Norway's Alpine Those Myriads? have confirmed that their new album will be released on May 8 next year.
Plugged Records has announced the signing of Art Music, a group they describe as "a chillout music project with several established artists aboard."
Dusted co-editor Otis Hart lists José González as his #2 pick of the year: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/453
The album is also #5 on fellow co-editor Sam Hunt's list: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/450
Finnish electro act Polytron is offering up a free Christmas promo for download: http://www.sci.fi/~polytron/joulu2005.html
Burning Heart swears that the long-awaited Refused DVD "Refused are fucking dead" will be out in April.
Fufkin reviews both Peter Bjorn and John and The Chrysler: http://www.fufkin.com/columns/bennett/bennett_capsule_rev_11_12_05.htm (scroll down)
Rounder Records has confirmed a March 14 release date for the US edition of Nicolai Dunger's album "Here's my song...". In other Dunger-related news, 2006 marks the 10-year anniversary of his recording career and to celebrate he will be releasing a new album entitled "Nicolai Dunger sjunger Edith Södergran" on February 1. The album is exactly what it says it is: Nicolai singing the words of Finnish/Swedish poet Edith Södergran set to music he wrote back when he was just 17 years old. The record features multi-instrumentalist Mats Schubert (Bo Kasper's Orkester), bassist Johan Berthling (Häpna), American drummer Timothy Barnes (Sonic Youth, Beth Orton, Royal Trux, Silver Jews) and Dungen guitarist Reine Fiske as well as artwork from Jockum Nordström. Dunger considers the album a natural culmination of his artistic journey thus far and dedicates the work to his mother who sadly passed away recently.
Adventurous Swedish indie label Vapen & Godis has signed Otur and will be releasing their debut album and single next year.
Swedish 'gospel rockers' Denver Mod have posted some new tunes for free download on their website: http://www.denvermod.se/
MP3: Madrugada - Shine
The new Madrugada live album "Live at Trafalmadore" has been a long time coming. The band's long-time reputation as a stellar live act made it inevitable. I've never actually seen them myself, but I've heard enough bootlegs to confirm and today's mp3 post one such example. I'm not sure of the exact source for the recording, but I'm pretty sure it's from a radio broadcast back in 2000 around the time of the first (and still best) album "Industrial silence". This is one of the quieter, more subtle songs from their early catalogue. The band's restraint has always been one of their strong points and I think it's showcased beautifully here, especially with the skeletal, understated guitar work.
Madrugada - Shine (live)
Two new top tens today: one from Norwegian music blogger Sindre Ness and a second from IAT writer/contributor Matthew W. Smith. Enjoy!
When We Fall has a new website, now with a media player where you can preview their new EP on The Emo Foundation: http://www.whenwefall.se/