I remember hearing Frida Selander in passing something like a half-dozen years ago and not being too impressed, but there's been considerable buzz building in the interim. For one, her inclusion as a member of David Sandström Overdrive is a surefire vote of confidence, but I've also been hearing increasingly louder whispers that her next album will be incredible. Not that I can confirm the hearsay, though we do have this new single to whet our appetites. "Forever on your team" is definitely reminiscent of DSO, not that that's a bad thing, not in the least. Recording with Oskar Sandlund probably helps (I believe it's him on drums as well). As for the rest, wait and see -- "Try again baby" will be officially released on March 25 via Amasonora.

David Sandström + Adam Tensta? Really? Did he get to keep the Respect My Hustle jacket?

David Sandström (Refused, Final Exit, AC4) and Igor Calavera (Mixhell, ex-Sepultura) jamming out at Scharinska in Umeå on May Day. Not the best quality, but still makes me wish I could've been there.

Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze8a_7lTTQ8

01. Masshysteri - Dom kan inte höra musiken
02. TALK 1
03. David Sandström Overdrive - How the story feels
04. Ludwig Bell - Jag är en idiot
05. Faster Katt - Strange candy
06. TALK 2
07. Zombiekrig - Döden
08. Vorum - Eyes burning red
09. Okkultokrati - No light for mass
10. TALK 3
11. Björn Kleinhenz - Dackes drabanter
12. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Transparent for you all
13. EL-SD - Sösjö
14. Robert Svensson - Beat
15. TALK 4
16. The Aches - Something to die for
17. Meleeh - Trauma
18. Grande Roses - Hell's own trial
19. Underachiever - Keep an eye
20. TALK 5

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

01. Hello Saferide - I fold
02. Joel Alme - You remember the goodtimes but the goodtimes don't remember you
03. David Sandström Overdrive - Song is holy
04. Theodor Jensen - BAPADA
05. I Are Droid - With lowered arms
06. Konie - I'm just another boy
07. Dundertåget - Låt mej va
08. Jonna Lee - Violent Playground
09. They live by night - Ctr+Alt+Del My Heart (Fredrick Carlsson Remix)
10. Säkert! - Min hemstad (Wannadies cover)
11. Maia Hirasawa - Because of you

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

01. I Are Droid - Sevenfold
02. TALK 1
03. [ingenting] - Halleluja!
04. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr Happy
05. Turboweekend - Something or nothing
06. José González - How low
07. TALK 2
08. Ison & Fille - Ikväll vi är kungar
09. Arcana - Invisible motions
10. Eskju Divine - Darkness all around
11. TALK 3
12. Murmansk - Silver heel
13. Björn Kleinhenz - HAZ 920
14. David Sandström Overdrive - Songs that maybe won't be forgotten
15. Randy - Evil
16. TALK 4
17. The Bombettes - Oh boy
18. We Are the Storm - Where we used to be heroes
19. Elmo - Young love
20. The Bear Quartet - Volksblues (ft. Karin Dreijer Andersson)
21. TALK 5
22. Mattias Alkberg - Jag bara tänkte, liksom, att

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. Frida Hyvönen
02. Hello Saferide
03. The Soundtrack of Our Lives
04. The Sound of Arrows
05. Fever Ray
06. David Sandström Overdrive
07. Jens Lekman
08. Moto Boy
09. Håkan Hellström
10. Anna Ternheim

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/

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. TALK 1
02. Anna Maria Espinosa - A little moonlight
03. Marit Bergman - 1985
04. The Goner - Haven
05. TALK 2
06. Park Hotell - Black hole
07. Fredrik - Holm
08. Emmanuel Tegel - Solaris (beat mix)
09. TALK 3
10. The Alien - Extract #3
11. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Radius (Boeoes Kaelstigen's yea/nay remix)
12. Montt Mardié - Modesty Blaise
13. TALK 4
14. David Sandström Overdrive - Songs that maybe won't be forgotten
15. They Live By Night - Endless summer
16. Katzenjammer - Tea with cinnamon
17. TALK 5
18. Nitad - Dag efter dag

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

01. Firefox AK - Techno tears
02. TALK 1
03. Hello Saferide - Anna
04. Sods - Copenhagen
05. Jonathan Johansson - En hand i himlen
06. TALK 2
07. Miss Li - I'm sorry, he's mine
08. Parker Lewis - Heart rate hill
09. Tiger Lou - Crushed by a crowd
10. Juvelen - Don't mess
11. TALK 3
12. Katzenjammer - Le pop
13. Passiv Dödshjälp - Exorcism i beslagtagen kropp
14. The Goner - Haven
15. The Social Services - Seven dwarfs
16. TALK 4
17. The Skull Defekts - Waving
18. Moto Boy - Ride my wild heart
19. Oskar Schönning - Faustine
20. David Sandström Overdrive - Songs that maybe won't be forgotten
21. TALK 5
22. Darkthrone - Hiking metal punks

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

01. Niccokick - The poet
02. TALK 1
03. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr Happy
04. David Sandström - Apropå det här med att finnas till
05. Mew - Why are you looking grave?
06. TALK 2
07. C.Aarmé - Rhythm
08. Dieter Schöön - Lot's of free Shoes but nowhere to run
09. Meshuggah - Pravus
10. TALK 3
11. Elin Ruth Sigvardsson - Antidote
12. The Bear Quartet - Volksblues
13. Ljudbilden & Piloten - Wedding
14. Lack - Naked girls
15. TALK 4
16. Don't Be A Stranger - Lonely together
17. Namur - Marching
18. NEI - Trip to Luleå
19. TALK 5
20. Printer - All right
21. Moto Boy - Beat heart
22. Christel Alsos - Come back to me
23. TALK 6
24. Promoe - Headache
25. Mustasch - Dogwash
26. Montt Mardié - Too many songs unwritten
27. Pascal - Smärtstillande
28. TALK 7
29. Pan Sonic - Virta 1
30. Pekker - Ass electro
31. Regulations - Police siren
32. TALK 8
33. Deud - Lördag
34. Linus Larsson & John Roger Olsson - Beyond the south tunnel
35. Barra Head - Undermine
36. TALK 9
37. Aerial - Kallisti
38. Paris - Office killer
39. Lukestar - The shade you hide
40. TALK 10
41. Jazkamer - Metal music machine

01. The Bombettes - Dating scene
02. TALK 1
03. Leütenhaven - Still life (trompe l'oeil)
04. Dieter Schöön - Warm hearts
05. Kasper Bjørke - Back & spine (Fidel Astro remix)
06. TALK 2
07. Come Sleep - Be the end
08. Promise and the Monster - Trials
09. Immanu El - Home
10. TALK 3
11. Lukestar - Lake Toba
12. Marit Bergman - No party
13. Mando Diao - Never seen the light of day
14. TALK 4
15. Jonas Game - ADHD
16. Kornstad - Turkey, Texas
17. Josse - You had a plan
18. The Hives - You dress up for Armageddon
19. TALK 5
20. Randy - Freedom song
21. Ted Gärdestad - Så mycket bättre
22. Motorhomes - Into the night
23. TALK 6
24. Laakso - Västerbron
25. The Bear Quartet - Hunchback
26. Susanne Sundfør - The dance
27. TALK 7
28. New Moscow - Turbonegro must be destroyed
29. The Bell - Target group
30. Vaiping - The great polar expedition
31. TALK 8
32. NEI - City of gold
33. Asha Ali - Fire, fire
34. My Enemy - My time coming (Johan Formeijer remix)
35. TALK 9
36. CS Nielsen - Black spots
37. David Sandström Overdrive - The Fatville Treaty
38. C.Aarmé - Golden retriever
39. TALK 10
40. Aerial - My god, it's full of stars!
]]> Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:03:17 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/249 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/249 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/249#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Sahara Hotnights - Visit to Vienna
02. TALK 1
03. José González - Down the line
04. Anna Ternheim - Girl laying down
05. The Bear Quartet - The supremes
06. TALK 2
07. New Decade - I guess you ran from something
08. Commando M Pigg - Allt genast
09. Mikkel Metal - Bano
10. TALK 3
11. Johan Hedberg - Nygubbe4
12. Mikko Singh - Toisella puolella
13. Mimas - Thought discuss
14. Fattaru - 100:-
15. TALK 4
16. Sista Sekunden - Jag är aldrig nöjd
17. E.S.T. - Tuesday wonderland
18. Syster Lycklig - Drömgränd
19. TALK 5
20. The End Will Be Kicks - Ass of a friend
21. The Grizzly Twister - Tigers made of paper
22. Samuel Jackson Five - Easily misunderstood
23. Grande Roses - Dead town
24. TALK 6
25. Thomas Dybdahl - B A part
26. Njurmännen - Cold meat industry
27. Tobias Hellkvist - Moment at ven
28. TALK 7
29. David Sandström Overdrive - Here's for summer
30. Randy - Freedom song
31. Kalle J - Vart stack du?
32. The Flaming Sideburns - Bad trip
33. TALK 8
34. The Bell - I am history
35. Lack - Pessimist poetry
36. The State of Floral Beings - Andy
37. Fireside - Problem (to you)
38. TALK 9
39. Firefox AK - Love to run
40. Manes - Cinder alley
41. Lukestar - Untitled
42. TALK 10
43. Oskar Schönning - S]]> Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/269 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/269 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/269#comments Check out Volyo, a Swedish experimental all-star group featuring Mats Gustafsson(The Thing, way too many other groups to list), Jens Nordén (Step Forward), Henrik Oja (Säkert!, The Spacious Mind), and David Sandström (Refused, Final Exit, etc.): http://www.myspace.com/volyo
The group was put together by David for the Made-07 Festival in Umeå and the various tracks posted are live recordings from that show.]]> Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25710-festival-report-way-out-west http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25710-festival-report-way-out-west http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25710-festival-report-way-out-west#comments Thursday

The day started off well enough. I woke early and had a good stroll around central Göteborg and managed to get myself fairly oriented to city. I also had a surprise run-in with Viktor Sjöberg in an empty parking lot and his dog Douglas suprised me right back, sending my cup of coffee flying through the air. Things were off to a good start! The majority of my afternoon was spent exploring the Konstmuseum (I think I'll be needing an Ivar Arosenius print at some point) and then it was time to meet more friends and start the Way Out West concert experience.

I missed openers Function, but Low exceeded expectations with their set at Trädgär'n. I'm only moderately familiar with their catalog, but what I saw was understated, elegant and quite powerful. Following them was another American act, Woven Hand. Naturally, I came to WoW primarily to see Swedish acts, but since Woven Hand tours Sweden far more often than the US, I made sure to make this show and they did not disappoint one bit. Frontman David Eugene Edwards has an incredibly intense stage presence, on par with Neurosis, easily one of the most emotionally demanding bands I've ever been fortunate enough to see.

Knowing fully well that there would be no way to top Woven Hand, I still set out to Pustervik to catch some more bands for my evening's entertainment. ...And You Will Know Us By Our Trail of Dead was packed solid and admitting no new patrons, so I went upstairs to check out Last Days of April. The wait was slightly longer than expected, but Håkan from Division of Laura Lee/Carcrash Records kept things interesting from his position behind the DJ booth. As for LDOA when they did finally take the stage, they were 100% solid despite a less-than-stellar placement in the lineup. I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed. Another time, another place perhaps.
(AR)

Friday

At last, the start of the 'real' festival and the Boredoms set things off right. I was bit hesitant, having been disappointed by a show sometime around the period of "Super Æ", but this was something else entirely. My impression is that today's music was based on (or at least similar to) the recent "77 drummers" performance. It featured a steady onslaught of three pounding drummers and the reappearance of Eye's percussive guitar tree. The meandering psychedelia of years ago was vanquished from my mind and I let myself get lost in the endless hypnotic beat. I still can't say that I'll always be into everything the Boredoms do, but it's undeniable that they are always interesting and this performance certainly lived up to the hype.

I tried my best to avoid Salem Al Fakir's weak Billy Joel impression at one of the many beer tents before securing myself a proper position up front for Hello Saferide. The show was everything I'd hoped for: charming and sweet; equally balancing the upbeat, poppy material with the darker, more soulful (and often far more satisfying) ballads. All of the proper album highlights were played as well as a brand new track and the recent "I was definitely made for these times" single. It wasn't quite the transcendent experience I had hoped for, but it was quite nice to finally hear the songs in-person from the band's own instruments.

After Hello Saferide, it was proper time again for more beer and meeting friends. Finally got a chance to meet up with contributor Simon Tagestam (his SMS: "Hey Avi! You at the festival? Watching rubbish Laleh...") as well as a multitude of other folks. The next band to catch my attention: The Hellacopters. An experience made all that much greater from standing next to Fredrik Holmgren of Startracks who would constantly interrupt himself to yell things like "Oh my god! This fucking song! Yes!". Yeah, they were pretty good. And then The Hives - jeez, now there's a band that know's how to work a crowd of 16,000. Performing a few tracks from the forthcoming "The black & white album" as well as a plethora of classics, Pelle and the boys put on a proper show. Even if said record ends up being a total disaster, they are still a band not to be missed on tour. That's been obvious ever since the first time I saw them blow The (International) Noise Conspiracy off the stage.

