The Kahvi netcollective has a new comp EP for free download featuring the artists Polygon Ring, Stud and Kairaus: http://www.kahvi.org/100.php
Renown international music blog Fat Planet has updated their look and look to be posting more frequently. One of today's picks includes Swedish producer/electronic artist Joseph Dunkel: http://www.fatplanet.com.au/blog/2006/01/10/joseph-dunkel-sweden/
Enslaved are currently at Amper Studio in Oslo, Norway recording a new album to be called "Runn". A tentative release date has been set for May 8.
Ellen Beach has posted the rough mix of a new song for download: http://user.it.uu.se/~chda1605/ellenbeach_roaringfields.mp3
Nice stuff, especially for not being the final version.
This week's top artists for the It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group:
01. Håkan Hellström
02. The Strokes
03. Death Cab for Cutie
04. Jens Lekman
05. Franz Ferdinand
06. Laakso
07. Sufjan Stevens
08. The Cardigans
09. Interpol
10. Elliott Smith
The much less interesting top 10 tracks for the week:
01. Håkan Hellström - Klubbland
02. Håkan Hellström - Precis som Romeo
03. Håkan Hellström - Jag Vill Ha Allting
04. Håkan Hellström - Augusti I Helvetet
05. Håkan Hellström - Går vidare
06. Håkan Hellström - Fade away
07. Håkan Hellström - Evert Taube
08. Death Cab for Cutie - Soul Meets Body
09. I'm from Barcelona - Treehouse
10. I'm from Barcelona - We're From Barcelona
Want to see your favorites listed here? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/
The Independent on music marketing group Integral and its work with José González: http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/news/article337435.ece
Not very many details mentioned, but kind of interesting regardless.
Bad Afro has announced the signing of long-running Danish rock act On Trial. The band's new album will be their first since 2002's "Blinded by the sun" and will also mark the first recorded appearance of new members Anders Stub (ex-Mother Superior and The Royal Beat Conspiracy) and Bjarni Olsen following the departure of ex-members Guf Lorenzen and Anders Skjødt left to form Baby Woodrose. The as-yet-untitled album has been assigned a May 8 release date and final studio sessions will take place later this month at Black Tornado studio under the tutelage of producer Ralph A. Rjeily.
Danish act Lampshade has a new website: http://www.lampshade.dk/
The band's new album "Let's away" comes out February 6 in Denmark, February 24 throughout Europe. Listen to the first single "New legs" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lmpshd
The band will also be playing a special record release show at Rust in Copenhagen on February 4 that will be recorded by Danish Radio P3 for rebroadcast on the 9th.
New track today from Aerial, one of the first signings to the new label (The method of) Nomethod. No disrespect to QGMR whose "No language" EP comes out tomorrow as the label's first release (available here as a cheap paid download), but Aerial is the band that grabbed my attention. The band's four-song album "Black rain from the bombing" (yes, four loooong songs) doesn't come out until the end of the month, but I'm just too excited about it to wait that long. The label compares them to Mono and Sonic Youth with elements of "Blizzard"-era Motorpsycho, but I'm also hearing touches of classic Swedish indie like Him Kerosene. Post-guitar-rock? Anyhow, the riffs on this thing are monstrous. So many beautiful twisted patterns, weaving in and out of one another. 2006's first great release. For you lucky folk in Stockholm, be sure to check out both Aerial and QGMR at the free Nomethod showcase at Sjöhästen on February 11. Flyer here.
New reviews posted this weekend, read the latest album round-up right here. And don't forget that there's a new interview with The State of Samuel for your reading pleasure as well. Enjoy!
Enough Fanzine reviews the new Switchblade record: http://enoughfanzine.com/index.php?rID=1794&view=reviews_music_detail
I'm really looking forward to hearing this.
Sondre Lerche has posted a new web diary with some details on his new record: http://www.sondrelerche.com/diary.asp?id=77
Morningside will be releasing the self-titled debut album from Thunderbear aka Thorbjørn Krogshede of Under Byen on January 16. Check out a preview track: http://morningsiderecords.dk/mp3/thunderbear_-_pas_paa_du_ikke_falder_i.mp3
New releases on the way from Swedish avant label Kning Disk:
Alvars Orkester - Organic Woodtrip, 1991-1992 (Wood Box Series)
Sheriff - Sail, sail, sail away!