Johnossi's video for their new single "" is up for streaming: http://se.v2music.com/site/windowsMedia.asp?trackID=4851
Check out the e-card for the new Holiday with Maggie album: http://www.wynonarecords.com/
I can't believe that website has three splash pages. Three! One is bad enough.
The latest Music Export Finland newsletter is now online: http://musex.fi/mxf/news?articleId=94
MTVe is streaming the new Antennas album "Sins": http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=6223
Buy it as an mp3 download here: [click here]
This week's "Listed" column at Dusted features a contribution from Swedish artist Loney, Dear: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/477
The album "Sologne" is available for purchase via IAT right here.
The Horror The Horror's new album has finally been confirmed for release in Sweden on March 17 and March 20 in the UK. It's already available in GAS and Benelux, Spain, the US and more of Europe is in the works. Steam it here: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=6222
The new Hell On Wheels single "Alexandr" is now available as free download on the Hybris website, both as an mp3 and mp4 video: http://www.hybrism.com/
German webzine Creative-Eclipses interviews ex-Breach members Tomas Hallbom and Anders Ekström: http://www.creative-eclipse.com/
Breach is one of my all-time favorite bands, so it's very cool to catch up with what the band members are doing now since their 2002 breakup.
MP3: Figurines - The wonder
The weather last night was far from perfect, but I still made the long drive up to Seattle to see Figurines. Kira and one of the Kindred Spirits had visa issues, so no other Danish acts made the bill though the remainder of the band was still in attendance. After a shambling, mediocre set from locals The Elephants, Figurines took the stage and did their thing. Let me tell you, that band is a well-oiled machine. They are a great example of what a tight band should sound like. After quietly opening with "Back in the day", they set into "The wonder" (today's mp3) and were off and running. Drummer Kristian Volden laid down a strong four-on-the-floor backbeat and joyfully sang along to himself with every song while frontman Christian Hjelm proved to be a manic, energetic frontman. The other two guys in the band (guitarist Claus Johansen and bassist Andreas Toft) were much more nondescript, but they did their job and did it well. I'm a little disappointed they had an extra musician on stage playing guitar, keyboard and percussion to help them perfectly replicate their album, but since he didn't distract from the overall experience, it's kind of a moot point. I feel that a rawer live sound would have benefitted them. Anyhow, it was a very good set and I think the audience appreciated it. A few of the midtempo songs dragged a bit due to the crowd's lack of familiarity with the material, but the fast songs caught their attention and the two slower numbers ("Silver ponds" and "Rivalry") were very engaging. The band plays Portland tonight, goes back to Seattle this weekend for a radio appearance and an in-store then travels to LA and SXSW. Look for them to be back this summer. My short interview with Christian should hopefully be online sometime this weekend.
Figurines - The wonder
Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-Garde. It's a ballsy move to knight yourself and name your backing band after an art movement. Especially for someone who sings so damn high. I've been waiting for Eric's debut full-length for awhile now and, while I understand that his music is not for everyone, I feel it is my duty to make everyone a convert. It's way more fey and twee than anything I'd normally listen to, but it's also silly, playful and much smarter than first impressions let on. I know I probably sound like hypocrite having criticized The Concretes for their amateurism earlier this week, but that aesthetic can work if done right. The difference is that The Concretes are trying to be better than their abilities permit and Eric Beyond, on the other hand, doesn't seem to care so much about getting things right as much as having the proper feel and feeling. The funny falsetto is a red herring - listen more carefully and you'll get it.
Tons of new stuff being added to the webstore today including a selection of paid mp3 downloads from the Kasual Records catalogue (Arial Kill Him, Ikaros, Beezewax, etc.) and a handful of CDs from Oscillatone (Majessic Dreams, Kompjotr Eplektrika) with more stuff on the way from the likes of similarly named Danish labels PonyRec and PlayRec. Let's go shopping!
I was planning on heading to Seattle tonight to see Figurines and Kira and the Kindred Spirits at the Export Music Denmark showcase, but if it keeps snowing I'm not sure I'll be up for the 90+ minute drive. We shall see.
The Skitsylen/New Noise website is updated with a new design and new mp3s from Ambulance and Mardröm: http://www.skitsylen.tk/