell.

07. Katzenjammer - Le pop (Propeller Recordings)
I fully expected Detektivbyrån to be my favorite folk-crossover act, but these ladies from Norway snuck in ahead of them.

06. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide (Razzia)
Even better than I hoped. The perfect follow-up to the first album.

05. Johan Heltne - Vetenskapliga bevis för att Jesus lever (Raffaella)
A beautiful and beguiling album. So weird and mysterious, so absolutely entrancing.

04. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr Happy (NONS)
Of all the bands on my list, these ladies are the only ones to truly create something new and unique sounding. Sweden's most consistently underrated and underappreciated band.

03. Haust - Ride the relapse (Fysisk Format)
If there's a more pissed-off, evil sounding album in 2008, I haven't heard it.

02. Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me Records)
A full year later and I still love this album just as much when it first came out.

01. The Goner - H-Trilogy: Hind hand, Hallartrallar, Haven (Svarta Markaden)
I realize it's pretty lame to put a series of limited cult releases at #1, yet no other artist this year has intrigued me as much as The Goner. "Hind hand" blew me away when I first heard it, the following two were even better.

Jonas Appelqvist

10. Wildbirds & Peacedrums - The Snake (Caprice Records)
This headstrong indie duo got me convinced at a festival gig this summer. And when I heard "The snake" for the first time I was hooked. It's that good.

09. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)
Frida goes from strength to strength and with this album she has established her status as one of the finest songwriters in Sweden right now. Don't believe me? I dare you, listen to "Dirty dancing" and you'll know what I'm talking about.

08. Paper - An object (Novoton)
A homage to Suicide, Joy Division and monotonous kraut rock. The mix between The Bear Quartet and Audionom is a win-win. Literally.

07. Satyricon - The age of Nero (Roadrunner)
With massive walls of sound this Norwegian old school combo decided to continue to piss off black metal fans that claim they're not "true" anymore. Hell, when it sounds this good, I couldn't care less.

06. David Sandström Overdrive - Pigs lose (Razzia)
David Sandström and Oskar Sandlund went into the studio and came out with an astounding album only surpassed by early career move Refused.

05. Lack - Saturate every atom (Play/Rec)
2008 turned out to be the year of resignation for Lack. At least they got to resign at the peak of their career; "Saturate every atom" is proof of that.

04. Britta Persson - Kill Hollywood me (Amigo)
Britta released this album with a somewhat secluded approach and it was received with open arms by almost everyone. Sounds contradictory? It's not, just pure genius.

03. Cult of Luna - Eternal kingdom (Earache)
It just goes to show, these guys don't know how to fail. Top notch!

02. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless (I Made This)
Göteborg's finest spent three years in the studio. The result, Fugazi-esque punk rock, shows that it was worth the wait.

01. Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me Records)
Indie rock at its best - edgy, melodic and, at the same time, raw and hard hitting as hell! The number one spot was, even in January, Lukestar's spot all along.

Matt Giordano

06. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
Their track record has been making consistently good albums, and this is not an exception.

05. Robert Svensson - Young punk are on the never-never (Nomethod)
A fantastic pop album that has me looking even more forward to the next Mixtapes and Cellmates record.

04. The Kid - Transient blood (Hybris)
On their second album, The Kid has transformed themselves into brooding pop masters.

03. Paavoharju - Laulu laakson kukista (Fonal)
A beautiful, cold, meandering album. Not only does this album sound natural, it sounds symbiotic with nature.

02. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
He's made classic albums with Laakso, and a great Hets album. Now Markus is a bonafide solo artist, and, with this maintains that he's one of the best songwriters around.

01. Juvelen - 1 (Hybris)
One of my most anticipated of the year. Ten songs, ten potential singles, yet one cohesive pop statement. Juvelen is here to stay.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

10. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless (I Made This)
This is a total gut decision. Part of me is not okay with this result, but enough of me is perfectly alright ousting at least five other contenders to make room for this dirty, energetic album in my top 10. Despite giving this album only an 8, it has survived in far better standing than a few 9s from this year. "LAX" has been on quite a few of the mixtapes I've made for friends over the past few months, and DoLL launched my brother and I across America this summer... I couldn't imagine 2008 without "Violence is timeless".

09. Robert Svensson - Young punks are on the never-never (Nomethod)
Mr. Svensson lost considerable ground on this list, especially compared to the first draft I worked up a few weeks ago. Still, even at number nine, "Young punks are on the never-never" made it. A wonderful debut solo album from Mixtapes & Cellmates' vocalist, marking the beginning of what is sure to be a fine career.

08. Park Hotell - Free for friends (Ultra Radio/BD Pop)
This top 10 list is populated with a lot of debut records. "Free for friends" is definitely one that I had been waiting for, and it didn't let me down. It's a perfect autumn record: tracts of introspection still fuelled by the reckless hope of summer days.

07. Kiki Pau - Let's rock (Pyramid/Johanna Kustannus)
While I was completely surprised by "Book of Norma", I at least knew who Norma were. Kiki Pau are my favorite surprise this year. Their style of indie rock is confident well beyond their years, harkening back to "Meat is murder"-era Smiths, contemporary NYC garage, The Clash ... and any album with a song titled "Bukowski" (with the lyric: "Steinbeck made me want to get drunk") gets my vote.

06. Convoj - Exceptionnel (Wonderland)
This latecomer also forced me to reconstruct my list. It was all about complete, too. Oh well. Convoj's "Exceptionnel" is a brilliant record, more than deserving of a top 10 spot.

05. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss (Dolores)
If it weren't for all the summer memories I attach to "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust", Hellström's effort would be in fourth place. The fact that this album is in fifth place is a testament to the creative forces at work in Northern Europe. When I first heard this record, I was pretty sure it would be in my top three albums of the year. How wonderful it is to be so wrong. "För sent för edelweiss" has become my favorite Håkan Hellström album, just edging out "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg".

04. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (XL Recordings/EMI)
The fact that Sigur Rós took risks on this album when they could have skirted by with "Takk pt. II" impresses me. It may not be their finest album, but it's fun, kinetic, and lush; everything we expect from the Icelanders, and yet something quite different, too.

03. Tiger Lou - A partial print (Startracks)
I struggled a little with "A partial print" at first, but it eventually won out. As I wrote in my review, the album is "a collage, a collection of images, all of them darkly beautiful extensions of the emotional landscape of "The loyal", but the connections between these impressions can take some time to present themselves, but they will, and then "A partial print" comes fully into being."

02. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
While I gave "A partial print" higher marks, "Markusevangeliet" has been a valued companion of mine since April -- and there's something to be said about resilience. I said back then that I thought Laakso frontman Markus Krunegård had possibly crafted the best record of the year... and, although I might have proven myself wrong, his accomplishment is by far one of the best solo records in recent memory.

01. Norma - Book of Norma (Novoton)
In a damned impressive year for Scandinavian music, my top prize goes to "Book of Norma". It's been a while since I have been as taken aback by a record as I was with Norma's latest effort, the first album I have ever given a 10 to here on It's A Trap! Just an absolutely brilliant album.

Arnulf Koehncke

10. Ane Brun - Changing of the seasons (DetErMine)
Someone wrote somewhere how well recorded this album is -- I can't help but agree. The songs are good too and it's actually the first Ane Brun record that I can really relate to.

