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

The 2009 Emmaboda Festival is bigger than ever, more bands, more spectators, more camp sites. It offers a broader selection of music than ever and it is one of few Swedish festivals with a positive growth rate. Yet it is still the smallest and coziest festival I have been to. The festival that used to be all about indiepop is nowadays all about variation and this years program contains everything from electropop to Springsteen influenced rock and ultra-commercial metal. Major foreign artists include 2 Many Djs, The Wombats, Metronony and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, among others, but I will keep my focus on the Swedish bands.

The site of the festival is the small town of Emmaboda; a sleepy industrial city in the middle of the Småland forests in south-eastern Sweden that is brutally awakened by thousands of partying, concert-going teens and twenty-somethings once a year. The festival area itself consists of one big forest-covered field that contains everything: stages, camping, bars, food facilities and port-a-potties. This also means that you can camp more or less right next to a stage and, if you wish, bring your own drinks to concerts.

There are two stages (they are actually more like barns-turned-stages) at the festival: one called "the forest" located in, well, the forest and one called "the meadow" located on the open field in the middle of the festival area.

Thursday

The first thing I do as I enter the festival area is to hurry over to the forest stage where Stockholm pop sensation Jonathan Johansson is performing. He is telling anecdotes from the cool elitist nightclubs of the Swedish capital and plays drum machine powered pop, reminiscent of early Swedish 90's pop. If the Smashing Pumpkins had formed in a Swedish suburb instead of Chicago, it would have sounded like this. However, it is a little too slow to wake up the sleepy audience and it is only the finishing Bruce Springsteen cover "Dancing in the dark" that really stand out.

Next up is Skansros, a Göteborg-based pop ensemble with a Håkan Hellström hangup. Their set includes everything from funky pop pieces to a little too pretentious out-of-tune ballads, but most of it is just plain excellent pop music.

Dead By April, Sweden's hottest commercial metal act and this year's least expected booking at the festival take their time to sound check and enter the stage a good half hour after set time. Their music combines growling and delicate singing with sweet melodies and heavy riffs. Their act of trying to look hard and sensitive at the same time fails miserably, and they end up looking like Sweden's version of Crazy Town or Evanescence.

Thursday's headliner are Skåne's legendary Bob Hund. They perform a super tight set as always. Top-notch both when it comes to song selection (a good mix of new songs and old hits like "Hörlurar" and "Min lilla planet") and crazy antiques from singer Thomas Öberg, today wearing a black mask instead of the usual white one. A perfect synthesis between madness, genious and rock music.

Detektivbyrån start off playing their harpsichord-powered folk pop just after dusk and perform a beautiful, almost meditative set. However, their attempt to make us listen closer by playing at a lower volume fails totally, plenty of times throughout the set their songs are overpowered by a screaming audience. But that is all forgotten when they finish the concert with two covers: "Lambada" and Klaus Wunderlich's classic "Popcorn". Pure genius.

Friday

Friday starts off with a mild breeze, blue skies and a cozy breakfast gig by Miss Li. Her naive, yet clever songs and piano hammering is a perfect combination and makes the audience forget their hangovers right away. It is a charming and relaxed show, at times perhaps a bit too relaxed when she repeatedly forgets lyrics and talks at length with her band mates about Ulf Lundell.

A few hours later Joel Alme gives us a solid rock show from the forest stage. There are strings, brass, warm melodies and heartfelt lyrics that never becomes too pompous or pretentious. Plenty of new songs show there is still a lot more to come and modern classics like "Always on my mind" and "Queens corner" draw down massive cheers. Perfect pop hits from the Swedish West Coast. Joel is Emmaboda's own Bruce Springsteen.

I have never seen The Baboon Show perform their chaos rock live before. Today's great show is sadly wasted on way too sparse an audience but frontwoman Cecilia Boström is never the less all over the stage from the second the band enters. Hits like "Faster faster harder harder" stick out in a set that is exemplary short. Like The Hives with a female lead singer.

Florence Valentin's performance on the Meadow stage proves that they have grown into a tight live music machine. The show kicks off with the bands most recent single "Spring Ricco" and from then on it is a full-frontal, left-wing pop attack. Lead singer and agitator Love Antell is cocky as ever, one second he talks about bringing down the government and the next he dedicates "Uppå sociala", a song about spending your welfare money on alcohol, to all the recent high school graduates in the audience. If you can stand the super obvious Clash influences, this is a really great show.

Legendary raw punks Moderat Likvidation made their first gig since the 80's last year and have been touring off and on since then. At Emmaboda they mix classic songs like "Köttahuve" with new ones from their most recent album "Mammutation". It is punk with d-beat, death and hardcore vibes. The old songs has the crusties moshing and the audience cheering and singing along while the new songs mostly leave people waiting for another oldie... But it is, all in all, a very good performance, appreciated both by the punk-dads and the new generation punks in the audience.

Laakso singer Markus Krunegård has had a massive success with his solo career. If it is the timely release of the vampire themed single "Jag är en vampyr" or just the winning concept of great pop melodies, I don't know, but when he enters the Meadow stage one thing is clear: he is a superstar. There is a huge audience, teenage girls scream at the top of their lungs and sing along to every song. The show is remarkably average though, it lacks structure (perhaps due to things repeatedly being thrown onto the stage) and is not very engaging if you're not already a big fan.

Saturday

Saturday offers yet another perfect festival morning with sunny, not too warm weather. My first show for the day is mp3 blog hyped electropop dude Nordpolen. His show starts off with a sample of Swedish opera classic "O helga natt" that turns into a loop and builds up to the first song. The band mixes electronic pop harmonies with a steady beat and bare chested lead singer Pelle Hellström looks like a young Dave Gahan in his leopard jacket. A decent set, but it is only hit single "Skimret" that really stands out.

Göteborg rockers Franke enter the main stage wearing corpse paint and start off their set without uttering a word. As usual. Today, their angst powered reverb heavy brand of rock is lost in poor sound and distortion, perhaps by accident, perhaps on purpose. Their distaste for their audience is as apparent as ever. After 30 minutes singer Niklas Franke whispers "We are Franke" into the microphone, that is the only words they speak other than their barely audible lyrics throughout the whole set. The few older songs they play are great, but otherwise it is just remarkably dull. Old hits such as "Aldrig förstå" are sorely missed.

The Haunted perform their death metal without compromise and deliver a excellent set despite poor sound conditions and when they encourage us to "open your hearts to Lucifer" at the end of the show, I think we are all ready to do just that. Most memorable is however singer Peter Dolving who between songs tells stories of obscure Norwegian Nazi porn, repeatedly tells us to take good care of each other and, at the end of the set, strips butt naked before he walks off stage.

The closing act at the Meadow stage are electro pop duo Familjen. A massive crowd has gathered and after two seconds of the first song they all start dancing. The dancing continues throughout the set and then out through camp sites and to the out door dancefloor/stage Trädgården where Den Svenska Björnstammen and Adrian Lux keep the dancing going on all night or at least until I leave the premises for this year. Good night Emmaboda, see you next year.

Words and pictures by Kalle Landin

01. Democracy – The Sweptaways and Sir Eric Beyond [Erik Aalto]
02. Sign your name – The Sweptaways and Nina Ramsby [Terence Trent D'Arby]
03. They don't know about us – The Sweptaways and Anders Wendin aka Moneybrother [Kirsty MacColl]
04. Electric – The Sweptaways [Dag Volle, Martin Sandberg, Herbert Crichlow, Leila K]
05. Time of the season – The Sweptaways and Pelle Almqvist (The Hives) [Rod Argent, originally performed by The Zombies]
06. Happiness will be my revenge – The Sweptaways and Jens Lekman [Jens Lekman]
07. I've got your man – The Sweptaways and Robyn [Marion Hall, Richard Martin, Rickardo Ducent, originally performed by Lady Saw]
08. With every heartbeat – The Sweptaways and Simone Rubi (Rubies) [Robin Carlsson, Andreas Kleerup]
09. Vintersaga – The Sweptaways and Uje Brandelius [Ted Ström]
10. The world's greatest – The Sweptaways [R Kelly]
11. Something special – The Sweptaways and Asha Ali [Dolly Parton]
12. Tjörn – The Sweptaways and Björn Olsson [Björn Olsson]

Expect the first single (tbd) in mid-March.

04/01 - Big Cat, Osaka
04/02 - Diamond Hall, Nagoya
04/03 - Shibuya-Ax, Tokyo

09/16 - Stubb's, Austin, TX
09/17 - House of Blues, Dallas, TX
09/19 - Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ
09/20 - Street Scene, San Diego, CA
09/21 - The Grove, Anaheim, CA
09/22 - Ventura Theatre, Ventura, CA
09/23 - The Warfield, San Francisco, CA
09/24 - The Mayan, Los Angeles, CA
09/25 - The Mayan, Los Angeles, CA

Our train arrived Thursday afternoon and were whisked away to the Rockparty HQ for a quick seminar and a whirlwind tour of the Swedish Rock Arkiv (something I would love to revisit when I have more time). Unfortunately, these meetings meant missing the first acts of the festival: Anti-Flag, Markus Krunegård and Parken. Once we finally made it to the festival grounds, I decided to take it easy and start off slow by catching up with old friends such as the dudes from Dagensskiva before watching my first band of the day, Shiloh. And what a great start that was! Pure over-the-top melodrama in fine Svenska tradition. Not many bands can pull that off convincingly, but Shiloh has the exact attitude to make it work. Kudos!

After retreating back to the backstage bar area, we were treated to an encore performance by the adorable Little Marbles, which was cute (are they old enough to be back here, I wondered), but otherwise unexceptional. I'm not sure if they're a band better suited to their peers or what, but it's not for me.

There's a ton of other worthwhile acts I probably should've checked out after that, but again I opted for socialization over the foreign imports and mediocre hip-hop (ie, Adam Tensta and Lazee). No, I decided to wait it out for Familjen at 1:30am and I'm glad I did because it was worth it. Now that was a proper finish for day 1: bright lights and dancing until the sun started to rise in the wee hours. I couldn't quite muster the stamina to catch Özgur Can at quarter-till 3, but I assume it was great. Uh, maybe next time?

Day 2 started off fairly similar to the first. Early (relatively) seminars at Rockparty HQ followed by a tardy festival arrival. Sorry to Palpitation, Raised Fist and The Process; you were on my to-see list, but it wasn't meant to be. Instead, my first act of the day was Billie the Vision and the Dancers. I can't say that I'm that big of a fan to be honest, but they are awfully charming in-person and the packed Teater crowd was loving every minute. Undeniably fun, I must admit. Up next: Säkert!. The band opened the big stage Hawaii and attempted to recreate a living room atmosphere on stage, but it ended up kind of pathetic compared to The Hives' massive neon backdrop which would fill the stage later that evening. Still, the band gave it their all and sounded great. A guest spot from Markus Krunegård and the now-traditional encore of The Wannadies' "My hometown" på Svenska ("Min hemstad") were bonus for those who stuck it out.

Timo Räisänen, on the other hand, had no trouble getting the crowd riled up with a powerhouse lineup that included two drummers. I forget that he used to be a lead guitarist before striking out on his own, so his heroics were all the more surprising and impressive. Maybe not quite my favorite act of the fest, but a strong contender. (also worth noting, this quip which I only caught half of at the time)

A short beer-break later and it was time for the aforementioned Hives to take the stage and show everyone what it takes to a headliner act. Having seen them wow a festival audience before, their usual shtick was comforting and familiar and entertaining as always, so it wasn't until they covered "(Gotta get some action) Now!" by The Hellacopters that my excitement level was peaked. I expected complacent consistency, but that was something special.

Looptroop Rockers were next on my list and they brought a set full of hits, but had a hard time holding my attention. Instead, I found that Afasi & Filthy put on a much better show later that evening at the Teater stage. They weren't an act I expected to catch, so file that one under pleasant surprises. I'm very glad I let my friends drag me along to see them.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to catch more than three songs from Witchcraft, but what little I did see was awesome. It also marked the first (and last) time I smelled dope at the fest, something that seemed very appropriate considering their heavy stonerrock sound. No, three songs were all I had time for as my presence was required at Pampas for Mustasch, an absolute must-see band I've wanted to catch for a long, long time. People tell me it wasn't their best performance, but whatever it was, I was plenty satisfied. Nice Hasselhoff altar dudes!

Day 3 was far more relaxed than the previous two. No rushing off to seminars, just an easy morning catching up on email and the like before strolling over around mid-afternoo to catch Ane Brun who, I must say, sounded marvelous. I can imagine that she'd be absolutely stunning in a proper theater-type venue, but the Pampas stage was still a nice start for my 3rd and final day of the fest. What a great backing band too! I slipped away after a bit to see a few songs from Herbrightskies, but quickly discovered that was a terrible idea, so it was back to the backstage bar until The Deer Tracks took over Stora Dans. Now this was what I wanted to see: a small band with no expectations who ended up totally flooring me. The core duo of David and Elin was augmented by a small ensemble and the fullness of their sound was amazing. Really looking forward to their new album when it finally comes out now - this is a band to watch out for.

Heeding the advice of IAT contributor Nancy, I made my way across the festival grounds to Atlantis for Miss Li who proved to be every bit as charming as I had hoped. It's worth noting that she held on to her sizable audience even after the football game started also! Firefox AK fared reasonably well too, despite said game. The band might tell you different considering the various technical problems they encountered, but I found the show to be great -- even better than the intimate gig I attended at Kafé 44 earlier in the week. Everything came together in just the right way as far as I was concerned.

After watching lots of dudes get very upset due to Team Sverige's loss (I watched the viewers more than the game), I caught a bit of Those Dancing Days, a band with far more moxie than actual talent for the time being. I don't wish them ill, I just hope they are able to persevere long enough to get good because I think they have the potential. Following that, I took a break and eventually wandered over to catch Denmark's The Blue Foundation, but after waiting 30 minutes with no show, I gave up. You blew it guys.

Otherwise, forget Lykke Li -- she'll tour the US again -- next on my agenda was Håkan Hellström, the one artist I absolutely knew I had see! I made sure I placed myself among the throng for the full fan experience and was rewarded justly. The man is a great entertainer with a great band and he put on a fantastic show. As I said on my blog report, the encore probably should've ended with "Kom igen Lena", but I still walked away more than happy. That was the Swedish festival experience I came for and I didn't dare taint it with any more bands so with that I said goodnight! Back to the bar for final farewells and well-wishing. Until next year?

