2011 Spellemann nominees

The nominees for the 2011 Spellemannprisen, the Norwegian Grammy, have been announced and here are a few hightlighted categories:

Female artist:
Ane Brun - "It All Starts With One"
Hilde Marie Kjersem - "Let's Let Go"
Marit Larsen - "Spark"
Siri Nilsen - "Alle Snakker Sant"

Male Artist:
Bernhoft - "Solidarity Breaks"
Jonas Alaska - "Jonas Alaska"
Odd Nordstoga - "Bestevenn"
Sivert Høyem - "Long Slow Distance"

Pop Group:
Eva & The Heartmaker - "Dominoes"
Katzenjammer - "A Kiss Before You Go"
Montée - "Rendition Of You"
Real Ones - "First Night On Earth"
Team Me - "To The Treetops!"

Rock:
Honningbarna - "La Alarmane Gå"
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen - "Det Nærmeste Du Kommer"
Kaizers Orchestra - "Violeta Violeta Vol. 1"
Oslo Ess - "Uleste Bøker Og Utgåtte Sko"
Rumble In Rhodos - "Signs Of Fervent Devotion"

Metal:
Insense - "Burn In Beautiful Fire"
Shining - "Live Blackjazz"
Taake - "Noregs Vaapen"
Vreid - "V"
Årabrot - "Solar Anus"

Electronica:
Biosphere - "N-Plants"
Bugge Wesseltoft & Henrik Schwarz - "Wesseltoft Schwarz Duo"
Casiokids - "Aabenbaringen Over Aaskammen"

Hip-hop:
Joddski - "Bensin På Bålet"
Lars Vaular - "Du Betyr Meg"
Son Of Light - "War Of The Worlds"

Folk/Traditional:
Hekla Stålstrenga - "Makramé"
Juusk - "Juusk"
Ragnhild Furebotten - "Never On A Sunday"
Øystein Sandbukt - "Normør"

Jazz:
Helge Lien Trio - "Natsukashii"
Håkon Kornstad - "Symphonies In My Head"
Mats Eilertsen - "Skydive"
Nils Petter Molvær - "Baboon Moon"
Ola Kvernberg - "Liarbird"

Open Class:
Bárut - Inga Juuso - "Balggis"
Biret Ristin Sara - "Áidnen"
Fargespill - "Fargespill"
Skáidi - "Headland - Skáidegeahci"
Susanne Lundeng - "Mot"

Lyrics:
Jonas Alaska - "Jonas Alaska"
Lars Vaular - "Du Betyr Meg"
Maria Mena - "Viktoria"
Martin Hagfors - "I Like You"
Odd Nordstoga - "Bestevenn"

Composer:
Ane Brun - "It All Starts With One"
Hilde Marie Kjersem - "Let's Let Go"
Marit Larsen - "Spark"
Rolf Wallin/Lundeng/Torjesen/Bodø Symfonietta/Eggen - "Wire And String"
Synne Skouen - "Call-Notes"

Newcomer/Gramostipend:
Honningbarna - "La Alarmane Gå"
Jonas Alaska - "Jonas Alaska"
Ragnhild Hemsing - "Yr"
Razika - "Program 91"
Team Me - "To The Treetops!"

Read more: https://www.spellemann.no/index.php?option=com_winner&Itemid=29&year=2011

Tant Strul are back

Swedish early 80s punk/postpunk act Tant Strul, one of Kajsa Grytt's early bands besides Pink Champagne, has reformed and will be performing a number of gigs this coming summer.

Frtiz's Corner favorites

Stockholm club night Fritz's Corner has posted their favorite albums of 2011: https://www.fritzscorner.se/senaste-nytt/lyssna-fritzs-corners-basta-skivor-2011

Lykke Li, Iceage and The Field in Pfork's top albums list

Not a lot of Scandinavians in Pitchfork's top 50 albums list this year, but we do have Lykke Li at #43, Iceage at #37 and The Field at #26: https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8727-the-top-50-albums-of-2011/

The Mary Onettes collaborate on new EP with Dan Lissvik

Swedish indierock act The Mary Onettes have recorded a new EP with Dan Lissvik of Studio (RIP) called "Love Forever" which apparently finds them stripping away the reverb to find a more organic sound. It will be released on February 29 via Labrador Records and will be available either as a digital download or on 12" vinyl.

New from Skansros

Skansros just released a new single called "Felix" and will follow with a new album on February 22 via Luxury.

Yast sign with Hare Tracks/Double Sun

Hare Tracks (Ironville, Tvärvägen) and Double Sun, a new subsidiary of Adrian Recordings, are teaming up to release the debut 7" from Malmö-based indie act Yast. Not sure what the release date is, but the a-side tune is called "Believes" and can be previewed above.

New Thåström album confirmed

The new Thåström album "Beväpna dig med vingar" has been officially confirmed for release on February 15 via Razzia Records.

Soundi top albums of 2011

Check out Finnish mag Soundi's top album picks of 2011: https://soundi.fi/node/13393

Studio/Information RIP

Swedish act Studio and Information, the label they run, has apparently called it quits: https://www.inf000.com/

A Bob Hund Valentine

The next Bob Hund album "Låter som miljarder" will be released on February 14.

Fibes, Oh Fibes! - Cerahtonia

A brand new track from Fibes, Oh Fibes!, the first taste of the band's upcoming album "Album" which was produced by Pontus Winnberg (Miike Snow) and John Eriksson (Peter Bjorn and John) and will be out this coming April. Look for the first official single "Apex of the sun" to be released on January 21.

Días Nórdicos 2012

Días Nórdicos 2011, the Nordic art and music festival in Spain this past September/October, was apparently a resounding success and now the event is looking to expand for their next edition in 2012 with more disciplines, more venues, more partners and eventually, more cities. Read the official report with highlights from 2011 as well as goals for 2012 right here: https://www.diasnordicos.com/dossier

Silverbullit in the studio

At last: Silverbullit report that they are officially planning to record new material: https://www.facebook.com/silverbullitband/posts/10151027350235487

The return of Blue for Two

Legendary Swedish act Blue for Two, the duo of Freddie Wadling and Henryk Lipp, are back again with a new album, their first in 14 years. Entitled "Tune the piano and hand me a razor", it will be released on February 6 via Kning Disk.