Lo-Fi-Fnk + I Made This
Lo-Fi-Fnk has officially joined the roster of .
Country: Sweden
We are the Storm
Live @ Popadelica, Huskvarna 05/01/2010
"The really good songs tends to write themselves," singer and guitarist Staffan Blomén declared as we sat down for a chat a couple of hours before We are the Storm played at this year's rendition of the Popadelica Festival in Huskvarna, Sweden. We were of course talking about the smashing "I woke up to the bells", which surfaced as a live video a while back. The song is simply breathtaking, so simple and yet so direct. Can you believe this band is still unsigned? They won't be for long, take my word for it. Listening to the songs on the eponymous EP the band released last year got me thinking about Fireside still on their best, or a rougher version of Britain's Athlete. While I was under the impression that the music of We are the Storm was all about dealing with all those not-so-good-feelings we all get from time to time, Blomén explained it was quite the opposite. We are the Storm are all about letting out all that which can't be kept within, no matter the feelings. A fact very clear when the band finally hits the stage - The Seven Nation Army, seven people crowded in a very limited space, performing like their lives depended on it. Let me say this again: We are the Storm are still not signed to any label (it's crazy, I know)! They still lack some experience when it comes to playing live, yes, but the songs! This short 30 min set features only new songs, songs that hopefully will be recorded sometime this summer, and even though "I woke up to the bells" is still the strongest song by far, I sense great potential in these lads from Uppsala. Sure, they need to work on their performance, but with a few more shows in the bloodstream I'm sure they will figure out how to get a good flow going. Because here's the thing, when they're actually playing music, they are amazing! Record labels, get it touch. Now.
- Christian Stenbacke
Parken - Ser du stjärnan i det grå
Preview Parken's new single "Ser du stjärnan i det grå", due out May 12 via : http://soundcloud.com/florafauna/parken-ser-du-stjarnan-i-det-gra
Parken's sophomore album "Framtiden var här" will follow on October 6.
Ja Ja Ja showcase at The Great Escape, more
Ja Ja Ja will be throwing a special Nordic showcase on May 14 for the occasion of London's Great Escape Festival featuring Susanne Sundfør, Jaakko & Jay and For a Minor Reflection. More details: http://www.jajajamusic.com/news.php?id=33
Other Scandinavian acts performing at this year's festival include Choir Of Young Believers, Erik Hassle, Simon Says No!, Ingrid Olava, Joensuu 1685, Megaphonic Thrift, Seabear, Vuk and possibly others, but I can't tell because their website is a piece of shit.
New Euro dates for Jens Lekman
Jens Lekman has lined up a new set of European tourdates:
08/01 - Whelans, Dublin (IRL)
08/03 - Union Chapel, London (UK)
08/04 - Nouveau Casino, Paris (FRA)
08/05 - Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
08/07 - Strand, Stockholm (SWE)
08/09 - Vega, Copenhagen (DK)
08/10 - Kunst, Hamburg (GER)
08/11 - Lido, Berlin (GER)
08/13 - Way Out West, Göteborg (SWE)
Fy Fan EP stream
Now that Fy Fan's "Åh nej" 7" EP is completely sold out, the band is streaming it at myspace in its entirety: http://www.myspace.com/fyfanpunk
Look for a new EP from the band on in the near future.
MP3: The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Protection
Careful, you're veering awfully close to funky jamband territory there and I doubt it'd take much to send y'all careening over the edge. Definitely picking up some early Red Hot Chili Peppers punk-funk vibes too, which I must admit, give me pause. Can't deny there's a proper time and place to bust out those sorta jams, though I'm not so sure that location exists in my life anymore. Still, despite "Protection" being merely a so-so track, I do actually like The Je Ne Sais Quoi's new record "Transparent for you all". Definitely rougher than 2007's "Rhythm" which I liked a lot; sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes not. I'd say it's a transitional work.
The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Protection
Ikons interview at Fairtilizer
Fairtilizer interviews Swedish darkwave shoegazers Ikons: http://blog.fairtilizer.com/pop/ikons/
Moptaco Dics planning summer onslaught
reports that they'll be releasing the new Optic Nest LP "Entertainment" this summer along with the debut 7" "Distractions" from "funk-falsetto boyscout" CMG (also in The Je Ne Sais Quoi) plus a cassette from Evil Moisture. Samples via myspace: http://www.myspace.com/moptacodics
State of Mind Recordings to compile Anchor EP tracks for new LP
US label will be compiling all of Anchor's various 7" and EP tracks for an LP release later this year, along with a new 7". No release date yet, but the band plans to come back over to tour in support sometime after summer.
MP3: Tyrant - Hell to pay
This track is an obvious ripper, but there are two highlights worth mentioning, both of which I presume were off the cuff. First, when D. Forn Bragman says "Do it!" coming back in from the guitar break, echoing the hidden command from the Judas Priest subliminal message trial. And then, before the solo -- one word: "hate!" It doesn't get much more metal than that.
This track comes from the band's split 12" with UK crust act Alehammer, released late last year via . Tyrant's 4 tracks are all worthy contributions to their discography; as for the flip, the slightly amusing title + cover art is as good as it gets.
Tyrant - Hell to pay
Uncanny and Crypt of Kerberos discogs available for preorder
Since I've been able to successfully secure my own copies already, I'm happy to report that 's upcoming 3xLP vinyl discography collections for Swedish death metal acts Uncanny and Crypt of Kerberos are now available for preorder: http://www.darksymphonies.com/thecrypt/shop.html
Having recently picked up both the Pan-Thy-Monium and Epitaph reissues (reviews coming soon-ish), I can assure you that they do an amazing job with these collections. Not only do they sound great, but the packaging is superb.
Pulverised signs Crucifyre
Singapore's continues their acquisition of Sweden's death metal elite by picking up Crucifyre as the latest addition to their roster. The band has existed since 2006 and features an all-star cast including Erik Tormentor Sahlström (General Surgery, Maze Of Torment), TG (The Sun, Morbid), Urban Skytt (Regurgitate, Nasum), Henrik Doltz Nilsson (Dobermann Cult) and Yasin Hillborg (Afflicted). Look for their debut full-length to be released later this year.
Väärt debut coming in late May via West Side
Swedish electronic indie/folk/pop act Väärt will release their debut album "Sommarfågel" on May 26 via . Hear some samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/vaartmusik
Mattias Alkberg - Lys upp mig som en stjärna
Mattias Alkberg gives up on chords, posts a new song: http://www.mabd.se/?p=595
Also, note that recording for the next Bear Quartet album will soon be underway.