Fluxblog posts another track from Norwegian singer/songwriter Marit Larsen: http://www.fluxblog.org/2006/05/vows-that-went-up-in-air-marit-larsen.html
Check out Detektivbyrån, a newish electro/acoustic instrumental act from Sweden: http://www.detektivbyran.net/
It reminds me a bit of Jaga Jazzist, 'cept with less electronics and more of a gypsy/folk feel. Really nice.
Diktendo, the solo project of Magnus from Citylights (as featured here a couple weeks ago), is releasing a 5-track EP entitled "Sweet & tender, as we are" tomorrow via the label Melodrama. Listen to samples here: http://www.myspace.com/diktendo
MP3: Tiger Lou - Nixon
"Nixon" is Tiger Lou's latest single. It's also the song I have featured on "Reader's companion volume two". I've made it available as a free download today. I know it should be obvious, but I'll just come out and say it: I love Tiger Lou. I get all misty just thinking about them and the good times we've shared. So much so, that I'm putting my money where my mouth is and will be releasing a Tiger Lou 7" very soon. The a-side will be "Until I'm there" which TL mainman Rasmus Kellerman tells me is his favorite songs from his latest album "The loyal". Good stuff, I assure you. More details soon.
Tiger Lou - Nixon
I'm a big fan of comps with a strong premise or theme. Even when the music doesn't work (ahem, see "Jävla kritiker!" for one), they are still worth hearing or owning just because. Even the weakest tribute comps have their redeeming moments. Dig Your Own Grave's "This is love" comp isn't a typical tribute in which the contributors all honor a single artist. It's simpler than that - they are all joined together to offer homage to a single song, Haddaway's Europop monster-hit "What is love". For some of you, that's all you need to sell you on the record, but if you're like me you're still very tentative. I'm thinking this can't be good, right? There's no way I'm gonna make it through all twelve tracks. But you know what? Not only did I make it through, but I found myself listening for a second time immediately. The strength of the original lies in its simplicity: an easy chord progression, not too many words, a huge anthemic chorus. It's a perfect choice for reworking since it adapts easily to many styles. Most of the acts here are of the bedroom lofi/indietronica variety and while a few start to lose their luster on subsequent listens, there are many standouts. My Enemy's blissed out take on the song is one. They slow it down and stretch it out like a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's like the best Radio Dept. song they never wrote. Another highlight for me is Aktion Atopos's pounding Godflesh-style version. The beats are heavy and distorted and the vocals are pitched-down and monstrous. I couldn't decide on just one to post today, so you get both. Happy May Day or something like that. Go get My Enemy from the regular playlist, AA down below.
Download: Aktion Atopos - What is love
Not only did I post a big ol' batch of new reviews yesterday, but I also posted the second installment of the new profile series. I'm hoping to make it a weekly feature where I can spotlight new and up-and-coming artists. Got suggestions? Let me know!
Now in stock: Kristofer Åström/Racingpaperplanes/Boy Omega/Two Times the Trauma - If we were oceans
New four-way split on Tract Records! Recommended!
Enslaved will tour the UK in support of their new album "Ruun" with a little help from their friends Zyklon, 1349 and Keep of Kalessin. So yeah, pretty much every worthwhile black-metal band that tours all in one place. Dates:
09/07 - Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester (UK)
09/08 - Corporation, Sheffield (UK)
09/09 - Garage, Glascow (SCO)
09/10 - Academy 2, Manchester (UK)
09/11 - Carling Academy, Birmingham (UK)
09/12 - Mean Fiddler, London (UK)
Besides the upcoming Phonophani reissue in mid-May (from which a track appears on the new "Reader's companion" disc), Rune Grammofon has announced that they will be releasing the second album from Humcrush (Ståle Storløkken and Thomas Strønen) shortly thereafter. After that in late June will be a new album from Svalastog. More details to come.
MTVe.com is streaming the new Existensminimum album "Last night my head tried to explode and i wrote everything down" in its entirety: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=6295
Check out Kanzeon, a new dub/reggae project featuring singer/songwriter Mattias Hellberg (Hederos & Hellberg + a million other bands) alongside Tobias Danielsson and Christian Gabel (both ex-Mindjive): http://www.myspace.com/kanzeon
I've just been made aware that Swedish singer/songwriter Frida Hyvönen will be joining Jens Lekman on his upcoming US trek:
07/29 - Second Story, Bloomington, IN
07/28 - The Triple Rock, Minneapolis, MN
07/27 - Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines, IA
07/26 - Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS
07/25 - Southgate House, Cincinatti, OH
07/24 - Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
07/22 - TT The Bear's Place, Boston, MA
07/21 - The Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
07/20 - First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA
Imperial has posted the video for José González's "Stay in the shade": http://www.imperialrecordings.se/jose/josegonzalezstayintheshade.mov
Iceland's Ghostigital will be doing a few select US shows later this month:
05/18 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA
05/19 - Café Du Nord, San Francisco, CA
05/20 - Boca, San Francisco, CA
05/22 - Joe's Pub, New York, NY
05/23 - Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