Scandipop talks to Elin Lanto
The Scandipop blog has a new interview with Elin Lanto: http://www.scandipop.co.uk/?p=1933
Country: Sweden
Musik med Taken By Trees
Taken By Trees are the latest live music guests at PSL: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2009/12/7/musik-med-taken-by-trees/
Fire! review at Free Jazz
Free Jazz reviews the new Fire! album on Rune Grammofon: http://freejazz-stef.blogspot.com/2009/12/fire-you-liked-me-five-minutes-ago-rune.html
New Smycken tape on Night People
Gbg-based noiseniks Smycken, featuring members from Pistol Disco and PWR, among others, have a new cassette release "Video haze" out now via US label : http://www.raccoo-oo-oon.org/np/
Expect another tape release via the Austin, TX-based very soon.
Sleevage on the art of Bob Hund
Sleevage talks to Bob Hund cover artist Martin Kann: http://sleevage.com/bob-hund-various-covers/
Jenny Wilson to tour France
Jenny Wilson will play France in March:
03/25 - La Laitarie, Strasborg (FR)
03/26 - Le Ciel, Grenoble (FR)
03/27 - La Maroquinerie, Paris (FR)
New Sambassadeur gets title, release date
The new Sambassadeur album "European" is now officially confirmed for release on February 24, 2010.
We & Lisa - Winter EP
Swedish indie/electropop act We & Lisa have a new three-song EP for free download: http://www.weandlisa.com/media.html
Markus Krunegård
Prinsen av Peking / Lev som en gris dö som en hund
Universal
It's always very difficult to not gush and be objective when reviewing music by your favorite artists, and I have made no secret in the past with my adoration for the songs of Markus Krunegård. It's strange though, because I tend for myself to be skeptical of each new record of his, whether it be the solo material or with Laakso. Yet, each time I step back in awe after the albums have clicked. This year he has delivered two new albums on the same day, and I must admit, was a bit unsure when hearing a song here and there and yet, once again, this has changed after multiple listens. As each record passes, you become aware of how much he is improving lyrically -- they've become less direct, and more poetic -- an attribute one never really associates with modern pop music. Songs like "Prinsessan av Peking" and "Kär i en borderline" are glaring examples of the imagery he has been able to focus on, and the results speak for themselves. The arrangements are also top notch, once again mostly working with longtime comrade Jari Happalainen. Laakso fans will take note that "Dystra utsikter" is a re-appropriation of "Long Beach", yet with the sense of hopeful support shifting to that of desperation seeking relief; "Mitt kvarter" is an ode to his residence. I would be safe to say, that by now, Markus Krunegård has more than cemented his place as one of the top songwriters at the moment.
- Matt Giordano
Mailorder update!
Firstly, I've got a new item in stock: Undergången - An audio companion to the End-Tymes (CS)
Cassettes are the new black and none are more black than this, a 120-minute compilation of dark sounds compiled by Thomas Ekelund of Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words. Limited to 100 copies, so don't be surprised if they disappear quick.
Second! There are still a few final sleeveless copies of Hello Saferide's "Introducing..." LP available. After that, they are gone forever. Buy now!
Third! Our ongoing CD clearance sale may be winding down and thinning out, but there are still plenty of deals to be had! Please, help me get rid of all these damn CDs!
Fourth, and finally, if you want any chance of your order making it to your house by Christmas, you absolutely have to get it in this week as I will be making my last pre-Xmas trip to the post office on Saturday, December 12. Wait too long and your package might not arrive until New Year's. And then in 2010 I'm shutting down for inventory and renovation, so if you've been considering a purchase, the clock is ticking..
Per Egland - Merkurius brinner (video)
Here's the video for the new Per Egland single "Merkurius brinner": http://www.vimeo.com/8034391
New US dates for TSOOL
The Soundtrack of Our Lives will finally be back in the US for a string of dates in February:
02/16 - The Filmore at Irving Plaza, NYC, NY
02/17 - The Note, West Chester, PA
02/18 - House of Sweden, Washington DC
02/18 - Black Cat, Washington DC
02/19 - Warehouse Live, Houston, TX
02/20 - Emo's, Austin, TX
02/21 - Granada Theater, Dallas, TX
02/23 - Rialto Theater, Tucson, Arizona
02/24 - Casbah, San Diego, CA
02/25 - The Glasshouse, Pamona, CA
02/26 - El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
02/27 - The Independent, San Francisco, CA
02/28 - tba, Chicago, IL
Sirius playlist week #49
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. Interlace - Nemesis
02. TALK 1
03. Kråkesølv - Skredder
04. Mata de Leon - He's alright
05. Agent Side Grinder - 210-392
06. TALK 2
07. Lapko - I shot the sheriff
08. Obliteration - Exterminate
09. Frivolvol - Blades of steel
10. Adam McCormack - Dead sailor
11. TALK 3
12. Marvins Revolt - Organize your arms
13. The Bear Quartet - Least loved (of the unloved)
14. Håkan Lidbo - Let's rock
15. TALK 4
16. Eskatol - Hevn
17. Elias & the Wizzkids - Oh these nights
18. Grande Roses - Factory
19. C.Aarmé - Assuan
20. TALK 5
21. Le Sport - Love in stereo
Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.
Meshuggah - Alive (trailer)
Check out a trailer for the forthcoming Meshuggah live DVD+CD "Alive", coming out in early February: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-o1CfpA1vE