The nominees for the 2006 Swedish Dee Jay Awards have been posted. Go here to check out the list and cast your votes: http://www.deejaypromo.com/smc/
The cover art for the new album "Radiola" from The Fine Arts Showcase is now online: http://www.adrianrecordings.com/tfas.radiola.jpg
Go here for the full tracklist: http://www.adrianrecordings.com/default.asp?page=new&messid=308
MIC Norway has published a very interested article on Norwegian hip-hop producers, many of whom work abroad: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2006010510435938878004
Hardcore Superstar will be filming their upcoming show at Sticky Fingers in March for a DVD release.
Check it: a radio-rip of the brand new single "Silent shout" from The Knife: http://gurkbasurken.blogg.se/040106151037_the_knife.html (via)
Morningstar is the name of a new Norwegian metal label whose debut release will be the album "Genocide" from the band Bloodthorn. Look for it in February. More info: http://www.morningstarrec.com/
Dusted reviews Finnish accordian player/composer Aki Peltonen: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2592
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
02. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
03. Agnes - Agnes
04. Laleh - Laleh
05. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
06. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
07. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
08. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
09. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
10. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
11. Robyn - Robyn
12. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
13. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
14. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
15. Nanne - Alltid på väg
16. Darin - Darin
17. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
18. Emilia De Poret - A lifetime in a moment
19. Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
20. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
Decoy Music counts down the top 50 instrumental releases of 2005 with Norway's Samuel Jackson Five claiming the #1 spot: http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6776
Other Scandinavians in the list include The Low Frequency in Stereo (#37), Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson (#36), Ellis the Vacuumchild (#17), Sigur Ros (#8) and September Malevolence (#4).
Blogger Camerson Deyhle on The Chrysler: http://camerondeyhle.blogspot.com/2006/01/review-of-chrysler-failures-and-sparks.html
Today's new mp3 is from Finland's Boys of Scandinavia. Along with labelmates Viola, these guys are making some of the best retro-goth/new-wave dance-pop you can find. It would sound a bit out of place at your local Necropolis night or what-have-you. I think that's where a lot of the also-rans seem to go amiss - they forget that all the great bands from the 80s had a serious dark edge to them. Sure, it's got a nice beat that you can dance to, but it's also got a sinister, more mysterious side as well. BoS aren't just copying their influences either. There are obvious nods to all the usual suspects (I shouldn't have to list them, so I won't), but they've got something different that sets them apart. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it doesn't really matter 'cuz it's meant to be enjoyed, not dissected. If you like, you should buy it.
Updated tourdates for Denmark's Figurines:
01/28 - Steppeulven, Store Vega, Copenhagen (DK)
02/11 - By:larm, Tromsø (NOR) w/Spleen United
02/15 - Muk, Geissen (GER)
02/16 - Café Cairo, Würzburg (GER)
02/17 - Schlachthof, Wiesbaden (GER)
02/18 - White Trash, Berlin (GER)
02/19 - Scheune, Dresden (GER)
02/20 - B 72, Vienna (AUS)
02/21 - Schoken, Stuttgart (GER)
02/22 - Moritzbestei, Leipzig (GER)
02/23 - Alte Feuerwache, Magdeburg (GER)
02/24 - Garage, Buxtahude (GER)
02/25 - Trinkhalle, Rheine (GER)
03/24 - KB, Copenhagen (DK) w/Kashmir
Norwegian label Mas-Kina Recordings (Infidels Forever, Stargun, Rumble in Rhodos) has a new website: http://www.mas-kinarecordings.com/
Lasse Lindh has posted a live set from a show at Nalen last October for free download: http://www.lasselindh.se/musikmedia.html
Check out some tracks from Circle Six, a crusty slowcore band in the vein of Switchblade, (older) Isis and so on: http://www.circlesix.net/ (under 'music')
The band features ex-members from Roswell, Dawn and Retaliation and is currently seeking a label.