In case you were wondering, all those new CDs I mentioned were on the way earlier this week are now in-stock and ready to be shipped.
The winners of Sweden's P3 Guld awards:
Female artist: Säkert! - Säkert!
Newcomer: Maia Hirasawa
Male artist: Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Song: Oh Laura - Release me
Group: Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
Hip-hop/soul: Petter - God damn it
Rock/metal: Arch Enemy - Rise of the tyrant
Dance: Minilogue - collected work
Pop: Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala
Guldmicken (best live act): Timo Räisänen
Ex-Bad Cash Quartet act Hästpojken will release their debut album "Caligula" on January 30 via Roxy Recordings.
The Horror The Horror will have a new single out in February with an album to follow on March 7. Look for them to tour Europe March through May as well.
Diapazam has confirmed that the new Chris Beach album "Den förra var bättre" will be out in February. Listen to a sample track: http://www.myspace.com/diapazam
Nasum may have ceased to be with the tragic death of Mieszko Talarczyk in 2004, but the band's recordings live on. Coming up later this year will be a live album recorded in Japan in 2004 as well as a split picture disc LP with Napalm Death. A stand-alone CD version of said LP will also be released via Relapse under the title "Doombringer" which will include the Mitch Harris-directed video for "Scoop" as bonus content.
MIC Norway on Madrugada's fifth and final self-titled album, due out next week: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2008011814393498766765
Preview the entire record at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/wearemadrugada
Swedish indie act Promises Promises has two new tracks up on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/promisesx2
Envelopes have created a widget to preview their new album "Here comes the wind", due out February 18. Download here: http://www.envelopes.se/herecomesthewind/
Insurgent Kid reports that frontman Erik has left the band to concentrate on drum duties with Masshysteri, the new ex-Vicious band. Also, drummer Jonas is currently studying abroad in Beijing and playing with a local hardcore band there called Fanzui Xiangfa (Criminal Minds) that just put out an album and will be touring locally. Otherwise, the band has some material set aside for a potential 10" or 7" EP to be released via Ny Våg, but it's currently delayed. As for the future, the band plans to lay low for awhile until Jonas returns this summer.
MP3: Docent Död - Solglasögon
Docent Död was an early Swedish punk band formed in the late 70s that eventually evolved into Docenterna. Actually, the "punk" label may be a bit misleading as they are way more pop in character - there's a slight rough edge, but nothing that'll have you thinking mohawks and spikes. If you dig the Buzzcocks, there's a good chance you dig this as well. Perfect for Ebba Grön fans too, though that kinda goes without saying. Anyhow, "Solglasögon" is easily their best-known song and for good reason - it's a damn fine piece of music. 'Nuff said.
Docent Död - Solglasögon
Sambassadeur
Migration
Labrador
The sophomore effort from Sambassadeur finds them considerably more mature. They've gotten smoother, sexier, and learned how to work an electro beat like a sutra throughout their sound. The result is a polished and immanently likable record, with catchy dance numbers and languid love songs, all bright and shimmering. Those who appreciated their self-titled debut's rotating boy-girl lead vocals may be disappointed that there's only one song on here that Anna Persson doesn't sing (even if she sings them all so very well) and the insistent electronic pulse adds to the sense that there's a bit too much sameness here. But it's great when a band who had such a good first record puts out a second that's every bit as strong but takes them in a new direction.
- Nancy Baym
Slideshaker has finally revealed that their next album has the working title of "Like stormy weather". Still no word yet on when they expect to be done, but I'll keep you posted.
As mentioned before, Sissy Wish is coming to the US for SXSW and is starting to line up additional dates as well:
03/18 - Cicero's, St. Louis, MO
03/19 - Reggie's Rock Club, Chicago, IL
03/20 - Cafe Montmartre, Madison, WI
03/21 - Record Bar, Kansas City, MO
03/22 - The Dukuum Inn, Kirksville, MO