On to the shows. Having nagged about how much to do and how little time to do it in, I still managed to catch a whole bunch of bands. One of the downsides of having a fascination close to obsession for music, and thus going to nearly every concert and festival available for many years now, is that it's hard to fully enjoy an artist or a band when having already seen the act far too many times. Sure, The Hives, Håkan Hellström, Mustasch and Kristian Anttila are all good bands/artists, but none of their shows were anything out of the ordinary. The Hives were just as crazy and powerful as always (but honestly, what is there for Pelle Almqvist to say or do that Howlin' Pelle hasn't already said and done?), Håkan was emotional as always and the charismatic Ralf Gyllenhammar of Mustasch played his robust clown card (although you need to be a native to fully understand all of his blabbering) perfectly. The same goes for Ane Brun and Tingsek. I still enjoyed their concerts, but I didn't expect anything else and therefore, was hardly surprised. What did surprise me was the massive crowds that turned up to support both Timo Räisänen and the up-and-coming rockers in Takida. I knew Takida had a big following (you tend to have that when just about every song has a chorus fit for everyone to sing along to) but Timo seemed hardly taken by surprise - instead he put on a show worthy any successful indie/pop artist from Göteborg you can think of.

And then there was Annika Norlin. Why, why, why did Rockparty place Annika and her friends in Säkert! on the main stage in mid-daylight? Never mind the daylight come to think of it, but the stage was far too big and the crowd far too small for Säkert! to be able to really get in under your skin. 'Cuz she's got the songs, Annika Norlin is without doubt one of the best Swedish songwriters there is at the moment, but Annika Norlin is not a stage persona. It's a shame, with a more enthusiastic Annika, and a smaller and more intimate venue, Säkert! will surely blow your mind. Speaking of blowing your mind, you didn't miss Johnossi, did you? Because if you did, you missed one of the coolest and greatest live bands there is. Having their second record out, "All they ever wanted", John and Ossi is once again ready to explode from within as soon as they hit the stage. Having seen the lads a couple of times before, with the latest occasion just a month ago, they did alright. With alright I mean they rocked the arse of all other bands that night, you should see them when they really hit the spot - unbelievable.

I did get to see a couple of first timers as well. Crushing hardcore from Raised Fist, electrifying... whatever you call it from the Finnish Disco Ensemble and soothing singer/songwriter from the young sisters Söderberg in First Aid Kit. And Those Dancing Days of course, finally I got a chance to see for myself what the buzz was all about. Nothing, it turned out. Been a long time since I've been to a concert that dull, but they're still young, so hopefully they'll come around. They reminded me about the short performance I watched with Little Marbles when they played a short set backstage. Young skitty girls with horrendous clothing and skitty little melodies, I just don't get it. So, trying to summarize Hultsfred 2008 I must say that I'm satisfied, even though I missed a few acts that I really wanted to see (Lykke Li, A Beautiful Friend, Robyn and Firefox AK, to name a few) and that Petter Seander, bass player in the Kristian Anttila band, didn't keep his promise to take me to that Håkan Hellström barbecue party in the garden of the house rented by EMI (free beer you know...). He now owes me one.
- Christian Stenbacke

01. Familjen - Huvudet i sanden
02. TALK 1
03. Säkert! - Vi kommer att dö samtidigt
04. Robyn - Cobrastyle
05. Håkan Hellström - Kär i en ängel
06. TALK 2
07. Those Dancing Days - Dischoe
08. Mustasch - I hunt alone
09. Johnossi - Party with my pain
10. The Process - Mot Sverige i tiden
11. TALK 3
12. Raised Fist - Breaking me up
13. Firefox AK - Once I was like you (Markus Guentner remix)
14. Dreamboy - Pay attention
15. TALK 4
16. Miss Li - Miss Li
17. Markus Krunegård - Jag är en vampyr
18. Timo Räisänen - My valentine
19. TALK 5
20. The Hives - You dress up for Armageddon

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

03/27 - Garage, Saarbrücken (GER)
03/28 - Pier 2, Bremen (GER)
03/29 - WDR Rocknacht, Cologne (GER)
03/30 - Roxy, Prague (CZ)
04/01 - Petofi Csarnok, Budapest (HUN)
04/02 - Gasometer, Vienna (AUS)
04/03 - Tonhalle, Munich (GER)
04/04 - Xtra, Zurich (CH)
04/05 - Rolling Stone, Milan (ITA)
04/07 - Apolo, Barcelona (ESP)
04/08 - La Riviera, Madrid (ESP)
04/09 - Coliseum, Lisboa (ESP)
04/11 - Santana 27, Bilbao (ESP)
04/12 - Le Bikini, Toulouse (FRA)
04/14 - UEA, Norwich (UK)
04/15 - Academy, Newcastle (UK)
04/16 - Rockcity, Nottingham (UK)
04/17 - Academy, Bristol (UK)
04/18 - Brixton Academy, London (UK)
04/19 - Printempes de Bourges, Bourges (FRA)
04/20 - Le Zenith, Paris (FRA)

Best Album: Kent – Tillbaka till samtiden
Best Dance/Hip-Hop/Soul: Adam Tensta – It's a Tensta thing
Best Folk/Visa: Sofia Karlsson – Visor från vinden
Best Group: Kent – Tillbaka till samtiden
Best Hard-rock: Mustasch – Latest version of the truth
Best Jazz: Rigmor Gustafsson – Alone with you
Best Songwriter: Salem Al Fakir – This is who I am
Best Female Artist: Säkert! – Säkert!
Best Male Artist: Salem Al Fakir – This is who I am
Best Live Act: The Hives
Best Song: Lars Winnerbäck w/Miss Li – Om du lämnade mig nu
Best Lyrics: Annika Norlin – Säkert!
Best Newcomer: Salem Al Fakir – This is who I am
Best Producer: Salem Al Fakir – This is who I am
MTV-Prize for Best Video: Johan Söderberg (Familjen – Det snurrar I min skalle)
Export Prize: Bloodshy & Avant

Read more: http://www.grammis.se/?page=105

Best Album
Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Säkert! - Säkert!

Best Dance/Hip-Hop/Soul
Adam Tensta - It's A Tensta Thing
Familjen - Det Snurrar I Min Skalle
Ken - Äntligen Hemma
Mange Schmidt - Känslan Kommer Tillbaks
Petter - God Damn It

Best Folk/Country
Abalone Dots - From A Safe Distance
Ale Möller - Band Djef Djel
Lars Demian - Välkommen Hit
Sofia Karlsson - Visor Från Vinden
Sven-Bertil Taube - Alderville Road - Ord & Toner Av Evert Taube

Best Group
Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Mando Diao - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend
The Hives - The Black And White Album

Best Hard-rock/Metal
Entombed - Serpent Saints
Hardcore Superstar - Dreamin' In A Casket
Lillasyster - Hjärndöd Musik För En Hjärndöd Generation
Mustasch - Latest Version Of The Truth
Takida - Bury The Lies

Best Jazz
Alice Babs Med Jan Johansson & Georg Riedels - Orkester Illusion
Bitter Funeral Beer Band W Don Cherry & K. Sridhar - Live In Frankfurt 82
E.S.T. - Live In Hamburg
Nils Landgren - Funk Unit Licence To Funk
Rigmor Gustafsson - Alone With You

Best Songwriter
Annika Norlin - Säkert!
Benny Andersson - Bao 3
Joakim Berg & Martin Sköld - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Ola Salo - Prayer For The Weekend
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Best Female Artist
Anna Järvinen - Jag Fick Feeling
Laleh - Prinsessor
Miss Li - God Put A Rainbow In The Sky
Sonja Aldén - Till Dig
Säkert! - Säkert!

Best Live Act
Lars Winnerbäck
Lena PH & Orup
Takida
The Hives
Timbuktu

Best Song
Lars Winnerbäck & Miss Li - Om Du Lämnade Mig Nu
Mange Schmidt Feat. Petter - Giftig
Sahara Hotnights - Cheek To Cheek
Salem Al Fakir - Good Song
The Ark - The Worrying Kind

Best Male Artist
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Moneybrother - Mount Pleasure
Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand By For…
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande

Best Newcomer
Adam Tensta - It's A Tensta Thing
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Oh Laura - A Song Inside My Head, A Demon In My Bed
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Säkert! - Säkert!

Best Producer
Benny Andersson - Bao 3
Björn Olsson - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Björn Yttling - Writer's Block & What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Jon Joshua Schuman & Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Best Lyrics
Annika Norlin - Säkert!
Eva Dahlgren - Petroleum Och Tång
Jason Diakité - Oberoendeframkallande
Joakim Berg - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

MTV-Prize for Best Video
Adam Tensta - My Cool (Dir: Marcus Lundin)
Familjen - Det Snurrar I Min Skalle (Dir: Johan Söderberg)
Kent - Ingenting (Dir: Mattias Montero/Adam Berg)
Slagsmålsklubben - Malmö Beach Night Party (Dir: Andreas Nilsson)
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend (Dir: Magnus Renfors / Kindpeople)

Read more: http://www.grammis.se/?page=96]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:18:21 -0500 news general awards http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25752-top-10s-for-2007-absolut-noise http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25752-top-10s-for-2007-absolut-noise http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25752-top-10s-for-2007-absolut-noise#comments it will be released next year and will be a total killer. I heard plenty of their songs. Trust me: this is gonna be the best record in 2008! A Bear Quartet album --> An electro one, or a pop one, or a rock one : does not matter actually. Mattias Alkberg can even turn hip-hop, I will buy it. A MABD album --> More a punk one like their first two ones than a folk one like their latest. A more black "White and black" album for The Hives --> when they rock, they do rock. When they try to be too smart (see their song "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S" for instance), they make me feel bored. A great Kent record --> ok, "Tillbaka till samtiden" is not that bad, but it is not that good either, right? A Bad Cash Quartet record --> 'cause Hästpojken + Jonas Game do not equal BCQ A bad Mando Diao record --> "Never seen the light of day" is actually not bad. I would even say it is quite good. A Jens Lekman trash metal album --> I liked it at first, but now I think "Night falls over Kortedala" is quite boring. I prefer his first record. This latest one is much too calm for me. Not surprising enough. It sounds like I am the only one to think so though. A Convoj album --> will those guys eventually release a proper record? A compilation with all the great artists who are from the very little Swedish city Östersund --> like Annika Norlin, Penny Century, Autisterna, The Way We Wear Our Head, Sibiria or Vapnet --------------------------- Absolut Noise is a French blog on Swedish music. absolutnoise.blogspot.com]]> The best 2007 records which did not exist in 2007

The first Du Pacque record
--> it will be released next year and will be a total killer. I heard plenty of their songs. Trust me: this is gonna be the best record in 2008!

A Bear Quartet album
--> An electro one, or a pop one, or a rock one : does not matter actually. Mattias Alkberg can even turn hip-hop, I will buy it.

A MABD album
--> More a punk one like their first two ones than a folk one like their latest.

A more black "White and black" album for The Hives
--> when they rock, they do rock. When they try to be too smart (see their song "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S" for instance), they make me feel bored.

A great Kent record
--> ok, "Tillbaka till samtiden" is not that bad, but it is not that good either, right?

A Bad Cash Quartet record
--> 'cause Hästpojken + Jonas Game do not equal BCQ

A bad Mando Diao record
--> "Never seen the light of day" is actually not bad. I would even say it is quite good.

A Jens Lekman trash metal album
--> I liked it at first, but now I think "Night falls over Kortedala" is quite boring. I prefer his first record. This latest one is much too calm for me. Not surprising enough. It sounds like I am the only one to think so though.

A Convoj album
--> will those guys eventually release a proper record?

A compilation with all the great artists who are from the very little Swedish city Östersund
--> like Annika Norlin, Penny Century, Autisterna, The Way We Wear Our Head, Sibiria or Vapnet

---------------------------
Absolut Noise is a French blog on Swedish music.
absolutnoise.blogspot.com

]]> Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20681 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20681 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20681#comments The Hives are having a contest to let a fan design the cover of their next single: http://www.thehivesbroadcastingservice.com/news.php?article=92]]> Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:43:26 -0500 news general http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25747-top-10s-for-2007-its-a-trap http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25747-top-10s-for-2007-its-a-trap http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25747-top-10s-for-2007-its-a-trap#comments Another year down, another batch of top 10 lists to add to the already overwhelming commotion. I probably listened to more music than ever in 2007, yet putting together this year's list was painless compared to year's past. The simple reason why: all the best releases were obvious. Yes, there were notable also-rans, but let's leave that to the comments section. For now, let's just stick to top tens.
-Avi Roig, Editor-in-Chief

10. Various Artists - Ny musik för landssorg (Container Recordings)
Exceptionally moving. A high-concept work of art.

09. Repoman - s/t (Monument)
Fierce, unrepentent hardcore. I can only imagine how good this must sound live.

08. Tobias Hellkvist - Transports (self-released)
Beautiful, blissed-out drone. Pure aural sunshine.

07. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
The perfect response for anyone put off by the coldness of The Knife. Familjen is destined for greatness.

06. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (Razzia)
Cute without being too cloying, sweet without being too twee. The best indiepop album of the year.

05. Susanne Sundfør - s/t (MBN)
A tremendously talented young lady from Norway who's probably only just getting started.

04. Aerial - The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
I knew this was top 10 material the first time I heard it. Nobody does epic noiserock better.

03. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
The easy consensus pick. Uneven overall, but forgivable when you consider that this record contains more than a handful of the year's best songs.

02. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Fall, fall, falling (Kalligrammofon)
The yin to Tobias Hellkvist's yang. Where Hellkvist's music makes me want to stand with arms outstretched, ready to embrace the world, Dead Letters makes me want to curl up in a fetal position in a dark corner. I never realized how profoundly moving drone could be until I heard this.

01. Kristofer Åström - RainawayTown (Startracks)
Far and away the album I listened to the most this year and the one I know I'll hold dear for years to come. From tender ballads ("Fallen") to raucous rock'n'roll ("A little out of tune"), this record covers the full spectrum of human experience and puts it into song.

Jonas Appelqvist

10. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
A cover album strictly consisting of songs from obscure indie duo Rough Bunnies is commercial suicide. But Gustaf Kjellvander's craftsmanship is so honest and true, it's impossible not to capitulate.

09. Knugen Faller – Lugna favoriter (Cage Match Federation/Ny Våg)
Fans of Buzzcocks, Gorilla Angreb and X should immediately go get a copy of this one!

08. The Lionheart Brothers – Dizzy kiss (Racing Junior/NONS)
Psychedelic rock in the vein of fellow countrymen Euroboys.

07. Moonbabies – At the ballroom (Startracks)
The duo of Ola Frick and Carina Johansson left their more experimental side at home, recorded and released a wonderful pop oriented full-length album and it is infectious.

06. Repoman – s/t (Monument)
The ferocity in Repoman's music is breathtaking. Hardcore resembling Converge is always welcome in my book.

05. My Midnight Creeps – Histamin (Dead Moose/EMI)
In the absence of new material from The Soundtrack of Our Lives, this is where to go. Primal rock at its best suffered a huge loss with the death of guitarist Robert Burås. He will be missed. RIP.

04. Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
These guys go from strength to strength. "Black rain from the bombing" gave us a hint on what was coming. This is headstrong indierock that has no intention to rub the right way. Kudos to that!

03. MABD – Ditt hjärta är en stjärna (A West Side Fabrication)
I adored "Tunaskolan" when it came out. This is an even better record. Cynical lyrics, Springsteen-ish vibes and punk rock mixed with Matti Alkberg's unmistakable voice. Magic!

02. Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
There's not a chance to defend you from the attack that is this record. And really, why should you? Surrender to Sweden's finest pop combo!

01. Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
Having released several wonderful records, this is the culmination of their career thus far. Indierock has never sounded this beautiful.

Nancy Baym

10. Pelle Carlberg - In a nutshell (Labrador/Twentyseven Records)
I still feel like he's falling short of his potential, but even a so-so Pelle Carlberg record has enough outstanding moments to carry the day.

09. Vapnet - Något dålight nytt har hänt (Hybris)
Who was it that said they like this band more than ice-cream? Tasty bouncy sweets.

08. Thirdimension - Before the end begins (Hidden Agenda)
A quiet acoustic live performance lets the strength of the songs shine through.

07. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
I am no fan of electronica, but this record's got too much pop sensibility to ignore.

06. Les Issambres - Late fairytales (Fifth Week Records)
This surprise little record out of nowhere enchanted me with its sister/brother vocal arrangements, simple but compelling songs, and non-pretentious flute.

05. Isolation Years - Sign, sign (NONS)
Their most consistent record to date has some great songs, and no duds, but doesn't have the outstanding highlights of some of their previous efforts.

04. Sambassadeur - Migration (Labrador)
The word "lush" is getting tossed about a lot in reference to this record, and indeed, it shimmers and shines. Very nice second record sees them grow in new directions.

03. Club 8 - The boy who couldn't stop dreaming (Labrador)
Soft, seductive, and beautifully performed, the sixth record from Club 8 is easily their best, despite a couple of dull moments.

02. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin (Dead Moose/EMI)
Robert Burås' far-too-early death this year was a heartbreaking loss, but this last offering wonderfully showcases the magnitude of his epic guitar playing genius.

01. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
Gustaf Kjellvander transforms lofi seeds of great ideas into ultracatchy pop brilliance. Easily got more playtime out of me than anything else this year.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

10. The Mary Onettes – s/t (Labrador)
80s throwback bands may have finally been forced to take a backseat this year, but The Mary Onettes celebrate that strange and influential era of music in a way that few bands could ever claim to.

09. Seabear – The ghost that carried us away (Morr Music)
Seabear exude a delightful warmth into their compositions: something lost, almost nostalgia inducing, foreign without being unfamiliar, and altogether wonderful.

08. Jens Lekman – Night falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
Darling of every blogger and hype-generating music website the world over, Jens Lekman did indeed make his mark upon 2007.

07. CS Nielsen – Against the dying of the light (Songcrafter Music)
In September, I wrote that CS Nielsen had crafted one of the greatest albums of the year. I stand by that statement.

06. Anna Järvinen – Jag fick feeling (Häpna)
"Jag fick feeling" will, for the foreseeable future, be one of the first albums I run to as the leaves sicken, bleed out their autumn hues, and gracefully descend to the ground below.

05. Immanu El – They'll come, they come (And the Sound)
As I wrote in my review of this album, Immanu El's "They'll come, they come" is unquestionably a forceful and substantial album; an effort that probes sections of our musical consciousness that have fallen into shadow and been ignored too long.

04. The Chrysler – The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
Dropping one spot since the June round up, "The Benelux years" still surprises me with new layers every time I listen to it. The Chrysler are one of the most underrated bands of all time.

03. Kent – Tillbaka till samtiden (SME)
Kent have absolutely nothing to prove anymore - they are arguably one of the best Swedish bands of all time - and yet they continue to prove themselves, over and over and over again. It's frightening.

02. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
Another album whose position was solidified earlier in the year, "Our ill wills" is still one of the best sophomore albums I have ever heard.

01. Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
I fell in love with this album in January, continued to proclaim its brilliance in June, and, a few hours from December, crown "The sentinel" the best album of 2007. Absolutely brilliant.

Matt Giordano

10. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Fall, fall, falling (Kalligrammofon)
Beautifully subtle and understated noise.

09. The Chrysler - The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
The Chrysler upped the tempo on their third album, and it's easily their best.

08. Christian Kjellvander - I saw her from here/I saw here from her (Startracks)
On his third, and best album, the arrangements have finally acted on the ideas.

07. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Pan European (Adrian Recordings)
Brilliant electronica from this Swedish duo.

06. Montt Mardié - Clocks/Pretender (Hybris)
This second album sees big band and swing return to the musical landscape.

05. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
Gustaf reinterprets the Rough Bunnies to gorgeous results.

04. Juvelen - s/t (Hybris)
Hot and sweaty pop music has returned!

03. The Tough Alliance - A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Göteborg's best have honed their sound into hedonistic pop bliss.

02. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
Sweden's best band delivered its third album in such a fashion only they could - with "Italy vs. Helsinki".

01. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
Familjen's debut album is the best pure pop full-length I have heard all year.

Nick Levine

10. Ninja – I don't play guitar (Popyhtiö)
Finland's answer to Robyn. At the forefront of Finnish pop music. This record has some serious crossover potential.

09. Billie the Vision & The Dancers – Where the ocean meets my hand (Love Will Pay the Bills)
Not a radical departure from previous releases. But hey, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

08. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian/Hybris)
Zeitgeist-defining record. Sweden's answer to new rave?

07. Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
More upbeat than Jen's previous efforts. Is this mellowing due to his recent engagement?

06. Boat Club – Caught the breeze (Luxury)
Atmospheric shoegaze and Balearic-lite prog pop.

05. Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
The most commercially successful release from Laakso thus far.

04. Studio – West Coast (Information)
I'm counting this as it only got a UK release this year. Credit must also be given for some of Studio's superb remixes for the likes of Shout Out Louds and Rubies.

03. Those Dancing Days - s/t (V2)
Undoubtedly the biggest Swedish buzz band of the year. Helped in no small part by It's a Trap.

02. The Tough Alliance – A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Stunning comeback record, after the experimentation of 2006's "Escaping your ambitions".

01. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
This records features the best use of cowbell in 2007.

Christian Stenbacke

10. Kent – Tillbaka till samtiden (SME)
The journey back into the dark electronical realms of the 80's might not have been the perfect career move, but on the other hand, since when has Kent ever cared about such a petty thing?

09. Sällskapet – s/t (Universal)
Cold and dark and damp - Pelle Ossler vs. Joakim Thåström - Life drained from the body, machines in control, the last thing leaving mankind is hope. Are you ready to enter room 212?

08. Kristofer Åström – RainawayTown (Startracks)
There is something special about Kristofer Åström. He has the ability to get to the things that really matter with small words and measures.

07. Bloodlights – s/t (Playground Music)
All things have to come to and end, Glucifer is no more, but the Captain lives on. Bloodlights is cock rock at its best.

06. The Mary Onettes – s/t (Labrador)
It's so obvious and it's so perfect. The Mary Onettes hardly try to hide their Anglophile influences and why should they?

05. Christian Kjellvander – I saw her from her/I saw here from her (Startracks)
Christian Kjellvander is a man of quality; every song sung from his lips is of highest standard.

04. José González – In our nature (Imperial/Mute)
The man is just marvelous; catching every single raw emotion there is with his incredible guitar work and simple, yet direct, voice.

03. The Raveonettes – Lust lust lust (Border Music/Vice)
Finally back to basics; the magic of Sune Wagner and Sharin Foo's voices bound together and the bleak Jesus & Mary Chain meets 50s surf music is a fascinating combination.

02. Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
Instead of calling it quits, Logh decided to pull it together and release a new album, the best decision ever made.

01. Sound Like Violence – With blood on my hands (Burning Heart)
What is Niccokick compared to this? This is the best album this year by far; the impact of every song is overwhelming.

Simon Tagestam

10. The Hives – The black and white album (Interscope)
Not as good as I wanted it to be, but The Hives manage to deliver a bunch of great songs.

09. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
A strong and solid second album from Shout Out Louds.

08. Frida Hyvönen – Pudel (Licking Fingers)
A mini album that has given me very high hopes for Hyvönen's second proper full-length.

07. Anna Järvinen – Jag fick feeling (Häpna)
It took me some time to warm to this Järvinen's solo debut, but now I find it really cosy and pleasant, it's a great album for cold winter nights.

06. Jonas Game – ADHD (Sincerely Yours)
Bad Cash Quartet's drummer managed to make a very personal and intriguing album full of hits.

05. The Tough Alliance – A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Nice to see TTA back on track after last year's weird ambient album.

04. The Lovekevins – Vs the snow (Songs I Wish I Had Written)
I knew that The LKs were good, but I didn't think they could be this good!

03. Alexis Weak – Välkommen till Gullmarsplan (La Vida Locash)
Ok, it's only a half an hour (free!) mixtape, but I got really addicted to Alexis Weak's personal rapping style in 2007.

02. Säkert! – s/t (Razzia)
It was nice to see the Swedish public embracing Annika Norlin's side project and making her the star she deserves to be.

01. Jens Lekman – Nights falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
Ah, the King of Sweden! Or, at least he should be. Lekman is the greatest.

]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20587 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20587 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20587#comments The boring, entirely predictable nominations for this year's Rockbjörnen:

Female artist:
Amy Diamond
Miss Li
Robyn
Sonja Aldén
Säkert!

Male artist:
Danny Saucedo
Lars Winnerbäck
Magnus Uggla
Måns Zelmerlöw
Ola Svensson

Group:
Kent
Mando Diao
Sahara Hotnights
The Ark
The Hives

Best newcomer:
Danny Saucedo
Miss Li
Måns Zelmerlöw
Oh Laura
Salem Al Fakir

Best song:
Kent: Ingenting
Lars Winnerbäck: Om du lämnade mig nu
Magnus Uggla: Pärlor åt svin
Måns Zelmerlöw: Cara Mia
Ola Svensson: Natalie

Best album:
Kent: Tillbaka till samtiden
Lars Winnerbäck: Daugava
Magnus Uggla: Pärlor åt svinen
Ola Svensson: Good Enough
The Ark: Prayer for the Weekend

Best live act:
Kent
Lars Winnerbäck
Mando Diao
The Ark
The Hives

Go here to vote: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesliv/musik/rockbjornen2007/article1324994.ab]]> Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:44:47 -0500 news general awards http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20482 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20482 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20482#comments This year's Swedish Grammi (Grammy) Award nominees have been announced:

Best album:
Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Moneybrother - Mount Pleasure
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Säkert! - Säkert!
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend
The Hives - The Black And White Album
Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande

Best dance/hip-hop/soul:
Adam Tensta - It's A Tensta Thing
Dogge Doggelito - Superclasico
Familjen - Det Snurrar I Min Skalle
Fjärde Världen - Världens Ände
Ken - Äntligen Hemma
Mange Schmidt - Känslan Kommer Tillbaks
Million Stylez - From A Far
Petter - God Damn It
September - Dancing Shoes
Vincent - Lucky Thirteen

Best group:
Eldkvarn - Svart Blogg
Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Mando Diao - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend
The Hives - The Black And White Album
Oh Laura - A Song Inside My Head, A Demon In My Bed
Peter Bjorn And John - Writer's Block
Weeping Willows - Fear & Love

Best hard-rock/metal:
Arch Enemy - Rise Of The Tyrant
Candlemass - King Of The Grey Island
Clawfinger - Life Will Kill You
Crashdiet - The Unattractive Revolution
Dark Tranquillity - Fiction
Entombed - Serpent Saints
Hardcore Superstar - Dreamin' In A Casket
Lillasyster - Hjärndöd Musik För En Hjärndöd Generation
Mustasch - Latest Version Of The Truth
Takida - Bury The Lies

Best songwriter:
Anna Järvinen - Jag Fick Feeling
Annika Norlin - Säkert!
Benny Andersson - Bao 3
Christian Kjellvander - I Saw Her From Here/I Saw Here From Her
Joakim Berg & Martin Sköld - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
José González - In Our Nature
Moneybrother - Mount Pleasure
Ola Salo - Prayer For The Weekend
Peter Bjorn And John - Writer's Block
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Best female artist:
Anna Järvinen - Jag Fick Feeling
Eva Dahlgren - Petroleum Och Tång
Jaqee - Nouvelle D'amour
Laleh - Prinsessor
Louise Hoffsten - Så Speciell
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Miss Li - God Put A Rainbow In The Sky
Sonja Aldén - Till Dig
Sophie Zelmani - Memory Loves You
Säkert! - Säkert!