Having now hooked up with another IAT contributor, a certain Jonas Appelqvist along with photographer companion Sofia Qvarnström, we decided it was a good time to exit the main festival grounds, seek nourishment from something besides weak Swedish lager and headed up to Sticky Fingers for Juvelen and Laakso. Once we arrived, it became instantly obvious that we made the right decision because the venue filled up right after our arrival. The unmistakable Ebbot Lundberg kept the people entertained from behind the decks as we waited patiently for the show to get underway.

Juvelen proved himself to be a considerably bigger draw than I anticipated and the crowd gushed with adoration as he strutted back and forth across the stage. No backing band, just lights, smoke and a guitar. That's all he needed. The females in attendance didn't seem to mind that he kept shedding layers of clothing as well. Impressive, for sure!

Of course, the big draw of the evening, especially for me, was Laakso and they were absolutely everything I had hoped them to be. Anthemic and glorious, perhaps even a bit cathartic. They played the hits and then they played some more. Annika Norlin came out and joined them for a rousing version of "Italy vs Helsinki". The band performed with fiery vigor and not a single moment was wasted. Some say that Laakso is currently Sweden's best band. I'm inclined to agree.

I should've called it a night following Laakso, but instead I set out on a fool's errand for a proper after-after-party. A wasted effort and a long walk home, but a good way to clear my jetlagged-rattled head and wind down. Lesson learned!
(AR)

Due to a wedding on the Saturday I was only able to attend Way Out West on Friday and I also had to leave early (halfway through The Hives' decent set) which meant I missed all the club nights too. Instead of getting to see Moneybrother, Regina Spektor, Juvelen, Laakso, TTA, Säkert!, Kanye West, Franke etc I was treated to the dire 'talents' that are Salem Al Fakir, Laleh, Albert Hammond Jr and the now questionable lot of The Hellacopters. Salem Al Fakir and Laleh could have been the worse festival combo I've ever witnessed, I was in shock by their horrible performances. Thankfully, Hello Saferide turned out to be a hint of sunshine in the rain, her set was much better than I expected it to be (I'm half a fan). The weather was rubbish, it was humid and rained most of the time, but the festival itself was nice. I love festivals near city centres! I'm definitely coming back if there will be a WoW in 2008, as long as I can go to the day when all the good bands are playing (no weddings then, please).
(ST)

Anticipations for the forthcoming album by The Hives are sky-high worldwide. And by all means, they should be. We're talking about a band putting up with a lot of pressure from, like, everywhere; the media, the record label and, most of all, the fans. And they know it. 'Cause what we saw was a hungry band eager to show off some new tunes and live up to the live rumor they've earned. After being locked up in studios around the globe for a long, long time it was quite obvious that Howlin' Pelle, Chris Dangerous, Vigilante Carlstroem, Dr. Matt Destruction and Nicholaus Arson wanted to kick ass. And maybe that's what made it come off as overkill. Sure, the band is a really tight one; the entertainment is top notch (especially Howlin' Pelle's banters wherein he heckles the crowd while stating that what we're watching is the greatest band in the world) but there's a downside to the enthusiasm. The new songs suffer from the furious tempo on stage. And frankly, those songs were the ones I wanted to hear. The new single "Tick tick boom" is a good choice for the first one out from "The black and white album" with its hooks and easy sing-along, but as a whole, the other new ones tleft me a bit disappointed. The patented Hives-sound was all over and that's what I'm having problems with. Been there, done that. But hey, don't worry; the gig as a whole wasn't a disappointment. It's when these guys from Fagersta play the wonderful "AKA I.D.I.O.T" from my favorite album "Barely legal" the show starts for real! Elegant as always, they deliver punk rock for the masses with crowd pleasers such as "Walk idiot walk" and "A little more for little you" (dedicated to Nicke Andersson from The Hellacopters who was celebrating a birthday). Pelle had the crowd right where he wanted them, following his every move. And guess what?! His voice lasted the whole show. A seldom heard thing.

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of electronic dance music, or Prince for that matter. But I can tell when competent music is performed and this was one show that proved me wrong. Performing inside a club and not on a stage at an outdoor festival definitely improved Juvelen since his music is made for the dance floor. And the crowd danced! And that's what it's all about I guess. The live show is secondary in this case and it should be, as long as you have great music to back things up. The hit single "Hannah" is a perfect example of that. Sung in a high falsetto over samples and a hot-tempered distorted guitar, the tune almost gets me down on the dance floor myself. And that is perhaps the best review you can get from me, seeing that I very rarely do such a thing! I have problem with the fact that a lot of the songs get kind of monotonous, but this one man show was a small success. At least if you're dancing.

Entering the stage 1:30 am and what a show they put on! Laakso's "Mother, am i good looking?" is one of this year's best records this far and Avi, photographer Sofia and me weren't the only ones at the venue with that opinion. Right from the first chords of "Worst case scenario", the band kickstarts into a euphoric journey full of Markus Krunegård's lyrical anguish with the added glam touch and disharmonic guitar licks of Bear Quartet's Jari Haapalainen. You could definitely tell that the band really loved this gig as they repeatedly stated that the clock was too much. The wonderful storytelling on "Västerbron", the heavy metal shouts on "In my blood", the reckless drumming on "Hang me in the Christmas Tree" and, of course the duet with Annika Norlin on "Italy vs Helsinki"; all that made this gig a tremendous experience.
(JA)

Saturday

The euphoria of the previous evening must've still been with me because I rose early again, ready and raring to go despite very few hours of sleep. I had some doubts about passing on The Pogues the previous night, but those fears were allayed from friends who declared the performance to be a pathetic travesty of a freakshow. No thank you! So with that, it was off for another long day of performances, starting off with Florence Valentin who were a perfect, rousing way to start the afternoon. The band's ample membership filled the Linné stage and their considerable energy got the crowd moving. That's some classic Göteborg indiepop done right and I'm glad they're back.

From Florence Valentin, it was back to the beer tent for refreshment after a quick glimpse at Shout Out Louds who were just as exciting as expected (read: not very). Caught a few songs from Sparta somewhere in there, then back for more beers to allay the boredom of the mid-afternoon lull. It was quite telling that the random dude Devandra Banhart invited up to perform a song far outshined the man himself. Moneybrother, sadly, proved to be equally lackluster, especially when compared to the full band with strings show I saw at Umeå Open two years ago. Again: no thanks.

Peter Bjorn and John on the other hand, delivered a strong and confident set, no doubt a testament to their endless tour schedule. Seeing as how they are still a small-stage act in their native Sweden, the set was all top-shelf material of wall-to-wall hits. Once again, Annika Norlin came out for a duet, this time filling in for Victoria Bergsman on the ubiquitous "Young folks". Well done! Funny that I had to travel thousands of miles to finally see these guys in the flesh, but I know it won't be for the last time. A small taste here at Way Out West whetted my appetite for the band's forthcoming club tour in the US this fall.

A break now for dinner (including a decent Swedish microbrew! shocking!) and then back in time for Säkert!, yet another festival highlight. Obviously I'm a big fan of Hello Saferide, but seeing Annika with the good folks of Isolation Years (plus Henrik Oya of The Spacious Mind and Jakob Nyström's sister Lovisa on keys/backing vocals) was fantastic. No gueststars today as all duets were aptly handled in-band, not that it mattered. They wrapped up the Parksommar tour here in top-notch style. The driving stomp of set-closer "Allt som är dit" was perfection and the crowd responded in kind. After that, I wandered over to catch the tail-end of The Ark's set, but was driven to seek shelter by the pounding rain. Had I been up front with sympathetic souls, I'm sure I would've loved it, but I opted for the easier (and drier) choice of watching from the safety of the beer tent. Hearing Ola Salo deliver a verse from "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg" during one of their triumphant breakdowns was a nice touch.

Lily Allen replacement Teddybears STHLM proved to be far better than expected. Despite having a softspot for the band's obnoxious early years as a hardcore band, there's no denying the group's reinvention as the new century's biggest hitfactory. Each and every song, another solid gold single. It also must be said that the overwhelmingly surreal experience of thousands singing along to final track "Punkrocker" was a capper. "Cuz I'm a punkrocker, yes I am!" Oh, really?

The spectacle of Kanye West was alluring, even moreso with the promise of a PB&J cameo, but my friends and I opted instead for the elusive Franke. Bad move! Not that Kanye West would've been much better (reports have not been flattering), but Franke was absolutely dreadful. The sound was shit and so was the performance. By far the biggest disappointment of the entire festival. Wisely, we decided to cut our losses and headed back to the Norrländska Generalkonsulatet for late-night Randy and Bruce Springsteen singalongs plus plenty of Norrlands Guld. Now that is a proper way to end an evening and a perfect conclusion to the Way Out West experience.
(AR)

Anders Wendin has been a class act entertainer ever since the days he fronted the sadly missed Monster. Something that's oh so obvious at this gig as well. As with The Hives, Moneybrother also have a new record due to be released and the focus is concentrated on material from that one, "Mount pleasure". Apart from the first single "Just another summer" ,I have not yet heard the record, but what they presented live sounded great and familiar. And that is, as always, a problem. The songs sound a bit too alike live. But when putting on such a live show, you're excused. This, the only Moneybrother festival gig this year, was a pure discharge after just recently completing a summer tour. And with hits like "They're building walls around us", "The pressure" and the marvelous final number "Reconsider me", you just can't go wrong. Too bad the guys (presented by Anders as the most attractive band out there) had some difficulties with the sound at times, but that's a problem I can overlook. I can't wait to see this again in a more intimate club venue some time soon.

I'm sure everyone knows about Annika Norlin's Säkert! by now. But I could never imagine that she'd bring such an all-star team to Way Out West. The fellow musicians were, among others, Mats Hammarström and Jakob Nyström from Isolation Years, Henrik Oja from David Sandström Overdrive and Tonteknik and other studios way up north (he's like the Swedish equivalence to Steve Albini, lots of great records bear his mark)! Aware of this fact or not, the crowd was euphoric and sang along to every song. The feeling in that big tent was a warm and fuzzy one and just what this, in Annika's own words, more outspoken cousin to Hello Saferide deserves. As much as I adore HS, I must say that Säkert! gets to me in a more direct way. And that's not at all just about me understanding the words, the music is more exposed and in your face. This is exactly why this was a really nice experience. With only one record out, the band can only do so much, but what they did was more than enough. Hearing Jakob singing Martin Hanberg's part on "Sanningsdan" is something I will remember as one of the finest things from this festival. The only downside was that Juliette & the Licks drowned some of the more mellow songs with their mediocre rock n' roll. Definitely nothing that Annika can be held responsible for. All in all, one of the finest shows at the festival!
(JA)

What can I say? Way Out West was a smashing success. And I nearly missed it. Who could have thought that this rookie-festival would sell out as fast as it did? With such a strong line up, it was a matter of time really, but several weeks ahead? And with me being quite lazy, well, Friday came and I still had no ticket. I did try though, I even went to the black market, but no. The Hives, Hello Saferide, The Hellacopters, and I wasn't there. Saturday came and I was about to lose all hope when luck finally came about. 200 extra tickets where released on demand and I got one. Off to the festival then!

Even though I couldn't make it the day before, I wasn't all bummed out. Saturday actually held a couple of really good and exciting Scandinavian bands as well. I missed Shout Out Louds due to my ticket problem, but since I've already seen them on just about every festival this summer, I couldn't care less. A little part of me felt sad for not being able to see the Saturday opening act Florence Valentin though. Instead, I arrived right on time to catch the one and only Moneybrother. In 2003 I saw Anders Wendin perform on one of the smaller stages on Accelerator, The Big One. Some had heard of Monster, none had heard of Moneybrother. And the gig was great. The two following records, "Blood panic" and "To die alone" were also great. Moneybrother was here to stay. But things change - sometimes you can only push things to a limit and thereafter it becomes boring. Anders Wendin and his colleagues give their best, but the news songs simply won't stick to my mind. No, more of the old Anders and less of Bruce Springsteen/Ulf Lundell.

Peter Bjorn and John. I've given these guys a hard time in the past, I know. I still think "Writers' Block" is a mediocre record, but live these guys rock! The place is crowded and I even forgive those who wait for that one special song alone. There's no Victoria Bergman on guest vocals today, but Annika Norlin from Säkert!/Hello Saferide still manages to give a golden touch to the indie anthem "Young folks". The gossip of today is, or course, what will Peter Bjorn and John pull off when they are to play with Kanye West this evening? Speaking of Annika Norlin, I was quite sceptical of her new project Säkert! when I heard the first single "Vi kommer att dö samtidigt", but yet again, I'm overwhelmed by the outcome live. It just sounds great. A little bit more raw and intense, exactly how I like my music. Annika Norlin is truly something special.

