Tomt Recordings has a fresh single from IAT.MP3 artist and good friend Björn Kleinhenz for free download: http://www.tomtrecordings.se/?url=%2Farticle.php%3Fid%3D67
Said track is called "The quest for your heart" and it comes from his new album "Quietly happy and deep inside" which will be out later this year.
Drummer Poplars is taking a break from Hästpojken for awhile. Taking his place at upcoming gigs will be Nico Janco from Whyte Seeds.
The Silent Ballet reviews Swedish artist Anders Ilar and his new album "Sworn": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/1297/Default.aspx
Mixtune for Cully has a new non-album track up on myspace for listening entitled "International": http://www.myspace.com/mixtuneforcully
Hybris Records act The Kid have their (excellent) new single "Mayhem troopers" posted for free download: http://www.hybrism.com/index2.php
Look for a new full-length album in May.
New European dates for Swedish postrock act September Malevolence:
05/28 - Lades, Kopenhagen (DK)
05/29 - Grüner Jäger, Hamburg (GER)
05/30 - Schokoladen, Berlin (GER)
06/01 - Jadlodajnia Filozoficzna, Warschau (POL)
06/03 - Cafe Panam, Leipzig (GER)
06/04 - AZ Conni (tbc), Dresden (GER)
06/06 - Rockhouse, Salzburg (AUS)
06/07 - MKSC, Koper (SLO)
06/08 - Rhiz, Vienna (AUS)
Dusted reviews the Lasse Marhaug cassette collection "Tapes 1990-1999": http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/4120
Themilkfactory reviews Swedish duo Wildbird & Peacedrums: http://www.themilkfactory.co.uk/st/2008/04/wildbirds-peacedrums-heartcore-the-leaf-label/
The new Millencolin album "Machine 15" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/millencolin
The Washington Post Express talks to In the Country sideproject Ballrogg: http://www.readexpress.com/read_freeride/2008/04/from_the_depths_ballrogg.php
First there was Private, now there's Private Party: http://www.myspace.com/weareprivateparty
Check out a Digfi studio session with Swedish artist Action Biker: http://www.digfi.com/default.aspx?id=11704
Atlantic Records has reportedly signed Lykke Li over here in the States and will be the ones responsible for releasing her debut album "Youth novels" later this year.
Update: might be UK-only. I am getting details confirmed.
MP3: Snöleoparden - Nr. 1
Snöleoparden likes the xylophone. It appears on many tracks on his self-titled debut and is even claimed as the title for one of the pieces. Wood, metal, maybe even plastic- all forms are put into play. At first I wasn't into it at all and wrote him off as an amateur Alog wannabe (no pun intended), but further listens have proven to be far more rewarding. The utilization of instruments typically associated with children's music is supposed to evoke feelings of naive wonderment, though unfortunately that doesn't always sit well with me and my often sour mood, so it's no surprise that such feelings often turn to annoyance in my world. However, when it does work, it works well, especially when Snöleoparden is able to latch onto a simple melody or repetitive rhythm. "Nr. 1" stumbles a bit in a wonky sort of way, but the more it gets tweaked out towards the end, the more interesting it is. I'm not completely wowed, but the live first-take feel is not without its charms. The spirit of playfulness is something I most certainly can endorse.
Snöleoparden - Nr. 1
The news is out: yes, I will be back in Sweden this summer. The good people at STIM have invited me to attend this year's Hultsfred Festival and how could I refuse? See you there? Read the press release: [click here]