Best live act:
Benny Anderssons Orkester
Jens Lekman
Lars Winnerbäck
Lena Ph & Orup
Parksommar
Per Gessle
Peter Jöback
Takida
The Hives
Timbuktu

Best song:
Lars Winnerbäck - I Duett Med Miss Li Om Du Lämnade Mig Nu
Mange Schmidt Feat. Petter - Giftig
Markoolio - Ingen Sommar Utan Reggae
Martin Stenmarck - 100 År Från Nu (Blundar)
Måns Zelmerlöw - Cara Mia
Sahara Hotnights - Cheek To Cheek
Salem Al Fakir - Good Song
Sonja Aldén - För Att Du Finns
The Ark - The Worrying Kind
Ola - Natalie

Best male artist:
Christian Kjellvander - I Saw Her From Here / I Saw Here From Her
Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
José González - In Our Nature
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Moneybrother - Mount Pleasure
Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand By For...
Peter Lemarc - Kärlek I Tystnadens Tid
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande
Timo Räisänen - Love Will Turn You Around

Best newcomer:
Abalone Dots - From A Safe Distance
Adam Tensta - It's A Tensta Thing
Anna Järvinen - Jag Fick Feeling
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand By For...
Oh Laura - A Song Inside My Head, A Demon In My Bed
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Sonja Aldén - Till Dig
Säkert! - Säkert!
Vincent - Lucky Thirteen

Best producer:
Benny Andersson - Bao 3
Björn Olsson - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Björn Yttling - Writer's Block & What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Jari Haapalainen - Svart Blogg
Jon Joshua Schuman & Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
José González - In Our Nature
Laleh - Prinsessor
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Vincent Pontare - Lucky Thirteen

Best lyrics:
Anna Järvinen - Jag Fick Feeling
Annika Norlin - Säkert!
Eva Dahlgren - Petroleum Och Tång
Jason Diakité - Oberoendeframkallande
Joakim Berg - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Ola Salo - Prayer For The Weekend
Peter Lemarc - Kärlek I Tystnadens Tid
Plura Jonsson - Svart Blogg
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Go here for the full list: http://www.musikindustrin.nu/mi/smpage.fwx?page=198&NYHETER=8646]]> Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:32:52 -0500 news general awards http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20226 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20226 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20226#comments Pitchfork reviews the new album from The Hives: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/47067-the-black-and-white-album]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:53:41 -0500 news reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20220 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20220 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20220#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
02. Martin Stenmarck - Det är det pojkar gör när kärleken dör
03. Christian Kjellvander - I saw her from here/I saw here from her
04. Hardcore Superstar - dreamin' in a casket
05. Christer Sjögren - Älskade andliga sånger
06. Magnus Uggla - Pärlor åt svinen
07. Louise Hoffsten - Så speciell
08. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
09. Peter Lemarc - Kärlek i tystnadens tid
10. Petter - God damn it
11. Thorleifs - Våra bästa år
12. Nisse Hellberg - En tiger i tanken
14. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao 3
15. Peter Jöback - Människor som du och jag
16. Shirley Clamp - Tålamod
17. The Hives - The black and white album
18. E-Type - Eurotopia
19. Drifters - Ett liv med dig
20. Mando Diao - Never seen the light of day
]]> Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:00:29 -0500 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20181 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20181 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20181#comments Quit Your Dayjob will play support to The Hives for a batch of dates before setting off on a string of their own headlining shows:

11/19 - Docks, Hamburg (GER) w/The Hives
11/20 - Columbia halle, Berlin (GER) w/The Hives
11/22 - ABC, Glasgow (UK) w/The Hives
11/23 - Hammersmith, London (UK) w/The Hives
11/24 - Apolo, Mannchester (UK) w/The Hives
11/25 - Academy, Birmingham (UK) w/The Hives
11/27 - Le Bataclan, Paris (FRA) w/The Hives
11/28 - Palladium, Cologne (GER) w/The Hives
11/29 - Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL) w/The Hives
11/30 - Schlachthof, Wiesbaden (GER) w/The Hives
12/02 - AB, Brussels (BEL) w/The Hives
12/11 - Steinbruch, Duisburg (GER)
12/12 - Mains D'Oeuvres, Paris (FRA)
12/13 - Belle Vue Café, Brussels (BEL)
12/14 - State X Festival, The Hague (NL)
12/15 - Patronaat, Haarlem (NL)
12/22 - Henriksberg, Göteborg (SWE)
01/25 - Transformateur, Fribourg (CH)
01/26 - Sedel, Luzern (CH)
]]> Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:36:06 -0500 news live http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20145 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20145 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20145#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

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 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20121 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20121 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20121#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
02. Magnus Uggla - Pärlor åt svinen
03. Christer Sjögren - Älskade andliga sånger
04. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
05. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao 3
06. E-Type - Eurotopia
07. Petter - God damn it
08. Thorleifs - Våra bästa år
09. Nisse Hellberg - En tiger i tanken
10. Peter Lemarc - Kärlek i tystnadens tid
11. Peter Jöback - Människor som du och jag
12. Mando Diao - Never seen the light of day
14. Shirley Clamp - Tålamod
15. The Hives - The black and white album
16. Jaqee - Nouvelle d'amour
17. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
18. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
19. Hammerfall - Steel meets steel - Ten years of glory
20. Miss Li - Songs of a rag doll
]]> Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:49:40 -0500 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20038 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20038 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20038#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
02. Magnus Uggla - Pärlor åt svinen
03. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao 3
04. Christer Sjögren - Älskade andliga sånger
05. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
06. Thorleifs - Våra bästa år
07. Nisse Hellberg - En tiger i tanken
08. Mando Diao - Never seen the light of day
09. Peter Lemarc - Kärlek i tystnadens tid
10. The Hives - The black and white album
11. Petter - God damn it
12. Shirley Clamp - Tålamod
14. Peter Jöback - Människor som du och jag
15. Avatar - Schlacht
16. Ken - Äntligen hemma
17. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
18. José González - In our nature
19. Hammerfall - Steel meets steel - Ten years of glory
20. Tommy Körberg - Rakt upp och ner
]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:04:32 -0400 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26029-the-hives-the-black-and-white-album-interscope http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26029-the-hives-the-black-and-white-album-interscope http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26029-the-hives-the-black-and-white-album-interscope#comments There's been a lot of talk about which producers The Hives have worked with for "The Black and White Album", their fourth album in ten years. It's been Pharrell this, Modest Mouse producer that, and so on. All this talk and the fact that their last album was a bit "meh", really put me off the album, especially the thought of not-so-very-good-in-the-last-few-years Pharrell being involved just felt so like such a tired and uninspired way to achieve something new. I was pretty much set on not liking this offering from the Fagersta boys, and I didn't look forward to hearing it at all (the first single of the album – "Tick tick boom" did nothing for me either), so I was greatly pleased to discover that The Hives have actually made a quite decent record. They haven't started playing rap-metal, or changed their sound drastically, but they have certainly taken on board some new ideas, which I think most of the time work in their favour. The track that stands out from the rest is the Pharrell produced "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S." which doesn't sound like The Hives at all, but more like Kraftwerk doing disco. A lot of people don't seem to like this particular song, but I really dig it! For the rest, it's the usual flavour of The Hives and there are some great tracks (eg. "You dress up for armageddon" – it sounds like Randy at their best) and some less so ("Puppet on a string" - very annoying), but at the same time it's much better and interesting than a lot of similar sounding bands and definitely a step forward. After being a fan for 10 years, it's nice to hear that The Hives are still able to come up with some smashing tunes and make me want to go and see them and maybe do a little jig, and have a beer or two.
- Simon Tagestam
Rating: 7

01. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
02. Christer Sjögren - Älskade andliga sånger
03. The Hives - The black and white album
04. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
05. Peter Lemarc - Kärlek i tystnadens tid
06. Thorleifs - Våra bästa år
07. Peter Jöback - Människor som du och jag
08. Ola - Good enough
09. José González - In our nature
10. Hammerfall - Steel meets steel - Ten years of glory
11. Miss Li - Songs of a rag doll
12. Hans Martin & Tommys - Mina egna favoriter
14. Soilwork - Sworn to a great divide
15. Dia Psalma - Djupa skogen
16. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
17. Bo Sundström & Frida Öhrn - Den lyckliges väg
18. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
19. Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala
20. Moneybrother - Mount pleasure
]]> Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:45:58 -0400 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19878 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19878 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19878#comments This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. Radiohead
02. Kent
03. Jens Lekman
04. The Knife
05. Beirut
06. Iron & Wine
07. Bob Dylan
08. The Hives
09. Feist
10. José González

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:55:20 -0400 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26023-moll-flanders-out-of-fashion-crying-bob http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26023-moll-flanders-out-of-fashion-crying-bob http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26023-moll-flanders-out-of-fashion-crying-bob#comments Honestly, it took me a while to figure out how to review this record. There wasn't much information readily available besides a brief bio (maybe I didn't dig deep enough, just being honest). Moll Flanders are a rock band from Sweden, and you could put them right into a slot next to The Hives, Interpol, etc. The aspects that hold the most value are the musical diversity in the album, Dylan-esque balladry, even some 60's baroque aspect, especially on "Could it be me?" They practically channel "She's not there" by The Zombies. That's my personal favorite track and I doubt I'll let this one slip through the cracks. It's one of those albums that one tends to share with their friends.
- Paul Bredenberg
Rating: 6

Buy it: [click here]]]>
Warning: filesize() [function.filesize]: Stat failed for /usr/local/4admin/apache/vhosts/itsatrap.com/httpdocs/playlist/knugen_faller-lugna_favoriter.mp3 (errno=2 - No such file or directory) in /usr/local/4admin/apache/vhosts/itsatrap.com/httpdocs/rss.php on line 203
Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:13:19 -0400 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19722 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19722 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19722#comments The Hives will be releasing a new 6-track digital-only EP featuring tracks from the forthcoming "The black and white album" as well as the exclusive cut "Fall is just something grownups invented" which was recorded for the Cartoon Network.]]> Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:31:44 -0400 news general http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25973-quit-your-dayjob-tools-for-fools-bad-taste-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25973-quit-your-dayjob-tools-for-fools-bad-taste-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25973-quit-your-dayjob-tools-for-fools-bad-taste-records#comments Riding a huge wave of success and acknowledgement, the freaks are out and back again. This, the follow up to 2005's "Sweden we got a problem", is, despite its simplicity, a more complex record. The hardcore fans, however should not be alarmed by this, the trademark madness QYD do so well is intact throughout all 13 tracks. The impression I get when listening to "Tools for fools" is that the songwriting has improved. For better and worse, I must add. The head-on, full-frontal punkrock with surf vibes, the all-or-nothing feeling is lost on this album at times. And to be really honest, this is one band that is more suited for just releasing EPs. When the band sounds like a date between Dead Kennedys and The Cramps on speed in "Danger! Fire kills children", it's like coming home again. Robert Johnson & the Punchdrunks would be proud of a song like "Medieval monsters in the modern man" and "Bodypoppers" is a smart move as the first single, being co-written with The Sounds. To sum it up, these maniacs are enjoying recognition from all sorts of characters including Blag Dahlia from The Dwarves, Ok Go, The Hives and, more surprising, R.A. The Rugged Man who is also featured on the opening track "Warmachine". I salute them as well! If they had just weeded out some of the weaker material, the grade would've been higher, for sure.
- Jonas Appelqvist
Rating: 6

Sebastian - Vocals / Guitar
Viktor - Guitar / Vocals
Joakim - Bass / Casio / Guitar
Niklas - Bass / Korg
Markus - Drums / Guitar / Juno

1 am, the first day, a tiny stage; what can we expect from Aerial?

S: I have no idea, anything can happen. It's a great time and a cosy venue.

What would you call the music of Aerial?

V: Some would say post rock, but I'm not sure I have the same opinion. Not when it comes to the new material at least. Although much of the material from "The sentinel", our latest record, might be considered post rock, we're going in a slightly different direction with the stuff we've written recently.

It's always interesting when it comes to the release of the second record; comparisons to the first one are inevitable. What are the reactions so far?

V: Well, I don't know really... We've got some reactions from people we didn't expect to hear from.

S: Lots of metal kids seem to enjoy this one, "The sentinel".

V: Yeah, it's always a different thing with a new record, at least for us. This one is different from the first, and the next one will be different from this one and the first one as well.

Is this something you can tell when you're playing live, that you appeal to different kinds of people? How does a typical Aerial visitor look like?

S: We're still such a small band... We haven't really been in contact with the people we've been playing to. I don't even know if we have an audience or followers, I hope so! We'll see tonight I guess.

Tell me a little bit more about your label, No Method.

V: Magnus from No Method is our distributor as well as the head of our label, or his label rather. We're actually not quite sure about what he's up to, but at least we're making some progress!

J: He just scored a deal with One Little Indian, a label in the UK and the States, and that's a good thing.

V: Yeah, we're releasing "The sentinel" in the UK in a couple of months.

S: Which we hope might lead to a gig or two I might add.

I can imagine that people come to see Aerial, not so much for the visual experience or show, but to actually feel the complexity and beauty of the music alone. How does a typical concert with Aerial look like?

S: We basically grab our instruments and start to play. We've never really given the visual part of the performance much thought, except for one time when had neon lights on stage. That was cool!

V: But that's perhaps something we should be thinking about, how we look and act when on stage.

S: I don't know, we have way too much self respect to start acting out on stage, if we don't want to...

V: My point is that perhaps we should start doing just that, not because we want to, which we don't, but because it's what we're supposed to be doing?

S: Holy fuck, just listen to us talking... It's crazy.

Did you guys watch Live Earth?

N: I saw Enrique Iglesias...

...why?

N: Because I was at home, lying in bed, sick! I laughed at him!

Yeah, of course.... I had a hard time to tell if some of the artists played because of the environmental issue, or just to promote themselves. Like Madonna with her upcoming single for instance. Would you ever consider doing something you don't like, just to earn more attention to yourselves? Say, wear pink shirts to be "hip"?

S: I don't ever think I'll wear a pink shirt, no matter the circumstance...

V: If you want to wear a pink shirt, then wear a pink shirt. Didn't your father give you one Niklas?

N: It's nothing wrong about pink shirts! Yeah, he gave me one, but I haven't used it yet. Poor dad.

S: The thing is, we don't have a plan or marketing strategy. We don't have an image, and we don't really strive to create one either.

V: Our image is that we don't have an image.

S: To steal the credo from Pavement. Image is such a hard term to come to understand. What is an image? I can't really tell what makes up someone's image.

No conformity alá The Hives then?

S: It's possible we might want to do something like that in the future, but not at this point, no.

V: If we could get hold of a couple of astronaut suites to wear on stage... That would be awesome.

S: We really dig Sci-Fi. It was a great inspiration when we recorded "The sentinel". We get inspiration from Philip K. Dick...

V: I think "The sentinel" has a Stanley Kubrick vibe to it. You know, slim, simple. Impersonal, is that the right term?

S: Yeah, one could say that. Cold, almost mechanical.

Now, with a new record out, do you have any thoughts about what might come next? You mentioned that some new material had been written already.

S: Most of the work with the songs for the next album has been competed. All we have to do is to record them. Well, perhaps we have a couple of small things to finish first, a couple of noise songs to start with...

V: I think we have quite a bit more to do before recording?

S: I'm not sure I agree, we have written the songs, haven't we?

V: Yeah, sure, but we can always write more songs! But ok, we have lots of things ready to go, yeah.

S: It was the same when we released "Black rain from the bombing". By then we had already done most of the things on "The sentinel".

V: We played a couple of "Black rain from the bombing" songs live before we recorded the album. After we released the album, we stopped playing those songs live, by then we were all into the songs from "The sentinel".

