Music Export Norway has started a new music export initiative, the first of which is going towards Lindstrøm: http://www.musicexportnorway.no/first-export-program-goes-to-lindstroem.4847320-149133.html
Playground Music interviews John Cloud, their own head of International, at their in-house blog: http://blogs.playgroundmusic.com/sweden/intervju-john-cloud-head-of-international-pa-playground-music
The Statens Kunstråd/Danish Arts Council has announced the recipients of their grant money for 2011: http://www.kunst.dk/musik/omtilskud/hvemharfaaettilskud/
Bands receiving funds include Powersolo, Cody, Slaraffenland, Murder, Marybell Katastrophy, Efterklang, Afenginn, WhoMadeWho, The Tremolo Beer Gut, When Saints Go Machine and Turboweekend, among many others.
Nö Music has the lowdown on the first batch of Scandinavian artists confirmed for by:Larm 2011: http://www.nomusicmedia.com/2010/11/10/first-nordic-artists-confirmed-for-bylarm/
Glad to see Margaret Berger is coming back!
Early confirmations for SXSW 2011 include Alcoholic Faith Mission, Giana Factory, FM Belfast, Spleen United, WhoMadeWho and Those Dancing Days. Full list: http://sxsw.com/music/shows/bands
Norwegian techno artist Mental Overdrive has announced that he, beyond no longer releasing full-length albums, will now no longer perform live for money and will instead opt for a nice meal and a warm bed. And of course transportation, should the gig not be in Tromsø. And he also has a new single. Read more here: http://loveod.net/2010/10/29/mental-overdrive-announces-music-for-food-programme-plus-new-single/
Inspired by the British Mercury Music Prize, the folks behind Norway's By:Larm Festival have started the Nordic Music Prize which will feature 12 international nominees competing for a €20,000 prize, with the winner to be announced at the fest on February 19. For full details, including a who's who of the jury, see here: http://nordicmusicprize.com/
Danish act Efterklang has launched a new project called "Efterkids" to promote music education in public schools: http://www.efterkids.com/
Head to the site to see the band "performing" with six students from New York's Special Music School and to download materials to recreate the experience yourself (in your own classroom).
The Swedish office of international booking agency AEG has closed: http://www.musikindustrin.se/artikel/2022/PRESSTOP_AEG_lagger_ner_Sverige_kontoret.html
Slightly more at Gaffa: http://gaffa.se/nyhet/43625
will be opening a physical retail outlet for records + clothes in Umeå: http://nomethod.se/?p=154
If /Rundgång can do it in Malmö, I don't see why it won't work up north.
Norwegian acts confirmed for this year's CMJ fest include my #1 artist to watch Susanne Sundfør plus Marit Larsen, Lido Lido, Maria Due, Tôg and The Megaphonic Thrift. More info here: http://www.musicexportnorway.no/norway-at-cmj-2010.4827006-149133.html
WavesOut is a new Denmark-based free music streaming site specializing in electronic and indie tunes: http://wavesout.com/
The official Swedish music showcase at this year's CMJ conference in NYC will be on October 23 at Backstage Bar and will feature live performances from Raymond & Maria, Moto Boy and O'Spada, plus a DJ set by Taken By Trees. Details/RSVP info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112166638843095
Bob Lefsetz of industry mailing list The Lefsetz Letter got stoked on Danish act Choir of Young Believers: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2010/09/25/hollow-talk-by-choir-of-young-believers/
Ja Ja Ja has confirmed that the lineup for their October showcase on the 21st will feature The Deer Tracks, The Low Frequency in Stereo and Rökkurró.