09. Audrey - The fierce and the longing (Tenderversion)
Honestly, this record sounds a lot like their last one. That's a good thing in Audrey's case -- I think it's really rare that a band is this well defined regarding both songwriting and sound-aesthetics.

08. Fredrik - Na na ni (Jezebel)
It surprises me how much I still like this record. I didn't think it would be such a grower -- guess I was wrong.

07. Snöleoparden - Snöleoparden (Rump)
I just like the whole of-the-cuff playfulness and complexity that this record embodies. I dare anyone to listen to the daycare-singalong second track and not smile.

06. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide (Razzia)
If you'd asked me in the beginning of the year, I'd probably have predicted this album to top my year-end list. Well, it hasn't completely gotten me hooked yet, though I totally agree with all the praise for Annika's development. And "Lund" has already become a personal favorite of mine.

05. Bobby and Blumm - Everybody loves... (Morr Music)
This record is just so playful -- there's so much to discover in F.S. Blumm's guitar work and Ella's charming voice. It makes me wish I could see them live again.

04. V. Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble - Do nothing 'til you hear from me (iDEAL)
Another great record, though it needs patience and concentration to really enjoy it as a whole. It's just great how it builds up all this tension with its drones and suspense curves only to then release the listener with a soothing return to tonality in the next to last track.

03. The Radio Dept. - Freddie and the Trojan Horse (Labrador)
Too bad their album was delayed until next year. This EP showed such potential with all its Prefab Sprout'ish moments and melodies. And it even delivered some nostalgia to me as a long-time fan when I listen to the hidden track's distortion and overdrive.

02. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
It's amazing: This record is such an instant classic that I almost didn't think of it as a 2008-release. And doesn't that already say all there is to say?

01. Auton - Anywhere out of this world (Structures Sonores)
This record is just so good (which is why my review of it is just so overdue). Incredibly virtuosic yet never overbearing musicians that shift from straight-out jazz to drone to post-rock to Satie-like piano moments with such casualness and grace. My Scandinavian record of the year. Go to the label website now and order copies to give away as christmas presents ;-)

Nancy Baym

10. Don't I wish I could put something here. Like the Caesars. What a bummer that record was.

09. Mikko Singh - Uskotko että siellä on kukkia? (self-released)
An almost-entirely instrumental record that's somewhere between pop and new age, equally well suited to a massage or mellow downtime at home. Very pretty with some nice elements of fun.

08. Violent Years - s/t (Playground)
A fine contribution to the southern gothic alt country genre with many outstanding moments and at least one truly great song.

07. Kusowsky - Något speciellt (self-released)
Kusowsy are so unabashedly singalong guitar pop that I feel a little guilty enjoying them, but everytime a song from this EP showed up on shuffle this year I found myself stopping to smile.

06. The Social Services - It's nothing personal, it's national security (Stereo Test Kit)
Only 1/3 Scandinavian, but she's the singer so she gets extra credit. It's a smart, eclectic, cynical, funny, and loose indie pop album.

05. Tiger Lou - A partial print (Startracks)
I really wanted to love this record, but don't. As background music its dark, hypnotic and self-contradictory sound is stunningly close to perfect, but on close listening its repetitiveness becomes abrasive in ways I don't think were intended.

04. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
On his solo record, Krunegård avoids most of Laakso's glam excesses to deliver a powerful and rich electronically-driven yet organic and seductive sonic environment.

03. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
They don't stray too far from the distinctive, poppy, and borderline corny sound of their previous recordings on this one, but that's a good thing because they are one of the most calming make-you-happy bands going today. I highly recommend this as a soundtrack for either hanging out on a warm beach or cleaning house, cooking, and other mundane chores of daily life.

01. Madrugada - s/t (Virgin/EMI)
Faced with the sudden death of their guitarist and an album 80% completed, Madrugada did the right thing by finishing it up. Even without the tragic back story, it's a powerful and mature rock album that I am still listening to regularly almost a year after its release.

01. Detektivbyrån - Wermland (Danarkia)
In a very disappointing musical year, this instrumental genre-collapsing folk album based on accordion and glockenspiel was the one extraordinary surprise. Everyone I've played it for ran out and got it immediately. You should too.

Simon Tagestam

10. Nordpolen - s/t (Sincerely Yours)

09. Joel Alme - A master of ceremonies (Sincerely Yours)

08. Envelopes - Here comes the wind (Brille)

07. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss (Dolores)

06. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)

05. Love Is All - A hundred things keep me up at night (What's Your Rupture?)

04. Afasi & Filthy - Fläcken (P.O.P.E.)

03. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)

02. Moto Boy - s/t (Songs I Wish I Had Written)

01. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)

01. Tiger Lou
02. Frida Hyvönen
03. Anna Ternheim
04. Juvelen
05. Hello Saferide
06. The Radio Dept.
07. Kent
08. Jens Lekman
09. Britta Persson
10. The Legends

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01. Tiger Lou
02. Frida Hyvönen
03. Anna Ternheim
04. Juvelen
05. Hello Saferide
06. The Radio Dept.
07. Kent
08. Jens Lekman
09. Britta Persson
10. The Legends

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01. Frida Hyvönen
02. Tiger Lou
03. Hello Saferide
04. The Bear Quartet
05. Glasvegas
06. Britta Persson
07. Anna Ternheim
08. Kent
09. Shout Out Louds
10. Loney, Dear

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01. Hello Saferide
02. Håkan Hellström
03. Glasvegas
04. Detektivbyrån
05. The Knife
06. Britta Persson
07. Anna Ternheim
08. Fredrik
09. The Radio Dept.
10. Logh

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10/14 - The Faversham, Leeds
10/15 - Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester
10/16 - Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
10/17 - Trinity Centre, Bristol
10/18 - Talking Heads, Southhampton
10/19 - Drill Hall, Lincoln

01. Theresa Andersson - Na na na (empty heart)
02. TALK 1
03. Soviac - Malorca
04. Agent Side Grinder - Ricocheting memories
05. Svenson - Howlong
06. TALK 2
07. Hello Kinski - Summer is a waste of time
08. Britta Persson - Kill Hollywood me
09. Tredje Mannen - Cul-de-sac
10. TALK 3
11. The Goner - Spirit roundup
12. Liket Lever - Levande begravd
13. TALK 4
14. Paper - Out of it into it
15. Hebosagil - Big sun
16. Murmansk - Vague language
17. Randy - Who's side are you on?
18. TALK 5
19. The Deer Tracks - Slow collision

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

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

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

Tracklist:
01. TALK 1
02. Lukestar - The shade you hide
03. Marybell Katastrophy - Hidden agenda
04. Britta Persson - At 7
05. TALK 2
06. C.Aarmé - Blodet
07. Firefox AK - Winter rose (Tellevika remix)
08. Lack - Bombing the moon
09. TALK 3
10. Barra Head - Undermine
11. Paper - My life is going under
12. Montys Loco - Criminal
13. TALK 4

