Country: Sweden

MP3: Martin Senter - Ingenting förlorat

Martin Senter is a veteran of many bands - Seven Feet Four, EL-SD, Talking to Drake, maybe more -- but now he's decided to break out on his own and work on a solo EP. "Ingenting förlorat" is the first, fully realized sample of what he's done so far and it's pretty decent. Definitely in the vein of quirky guitar + electronics indie ala early Samuraj Cities (or maybe Niels Nielsen) with the added benefit of strong energy and a decent ear for clever vocal arrangements. The track does go on a little long however, but whatever, it's a demo. Gotta hear it back before you can work the quirks out. Hear some more stuff at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/martinsenter

Martin Senter - Ingenting förlorat

Pitchfork reviews The Amazing

Pitchfork reviews the self-titled debut album from The Amazing: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13882-the-amazing/

Someone's getting married

Grattis till Pontus och Nina! Hurra!

Facts and figures and jj and more

Warmer Climes vs jj: http://warmer-climes.blogspot.com/2010/02/facts-figures-with-joakim-benon-of-jj.html
More anger here with Fredik Lindson (The Crêpes, The Embassy) on the receiving end: http://warmer-climes.blogspot.com/2010/02/facts-figures-with-fredrik-lindson-of.html

Smalltown to tour Europe

Smalltown is heading out on a European tour in April:

04/16 - Lobusch, Hamburg (GER)
04/17 - Koma F, Berlin (GER)
04/18 - Rosbrat, Poznan (POL)
04/19 - Elba, Warsaw (POL)
04/20 - Tektura, Lublin (POL)
04/21 - tba, Budapest (HUN)
04/22 - tba, Wien (AUS)
04/23 - Yacht Club, Brno (CZ)
04/24 - K4, Nurnberg (GER)
04/25 - Kafe Kult, Munich (GER)
04/26 - Juz, Mannheim (GER)
04/27 - Cafe Lorentz, Muenster (GER)
04/28 - Schaubude, Kiel (GER)
04/29 - Utkanten, Malmo (SWE)
04/30 - Overdreven, Copenhagen (DK)
05/01 - G18, Bremen (GER)

MP3: Moto Boy - The heart is a rebel

Hard to compete with this live version recorded at Katarina Kyrka in Stockholm for PSL, but that's the way Moto Boy's music often goes. The studio version, while still fairly decent, hems him in with electronic beats and unnecessary ornamentation. Live and languid with natural acoustics will always win.

Moto Boy - The heart is a rebel

PopMatters reviews Dream Evil, Pixie Carnation

New short take reviews at PopMatters cover two wildly different Swedish acts, Dream Evil and Pixie Carnation. I'm a fan of both.

Entombed back in America

Entombed have confirmed a short run of US dates:

05/30 - Maryland Deathfest, Baltimore, MD
05/31 - Champ Bar and Grill, Trenton, NJ
06/01 - Opera House, Toronto, ON
06/02 - The Gramercy Theatre, NYC, NY
06/03 - Peabody's, Cleveland, OH
06/04 - Blondie's, Detroit, MI
06/05 - Reggie Rock Club, Chicago, IL
06/06 - Rave, Milwaukee, WI

MP3: Bolywool - Save my soul

Despite the participation of many folks whose music I admire (Jonas Odhner from Sonores, Susanna Brandin of Winter Took His Life, etc.) and a beautiful presentation, I just can't connect with Bolywool. It's definitely more of a "it's not you, it's me" sorta thing though as I've never been a fan of the Madchester/baggy sound they emulate and never will, no matter how hard I try. I prefer my shoegaze to be more assertive than fey, y'know? Still, personal preference aside, I fully acknowledge that Bolywool's take on that sound is plenty competent so it's not like I can write them off or say "this sucks" or anything because it so obviously doesn't. Bolywool are a good band making music I don't care about. Maybe you will. That's perfectly okay by me.

Bolywool - Save my soul

Halo of Pendor cassette release

Halo of Pendor, the solo alias of Daniel Öhman (Ef, Convoj, etc.), has announced that its first official release will be a 5-song cassette called "X's & Y's" to be released on February 14 via German label . And as befits the date, all songs are about love.

Makabert Fynd - Dom nakna och dom döda (live video)

No idea why no one's up front at this show, but whatever, it's not like it's stopping them from giving their all.

Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6sXID6RLeg

Nomethod signs two new bands, more

has officially announced the signing of two new acts. First is Simian Ghost who I believe used to be called The Anti Fashion and are the alter-ego of Sebastian Arnström from Aerial. Look for their debut single "Star receiver" very soon. Next up is First Love, Last Rites, a new 3-piece from Umeå with a debut album and single on the way this fall. Recent signees Love is a Burning Thing are still working on their upcoming debut as well and the first single "Go back to your cave" in on track for April.

Nikola Sarcevic - Tro (video)

Nikola Sarcevic now has a video for his new single "Tro": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67S49KHcgkY

Aversionline on Walking with Strangers

I wasn't into the samples I heard, but Aversionline thinks that young Swedish metalcore act Walking with Strangers is a-okay: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2010/02/10/walking-with-strangers-buried-dead-and-done/

This week's Last.fm chart

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Midlake
02. Beach House
03. Hot Chip
04. Jonathan Johansson
05. The Bear Quartet
06. El Perro del Mar
07. Shout Out Louds
08. Håkan Hellström
09. The Radio Dept.
10. Yeasayer

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/