Finnish act Negative will release the new 2DVD collection "In the eye of the hurricane" on January 26. The set includes a full live show filmed at Pakkahuone, Tampere in December 2006 plus three hours of other miscellaneous material including videos, interviews, photos and a backstage documentary. More info: http://www.dvdinfo.fi/negative/
Check out Little Big Adventure covering fellow Swedish indiepop singer/songwriter Erik Halldén: http://www.littlebigadventure.se/?p=45
Finnish singer/songwriter Astrid Swan will release her sophomore album "Spartan picnic" on February 27. The first single "As long as it's not you" will be out soon.
Danish pop act The Alpine has posted their new single "Youniverse" on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thealpinepop
The band's new album "There's only so much you can do" will be released on April 2. Unfortunately, I have to say that my first impression is underwhelming.
The video for the new Britta Persson single "Cliffhanger" is now online: http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=25701714
Stream the full album as well: http://www.myspace.com/brittapersson
Copies should be arriving in for mailorder next week.
The Ballers Social Club is bringing the skweee to Glasgow on January 11 with a clubnight featuring live sets from genre founders Liminous (aka Pavan) and Rigas. Details: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=230581986&blogID=336496772
MP3: Idiot Kid - Go to sleep
Idiot Kid is best taken in measured doses as its far too easy to overdose on their dreary melancholia. There's no exaltation, no revelation; only darkness, loneliness and death. "I'm glad I didn't die before I met you" is as joyful as it gets. The rest of the dialog isn't so straightforward. It's most certainly a conversation, but it's hard to tell whether it's external or internal. For all I know, it could be all in his head. It's start out trying to be reassuring, but slowly gets angrier. The pushing away, the simmering resentments. Could it be a suicide note or is it an abject threat? Regardless, it sure is miserable, though in the best, most artful way possible.
Idiot Kid - Go to sleep
Malmö-based indie duo Her Eyes Wild has three new tracks posted for free download: http://www.hereyeswild.com/
The group features members from The Light Bulb Project and 64revolt and will be releasing their debut EP "From my cold dead hands" soon.
The Goatboys, the band built on the charred remains of IAT favorites Closer, have posted two demo tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thegoatboys
Aversionline on Swedish black-metal act Vandöd: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2008/01/09/vandod-as-cd/
Swedish postrockers September Malevolence have finished recording their next album and are currently working on artwork. No word on a release date yet, but I'd say to expect something in spring.
As promised, the final recordings of The Royal Highness are posted for free download: http://www.theroyalhighness.com/
Contest time! Win the new Universal Poplab single "Fame & hate" plus copies of both "Uprising" and "Uprising - The remixes"! Simply email your name and address to poplab dot contest at itsatrap dot com to enter! Winners will be selected in one week.
Pitchfork has a new track from Norwegian artist Silje Nes in their Forkcast section: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/47794-silje-nes-ames-room-mp3stream