01. Frivolvol - Out come the knives
02. TALK 1
03. Lapko - Dead disco
04. Gentle Touch - Once you used to
05. Pellarin - Whistle like you're 56
06. TALK 2
07. Björn Kleinhenz - Light of love
08. Pascal - Smärtsillande
09. Ljudbilden & Piloten - Weddings
10. TALK 3
11. Margaret Berger - Samantha
12. Doughnuts - Become one
13. Kusowsky - Jonny
14. NEI - The devil
15. TALK 4
16. Happiness - Loot at that rabbit go!
17. Firefox AK - Pushing
18. Fattaru - Hörde jag skål
19. TALK 5
20. Britta Persson - Cliffhanger
21. Grizzly Twister - Black box
22. The Social Services - Baltic Sea
23. TALK 6
24. Montys Loco - Criminal
25. Fontän - Alla kan se dig
26. Animal Alpha - Pin you all
27. TALK 7
28. Astrid Swan - Spartan picnic
29. Barra Head - Undermine
30. Fun - 2:22men
31. TALK 8
32. Ted Gärdestad - Oh, vilken härlig dag
33. Christian Kjellvander - Poppies and peonies
34. Echo Is Your Love - Lion tamer vs tigers
35. TALK 9
36. I Am Bones - Home is the one corner of hell that didn't catch fire
37. Miss Li - I'm sorry, he's mine
38. The Deer Tracks - YesThisIsMyBrokenShield
39. TALK 10
40. Entombed - Damn deal done

01. Disfear - Deadweight
02. TALK 1
03. The Social Services - Up in arms
04. Kaka - The hotspurs (the less know the faster we go)
05. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Manic panic
06. TALK 2
07. Tiger Lou - Patterns
08. Paper - My life is going under
09. Dreamboy - Stars
10. TALK 3
11. Lack - Watchmen
12. Don't Be A Stranger - Mon chi-chi
13. Ea Philippa - Heslenes sang
14. TALK 4
15. Ef - Thrills
16. Isolation Years - Yellow cross on blue
17. Frivolvol - Satellite kids
18. TALK 5
19. Enslaved - Eld
20. The Grand Opening - Secrets revealed
21. Ultralyd - Comphonie V
22. TALK 8
23. Firefok AK - Techno tears
24. The Indecision Alarm - Alienation process
25. Looptroop Rockers - Marinate
26. TALK 7
27. Markus Krunegård - Jag är en vampyr
28. The End Will Be Kicks - Exit ramps
29. Cadillac - Locomotive
30. TALK 8
31. Lukestar - Lake Toba
32. Commando M Pigg - Baby doll
33. Printer - Minds out
34. TALK 9
35. Seven Feet Four - Auto emotion
36. Tobias Hellkvist - Abomination
37. Barra Head - Undermine
38. TALK 10
39. Britta Persson - Happy hour
40. Anna Leong - Guillotine
41. Ted Gärdestad - Can't stop this train
42. TALK 11

01. Annika Norlin/Säkert! - Generalens visa
02. TALK 1
03. Downstairs - Legs for arms
04. Dmitry Fyodorov - 1b-1
05. Northern Fields - Never take the beauty
06. TALK 2
07. Barra Head - Undermine
08. Fläskkvartetten - Som glas (ft. Nina Persson)
09. Benea Reach - New waters
10. TALK 3
11. Firefox AK - Winter rose (Tellevika remix)
12. Dansdepartementet - Svarta brev
13. Randy - Little toulouse
14. TALK 4
15. Britta Persson - At 7
16. M:40 - Brännmärkt
17. Mechanical Bird - Martha
18. TALK 5
19. Marvins Revolt - Multiple fractures
20. The Drawbacks - Straight lines & circles
21. Isolation Years - Say-nothing day
22. Christian Kjellvander - Poppies and peonies
23. TALK 6
24. Little Dragon - Recommendation
25. FAP - Sjömannen
26. Cortex - Animals (...looking at me)
27. TALK 7
28. Ulf Ljusberg - Whatever was
29. Mayhem - Deathcrush
30. Alog - St.Paul sessions II
31. TALK 8
32. Tigerbombs - 1000 sparks
33. Mainliners - Bourbon and ice
34. Mando Diao - San Francisco Bay
35. Madrugada - Look away Lucifer
36. TALK 9
37. Matts Katt - Refused was fucking murdered

I have a hard time to describe the sound of Britta Persson, as found on your last album, "Top quality bones and a little terrorist", with this new album, "Kill Hollywood me", being no different. How would you describe it yourself?

Well, I've been trying to describe the record quite a few times by now. I think it sounds kind of straight forward and a little tricky, but it's hard to tell. The new record sounds both petite when it at the same time sounds very large. We've been working alot with the production on this one, and this time around I knew that I was going to work with lots of different people, including Per Nordmark (Fireside, Hets) who plays the drums. This affected my way of writing music, where I used to write songs which I knew I was going to perform by myself, guitar and voice only, I could now write songs and leave parts where the drums could take over for instance.

"Top quality bones and a little terrorist" and "Kill Hollywood me" differ quite a lot from your earlier releases, why is that and what kind of reactions have you received so far?

I think people like this new sound, I like it for sure. You gradually get better and better on what you do, of course, and I'm really proud of the production on this record and the fact that I've written these songs. So, for me it only feels natural to move on, and hopefully people will like it. From what I've heard, they do so far.

You made one of your first public appearances to a wider audience on Kristofer Åström's "Loupita" (2004), where the two of you sang "The wild" together. A start of a very successful companionship one might say. How did you get to meet Kristofer in the first place?

It feels like a really long time ago now, but it all started when I asked him to sing together with me on one of my songs, and he agreed. As a return of favour he asked me to sing together with him on one of his songs, and I agreed.

A lot has happened since then; the Britta Persson singing and playing on "Kill Hollywood me" sounds like a person with not only great songs, but also lots of courage and self-confidence. Yet when I've gone to one of your concerts, you tend to seem a little... timid.

I've been playing live for so long now, I've been playing so many shows, one might think that I would've gotten used to it by now... Some people are made to be on a stage and some just ain't. Let me put it this way; the stage is not an idealistic place for me to be, even though I like playing live. But this time around I will be bringing a whole band with me, things tend to become a lot easier when you're not all alone up on the stage.

The title, "Kill Hollywood me", what do you mean? What is a "Hollywood Me"?

First of all, there is a song on the record called "Kill Hollywood me". That song is just really a song among many others on the record, when I wrote it I felt like the title, Kill Hollywood Me, was a way of saying that I should stop taking myself so seriously all the time. The grass is not always greener on the other side. One shouldn't be so dramatic all the time, one should be happy!

But I wouldn't say that it sums up me as a person entirely, it's a title on one song and that title went on to name the whole record. It's just one thing of many things that I want to do.

When I've spoken with other artists living in Stockholm they sometimes describe something like a "Hollywood Me"-atmosphere around the clubs and music scene, say when it comes to which bands get to play on the popular venues, which people to talk to and such. Is this something you have experienced yourself?

That might be true, this town is like... sometimes I feel that it's very nice just to stay at home for instance, to write a song maybe, but you tend to forget such things when it's very hectic, as it tends to be most of the times.

You've got lots of guests on this record, Christian Kjellvander and Markus Krunegård from Laakso to name a few, but not Kristofer Åström. How come?

I wanted to make the best possible record that I could make, in order to do that I decided to get some help from all the necessary people I thought could help me with my mission. The reason for Kristofer not being on the album is purely coincidental. He lives in Göteborg these days, and he's away playing with his own band most of the time; there just wasn't an opportunity for him to swing by the studio. Which I'm sure he would have done, had he had the time. But we'll surely work together sometime in the future again; no worries.

In the video for "You are not my boyfriend" pink paint starts running from your nose, colourful paint being a theme for the video. What's your take on the visual part of your music?

