MIC Norway reports on Madrugada's upcoming summer tour and drops a hint that the band might not be finished after all: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2008042212433870703135
Personally, I think they should change the name if they decide to record something new. Without Robert Burås, it's not Madrugada.
Gbg-based Eastern European folk-influenced "party band" Agrin has a couple new tracks posted for download: http://www.agrin.se/
Poodles guitarist Pontus Norgren has reportedly left the band to join Hammerfall: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesliv/musik/article2314625.ab (in Swedish)
Surferosa, in collaboration with an unnamed Norwegian film school, will tape their show in Oslo at Rockefeller this Saturday and have invited various guests to help make it "a once in a lifetime show." As for if/how/when the final product will be released, it's all TBA.
Jacob Felländer, a Swedish artist probably best known so far for his photography, will release his debut album "Letters from the Trenches" on June 4. Guest musicians on said album include Dan Lepp (Grand Tone Music), Patrik Andersson (Moneybrother, Club Killers, Barr). Per Nordmark (Fireside, Breach, Christian Kjellvander), Britta Persson and many more. Hear samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jacobfellander
MP3: Bright Oak - On the list
When Closer first disbanded, the core membership went on to form The Goatboys, a short-lived project that was intended to be a stripped-down version of their previous act. Faster, shorter, less complicated; back to basics, if you will. Unfortunately, nothing really ever came of them except a few rough demos, but now those same guys have moved on yet again to form Bright Oak. I'm unaware if the guys had any high-minded intentions with this act, but I can tell you that the name "historically stands as a notable meeting place for wise and powerful people to share information and solve problems." Judging from that, I'd say that yes, they do have big plans, I'm just not privy to them yet. As for the music, the most important part, it's somewhere between The Goatboys and Closer. The first three songs they've recorded are definitely the most "mainstream" material I've heard from them so far. Not as raw as The Goatboys, neither are they as proggressive as Closer. The arrangements are verse/chorus oriented and none extend beyond 4:30 in length. They slip in a few tricks here and there, but it's very subtle -- an odd melody here and there, maybe a short rhythmic interlude. It is definitely pop music. The choruses are big, uplifting and immediate. Everything is clear and concise. I miss Closer's tendency towards secrecy and conceptualism because a higher barrier of entry often makes for an overall more rewarding listening experience, but I also understand the frustration of playing music like that without having people "get it". Bright Oak, for better or worse, plays music that is very easy to get. I look forward to hearing more.
Bright Oak - On the list
Sophie Rimheden
Traveller
NONS/SRP
This latest offering from Sophie Rimheden wades deeper into experimental fields with reasonable success. Her sweet melodic voice is backed up with support from dark and unlikely places, most notably by Swedish hip-hop artist Aaron Phiri on the first track to be released from this album, "Go away". This pairing of soft and sweet with hard-edged hip-hop is surprising and played out to nice effect, without overdoing it. Other stand-out tracks include "Stay the night" and title track "Travel". The whole album reaches a tricky balance of sticking closely to a theme without ever becoming repetitive.
- Rhiannon Elston
We Are Soldiers We Have Guns recently recorded a couple cover tunes at the studio of IAT.MP3 artist Sonores. One is "Olis", a new song from Björn Kleinhenz (hey, another IAT.MP3 artist!) off his forthcoming album and the second is "Parenthesis" by The Blow. No word yet on when/how they'll surface, but I'll keep you posted. In other news, you can now preview tracks from her forthcoming record "Get up, get out" right here: http://wearesoldierswehaveguns.blogspot.com/
It comes out June 30 via Stereo Test Kit.
Sudd is celebrating their 5th birthday with a big download giveaway: http://www.sudd.org/freee.htm
Download a new track from Gbg-based melodic hardcore act Another Year: http://www.monumenthq.com/HTML/mp3_download.php?id=30
The band's new album "Moments don't last" will be out in May via Monument Records. Also, don't forget to check out the band when they tour Europe later this year: http://www.myspace.com/anotheryearhc
Swedish hardcore act Grace Will Fall will tour Europe in May alongside German act Never Back Down. Dates and samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gracewillfall
Swedish netlabel Frukt Records has two new releases from Fiktion and Fredrik Ståhl in celebration of their 1-year anniversary as a label: http://www.fruktrecords.se/
Check out Rigas' new video for "Born not to run": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxLGrPcHKGU
Download the track plus another from the Flora & Fauna website: http://www.brilliant.nu/