Series Two Records has rounded up all the various press related to Oh Custer!'s recent US debut at NYC Popfest: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=31429084&blogID=405933381
The Ark says they probably won't ever release another physical album again and are considering a single subscription service ala Marit Bergman: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesliv/musik/article2692222.ab (in Swedish)
Tragic news: acclaimed Swedish jazz pianist Esbjörn Svensson died this weekend in a scuba accident. Link: http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2285789,00.html
He will be missed. RIP.
Lögnhalsmottagningen, the international collaboration of Stuart from Boyracer and Martin from The Faintest Ideas, will play what will probably be their first and only show at Athens Popfest on August 16.
Murmansk
Chinese locks
Around Your Neck
"Vague language" alone is testament to the fact that there was enough of value in 90s music for Murmansk to draw from, to combine into their own register, and this second track of "Chinese locks" flickers alive in ways that I can only remember moments of Stone Temple Pilots and Smashing Pumpkins songs comparing to. The opening title-track prepares listeners for an onslaught similar to that of Mew's "And the glass handed kites", where equal emphasis is placed on the energies of the guitar and drum work, in the end building up an intriguingly thick soundscape of instrumentation. The first breakdown of "Nothing but the moon" is one of the more epic interludes I have heard in a while, not necessarily in its scope, but in its execution: resounding, thunderous drums punctuating layered guitars, wisps of soft vocals floating just above the fray; and this theme is repeated throughout the remaining breakdowns of the song. This amalgamation of the grunge themes of the 1990s with the more expansive sound of acts like Mew is worked and reworked throughout the album, the focal influence shifting all the way through, and thus it never starts to feel formulaic.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
MP3: Rigas den Andre - I am crane
One of the best things about the Swedish festival scene is all the unexpected friendly faces you run into. Not only did I get a chance to hook up with a ton of bands, label/industry reps, and fellow journalists/bloggers, but I also ran into Henrik von Euler aka Rigas/Rigas den Andre, someone who I had no clue would be there. Apparently he was there supporting friend/associate/bandmate Parken, one of the acts I missed due to my delayed arrival. But! Someone was kind enough to point him out to me and introduce us, thank god because there's no way I would've recognized him by his Skitsystem hoodie. As for Parken, he was nice enough but he also spilled half a beer in my lap so fuck him! Who cares if his latest single is something of an indie-dance hit, I'm all about the skweee instead.
Surprisingly, that was the only party foul I was personally involved in outside of losing my copy of the apartment key the very first day of the fest. And honestly, it really wasn't that bad- I just like to complain. As for other fest casualties, well let's just say that there were plenty, I'm just glad it wasn't me.
As for the ongoing Swedish tour, today (Monday) is my last real day in Stockholm and then it's off to Malmö!
Rigas den Andre - I am crane
Upstart Norwegian melodic hardcore act Merlin is giving away 3 tracks: http://www.merlincore.com/music/
Worth checking out if you dig heavy, angular rock in the vein of JR Ewing.
Here's the video for the new Those Dancing Days single "Run run": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBEAS913xlc
Finnish humppa-metal act Finntroll will tour the US with Warbringer in August: http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=10900
Norwegian postrockers The Samuel Jackson Five are off to the mountains of Valdres this weekend to lay down basic tracks for their new album.
Check out the video for "Trust tissue", the new single from I Scream Ice Cream, the solo act of Jesper "Junior" Mortensen from Junior Senior: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WolfCYmBCMs
Norwegian rockers Bloodlights (ex-Gluecifer) are currently in the studio working on new material. Expect a new album in early 2009.
Swedish duo Piroth is keeping a bit of a tour diary: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=65256767&blogID=404793519
Check out House of Tomidas, a new band featuring various members of Britta Persson's backing band along with her own self providing backing vocals: http://www.myspace.com/tomidas
The band's debut album "Dark times" will be out this fall.