J: Tonight we're going to play three songs from "The sentinel", nothing more, nothing less.]]> Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/434 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/434 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/434#comments The Hives have thankfully added a few headlining gigs to their upcoming US tour supporting Maroon 5:

09/30 - Metro, Chicago, IL
10/03 - Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, Ontario
10/09 - Webster Hall, New York, NY
10/14 - Middle East, Boston, MA
10/17 - The Black Cat, Washington, DC
11/01 - The Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA
11/07 - Avalon, Los Angeles, CA]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 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 -0400 articles fest http://www.itsatrap.com/n/458 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/458 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/458#comments The Hives have a new website: http://www.thehivesbroadcastingservice.com/]]> Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27649-laakso-worst-case-scenario http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27649-laakso-worst-case-scenario http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27649-laakso-worst-case-scenario#comments The question that everyone wants to know: who was the best band at Way Out West? Sounds easy enough, but it's almost impossible to answer. How can you compare Woven Hand to Boredoms to The Hives? All were fantastic, albeit in totally different ways. However, it must be said that one of the most satisfying live experiences of the entire festival had to be Laakso. A small club show at Sticky Fingers was a perfect way to close out Friday night and easily one of the biggest highlights of my trip. It's funny - except for fellow IAT contributor Jonas Appelqvist, most everyone else I know in GBG could care less about the band, but we were both incredibly excited to see them. Not that I'm all that surprised though - I can totally understand why most Swedes would be bored with the big indie acts. On the other hand, everybody agrees that "Italy vs Helsinki" is a fantastic song. It's also unanimous that The Hives are one of the world's best live bands. Not that that fact should come as a surprise, but there you go. Anyhow, Laakso delivered the kind of show I was hoping for. Energetic, cathartic, glorious, beautiful.]]> Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/519 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/519 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/519#comments Fest update! Friday was great - Low exceeded expectations and Woven Hand was amazing. I couldn't get into Trail of Dead, but I did manage to catch Last Days of April to wrap up the evening and they were pretty damn good too. Saturday started nicely with a thunderous set from Boredoms followed by my first-ever in-person Hello Saferide show. Some folks tell me it wasn't their best, but I was more than happy. The Hellacopters and The Hives both brought the rawk like you would expect and after that I decided to bail early to Sticky Fingers so I could stake out a position for Laakso. It was obviously the right move 'cuz that place filled up mighty quick right after we got there. Seeing Juvelen open was bonus. As for Laakso, it was brilliant. Practically a greatest-hits set you could say. Oh, and Annika Norlin performed the "Italy v Helsinki" duet. Good times! Pictures to come as well.]]> Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/773 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/773 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/773#comments Maroon 5 will have the pleasure of letting The Hives blow them off the stage every night for their upcoming tour:

09/29 - Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI
10/01 - Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
10/02 - Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
10/04 - Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
10/05 - Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
10/07 - Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
10/08 - John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA
10/10 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
10/12 - Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
10/13 - Wachnovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
10/15 - TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
10/16 - Verizon Center, Washington, DC
10/18 - Colonial Center, Columbia, SC
10/20 - Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise, FL
10/21 - St. Pete Times Forum, St. Petersburg, FL
10/23 - Amway Arena, Orlando, FL
10/24 - Gwinett Civic Center, Duluth, GA
10/26 - Toyota Center, Houston, TX
10/27 - Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX
10/29 - Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
10/31 - Energy Solutions Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
11/02 - Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR
11/03 - Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC
11/05 - ARCO Arena, Sacramento, CA
11/06 - HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA
11/08 - Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
11/09 - Cox Arena, San Diego, CA
11/10 - The Pearl, Las Vegas, NV]]> Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25702-festival-report-accelerator http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25702-festival-report-accelerator http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25702-festival-report-accelerator#comments Håkan Hellström has done it. The Hives as well. Moneybrother was still unknown when he did it. Loney, Dear has done it twice, counting this occasion. Done what you say? Played on Accelerator – The Big One of course. Or the Accelerator Festival as they call it these days. But what's so special about that you might ask? Great bands plays gigs all the time, right? The thing with Accelerator is that you get to see the stars of tomorrow today. Håkan Hellstöm played in 2000, The Hives in 2001 and Moneybrother in 2002. None of those bands had the stardom they have today, they where all artists on the rise. That's what makes the Accelerator festival so exciting, they have the perfect mix of really hot and great bands, both native and foreign. This year's line up includes the return of José González, Jens Lekman and The Tough Alliance. Peter Bjorn and John will play their super hit "Young folks" and Victoria Bergsman will introduce you to her new project Taken By Trees, proving that there's a life after The Concretes. To name a few things. But don't worry, IAT has its tentacles everywhere, and provides a full report from all three days in both Göteborg and Stockholm. Enjoy!
- Christian Stenbacke

Göteborg

Text and photos by Christian Stenbacke.

[ingenting]
I was wrong. In the festival preview I listed [ingenting] as one of the must-sees. I also wrote that the band has its ups and its downs; the gig at Accelerator Göteborg was surely not one of the ups, in fact, it was even worse than just a regular down. There's one thing that I can't stand, and that's when a band or an artist takes the audience for granted. Replacing Kate Nash at the last minute, [ingenting] suddenly got the chance to play one of Sweden's most credible events, but what do they do? Nothing. Singer Christopher Sander looks bored out of his mind, the rest of the band does try; but the energy just isn't there. And quite frankly, bands might need to rehearse from time to time. There are far too many technical errors to my satisfaction tonight. But then again, they do have the most marvellous songs. In my head I can hear perfect versions of "Julia" and "Suzanne (vi kan inte gå hand i hand)", even though they're not, because I want to. I really like this band, a genuine pop band singing in Swedish, and doing it well, but there's a limit to everything. And no "Punkdrömmar". The one song that could have made things somewhat right again. Oh well. Next time perhaps.

José González
When the first notes of "Crosses" echoes through the room I get goose bumps. Every single hair on my body seems to be on the rise. The song may have a couple of years on its neck by now, but it longer belongs to José González. It belongs to us. To the world. To everyone. Those where the words of Michael Stipe of R.E.M. when he introduced "Losing my religion" last time I went to one of their concerts. I believe you can use that phrase for most José González songs, the man has his way of stripping the music bare of nothing else but raw emotion. Even though it has been more than four years since the release of "Veneer", the songs still sound vital and fresh. But there's a new element in the live show this time around, the usually solitaire man from Göteborg is no longer alone. After at couple of songs, José is joined by Yukimi Nagano (known from her collaboration with Koop) on backing vocals and Erik Bodin on the bongo drums. Everything very subtle and gentle. Still, it brings a somewhat new dimension to the music. And the new songs… Perhaps nothing in the same class as "Crosses" or "Heartbeats" (a song he did not play tonight, unfortunately), but I have no doubt that "In our nature" (release date September 26) will be something to look forward to. Until then, make sure to catch José live if you have the opportunity, it's worth every penny.

Stockholm

Text and photos by Martin Eriksson.

Loney, Dear
The greatness of Loney, Dear lies not just within the amazing songwriting of Emil Svanängen, but in the chemistry between Emil and background vocalist Malin Stålberg. Watching Emil and Malin together makes you remember why people start bands in the first place. In contrast to Interpol's Paul Banks and his crew (playing later the same day), there is warmth about the whole performance. Watching Malin smiling as she sings and the band mates constant glancing at each other, you understand that these people were born to do what they do. In the afternoon sun, Loney, Dear made a terrific show, including a finale with up-beat versions of several songs from the albums.

Taken By Trees
Victoria Bergsman totally lives up to all expectations. Her performance is fragile, yet with some kind of power that leaves the crowd stunned and completely silent during the eclectic show. Backed up with several solid names (Björn Yttling, Jens Lekman, Erland Oye), Victoria's performance gave us proof that her talent didn't go down the drain with the split-up of The Concretes. (And no, she's not dull.)

Peter Bjorn and John
Although major parts of the crowd sadly left after playing you-know-what-song, Peter Bjorn And John made a great performance. Showing the ones of us who stayed the whole concert that the people begind the blog-movement "Stop Peter Bjorn and John" really should be going after someone else. There's lot of crap out there. PB&J is not included.

José Gonzáles
Backed up by talented companions on percussion and background vocals, José did a stunning afternoon show. When playing his cover of Massive Attack's "Teardrop", a girl in front of me broke into tears. Seeking solace in her boyfriend, she buried her head into his lap. The boyfriend: "it's ok. I cried when I heard it the first time as well."

And finally, the no-no of the day: There is no way I can understand the hype of The Tough Alliance. The final concert of the festival was so crowded that I didn't even have a chance to shoot any pics. People gave up an amazing concert by Bright Eyes to stand in a 20-minute line to get a glance of two morons singing/miming to mediocre beats. No, I just don't get it.

]]> Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400 articles fest http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25867-streetwaves-the-pleasure-to-end-all-pleasures-i-made-this http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25867-streetwaves-the-pleasure-to-end-all-pleasures-i-made-this http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25867-streetwaves-the-pleasure-to-end-all-pleasures-i-made-this#comments It's a shame that Streetwaves couldn't keep up the emotional velocity set out in the powerful opener "Whatever is available will be your next step", by far the best track on the entire record. But the energy is high throughout and I hope that my opening line does not color "The pleasure to end all pleasures" too darkly; while it has it's flaws, it's a fun, vigorous garage-indie-rock album. The bar is merely set very high by the opening track, and it remains a bar that the album doesn't approach again. The gritty Nine Black Alps and The Hives influenced mode, while strongly written and executed, occasionally suffers from a lack of direction and songs that could easily have been shortened by at least a minute. Complaints aside, there are a number of excellent high points. "Choking in the boysroom" is one the better dark indie songs I've heard in a while, its shorter length and lower-fi production benefiting the composition. The Pavement-like "Holy stranger" shows that Streetwaves are just as competent with slower tempos and clocks in as my second favorite song on the album. While far from faultless, "The pleasure to end all pleasures" is a dirty garage rock record, and in this vein it works – we already have enough finely tuned, flawlessly polished, and forgettable acts like The Strokes out there.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Rating: 6

Minilogue - Hitchhikers choice
Minilogue did the music, Kristofer of Ljudbilden & Piloten did the visuals. The sum total is fantastic. (AR)

The Hives - Live medley
After you watch this you need to run down to your local record shop and buy the originals. (PA)

Breach - Replenish the empty
Alright, the video is not that great but my god, listen to the song taken from the marvellous "It's me god"!! Breach was definitely one of Sweden's finest. Still hard to get over the split-up. (JA)

I'm From Barcelona - I'm from Paris
Emmanuel from I'm From Barcelona went to France to promote his band, but he wasn't able to get his (28) bandmates with him, so instead he got all the staff (cleaners, etc) at the French radio station to act as his choir. Watch the (interesting) result! (ST)

Nicolai Dunger - Hunger
The incredibly profilic Dunger isn't always on, but when he nails it, it's something remarkable. This track is one of those times. (AR)

Starmarket - Amber
Starmarket have never really gotten the attention they deserve. I guess this kind of indierock never appeals to a greater amount of people. It's a pity... (JA)

Anja Garbarek - I won't hurt you
You won't? I don't buy it. (AR)

.:Who's who?

PA: Per Apelqvist
JA: Jonas Appelqvist
AR: Avi Roig
ST: Simon Tagestam

]]> Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 articles videos http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3568 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3568 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3568#comments Word has it that The Hives will be making a guest appearance on Timbaland's forthcoming solo album.]]> Mon, 27 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3746 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3746 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3746#comments Moneybrother will be releasing a new album of cover tunes sung in Swedish next month. The record is called "Pengabrorsan" and the official release date is December 6 via Hacka Skivindustri (what happened to BHR?) with the first single "Dom vet ingenting om oss" being posted for streaming at moneybrother.net tomorrow. Some of the artists covered include Donna Summer, Operation Ivy, My Morning Jackets and Otis Clay and there are duets with both Jerry Williams and Howlin' Pelle (The Hives).]]> Thu, 09 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26089-ingenting-mycket-vasen-for-ingenting-labrador http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26089-ingenting-mycket-vasen-for-ingenting-labrador http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26089-ingenting-mycket-vasen-for-ingenting-labrador#comments This is the second album from [ingenting], and they still sound a bit like Kent and a lot like Velvet Underground (the guitar riffs!). The Swedish press hasn't really taken to this album, something I don't really understand since these songs are highly infectious and the more I listen to them, the more I want to go on a road trip with them playing on the stereo. The lyrics are wonderful and the music's ace. [ingenting] are terrific at doing slower ballad-type of songs ("Bergochdalbanan" being my favourite 'slow song' on here), but what they really do best is fast and catchy (such as "Punkdrömmar", "Suzanne", "Släpp in solen" – listened a lot to this last summer, and "Hollywood dreams", the latter being the strongest track on "Mycket väsen för ingenting"). This is Swedish indie at its very best, even if [ingenting] have taken some obvious references points to create their sound like The Hives, instead of being more original like someone such as The Knife.
- Simon Tagestam
Rating: 0

Acid House Kings - 7 days
This pretty much sums up their live show. Fun, light-hearted and brilliant. (MG)

Laakso - Aussie girl
This is my favourite band to come out of Sweden in the last few years, and nothing they have done has disappointed me. Here's looking back to the first record in hopes that many, many more will come. (MG)

Hello Saferide - The quiz
Hello Saferide was always going be a hit for the heart for many with such songs as "Long lost penpal" and "San Fransisco" - but it took "The quiz" to really dispell any doubts there may have been: Hello Saferide is quality. The video is lo-fi - did MTV show it? Doubt it - hence why this is a smashing chance for you to enjoy. (JC)

The Hives - Main offender
Despite being considered by many to be hasbeens nowadays, I still believe The Hives are a great band and dammit, this is a great song. Oh, and a ridiculously good video, too. (AR)

Meshuggah - New millenium cyanide christ
Not all extreme metal bands take themselves 100% seriously. Despite making some of the most heavy, precise, intense music ever, Meshuggah still knows how to smile and laugh. The perfect low-budget video. (AR)

Randy - Shape up & Human atom bomb (live)
Dudes in skeleton suits bash out two great songs in under four minutes. Makes you understand why many consider 'em to be Sweden's greatest live band. The picture is pretty damn dark unfortunately, but the sound quality is pristine. (AR)

Rough Bunnies – Poppy Eye
This video could have been made by someone wanting to satirize Rough Bunnies being so lo-fi and twee, and the video is almost too cute and lo-fi, but I still love it. (ST)

Röyksopp - What else is there?
There is something in this decaying mess of a video that is just gorgeous. It just makes me want to daydream all day long. Here's to floating. (MG)

Sigur Rós - Untitled 1
This is the greatest music video of all time. Seriously, nothing can top this. It's the most purely beautiful thing I have ever seen in cinamatic form. (MG)

Silverbullit/Citizen Bird - Joy
Is it art? Or just an advert? Either way, it's still eye candy. (AR)

.:Who's who?

