Bob Hund doc coming in December
Director Peter Magnusson has filmed a new documentary feature on Swedish act Bob Hund which will be airing on SVT on December 17, just in time for the band's 20th anniversary.
Country: Sweden
MP3: A Heavy Feather - Caitlin Mooney
A Heavy Feather is David Sandström and "Caitlin Mooney" is the first single from his album "You're the lotion on darkness knuckles as it punches light in the face". The concept of David taking his hyper-literate rock songwriting (see: David Sandström Overdrive) and applying it to hyper-literate, down-tempo electronica might seem bewildering, but that's because it is. On the other hand, he's done enough stylistic left-turns over the years, from Refused to the "Grandfather" album (my favorite) to collaborating with rapper Adam Tensta, his latest venture probably shouldn't come as a surprise, and yet it's not a direction I had anticipated. I'm really not sure what to make of the song either, especially outside the context of the album as a whole. It seems an odd choice as a single, but perhaps that's by design? I wouldn't put it past him.
A Heavy Feather - Caitlin Mooney
Oriel Jones - Chin up!
A brand new tune from Finnish/Swedish act Oriel Jones. Grab an mp3 and get the lyrics here: http://www.orieljoans.com/?page_id=511
MP3: Pajala Truck Co. - Tornionlaakso
"The first gray slushy snow has fallen over Pajala and the rest of Torne valley, the intoxicating dance of the summer is long gone and while the fingers slowly brace the pile of bills and debt collection on the table the eyes are melancholically fixed on the desolated world outside the kitchen window. A longing away. A new start. Gene Kelly. Leslie Caron. Paris."
A couple weeks ago I mentioned that had been putting out a number of solid releases lately, but then I neglected to follow up with anything to back up such claims. To remedy that, here's the latest single "Tornionlaakso" from Pajala Truck Co., a great pop band with two singers from way far up north near the Sweden/Finnish border. It's a great song with a great emphatic delivery and, like the quote above says, great music for welcoming fall. Reminds me a bit of Marit Bergman too, in that they in no way shy away from grandiose classic pop gestures and that's something I can always appreciate. Can't say I know much about the band beyond this song, but I'll certainly be doing my best to alleviate my ignorance as the day goes on.
Pajala Truck Co. - Tornionlaakso
Koko - Never listen
A second taste of the new Koko record, coming out in early 2012 via . Once again, Koko is Emil Lundgren and Sven Johansson and Sven's bandmate Elina Johansson from Dear Euphoria contributes guest vocals. Recommended!
The Nature - Allting blir ok
There's a new EP from The Nature coming via very, very soon and here's a taste of the title track: http://t.co/JJfEdsuC
Serenades sign US deal with Cherry Tree
PSL reports that Serenades have signed a deal with sub-label in the US: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2011/11/04/extra-extra-the-serenades-skriver-superkontrakt-i-usa/
Klubbland #40: Andi Almqvist
There's a new episode of SVT's live music show Klubbland online and the featured artist is Andi Almqvist: http://blogg.svt.se/klubbland/2011/11/04/40-andi-almqvist/
New Memfis album finally available
Swedish metal act Memfis have announced that "Vertigo", the long-awaited follow-up to their 2006 album "The wind-up" which recorded back in 2008 and held up by a myriad of legal troubles with their former label, is finally ready for release and available for digital purchase direct from the band, as well as all the usual e-tailers: http://www.memfisband.com/
Stream the entire thing at SoundCloud too, as you can see above.
Graveyard returns to the US
Swedish hard-rockers Graveyard will be returning to the US in 2012:
01/12 - Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
01/13 - Middle East, Boston, MA
01/14 - Northstar Bar, Philadelphia, PA
01/16 - DC9, Washington, D.C.
01/17 - Strange Matter - Richmond, VA
01/19 - Asheville Music Hall, Asheville, NC
01/20 - Exit/In, Nashville, TN
01/21 - Masquerade (Hell Stage), Atlanta, GA
01/22 - Hi-Tone Café, Memphis, TN
01/24 - Fitzgerald's, Houston, TX
01/25 - Mohawk, Austin, TX
01/31 - Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
02/01 - The Tractor, Seattle, WA
Hybris signs Lucas Nord
has signed young Swedish pop artist Lucas Nord and will be releasing his debut single (feat. vocals from Urban Cone) in November with an album to follow in early 2012. Get a nearly useless 20-second sample here if you must: http://youtu.be/ifN5AbLnvcM
Colossus
Spiritual myiasis
Dark Matter Records
I don't usually do this, but I'm going to name-drop like there's no tomorrow. The over-saturation of sludge/doom rock bands these days means either for you, a good or bad thing. Kyuss reunions, more impressive line-ups at Roadburn Festival and more bands on the radio finding immutable reconfigurations of greasy head-banging, B-minor scales, and the good, old-fashioned drop C#. Colossus from Stockholm are no doubt a member of the same army and even though there's no desert in Sweden to refer to their style, there are certainly a host of comparable bands -- Coliseum (name easily confusable), Orange Goblin, Big Business, High on Fire, Melvins, Neurosis, etc. etc. If any of these bands tickle your moustache and you're scouting for something new, I'd give Colossus a whirl. Not just 'cos they throw similar references, or are another band to annoy your neighbours to as you blast it through your speakers, munch on your Grandiosa pizza and drink beer -- but because they actually write decent songs. Clear ideas; persistent, well-structured choruses sprinkled with a few unique spin-off, thrash riffs (and always the quintessential track bordering on the cheese and operatic, "Eternal return") -- making them a bit more sophisticated then your average backyard, pisshead squatter version. Though for this jaded reviewer, listening to this makes me believe I'd be happier revisiting Metallica's "Kill 'em all". Besides, hasn't it been over ten years since I snagged that advance copy of Mastodon's "Remission"? Doh!
- Ann Sung-an Lee
Drowned in Sound presents Nordic Sounds
Drowned in Sound has launched a new Scandinavian music column called Nordic Sounds: http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4143878-nordic-sounds-1-backwards-and-forwards
Content covered include their selections for the best albums of 2011 so far, a bit of a news roundup and some coverage of Iceland Airwaves.
Svensk Musik talks songwriting with Sofia Jernberg
Svensk Musik interviews artist/composer Sofia Jernberg about her songwriting process: http://svenskmusik.org/article/sofia-jernberg/
Musik med Icona Pop
Swedish hype act Icona Pop play live for PSL: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2011/11/03/musik-med-icona-pop/