Smalltown Supersound top 10s
Eclectic Norwegian label is listing top 10 lists in their blog for a number of employees and artists (Todd Terje, Serena-Maneesh, etc.): http://www.smalltownsupersound.com/category/blog/
2011 Spellemann nominees
The nominees for the 2011 Spellemannprisen, the Norwegian Grammy, have been announced and here are a few hightlighted categories:
Female artist:
Ane Brun - "It All Starts With One"
Hilde Marie Kjersem - "Let's Let Go"
Marit Larsen - "Spark"
Siri Nilsen - "Alle Snakker Sant"
Male Artist:
Bernhoft - "Solidarity Breaks"
Jonas Alaska - "Jonas Alaska"
Odd Nordstoga - "Bestevenn"
Sivert Høyem - "Long Slow Distance"
Pop Group:
Eva & The Heartmaker - "Dominoes"
Katzenjammer - "A Kiss Before You Go"
Montée - "Rendition Of You"
Real Ones - "First Night On Earth"
Team Me - "To The Treetops!"
Rock:
Honningbarna - "La Alarmane Gå"
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen - "Det Nærmeste Du Kommer"
Kaizers Orchestra - "Violeta Violeta Vol. 1"
Oslo Ess - "Uleste Bøker Og Utgåtte Sko"
Rumble In Rhodos - "Signs Of Fervent Devotion"
Metal:
Insense - "Burn In Beautiful Fire"
Shining - "Live Blackjazz"
Taake - "Noregs Vaapen"
Vreid - "V"
Årabrot - "Solar Anus"
Electronica:
Biosphere - "N-Plants"
Bugge Wesseltoft & Henrik Schwarz - "Wesseltoft Schwarz Duo"
Casiokids - "Aabenbaringen Over Aaskammen"
Hip-hop:
Joddski - "Bensin På Bålet"
Lars Vaular - "Du Betyr Meg"
Son Of Light - "War Of The Worlds"
Folk/Traditional:
Hekla Stålstrenga - "Makramé"
Juusk - "Juusk"
Ragnhild Furebotten - "Never On A Sunday"
Øystein Sandbukt - "Normør"
Jazz:
Helge Lien Trio - "Natsukashii"
Håkon Kornstad - "Symphonies In My Head"
Mats Eilertsen - "Skydive"
Nils Petter Molvær - "Baboon Moon"
Ola Kvernberg - "Liarbird"
Open Class:
Bárut - Inga Juuso - "Balggis"
Biret Ristin Sara - "Áidnen"
Fargespill - "Fargespill"
Skáidi - "Headland - Skáidegeahci"
Susanne Lundeng - "Mot"
Lyrics:
Jonas Alaska - "Jonas Alaska"
Lars Vaular - "Du Betyr Meg"
Maria Mena - "Viktoria"
Martin Hagfors - "I Like You"
Odd Nordstoga - "Bestevenn"
Composer:
Ane Brun - "It All Starts With One"
Hilde Marie Kjersem - "Let's Let Go"
Marit Larsen - "Spark"
Rolf Wallin/Lundeng/Torjesen/Bodø Symfonietta/Eggen - "Wire And String"
Synne Skouen - "Call-Notes"
Newcomer/Gramostipend:
Honningbarna - "La Alarmane Gå"
Jonas Alaska - "Jonas Alaska"
Ragnhild Hemsing - "Yr"
Razika - "Program 91"
Team Me - "To The Treetops!"
Read more: http://www.spellemann.no/index.php?option=com_winner&Itemid=29&year=2011
Tant Strul are back
Swedish early 80s punk/postpunk act Tant Strul, one of Kajsa Grytt's early bands besides Pink Champagne, has reformed and will be performing a number of gigs this coming summer.
Frtiz's Corner favorites
Stockholm club night Fritz's Corner has posted their favorite albums of 2011: http://www.fritzscorner.se/senaste-nytt/lyssna-fritzs-corners-basta-skivor-2011
Lykke Li, Iceage and The Field in Pfork's top albums list
Not a lot of Scandinavians in Pitchfork's top 50 albums list this year, but we do have Lykke Li at #43, Iceage at #37 and The Field at #26: http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8727-the-top-50-albums-of-2011/
The Mary Onettes collaborate on new EP with Dan Lissvik
Swedish indierock act The Mary Onettes have recorded a new EP with Dan Lissvik of Studio (RIP) called "Love Forever" which apparently finds them stripping away the reverb to find a more organic sound. It will be released on February 29 via and will be available either as a digital download or on 12" vinyl.
Lé Betre - Gentlemen's club cabin preview (video)
Swedish rockers Lé Betre have a new EP called "Gentlemen's club cabin" and they made this short film to give you a preview.
Sojo - Jumping jam
New Swedish mainstream pop from the same production team behind September's monster hit "Cry for you". As much as I want to focus on championing underground punk/hardcore/metal, I must admit that I do actually really like this sort of stuff when it's done well.
On the road
Doing some travelling over the next few days, expect updates to be slow/non-existent.
It's a Bird! It's a Plane! - By this river (video)
New from It's a Bird! It's a Plane!, a cover of Brian Eno's "By this river".
New from Skansros
Skansros just released a new single called "Felix" and will follow with a new album on February 22 via .
Yast sign with Hare Tracks/Double Sun
(Ironville, Tvärvägen) and , a new subsidiary of , are teaming up to release the debut 7" from Malmö-based indie act Yast. Not sure what the release date is, but the a-side tune is called "Believes" and can be previewed above.
New Thåström album confirmed
The new Thåström album "Beväpna dig med vingar" has been officially confirmed for release on February 15 via .
PSL hos JJ
PSL is running a 10-part documentary on JJ, check out the first episode here: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2011/12/12/psl-hos-jj-malaga-1/
And yes, a subtitled version is available for international viewers.