Ex-Ray Wonder guitarist Ludwig Böss has a new solo project called simply Böss. The debut single "My name is fire" came out yesterday and the full-length album "An iron fist in a velvet glove" will be released in August. Listen to some tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bossofsweden
Swedish indie act Love Is All has been scooped up by Parlophone in the UK and will have their album "Nine times that same song" released over there on July 3. Head over to Pitchfork for more details and some news about tourdates and a single: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/06-05/31.shtml
MP3: The Tough Alliance - Silly crimes
I used to think that The Tough Alliance was total garbage, but in spite of my overwhelming curmudgeonry, I have to grudgingly accept that they are improving. It helps now that I now recognize TTA are simply Bad Cash Quartet with synths instead of guitars. It's all just Göteborg pop after all and who am I to disparage that? Their new EP "New waves" still has a few clumsy missteps here and there (no more faux-reggae/island bits, plz), but it does way more things right than wrong. If they keep putting out stuff like this, I might even start to consider myself a fan. But please please please, don't let them do another full-length album for a long time. Shorter = smarter, better.
The Tough Alliance - Silly crimes
Once again I was graciously asked to contribute to a group post at Good Hodgkins and there's no way I could turn it down. This week's subject is cover songs that outdo the originals and my contributions are Araki vs. Firefox AK and Collective Soul vs. Dolly Parton. Read on: http://www.goodhodgkins.com/2006/05/30/the-music-blogosphere-presents-exceptional-cover-songs/
Also be sure to read Ryan's earlier post on some of his Scandinavian music favorites: http://www.goodhodgkins.com/2006/05/29/in-observance-of-scandinavian-bands/
The new album "Distractions" from Danish drone act Wäldchengarten has been confirmed for August 24. There will be a record release show at Literaturhaus in Copenhagen that same day.
Viktor Sjöberg rounds up the most recent reviews for his new album "On a winter's day": http://elefanten.blogspot.com/2006/05/yeah-its-me-again.html
Buy it here.
Totalt Jävla Mörker has posted the video for "Kall värld": http://www.totaltjavlamorker.com/video.php
Swedish singer/songwriter Tobias Fröberg has signed with Poptones, the UK label run by Alan McGee. In case you were unaware, Alan is credited with the discovery of both Oasis and Primal Scream and also for kickstarting the whole craze surrounding The Hives. Tobias' new album "Somewhere in the city" will be released over there shortly and you can read an interview with him about his new record and opinions on Swedish music right here: http://www.poptones.co.uk/index.php?/news/more/tobias_froberg/
Check out Lineups, the website of Danish rock photographer David Bust: http://www.lineups.dk/
Regurgitate has announced that their new album will be called "Sickening bliss". Cover art will be handled by Paul McCarroll (Unhinged) and it should be ready for release this fall (October-ish they say).
Swedish singer/songwriter Pelle Carlberg has posted a brand new song for download: http://www.pellecarlberg.se/Pelle%20Carlberg/Songs/Pelle%20Carlberg%20-%20Clever%20Girls%20060529.mp3
Swedish hardcore act Nine on tour in Northern Europe:
06/01 - Schlachthof - Magazinkeller, Bremen (GER)
06/02 - Buntes Haus, Forst (GER)
06/03 - Saalgärten, Rudolstädt (GER)
06/04 - Arena, Wien (AUS)
06/05 - B-Hof, Würzburg (GER)
06/06 - Magnet, Berlin (GER)