I skipped Timo Räisänen to get something to get something to eat and a new set of dry clothes (the sky opened up during the Regina Spektor concert, of course). I wasn't that sad about it, you've heard one Timo song, you've heard them all. Come to think of it, having already released two records, with a third on the way, and still getting to play just about anywhere, the guy must be doing something right. But you can't argue with hunger and cold. The Ark played about every festival I've been to this summer as well, but I still haven't been to an entire concert up to now. Why you ask? Well, it tends to become quite static after a while. This time it's different. As Ola Salo points out, it's the almost the end of the summer and soon enough it's back to school or to the old job. And we don't want that. So they play and we sing along.

Lilly Allen had to cancel, say hello to Teddybears STHLM! I've never been too fond of this band either (I know, I sound like a grumpy old man), but you can't argue with the hits. Who can say no to "Cobra style", "Punkrocker" and "Hey boy"? But there's Way Out West for you, bands you didn't expect to do well, did awesome instead.

I really wanted to get in the day before as well, but the Saturday alone gave me the chills. Too bad I was trapped inside a manic crowd during Kanye West (and yeah, Peter Bjorn and John did play "Young folks" again. This time it sucked though), I really wanted to see a couple of songs with Franke. Next time perhaps.
(CS)

Who's who:

CS: Christian Stenbacke

ST: Simon Tagestam

AR: Avi Roig

JA: Jonas Appelqvist

Pics by Sofia Qvarnström]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 articles fest http://www.itsatrap.com/n/682 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/682 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/682#comments Slow news day = me finding random interesting things to post. Check out Lovisa Nyström (sister of Jakob from Isolation Years) covering a Wilco song på Svenska with help from David Sandström: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyFfXyY0xdU]]> Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1472 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1472 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1472#comments This week's playlist for my show on Sirius:

01. Kristofer Åström - The dark
02. TALK 1
03. Amandine - Better soil
04. Christel Alsos - What you gotta do
05. Tarantula - Two arrows
06. TALK 2
07. Kristin Asbjørnsen - I'm on my way
08. Thomas Denver Jonsson - Dreams at the film club
09. Tenderloud - Texas down
10. TALK 3
11. Hyacinth House - Ghost town
12. Strayfolk - I'll be a-goin'
13. The First Miles - Bottle, don't let me down
14. TALK 4
15. Hello Saferide - I was definitely made for these times
16. Hederos & Hellberg - I can't hold myself in line
17. Two Times the Trauma - I fell in love with an ocean
18. David Sandström Overdrive - The Fatville Treaty
19. HGH - Stupid song
20. TALK 5
21. Gorgoroth - Procreating Satan
22. Enslaved - The voices
23. Invocator - Breed of sin
24. TALK 6
25. Seance - Post mortem
26. Watain - Underneath the cenotaph
27. Dark Tranquility - Icipher
28. TALK 7
29. Eucharist - The Eucharist
30. At the Gates - Slaughter of the soul
31. Wolfbrigade - EU (European Union)
32. TALK 8
33. Katatonia - Had to (leave)
34. Bloodbath - Soul evisceration
35. Cult of Luna - The revelation embodied
36. TALK 9
37. Finntroll - Slaget vid blodsälv]]> Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2102 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2102 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2102#comments The Final Exit complete discography retrospective collection "Det engentliga Västerbotten - Komplett diskografi 94-97" will be released on April 2, just a few days after they play a reunion gig at Umeå Open. David Sandström's label Mofab Teg will handle the CD and Wasted Sounds will do the vinyl.]]> Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2597 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2597 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2597#comments Wasted Sounds will be reissuing Final Exit's discography on vinyl. The legendary Umeå-based straight-edge band included both Dennis Lyxzen and David Sandström pre-Refused and will be performing a one-off reunion show at this year's Umeå Open. In other Wasted Sounds news, the label will be sending off new LPs from Knugen Faller, Blinds and Asta Kask to get pressed in the next week or so. For preorder info and tons of tourdates for all Wasted Sounds-affiliated acts, go to their website: http://www.wastedsounds.com/]]> Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25666-top-10s-for-2006-magnus-Oberg-nomethod-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25666-top-10s-for-2006-magnus-Oberg-nomethod-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25666-top-10s-for-2006-magnus-Oberg-nomethod-records#comments 01. Mixtapes & Cellmates debut album
They went out to David Sandström's house in the woods and came back with pure magic

02. MABD - Ditt hjärta är en stjärna CD
Mattias Alkberg's finest work to date (except for "Cosy den" by the mighty BQ)

03. J-O Waldner documentary
He is god.

04. Umeå club scene
Getting better & better. This fall has been intense.

05. Italy
Visiting Italy is always great. This year in Catania (Sicily) and Trento (northern Italy) was amazing.

06. Apple
Goodbye Microsoft, I won't return to you.

07. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped CD
The comeback of the greatest band ever. Touching "Daydream nation" greatness.

08. Aerial - The Sentinel CD
Wow. Wow. Wow. they made THIS only 1 year efter "Black rain from the bombing". Can't wait for when they give an album at least 2 years time.

09. TV on the Radio - Return to cookie mountain CD
No comments needed.

10. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Chameleon (Song)
I'm almost dancing (!!!)


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

As mentioned above, look for new releases from Mixtapes & Cellmates and Aerial in 2007 from Nomethod.
www.nomethod.se
www.myspace.com/nomethodrecords

]]> Mon, 25 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3397 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3397 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3397#comments David Sandström has put a new face on his website with a bunch of tracks for download: http://www.david-sandstrom.com/
Look for a new album around fall '07.]]> Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27862-mp3-final-exit-roles-and-rules http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27862-mp3-final-exit-roles-and-rules http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27862-mp3-final-exit-roles-and-rules#comments It's Friday and I'm off work for the extended holiday weekend and I've got my brother and sister-in-law visiting, so no news update today. However, I still have a classic track for you today, courtesy of contributor Jonas Appelqvist. Timely too, considering the recent Straight Edge Terror Force strike on the Systembolaget in Umeå.

When I first heard Final Exit back in '95 on their first full-length "Teg" I was blown away. Not only because of the uncompromising hardcore they delivered, the rumour also had it that David Sandström and Dennis Lyxzén were members of the up-til-then secret band (something that proved to be true). With titles such as "True til maturity", "Straight edge terror force", "The beginning" and "Wife and kids and television grave" they pushed the boundaries and really set the records straight(!). I got to see them once on their "We are splitting up and you don't care"-tour and it is still the best gig I've ever been to. Truly brilliant! The mp3-post featured here is taken from the second album called "Umeå". Ladies and gents: sit back and enjoy!

If any members of said sXe Terror Force are interested in talking to the press, er uh me, I encourage you to get in touch.]]> Fri, 24 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3642 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3642 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3642#comments Nomethod reports that Mixtapes & Cellmates will be going into David Sandström's studio in Ånäset on Monday with Oskar Sandlund (David Sandström Overdrive) to begin recording their debut full-length. Oh, and David will be laying down some drum tracks besides just lending them his space. Expect a February release with a new netrelease EP for the first single in January.]]> Fri, 17 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3660 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3660 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3660#comments Straight Edge Terror Force strikes in Umeå: http://www.thelocal.se/5530/
The band is actually supposed to be Final Exit, the group that David Sandström and Dennis Lyxzén were in before founding Refused.]]> Thu, 16 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27995-mp3-text-those-kids-are-gone http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27995-mp3-text-those-kids-are-gone http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27995-mp3-text-those-kids-are-gone#comments Happy Friday everyone! This week's flashback post belongs to Matt Giordano:

For my first mp3 posting of an older track I chose "Those kids are gone" by Text. For those who are unaware, Text was a collective featuring most of the Refused members (Dennis being the one absent). Whilst most of the disc is spoken word, this track really sticks out. Not only is it the catchiest song on the record, but also because of its production quality. It's one of the rawest acoustic tracks I have ever heard, and David Sandström's melody is quite beautiful. And since this track was only performed by him, it, at the time, was giving you hints at what to expect from his solo work, as well as David Sandström Overdrive.

The whole album used to be available for free download at the Demonbox site, but the links are broken. However, you can still go there to read more about the band.]]> Fri, 19 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26212-refused-refused-are-fucking-dead-dvd-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26212-refused-refused-are-fucking-dead-dvd-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26212-refused-refused-are-fucking-dead-dvd-burning-heart-records#comments "The 'Chinese Democracy' of punkrock". The statement in the press release from Burning Heart couldn't be more right. The waiting has been long and the expectations incredibly high. But the comparisons with the Axl Rose-monster stops there. While he seems to be more and more of a shadow of his former self, most Refused-members have great musical careers apart from the old band (Dennis in The (International) Noise Conspiracy, David in David Sandström Overdrive and Jon as Jon F. Kennedy [ed: and don't forget ex-bassist Magnus and Cobolt]). Lots of us grew up with Refused. We went to their gigs, bought every record and sought extrication from other punkbands often lousy records and live shows. When Refused got up on stage or went into the studio we knew magic would come out of it. And that's what makes it so hard to watch this DVD. Sure, the music and photography is brilliant and ex-guitarist Kristofer Steen has made this movie with love, I can tell; but the story about why the band broke up and the feelings evolving around that is never deeply penetrated. My feeling is that they are just scratching the surface. The band broke up during the USA-tour following the masterpiece "The shape of punk to come". All members get interviewed thoroughly and they're giving answers to some things never mentioned before, but when I watch "Refused are fucking dead" I can't help but think "I know this already, I know about the whole scenario. I want to get under their skins and really know how they felt about each other." That makes me wonder one other thing: who is this movie really made for? If you're like me, there's nothing new under the sun in these 38 minutes. And if you're someone who's just interested in what Refused was, the movie can seem a bit too self-centered, as if the filmmakers think it's obvious that people know who this band was. And believe me, as much as I'd like that everyone should know, not all people do know the Refused-story. The extra material is two videos ("New noise" and "Rather be dead") and live clips of every song featured on "The shape of punk to come". Oh, and speaking of liveclips; it's not ok to edit a livegig for a DVD-release. I happen to know for a fact that the samples in "New noise" weren't present during the Popstad-gig in the movie. It's not ok to pretend that everything's alright. At least we can take comfort in that no matter how much I dislike this DVD, "Chinese Democracy" will be even worse. Time will tell.]]> Fri, 05 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7593 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7593 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7593#comments Nominees for this year's Manifest Awards, Sweden's alternative to the Grammy:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners will be announced on February 9.]]> Tue, 10 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7717 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7717 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7717#comments This week's top artists for the It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group:

01. The Decemberists
02. Death Cab for Cutie
03. Bright Eyes
04. The Arcade Fire
05. Håkan Hellström
06. Laakso
07. Belle and Sebastian
08. Mew
09. Antony and the Johnsons
10. Jens Lekman

Top tracks:

01. Håkan Hellström - Klubbland
02. Death Cab for Cutie - Soul Meets Body
03. Laakso - High Drama
04. Cat Power - The Greatest
05. Death Cab for Cutie - Marching Bands of Manhattan
06. David Sandström Overdrive - Get on with your life
07. Håkan Hellström - Jag Vill Ha Allting
08. Håkan Hellström - Precis som Romeo
09. Antony and the Johnsons - Hope There's Someone
10. Håkan Hellström - Augusti I Helvetet

Want to see your favorites listed here? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Mon, 02 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7736 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7736 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7736#comments Of all the post-Refused bands, I like David Sandström's stuff the best. He made one brilliant Scandinavian folk-inspired album ("Om det inte händer nåt innan i morgon så kommer jag") and then reinvented himself as a singer/songwriter. Quite a distance from his beginnings as Final Exit's frontman, eh? His latest album "Go down" almost made it into my top 10 for the year, but I listened to it too much and burnt myself out. It's still a great record, we just need some time apart y'know? Today's track is David's take on Stina Nordenstam's lead single from her last record "The world is saved". It's interesting to note how well the song works in a rock context - even with all of Stina's pop artifice stripped away, you still have a great song.]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28071-mp3-david-sandstrom-overdrive-get-on-with-your-life http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28071-mp3-david-sandstrom-overdrive-get-on-with-your-life http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28071-mp3-david-sandstrom-overdrive-get-on-with-your-life#comments Of all the post-Refused bands, I like David Sandström's stuff the best. He made one brilliant Scandinavian folk-inspired album ("Om det inte händer nåt innan i morgon så kommer jag") and then reinvented himself as a singer/songwriter. Quite a distance from his beginnings as Final Exit's frontman, eh? His latest album "Go down" almost made it into my top 10 for the year, but I listened to it too much and burnt myself out. It's still a great record, we just need some time apart y'know? Today's track is David's take on Stina Nordenstam's lead single from her last record "The world is saved". It's interesting to note how well the song works in a rock context - even with all of Stina's pop artifice stripped away, you still have a great song.]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25529-top-10s-for-2005-its-a-trap http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25529-top-10s-for-2005-its-a-trap http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25529-top-10s-for-2005-its-a-trap#comments Top ten albums for 2005 (in alphabetical order):

01. A-ha - Analogue (Universal)
I'm not usually one to fall for big pop albums like this, but A-ha has the class, maturity and songwriting skills to pull it off right.

