The Idle Hands. The Soft Eyes. I see a pattern here (that might have started with the The Talking Heads). Anyhow, The Soft Eyes are more my cup of tea than The Idle Hands, and they haven't got that much in common with The Idle Hands except their body parts band name. These fellows play alt-country that reminds me a bit of Elliott Smith. It also sounds like Kristofer Åström, although it never reaches the same levels as Mr. Fireside's songs do. Despite that, I like this, and I'm looking forward to listen to this album without having to think about it in 'reviewing terms'. Nevertheless, what a boring name!
- Simon Tagestam
I really don't know much about Seamonster¹ at all. The Huskvarna, Sweden-based duo started around '97 and put out a few records before dissolving in 2004 or thereabouts and then the two of them (Mustafa Knastr and Kompjotr Eplektrika) each began creating music on their own. I don't think I would've ever bothered seeking them out if it wasn't for the recommendation of a friend who considers them to be one of Sweden's greatest hidden musical treasures. It's certainly surprising that a band this goods perseveres for so long with barely any recognition. I suspect that's partially because they were a bit too early for their own good. I don't think that their style of spaced-out instrumental post-rock had really caught on much back when this particular track was released in '99. Most people probably didn't even know what "post-rock" meant. Not that everyone understands it now, but I think the label's implication is accepted in much wider circles. People will nod and pretend like they know - always a winning strategy. But are they really one of Sweden's best undiscovered acts? Listen for yourself.
Seamonster¹ - The second generation defunctioned technology for the sound industry
Deleted Art will release the debut full-length album "Hex" from art-punks Knife and Ape in May. More details soon.
AOL is streaming the video for "Motherfucker - Fake Vegetarian Ex-girlfriend" from Daniel Cirera: http://mp.aol.com/video.index.adp?mode=2&pmmsid=1463057
Danish indiepoppers Epo-555 have confirmed their new album "Mafia" for release on March 13 in Denmark, April 28 in Germany.
Junk Music has posted a rehearsal clip of Mom & Dad, the new project featuring Jens and David rrom Brainpool: http://www.junkmusik.com/?p=440
The Virtues in NYC:
03/14 - Knitting Factory
03/16 - The Hook
More to come.
Mando Diao has announced a couple new UK gigs:
04/12 - Elbow Room, London
04/13 - SEOne Festival, London
Swedish female rockers Soak the Sin will finally release their debut full-length album "The work is done" on March 24 via Morphine Lane Records. For song samples and videos, go here: http://www.soakthesin.com/audio.html
Personally, I found the band slightly lacking when I saw them last year at Umeå Open, but I do like the recordings I've heard. It's kind of an obvious comparison, but they really do remind me of the first Sahara Hotnights album, but heavier.
Swedish Love Story has posted a new track for download: http://www.slsmusic.se/
Swedish power-pop act Antennas are streaming a few tracks from their forthcoming album "Sins" on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/areyouantennas
Hybris has posted an mp3 of the brand new single "You're never lonely when the band plays" from Andreas Mattsson (ex-Popsicle, Vanessa and the O's): http://www.hybrism.com/files/andreasmattsson-youreneverlonely.mp3
Andreas' new album "The lawlessness of the ruling classes" comes out March 1.
Vapnet has posted some of the details concerning their new single "Thoméegränd" and forthcoming full-length album: http://vapnet.blogspot.com/2006/02/vapnet-2006.html (in Swedish)
Junkmedia talks about Swedish pop choir I'm from Barcelona, but doesn't really know anything about them: http://www.junkmedia.org/index.php?b=1&BID=358
The band's name isn't that Google-unfriendly, so I'm kind of surprised that they couldn't figure out more.