PB&J, Teddybears, Miike Snow launch label
Peter Bjorn and John, Miike Snow and Jocke Åhlund (Teddybears) have joined forces to start a new Stockholm-based label under the name : http://peterbjornandjohn.com/blog/2011/07/gimme-some-ingrid/
Country: Sweden
Kopfer Kat
Skrammelpop
Progress Productions
The label calls this "noise-driven club music" and that's the most accurate and succinct description there is of the twisted minds of Göteborg duo Michael Andresen and Jimmy Andersson. As a debut album, "Skrammelpop" is a double-edged sword. On a positive note it demonstrates the Kat's uncompromising attitude toward sonic oblivion. On the other hand, an album full of this material highlights the shortcomings of the style that's not otherwise evident on singles, EPs or remixes. These failings fall largely under the umbrella of variety -- or lack thereof -- throughout the recording. Yes, the style is known and loved for its repetition but, with almost three quarters of an hour of the same heavily distorted drum rhythms, "Skrammelpop" can become a bit wearisome. Its redeeming qualities are to be found in the nuances of the recordings; from the underlying samples through to the controlled-yet-seemingly-erratic beats, it's a lot more complex and organized than the untrained ear might imagine. This is industrial club noise for the clinically insane. And they'll love it! Most of the rest of the population won't give this a second thought.
- John Norby
The Book of Daniel - The newborn grass
At long last, new music from The Book of Daniel: http://thebookofdaniel.bandcamp.com/track/the-newborn-grass
Look for the new album "Visions of newborn grass" to be released later this year.
Magnus Ekelund + Jakob Hellman - Utan er (new live video)
Magnus Ekelund and Jakob Hellman performing live together in Stockholm. And guess what? Magnus' new album "Svart flagg" (out now via ) is even available via Spotify here in the US: http://open.spotify.com/album/4V1lliNkivN2XPOU5k7m8P
New music from James Ausfahrt
James Ausfahrt (aka Åke Strömer of Love is All) has a new solo album up on Bandcamp called "Emptying the fridge with friends and family": http://jamesausfahrt.bandcamp.com/album/emptying-the-fridge-with-friends-and-family
Spotify in the US: first impressions
First of all, it sounds good and works more or less as-advertised aside from a few small hiccups. The ads are minimally intrusive and I can easily see how nice it would be on a mobile device, though I'm not a gadget guy by any stretch of the imagination. On the other hand, I find it incredibly annoying that I can't search by label. Unless there's something I'm missing? It's also annoying that a Sweden-based music service would be so lacking so much classic Swedish music (examples abound, but Ebba Grön is notably absent for one, along with much of Popsicle's discography), but of course that's the fault of short-sighted major labels, not the service itself. Overall I'd say the experience is good though, despite my complaints. The Bear Quartet's entire catalog is available along with most everything else from every other decent current Swedish indie label. Can't beat that. Will I shell out for the premium service? Eh, doubtful but we'll see.
Loney Dear - My heart
There's a brand new Loney Dear song streaming at Stereogum called "My heart": http://stereogum.com/763571/loney-dear-my-heart/mp3s/
Look for the new album "Hall music" to be released on October 4 via in US, in Europe.
Mange Makers - Fest hos mange (video)
Just in case you have set to subject yourself to Sweden's most potently annoying summer pop anthem of 2011. Required viewing!
Jens Lekman confirms new EP, tour
Jens Lekman has confirmed that his new EP "An argument with myself" will be released on September 20 via and will be followed by an abbreviated US tour. Get the full details here in this republished interview he did with the Walla Walla Washington Union Bulletin: http://secretlycanadian.com/blog/2011/07/jens-lekman-announces-new-ep-tour/
Stockholm belongs to us - A Labrador Records compilation
Swedish indiepop label has a new 22-track comp/label sampler they are giving away as a free download: http://www.labrador.se/stockholm/
Hunt
Ashes of a secret heart
self-released
This debut EP by Susanna Brandin (aka Winter Took His Life) is essentially an extension of the Swede's solo output, but with a full band behind her, a move that has allowed Brandin's expression to breathe and expand beyond the confines of her work as Winter Took His Life. While "Ashes of a secret heart" adheres to Brandin's fundamental sound -- that of melancholy -- the addition of a postrock overtone and a sublime production courtesy of Jonas Odhner serves to elevate the music and bring out the true potential of Brandin's talent. She has already proven herself as a solo artist and anyone who liked her material back then will undoubtedly fall in love with the atmosphere created on "Ashes of a sacred heart". With the right moves, this Göteborg six piece could find themselves becoming part of the global musical picture in the near future.
- John Norby
New Code 64 EP in August
has announced that Swedish/Norwegian EBM act Code 64 will be releasing a new EP called "Deviant" on August 16. Said EP will feature five tracks total including three versions of the title tune (a radio edit + two remixes) as well as a metal cover version by Greek act Sorrowful Angels and, to top it off, a new version of the song "Oblivion".
New music from Tellusian (ex-Crowpath)
Ex-Crowpath act Tellusian is streaming two new tunes at Bandcamp: http://tellusian.bandcamp.com/
If you liked the former, you'll probably dig this as well. A bit too ADHD for me though.
Erik Enocksson - I
New music from Swedish artist/composer Erik Enocksson from his new LP "Apan", just released via . Very different from what came before, but not in a bad way, not at all.