Top 10s for 2011: Thomas Jonsson (I'm Kingfisher)
Country: Sweden
Ane Brun back to the UK
Ane Brun will return to the UK for a couple of dates in late April:
04/27 - Vicar St., Dublin
04/28 - Shepherds Bush Empire, London
Invasionen - Förlorad (video)
I really want to like Invasionen because I'm sure that Dennis and the gang's hearts are in the right place, but I just can't shake the feeling that they're a watered-down major label co-option of gothrock and that's not good.
Top 10s start tomorrow
Tomorrow: so begins our annual top 10 list bonanza. I could still squeeze in a few more contributors, so if you think you're deserving of a spot, please get in touch!
EL-SD - A will (video)
New from Kvalität, a clip from the very-excellent EL-SD. Also: note that the bassist is wearing a t-shirt from similarly quality act The Nature.
Agent Side Grinder - Wolf hour (now on YouTube)
The new Agent Side Grinder video "Wolf hour" is now on YouTube and it is still awesome. Look for the band's new album "Hardware" to be released in February along with a full-length concert movie from the same session this was shot.
The Quietus interviews I Break Horses
The Quietus visits I Break Horses at home in Stockholm: http://thequietus.com/articles/07493-i-break-horses-interview-hearts
Markus Krunegård prepares new album
It's hard to get excited since his last few releases have been pretty weak, but ex-Laakso frontman Markus Krunegård will be releasing a new album on March 28. He will premiere his new single "Everybody hurts" at P3 Guld on January 21.
Agent Side Grinder - Wolf hour (video)
The video for the new Agent Side Grinder single "Wolf hour", featuring guest vocals from like-minded Swedish synth artist Henric de la Cour, is now streaming at Gaffa: http://gaffa.se/tv/clip/996 You can also listen via Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/2aUInu31MA0aByDndvur55
Malmros + Snavely = A Nighthawk
Ted Malmros (Shout Out Louds) and Sarah Snavely (Dag för Dag), in addition to being married and having a baby together, have started a new band called A Nighthawk. They recently recorded five tracks with Peder Mannerfelt aka Subliminal Kid called "Until I Faltered I Wasn’t Free" which will probably be out in early 2012.
Atomine Elektrine live album giveaway
Raison d'Être sideproject Atomine Elektrine is giving away the new live recording/Coil tribute "Space is an illusion - Live in Vilnius" as a free download for a limited time: http://webshop.raison-detre.info/album/space-is-an-illusion-live-in-vilnius
Hanna Hirsch - En väg av ljus, en vägg av brus
At long last, new music from Swedish punk/powerpop act Hanna Hirsch. Pre-order the band's new 12" EP "Gå hem över himlen" here: http://www.adagio830.de/news/hanna-hirsch-pre-order-starts-today/
Die Schwedische Pøp Wunder
Thomas Ekelund of Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words/Soma Sema/etc. has put together a mix of classic Swedish postpunk/new-wave for listening via Mixcloud: http://i.mixcloud.com/CuXi1
New ÅBE coming on New Years
ÅBE report that they have recorded 13 new songs for release on 12"/CD/digital via on December 31, 2011. No confirmed name yet, but the working title is "King of Pellargonia".