I usually let the directors do their thing, even though I still get to have my say and the right to discard ideas I don't like or think will work. But I don't usually look upon myself as an artist in that way, I feel more like a songwriter and musician than an artist. I have somewhat of a phobia of motion picture and music; I think it's silly, but I still try my best.

Both "Top quality bones and a little terrorist" and "Kill Hollywood me", together with the videos for the singles, create something abstract that I directly connect with "Britta Persson". Is this image-making something you need to do in order to survive in the music business?

You need to create good music, but of course, you also need to have some kind of concept or big picture where everything fits as well. I only work with people whom I think do a really good job and whose results I really like. But in the end, it all comes down to the music, good music will always find ways to flourish.

LINK: http://www.brittapersson.com/
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/brittapersson

01. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
02. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
03. Alf Robertson - Alf Robertsons bästa
04. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
05. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
06. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
07. Jill Johnson - Music Row
08. Säkert! - Säkert!
09. Marie Picasso - The secret
10. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao 3
11. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
12. Magnus Uggla - Pärlor åt svinen
14. Peter Jöback - Människor som du och jag
15. Britta Persson - Kill Hollywood me
16. Peter Lemarc - Kärlek i tystnadens tid
17. Elin Ruth Sigvardsson - A fiction
18. Petter - God damn it
19. Nisse Hellberg - En tiger i tanken
20. Martin Stenmarck - Det är det pojkar gör när kärleken dör

01. Britta Persson - Cliffhanger
02. Firefox AK - Winter rose (ft. Tiger Lou)
03. Christian Kjellvander - Two Souls
04. Jens Lekman - The Opposite of Hallelujah
05. Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
06. The National - Fake Empire
07. Band of Horses - The General Specific
08. Lykke Li - Little Bit
09. The Magnetic Fields - The Nun's Litany
10. Radiohead - 15 Step

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

01. Timo Räisänen - Sixteen
02. TALK 1
03. Dreamboy - What have I done
04. Echo Is Your Love - Three ropes
05. The Raveonettes - Dead sound
06. TALK 2
07. Connny Nimmersjö - Dum i huvudet
08. Holiday Fun Club - Hamburg in the night
09. Elin Ruth Sigvardsson - Antidote
10. TALK 3
11. Christian Kjellvander - Two souls
12. Heroes & Zeros - The foolproof
13. Gåte - Sjå attende
14. TALK 4
15. Repoman - Chemically obsessed
16. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Instant Repeater '99
17. Petter - Logiskt (ft. Säkert)
18. TALK 5
19. Dieter Schöön - Warm hearts
20. Springfactory - Stingy Friday afternoon
21. Sivert Høyem - Don't pass me by
22. TALK 6
23. Sweatmaster - Song with no words
24. Enslaved - Enemy I
25. The Concretes - Kids
26. TALK 7
27. Broder Daniel - Cruel town
28. September - Cry for you
29. Britta Persson - Cliffhanger
30. TALK 8
31. TLS - A song left for you
32. The End Will Be Kicks - Ass of a friend
33. Immanu El - Kosmonaut
34. TALK 9
35. Fare You Well - Deceiving eyes
36. Weeping Willows - So it's over
37. Firefox AK - Winter rose (ft. Tiger Lou)
38. TALK 10
39. Scraps of Tape - Death as it should be

Britta Persson - Kill Hollywood me (CD)
Commando M Pigg - Decenniet 1980-90 (CD)
Don't Be a Stranger - Frutti di mare (CD)
v/a - Svensk Punkklassiker vol. 2 (2CD)
Freddie Wadling - Klassiker (2CD)

Restocks of Hello Saferide and Laakso on the way too!

01. Britta Persson - Cliffhanger
02. TALK 1
03. Death By Kite - Sweet M
04. KVLR - Traitors and thieves
05. Anna Ternheim - Today is a good day
06. TALK 2
07. Don Juan Dracula - Take me home (Johan Angebjörn remix feat. Sally Shapiro)
08. Amorphis - Weaving the incantation
09. Thomas Denver Jonsson - Dreams at the film club (feat. Nina Kinert)
10. TALK 3
11. Don't Be A Stranger - Lonely together
12. Madrugada - Tonight I have no words for you
13. Majessic Dreams - Have to go
14. TALK 4
15. Pavan - The bird
16. Bröderna Lindgren - Om en guldfisk (feat. Kristofer Åström)
17. The Tarantula Waltz - Where I end and you begin
18. Adam Tensta - They wanna know
19. TALK 5
20. Commando M Pigg - Mot stjärnorna
21. Gravy - Rock scientists
22. Jonas Game - ADHD
23. TALK 6
24. Linus Larsson & John Roger Olsson - In the shadow
25. Idiot Kid - Go to sleep
26. Mats Öberg - Cool water - på Den Gyldene Freden
27. TALK 7
28. Pascal - Längtar efter dig
29. The Bear Quartet - I would be poor
30. Peloton - Aranburu
31. Royal Downfall - Lightning strikes twice
32. TALK 8
33. Made In Sweden - Winter's a bummer
34. Erik Enocksson - The state the sea left me in
35. Asha Ali - Coward heart
36. TALK 9
37. A-ha - Celice

01. Ricochets - Cold outside
02. TALK 1
03. Shining - Winterreise
04. Britta Persson - Winter tour
05. Svenson - In the snow
06. Weeping Willows - Christmas in prison
07. TALK 2
08. The Tiny - No money (for X-mas)
09. Kompjotr Eplektrika - Blikktztunddonner
10. The Knife - Reindeer
11. TALK 3
12. Hello Saferide - iPod X-mas
13. January Jaunt - Stuck in glaziers
14. Darkthrone - Too old, too cold
15. TALK 4
16. Sällskapet - Nordlicht
17. E.S.T. - Strange place for snow
18. Sort Mel - Det grønne flesket
19. Notre Dame - A scrooge tale
20. TALK 5
21. Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck - Winter moment
22. Syster Lycklig - Bilden till snöstorm
23. The Book of Daniel - 3rd of December
24. TALK 6
25. Samuraj Cities - Cold feet
26. Amandine - Silver bells
27. Logcabin - View of frost
28. Silverbullit - Winter coat
29. TALK 7
30. In Flames - December flower
31. Viktor Sjöberg - On a winters day
32. The Bear Quartet - Blizzard
33. TALK 8
34. Brick - Gray day
35. Laakso - Merry Christmas
36. Strayfolk - Another year before the mast
37. TALK 9

Don't forget to vote for Sirius Blog Radio at the Plug Awards! Vote here: http://www.plugawards.com/general_vote.php
We are nominated under the category "Media (Obsessive) > Specialty Show Of The Year (Commercial Radio)".]]> Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:47:25 -0500 news sirius http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20326 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20326 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20326#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show, featuring special guest Pontus Levahn from the band Torpedo:

01. Fireside - Let Rasputin do it
02. TALK 1
03. Britta Persson - You are not my boyfriend
04. Hyacinth House - Lucky stranger
05. The Bear Quartet - Sailors
06. TALK 2
07. Jennie Abrahamson - In this life to live
08. Margaret Berger - Seek I'll hide
09. Heroes & Zeros - The foolproof
10. TALK 3
11. Folie - Strum
12. Ellen Beach - The widespread acclaim
13. The Indecision Alarm - Where every fucking dream is killed
14. TALK 4 (INTERVIEW)
15. Torpedo - From Russia with love
16. Rupesh Cartel - Comes the hour comes the man
17. TALK 5 (INTERVIEW)
18. Torpedo - Hospital
19. Tiger Lou - Until I'm there
20. TALK 6 (INTERVIEW)
21. Simon Ryman - Walk with me instead
22. Fanny Risberg - Stay with me forever
23. Lack - Deserters
24. TALK 7
25. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Manic panic
26. Hebosagil - Slightly confusing
27. Dieter Schöön - The harbour's cold
28. TALK 8
29. Lukestar - White shade
30. Fun - Hold it close
31. The Skull Defekts - The secret
32. TALK 9
33. Laakso - Great times underground
34. CS Nielsen - Black spots
35. Knugen Faller - Lugna favoriter
36. TALK 10
37. Säkert! - Allt som är ditt
]]> Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:40:54 -0500 news sirius http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20313 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20313 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20313#comments Britta Persson's brand new single "Cliffhanger" is streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/brittapersson
Her much-anticipated new album "Kill Hollywood me" will be released on January 9.]]> Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:42:29 -0500 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19802 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19802 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19802#comments Look for Britta Persson's new album "Kill Hollywood me" in January.]]> Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:59:21 -0400 news general http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19348 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19348 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19348#comments German tourdates for Britta Persson:

11/06 - tba, Frankfurt (GER)
11/07 - Stereo Wonderland, Köln (GER)
11/08 - Falkendom, Bielefeld (GER)
11/09 - Cafe Panam, Leipzig (GER)
11/10 - Kino Central, Magdeburg (GER)
11/11 - Schokoladen, Berlin (GER)
11/13 - Fundbureau, Hamburg (GER)
]]> Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:45:12 -0400 news live http://www.itsatrap.com/n/123 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/123 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/123#comments Britta Persson's most recent album "Top quality bones..." will get a German release on October 26 via Make My Day Records.]]> Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/943 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/943 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/943#comments As mentioned yesterday, Britta Persson is coming to NYC in July and now here are the dates:

07/03 - Rockwood Music Hall
07/06 - The Living Room

More to come?]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/964 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/964 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/964#comments Look for Britta Persson to play NYC in early July. Details soon.]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1564 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1564 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1564#comments Friday's Sirius Blog Radio playlist:

01. The Alpine - Mondays look the same
02. TALK 1
03. Gravy - Back with the nerds
04. Giant Robot - Best match
05. Jomi Massage - A detail
06. TALK 2
07. Broder Daniel - Shoreline
08. The Grand Opening - Don't drop off
09. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
10. Britta Persson - Oh how wrong
11. TALK 3
12. Lemonator - Would you die for me?
13. Trapdoor Fucking Exit - Short ends
14. Billie the Vision and the Dancers - Overdosing with you
15. TALK 4
16. Folie - Rocin
17. Robyn - Handle me
18. Laakso - Norrköping
19. TALK 5
20. Magnet - I walk the line
21. Isolation Years - Albino child
22. KVLR - Construction work
23. TALK 6
24. Anna Leong - 61
25. Tigerbombs - One giant leap
26. Motorpsycho - Hyena
27. TALK 7
28. Oskar Schönning - Other birds
29. Pan Sonic - Rähinä II / Mayhem II
30. Mercyful Fate - Evil
31. TALK 8
32. Ricochets - Come around over
33. Ghost Brigade - Based on you
34. Smalltown - The music
35. Popface - In the night
36. TALK 9
37. Circle Six - 1]]> Sat, 05 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1594 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1594 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1594#comments Swedish singer/songwriter Britta Persson will play Paris on May 21.]]> Thu, 03 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1981 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1981 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1981#comments New tourdates for Swedish singer/songwriter Britta Persson:

05/10 - Schokoladen, Berlin (GER)
05/11 - Kino Central, Magdeburg (GER)
05/12 - UT Connewitz, Leipzig (GER)
05/13 - Café Impuls, Stuttgart / Remseck (GER)
05/14 - Hafen 2, Offenbach (GER)
05/15 - Juz, Saarlouis / Wallerfangen-Ihn (GER)
05/16 - Falkendom, Bielefeld (GER)
05/17 - Nun, Karlsruhe (GER)
05/18 - Cultur Centre, Bievre (BEL)
05/19 - Lokal ohne Namen, Gelsenkirchen (GER)
05/20 - Astra Stube, Hamburg (GER)]]> Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2009 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2009 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2009#comments Restocks of Britta Persson most excellent "Top quality bones and a little terrorist" just arrived this afternoon: [click here]
Maia Hirasawa's new album "Though, I'm just me" just came in as well and I'll start taking preorders shortly (It comes out next week).]]> Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2271 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2271 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2271#comments German tourdates for Britta Persson:

05/09 - Kino Central, Magdeburg
05/10 - Schokoladen, Berlin
05/12 - UT Connewitz, Leipzig
05/15 - Juz, Wallerfangen
05/16 - Falkendom, Bielefeld
05/17 - Nun, Karlsruhe
05/19 - Lokal ohne Namen, Gelsenkirchen]]> Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2289 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2289 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2289#comments Please note that I added a whole bunch of new Logh dates to the "In Concert" section in the sidebar. Test presses for the new 7" arrived yesterday and sound fantastic, so we're on-track to get the finished vinyl by the end of the month. BrooklynVegan readers may want to note that the b-side "Into the night" features Britta Persson and can be downloaded in the mp3 playlist area on the right (click the expand-bar at the bottom to find the link).]]> Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27792-logh-into-the-night http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27792-logh-into-the-night http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27792-logh-into-the-night#comments A new month means a new album of the month selection for the record club, so if you'll look to the right you'll see that March's selection is "Museum of future sound", the new skweee comp on the way from Flogsta Danshall. This disc is so fresh, it won't be ready for shipping until mid-month, but you can preview a few tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/flogstadanshall
Want to learn more about the new sensation known as skweee? Start with wikipedia and venture onward!
Also note that the price of subscription has gone up another dollar to $12/mo, still a total steal considering all the extras you get for being a member. I'm gonna try to hold it at this price for awhile, but we'll see how it goes. I gotta cover costs, y'know?

The other exciting news for the day is that I've started taking preorders on the new Logh 7" I'm putting out. It's been sent to press, so I expect to have the finished product within 3-4 weeks at the most. In the meantime, I've posted the b-side for download 'cuz I know that a lot of people are excited to hear it. Logh + Britta Persson covering the theme to "Twin Peaks". How awesome is that?]]>
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Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3112 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3112 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3112#comments The nominees for the 2007 Manifest Awards, Sweden's alternative to the Grammy:

Hip-hop/R&B/Soul:
Up Hygh! - Venus - The Album (Raw Fusion/Border)
Ison & Fille - Stolthet (Hemmalaget/V2/BAM)
Supersci - Pinetrees On The Pavement (Flyphonic/Lights Out/Border)
Lazee - It Is What It Is (Skrilla Music)
Promoe - The White Mans Burden (Burning Heart/BAM)
Electronica/Post-rock/Synth:
Covenant - Skyshaper (Subspace Communications/Playground Music)
Ebb - Loona (Gaymonkey Records/Border)
FAP - Malekasino Dondolo (Stupid Dream Records/Musicspot)
System - Sample And Hold (Progress Productions/Border)
The Idealist - I Am The Fire (AA/Nosordo/dotshop.se)
Pop/Rock:
The Radio Dept. - Pet grief (Labrador/Border)
Nicolas Makelberge - Dying in Africa (*Rico/Border)
Fibes, Oh Fibes! - Emotional (Pluxemburg/Playground Music)
The Concretes - In Colour (Licking Fingers/Playground Music)
Ebba Forsberg - Ebba Forsberg (EBOTH Production/BAM)
Jazz:
My Engström Renman - Abdominous (Footprint Records/CDA)
Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Son of a Drummer (Moserobie/BAM)
Oddjob – Luma (Amigo/BAM)
Oskar Schönning - Happy Jazz, Please (Amigo/BAM)
Lennart Åberg with Peter Erskine - Free Spirit (Amigo/BAM)
Singer/Songwriter:
Andreas Mattsson - The Lawlessness Of The Ruling Classes (Hybris/Playground Music)
Britta Persson - Top Quality Bones And A Little Terrorist (Amigo/BAM)
The Lancaster Orchestra - Never Cried Once When I Could Have (Rootsy.nu/Border)
Loney, Dear - Sologne (Dear John Recordings/Dotshop.se)
Nina Ramsby & Martin Hederos - Jazzen (Amigo/BAM)
Dance/House/Techno:
The Knife - Silent Shout (Rabid Records/Border)
Unai - A Love Moderne (Force Tracks/Intergroove)
Dibaba - samlad produktion 2006 (Plong!/Kompakt mfl)
Pluxus - Solid State (Pluxemburg/Playground Music)
The Studio - West Coast (Information/Border)
Hard-rock/Punk:
In Flames - Come Clarity (Nuclear Blast/Sound Pollution)
Fingerspitzengefühl - Happy Doomsday (Kooljunk Communications/CDA)
Asta Kask - En För Alla Ingen För Nån (Burning Heart/BAM)
Wolverine - Still (Candlelight Records/Sound Pollution)
Memfis - The Wind-Up (Dental Records/TMC Nordic)
Folk/World/Reggae
Bosse Skoglund – Groovesopor (Rub-a-dub Records/Border)
Göran Månsson - Mon (Nordic Tunes/CDA)
Bebo Valdés – Bebo (Calle 54/BMG Dist)
Lena Willemark - Älvdalens elektriska (Amigo/BAM)
Ranarim - Morgonstjärna (Drone/CDA)
Best live act:
The Radio Dept.
Mapei
The Knife
The Je Ne Sais Quoi
Slagsmålsklubben
Best newcomer:
Vapnet - Jag Vet Hur Man Väntar (Hybris/Playground)
Britta Persson - Top Quality Bones And A Little Terrorist (Amigo/BAM)
The Kid - La Société Nouvelle (Hybris/Playground)
Loney, Dear - Sologne (Dear John Recordings/Dotshop.se)
Lo-Fi-Fnk - Boylife (La Vida Locash/dotshop.se)
Best unsigned act (Digfi Prize):
The Wonderful Guinea Pigs (Linköping)
Denver Mod (Jönköping)
The Open Up And Bleeds (Stockholm)
Trucker Cleavage (Stockholm)
Ikons (Göteborg)]]> Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25655-top-10s-for-2006-its-a-trap http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25655-top-10s-for-2006-its-a-trap http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25655-top-10s-for-2006-its-a-trap#comments 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)

]]> Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25654-top-10s-for-2006-staff-picks http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25654-top-10s-for-2006-staff-picks http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25654-top-10s-for-2006-staff-picks#comments 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.

]]> Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3661 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3661 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3661#comments Brooklyn Vegan on Britta Persson: http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2006/11/britta_persson.html]]> Thu, 16 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3754 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3754 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3754#comments Stylus recommends Swedish singer/songwriter Britta Persson, giving her debut full-length an A-: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/britta-persson/top-quality-bones-and-a-little-terrorist.htm
Buy the CD here: [click here]]]> Wed, 08 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3973 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3973 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3973#comments In case you missed my note yesterday, I've got a bunch of new stuff added to the mailorder section including titles from Ane Brun, Britta Persson, Nikola Sarcevic, Promoe and more: [click here]]]> Fri, 20 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3995 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3995 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3995#comments Note: For everyone ordering the "Svensk indie" compilation, I was just forced to raise the price as I finally received my invoice and the wholesale cost was a lot higher than I expected. Sorry, but there's little I can do about it and I have to at least cover costs. In somewhat related news, I just added a whole bunch of new discs to the webstore including titles from Britta Persson, Ane Brun, The Plan and more! Check it out!]]> Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4297 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4297 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4297#comments Don't forget to check out this week's profile piece on Swedish singer/songwriter Britta Persson: [click here]]]> Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4318 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4318 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4318#comments This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group top 10 albums of the week:

01. The Arcade Fire - Funeral
02. The Knife - Silent Shout
03. Camera Obscura - Let's Get out of This Country
04. The Knife - Deep Cuts
05. The Postal Service - Give Up
06. Tiger Lou - The Loyal
07. The Killers - Hot Fuss
08. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
09. Mew - Frengers
10. Hello Saferide - Introducing...

Top 10 tracks for the week:

01. Marit Bergman – No Party
02. Britta Persson – You Are Not My Boyfriend
03. Marit Bergman – Sun Goes Down
04. Marit Bergman – Mama, I Remember You Now
05. The Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
06. I'm from Barcelona – We're From Barcelona
07. The Knife – Heartbeats
08. The Knife – Neverland
09. Britta Persson – Winter Tour
10. Yo La Tengo – Beanbag Chair

Want to make your own playlist count? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25616-profile-britta-persson http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25616-profile-britta-persson http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25616-profile-britta-persson#comments Name: Britta Persson

From: Uppsala, Sweden

Sounds like: Sweet, sultry soda pop with a sobering dark fizz

Listen: Winter tour

Discography:
2004 – Demo 1
2004 – Demo 2
2005 – Found at home EP (Startracks)
2006 – Top quality bones and a little terrorist (Bonnier Amigo)

Links:
www.brittapersson.com
www.myspace.com/brittapersson

I have it on good authority that Britta is lovely. And adorable. And a hostess with the mostess. It doesn't take much stretch of the imagination to believe this is so. Her look – choppy bangs, oversize specs, wide, searching eyes – convey a lot. Her lyrics, even more so. A quick visit to her website, where she confesses "Last year was a bit chaotic and I often found myself wishing I was older, but I wasn't" seals the deal. Apparently, she's been around for a few years now, but only recently has she begun to attract widespread attention. A year ago, you could find her strumming her guitar for students at the University of Växjö, at a lunchtime concert during a week-long Love And Sexually Transmitted Diseases awareness event - "They tried to talk me into giving a speech on the subject. Of course I said no, but as I played my (often a bit sad) songs, I felt good and I realized I was the one to tell the people love and making out can be a real good thing. So I did." These days she can be seen doing studio sessions for TV4 (click here), or on MTV. Her debut full-length album, "Top quality bones and a little terrorist", has been rapturously received and she recently made a guest appearance on the new Camera Obscura album, "Let's get out of this country".
- Stacey Shackford

Who are you and where are you from?

My name is Britta Persson, I'm 25 years old and I come from Uppsala, Sweden.

How did you come to make music?

There was nothing else I enjoyed doing.

"Top quality bones and a little terrorist". What?

...and a Diamond. And lots of things.

Near-sighted or far-sighted? And where did you get those glasses?

Near. A friend's dad bought them at a gas station in the seventies. I've had the lenses replaced.