02. Alog - Miniatures (Rune Grammofon)
This Norwegian duo combines electronic music, found-sound and analog instruments in astounding ways. The tools are anything but new, but the sounds they create are brilliant.

03. Bear Quartet - Saturday night (A West Side Fabrication)
Sweden's leading indierock act promised a difficult album and they delivered. Very few bands this far into their career would continue to innovate and evolve like The Bear Quartet.

04. Det Gamla Landet - s/t (Aa)
The soundtrack to a spaghetti western that has yet to be made. Beautiful and Evocative. [BUY]

05. Hyacinth House - s/t (True Music Production)
The dark horse of my list. It's very rare that some unknown, unproven band makes such an impact on me, but HH was such a band. On the surface there isn't really anything too special about these guys: country/twang with a healthy dose of classic rock. Been there, done that, right? Wrong.

06. Isolation Years - Cover the distance (NONS)
While not the best album of their career thus far ("It's golden" is my current #1), this is still 1000x more satisfying than so many other records I heard in 2005. I know I'll be able to put this on five years from now and will still enjoy it just the same.

07. Logh - A sunset panorama (Bad Taste/Hydrahead)
As with Isolation Years, this album is not Logh's best work, but it's still damn good. They took a brave, high-minded concept (recording live in the studio with almost zero overdubs) and pulled it off. [BUY]

08. Plain Fade - Lies, sanctions and cruise missles (Punos Sound)
I knew from the very first moment I heard Plain Fade that they were something special. After months of waiting for the debut CD to arrive, I was able to confirm it. [BUY]

09. The Psyke Project - Daikini (CPH-Sound)
As Aversionline said, "this is one of those rare instances where all of the typical "skull-crushing", "paint-peeling", "face-ripping", "ear-shredding" analogies do indeed apply." The finest heavy record I've heard in ages. [BUY]

10. Tiger Lou - The loyal (Startracks)
What don't I love about Tiger Lou? Every new release improves upon the last and of course the latest record is no exception. [BUY]

Honorable mentions:

Hello Saferide - Introducing... (Razzia)
I didn't really get behind this album at first because it's just so... nice. I usually tend towards edgier stuff, y'know? But my wife, bless her heart, kept playing it and it kept growing on me.

Moneybrother - To die alone (Burning Heart)
Even though it didn't make my final top 10 list, I know this is probably the #1 Swedish pop album for a lot of people. Of all the majorly hyped acts this year, Moneybrother truly deserved it.

Monkeystrikes - You hate my beautiful love (Dust Music)
Another album that I learned to love through repeated listenings by my wife. Seriously underappreciated.

David Sandström Overdrive - Go down (Mofab Teg)
Another strong contender for the top 10 that just didn't quite make it. Just like Isolation Years, this will still sound just as satisfying in years to come.

The End Will Be Kicks - s/t (Chalksounds)
Long awaited and much anticipated. Thank god it lives up to expectations. Nobodoy does noisy Norrland indierock like Niklas Quintana. [BUY]

Notable EPs:

Convoj - s/t (Chalksounds) [BUY]

Firefox AK - What's that sound (Razzia/Combat Disc) [BUY]

I'm From Barcelona - Sing!! (self-released)

Seven Feet Four - To kill is easy (Hysteri/Tenderversion) [BUY]

Torpedo - Declare despair (Strange Fruit)

]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7955 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7955 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7955#comments The latest top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
02. (09) The Sorayas - "Hours to Days"
03. (05) Gorillaz - "Dirty Harry"
04. (02) The White Stripes - "The Denial Twist"
05. (07) Róisín Murphy - "Sow Into You"
06. (06) The Fine Arts Showcase - "Chemical Girl"
07. (05) Franz Ferdinand - "Walk Away"
08. (08) El Perro Del Mar - "God Knows (You Gotta Give To Get)"
09. (04) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
10. (13) Dannii Minogue & The Soul Seekerz - "Perfection"
11. (11) Unarmed Enemies - "Missing Out"
12. (10) ObnoXiuz - "Lägg benen på ryggen och dra"
13. (NY) Håkan Hellström - "13"
14. (17) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Is This Love?"
15. (NY) The Mitchell Brothers - "Alone With the TV"
16. (NY) Peshi - "Jasper Flute"
17. (NY) Monastir - "So Defeated"
18. (18) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Weight of the World"
19. (12) Goldfrapp - "Number 1"
20. (14) Baby Shambles - "Albion"

Leaving the chart: The Embassy, Queens of the Stone Age, Röyksopp and Saïan Supa Crew.]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8096 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8096 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8096#comments The latest Swedish student radio top 20 chart:

01. (01) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
02. (03) The White Stripes - "The Denial Twist"
03. (04) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
04. (02) Franz Ferdinand - "Walk Away"
05. (13) Gorillaz - "Dirty Harry"
06. (NY) The Fine Arts Showcase - "Chemical Girl"
07. (06) Róisín Murphy - "Sow Into You"
08. (05) El Perro Del Mar - "God Knows (You Gotta Give To Get)"
09. (NY) The Sorayas - "Hours to Days"
10. (08) ObnoXiuz - "Lägg benen på ryggen och dra"
11. (NY) Unarmed Enemies - "Missing Out"
12. (14) Goldfrapp - "Number 1"
13. (NY) Dannii Minogue & The Soul Seekerz - "Perfection"
14. (10) Baby Shambles - "Albion"
15. (11) The Embassy - "It Pays to Belong"
16. (NY) Queens of the Stone Age - "Burn the Witch"
17. (07) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Is This Love?"
18. (NY) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Weight of the World"
19. (17) Saïan Supa Crew - "La Patte"
20. (20) Röyksopp - "What Else Is There?"

Leaving the chart: Architecture in Helsinki, Christian Kjellvander, Ella Rouge, Lethal Bizzie, Stereophonics and Test Icicles.]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8146 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8146 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8146#comments This week's top 20 Swedish student album chart:

01. (01) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
02. (03) Franz Ferdinand - "Walk Away"
03. (NY) The White Stripes - "The Denial Twist"
04. (09) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
05. (NY) El Perro Del Mar - "God Knows (You Gotta Give To Get)"
06. (07) Róisín Murphy - "Sow Into You"
07. (20) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Is This Love?"
08. (08) ObnoXiuz - "Lägg benen på ryggen och dra"
09. (NY) Lethal Bizzie - "Fire"
10. (NY) Baby Shambles - "Albion"
11. (05) The Embassy - "It Pays to Belong"
12. (05) Test Icicles - "Circle Square Triangle"
13. (17) Gorillaz - "Dirty Harry"
14. (11) Goldfrapp - "Number 1"
15. (NY) Ella Rouge - "Jekyll N Hyde"
16. (04) Christian Kjellvander - "Drunken Hands"
17. (06) Saïan Supa Crew - "La Patte"
18. (ÅT) Architecture in Helsinki - "Do the Whirlwind"
19. (NY) Stereophonics - "Devil"
20. (13) Röyksopp - "What Else Is There?"

Leaving the chart: Karl Larsson, Kristian Anttila, Le Sport, Rihanna, Sophie Zelmani, Tiger Lou and The Sunshine.]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8216 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8216 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8216#comments This week's Swedish student radio chart:

01. (02) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
02. (02) Tiger Lou - "The Loyal"
03. (03) Franz Ferdinand - "Walk Away"
04. (04) Christian Kjellvander - "Drunken Hands"
05. (11) The Embassy - "It Pays to Belong"
06. (06) Saïan Supa Crew - "La Patte"
07. (NY) Róisín Murphy - "Sow Into You"
08. (NY) ObnoXiuz - "Lägg benen på ryggen och dra"
09. (07) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
10. (10) The Sunshine - "Simon Le Bon"
11. (NY) Goldfrapp - "Number 1"
12. (05) Test Icicles - "Circle Square Triangle"
13. (12) Röyksopp - "What Else Is There?"
14. (NY) Rihanna - "If It's Lovin That U Want"
15. (15) Le Sport - "Business Girls"
16. (16) Karl Larsson - "Devil Strings"
17. (NY) Gorillaz - "Dirty Harry"
18. (17) Sophie Zelmani - "I Can't Change"
19. (09) Kristian Anttila - "Paul Weller"
20. (18) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Is This Love?"

Leaving the chart: Architecture in Helsinki, Bloc Party, Loveninjas, The Pipettes and Pharell.]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8297 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8297 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8297#comments This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (02) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
02. (03) Tiger Lou - "The Loyal"
03. (NY) Franz Ferdinand - "Walk Away"
04. (04) Christian Kjellvander - "Drunken Hands"
05. (01) Test Icicles - "Circle Square Triangle"
06. (07) Saïan Supa Crew - "La Patte"
07. (09) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
08. (10) The Pipettes - "Dirty Mind"
09. (15) Kristian Antilla - "Paul Weller"
10. (16) The Sunshine - "Simon Le Bon"
11. (06) The Embassy - "It Pays to Belong"
12. (13) Röyksopp - "What Else is There?"
13. (14) Pharell - "Angel"
14. (20) Loveninjas - "Keep Your Love"
15. (NY) Le Sport - "Business Girls"
16. (NY) Karl Larsson - "Devil Strings"
17. (NY) Sophie Zelmani - "I Can't Change"
18. (18) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah "Is This Love?"
19. (ÅT) Bloc Party - "Two More Years"
20. (ÅT) Architecture in Helsinki - "Do the Whirlwind"

Leaving the chart: Katie Goes to Tokyo, Queens of the Stone Age, Randy, Sophie Rimheden, The Strokes and Willowtree.]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8426 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8426 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8426#comments This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (03) Test Icicles - "Circle Square Triangle"
02. (08) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
03. (04) Tiger Lou - "The Loyal"
04. (05) Christian Kjellvander - "Drunken Hands"
05. (17) The Strokes - "Juicebox"
06. (NY) The Embassy - "It Pays to Belong"
07. (06) Saïan Supa Crew - "La Patte"
08. (04) Queens of the Stone Age - "Burn the Witch"
09. (07) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
10. (NY) The Pipettes - "Dirty Mind"
11. (11) Katie Goes to Tokyo - "Moving From This Town"
12. (09) Willowtree - "Attention Ms"
13. (15) Röyksopp - "What Else is There?"
14. (NY) Pharrell - "Angel"
15. (01) Kristian Anttila - "Paul Weller"
16. (NY) The Sunshine - "Simon Le Bon"
17. (12) Sophie Rimheden - "Can You Save Me?"
18. (NY) Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah - "Is This Love?"
19. (18) Randy - "Razorblade"
20. (20) Loveninjas - "Keep Your Love"

Leaving the chart: Architecture in Helsinki, Bloc Party, Princess Superstar, Thåström and Tiga.]]> Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8482 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8482 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8482#comments This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Kristian Anttila - "Paul Weller"
02. (05) Tiger Lou - "The Loyal"
03. (NY) Test Icicles - "Circle Square Triangle"
04. (NY) Queens of the Stone Age - " Burn the Witch"
05. (07) Christian Kjellvander - "Drunken Hands"
06. (14) Saian Supa Crew - "La Patte"
07. (04) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
08. (NY) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
09. (03) Willowtree - "Attention Ms"
10. (05) Tiga - "You Gonna Want Me"
11. (06) Katie Goes to Tokyo - "Moving From This Town"
12. (19) Sophie Rimheden - "Can You Save Me"
13. (09) Bloc Party - "Two More Years"
14. (NY) Architecture in Helsinki - "Do the Whirlwind"
15. (12) Röyksopp - "What Else is There?"
16. (NY) Thåström - "Fanfanfan"
17. (NY) The Strokes - "Juicebox"
18. (ÅT) Randy - "Razorblade"
19. (15) Princess Superstar - "My Machine"
20. (11) Loveninjas - "Keep Your Love"

Leaving the chart: Acid House Kings, Brakes, CDOASS, Paris, Pharell, Pete Philly & Perquisite and The Rakes]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25496-podcast-build-it-up-break-it-down-mess-it-up http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25496-podcast-build-it-up-break-it-down-mess-it-up http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25496-podcast-build-it-up-break-it-down-mess-it-up#comments DATE ADDED : 09.25.05
LENGTH : 53:48 min
DOWNLOAD : itsatrap_podcast_09252005.mp3 (37.8mb)
RSS : [click here]

