Weeping Willows have been busy in the studio recording a new album. Everything is being tracked live and Martin Hederos (TSOOL, Hederos & Hellberg) guests with organ on a few tracks. Production is being handled by Andy Bell (Erasure) and Jazz bassist Sigge Krantz (Don Cherry, Råttan Frittz) is engineering. Nothing is for certain yet, but the band hopes to be done by autumn. In other news, WW will once again act as the house band for Allsång på Debaser, acting as your live karaoke music as you sing your favorite indie evergreen tunes this summer, should you find yourself in Stockholm.
Danish metal act Mnemic has recruited Guillaume Bideau from the French band Scarve as their new vocalist. Read the press release: http://www.digitalmetal.com/news.asp?cid=7399
The folks behind Finland's Swaeg club at Klubi in Helsinki have posted a comp of Finnish electronic music for free download: http://www.tpu.fi/~a3jtoivo/swag/
The club celebrates their two year anniversary with a special night next week on June 14.
Nosordo has just released a super limited 3" CD from Ljudsky, a live collaboration between experimental artists Ljudbilden & Piloten and Gregg Kowalsky recorded at a show they did together in Malmö. Ordering info here: http://www.nosordo.com/
Pitchfork recommends El Perro Del Mar: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/e/el-perro-del-mar/el-perro-del-mar.shtml
She should already be old news to most of you readers, but I'd reiterate that she is indeed worth checking out - I've been a fan ever since I was wowed by her at Umeå Open last year. Also, it looks like I'll finally be getting copies of the Hybris version of her CD. Soon!
MP3: Deud - Fredag
I mentioned Deud in passing when they first appeared on myspace, but I always worry that my little side comments go unnoticed. I knew the band was something special even after hearing just a few songs streamed online, so I immediately requested a copy of their demo "The man who was Sunday". Blessed be the miracle of the Internet, I had mp3s in my mailbox in less than 24 hours! That's modern magic right there! The music probably isn't for everyone, but I for one love their take on doomy post-hardcore. Think Breach, but way more drawn-out and atmospheric. It's not quite as dark and menacing as Khanate or Switchblade, but it's still mighty ruling and the track I've posted today is a definite highlight. The sound quality can be a bit rough (it is a demo after all), but the sounds they create overcome the technological limitations. Please note that you can download the whole damn demo at the aforementioned myspace link, but also be aware that I boosted the levels for this particular mp3 so it'll sound slightly different.
Deud - Fredag
Extra credit: Lupatarkastaja rounds up even more Slayer covers: http://lupatarkastaja.samizdat.info/2006/06/06/666/
I don't know how I find the time, but my extra-curricular activities just keep growing. This week I was given the honor of contributing to a post on shoegaze at Mars Needs Guitars alongside many other esteemed music bloggers such as Frank from Chromewaves and David from Largehearted Boy. My contribution? Silverbullit, naturally. Read the whole piece: http://marsneedsguitars.blogspot.com/2006/06/for-love-of-shoegaze.html
Swedish electro label Memento Materia celebrates their 15th anniversary this year and will be releasing a brand new best-of set to commemorate the event. As for the actual tracklist of said disc, they're leaving it up to the fans to decide. Find how to contribute your picks at their website: http://www.mementomateria.se/
Pics and video of I'm From Barcelona live from... Barcelona: http://www.toses.com/imfrombarcelona/
Erik Devahl will be in the US this summer taking part in the Cuba Caravan. Read more: http://www.ifconews.org/Cuba/caravan17/main.htm