Are those the Suburban Kids in your video? Who else do you hang out with?

Yes, they are. I don't hang out with them much actually, but since I almost had them killed, they've got a song and a special place in my heart.

How did you almost have them killed?

The road was very slippery and I was the driver. Turned out to be a not so good combination.

I also see you've been working with my Scottish pals, Camera Obscura. How did that collaboration come about?

I know their producer.

When was the last time you defragmented your computer? Your heart? Do you have a boyfriend?

I don't think it's possible to defrag your heart. No, I don't have a boyfriend. I needed to fall in my love with myself first. I'm about halfway there - at least I'm not on the hater's side anymore.

What do you do when you're not making music?

I sleep, eat, go for walks. Sometimes I work in a laboratory. I'm there right now... Oh, that's right, I should get back to work.

A lab! Doing what? My boyfriend is a plant scientist and spends about 12 hours a day at the lab.

I work for people like your boyfriend then. But I can barely spend five hours there at the time. It makes me frustrated. But then, maybe that's good for me. What I do? I prepare their samples, isolate the DNA, so they can look at it and use their skills to find out how to make a better world. It's similar to baking cakes all day long. "Add this much of that and put it in that machine and wait 7 minutes."

Describe your perfect day. Describe yesterday.

Sunny days are perfect days. Yesterday included a car trip together with top quality drummer Per Nordmark back to Stockholm from where we had been playing the night before. We had our standing discussion about life and music. It's funny really, we repeat ourselves every week and we still find it interesting. When I got home I voted for the Left Party. It didn't help.

What does the future hold for Britta Persson?

Peace of mind, happiness, a home, laughs, music, friends, love and those kind of things...

]]> Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27908-britta-persson-you-are-not-my-boyfriend http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27908-britta-persson-you-are-not-my-boyfriend http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27908-britta-persson-you-are-not-my-boyfriend#comments As much as I was looking forward to the new Britta Persson album "Top quality bones and a little terrorist", I'm a little iffy on the final result, but I suspect that's at least partially due to me not spending enough time with it. I fully planned on listening to it thoroughly during the long drives on my recent vacation, I just never felt inspired to put it on. There's certainly a few standout tracks such as "Winter tour" (the first single), "You are not my boyfriend" (the song I've posted today and the second single) and, one of my personal favorites, the sour and downkey "Oh how wrong". The raw emotion and sparse arrangement makes that one a winner in my book. So it's not as if I don't like the record at all, I guess I just don't like it as much as I expected to, or at least not yet. Britta is certainly a strong songwriter and she possesses a charming lilt to her voice. The work she's done with fellow Swedish singer/songwriter Kristofer Åström has been amazing (including the song they sing together on the new record). So you see, there's a lot to like despite my grumpy naysaying. I strongly suspect it will grow on me. Of course, you don't have to listen to me repeatedly contradict myself to form an opinion - download the song and listen for yourself.]]>
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Thu, 21 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4409 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4409 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4409#comments The video for Britta Persson's single "You are not my boyfriend" is now online: http://www.myspace.com/brittapersson]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26150-britta-persson-top-quality-bones-and-a-little-terrorist-amigo-musik http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26150-britta-persson-top-quality-bones-and-a-little-terrorist-amigo-musik http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26150-britta-persson-top-quality-bones-and-a-little-terrorist-amigo-musik#comments I have totally fallen for the sweet charms of Britta Persson. How could I not? Her voice is simply stunning. Her lyrics tug at even the hardest heart strings. And have you seen that fringe? And her huge, oversized specs? Adorable! "Defrag my heart" was my guilty, girly geek anthem, so I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of a full-length album. It doesn't disappoint. You don't have to dig too deeply to unearth a few gems. In fact, all you have to do is press play, as the first track, "Winter song", is an immediate winner. It also happens to be the first single, selected through an online vote by fans and the subject of a fantastic video featuring the boys of Suburban Kids With Biblical Names. "You are not my boyfriend" is another stand-out track, and "Bellamy Straat Straat" comes a close third. The rest of the album is simple and sparse, with only the most subtle instrumental arrangements, allowing Britta's surprisingly sultry, soulful voice to shine through. And it ends with an absolutely gorgeous ethereal duet with collaborator Kristofer Åström. She describes the sound as "old fashioned and Nordic and also Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, Low, Natasha Bedingfield, but lo-fi." I'd just sum it up in one word: Beautiful.
- Stacey Shackford
Rating: 0

11/17 - On the Rocks, Shoreditch
11/20 - Solo, Camden]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8581 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8581 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8581#comments Check out the video for "Defrag my heart" from Swedish singer/songwriter Britta Persson: http://www.aftonbladet.se/atv/player.html?catID=2672&clipID=3511]]> Thu, 20 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26439-hello-saferide-introducing-razzia-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26439-hello-saferide-introducing-razzia-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26439-hello-saferide-introducing-razzia-records#comments If you've heard other Swedish female artists such as Britta Persson, El Perro Del Mar, Frida Hyvönen or even Anna Ternheim (for a non-Swedish example, let's use Joanna Newsom) and found them too edgy and/or leftfield, I think you should welcome Hello Saferide with open arms. She got that chart-topping MOR thing going on, that is both radio friendly and not too shallow. What a disappointment this album was.
- Simon Tagestam
Rating: 0

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

It comes out on July 4. More details here: http://www.stereotestkit.com/pets.htm]]> Thu, 26 May 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25473-streaming-playlist-spring-is-in-the-air http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25473-streaming-playlist-spring-is-in-the-air http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25473-streaming-playlist-spring-is-in-the-air#comments DATE ADDED : 05.08.05
LAUNCH : Real / Windows

Tracklist:
01. Torpedo - Declare despair
02. Convoj - My biggest loss
03. Lack - Deserters
04. Las Puertas - Born in the NYK
05. Consequences - Come on
06. Isolation Years - Cover the distance
07. Moneybrother - Blow him back into my arms
08. Desert Planet - Breakout button
09. Eskju Divine - Struck by the halo
10. Majessic Dreams - Still inside
11. Alog - Severe punishment and lasting bliss
12. The Grand Opening - Location
13. Britta Persson - The past is not for real
14. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Station to station

]]> Sun, 08 May 2005 00:00:00 -0400 articles podcast http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10809 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10809 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10809#comments Here's this week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (01) The Tough Alliance - Keep It Pure
02. (05) Dreamboy - Dance With Me
03. (03) Eels - Hey Man (Now You´re Really Living)
04. (06) Weezer - Beverly Hills
05. (13) The Coral - In The Morning
06. (NY) Maxïmo - Park Graffiti
07. (08) Ane Brun feat. Ron Sexsmith - Song No. 6
08. (09) Stevie Wonder - So What the Fuss
09. (10) Hal - Play The Hits
10. (NY) Turbonegro - High On The Crime
11. (NY) Thievery Corporation - The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter
12. (11) Prominent - Lets Talk It Over
13. (NY) Paris - 60 Minutes
14. (NY) Kent - Palace & Main
15. (ÅT) Faith Evans - Again
16. (14) The Bravery - An Honest Mistake
17. (17) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - Funeral Face
18. (19) Lady Sovereign - Random
19. (15) Håkan Hellström - Dom Kommer Kliva På Dig Igen
20. (07) Handsome Boy Modeling School - The World's Gone Mad