Tracklist:
01. I'm from Barcelona - Treehouse
02. Det Gamla Landet - Utan precis som innan
03. Soviac - The halte jick
04. Kompjotr Eplektrika - Destrukkt (excerpt)
05. Seven Feet Four - Leave your cell
06. Firefox AK - Keep it up
07. Plain Fade - Chips falling where they may
08. Robyn - Robotboy
09. Silverbullit - Once upon a time
10. The Psyke Project - Fimbul
11. The Idealist - A single pistol shot VS. Pan Sonic - Puhdistus VS. Kompjotr Eplektrika - Dialears
12. Magyar Posse - Singlesparks are spectral fires
13. Fireside - Cisco heat
14. Viola - Kiss and break up (Verneri Lumi remix)
15. Bear Quartet - I have an itch
16. Junip - Turn to the assassin
17. David Sandström Overdrive - Leni Leni

]]> Sun, 25 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 articles podcast http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9467 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9467 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9467#comments This week's MTV UpNorth video chart:

01. Midnight Monkeys - Monkeys On Attack
02. Apulanta - Pahempi Toistaan
03. TwoPointEight - Red Eye
04. Darin - Why Does It Rain
05. Östermalm - Le Åt Allt
06. Division Of Laura Lee - Dirty Love
07. Peshi - Hush Hush
08. Lene Marlin - How Will It Be
09. Laleh - Live Tomorrow
10. Hellacopters - Everything's On TV
11. Firefox - What's That Sound
12. Röyksopp - Only This Moment
13. Svenska Akademin - Du Vill Så Du Kan
14. Alcazar - Start The Firt
15. Jori Hulkkonen - Lo Fiction
16. Marion Raven - Break You
17. JR Ewing - Fucking & Champagne
18. Madrugada - Stories From The Streets
19. Oscar Sharp / Melo - Runaway
20. David Sandström - Here Is For Summer

Challengers:
01. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Station To Station
02. Prominent - Lucky Day
03. Isolation Years - Yellow Cross On Blue
04. The Rasmus - No Fear
05. Him - Wings Of A Butterfly

Go here to vote for your favorite: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=4753]]> Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9572 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9572 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9572#comments This week's MTV UpNorth video chart:

01. Apulanta - Pahempi Toistaan
02. Division Of Laura Lee - Dirty Love
03. Laleh - Live Tomorrow
04. TwoPointEight - Red Eye
05. Peshi - Hush Hush
06. Darin - Why Does It Rain
07. Midnight Monkeys - Monkeys On Attack
08. Alcazar - Start The Firt
09. Röyksopp - Only This Moment
10. Hellacopters - Everything's On TV
11. JR Ewing - Fucking & Champagne
12. Tingsek - Egoflow
13. Brandon - What U See
14. Timbuktu - Det Löser Sig
15. Jori Hulkkonen - Lo Fiction
16. Madrugada - Stories From The Streets
17. Östermalm - Le Åt Allt
18. Soak The Sin - Hands Up
19. Looptroop - Chana Masala
20. Lene Marlin - How Will It Be

Challengers:
01. Svenska Akademin - Du Vill Så Du Kan
02. Oscar Sharp / Melo - Runaway
03. Marion Raven - Break You
04. David Sandström - Here Is For Summer
05. Firefox - What's That Sound

Go here to vote for your favorite: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=4753]]> Mon, 08 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25488-podcast-the-sound-of-umea http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25488-podcast-the-sound-of-umea http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25488-podcast-the-sound-of-umea#comments DATE ADDED : 08.04.05
LENGTH : 31:08 min
DOWNLOAD : itsatrap_podcast_08042005.mp3 (21.9mb)
RSS : [click here]

Tracklist:
01. Knugen Faller - Inte som ni
02. Refused - New noise
03. KVLR - Capitol city child
04. David Sandström Overdrive - Puppet arms
05. The Spacious Mind - Rotvälta 5
06. Meshuggah - Shed
07. Isolation Years - Cover the distance

]]> Thu, 04 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 articles podcast http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25484-festival-report-hultsfred-festivalen-05 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25484-festival-report-hultsfred-festivalen-05 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25484-festival-report-hultsfred-festivalen-05#comments

I'm at the age now (I LOVE that phrase!) where I belong to the older sphere of people who attend music festivals (aged 25 and upwards). This is nothing that bothers me, I'm pretty used to going to gigs where everyone is half my age (and length), but what I find silly is how people indulge in saying how they're "too old" for festivals, as if ageing by itself gives you specific attributes that automatically make you hate being among large groups of young people and seeing bands play live outdoors. Personally, I think that I've enjoyed going to festivals more and more the older I've got. Take this for example, the first festival I went to was the Hultsfred Festival around when I was 16 or so, and that time I saw 40-50 bands, didn't have a shit for 5 days (did I just say that?), nor a shower (oooh, I sure was a hit with the ladies), and every day I had crappy noodles cooked on a crappy portable stove that took ages to clean afterwards. The last festival I went to was also the Hultsfred Festival (16-18th June). This time I "only" went to see 16 bands, had a shower every day, and ate good properly cooked food, (constipation was never an issue). So far I've always camped when I've gone to a festival, although this will soon change. Basically, what I'm saying is that festivals are ace if you got a monthly salary, can get drunk without having to spend your life savings on a bottle of dodgy vodka mixed with water and dirt, got a car (or a friend with one) so that you can bring all the extra necessities you might need (boots, raincoats, extra beer, tons of mixtapes, etc), and it's also good when you've seen a lot of the bands on the festival before so you can spend a large amount of the time sitting around with your mates in the sun getting drunk (and not crazy "teenage" drunk, only pretty goddamn drunk). I didn't mind being a teenager and "wild", but if I'm going to a place where the beer is flowing like wine and the general mindset among people is that of the citizens of Sodom and Gomorra, I rather be a bit older and boring than totally senseless (and end up being taken by the cops because the security guards assume you're on drugs because you act a bit "wild", something that might have happened to me a long, long time ago).

Anyway, I went all the way from London to go to this festival determined not to miss out on any of the bands that I REALLY wanted to see, but also to drink some beer and meet up with some old friends. Hultsfred is not the easiest place to get to though, me and my girl drove for three hours to get there, which would have been fine if we weren't manoeuvring a mobile sauna (a.k.a. a Nissan Micra without AC). It also took some time to get our festival passes and such, but since we were finally out of the car, and there was beer to drink and a sun to stand in the shadow of – it was all F I N E.

After setting up our tent we went to check out Jason Ringenberg who turned out to be some sort of Homer Simpson version of a country artist, so we left after three songs - unimpressed. The line up to Hultsfred 2005 got some very big bands in it, such as The Magic Numbers, The Mars Volta, System of a Down, Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot and Mastodon, but the reason why I was so excited about the festival was all the Swedish bands playing. Not only did some of Sweden's biggest bands (The Hives, Millencolin, Moneybrother, etc) play, but lots of the best "indie" bands were also playing, much to my delight since I hardly get a chance to catch these bands live due to me living in London. The first Swedish band I saw at the festival was The Lovekevins who played on the Rookie stage where all unsigned bands get the chance to churn out their unsigned songs. The Lovekevins play harmless, melodic twee music, that's pretty well crafted and lovely to hear live, especially on a sunny afternoon next to a pretty lake. After this nice outdoors twee concert, I headed indoors for a super nice indoors twee concert – by the magnificent El Perro Del Mar, who makes great little songs that sort of twist and turn their way into the back of your head with no intention of leaving, but in a good way (sort of like having the best sex of your life, in a coffin). I think she might, and I hope she does, become really big all over the world. At this stage I started to get really drunk, but not so drunk that I could enjoy Le Tigre (now a sort of pastiche of their former selves) or Sean Price, but drunk enough to really like David Sandström Overdrive's gig and feel like I've taken ecstasy at M.I.A's blistering show. I wish I'll get another chance to see David Sandström though, sober.

On Friday I woke up with a hangover from hell that took half day to get rid of, and I was even feeling a bit ropey when The Acid House Kings turned their rather slow recorded material into a furious blast of melodic pop. When they played "Say yes I if you love me" and "We are The Acid House Kings" I thought I was going to explode (not from the hangover but from euphoria). It was a shame to start the day on such a high note, none of the rest of the bands I saw this day were as goods as The Acid House Kings were. I had quite high expectations on the two bands I saw next (Immortal Technique and Richard Buckner) but none of them were nearly half as good as I thought they were going to be. Frida Hyvönen, who has released one of this year's best albums, played at 8pm and she did fortunately deliver the beautiful set that I had hoped for. She did a support gig for The Concretes a while ago in London, but I missed her then, but thank god I turned up in time this a round (I must confess that I for some unknown reason dragged my girlfriend away from the gig halfway through). After piano-driven balladry, it was time for some modern beat-driven music – in the shape of former pop-soul queen Robyn. The first five songs she played were all from her new fresh and stunning album, and at this time of the show I thought I was witnessing one of the best concerts in my life, but then Robyn started doing older songs, songs that aren't nearly half as good as her new material. It was sort of like going out for a meal at a fancy restaurant, having a gorgeous dessert, and then end up with a bowl of brine for your main meal. I left the Robyn gig feeling very disappointed, and it might have been this frustration that ruined the next show for me, because I just didn't enjoy Mattias Alkberg BD at all. I love both his albums, and I thought this would be one of the highlights of the festival, but instead it was just boring. Seeing Snoop Dogg turn up really late to do a rubbish set didn't really do much to raise my spirits either. So what to do now after a day of rain with so many of my dreams being crushed? Going to see The Tough Alliance of course! TTA – maybe the most exciting band to come out of any Scandinavian country ever – would surely pick me up and make me want to party all night. But no, my favourite band would of course turn out to be appalling live. I sort of should have seen this coming, TTA have stirred up some controversy in Sweden by not singing live, but only to mime along to their tracks and often being drunk off their heads. I just couldn't dig their performance, perhaps I wasn't drunk enough, but it just came across as too absurd and weird for me. A damn shame!

On Saturday I proposed to my girlfriend so this was nothing but an excellent day, even though the previous day's many busted hopes continued with hyped Swedish band Vapnet playing songs that failed to convince. In almost every interview I've read about Vapnet it's been about how subversive they're by mixing lyrics with swear words (Jesus Christ!) and twee music. Too bad their music is so contrived and if it wasn't for them not being funny, I would have thought it was a joke. As I said previously, it was for the smaller bands that I went to Hultsfred, so on the last day of the festival at 6.30 I ventured to the biggest stage (Hawaii) for the first time, and got to see Sweden's own Håkan Hellström, who just must have ADD or something, charm everyone out of their pants. I was stupid not to stay for the whole set and instead go and see another of my favourite bands, The Hidden Cameras, once more prove that they're one of those bands, just like TTA I guess, that are better on record than live. After The Hidden Cameras I went for a rather long beer drinking session at the camping area with some friends, and got the opportunity to witness an exciting but unfortunate ruckus. After a while though I felt a bit guilty for not seeing any bands, so I grabbed my girl and went to see Loop Troop. What a great decision that was! I've seen Loop Troop play many times, but tonight they seemed to burn even brighter than they usually do. One of the three MCs, Supreme, appeared to emulate Håkan Hellström's behaviour by running left and right on the stage continuously, which was pretty fun to watch. It was most definitely the perfect ending for a splendid festival. Hope next year's line up will be as good, if not I guess I will have more time drinking beer in the sun with my girl and friends (the ones that haven't turned "too old", all of a sudden, that is).