JC: Jason Christie
MG: Matt Giordano
AR: Avi Roig
ST: Simon Tagestam

]]> Thu, 17 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400 articles videos http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27951-the-hives-main-offender http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27951-the-hives-main-offender http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27951-the-hives-main-offender#comments Having mentioned The Hives in passing yesterday, I figure it's as good a time as any to to make them my Friday flashback post. I've only seen them once and it was on their first US tour supporting The (International) Noise Conspiracy. The band had already started to gather a decent amount of hype in the UK at that point, but were still mostly unknown in the States. A few radio stations had started to playlist them, but that's it. The crowd, outside of myself and a maybe a few other folks, were totally ignorant about the band. They were there for t(I)NC and never knew what hit 'em. All I know is that t(I)NC must've been majorly bummed that tour because I'm sure they got shown up each and every single night. No amount of mic twirling from Dennis could've saved things for them. The Hives ruled the night and, after that tour, everyone in the world knew it. So here's a live track from that era, recording live by Swedish Radio at the Brixton Academy in 2002.]]>
Warning: filesize() [function.filesize]: Stat failed for /usr/local/4admin/apache/vhosts/itsatrap.com/httpdocs/playlist/the_hives-main_offender.mp3 (errno=2 - No such file or directory) in /usr/local/4admin/apache/vhosts/itsatrap.com/httpdocs/rss.php on line 203
Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27952-the-stores-the-tv-reminds-me-of-what-to-be http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27952-the-stores-the-tv-reminds-me-of-what-to-be http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27952-the-stores-the-tv-reminds-me-of-what-to-be#comments Even though we haven't heard anything new from The Hives in awhile, it's not as if Scandinavian garage-rock suddenly went away. The scene has been going strong for a long time and was one of the first things I discovered once I started to venture beyond the realms of metal in the mid-90s (via The Hellacopters, of course). The Stores are a Danish threesome continuing the fine tradition. I love the mix of that cavernous surf-rock guitar tone over a driving rhythm section. The main hook riff is introduced and almost immediately abandoned while the bass and drums work hard to make sure to hold everything together. The band is so tight and on-fire, it gives the guitarist room to do pretty much whatever he wants. It doesn't matter if he's just wailing on chords or working out new ways to tear apart the main theme, it all sounds great. Funny to think that these guys are labelmates with Attrap, but it's true. As you should know, good music is good music, regardless of genre.]]>
Warning: filesize() [function.filesize]: Stat failed for /usr/local/4admin/apache/vhosts/itsatrap.com/httpdocs/playlist/the_stores-the_tv_reminds_me_of_what_to_be.mp3 (errno=2 - No such file or directory) in /usr/local/4admin/apache/vhosts/itsatrap.com/httpdocs/rss.php on line 203
Thu, 20 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5441 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5441 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5441#comments Finnish act Disco Ensemble is spreading their tentacles into Europe and has signed a worldwide deal (excluding Finland where they remain on Fullsteam) with Universal Records. They recently re-recorded four songs from the "First aid kit album with Pelle Gunnerfeldt (Fireside, The Hives, etc.) and Michael Ilbert (The Hellacopters, Cardigans, etc.) in Sweden for a special European rerelease in August. The single "Black euro" comes out first on August 4 and the full-length follows on August 18. And that's not all - the band will also release "We might fall apart" as a 7" single in the UK on July 3 simultaneously with a release in their home country of Finland. For the record, "We might..." is probably my favorite DE song that I've heard, but that's not necessarily saying that much.]]> Tue, 13 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5601 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5601 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5601#comments Swedish singer/songwriter Tobias Fröberg has signed with Poptones, the UK label run by Alan McGee. In case you were unaware, Alan is credited with the discovery of both Oasis and Primal Scream and also for kickstarting the whole craze surrounding The Hives. Tobias' new album "Somewhere in the city" will be released over there shortly and you can read an interview with him about his new record and opinions on Swedish music right here: http://www.poptones.co.uk/index.php?/news/more/tobias_froberg/]]> Tue, 30 May 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6051 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6051 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6051#comments This year's Where the Action Is travelling festival tour in Sweden will feature Millencolin, The Hellacopters, Backyard Babies, Soundtrack of Our Lives and The Hives. Dates:

07/27 - Strömstad
07/28 - Huskvarna
07/29 - Linköping
07/30 - Örebro
08/03 - Malmö
08/05 - Göteborg
08/08 - Söderbärke
08/09 - Stockholm

Tickets go on sale Friday.]]> Tue, 25 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7957 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7957 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7957#comments PopMatters interviews Pelle Almqvist of The Hives: http://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/hives-051212.shtml]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8114 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8114 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8114#comments Recommened music at Amazon from Howlin' Pelle of The Hives: [click here]]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8525 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8525 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8525#comments The Hives stream their favorite music on Australia's Triple J: http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/music_specials/s1486562.htm (via)
Lots of choice Swedish selections, of course.]]> Tue, 25 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8608 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8608 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8608#comments "Tussles In Brussels" is the name of a new live DVD from The Hives, due out November 14. The disc will contain a live show filmed in Belgium along with behind-the-scenes footage, TV spots and videos.]]> Tue, 18 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9092 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9092 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9092#comments Randy played a secret show at Debaser in Stockholm this past weekend where they a did a set of ten of their own songs followed by six Misfits covers featuring Howlin' Pelle from The Hives on vocals. See pics: http://www.rockfoto.nu/intSpelning/409/intBand/101]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news 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

(note: Kelly was mostly busy sending text messages to her fake boyfriend, but she does chime in towards the end)

Avi: So let start with congratulations on a #1 record.

Peter: Yeah, it's good! Actually had one before, but it was in Norway and doesn't really count the same way.

A: Oh? What #1 in Norway?

P: Turbonegro

A: Oh, right right.

P: Three weeks in a row or something. Big band over there.

A: Oh yeah and they have that new one coming out. That's probably going to be a big record...

P: I hope so. It's good. Better than the last one.

A: So how is Moneybrother doing now with that Kent record out? Is it still holding on?

P: No, uh (laughs). They released it the last day of the week because they wanted to have a #1 that first week and the next week. They said they sold like half a million records on the last one.

A: So like how people are there in Sweden and how many records?

P: It's great actually how big they are.

A: Right.

P: I'm not sure actually that that's just Sweden, I think that's Scandinavia total, but they're still big in Sweden. But it's good, we're happy we're #2 at least. So that's good, as good as it can get.

A: But still y'know, you look at the cover of Sonic and see Anders is on the cover and Kent is down a ways.

P: But still they are such a mainstream popular band.

A: I don't think they're quite the talk as much as...

P: But you like them personally?

A: I haven't heard the new one yet, but I thought the last one was kind of mediocre.

P: Uh huh, that's the biggest one of course. But I like some of the old stuff.

A: Oh yeah, me too. I mean, the last one isn't bad. I'm curious about the new one, but in no rush to hear it.

P: No, same here. (laughs)

A: So now that you have this big success, what's next? What are you working on?

P: We're always working on tons of records, not just big ones.

A: You're not just concentrating on the pop stuff?

P: No no, I think the majority of our bands are punk bands in one or another. There's always a punk angle to the bands we are signing. Even Anders was in punk bands and Monster. I think everyone has some punk thing going. We're doing Turbonegro, we're doing Millencolin, new Looptroop. And that's all coming out in spring.

A: Right, all pretty big records.

P: Yeah, all big. And then we have Lost Patrol Band and Club Killers which is a cool band. Have you heard of them?

A: I think I've heard the name.

P: It's basically three of the guys from Moneybrother. They're all here actually, but not the trumpet guy.

A: Oh, were they on the comp? That live track, that's right.

P: They are a live band who are like a project... they're a real band now. Basically they play a club in Stockholm - Debaser - every second week or every month. They play ska, rocksteady; only covers. And they have fifteen people in the lineup and then they invite a lot of guests like Håkan Hellström, someone from The Hellacopters, Sahara Hotnights, Weeping Willows, everything. They have guest vocalists for all the songs.

A: So that's what the recording's gonna be like?

P: Yeah yeah, totally. It's like Buena Vista Social Club, but more indie/ska and in Sweden. It's started to become pretty popular - they have some great festival gigs last summer. This will be the first release, live at the club. It was recorded live during several nights or whatever and then put together.

A: Is it all ready to go?

P: Yeah, it'll be out in May.

A: So actually will be appearing on it then? The people you mentioned already?

P: Yeah, Håkan Hellström, Magnus Carlsson, Maria from Sahara, some hip-hop guys, Moneybrother's on two tracks. Then they have their own singer which is a girl, Anna Maria EspinosaModer Jords Massiva.

A: Kind of the all-stars, eh?

P: Yeah, I hope they're gonna develop into a real band.

A: And actually tour and everything?

P: Uh-huh. And write their own stuff. Which they want to do, but I don't know if they can get the time because of Moneybrother.

A: Are they going to do any festivals this summer?

P: Yeah, but they are also subject to what they can do because of Moneybrother. The drummer is also from Weeping Willows, the horn section is from a lot of bands.

A: Of course Moneybrother will in-demand this summer I imagine.

P: Yeah, right. It's gonna be tough for them. It's an interesting thing and of course if Moneybrother plays a festival they might also play the same festival.

A: Yeah, as long as none of the other bands are doing anything else?

P: Yeah. So that's what we're releasing this spring. And we've got tons of new stuff in the autumn actually.

A: What else you working on?

P: Sara from INC, a new band called The Vicious. We're doing that. That's more the Dead Boys kind of punk-rock.

A: So not going back to like the Doughnuts metalcore thing?

P: (laughs) no no... So that's a good one. And then we have a band called The Accidents.

A: Oh yeah, I have their record.

P: Yeah, it's more rock n' roll.

A: Yeah, that's another kind of all-star band in some ways.

P: Yeah, but some of the band members are from Voice of a Generation who just broke up. So now they have the bassplayer from VOAG and it's totally his band.

A: So they're going full-out now? Not like a side-project?

P: Yeah, also because one of the guys from VOAG who left and split up the band - he works for Burning Heart. That's why he wanted to quit. And he's still in The Accidents as well, but he's only gonna be on the record. He's not gonna tour.

A: Right. Now what does he do at Burning Heart?

P: He's running the publishing. He works for the publishing company which is part of Burning Heart in a way.

A: Right.

P: It's a different company that does the publishing for Refused, The Hives, whatever, a tons of bands.

A: Yeah, it's a lot of work I would imagine.

P: It's a lot of work, so it's tough.

A: Right. So how do you go about discovering new bands then? Do you go out to a lot of shows? Demos?

P: It's not demos really, it's more recommendations and usually we sign bands that already have a reputation.

A: Yeah, all those bands seem to have people that are already established.

P: Yeah, and live shows - yeah, I go to live shows, but not that many. It's hard - I don't travel a lot. If there's a band I really want to see and want to sign, of course I go. Usually I hear about a band through others and then go to the show. But it's not often you see a band that blows you away.

A: Has that ever happened to you?

P: Yeah. In a way I see that sometimes. Like I saw Flogging Molly on the Warped Tour a couple years ago. I really liked that because I thought it was excellent live and then we licensed them for Europe. But otherwise, thinking about it - it's not often I see a band live and go wow, this is something I have to work with. It's more like I heard about the band and then I see them live.

A: So nobody out of the blue then?

P: Not really. Flogging Molly I would say is the only one.

A: Is that different from the way you used to do things when you first started the label?

P: Of course, that was more demos actually at the beginning. And we started to sign a few bands that developed into others or started new bands or people recommended.

A: Well and Fredrik Holgren might accuse you of stealing his bands.

P: Ahhh yeah, but he was not involved in doing that deal with Refused. But that's the way - it's hard in the beginning. We signed the demos for a lot of the bands like No Fun At All, Millencolin. I did the first Refused EP which was basically me and Fredrik had around the same time, but he - initially he had a deal with the band and then I put out the EP. But all these bands, the early bands Millencolin, 59 Times the Pain, Breach and so on, that was through demos. Lately, it's not the same way now. That was part of the punkrock, hardcore way. And that was what Burning Heart was at the beginning, sort of a more punkrock hardcore thing.

A: Do you consider yourself a different kind of label now?

P: In a way. It's a more established label. It's not the same way. We don't pick demos with bands, there's not the same amount of good new bands around. It's not the scene. It's not something happening at the moment that you can relate to in the same way. On the other hand, I mean, sometimes you hear stuff like I heard a demo from Regulations I wanted to do. I dunno if you're familiar with them?

A: I've heard the name.

P: It's punkrock basically. It's gonna come out on Dennis' own label. Dennis and Stefan from Randy are gonna put it out. And maybe hopefully I'll be able to work with it later on. Vicious also, but that was also because I know Sara was in the band. You always have something. In the beginning it was different. I think we are still the same kind of label, though we are more established and we can work with more bigger bands.

A: So you think the scene has changed then?

P: Totally.

A: Do you think the DIY thing isn't going quite as strong or?

P: It wasn't much of a DIY thing at that point. It was because everyone started their punkrock label, but no - I wouldn't say it's as strong these days. It's definitely not as strong as it was when Refused and all those bands came. Then there were a lot of smaller Swedish punkrock labels established. And they were all gone after a few years, but a lot of them started and managed to do some okay things. A lot of indie labels sold a lot of records. Today there aren't that many.

A: Why do think that is?

P: I think there was an over-establishment at some point, in a way. But now... I think there was a boom in the scene and something new that came with Offspring and Green Day that totally changed. The kids were totally into it and there was a lot of new things about snowboarding and skateboarding.

A: The pop-punk explosion?

P: Yeah, it was - and the hardcore explosion followed. It was the same kind of thing. But now I don't see the same explosion in any scene. Y'know, for many years we had a lot of Swedish bands that wanted to sound like the Hellacopters and Backyard Babies. A lot of new bands started with that. And then if you go into that, maybe you have your own scene in a way, but you don't start booking shows. You don't bring bands from... It's a different thing. When the punkrock thing came a lot of people did their own thing with bands. That is pretty much gone. I would say of course there are many left, but it was such a big thing back then. I don't see any Swedish bands like that. There are mostly indie ones and very few hardcore ones.

A: So what do think's gonna happen in the future? Where do you see it going?

P: I don't know. I've been doing punkrock since 1980 when I did my first fanzine. I've seen so many changes, but it's always - I think there will always a place for something like harder music or extreme music. I don't see it as going away, but I don't see anything happening now that I can say oh, that's gonna happen in two years or Labrador Records is gonna be huge or whatever. They're a label that's got some cool things going on, even though they don't sell that much.

A: Yeah, they're very well known. Even here in the States you hear a lot of people talking about them.

P: Yeah, but otherwise I don't see any hardcore coming back. I see a lot of punk bands coming up. A lot of the bands, especially up north and so on - a lot of people are going back to playing punkrock. Everyone plays in a punkrock... as opposed to hardcore, they play punkrock influenced by all the American hardcore like Black Flag or Circle Jerks and also early Swedish punk or early English punk or whatever. And then there's a lot of oi! bands. That scene is also happening in a way. You never know, maybe there will be something.

A: Have your tastes changed as you've gotten older? Are you still into that stuff and following it?

P: I think I listen to the same type of music now. I mean, you get a little bored with only listening to punkrock. I don't pick up tons of new records and fall in love with them, but every now and then something comes along that I really like. For me, I think I've heard most of the good punk. I think it's been done in the past. I think there's always some good bands. I try to pick up good new bands I hear on other labels every now and then, but really - I'm not that excited about it. I'm still excited if I put on Minor Threat or if I put on...

A: The classics?

P: The classics, totally! I still listen to old oi! and that stuff and of course all the hardcore as well, or maybe some Hatebreed or something like that, but I don't pick new hardcore angry bands or melodic skatepunk bands or whatever. It's just not interesting anymore. I mean, there's always good bands.

A: So what do you listen to then?

