Gone out, back on Tuesday.
I know it's only Thursday, but I'm going to post a new mp3 anyways. I'm doing it because I'm taking a four-day weekend and won't be posting new content tomorrow or Monday, but also because I've got a glut of great music that I want to share. Denmark's The Alpine has a bit of that hip post-punk-disco thing akin to Franz Ferdinand and the like, but with more of a glam touch ala The Killers or maybe even The Ark. It's not the kind of thing you listen to for intellectual stimulation, but if you heard on the radio or at a party, you'd probably find yourself smiling and singing along. I've only given the new full-length "On feel trips" (out in Denmark on Feb. 27, Germany on Mar. 31) a couple spins so far, but the single "Mondays look the same" is firmly embedded in my brain after a week of listening. That chorus is just so huge! And who doesn't relate to the lyrics? That's pop gold, lemme tell ya. I can easily see The Alpine being this year's summer jam.
Tons of new stuff in stock from Marilyn Records in the webstore, including the new Gustav and the Seasick Sailors album "Sirkus". As with all IAT preorders, buy it early and save a dollar. I've also got restocks of The First Miles for those of you out there fixin' for a dose of Danish Americana. I know that's an oxymoron, but roll with me on this ok?
New tourdates for Randy:
03/25 - Umeå, Umeå Open (SWE)
04/01 - Trollhättan, Lokomotiv (SWE)
05/23 - Ekko, Utrecht (NL)
05/25 - Waterfront , Rotterdam (NL)
05/26 - Knust, Hamburg (GER)
05/27 - Rocco Schalocko, Saarbrucken (GER)
05/28 - Underground, Köln (GER)
05/30 - Backstage, Munchen (GER)
05/31 - Szene, Wien (AUS)
06/01 - Kaserne, Basel (CH)
06/02 - Remise, Wil (CH)
06/03 - A. Stadtbahnhof, Schweinfurt (GER)
06/04 - Trpticon, Munster (GER)
06/05 - Pfingst Open air, Essen (GER)
Drowned in Sound interviews Finland's Disco Ensemble: http://www.drownedinsound.com/content/view/633664
Check out a brand new track from Finnish hardcore act Endstand: http://www.fireinsidemusic.com/mp3/endstand_emptypromises.mp3
The band has added Tapio (On A Solid Rock) on guitar, replacing Juho who left to concentrate on his other band Presley Bastards. The band's new album "The Time Is Now" comes out soon.
Full North American tour schedule for Finnish singer/songwriter Astrid Swan:
03/03 - Drake Underground, CMW, Toronto (CAN)
03/13 - Sin E, New York, NYC
03/16 - The Drink, Austin, TX (SXSW)
03/20 - Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA w/José González
03/21 - Jensen RecCenter , Los Angeles, CA w/José González
03/23 - Living Room, New York, NY
A-ha will release a new version of the song "Cosy prisons" as their next UK single on April 10. It will be released in both CD and 7" picture disc format and a video will be filmed in March.
Furia has posted a nice video in their studio diary documenting their current recording session in Weed, CA: http://www.furia.no/studiodiary.php
I'll actually be driving through there tomorrow on my way down south. Just like they say themselves, it really is a gorgeous place and I almost always make a point to stop at the natural foods coop in Mt. Shasta.
MIC Norway profiles Lorraine just before they embark on an extensive UK tour: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2006022310514825782101
Check out the demo version of the brand new Sparkling song "The grass": http://www.sparklingworld.com/mp3/Sparkling_TheGrass.mp3
DigitalMetal reviews the new Backyard Babies live album: http://www.digitalmetal.com/reviews.asp?cid=7139
Check out the official trailer for the upcoming David & the Citizens DVD: http://www.recycled.se/citizens/trailer/trailer.htm
It comes out March 1.
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. The Knife - Silent shout
02. Laleh - Laleh
03. Christer Sjögren - King creole
04. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
05. Mia Marianna & Per Filip - Våra mest älskade sånger
06. In Flames - Come clarity
07. Lisa Ekdahl - Pärlor av glas
08. Sanna Nielsen - Nära mej - nära dej
09. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
10. Agnes - Agnes
11. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
12. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
13. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
14. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
15. Darin - Darin
16. Robyn - Robyn
17. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
18. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
19. Kent - Du & jag döden
20. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
Aversionline on Norwegian black-metal act Ljå: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/02/shame-and-indemnification.html (scroll down past Bleeding Through)