Text by Simon Tagestam, pictures by David Robertson

01. Timbuktu & Promoe - Air Force One (prev. unreleased)
02. Mikael Wiehe - Aliosman Hristov (prev. unreleased)
03. Tomas Andersson Wij - Sommaren –77
04. Stefan Sundström - Om jag kommer opp till Jesus
05. International Noice Conspiracy - Like a landslide
06. Satirnine - Cut Loose (prev. unreleased)
07. David Sandström overdrive - Heil Sweden (prev. unreleased)
08. Laleh - Invisible (My song) (acoustic)
09. Division of Laura Lee - Breathe breathe
10. Regina Lund - Courage
11. Menteroja - Say no more (prev. unreleased)
12. Prosperous - Dig-dat-theorists (unik)
13. Jaqee - Headfall
14. Svenska Akademien - Ctrl+Alt+Del
15. Staffan Hellstrand - Romeo i Stocksund
16. Troublemakers - För mycket av allt
17. Roger Karlsson - Salt i mina sår
18. Anna Ternheim - I say no (Gotland version)
19. Allan Edwall - Trevligt att se dig

More info: http://www.mitthemditthem.nu/]]> Mon, 23 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26548-david-sandstrom-overdrive-go-down-mofab-teg http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26548-david-sandstrom-overdrive-go-down-mofab-teg http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26548-david-sandstrom-overdrive-go-down-mofab-teg#comments Refused breaking up, it's funny how, now sever years after the split, Dennis Lyxzén (with The Lost Patrol Band) and David Sandström are making pretty similar music (melodic rock). David and Dennis should really re-ignite their partnership and form a new band, Dennis would surely benefit from David's impressive songwriting ability, and Dennis could bring his "commercial appeal" to the table. Enough of this wishful thinking now and let's review this album - David Sandström's third album is in the same vein as his last great album, but whereas "The dominant need for the needy soul" shot of in all directions, "Go down!" feels more like a proper and solid album. This aspect alone makes "Go down!", in my opinion, an even better record than its predecessor.]]> Mon, 23 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10884 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10884 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10884#comments Got an old track for you today from Umeå's hardcore legends Final Exit. This was the band that David Sandström and Dennis Lyxzén were in before Refused. When I was at Umeå Open the other week, my friend Magnus and I were fantasizing about how awesome it would be if these dudes were the secret band. If they were, they'd just have to open with this set of tunes, the intro and lead track from their landmark album "Umeå". I may not go to as many hardcore shows as I used to, but there's no way I could stay out of the pit with a band like this on stage. That scream is just so brutal and that first riff is so heavy. So crucial! Most it up!]]> Wed, 20 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11133 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11133 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11133#comments Happy Monday! New mp3 today from David Sandström Overdrive. This song just appeared in my mailbox the other day with no explanation, so I have absolutely no backstory on it, but I presume it's from David's upcoming album with his new backing band. As you can hear for yourself, it's not any sort of departure from his last album "The dominant need of the needy...", but guess what? That record was great, so who's to complain? Check it out.]]> Mon, 28 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11295 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11295 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11295#comments Monkeystrikes debut full-length album "You Hate My Beautiful Love" has been confirmed for release on April 27 via Dust Music. The recording was handled by Nathan Larson at Tambourine Studios and features guest appearances from Marit Bergman, Nina Persson and David Sandström.]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12278 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12278 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12278#comments The nominees for the 2004 Manifest Awards have been announced. Here are a few of the categories:

Pop/rock:
David Sandström - "The Dominant Need of the Needy Soul Is to be Needed"
Jens Lekman - "When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog"
Stina Nordenstam - "The World Is Saved"
Silverbullit - "Arclight"

Hardrock/punk:
C.Aarmé - "C.Aarmé"
Dismember - "When Iron Crosses Grow"
Haunted - "rEVOLVEr"
Koma - "Tsunami"
Totalt Jävla Mörker - "Människans ringa värde"

Hip-hop/R&B/soul:
Helt Off - "Helt Off"
Ison & Fille - "Ison & Fille"
Promoe - "Long Distance Runner"
Snook - "Vi vet inte vart vi ska men vi ska komma dit"
Rico Wondahman - "Takin' Over"

Post-rock/electronica:
Backlash - "Heliotrop"
Andreas Tilliander - "World Industries"
Sophie Rimheden - "Miss"
Hans Appelqvist - "Bremort"
IC1 - "The Birth of Industrial Cool"

Dance/house/techno:
Quant - "Getting Out"
Andreas Tilliander - "World Industries"
Sophie Rimheden - "Miss"
Hird - "Moving On"
Ernesto's - "Album"

Solo/singer/songwriter:
Stina Nordenstam - "The World Is Saved"
Florence Valentin - "Johnny Drama"
Billie the Vision & The Dancers - "I Was So Unpopular in School"
Tobias Fröberg - "For Elisabeth Wherever She Is"
Nina Ramsby & Martin Hederos - "Visorna"

Best live:
Existensminimum
Mattias Alkberg
Silverbullit
Svenska Akademien
Jens Lekman

Best newcomer:
Tiger Lou - "Is My Head Still On?"
Nanook of the North - "The Täby Tapes"
Fatboy - "Steelhearted"
Jens Lekman - "When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog"
Cirera - "Honestly, I Love You *Cough*"

The Manifest Awards are considered an alternative to the Swedish Grammy in the same way that the Alarm Prize is regarded in Norway. Winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held February 1 at Nalen in Stockholm. More info: http://www.som.a.se/manifest/index.html]]> Mon, 03 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25450-top-10s-for-2004-iat-writers http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25450-top-10s-for-2004-iat-writers http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25450-top-10s-for-2004-iat-writers#comments 08. Tiger Lou - Is My Head Still On? album. Good songs and a full sound. "Oh Horatio" is one of my favorites. 09. Nina Persson of The Cardigans singing "You're the Storm" while cradling a Swedish Chef doll given to her on the last night of the Chicks with Attitude tour. I guess you had to be there. It was great to see The Cardies back in North America for the first time in a great while... 10. The song "I Burn Myself On You" by the Lionheart Brothers, as featured on Avi's It's a Trap! compilation. Simply stunning... 11. Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - #1 EP. Loads of talent and potential there... Nick Levine - Top 10 Scandinavian albums of 2004: 01. Radio Dept. - Lesser mattersThe album that just won't die. An updated take on shoegazing that teachers the originators a new trick or two. 02. Concretes - s/tIts beauty is in its subtlety and understated mystery. A real slow burner. 03. Annie - AnniemalPerfect pop. Laden with songs Kylie would kill for, and production from both Richard X and Royksopp. I expect this to crossover to a massive mainstream audience next year. 04. Kings Of Convenience - Riot on an empty streetIn 2004 Erlend and Eirik returned from the wilderness. On this longplayer the Kings broaden their musical palette to include bossa nova and (shock!) drums. 05. Jens Lekman - When I said I wanted to be your dogA great up-and-coming singer songwriter. His lyrics are slightly indebted to the anti-folk movement. I'm slowly coming round to the Magnetic Fields comparison. 06. The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Origin IDid you think that TSOOL were going to let you down? Really?! 07. The Legends - Up against the LegendsModern take on C86. Bundles of energy. 08. Tiger Lou - Is my head still on?Woozy production with quality instrumental backing. A cult audience beckons. 09. Moneybrother - Blood panicWhite soul that isn't embarrassing to listen to in public. 10. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - #1 EPIntroductory EP from these Swedish newcomers. Quirky pop of the highest order. Navy Keophan - Top ten albums (Scandinavian and non-Scandinavian) of 2004: 01. Henry Fiat's Open Sore - The parallel universe of... (Coldfront) Hardcore punk fury with '60s-inspired catchiness. 02. Division of Laura Lee - Das not compute (Burning Heart/Epitaph) DOLL never fails to impress and they did so with what I consider to be one of the "sleeper" hits of 2004. 03. Knugen Faller - Skellefte stadshotell EP (Cage Match Federation) Catchy punk-pop from the north of Sweden. 04. The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Armed love (Burning Heart) Producer Rick Rubin pushes them to their limit and they show that they can still rock. 05. The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives (Interscope) I don't care what anyone else says about The Hives but I still think that this album was good. I think their label handled the promotion for it wrong but that's another story. 06. Euroboys - Soft focus (Virgin Norway) With a dash of '70s-inspired California pop and the Beach Boys for good measure, it keeps that feeling of summer all year long around here (although in Southern California, it isn't that hard...) 07. Bruce Banner - I've Had It With Humanity (Busted Heads) Hardcore punk in the last couple of years has its fair share of greatness and mediocrity. Bruce Banner is not the latter. Intense hardcore from the north of Sweden with vocals by Per and Bobo (ex-DS-13). The non-Scandinavian part of the top ten: 08. The Chinese Stars - A rare sensation (Three.One.G.) Disco beats, hypnotic, dissonant guitars, groovy bass lines and a singer who sounds like he never left puberty all add up for a fun time. 09. Some Girls - All My Friends Are Going Death (Deathwish) I remember the first time hearing this and not being really impressed. Fast forward to six months later and this is some of the best stuff I've heard all year from the genre. The lyrics are thoughtful and the sound is like a kick in the chest. 10. Ludacris - Red light district (Def Jam) HA! Bet you guys weren't expecting this album here. If there is one thing I like, it's intelligent hip-hop/rap that is done right and Ludacris is a genius. On his latest effort, Ludacris brings the catchiness and sensibility back again. ---------------------------]]> Simon Thibaudeau - Top 10 music moments of 2004:

01. Mogwai live (Kicked my ass pretty hard)
02. Haunted - rEVOLVEr (See my full review on the site, best thrash record in some time)
03. WE - Smugglers (ROOOOCCKKK!)
04. Tricky Woo live (If you don't know, you should)
05. The Dears - Protest EP and live (Best live "experience" of the year, EP ain't too bad either)
06. Shalabi Effect - Pink Abyss (How they can improv this record is beyond any comprehension)
07. Controller Controller - History (Still one of Canada's best kept secrets, indie-pop that makes your ass move without your knowledge)
08. In Slaughter Natives - Resurrection (Still the cream of the genre)
09. Lederhosen Lucil live (So much fun, I soiled myself)
10. Devendra Banhart - Nino Rojo (Simple, perfect)

Simon Tagestam - Top 10 Swedish records of 2004:

01. The Tough Alliance - Make it happen (EP)
02. Jens Lekman - Rocky Dennis in heaven (EP)
03. Jens Lekman - When I said I wanted to be your dog
04. Sounds Like Violence - The Pistol (EP)
05. Mattias Alkberg BD - Tunaskolan
06. David Sandström - The dominant need of the nedy soul is to be needed
07. Promoe - The long distance runner
08. Stina Nordenstam - The world is saved
09. Jens Lekman - You are the light (EP)
10. David Fridlund - Amaterasu
11. Chandra - Summer in the sun (EP)
12. The Honeydrips - Save me (7")
13. Alf - Augustibrev
14. The Tough Alliance - Holiday (EP)
15. Heikki - 2
16. Raymond & Maria - Vi ska bara leva klart
17. Marit Bergman - Baby dry your eye
18. Gustav Kjellvander - Proudly Presents the Fine Arts Showcase & the Electric Pavilion
19. Niccokick - Awake from the dead, my dear best friend
20. Starmarket - Abandon time

Matthew W. Smith - Top 11 Scandinavian music moments of 2004:

01. The Accelerator Big One in Stockholm--great bands, much better weather than last year.
02. Kings of Convenience - Riot On An Empty Street album. I'm really looking forward to seeing them for the first time in February.
03. The Hives and Sahara Hotnights on the same bill at the 9.30 Club in Washington, D.C.
04. Another successful shopping spree at Sound Pollution in Stockholm--lots of selections, right in the heart of Gamla Stan.
05. Two heavy metal guys screaming their way through a Madonna song at a karaoke bar in Helsinki--probably the funniest thing I saw all year.
06. An import of the "Bigtime" single by The Soundtrack of Our Lives showing up fairly cheaply at my local independent record store--a hint of good things to come.
07. The Flaming Sideburns stealing at least the first half of a very big show--the 40-band extravaganza that was Little Steven's Underground Garage Festival in New York City. What a travesty they got to play only two songs...
>08. Tiger Lou - Is My Head Still On? album. Good songs and a full sound. "Oh Horatio" is one of my favorites.
09. Nina Persson of The Cardigans singing "You're the Storm" while cradling a Swedish Chef doll given to her on the last night of the Chicks with Attitude tour. I guess you had to be there. It was great to see The Cardies back in North America for the first time in a great while...
10. The song "I Burn Myself On You" by the Lionheart Brothers, as featured on Avi's It's a Trap! compilation. Simply stunning...
11. Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - #1 EP. Loads of talent and potential there...

Nick Levine - Top 10 Scandinavian albums of 2004:

01. Radio Dept. - Lesser matters
The album that just won't die. An updated take on shoegazing that teachers the originators a new trick or two.
02. Concretes - s/t
Its beauty is in its subtlety and understated mystery. A real slow burner.
03. Annie - Anniemal
Perfect pop. Laden with songs Kylie would kill for, and production from both Richard X and Royksopp. I expect this to crossover to a massive mainstream audience next year.
04. Kings Of Convenience - Riot on an empty street
In 2004 Erlend and Eirik returned from the wilderness. On this longplayer the Kings broaden their musical palette to include bossa nova and (shock!) drums.
05. Jens Lekman - When I said I wanted to be your dog
A great up-and-coming singer songwriter. His lyrics are slightly indebted to the anti-folk movement. I'm slowly coming round to the Magnetic Fields comparison.
06. The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Origin I
Did you think that TSOOL were going to let you down? Really?!
07. The Legends - Up against the Legends
Modern take on C86. Bundles of energy.
08. Tiger Lou - Is my head still on?
Woozy production with quality instrumental backing. A cult audience beckons.
09. Moneybrother - Blood panic
White soul that isn't embarrassing to listen to in public.
10. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - #1 EP
Introductory EP from these Swedish newcomers. Quirky pop of the highest order.

