Fluxblog is featuring a track from Swedish pop artist Veronica Maggio today: http://www.fluxblog.org/2008/05/dr-allt-blir-bra-imonrn.html
There's a new demo track from David & the Citizens up on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/davidandthecitizens
Look for a split single with Sara Culler in the near future.
The lineup for this year's NYC Popfest is now 100% confirmed and the Scandinavian artists playing are Cats on Fire, Friday Bridge, Love Is All and Oh! Custer. More info: http://www.nycpopfest.org/
Swedish postrockers Immanu El have posted a ton of new tourdates, including a trip to Iceland in June and a big UK/European tour in September: http://www.myspace.com/immanuelband
Steso Songs has signed with the label Lyckan and will be releasing her debut EP on May 23. Read more: http://www.lyckankommer.se/
As you will note from that link, Lyckan will also release a new EP from Kite featuring Christian Berg (Yvonne, Strip Music) and Nicklas Stenemo (The Mo, Melody Club) on the same date.
Swedish crusties End of All have decided to continue on as a band after all, 'cept that they have now parted ways with guitarist Björn. No word yet on if they plan to replace him, so I'd just assume they'll be a three-piece for the time being.
For those so inclined, the new The State of Floral Beings album "Total" is now available as a torrent download: http://thepiratebay.org/tor/4182947/TOTAL_-_THE_STATE_OF_FLORAL_BEINGS
Jonna Lee has posted her cover of "Big hurt" by Tribeca on myspace for listening/download: http://www.myspace.com/jonnaleemusic
Fare You Well are in the studio right now recording six new tracks. See pics from the studio at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/fareyouwell
Airwaves Music will be putting on their 2nd annual Krautrock festival in Stockholm on May 23. German masters Faust headline and they've also got IAT-tipped favorites Pistol Disco and Ikons on as support. More info: http://www.airwavesmusic.com/krautrocksthlm2008/
Mika Vainio (Pan Sonic) has a new 7" out on Touch called "Behind the radiators". Info: http://www.touchmusic.org.uk/touchsevens/
Mustasch, Babylon Bombs and Hell n' Diesel will be playing a special Swedish hard-rock showcase in London on June 5 called the Real Rock of Sweden Expo. More details here: http://www.rrose.se/
MP3: Bobby & Blumm - Not at home
Bobby Baby is a young Swedish artist I've been following for a couple years now and in that time she's moved from Malmö to Berlin and grown tremendously as an artist. She's also started up a number of collaborative projects, one of them being Bobby & Blumm with German artist F.S. Blumm (Frank Schültge Blumm) whose debut album "Everybody loves" was recently released on Morr Music. I have to be honest: Morr typically epitomizes the kind of listless tweepop I loathe, but I must admit they have a few gems in their catalogue and this is certainly one of them. Largely a subdued affair, Bobby & Blumm relies almost solely on the pure tones of Bobby's vocals and Blumm's guitar. Opening track "Not at home" layers on a bit of chimes, but the basic formula remains. There's a quiet melancholy to it, but it's more pretty then gut-wrenching. There's a nice slow-build to it too, as subtle electronics creep into the mix. There's still plenty of negative space and it's employed to full effect, but it's the drawn-out dynamic shift and forward movement that elevates the track above other similarly minded artists. Essentially, perfect music for a Monday morning. Get started slow.
Bobby & Blumm - Not at home
Here is the It's a Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:
01. Death Cab for Cutie
02. Radiohead
03. Håkan Hellström
04. Lykke Li
05. The Radio Dept.
06. Nine Inch Nails
07. Kent
08. Belle and Sebastian
09. Shout Out Louds
10. Feist
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