Leaving the chart: K-OS, The Similou, Varano feat. Chords, Gorillaz, Snoop Dogg and Britta Persson.]]> Tue, 26 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10899 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10899 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10899#comments This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (03) The Tough Alliance - "Keep it Pure"
02. (01) K-OS - "Crabbuckit"
03. (NY) Eels - "Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)"
04. (02) The Similou - "Ladykillers"
05. (NY) Dreamboy - "Dance With Me"
06. (13) Weezer - "Beverly Hills"
07. (04) Handsome Boy Modeling School - "The World's Gone Mad"
08. (06) Ane Brun med Ron Sexsmith - "Song no.6"
09. (05) Stevie Wonder - "So What the Fuss"
10. (NY) Hal - "Play the Hits"
11. (07) Prominent - "Let's Talk it Over"
12. (08) Varano med Chords - "Leaving My Troubles Behind"
13. (09) The Coral - "In the Morning"
14. (NY) The Bravery - "An Honest Mistake"
15. (19) Håkan Hellström - "Dom kommer kliva på dig igen"
16. (10) The Gorillaz - "Feel Good Inc"
17. (NY) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "Funeral Face"
18. (15) Snoop Dogg - "Signs"
19. (16) Lady Sovereign - "Random"
20. (18) Britta Persson - "Found at Home"

Leaving the chart: Faith Evans, Rilo Kiley, The Killers, Jenny Wilson and Hello Kinski.]]> Wed, 20 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11106 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11106 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11106#comments Here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) K-OS - Crabbuckit
02. (02) De Stijl - Queen Midas
03. (06) Amerie - 1 Thing
04. (NY) Britta Persson - Found at Home
05. (NY) Faith Evans - Again
06. (15) The Similou - Ladykillers
07. (16) The Killers - Mr Brightside
08. (05) Hot Hot Heat - Goodnight Goodnight
09. (NY) Gavin DeGraw - I Don´t Want To Be
10. (12) Basement Jaxx - Oh My Gosh
11. (19) Kleerup - Medication
12. (NY) Kaiser Chiefs - Oh My God
13. (10) Jenny Wilson - Summer Time
14. (11) Hello Kinski - My Baby Should Be Home By Now
15. (20) Diplo - Newsflash
16. (NY) Audioslave - Be yourself
17. (NY) The Raveonettes - Love In A Trashcan
18. (09) Maximo Park - Apply Some Pressure
19. (04) Lo-Fi-Fnk - ...And The JFG
20. (NY) Emiliana Torrini - Sunny Road

Leaving the chart: 22 Pistepirkko, Rilo Kiley, New Order, Stereophonics, Radio Luxemburg, Embee ft. José González and Millencolin]]> Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11191 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11191 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11191#comments V2 has the new Britta Persson EP available for streaming: http://se.v2music.com/site/product.asp?ID=1137]]> Tue, 22 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11306 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11306 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11306#comments Britta Persson reports that she recently completed work on a video for "Defrag my heart", a song that I presume will be the first single from her upcoming EP on Startracks. "If you like American cars and girls in bikini, this is the video for you!" she says.]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11443 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11443 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11443#comments The tracklist for Johnny Bråttom's upcoming "Svensk Populärmusik Volym Tre" compilation has been revealed:

01. Björn Kleinhenz - Better company
02. [brus] feat. Gisela - Long flowering day
03. Double-O - Call of a lifetime
04. CDOASS - The correct use of failure
05. The Tiny - Lake
06. Loney, Dear - A few good men
07. Slagsmålsklubben - Supermaskinen
08. Richard Reagh & wwnb2 - Friends
09. Memoplay - Words are small
10. Lassus - Sunshine
11. Soul Supreme - Hit and run
12. Boy Omega - By midnight we'll give it a go
13. Britta Persson - You are the best
14. Talking to Teapots - Waiting for it all to end
15. Kubot - Go west
16. 50 Hertz - Chansen finns men är försvinnande liten
17. Zacke feat. Johnny Redskin - I ain't lyin'
18. Niccokick - Some don't make it through the haze
19. Pete Thompson - Our roads
20. Hans Appelqvist - Godnatt Bremort

It comes out in April.]]> Fri, 04 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11555 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11555 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11555#comments Britta Persson has a new website, now with news posted in English: http://brittapersson.com/]]> Thu, 24 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11616 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11616 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11616#comments Kristofer Åström on tour with Britta Persson as support:

04/06 - KF Roxy, Visby (SWE)
04/08 - Mejeriet, Lund (SWE)
04/22 - Hugo, Norrköping (SWE)
04/23 - Kulturhuset, Jönköping (SWE)
04/29 - Nalen, Stockholm (SWE)
05/06 - Klubb Kaliber, Mariestad (SWE)
05/07 - Sticky Fingers, Göteborg (SWE)
05/10 - Logo, Hamburg (GER)
05/11 - De Helling, Utrecht (NL)
05/12 - Botanique, Brussels (BEL)
05/13 - Gebäude 9, Köln (GER)
05/14 - Karlstorbahnhof, Heidelberg (GER)
05/15 - Nachtleben, Frankfurt (GER)
05/16 - ISC, Bern (CH)
05/17 - BOA, Luzern (CH)
05/18 - Atomic Café, München (GER)
05/19 - Magnet, Berlin (GER)
05/20 - KB, Malmö (SWE)
05/21 - The Tivoli, Helsingborg (SWE)]]> Tue, 22 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11689 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11689 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11689#comments Startracks/V2 will release the proper debut EP from Britta Persson on March 23. After that, it's off on tour in Europe as support for labelmate and frequent duet partner Kristofer Åström. Dates soon.]]> Tue, 15 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11699 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11699 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11699#comments It's taken me over two months, but I've finally got a new streaming playlist for you. Check it out over in the article section on the right. Come to think of it, that was probably the last time I spent the day brewing beer, too. But I digress - selections this time around include new tracks from David Fridlund, Logh, Kristofer Åström and Convoj as well as demo stuff from Britta Persson and Plain Fade along with a bunch of other choice cuts from stuff I've been listening to. I admit it's not very lovey-dovey, but consider it my Valentine's day gift to you anyway.]]> Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25460-streaming-playlist-now-playing http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25460-streaming-playlist-now-playing http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25460-streaming-playlist-now-playing#comments DATE ADDED : 02.14.05
LAUNCH : Real / Windows

Tracklist:
01. David Fridlund - Circles
02. Efterklang - Step aside
03. Kristofer Åström - Man of steel
04. Ellis the Vacuumchild - Peace by extermination
05. Britta Persson - Just not going to be
06. Plain Fade - Datura
07. Isolation Years - Nurse hands
08. Convoj - Glory hole
09. Lack - Primo levi
10. September Malevolence - On our own
11. Björn Kleinhenz - The strongest machine
12. Logh - Bring on the ether
13. Pan Sonic - Painvoima / gravity

]]> Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 articles podcast http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11987 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11987 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11987#comments Britta Persson will release her debut EP "Found at home" on March 16 via Startracks. Here's the tracklist:

01. A dad for you
02. Defrag my heart
03. When you leave
04. The past is not for real
05. Stockholm-Amsterdam]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12312 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12312 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12312#comments The En Ljummen i Gräset festival website has posted a bunch of live tracks from last year's show, including stuff from Richard Reagh, Britta Persson, Loney, Dear, Plod, Ef, Fire Fox and more: http://www.ljummen.com/index.php?page=tidigare]]> Thu, 30 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news