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Bobby Baby aka Ella Blixt has been on many folk's indiepop-radar for a few years now. Recently, she's put her solo-efforts on hold and joined forces with German multi-talent F.S.Blumm on their project Bobby & Blumm. From the start, this seemed to be an exciting match: Blumm is a classically-trained guitarist who has released a number of mostly instrumental records full of analogue warmth and experimental playfulness. Their debut together, which appears on Berlin's Morr Music label, manages to combine the best of both worlds. Juxtaposed by Blumm's virtuosic yet never intrusive or flashy guitar melodies, Bobby Baby's voice sounds more gripping than ever in these minimal arrangements. At the same time, the songwriting seems more focused than in some of her solo-work, while what remains of her trademark synths greatly adds to the album's otherwise refreshingly analogue sound. Despite all the obvious skills that went into making this record -- all the hisses, rustles and cracks that were carefully put into place -- it still emits a certain calm introspectiveness that makes you want to listen to it again and again.
- Arnulf Köhncke
Norwegian rockers and "Reader's companion" alums WE are doing a batch of German headlining gigs starting in late May:
05/30 - Backstage, München (GER)
05/31 - Subway, Chemnitz (GER)
06/01 - Logo, Hamburg (GER)
06/02 - Zeche Carl, Essen (GER)
06/03 - Museumskeller, Erfurt (GER)
06/04 - Beatpol, Dresden (GER)
06/05 - Nachtleben, Frankfurt (GER)
06/06 - Loppen, Copenhagen (DK)
Stream Vapnet's new album "Döda fallet": http://www.vapnet.se/
Swedish prog-metal act Terminal Function has updated their myspace page with three new tracks: http://www.myspace.com/terminalfunction
No word on exact release date for the new album "Measuring the abstract" yet, but I'll keep you posted.
Norwegian jazz/folk label NORCD will release a new 2xCD from duo Agbalagba Daada aka Per Jørgensen and Terje Isungset in early May. I don't know if samples are online yet (I can't find any), but check out some of Terje's recent ice percussion work at myspace or see pics at his blog.
Count Walter & the Bulkheads, the new band of Swedish artist Tomas Walter, is giving away their latest album "Total constructive loss" as a free download: http://www.tomaswalter.com/gratisBP007.htm
Metronomicon Audio (Truls and the Trees) will release the new Hanny album "Scenity. An account of the influence of scenes on occidental societies" on April 20. Hear samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/metronomiconhanny
Dennis Lyxzén explains in detail the reasoning behind the namechange from The Lost Patrol Band to Invasionen plus the decision to start singing in Swedish: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=107664106&blogID=376151173
Norwegian act Deadends have recruited ex-Amulet drummer Jonas Thire as a new member. Listen to the band here: http://www.myspace.com/deadendsmusic
Finnish act Ghost Brigade is doing a few European dates on the way to Hellfest:
06/18 - U Bazyla, Poznan (POL) w/Týr
06/19 - Wild At Heart, Berlin (GER)
06/22 - Hellfest, Clisson (FRA)
06/23 - Underground, Köln (GER)
Updated European tourdates for Scraps of Tape:
05/13 - Astra Stube, Hamburg (GER)
05/14 - AZ Conni, Dresden (GER)
05/15 - Steinbruch, Duisburg (GER)
05/16 - Groene Engel, Oss (NL)
05/17 - Gleis 22, Münster (GER)
05/18 - Het Kasteel, AJ Alphen a/d Rijn (NL)
05/19 - Help needed!
05/20 - Café Panam, Leipzig (GER)
05/21 - Cairo, Würzburg (GER)
05/22 - Arena, Wien (AUS)
05/23 - Talschock, Chemnitz (GER)
05/24 - Schokoladen, Berlin (GER)
In other news, expect the band to go into the studio with Mathias Oldén later this summer.
Lowe's new video for the single "A 1000 miles" is now online: http://www.megahype.com/new_releases/A_1000_Miles.html
The band's new album "Kino international" will be released on May 30.
Swedish doom/hardcore acts Fall of Efrafa and Icos are planning to collaborate on a concept album later this year. More details tba.
Swedish tweepop act A Smile and a Ribbon is coming to the UK in May:
05/07 - The Bandstand, Stoke-On-Trent
05/08 - Lee Rosy's Tea, Nottingham
05/09 - The Buffalo Bar, London
05/10 - Retreat, Newcastle
05/11 - The Goat, Glasgow
The new Juvelen album "1" is streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/juvelen
Bobby & Blumm