Navy Keophan - Top ten albums (Scandinavian and non-Scandinavian) of 2004:

01. Henry Fiat's Open Sore - The parallel universe of... (Coldfront)
Hardcore punk fury with '60s-inspired catchiness.
02. Division of Laura Lee - Das not compute (Burning Heart/Epitaph)
DOLL never fails to impress and they did so with what I consider to be one of the "sleeper" hits of 2004.
03. Knugen Faller - Skellefte stadshotell EP (Cage Match Federation)
Catchy punk-pop from the north of Sweden.
04. The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Armed love (Burning Heart)
Producer Rick Rubin pushes them to their limit and they show that they can still rock.
05. The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives (Interscope)
I don't care what anyone else says about The Hives but I still think that this album was good. I think their label handled the promotion for it wrong but that's another story.
06. Euroboys - Soft focus (Virgin Norway)
With a dash of '70s-inspired California pop and the Beach Boys for good measure, it keeps that feeling of summer all year long around here (although in Southern California, it isn't that hard...)
07. Bruce Banner - I've Had It With Humanity (Busted Heads)
Hardcore punk in the last couple of years has its fair share of greatness and mediocrity. Bruce Banner is not the latter. Intense hardcore from the north of Sweden with vocals by Per and Bobo (ex-DS-13).

The non-Scandinavian part of the top ten:

08. The Chinese Stars - A rare sensation (Three.One.G.)
Disco beats, hypnotic, dissonant guitars, groovy bass lines and a singer who sounds like he never left puberty all add up for a fun time.
09. Some Girls - All My Friends Are Going Death (Deathwish)
I remember the first time hearing this and not being really impressed. Fast forward to six months later and this is some of the best stuff I've heard all year from the genre. The lyrics are thoughtful and the sound is like a kick in the chest.
10. Ludacris - Red light district (Def Jam)
HA! Bet you guys weren't expecting this album here. If there is one thing I like, it's intelligent hip-hop/rap that is done right and Ludacris is a genius. On his latest effort, Ludacris brings the catchiness and sensibility back again.

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

]]> Wed, 29 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25442-top-10s-for-2004-its-a-trap http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25442-top-10s-for-2004-its-a-trap http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25442-top-10s-for-2004-its-a-trap#comments Top 10 albums of 2004 (in alphabetical order):

There has been a tremendous glut of fantastic music in 2004; too bad I never got a chance to hear it all. I've got a long list of acclaimed albums that I've yet to sink my teeth into and I have no doubt that this would turn out quite differently had I the time and opportunity to investigate them. So, keeping that in mind, here's my top picks for the year. Hope you like it!

01. Kristofer Åström - Loupita (Startracks)
Have I beaten this horse to death yet? Acoustic albums are inherently risky because your flaws and weaknesses are left totally exposed and that's exactly why this album works so well. There's nowhere to hide and Kristofer never falters: great songs and superb performances. The outstanding vocal work of up-and-coming singer/songwriter Britta Persson seals the deal. Absolutely sublime.
[purchase album]

02. Marit Bergman - Baby dry your eye (BMG)
There's a reason this is ending up on so many year-end lists: it's far and away the best pop album released in 2004. There's something so endearing and charming about Marit that she's just irresistible. And I'll be damned if "Adios Amigos" isn't one of the year's best singles.

03. C.Aarmé - s/t (Burning Heart/Carcrash/Epitaph)
Sharp and fierce, like a knife. No frills, just fury.

04. The End Will Be Kicks - If you see them tell them I love them (Chalksounds)
Mid-90s Norrland guitar rock resurrected! Dense melodies and brilliant guitar interplay are what make this one of the most immediate debuts in recent memory. There's more greatness in these four songs than in many band's whole discographies.

05. Fun - Szklarska poreba (If Society)
Sure, it's derivative of classic Chicago rock like Jesus Lizard/Rapeman/Big Black/etc., but those bands are gone now and nobody has come close to stepping up and taking their place. Until Fun. I knew these guys were awesome the moment I heard the first song I downloaded from their website.

06. Gåte - Iselilja (Warner Norway)
It's music like this that reminds me of why I started Itsatrap. Nordic folk is naturally heavy and powerful when electrified and Gåte knows how to achieve the perfect balance between the old and the new.

07. Peter, Bjorn and John - Falling out (Planekonomi)
This record caught me a bit off-guard by being much more of a downer than their self-titled debut. I was expecting power-pop anthems, but instead I got a somber, thoughtful concept album. The hooks are still huge and plentiful; they're just smarter and more mature. That also means they are not quite so immediate, however it makes them stronger and more satisfying in the end.
[purchase album]

08. Silverbullit - Arclight (NEG/BAM)
Thank goodness- a hugely anticipated album that not only meets expectations, but also exceeds them. This record took way too long to come out, but oh man, was it worth it. The sounds are rooted in 80s retro, but the overall feeling is anything but.

09. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin I (Telegram/Warner)
Album #4 and they're still going strong. This is classic rock, emphasis on classic.

10. Sophie Zelmani - Love affair (Columbia)
Such a great example of how music can be subdued and fragile, but still remain evocative and powerful. Think Emmylou Harris crossed with Stina Nordenstam.

Honorable mentions (Scandinavian):
01. Cult of Luna - Salvation (Earache)
02. Division of Laura Lee - Das not compute (Burning Heart/Epitaph)
03. Eskju Divine - Darkness all around (Imperial)
04. Giant Robot - Domesticity (Stupido)
05. José González - Stay in the shade (Imperial)
06. Sivert Høyem - Ladies and gentlemen of the opposition (Virgin Norway)
07. Koma - Tsunami (Blackstarfoundation/Fullsteam Recordings)
08. Meshuggah - I (Fractured Transmitter Records)
09. Stina Nordenstam - The world is saved (A Walk in the Park/V2)
10. Pan Sonic - Kesto (Mute)
11. David Sandström - The dominant need of the needy is to be needed (Mofab Teg)
12. The Solution - Communicate! (Wild Kingdom)
13. Tiger Lou - Is my head still on? (Startracks)
14. The Tiny - Close enough (Determine Records/Eyeball Records)
15. WE - Smugglers (Nun Music)

Honorable mentions (other):
01. Ben Christophers - The spaces in between (Cooking Vinyl)
02. Converge - You fail me (Epitaph)
03. Mare - s/t (Hydrahead)
04. The Paper Chase - God bless your black heart (Kill Rock Stars)
05. Woven Hand - Consider the birds (Glitterhouse/Sounds Familyre)

]]> Fri, 24 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13444 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13444 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13444#comments Nominees for the 2004 Musikförläggarnas Pris:

Best song:
Thomas "Orup" Eriksson - Det gör ont (BMG Music Publishing)
Staffan Lindfors, Johan Kindblom - Ingen vill veta var du köpt din tröja (Air Chrysalis)
Infinite Mass, Rodrigo Pencheff, Amir Chamdin - The Thief (Murlyn Songs)
Lisa Miskovsky, Jocke Berg - Lady Stardust (Universal Music Publishing, BMG Music Publishing)

Best lyrics/composition:
Lisa Miskovsky/Jocke Berg (Universal Music Publishing, BMG Music Publishing)
Marit Bergman (Air Chrysalis)
Per Gessle (Jimmy Fun)
Bo Sundström (Sony ATV Music Publishing)

Most important concert piece:
Daniel Börtz - Hans namn var Orestes (Gehrmans Musikförlag)
Anders Eliasson - Konsert för altsaxofon och orkester (Gehrmans Musikförlag)
Sven-David Sandström - Concert Pieces For Percussion And Orchestra (Gehrmans Musikförlag)
Carl Unander-Scharin - Byrgitta (Manus)

Best international success:
Anders Bagge (EMI Music Publishing/Murlyn Songs)
Andreas Carlsson (Warner/Chappell Music)
The Hives (Songs & Stories Publishing)
Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Henrik Jonback (Toxic) (Murlyn Songs)

Best newcomer:
José González (Misty Music)
Kamera (BMG Music Publishing)
Sara Löfgren (Mariann)
Tobias Karlsson (Warner Chappell Music)

Awards will be handed out at a ceremony in Nalen on October 28.]]> Thu, 30 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13648 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13648 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13648#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (04) The Hives - "Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones"
02. (03) Marit Bergman - "Can I Keep Him?"
03. (01) The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"
04. (02) Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Bigtime"
05. (NY) Thunder Express - "In My Mind"
06. (07) R.E.M. - "Leaving New York"
07. (06) Franz Ferdiand - "Michael"
08. (NY) Eastern Lane - "I Said Pig On Friday"
09. (15) Jens Lekman - "Julie E.P."
10. (05) Cirera - "Motherfucker - "Fake Vegetarian Ex-Girlfriend"
11. (08) Ed Harcourt - "This One's For You"
12. (10) Kasabian - "L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)"
13. (09) Faithless - "I Want More"
14. (NY) The Delgados - "Everybody Come Down"
15. (12) Chromeo - "Needy Girl"
16. (17) Björk - "Oceania"
17. (19) Mando Diao - "Clean Town"
18. (14) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "#1 E.P."
19. (NY) Svenska Akademien - "Vetande"
20. (NY) Client - "Radio"

New tracks just outside the top 20:
Lars Winnerbäck - "Elegi"
Strip Music - "Never Die"
David Sandström - "The Sixties (Never Actually Happened)"

Leaving the chart:
(11) Beastie Boys - "Triple Trouble"
(13) Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - "Nature Boy"
(16) Arrested Development - "Honeymoon Day"
(18) The Gift Of Gab - "Rat Race"
(20) Gisli - "TV=The Devil"]]> Thu, 16 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13968 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13968 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13968#comments David Sandström will be releasing "The Sixties" as his next single on September 1.]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14083 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14083 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14083#comments Go here to see pics and video clips of David Sandström recording his new album: http://www.david-sandstrom.com/degernas/index.html]]> Fri, 13 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14125 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14125 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14125#comments Ex-Refused drummer turned singer/songwriter David Sandström is working on yet another new album with his new band David Sandström Overdrive.]]> Tue, 10 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14589 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14589 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14589#comments More additions to the Arvika lineup: Salvatore, Svenska akademien, The Iskariots, Disfear, David Sandström, Square, Deltahead, Assid, Flora & Fauna w/Olof Dreijer aka DJ Coolof (The Knife).
Check out the full schedule: http://www.galaxen.se/laddaner/runningorder_arvikafestivalen.pdf]]> Mon, 28 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25399-top-ten-first-half-2004 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25399-top-ten-first-half-2004 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25399-top-ten-first-half-2004#comments The summer is here and the solstice has passed, leaving us smack dab in the middle of the calendar. 'Bout time we took a look back, right? Back at the beginning of 2004 I declared it to be the year of the singer/songwriter and whaddya know - they make up the majority of the lists you're about to read. Lists? As in plural? Yup, while I count up my top album picks for the year so far (+ one EP), colleague Jim Kelly of Parasol chimes in with his top EP picks. So let's get to it! In no particular order...

Avi's top 10 albums of the year so far:

01. Sophie Zelmani - Love affair (Columbia)
Okay, so this technically came out in the final week of 2003, but as far as I'm concerned, it might as well be from 2004. Who the heck puts out a new album at that time anyways? Regardless of release date, it's a great record - quiet and understated and full of sweetness and beauty. It never quite whallops you over the head with it's positive qualities either, rather it slowly unfurls them like tentacles, slithering them into your brain.

02. David Sandström - The dominant need of the needy is to be needed (Mofab Teg)
Part of this album's appeal lies in its element of surprise. It's nothing like any of David's previous work with Refused and it really isn't much like his first solo album either. In no way did I expect something as folky as this. We're talking clever lyrics and good songs, the kind of stuff you can imagine playing around a campfire. A solid piece of work the whole way through.

03. Kristofer Åström - Loupita (Startracks)
Kristofer's last couple EP releases were good, but I was definitely not ready for how amazing "Loupita" is. I can't quite put my finger on what makes it so special though. Is it Mattias Friberg's (Logh) production? Britta Persson's guest vocals? The song selection themselves? I'm not sure, but the end result is amazing. I have no doubt that this will remain as one of my favorite albums for the entire year.

04. Tiger Lou - Is my head still on? (Startracks)
Startracks scores with yet another up-and-coming singer/songwriter. Tiger's earlier EPs never completely blew me away, but then I saw him live and was mightily impressed. Only then was I able to go back and listen to the older stuff with newfound appreciation. Something about hearing him play solo made me better understand what he was was about. Then this debut full-length came out and knocked me slack-jawed. The talent that was only hinted at from before finally became realized. Everything about him was stepped up a notch, be it the songwriting, the playing or the vocals. If he continues on like this, I think it's just the first step of what could be quite a career.

05. Sivert Høyem - Ladies and gentlemen of the opposition (EMI Norway)
With this record, Sivert faced the difficult job of distinguishing himself as a solo performer apart from his main act Madrugada. With a voice as distinctive as his, that's no easy task. But you know what? He succeeds, even outdoing that other band's more recent work. The mood is lighter and the songwriting is breezier and I think the excitement of doing something a bit different shines through. One can't wallow in gloom all the time, y'know. And that's not to say it's all sunshine either, there's still plenty of emotional depth, it's just conveyed differently. I knew I liked this record as soon as I first heard it, but it's getting even better with repeated listens. End-of-year contender? Yep.

