Motorpsycho is planning on releasing a live album later this year as well as a new studio record based on the material they performed with Ståle Storløkken and the Trondheim Jazzorkester at last year's Moldejazz Festival. The band will also be touring a bit in April and here's what's confirmed so far:
04/13 - Azkena, Bilbao (ESP)
04/14 - Rocksound, Barcelona (ESP)
04/15 - 12 & Medio, Murcia (ESP)
04/16 - El Sol, Madrid (ESP)
07/14-17 - Burg Herzberg Festival, Breitenbach (GER)
Listen to Norway runs down the 18 Norwegian acts now confirmed for SXSW 2011: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2011011114030711899290
The list: Altaar, Benea Reach, Casiokids, Datarock, Death Crush, Forza, Harry`s Gym, DE Håker Flaten, Kvelertak, Marit Larsen, The Megaphonic Thrift, My Little Pony, Nico D & Admiral P, Serpentine, Simon Says No!, Sondre Lerche, Tôg and Youth Pictures Of Florence Henderson.
Norwegian female rock act Norma Sass are giving away a new track as a free download: http://soundcloud.com/normasass/norma-sass-holy-night
Look for the band's new album "Hunting for treasure" to be released on January 24 via /.
Tom Robinson from BBC6 Music Introducing has been selected as January's curator for London-based Scandinavian music showcase Ja Ja Ja. His selections for January 27: Murmansk, Montée and Benni Hemm Hemm.
This is Lukestar's new video for "Flying canoes", the first single off their forthcoming album "Taiga", one of my most anticipated releases of 2011. Download the track in exchange for an email at the band's website: http://www.lukestar.com/
The official release date of said album is February 28.
"The deep end" is the first single from Hiawata!'s forthcoming album "Backs to the future", due out February 7 via . Direct link: http://www.vimeo.com/18002100
Norwegian composer/artist Terje Isungset will be taking his fantastic "Ice Concerts" to the UK for a series of performances later this month: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2011010610593557071641
For those unaware, Isungset performs his special ice music on instruments, both wind and percussion, made completely out of ice.
has picked up Kolbotn death metal masters Obliteration as well as fellow Norwegians Insense. Look for a new record from the former in the fall, the latter this coming spring.
Scandinavian bands I recognize from The Onion's annual worst band names list: The Lovable Tulips, Apoptygma Berzerk, Kyklooppien Sukupuutto. I'm probably missing a few, but no way am I clicking through each and every one to find out where they're from. Anyhow, check out the rest of the list here: http://www.avclub.com/articles/2010-the-year-in-band-names,49559/
The final 12 nominees for the first annual Nordic Music Prize have been announced:
Dungen - Skit i allt Paleface - Helsinki – Shangri-La Frisk Frugt - Dansktoppen møder Burkina Faso i det himmelblå rum hvor solen bor, suite Susanne Sundfør - The Brothel Robyn - Body talk Jónsi - Go Do Efterklang - Magic Chairs Serena Maneesh - S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a scheme Ólöf Arnalds - Innundir skinni Kvelertak - Kvelertak First Aid Kit - The big black & the blue
Guitarist Lars Haavard Haugen of Norwegian act Hellbillies will be releasing his solo instrumental debut "Six strings and the truth" on January 31. Hear the first single "Landscapes" in exchange for sharing it: http://larshaavardhaugen.no/
The Embassies of Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway are collaborating together on a Scandinavian music showcase in Zürich, Switzerland entitled "Sounds Nordic, Sounds Good!". The inaugural event will happen on January 16 and will feature representatives from each of the four countries: Saybia, Sivert Høyem, The Amplifetes and Sweatmaster. For more details, go here or here.