The Blue Van shills for Apple
Danish garage-rockers The Blue Van have a song featured in the new Apple iPad commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcQgcuf6wyE
Tag: Industry
Gaffa.se now open
The Swedish edition of music mag Gaffa has opened their new website: https://gaffa.se/
Bonnier Amigo starts new metal label
MI reports that has started a new rock/metal imprint called to be run by ex- exec Johnny Hagel: https://www.musikindustrin.se/artikel/1534/Bonnier_Amigo_startar_rocketiketten_Supernova_Records.html (in Swedish)
Their first release will be Royal Republic's debut album with other releases on the way from Hate Ammo, Three Minute Madness, April Divine, The Animation and others to follow.
ExMS @ SXSW
Export Music Sweden showcase details for SXSW: https://www.exms.com/?p=1489
Torpedo + Justin Timberlake
MI reports that Torpedo recently collaborated with Justin Timberlake on an ad campaign for Audi: https://www.musikindustrin.se/artikel/1525/Torpedo_i_samarbete_med_Justin_Timberlake.html (in Swedish)
My only take on that is "cha-ching!" Good for them!
AA/Nosordo is dead
Swedish/Spanish label brethren are closing up shop for good and selling their last remaining items for cheap: https://www.nosordo.com/
Quite a few certifiably great discs in there, such as The Idealist and Ljudbilden & Piloten.
A-ha to give away millions for new talent
A-ha will be directly contributing to up-and-coming Norwegian artists by giving four lucky acts 1 million NOK each plus an opening slot on their farewell tour. Read more: https://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2010030115553739489127
Sincerely Yours branching into new merch
is selling new enamel pins engraved with euro signs: https://www.sincerelyyours.se/yours0132.php
May I suggest cufflinks next?
Hybris, the Android app
was the first Swedish label to release an iPhone app and now they're once again first in line with an app for Android. Read more/download here: https://www.hybrism.com/news/hybris-android-app/
Ja Ja Ja to put on ILMC showcase
Ja Ja Ja will be holding two showcases in March, the first of which taking place on the 11th at Tabernacle as part of the International Music Conference (ILMC). Acts featured include Hjaltalín, Lucy Love, Husky Rescue and Megaphonic Thrift. As mentioned before, there will also be a showcase on the 18th at The Lexington with Bodebrixen being the first name confirmed.
Ingrid Olava gets the Statoil money
Singer/songwriter Ingrid Olava is the recipient of this year's Statoil stipend: https://www.groove.no/html/news/63313376.html
Bad Taste vs The Sunset Strip
will be putting on a post-SXSW showcase at the Viper Room in LA on March 26 featuring Last Days of April, Timbuktu & Chords, Adam Tensta and Maskinen. More at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=314613801794&ref=nf
Vinyl die-hards get new Darkthrone first
If you're like me and are excited about the new Darkthrone, the vinyl edition of the new album "Circle the wagons" is now available for preorder and will be released on March 8, a full month before the CD/digital. Go here for details: https://www.peaceville.com/darkthrone/
If I didn't already just preorder a bunch of Swedish death metal reissues, I'd be all about it.
Nordic By Nature in Berlin
The club SO36 in Berlin will be hosting a new Scandinavian-themed showcase every third Thursday under the name "Nordic By Nature". The premiere is February 18 and will feature Exploding Heart and Gry plus DJs and upcoming events are already booked with artists such as Bye Bye Bicycle and Band Ane. Full details: https://www.myspace.com/nordicbynatureberlin
Fenriz' "Band of the Week" goes big
Many folks have abandoned myspace, but Fenriz of Darkthrone still uses it to highlight his favorite underground acts with his "Band of the Week" feature and now, after doing it continually for a long while, it's led to some bigger/better things besides just hipping many folks to lots of great music (myself included). First up, there will be a "Live Evil Fest" happening in Camden, UK in late October featuring a number of previous "Band of the Week" recipients including Obliteration and Sonic Ritual, two IAT favorites. Go here for more on that: https://www.myspace.com/liveevilfestival
Secondly, both Nocturno Culto and Fenriz will be co-editing the March issue of Terrorizer where they will be running features and interviews on many other bands they dig. Should be great for anyone into true underground metal + punk, so yeah, keep an eye out!