October's album of the month: sonores - Elefanten
Brilliant band, brilliant album. The IAT.MP3 EP only hints at their talent, the full-length confirms it. This will definitely be one of my favorite albums released this year.

Speaking of sonores, here's some upcoming live dates:

10/20 - Kulturhuset Underjorden, Göteborg (SWE)
11/09 - Qubar, Margate (UK)
11/10 - Lido, Margate (UK)

MP3: The Grand Opening - Secret view

The Grand Opening's debut full-length "This is nowhere to be found" is a perfect record for the segue into fall. Melancholy and full of yearning and nostalgia, the music evokes the same sort of feelings I associate with the season. The days grow shorter, shadows grow longer and the leaves fall from trees. It's a time of inward reflection as we prepare for winter. As with sonores (who I posted about recently), this record marks the first steps of an IAT.MP3 netlabel act branching out into the 'real world' with a physical product. I couldn't be more proud - I feel like a father whose children are now grown up and leaving home for the first time on their own and I want them to do well. TGO's record is especially pleasing to me because I knew they had immense potential when I first heard their demo and now they've gone and proved it. The "Location EP" netrelease was pretty damn good I must admit, but "This is nowhere to be found" is miles ahead. Three of the songs make appearances on the new album and the difference between the two versions is astounding. However, you'll have to either visit myspace or buy the record to hear 'em because I've posted a different song today, "Secret view". I love the tone of that bassline as played on Rhodes keyboard (at least I'm fairly sure what they used) combined with a simple drum loop and smattering of overdubbed percussion. The guitar only provides atmosphere and the melody is carried solely by vocals and chimes. So beautiful, so sublime.
Buy the "Don't drop off" 7": [click here]

The Grand Opening - Secret view

Interview: Jonas Odhner (Sonores)

MP3: Sonores - That wish!

Spotty Internet access here in the Silicon Valley (who woulda thought?) means no Thursday post. But I'm still on vacation, so you should be happy that you get anything at all. Moving on to close out the week: IAT.MP3 netlabel artists sonores and The Grand Opening both have new full-length albums. Both of course, are excellent. You'll have to wait a little while for TGO's record, but sonores' "Elefanten" is out now. Download a new album track from the mp3 playlist and read an interview with mainman Jonas Odhner right here: [click here]

Sonores - That wish!

MP3: Élodie - Overload

A good follow-up to yesterday's post on Under Byen is today's mp3 from Élodie. Both bands are female-fronted and could be considered post-rock by the way they embrace slow-building dynamics. The main difference however is that Élodie is more of a pop band. Where Under Byen is unique for their heavy percussion, Élodie soothes with lush, gentle melodies. It's a shame that their new EP "At the end of the line" is the last we'll hear from them - the band recently played their final show at Trästockfestivalen in their hometown of Skellefteå. If you've been at all into any of the other dark and dreamy pop I've been raving about this year such as Lampshade or Namur, then this is definitely up your alley. Not only is there a ton of similar music in this vein being released now, a very high percentage of it is remarkably good. There's more on the way too - keep an eye out for posts on new music sonores and The Grand Opening in the near future, both amazing bands (and also both IAT.MP3 artists releasing their first official full-lengths).
Buy "At the end of the line": [click here]

Élodie - Overload

I neglected to mention it the other day, but I've got new CDs from Kazakstan (see my fawning review here) and IAT.MP3 artist sonores in the webstore now. Both of course are very highly recommended. I also took some time to throw some new tracks into the webstore's jukebox, so check it out if you've got the time.

IAT.MP3 artist sonores has now released their official debut album: http://elefanten.blogspot.com/2006/08/structures-sonores-1-is-here.html
Highly recommended, of course.

Swedish experimental/electronic artist Viktor Sjöberg has posted a new mix for download: http://elefanten.blogspot.com/2006/05/elefanten-sonores-mix3.html
I have yet to check it out myself (downloading now, queueing up for later), but Viktor's new album is damn good so I expect high quality sounds. Speaking of which, I just received a few copies for resale, so check it out: [click here]
I'll try to get some mp3 samples posted soon.

Dark Dose, one of my favorite mp3 blogs that doesn't update nearly as often as they should, was kind enough to post their thoughts on IAT.MP3 artist sonores: http://darkdose.com/?p=121
As I posted in their comments, Jonas from sonores just told me over the weekend that the music for their album is done, he just needs to finish up all the details concerning the artwork. I'll keep you posted, but in the meantime you can still download the free netrelease on the right.

Swedish electronic/experimental artist Viktor Sjöberg (who also plays with IAT.MP3 artists sonores - look to the right) has posted some of the artwork for his new CD "On a winter's day", to be released shortly via Kalligrammofon. Check it: http://elefanten.blogspot.com/2006/04/relations-and-dynamics.html

Swedish electronic artist Tsukimono (aka Johan Gustavsson, also in Scraps of Tape) has a new track including on the "Tribute to John Peel" mp3 comp session five: http://www.tributetojohnpeel.org/
He also has a new release Kning Disk Gallery Edition entitled "Two hearts beats slower than one, two heartbeats slower than one" which will be released this weekend at the iDEAL Festival in Göteborg. As mentioned before, Gallery Edition releases are 3" CDRs, typically recorded live at the scene and burned/distributed on the spot. Very limited, of course. Johan will also be performing at the fest as part of the Viktor Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble which also features members of acts such as IAT.MP3 artists sonores (look to the right) and Gbg-experimental artists Testbild!, Ljudbilden & Piloten, The Roaring, Conduo Orchestra and more.

Lots of great posts over at Finnish music blog Lupatarkastaja recently. Not only is it now being published more regularly in English, but there's tons of good new music from bands such as Ghost Brigade (a new project featuring members of Sunride and Revolt with guest appearances from Munter of Swallow The Sun and Fredrik from Swedish stoner-rock band Dozer) and a new post-rock mix featuring tracks from Circle Six (very highly recommended), Icos, From Now On and more. Oh, and don't forget Teemu's take on my own latest netrelease from sonores.

Look to the right! It's a new EP for free download on the IAT.MP3 netlabel! I am extremely pleased to bring you this three-song EP from sonores, a Göteborg-based trio who make dark and dreamy pop music. Read more details here and please, by all means, spread the word! This is some amazing stuff that needs to be heard.

The eloquent and artful Viktor Sjöberg of the Elefanten(sonores) is working on a film/sound project entitled "A Gothenburg diary" and you can read all about it and see some preliminary photos here: http://elefanten.blogspot.com/2005/08/gothenburg-diary-summer-2005.html