Swedish singer/songwriters Erik Mattsson and Michael Bach have updated their website with a ton of new music: http://www.wildgeesemusic.com/
I don't normally post about this sort of stuff, but Dúné (DK), Sex Beat (NOR) and Lo-Fi-FNK (SWE) are heading out on the road together as part of the ScandiRockTripleTour. Read more: http://www.scandirocktripletour.com/
The third single from Sophie Rimheden's most recent album is now available for free download along with the Familjen remix: http://www.sophierimheden.com/
The track is called "Days go by" and it features guest vocals from the one-and-only Marit Bergman, so of course it's highly recommended.
Norwegian label Checkpoint Charlie Audio Productions is offering up four new mp3s every month with the current selection featuring cuts from Thomas Dybdahl, Popface, The Colors Turned Red and Jackman. Read more: http://blog.myspace.com/61441543
Swedish dark melodic rock act Closer reports that they finally have physical CD copies of their debut EP "Tokpela" and hopefully I'll be able to snag a few for the store soon. There's a good reason I made it February's record of the month and I've been told that the packaging is killer. In other news, the band is still working on an animated video for the song "Open casket" with Elin Cederborg and it should hopefully be done soon.
The Thomas Denver Jonsson/Pacta Sunt Servanda folktronica collaboration A Perfect Friend not only recorded for the first time this weekend, but they also already posted some tracks on myspace! Check it: http://www.myspace.com/aperfectfriend
UPDATE: You can also download full-length, better quality mp3s here: http://www.pactasuntservanda.se/apf.htm
MP3: Kristofer Åström - Finally home
Kristofer Åström's forthcoming "Black valley" EP completes the trilogy of "Dead end" and "There for" and is probably his bleakest, most personal work yet. As Kris says himself in the liner notes, "The EP deals with death in four different ways. The way it scares me, thrills me, saddens me and sickens me." You know before even listening that you're in for some seriously intense shit and the combined effect of these four songs are devastating. Just listen to the song I've posted today and you'll instantly know exactly what I mean. Embrace the darkness and you can better appreciate the light.
Kristofer Åström - Finally home
CORRECTION: Due to my poor language skills, I incorrectly stated that DHG/Dødheimsgard was going under a new name when Thrawn was/is really just the name of the guitarist. Yes, I'm retarded. Anyhow, the band is still active and will be releasing a new album entitled "Supervillain Outcast" soon. My apologies about the mixup.
It's Friday once again so that means it's time for a classic mp3 post and today I'm passing over the reins to frequent contributor Simon Tagestam:
Bad Cash Quartet have written quite a few great songs which makes it difficult to cherry pick one track. Their self-titled first album is their weakest and most punk one, but there are still some blistering songs on it, such as "Dragqueen" and "Amuse you". Almsot every song on their second album "Outcast" is a winner, especially the title track which became the anthem for most of Sweden's indie kids when it was released in 2001 (oddly enough, it was first released as a b-side). But the one song that I've been listening to lately is neither that anthemic (probably more anemic), nor does it reek of the cockiness that has become BCQ's trademark, although it does contain other essential BCQ themes - alienation and loneliness. The song is called "Valentine" and it's three minutes long and something of a love song. The song can be found on "Midnight prayer", BCQ's third and most recent album.
Anyone know if these guys are still around? It's been awhile since we've heard from 'em. I was mightily disappointed in "Midnight prayer", but there's no denying that "Outcast" is a genuine stone-cold classic so there's still hope that a new record could be good. UPDATE: Since posting this, I've received word that BCQ drummer Jonas was spotted in Austin (at SXSW I presume) and is currently living in NYC. The band is most definitely on hiatus.
One thing I forgot to mention yesterday: in addition to posting tracks from various stuff in the distro on Thursdays, I'm also going to try and be better about adding stuff to the streaming jukebox (which I also recently revamped). So even if you don't feel like buying anything, at least you can listen to some excellent music.
Swedish singer/songwriter Thomas Denver Jonsson and IAT.MP3 artist Pacta Sunt Servanda are collaborating together as a folktronica duo under the name A Perfect Friend and will be going into the studio this weekend for their first recording session. In other Thomas Denver news, he'll be contributing a track to the forthcoming compilation "Cover & Gene AKA The World Turns All Around Him - a tribute to Gene Clark" being put out by Groover Recordings in September.
Denmark's The Alpine, the band that released what I consider to be 2006's best pop record (that is, until the new I'm From Barcelona record comes out), has posed a link to their EPK (electronic press kit) video: [click here]
New releases on the way from Razzia:
04/05 - David Lindh - Dare (If I fall in love) (CDS)
05/10 - Konie - Are you ok? (CDS)
05/17 - Firefox AK - Love to run (EP)
06/14 - Hello Saferide - Would you let me play this EP ten times a day (EP)
06/14 - Mange Schmidt - Glassigt (CDS)
06/?? - Timo Räisänen - Let's Kill Ourselves A Son (CDS)
Check out the video for "The luck you got" from Molotov Jive: http://www.molotovjive.se/media.htm