This week's Friday pick comes from Swedish artrockers Svenson. I don't know what's up with the band these days, but the album "See you in earth" is something special. Drummer Anders Gustafsson (also in Silverbullit) provides a steady foundation while the rest of the guys do their best to mess things up in all the best possible ways. It's noisy and chaotic, but always fun. Unlike many similar-sounding acts, Svenson never succumbs to darkness or tries to act grim. Never underestimate the importance of a healthy sense of humor! Take pleasure in sonic destruction! Buy it here.
Svenson - Don't get lost
Värttinä has signed with Peter Gabriel's label Real World Records and will see their tenth album "Miero" ("Outcast") released in January 2006. The release coincides with the North American premiere of the new Lord of the Rings musical in Toronto which, as posted year ages ago, features music co-composed by the Finnish group.
Look for The Sounds to announce some new US tourdates soon.
New North American dates for The (International) Noise Conspiracy: http://www.internationalnoise.com/shows.asp
US tourdates for Swedish punkrockers Smalltown:
11/18 - The Fest 4, Gainesville, FL w/Against Me!, Dillinger 4, Bouncing souls, more
11/23 - Caravan, San José, CA w/The Odd Numbers
11/26 - Ché Café, San Diego, CA w/Tiltwheel
11/29 - IWW Hall, Portland, OR w/Straitjacket, Plan R
11/30 - The Funhouse, Seattle, WA w/Jaded 52
12/01 - Yes Yes, Olympia, WA
12/03 - 924 Gilman, Berkeley, CA w/The Briefs, Clit 45
12/05 - WCWW, Sacramento, CA w/Dead hearts, Crime in Stereo
Updated tourdates for Norwegian singer/songwriter Robert Post:
10/31 - UEA, Norwich (UK) w/Natalie Imbruglia
11/21 - Shepherds Bush Empire, London (UK) w/Natalie Imbruglia
11/22 - Guildhall, Southampton (UK) w/Natalie Imbruglia
11/24 - Shepherds Bush Empire, London (UK) w/Natalie Imbruglia
11/25 - Carling Academy, Newcastle (UK) w/Natalie Imbruglia
11/26 - Carling Academy, Glasgow (UK) w/Natalie Imbruglia
11/28 - Academy, Manchester (UK) w/Natalie Imbruglia
11/29 - Carling Academy, Bristol (UK) w/Natalie Imbruglia
12/01 - Checkpoint Charlie, Stavanger (NOR)
12/02 - Hulen, Bergen (NOR)
12/03 - Rust Club, Orsta (NOR)
12/05 - John Dee, Oslo (NOR)
Updated European tourdates for Norway's Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band: http://www.ralphmyerz.net/index.php?page_id=17
Moonbabies have started work on their third full-length album.
Minxy Soul Models' upcoming album "Transparent yeah" will be out in January/February via A West Side Fabrication. A video for the song "99 times" was shot recently in NYC with director Peter Cruising and a teenage BMX crew and is now in post-production.
Swedish hip-hop site Svenskunderjord has the new Paragon video "Lever För Dan": http://www.svenskunderjord.com/visaArtiklar.asp?id=328&sortera=senaste
Denmark's Mew supporting Elbow on tour in the UK:
11/13 - Pyramids, Portsmouth
11/14 - Academy, Bristol
11/15 - Academy, Birmingham
11/17 - Academy, Glasgow
11/18 - Queens Hall, Edinburgh
11/20 - University, Newcastle
11/23 - Apollo, Manchester
11/25 - Brixton Academy, London
Danish hardcore act Complete has officially broken up. Read the band's full statement: http://www.completeband.dk/
Check out the video for "Defrag my heart" from Swedish singer/songwriter Britta Persson: http://www.aftonbladet.se/atv/player.html?catID=2672&clipID=3511
Dark Dose hypes up the very excellent Plain Fade: http://darkdose.com/?p=88
This just happens to be my album of the month, so if you like what you hear, you should definitely spend some money to get the rest of the tracks.
MIC Norway spotlights the many Norwegian acts playing this year's London Jazz Festival: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2005102014095212627145