P: I listen to everything. It's a lot of punkrock, a lot of indie bands. I still buy a lot of records.

A: Name some names that you've been hearing

P: Isolation Years is a great band. I like a band like Anti-Flag. Once more, I don't listen to that much new stuff I don't think.

A: So are just listening to more like the oldies?

P: No, really I buy a lot of stuff, but I'm not that really...

A: Nothing's been too terribly exciting?

P: I like Bloc Party. It's good. I like Libertines a bit, but it's not the classics. I like the old bands. I'm into stuff I've heard before, like Radio Dept. - I rather listen to something old like Ride.

A: You'd rather listen to the original?

P: Yeah, in a way. But still, it's hard to say that. Yes, it sounds sad, but... I like Koma. You know them? I like that record.

A: Yeah, they're on my comp that I put out.

P: Great band. But I don't see anything special that I really, totally am devoted to. My main preference is old ska. I listen to a lot of old ska, but it's hard to get new stuff in that genre that is good.

A: So then let's switch gears here...

P: It sounds bad, I want to be able to say "ah, this band's fantastic." But of course it's hard to be excited about music. I tried to put out good new stuff, but I can't say that I have to check out the new electro-punk scene from this place. It's not like that. I'm not into a special genre. I try to stick with what I really like. Before I could maybe buy everything on Revelation or everything on this label, but it's not like that anymore.

A: Right. So you're bringing Moneybrother over to the States. Do you think you have a good chance of getting him a break over here?

P: I hope so. I don't know - it's so hard to say. From a business point of view, I think he's a great artist and if people saw him live I'm sure he would be enormous. He's a great live act. You never know how things will work out in the US. There's already a lot of interest. If that's real interest, I don't know. I hope people check him out.

A: Are you hearing it from industry people or from like, the streets?

P: I would say only industry people so far because we haven't really done anything on the street market. He's such a new artist. I mean, it's only happening in Sweden. A few people know about Burning Heart, but maybe it's a bit out of the... it's a little bit different from what we used to put out so maybe, our original audience maybe doesn't...

A: Well you're not going to be licensing it to Epitaph then I guess?

P: No, I don't think so, but you never know. They're here, they're gonna listen. It could be something for Anti, but they usually only work with established artists. I don't want to say it - I hope it's going to work in the US. I can't say this is an American-style artist or this is something that will definitely go down in the US, but at the same time, no one thought that The Hives would work in the US and no one thought that this and this band would work in the US. It's all a matter of timing or whatever happens.

A: Are you really pushing on it? Do you think it's worth it?

P: We're over here, so yeah. We're trying to get something going. It's so hard to get things established in the US, it's such a big market. But I think every Swedish artist, since we are such a small country and only have a home market of 9 million people; every Swedish artist wants to go here. They sing in English because they have to to get over here and go to England and make it. We'll see. We're not depending on it. Of course it's everyone's dream to make it in the US somehow.

A: So, anyone else on Burning Heart you thinking of maybe bringing over? Or that you would like to?

P: Yeah. Of course Millencolin is doing their thing.

A: Well they're doing the Warped Tour this summer right?

P: Yeah, they're doing their thing. It's been running for what, 10 years or whatever. And Turbonegro is probably gonna come over and tour a lot more on this record. They are more, um, in-shape these days. (laughter)

Kelly: So they won't be so hard to look at?

(laughter)

P: Hank?

K: I don't know - it was just a naked man with a big bushy mustache was on my living room wall.

P: Yeah, that's Hank. Actually, on the new CD there's an extra added DVD with a workout video with Hank. So he's fit now.

(more laughter)

K: That's hilarious! Does he have a lot of enthusiasm like Jane Fonda on his workout tape?

P: No... I mean, I don't know if it's even funny, but it's cool to have it. (laughs) I would say that people who train for real will go "Oooh, he doesn't do anything right." It isn't exactly strict and all that stuff, so we'll see.

A: Yeah, I remember when Turbonegro played at Punx With Presses... that must've been like '96 or '97. That was ages ago.

K: I vaguely remember.

A: I remember when they came through and was like "Turbonegro? That's a funny band name." I missed the show, stupidly. Everyone else the next day was like "You missed the best show ever!"

P: It's a funny band. They were supposed to called - they changed it after a week of something- their first name was Nazi Penis. They took Turbonegro instead.

K: Flaccid penis?

A&P: Nazi.

K: Anyway...

P: Yeah, it's a funny band. But they are going to tour.

A: So you think there's a good future for importing bands over?

P: It's tough of course because of the cost of touring and of course bands, if really want to make it in the US they have to dedicate a lot of time. A lot of the bands that old don't have that time. They have their families. But we trying some newer bands that I really hope we can do more - we're signing a lot of "baby bands", younger bands. Hopefully we can get them over here. At the same time they need to develop in Europe as well. It's more important for us to have them touring in Europe than to come over here.

A: Have you ever thought of establishing a Burning Heart office in another country?

P: Not in the US. We were thinking of it before when we started to work with Epitaph. They were some plans to maybe have someone work for Burning Heart, but it hasn't really turned out that way. We haven't really pushed it either because it demands a lot of work.

A: Would it worthwhile for the benefits you'd get out of it?

P: Not now, if it was done five, six years ago maybe it would've been something. But then you would've needed some person who's really working it over here. We have an office in Germany. It's just one person actually, but he does the markteting and promotion there. We tried to sign a German band, but it was failed in the very last minute. They were on a label and their manager had the label and then he was picked up by Roadrunner, the whole label.

A: Which band was that?

P: Days in Grief. Has a bit of a Refused thing going, but more melodic maybe. At the Drive In, Refused with more melody.

A: So are there other bands outside of Scandinavia that you've thought about picking up?

P: We're talking to a band called Hell Is For Heroes.

A: Aren't they from New York?

P: No, they're English. They used to be on EMI in the UK. They sold a lot of records over there, but now they left EMI and want to do more of a Dischord thing on their own.

A: Oh, they're starting their own label then?

P: In the UK. They put it out in the UK, but then we're going to come along and do it for the rest of the world.

A: So you're going to license it not just for Scandinavia, but for everywhere?

P: For everywhere. And on the next record we're probably doing to do everything, even the UK. They are more of a post-hardcore, Fugazi/Refused/emo, but it has both the old and the new in there somehow. That's a band we really think is good and we're going to try to work hard and also try to get over here.

A: You've never limited yourself to local bands?

P: No, but still - the majority - it so much easier to be closer to your band. We try to sign American bands amd license American bands to do them over in Europe. but most of the time it's hard because they only want to sign for one album. They want to have a major deal over here and then we are out of the picture. So they say "You can only do one record."

A: Who have you been interested in?

P: Well we did Flogging Molly and then they started their own label. We only did one record and we wanted to work with them more and then they did their own, their label here started up in Europe and so they got a very good deal. We did Midtown. We did Give Up the Ghost, but they broke up.

A: Yeah, I do remember that. They broke up like right before they were supposed to tour?

P: Yeah, their second. What else? We still do Samiam.

A: I forget that they're still around. Living in the Bay Area, that's a band I grew up with.

P: They're actually in Europe now on a tour.

A: They do pretty well over there I'd imagine?

P: I don't know - it's been three or four years. I hope it's good, but the last record didn't do as good as the others. I think if they could do a another great new record I think they could do pretty okay because there was a lot of excitement for the tour.

A: Yeah, it's strange because over here, Samiam are hasbeens. (to Kelly) Would everyone even show up if they played you think? Do you remember them?

K: I remember them from like 10 years ago, but I haven't heard anything. I think that people would go.

A: I dunno. It's hard to say.

P: It's hard, I understand. They've done some really good records.

K: I feel like their records are always in people's record collections.

A: I see them along the same lines as J-Church - they're a band that people kind of don't really appreciate, but they persist. And they keep going and people go "Oh? Is that band still around?"

P: Yeah, maybe here. In Germany...

A: Yeah, that whole genre just seems to do a lot better in Germany.

P: Yeah yeah, but they were too early with that stuff. They're too old. If they were a little bit younger and nicer looking they would be really...

A: That is true. They aren't necessarily posterboys.

P: Yeah (laughs)

]]> Sat, 30 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0400 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25468-interview-anders-wendin-moneybrother http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25468-interview-anders-wendin-moneybrother http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25468-interview-anders-wendin-moneybrother#comments Does Sweden's biggest rockstar of 2005 really need an introduction? After catching the tail end of Moneybrother's soundcheck for their debut US show at the Troubadour in LA, Anders, my friend Kelly and I all sat down at the bar in the front of the club for a pleasant little Q&A session.

Avi: Now that you've had such tremendous success with a #1 record, what's changed?

Anders: Since the #1 record?

Avi: Yeah, so now that you're a big popstar, what's different?

Anders: Well, I don't know if it's that much different. In Sweden I released one record two years ago which was really successful and of course some things have been changing a bit. I'm not working on anything else, just music now, for example. That's a big change in my life.

Avi: You get to concentrate on it full time?

Anders: Yeah, you know - Sweden's such a small country that you kinda have to tour Germany and all the Scandinavian countries.

Avi: So what's the best thing about being a popstar then?

Anders: Easy chicks and uh...(laughs) the best thing for me is being able not to work in an office or work in a restaurant.

Avi: Is that what you used to do?

Anders: Yeah I've done that all my life like just taking jobs whenever to get by. Y'know, so I could make music. I don't have to do that now and that's, I mean that's the best thing.

Avi: Have any interesting offers because of it then? Like to do any funny talk shows or whatever?

Anders: Yeah, in Sweden, a lot of that.

Avi: Anything in particular that stands out?

Anders: No, it's a big difference between being like a musician in a famous band or being a famous person and people like to know everything that's not to do with music in Sweden. Yeah, they've asked me if I want to sit in juries n stuff in pop contests and I don't do that.

Avi: Like Pop Idol?

Anders: Yeah stuff like that. And I mean I would never.

Avi: So you just say no to everything?

Anders: Yeah, yeah definitely. And Pop Idol at least has to do with music, but sometimes they want me to talk about sex or whatever. Like, why should I?

Avi: Right. So what a lot of people really want to know, are you really so unlucky with relationships?

Anders: No, there's a song called "My little girl's straight from heaven" that's not unlucky at all.

Avi: So does it come experience?

Anders: Of course, but it's not like a diary. Y'know I try to make some kind of Swedish soul music. And soul music's supposed to be about heartaches and pain n' stuff. Everybody's been through stuff like that and I'm just taking that particular day when it's the worst, y'know? I took that day and wrote ten albums.

Avi: So you have a backlog of material then? Someday if you become happy, what are you gonna do?

Anders: Yeah exactly, I'll get a real job.

Avi: You'll give up if you lose the inspiration?

Anders: Yeah, of course. If I lose the inspiration. I hope I will give up. I hope I don't become like just touring around singing old songs.

Avi: So you won't change to do something different instead?

Anders: I don't know, probably yeah. Moneybrother's not necessarily about unhappy love. I could write songs about whatever. When I wrote this album I wasn't thinking about much else.

Avi: Yeah, well "To die alone" is the title.

Anders: Yeah, it's kinda obvious right there.

Avi: You've worked with a lot of various musicians and lots of guests - is there anyone in particular that you'd like to work with?

Anders: The bass player Patrick Andersson is on all the tracks and is a great musician. I would keep him even if I fired the rest of the band. He's a good musician, he really is a great singer.

Avi: Anybody that with a dream...?

Anders: If I could play with the Wailers or Bob Marley or maybe the rest of the guys, maybe around 1975 or something. I would really like to do that.

Avi: You'd have to travel back in time...

Anders: Yeah, if I have to. That's the hassle of it.

Avi: There's nobody current that you'd be interested in working with?

Anders: Goddamn, that's sad. There should be someone around... um, I could consider doing a song with like Lambchop or something. I think they're a really good band. And there's a couple more around of course. Antony and the Johnsons I really love.

Avi: So now you've achieved this level of success, where do you go next?

Anders: To the States.

Avi: That's your next mission?

Anders: Naah, all my goals in music are already fulfilled. I don't really know, I mean now I'm just the kind of artist who they point to a country and I go.

Avi: You don't take much personal interest into the business side?

Anders: Of course, I'm interested in it, but when it comes to selling records I really don't want to have to deal with that.

Avi: You want to think about the music?

Anders: Yeah, exactly. That's why I have a record label. Otherwise I'd release it myself, y'know?

Avi: Right, right.

Anders: So when it comes to like setting up business meetings, I like to attend on all of them, but y'know I um... I don't know. Sometimes I call my record company and ask them if I could release a record in Japan or something, but that kind of thing hardly ever happens. I've been working with them for the last ten years, y'know.

Avi: Do you have various meetings set up while you're in the States?

Anders: Yeah, a lot actually. I can't really understand why. Or how it happened. I've been doing a few interviews and I'm meeting a lot of record labels.

Avi: So there are definitely prospects?

Anders: Yeah, there are.

Avi: Anything you can talk about?

Anders: It's like the major record companies, the big ones. And we're doing like private showcases and stuff.

Avi: Is that like you and an acoustic guitar in some guy's office?

Anders: No, I guess it's like the whole band in a studio in front of one guy.

Avi: Huh, interesting.

Anders: Yeah, I look forward to it.

Avi: So do you have any other artists from Sweden that you think should come over to the States? Like if you got a big tour opportunity, is there anyone that you would bring over to open for support?

Anders: Well, a couple of really small bands. A band called the Hip Whips I enjoy very much. I like CDOASS.

Avi: Anyone else you'd say is worthwhile to check out?

Anders: There are a lot of good bands, but I mean there's some good bands in the States as well. I don't know if they really need that many Swedish bands at all.

Avi: Right, that makes sense.

Anders: Yeah, I like Nicolai Dunger and those guys, but he's already here right? He's already releasing some stuff.

Avi: Yeah, he just played two sold-out shows in San Francisco with Joanna Newsom.

Anders: Yeah, I like his stuff. Of course, I'm good friends with (International) Noise Conspiracy and The Hives, but they already made it here.

Avi: Anything that you're planning on doing while you're here? That you're really looking forward to?

Anders: Um, I was really looking forward to looking at the Hollywood sign today, but I've seen that already and that's about it.

Avi: Kind of a let-down, isn't it?

Anders: Yeah, it's really small. I thought it was much bigger. The thing is I don't have that much time. The plan was for three gigs, but I've already got six now and it's just insane. But I'm coming back on vacation in September and I'm going to San Francisco. I'm gonna check that out because I've never been there.

Avi: But if you did have the time, what would you want to see while you're here?

Anders: The whole country?

Avi: Everything.

Anders: Well, I'd like to see Bo Diddly if possible. Maybe Al Green's church and the Grand Canyon. Maybe Graceland.

Kelly: Graceland is hilarious, it's like the most American place you could possibly go.

