The press acclaims keep coming for Acid House Kings: http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/cds/A/Acid-House-Kings/Sing-Along-With-Acid-House-Kings/1730
And here's a new review at Neumu: http://www.neumu.net/fortyfour/
The new issue of Lowcut is online with its usual coverage of all things rock'n'roll and a heavy emphasis on the Scandinavian scene: http://www.lowcut.dk/
Check out the video for "Are we there yet?" from The State of Floral Beings: http://www.trewetharecords.com/trewetha/video/AreWeThereYet-TSOFB_video.html
The clip was done by Drakini, the same people who worked on the video for Anja Garbarek's "The Last Trick" and Andreas Johnson.
MP3: Yttling Jazz - Tokyo Hyatt
This is a week chock full of exclusives! Besides giving you the very first taste of the new The End Will Be Kicks album and offering it up for sale on mp3 waaaaay before it's available anywhere else, I've got yet another treat for you today! When I first heard that Björn Yttling had a jazz album in the works, I was naturally quite curious. Many people now recognize him as a member of the excellent Peter Bjorn and John, but I first became aquainted with his music through his extensive work as a producer. Many fine records in my collection are adorned with his name on the credits. So not only do I have a brand new track from his upcoming album today, but I was also afforded the opportunity to ask Björn a few questions about his work.
AR: Why a jazz album? What was the inspiration for the project?
BY: I've always listened to jazz (stuff like Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, Ellington and of course Coltrane and Charlie Parker) and ten years ago I also played it. But the jazz scene can be very very boring with people just playing standards in predictable ways, so I kind of slipped away from it. I was still writing jazz songs though, and spurred by saxophone player Jonas Kullhammar I started thinking of making a jazz record.
AR: Is there a lot of difference in the way you work when you are composing jazz charts as opposed to when you are doing arrangements for pop music?
BY: No not really. The biggest different is that (my) jazz music is instrumental and pop music often isn't. Of course with jazz tunes you can leave the forms more open for improvising. I recorded this record in a day, and pop albums always take at least two.
AR: What other current producers do you admire right now?
BY:I really don't keep track on foreign producers that much, but there are many Swedes that I really like. Björn Olsson, Pelle Gunnerfeldt and Jari Haapalainen of course, but don't forget Jocke Åhlund from Caesars and Calle Olsson from Bear Quartet.
AR: So what's next for you then?
BY: I'm doing/planning a few records right now. Montys Loco, Elias & The Wizzkids, The Charm, Pueblo and we're almost done with the new Peter Bjorn And John album. What I really looking forward to do now is a record with Joakim Åhlund, and we're gonna start next week.
Björn's new jazz album with Yttling Jazz is called "Oh Lord, why can't I keep my big mouth shut". It comes out November 21 via Headspin Recordings.
Yttling Jazz - Tokyo Hyatt
November's album of the month is Seven Feet Four. Along with The End Will Be Kicks who I posted a track from yesterday, these dudes are Sweden's leading purveyors of noisy, energetic indierock. It's available in both CD and mp3 format at a nice price, so check that shit out, okay?
Speaking of TEWBK, I am proud to announce that the new album is now available for purchase exclusively via IAT in mp3 form! Check it out! I hear from Chalksounds that physical CDs will be on the way in about two weeks, but if you're impatient there's no need to wait.
I won't be moving all of my belongings for another week or so, but I did finally close the deal on my new house and am happy to report that I have now entered the wacky world of home ownership. Yay me! So everyone who is thinking about sending me packages of CDs, records, money, housewarming gifts or whatever, please check the contact page for my new address. Thanks!
David Fridlund has posted a brand new song for free download: http://davidfridlund.webblogg.se/311005194057_me_against_you.html
Dark Dose posts a track from Tiamat off their classic psychedelic metal crossover album "Wildhoney": http://darkdose.com/?p=91
Sudd's mp3 focus this month is on the excellent Firefox AK. Check it: http://www.sudd.org/focus.htm
Swedish doom legends Candlemass will have their back-catalogue reissued in the US via Candlelight. Read the press release: http://www.digitalmetal.com/news.asp?cid=6924
Here's an interesting piece from the Paris Transatlantic on the trend of "macho jazz", notable to IAT readers for singling out sax player Mats Gustafsson: http://www.paristransatlantic.com/magazine/monthly2005/11nov_text.html#3
For more, read this reaction to the piece and be sure to scroll down to the comments for some back'n'forth between the two authors: http://www.bagatellen.com/archives/frontpage/001045.html
Ah, the magic of the Internet at work!
The accolades keep coming for Acid House Kings: http://www.amplifiermagazine.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=45
My Darling You! has posted a couple new tracks for download: http://www.mydarlingyou.com/
The Winter Wonderland Festival is a new travelling festival tour heading through Sweden and Norway later this month. Some of the bands set to appear on dates along the way include Division of Laura Lee, Waver, Eskju Divine, Emmerhoff & The Melancholy Babies and more. Details: http://www.wonderlandfestivals.com/