US-based indie label Series Two Records is putting out a new 4CD compilation featuring two discs of all-Swedish artists. Full tracklist and ordering details: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=31429084&blogID=374297246
Danish metal act Raunchy will release their new album "Wasteland discoteque" on June 16. Apparently the record includes a cover of the 80s hit "Somebody's watching me" by Rockwell (and ft. Michael Jackson).
There's going to be a big Nordic Hip-hop festival in Copenhagen on May 9-10: http://www.myspace.com/banditentertainment
Acts confirmed include Petter, Afasi & Filthy, Clemens and tons more.
Updates US dates for The Mary Onettes:
05/07 - Vertigos, Los Angeles, CA
05/08 - Popscene, San Francisco, CA
05/09 - Satellite Lounge, Reno, NV
05/10 - Sunset Tavern, Seattle, WA
05/12 - Hi Dive, Denver, CO
05/13 - Recordbar, Kansas City, MO
05/14 - The Bluebird, St Louis, MO
05.15 - Beat Kitchen, Chicago, IL
05.16 - My Old Kentucky Blog Presents @ Radio Radio, Indianapolis, IN
05.17 - Garfield Artworks, Pittsburgh, PA
05.19 - Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
05.21 - DC9, Washington, DC
05/23 - Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY
05/24 - Middle East, Boston, MA
Swedish hard-rockers Fingerspitzengefühl have two new tracks up on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/fingerspitzen
Swedish live streaming video site Arena Grande will be hosting a special "La Vida Locash Label Night" on May 2 featuring performances from Kocky, Alexis Weak, Noonie Bao and Adrian Lux. Go here for more details: http://arenagrande.tv/news/2008/04/23/La-Vida-Locash-Label-Night.html
MP3: Happy Trash Culture - Frisky pet
As far as grunge revival acts go, Happy Trash Culture wins serious points for throwing in Wipers riffage on "Frisky pet", but I have to say that I Am Bones wins the war. I Am Bones uses the style more as a jumping off point while Happy Trash Culture is content with pure homage. It's pure contrivance. Even vocalist Martin Befve's terrific throat-shredding roar can't quite save 'em. They do what they do and they do it well, but c'mon, why bother?
Happy Trash Culture - Frisky pet
Daaamn! Silverbullit is now confirmed for Way Out West: http://www.wayoutwest.se/nyheter/vi-ramlar-pa-med-fler-artister
It's been a long while since I've heard anything new from those guys. They're also an amazing live band.
Swedish singer/songwriter Sophie Zelmani will have a new album out in early September entitled "The ocean and me". Check her website for tourdates: http://www.sophie-zelmani.com/
Moto Boy
s/t
Songs I Wish I Had Written
By his own admission, Moto Boy sets out to redefine your perception of what one man can do with a guitar. With an impressive and androgynous vocal range, he does indeed push the envelope, embarking on some surprising twists and turns as he navigates the length of the album. Dreamy at times, defiant at others, the songs sometimes fall into a self-indulgent experimental style that are testing for both the artist and the listener. For the most part though, the songs are curious, well crafted and caressing. "I miss you baby" and "Blue motorbike" are both rhythmically strong, pop focused and radio worthy. The oddly named "U" is a striking and beautiful addition. For an artist reported to take the stage dressed in drag with a nasty black metal guitar, this album is unexpectedly gimmick-free, demonstrating the full force of talent behind the act.
- Rhiannon Elston
Check out the video for the new Tobias Fröberg single "Just behind a brick wall" (ft. Peter Morén): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PxQKBU0nPg
Besides new albums from both The Breeze The Breath (May 7) and Jupither (May 21), A West Side Fabrication has confirmed that they will release the Linn single "Nothing at all" in the near future as well as the solo debut from Darcy frontwoman Saga Eserstam and a new three-track single from Olle Nyman for "Devil's prey".
Svenska Akademien may be on hiatus, but many of the members such as Räven and Sture are still active with other projects. Read more here: http://www.betraktaren.com/svenska_akademien/default.asp?sida=nyheter&undersida=1 (in Swedish)
The Second Band has posted their new video for "The flood" on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22eKeb1my7s