06. The End Will Be Kicks - If you see them tell them I love them EP (Chalksounds)
As yes, my one EP pick of the lot. Niklas Quintana from Him Kerosene/Breach strikes back with a new band and kicks out the motherfucking jams. We're talking about huge intertwining guitar melodies, all done in Niklas' distinctive and unique style. Can I say best debut of 2004? My only complaint: it's only four songs long. More!

07. C.Aarmé - s/t (Burning Heart/Carcrash/Epitaph)
This album is simply vicious. Never once do they let up the full-throttle attack, from the moment they start to the very bitter end. So amazingly tight and energetic. I'm glad Epitaph had the good sense to license this for a US release as hopefully that means I'll get a chance to see 'em play live on these shores. Make it happen, dammit! Just don't send 'em out on a lame package tour. I'd feel bad for other sorry bands that'll be forced to follow them on stage night after night.

08. Koma - Tsunami (Black Star Foundation/Fullsteam Records)
I feel like a broken record I've said it so many times already, but this record truly surprised me. At first I was just like "meh, more mid-tempo heavy melodic rock - I guess the Ozzfest crowd is still into this stuff," but then I made myself go back for repeated listens and was justly rewarded. This is good stuff: epic riffs, melodic vocals, good melodies, huge choruses and plenty of true heaviness. It's amazing that so many bands try to do this stuff (ahem, see anything recent from Roadrunner Records) and fail so miserably, but goshdarnit, Koma figured it out.

09. Marit Bergman - Baby dry your eye (BMG)
Marit creates perfect pop albums. She's got heartfelt ballads, goofy pop singalongs and everything in between. As always, a lot of her appeal for me lies in her straightforward accessibility and simplicity. There is just something so basic, honest, sweet and heartfelt about her. I'd even go as far to say there's something timeless about her. It's the kind of pop music that transcends the era in which it's created, as the sentiments and ideas are the sorts of things that will never sound dated. But is it a classic? Let's talk in another few years.

10. KVLR - s/t (Stickman/It's a trap!)
If I didn't love this album so much, I wouldn't have put it out. Simple as that. Just like TEWBK, it's got everything I look for in the music I love: loud guitars, complex, yet delicate melodies, and pounding drums. Perfect.

Jim's top 10 EPs of the year so far:

01. Jens Lekman - Maples Leaves EP (Secretly Canadian/Service)
02. Jens Lekman - Rocky Dennis EP (Secretly Canadian/Service)
Twenty-two-year-old wunderkind songwriter Jens Lekman, the artist formerly known as Rocky Dennis, is the Swedish Scott Walker, the Scandinavian Morrissey, a Nordic Stephin Merritt, and the Arctic's very own Divine Comedy... Lusciously lofi orchestral pop bliss combines late-60's soft pop, lotsa piano, sampled beats and a sweet voice full of camp and heartbreaking melancholy and distinctive turns of phrase, morose to the point of paralysis or catharsis he hasn't sorted out which.

03. Eskju Divine - Darkness All Around EP (Imperial Recordings)
Debut of melodramatic pop otherworldliness from Eskju Divine, who have chosen to eschew guitar and focus on piano, bass and drums. That said you will not believe the heights of anthemic grandeur the band can attain without the axe. Names are being dropped like Coldplay, Ben Folds, and even classic U2, along with being likened to 70s symphonic pop, but that doesn't begin to explain the overwhelming, incandescence beauty of ED's massive, melodious soundscapes balanced with timeless pop and beautiful voices, ambitious arrangements clothed in sweltering reverb. Out of all these EPs this is the strongest and most enticing, as I suspect the album will be even huger.

04. José González - Stay In The Shade EP (Imperial Recordings)
The newest EP from acclaimed Swedish/Argentine minstrel whose debut album, "Veneer", garnered José comparisons to Nick Drake, Mark Kozelek, Elliott Smith, and Father & Son Buckley. "Stay In The Shade" is taken from "Veneer", while the two new songs, "Down The Hillside" and "Sensing Owls" are among his very best tunes to date. Also included is a lovely cover of Kylie Minogue's "Hand On Your Heart" and a long lush instrumental. José's a total genius, there's no getting around it.

05. Pete Thompson - Self-Titled EP (Johnny Brattom)
Starkly psychedelic Nordic folkrock masquerading as melancholy Americana? Like British soft-popper John Cunningham with a Neil Young infatuation, Pete's voice is warm like the sun, blazing in fact, and backed strummy acoustic guitars and luminous harmonies. The highlight here is the simply described "Folk Song", with it's muted accordion lead and gloriously subdued falsetto harmonies on the chorus. This one is all about moonlight.

06. Rundfunk - Kings & Queens EP (A Westside Fabrication)
Stockholm's Rundfunk offers dizzying electro-pop and technofunk grooves bombarded with squiggly synths and guitar, shaded with hip-hop, house, Latin and 70s AM radio pop. The single "Kings & Queens" is a singalong psychedelic pomp-romp, rivaling the Elephant 6 and Kindercopre rosters for sheer opiate-ability, and kitchensinkness, plus there's even a bagpipe solo. Encompasses everything from Stones Roses to Pet Shop Boys to Avalanches to Magnetic Fields, with a mood-enhancing beatboxing loosey-goosey-ness.

07. Hip Whips - s/t EP (Dubious/S56)
Incredible debut from Scandinavian soul-pop-rock outfit Hip Whips, an organ-saturated riot! Songs range from pulse-racing rave-ups to eyelash-fluttering ballads to languid, luminous psychedelia? What propels The Hip Whips is The Holy Spirit of Rock 'n' Roll and Blue-Eyed Soul burning incandescently within the heart of mainman Markus Lindmark. Lindmark sings, possessed by phantoms of eras long past and kicks the Hammond organ-overdrive (actually a huge old wooden Korg) so hard you can hear the beast's veneers creaking and wheezing. while the rhythm section artfully swaggers or strolls, depending on their mood. Think Spencer Davis Group, ? And The Mysterians, The Stones, Procol Harum, Van Morrison. But what really sets Hip Whips apart is the most loving homage to late sixties recording values (or lack thereof?). It is such a freakin' timewarp, it is so very very very 1967 that it does not even qualify as "retro". A seance of classic rock, soul, and pop. Probably this came out in 2003, but new to me in 2004, and more likely qualifies as a mini-album with 9 tracks, although a couple are lovely little between-song interludes. But who cares?

08. Eric Beyond - Step Off EP (Flora & Fauna/Idiotwind)
Sir Eric Beyond redefines twee. Known as The Most Sensitive Guy In Stockholm, an eccentric singer-songwriter-nature-lover from Stockholm, has finally released his debut EP. Upon first listen there's no doubt Eric deserves the title. The four songs feature Eric's meek and moving, teensy tiny popsongs sung in his exquisitely squeaky falsetto (Beyond, indeed)? EP features guest appearances from Nina Persson (The Cardigans) and Ludvig Rylander (The Concretes, The Chrysler, Moder Jords Massiva), among others. The title track's chorus features one of the best listener double-takes of all time! Old highschool pal Nina Persson joins Eric for a duet on "Prom Night" and I had no idea Nina could sing so high! Or is that Eric?

09. David & The Citizens - Bill Chill EP (Adrian Recordings)
Bear Quartet vocalist Mattias Alkberg joins David & The Citizens for this brand new tune, "Big Chill", a guitar-pop romp with a rollicking punk edge. A great way for BQ fans to check out D+TC and vice versa. A mutual appreciation society might result. The EP also features an alternate version of "Let's Not Fall Apart" (with pal Sara Culler on background vocals), plus two exclusive tunes, both rather Belle & Sebastian-esque: "Everything You'll Never See" employs a dramatic trumpet while "Kellerman's Song" gently weeps. One of Sweden's best pop bands? Nifty fold out poster sleeve.

10. Monkeystrikes - Angry Knees EP (Planekonomi)
Simmering guitar-rock with a defiantly sultry swing from Stockholm's Monkeystrikes, like Blondie meets Babes In Toyland meets Bikini Kill, with some extremely feverish production. Monkeystrikes feature former members of The Souls, including vocalist-guitarist Cecelia Nordlund, who unveils an intensity bordering on immolation, what with her smoldering riffs and vocal pyrotechnics. For fans of high-octane action like Sahara Hotnights, the searing sensuality of The Cardigans, and fiery Pixies-styled riff-and-lick-blasts? "Lost On The Lawn" is my favorite here, and it, in keeping with the theme of heat and combustion, just explodes. Beautifully designed digipak...orange.

]]> Wed, 23 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25409-streaming-playlist-native-tongue http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25409-streaming-playlist-native-tongue http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25409-streaming-playlist-native-tongue#comments DATE ADDED : 06.21.04
LAUNCH : [stream no longer available]

01. Kent - Revolt III
02. Franke - Jäg älskar dig
03. Johndoe - Mynter I Maskiner
04. Sanna Kurki-Suonio - Tuulen nostatus
05. Håkan Hellström - Ramlar
06. David Sandström - När hjärtat svider
07. Mattias Alkberg BD - Fyllskall
08. Värttina - Nahkaruoska
09. Kaizers Orchestra - Bak et halleluja
10. Garmarna - Vedergällningen
11. Finntroll - Slaget vid blodsälv
12. Magnus Carlsson - Va med mig

]]> Mon, 21 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700 articles podcast http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14765 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14765 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14765#comments Digfi has a special studio session with David Sandström: http://www.digfi.com/default.aspx?id=5726]]> Thu, 10 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14992 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14992 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14992#comments David Sandström says he has plans to work on yet another new album in August.]]> Tue, 25 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15025 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15025 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15025#comments Dutch hardcore band Born From Pain and Norrland's David Sandström have been added to the Augustibuller Festival lineup. They also announced the newcomer/Havajiscenen lineup of unsigned bands: 21st Impact, Phony Phokes, Girl with a monkey, Alien She, Starfuck, The Idle Hands, Dwine, Tony Clifton, Marble and Dog Almighty.]]> Mon, 24 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15370 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15370 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15370#comments David Sandström has launched a much more comprehensive version of his website: http://www.david-sandstrom.com/
As mentioned before, his new album "The Dominant Need of the Needy is to be Needed" is fantastic and well worth checking out.]]> Wed, 28 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15528 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15528 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15528#comments Monstera is now booking David Sandström.]]> Mon, 19 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15565 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15565 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15565#comments David Sandström - The Dominant Need of the Needy is to be Needed (Mofab Teg)
This record perfectly balances the aspirations of art, folk and rock. Great music, great lyrics, great everything. I really had no idea what to expect with this, but I was totally impressed. Parts remind of Fireside's "Elite", others bring to mind Norrland indiefolk stuff like Isolation Years. David Sandström, ex-drummer of Refused? Naah, it's just David Sandström, successful solo artist. Definitely another one of the best records I've heard this year.]]> Sun, 18 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26694-david-sandstrom-the-dominant-need-of-the-needy-soul-is-to-be-needed-mofab-teg http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26694-david-sandstrom-the-dominant-need-of-the-needy-soul-is-to-be-needed-mofab-teg http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26694-david-sandstrom-the-dominant-need-of-the-needy-soul-is-to-be-needed-mofab-teg#comments Fireside's "Elite", others bring to mind Norrland indiefolk stuff like Isolation Years. David Sandström, ex-drummer of Refused? Naah, it's just David Sandström, successful solo artist. Definitely another one of the best records I've heard this year.]]> Sun, 18 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25414-streaming-playlist-guest-dj-kal-strom http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25414-streaming-playlist-guest-dj-kal-strom http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25414-streaming-playlist-guest-dj-kal-strom#comments GUEST DJ : Kal Ström of Dagensskiva

DATE ADDED : 04.16.04
LAUNCH : [stream no longer available]

01. Marit Bergman - Tomorrow is Today
02. Laakso - Good Weather, Stormy Love
03. C.Aarmé - Tu Puta Mi Casa
04. Mattias Alkberg BD - Haparanda Here We Come
05. David Sandström - Leni leni
06. [ingenting] - Syster dyster
07. CDOASS - The Correct Use of Failure
08. Lars Horntveth - Tics
09. Damn! - Superpower
10. Chick Habit - Bullshit Radio
11. Jon F. Kennedy - Post Traumatic Stress

]]> Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700 articles podcast http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15779 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15779 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15779#comments Another week and another new soundclip from David Sandström: http://www.david-sandstrom.com/]]> Tue, 30 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15890 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15890 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15890#comments Another Monday and another new clip from David Sandström, as well as an article less of clothing: http://www.david-sandstrom.com/]]> Mon, 22 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news