Anders: Yeah, I would love to go there.

Avi: I've never been myself.

Anders: I would love that. I'm a big Elvis fan.

Kelly: It's like a time capsule. You seem to like that backwards time kind of things. It's totally up your alley.

Anders: Yeah, I would love that.

Very possibly the nicest, most humble, down-to-earth rockstar ever. The reviews don't lie: "To die alone" really is one of the best albums this year and it only gets better on repeated listens. The live show is more icing on the cake. As mentioned above, there's no US release in the works yet, but it can only be a matter of time. If there's any justice in the world, it will happen.

]]> Tue, 22 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0500 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11769 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11769 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11769#comments The annual Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll is out and Scandinavian entries on the top album list include The Hives (#53), Dungen (#69), The Concretes (#80), Erlend Oye (#88), Annie (#90), Kings of Convenience (#101), Sahara Hotnights (#240), Luomo (#261) and Pan Sonic (#291). Read more: http://www.villagevoice.com/specials/pazznjop/04/]]> Wed, 09 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11784 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11784 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11784#comments Most of the winners from this year's Swedish Grammy awards:

Best album: The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
Best artist: The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
Best pop female: Marit Bergman - Baby Dry Your Eye
Best pop male: Christian Walz - Paint By Numbers
Best pop group: Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 fel!
Best rock album solo: Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
Best rock group: The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
Best newcomer: Anna Ternheim - Somebody Outside
Best hard-rock: In Flames - Soundtrack To Your Escape
Best club/dance: Andreas Tilliander - World Industries
Best hiphop/soul: Embee - Tellings From Solitaria
Best jazz: Goran Kajfes - Headspin
Best folk musik: Ale Möller Band - Bodjal
Best producer: Pelle Gunnerfeldt & The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
Best songwriter: Marit Bergman - Baby Dry Your Eye
Best lyrics: Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
Open category: Blacknuss - Gold

Full list here: http://www.sr.se/p3/musikjournalen/arkiv.asp?DagensDatum=2005-02-08&Artikel=554799]]> Tue, 08 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12011 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12011 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12011#comments And speaking of the P3 Gold awards, here's the winners:

Best hip-hop/soul: Ison & Fille - "Ison & Fille"
Best pop: Hans Appelqvist - "Bremort"
Best dance: Eric Prydz - "Samlad produktion 2004"
Best rock: In Flames - "Soundtrack To Your Escape"
Best live (Guldmicken): Marit Bergman - "Baby dry your eye"
Best newcomer: Anna Ternheim "Somebody Outside"
Best group: The Hives - "Tyrannosaurus Hives"
Best song: "Mister Cool" - Snook
Best female artist: Marit Bergman - "Baby dry your eye"
Best male artist: Lars Winnerbäck - "Vatten under broarna"]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12122 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12122 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12122#comments The oh-so-exciting winners of the Aftonbladet Rockbjörnen awards have been announced. Here's the results for the Swedish categories:

Best female artist: Lena Philipsson
Best male artist: Lars Winnerbäck
Best group: Gyllene Tider
Best song: The Hives - "Walk idiot walk"
Best album: Gyllene Tider - "Finn 5 fel"
Best newcomer: Ana Johnsson

Go here for more: http://www.aftonbladet.se/ettor/webb/1177_normal.html (in Swedish)]]> Mon, 17 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12160 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12160 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12160#comments The Las Vegas Mercury talks to The Hives frontman Pelle Almqvist: http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/2005/MERC-Jan-13-Thu-2005/25636274.html (via)]]> Thu, 13 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12259 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12259 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12259#comments Finally, the results of the MTVe UpNorth awards, as decided by their 2004 chart performances:

Best UpNorth artist: The Rasmus - In the shadows
Best Nordic hip hop act: Promoe - These walls don't lie
Best Nordic rock act: The Hives - Walk idiot walk
Best Nordic pop act: Junior Senior - Move your feet
Best Nordic electronic act: Röyksopp - Apple
Best Swedish act: Eskobar - Love strikes
Best Norwegian act: Maria Mena - You're the only one
Best Danish act: Outlandish - Guantanamo
Best Finnish act: HIM - And love said no
Best Nordic video: The Crash - Still alive]]> Wed, 05 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500 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 -0500 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12328 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12328 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12328#comments MTVe lists their top 20 videos of the year: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=5265
Scandinavian hightlights include Melody Club (#20), Soundtrack Of Our Lives (#16), The Hives (#3), Annie (#7) and Kings Of Convenience (#1).]]> Tue, 28 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12429 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12429 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12429#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's the Swedish student radio top 40 for the fall semester (total rank, highest rank, # of weeks):

01. (01) (06) Promoe - "Long Distance Runner"
02. (02) (06) Phoenix - "You Can't Blame It On (Anybody)"
03. (04) (08) The Go! Team - "Ladyflash"
04. (01) (05) The Hives - "Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones"
05. (01) (05) Bergman Rock - "I'm A Crab"
06. (04) (06) Bloc Party - "Helicopter"
07. (01) (06) Marit Bergman - "Can I Keep Him?"
08. (01) (06) Timo Räisänen - "Lovers Are Lonely"
09. (02) (05) The (International) Noise Conspiracy - "A Small Demand"
10. (02) (05) Ison & Fille - "Vill va Highwon"
11. (02) (04) The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Bigtime"
12. (01) (04) The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"
13. (03) (05) Faithless - "Miss U Less See U More"
14. (05) (05) Thunder Express - "In My Mind"
15. (06) (08) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "#1 EP"
16. (05) (05) The Tough Alliance - "Holiday"
17. (05) (04) Ed Harcourt - "Born In The '70s"
18. (04) (04) Sahara Hotnights - "Who Do You Dance For?"
19. (01) (03) Le Tigre - "TKO/New Kicks"
20. (03) (04) The Mo - "Howl In The Jungle"
21. (01) (03) Beastie Boys - "An Open Letter To NYC"
22. (04) (05) Radio LXMBRG - "L'Indiffirence EP"
23. (02) (03) Dogs Die In Hot Cars - "I Love You 'Cause I Have To"
24. (05) (04) Baby Shambles - "Killamangiro"
25. (03) (07) Embee - "Not Tonite"
26. (08) (05) Mando Diao - "God Knows"
27. (02) (03) The Ark - "One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young"
28. (06) (04) R.E.M. - "Leaving New York"
29. (05) (04) Ron Sexsmith - "Whatever It Takes"
30. (08) (05) Starmarket - "Cologne"
31. (06) (05) Björk - "Who Is It?"
32. (07) (05) Kanye West - "Jesus Walks"
33. (02) (06) Kings Of Convenience - "Misread"
34. (09) (04) Jens Lekman - "Julie"
35. (07) (04) Blacknuss Feat. Awa Manneh & ADL - "All Your Lovin'"
36. (10) (04) Deportees - "Not Tonight"
37. (06) (03) Franz Ferdinand - "Michael"
38. (08) (03) The Chrysler - "Blue Gold"
39. (04) (04) Talib Kweli Feat. Mary J Blige - "I Try"
40. (08) (03) De La Soul - "Shopping Bag"]]> Mon, 20 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12444 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12444 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12444#comments MTVe lists the 100 top videos of 2004: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=5232
In the top 10 there's The Hives at #4 with "Walk idiot walk" and The Rasmus at #10 with "Guilty".]]> Fri, 17 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12460 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12460 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12460#comments Burning Heart Records founder Peter Ahlqvist talks to the UK's Big Cheese magazine about how his label got started, The Hives legal fiasco and more: http://www.burningheart.com/news/article.php?id=170]]> Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12461 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12461 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12461#comments Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart, the final one for the year:

01. Saybia - I surrender
02. Nephew - Superliga
03. Mando Diao - God Knows
04. Clemens - Raptus
05. Bertine Zetlitz - Fake Your Beauty
06. Nightwish - Wish I Had
07. The Hives - Two Timing Touch & Broken Bones
08. Dhani - Girl Talk
09. Jonna - Sateen Jälken
10. Black Belt - All to You
11. Melody Club - Baby (Stand Up)
12. Eskobar - You Got Me
13. Burhan G - Take U Home
14. Ayesha - Squaffie
15. Sahara Hotnights - Who Do You Dance For
16. Promoe - Long Distance Runner
17. Ana - Don't Cry For Pain
18. Infinite Mass - Fire Fire
19. Margaret Berger - Lifetime Guarantee
20. Lambretta - Chemical

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.]]> Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12466 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12466 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12466#comments The nominees for the 2004 Swedish Grammy awards have been announced. Here's most of em:

Best newcomer:
Ana Johnsson - "The Way I Am"
Anna Ternheim - "Somebody Outside""
Deportees - "All Prayed Up"
Jens Lekman - "When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog"
Raymond & Maria - "Vi ska bara leva klart"

Best album:
Christian Walz - "Paint By Numbers"
Marit Bergman - "Baby Dry Your Eye"
Stina Nordenstam - "The World Is Saved"
The Hives - "Tyrannosaurus Hives"
The Soundtrack of our Lives - "Origin Vol. 1"

Best artist:
Gyllene Tider - "Finn 5 Fel!"
Lena Philipsson - "Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan"
Marit Bergman - "Baby Dry Your Eye"
The Hives - "Tyrannosaurus Hives"
The Soundtrack of Our Lives - "Origin Vol. 1"

Best song:
Raymond & Maria - "Ingen vill veta vart du köpt din tröja"
Lena Philipsson - "Det gör ont"
Nic & The Family - "Hej Hej Monika"
Gyllene Tider - "Tuffa tider/Sten vid en sjö i en skog"
Shirley Clamp - "Min kärlek"

Best pop (female):
Anna Ternheim - "Somebody Outside"
Lena Philipsson - "Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan"
Marit Bergman - "Baby Dry Your Eye"
Sophie Zelmani - "Love Affair"
Stina Nordenstam - "The World Is Saved"

Best pop (male):
Christian Walz - "Paint By Numbers"
Di Leva - "Tiden faller"
Jens Lekman - "When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog"
Mattias Alkberg BD - "Tunaskolan"
Tomas Andersson Wij - "Stjärnorna i oss"

Best pop group:
Alcazar - "Dancefloor - Deluxe"
Deportees - "All Prayed Up"
Gyllene Tider - "Finn 5 Fel!"
Melody Club - "Face The Music"
Raymond & Maria - "Vi ska bara leva klart"

Best rock album (solo):
Kristofer Åström - "Loupita"
Lars Winnerbäck - "Vatten under broarna"
Nicolai Dunger - "Here's My Song You Can Have It..."
Stefan Sundström - "Hjärtats melodi"
Ulf Lundell - "Ok Baby Ok"

Best rock group:
Sahara Hotnights - "Kiss & Tell"
Silverbullit - "Arclight"
Teddybears Sthlm - "Fresh!"
The Hives - "Tyrannosaurus Hives"
The Soundtrack of Our Lives - "Origin Vol. 1"

Best songwriter:
Anna Ternheim
Christian Walz & Ollie Olson
Marit Bergman
Per Gessle
Stina Nordenstam

Best lyrics:
Anna Ternheim
Jens Lekman
Lars Winnerbäck
Marit Bergman
Tomas Andersson Wij

Best producer:
Christian Walz
Johan Forsman & The Soundtrack of Our Lives
Lars Halapi
Pelle Gunnerfeldt & The Hives
Teddybears Sthlm & Phat Fabe

Best hip-hop/soul:
Damn! - "Youth Style"
Embee - "Tellings From Solitaria"
Infinite Mass - "1991"
Ison & Fille - "Ison & Fille"
Promoe - "The Long Distance Runner"

Best hard-rock/metal:
Dismember - "Where Ironcrosses Grow"
Entombed - "Unreal Estate"
Europe - "Start From The Dark"
In Flames - "Soundtrack To Your Escape"
The Hellacopters - "Strikes Like Lightning"

Best club/dance:
Andreas Tilliander - "World Industries"
Da Buzz - "Dangerous - The Album"
Guidelines - Must Be The Music"
Hird - "Moving On"
Stonebridge - "Can't Get Enough"

Best jazz:
Goran Kajfes - "Headspin"
Kullrusk - "Kullrusk"
Putte Wickman & Jan Lundgren - "We Will Always Be Together"
Rigmor Gustafsson And The Jacky Terrasson Trio - "Close To You"
The Torbjörn Zetterberg Hot Five - "Förtjänar mer uppmärksamhet"

Open category:
Alice Babs & Nisse Linds Hottrio - "Alice Babs & Nisse Linds Hot-Trio"
Anders F Rönnblom - "F-Box"
Blacknuss - "Gold"
Stefan Nilsson - "Så som i himmelen"
Titiyo - "Best of Titiyo"

Check out the full list here: http://www.ifpi.se/02.images/01.top/02.subnav_pdf/08.grammis/pdf/Grammisnomineringar_2004.pdf]]> Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12552 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12552 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12552#comments The nominees for the Swedish radio P3 Gold awards have been announced:

Best female artist:
Ayesha - Jade Fever
Anna Ternheim - Somebody Outside
Stina Nordenstam - The World Is Saved
Marit Bergman - Baby Dry Your Eye
Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan

Best male artists:
Promoe - The Long Distance Runner
Christian Walz - Paint By Numbers
Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
Alf - Augustibrev
Jens Lekman - When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog

Best group:
Teddybears STHLM - Fresh
The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Origin Vol 1
The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
Silverbullit - Arclight
Sahara Hotnights - Kiss & Tell

Best newcomer:
Raymond & Maria
Tough Alliance
Fibes, Oh Fibes!
Anna Ternheim
Jens Lekman

Best song:
Call on me - Eric Prydz
Mr Cool - Snook
Det gör ont - Lena Philipsson
Hey Boy - Teddybears STHLM feat. Swing Fly
Ingen vill veta var du köpt din tröja - Raymond & Maria

Guldmicken (best live):
Marit Bergman
Svenska Akademien
The Soundtrack Of Our Lives
Infinite Mass
In Flames

Best rock/metal:
Nasum - Shift
The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
In Flames - Soundtrack To Your Escape
The Haunted - rEVOLVEr
Cult of Luna - Salvation

Best hip-hop/soul:
Embee - Tellings From Solitaria
Ison & Fille - Ison & Fille
Promoe - The Long Distance Runner
Natalie Gardiner - Natalie Gardiner
Ayesha - Jade Fever

Best dance:
Hird - Moving On
Cari Lekebusch - The Architect
Andreas Tilliander - World Industries
Eric Prydz - Samlad produktion 2004
Stonebridge - Can't Get Enough

Best pop:
Mattias Alkberg BD - Tunaskolan
Stina Nordenstam - The World Is Saved
Testbild! - The Inexplicable Feeling Of September
Hans Appelqvist - Bremort
Jens Lekman - When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog

Vote here: http://www.sr.se/p3/p3guld/]]> Thu, 09 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news