MIC Norway profiles Madrugada on the eve of their latest European tour: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2005111411520416631723
Finnish folk act Gjallerhorn has announced the addition of Göran Månsson on sub-contrabass recorder, replacing Tommy Mansikka-aho who helped personify the group's sound with the drone of his didgeridoo. Read more.
Pics from the NONS showcase/Puffin reunion in Umeå this past weekend: http://klubbmodos.blogspot.com/2005/11/modos-goes-nons-bilder.html
Serena Maneesh is clearly heading for the overrated column if this review from musicOMH is any indication: http://www.musicomh.com/albums5/serena-maneesh_1105
The band isn't bad, but people - get a hold of yourselves. It's not that special, I swear.
The Bruce Dickinson Rock Show on BBC 6 did a special on Scandinavian music this past weekend: http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/bruce_dickinson/
Note: he was the keynote speaker at Access All Areas in Stockholm last week. Full tracklist of everything he played right here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/bruce_dickinson/tracklisting_20051112.shtml
This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:
01. (02) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
02. (03) Tiger Lou - "The Loyal"
03. (NY) Franz Ferdinand - "Walk Away"
04. (04) Christian Kjellvander - "Drunken Hands"
05. (01) Test Icicles - "Circle Square Triangle"
06. (07) Saïan Supa Crew - "La Patte"
07. (09) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
08. (10) The Pipettes - "Dirty Mind"
09. (15) Kristian Antilla - "Paul Weller"
10. (16) The Sunshine - "Simon Le Bon"
11. (06) The Embassy - "It Pays to Belong"
12. (13) Röyksopp - "What Else is There?"
13. (14) Pharell - "Angel"
14. (20) Loveninjas - "Keep Your Love"
15. (NY) Le Sport - "Business Girls"
16. (NY) Karl Larsson - "Devil Strings"
17. (NY) Sophie Zelmani - "I Can't Change"
18. (18) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah "Is This Love?"
19. (ÅT) Bloc Party - "Two More Years"
20. (ÅT) Architecture in Helsinki - "Do the Whirlwind"
Leaving the chart: Katie Goes to Tokyo, Queens of the Stone Age, Randy, Sophie Rimheden, The Strokes and Willowtree.
London Rock Daily's November review list includes coverage of new stuff from JR Ewing, Amulet, Diamond Dogs, Serena Maneesh and more: http://www.londonrockdaily.com/Reviews/november05albums.html
Daily Vault reviews the latest Amulet record: http://www.dailyvault.com/2005_11_14-ch.html
Norway's Animal Alpha is playing a few London shows later this month:
11/21 - Underworld, London
11/22 - Plan B Brixton London
11/23 - Tea Factory, Liverpool
German label Little Teddy Recordings will be releasing a new comp on November 28 entitled "Bang, Crash, Boom (a Popclub Compendium)" featuring an assortment of many fine indie acts such as Swedes The Sorayas, The Legends, The Higher Elevations and Quit Your Day Job, among other international acts like The Decemberists and BMX Bandits.
This week's top artists for the It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group:
01. Death Cab for Cutie
02. Kent
03. Hello Saferide
04. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names
05. The Cardigans
06. I'm from Barcelona
07. Franz Ferdinand
08. The Shins
09. The Arcade Fire
10. Coldplay
11. Jens Lekman
12. Iron & Wine
13. Laakso
14. The Decemberists
15. Bloc Party
16. Tiger Lou
17. Architecture in Helsinki
18. The Strokes
19. David Fridlund
20. Sigur Rós
Want to see your favorites listed here? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/
Britta Persson's upcoming London dates have been cancelled. Her upcoming debut full-length will be out this spring and it looks like Startracks is seeking out other labels to partner with for a wider release. Any takers?
Download the new single "Something cooking" from Swedish hip-hop act Downtown Cookin': http://downtowncookin.com/musik/