Finland's Disco Ensemble will make their UK debut with an appearance at the Great Escape Festival taking place at the London Barfly on May 18-20.
David & the Citizens will be blogging the recording on their next album: http://citizensdiary.webblogg.se/
The band will officially enter Mission Hall studio on February 8 with producer Andreas Söderlund (Niccokick, Sounds Like Violence), but for now is working on a couple songs at Gula Studion with their old producer Jens Lindgård.
Swedish post-rock act September Malevolence has cancelled all of their upcoming March dates citing personal reasons. They will try to make up for the missing dates this fall when they have new material out.
The winners of the 2005 Spellemanpris, aka the Norwegian Grammy:
Spellemann: Madrugada
Female artist: Ane Brun - A Temporary Dive (Det Er Mine/V2)
Male artist: Robert Post - Robert Post (Universal)
Pop group: Röyksopp - The Understanding (EMI)
Electronica: Alog - Miniatures (Rune Grammofon)
Rock: Madrugada - The Deep End (EMI)
Metal: Audrey Horne - No Hay Banda (Dog Job/Tuba Records)
Hip-hop/Rnb: Paperboys - When Worlds Collide (Bonnier)
Jazz: Hans Mathisen - Quiet Songs (Curling Legs AS)
Open class: Nils Petter Molvær - Er (Universal)
Best newcomer: Marthe Valle - It's A Bag Of Candy (Grammar Records)
Best song: Madrugada w/Ane Brun - Lift Me (Det Er Mine/V2/EMI)
Music video: Robert Post - Got None (Universal)
Full results: http://www.spellemann.no/vinner.html
PopMatters reviews Norwegian avant-metal act Green Carnation: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/green_carnation_acoustic_verses/
Swedish label Friendly Noise has announced two new releases for February 1. First up is a comp entitled "Are You Scared To Get Happy?" which features music from the play of the same name and includes acts such as The Radio Dept., Erik De Vahl, Testbild!, Majessic Dreams, Action Biker and more. The second disc is the album "You in honey" from Swedish indiepop act Most Valuable Players. Full tracklist and details: http://www.friendlynoise.se/news.html
Fluxblog posts a track from Sophie Rimheden: http://www.fluxblog.org/2006/01/lights-on-ceiling-dont-know-sophie.html
Dusted reviews the new Darkthrone EP "Too old, too cold": http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2647
The Swedish student radio top 20 chart is back from vacation:
01. Dub Sweden - "We're So Loud"
02. Arctic Monkey - "When the Sun Goes Down"
03. Martha Wainright - "Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole"
04. SwingFly - "Something's Got Me Started"
05. Belle & Sebastian - "Funny Little Frog"
06. Whyte Seeds - "Bold as Love"
07. The Sounds - "Song With a Mission"
08. Christian Kjellvander w/Nina Persson - "Roaring 40's"
09. Alf - "Manchester Man"
10. Dilated Peoples - "Back Again"
11. Stars - "Your Ex-lover is Dead"
12. Irene - "Baby I Love Your Way"
13. Death Cab For Cutie - "Crooked Teeth"
14. Absentee - "Weasel"
15. Maxïmo Park - "I Want You to Stay"
16. Beth Orton - "Conceived"
17. Damian Marley med NAS - "Road to Zion"
18. Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins - "Rise Up With Fists"
19. Ashanti - "Still on it"
20. Daddy Yankee - "Rompe"
Aftonbladet on the In Flames collaboration with pop-artist Lisa Miskovsky: http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,770499,00.html (in Swedish)
Nordic reviews in the latest High Bias update:
Dozer - Through the eyes of heathens
Hellacopters - Rock & roll is dead
Slideshaker - In the raw
Check out an e-card for the new Aerial album "Black rain from the bombing", out tomorrow on Nomethod: http://www.nomethod.se/Ecard/Ecard060131.htm
As I said before, this is one of 2006's first great releases. The record will be available here as a paid download with physical copies arriving in stock eventually.
Pitchfork has posted a track review of José González' Kylie Minogue cover "Hand on your heart": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/tracks/06-01-30.shtml
Blood Music, the "solo" project of Karl-Jonas Winqvist from First Floor Power, is now on myspace and has posted two unreleased songs for streaming: http://www.myspace.com/singasongfighter
Swedish indie label Songs I Wish I Had Written has signed Gentle Touch and will be releasing their debut EP on February 22. Download a taste right here: http://www.songsiwish.com/GT/GentleTouch-Memories.mp3