Late Thursday thoughts:
Moneybrother is Stellan Skarsgård's favorite band.
Both Kim and Kelly can't get the thought of Ola Salo's too-tight jumpsuit out of their heads.
The best thing I can say about Deportees is that at least they're slightly better live than on record. Poor Thomas Hedlund sure is slumming.
Vikings are the new pirates.
That is all, back tomorrow.
I knew something was different when the envelope had a fancy wax seal. I'm always excited to get packages in the mail, but it's rare that I receive something sent with such care and effort. Upon opening I was even more intrigued - here was a CD packaged in an elaborate insert designed to look and fold out like a flower. My words can't do it justice - you really have to see and feel it to appreciate it. This was most definitely not the standard mediocre demo material I often receive. No, Ea Philippa is most definitely not mediocre or average. Besides the CD, the package also included one of the most ridiculous press releases I've ever seen. Ridiculous as in "Composer and singer Ea Philippa releases her debutalbum "Fjerne Himle" ("Distant Skies") the 7th of March this and with that she bids welcome onboard the starship towards distant galaxes and enchanting realms." Ridiculous as in "The music describes a univers far from this world wraped in magic and fairytales quite ready to explore. It includes glaktic princesses from faraway planets, Dreamweavers in spiderwebpalaces, indecent wizzards and beautyfull elven women with chameleonhair." (all typos reprinted as-is) Did I mention that it's printed on paper with faux burnt edges? And that it includes a map of her aforementioned "magical univers"? Normally this sort of thing would go straight into the trash bin after a good laugh, but I must admit - my curiousity had been raised. There is something so earnest and purehearted in the way that Ea presents herself that I just had to give her more of a chance. I'm glad I did because the music turned out to be quite good.
Genre-wise, Ea exists somewhere between Björk and Stina Nordenstam or maybe within the realms of Loreena Mckennitt and Joanna Newsom. The sound is jazzy at times and very vocal-heavy, but not in a love-it-or-hate-it way like how Newsom is regarded. There's an element of mystery and fantasy that tiptoes the line of absurdity without falling over. The compositions have strong folk and classical compenents as well, in both the melodies and the arrangements. One of my favorite ingredients of the sound is the use of vocal noises and body percussion for beat construction. It's so organic and natural sounding. I suspect that if I understood Danish I might be a bit bummed by the lyrics, but ignorance is bliss. I don't need to know, I just want to enjoy it. Overall, I can't say that this is the best thing I've heard in awhile, but it is easily the most interesting and unique. Definitely worth checking out.
Umeå Open has confirmed my speaking engagement for April 9 at 1pm. If you want to hear me rant about online music, this will be the time and place to do it.
IAT will be in LA tonight for the ExMS showcase at the Troubadour. No news update tomorrow - back Friday with a full report.
Recent Verdura Records signees Kirlian Crossing now have a website with some mp3s online: http://www.verdurarecords.com/kirliancrossing/
The band describes themselves as Nick Drake type folk inspired by Soviet Union-era Tarkovsky sci-fi. Good stuff.
Service Records has confirmed that the new Tough Alliance single "Koka-Kola" will be out on April 6 with the full-length "The New School" to follow on April 27.
Imperial Recordings reports that the debut 7" single "Maybe you and me" from recent signee Martin McFaul is now sold out. Look for his first EP to be released this coming spring.
The new C.Aarmé website is kind of up and running: http://www.caarme.com/
Nothing there yet except for a few mp3s, but that's not such a bad thing.
Download some demo tracks from Swedish indie singer/songwriter Andypandy: http://www.andypandyworld.tk/
Hammerfall has finally confirmed that their latest album "Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken" will be released in the US on April 5.
Norwegian electro act Datarock has posted a sneak preview of their new record, all eleven tracks... all at once: http://www.datarock.no/booking/preview.mp3
Check out a brand new demo track from Swedish post-rockers Ef: http://twee.ath.cx:8080/%7Eef/Tomorrow_my_friend_112.mp3
Denmark's Lake Placid has announced the addition of ex-Moon Gringo drummer Lasse Herbst, replacing outgoing member Jacob Lundgård. Jacob is leaving to concentrate on his day job and to spend more time with his baby daughter.
This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:
01. (04) De Stijl - "Queen Midas"
02. (01) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
03. (19) New Order - "Krafty"
04. (NY) Hello Kinski - "My Baby Should Be Home By Now"
05. (02) Lo-Fi-Fnk - "... and the JFG"
06. (08) Jenny Wilson - "Summer Time"
07. (05) Hot Hot Heat - "Goodnight Goodnight"
08. (ÅT) Stereophonics - "Dakota"
09. (07) Maximo Park - "Apply Some Pressure"
10. (NY) K-OS - "Crabbuckit"
11. (10) Basement Jaxx - "Oh My Gosh"
12. (NY) Psycho Candy Cindy - "Hey Hey Hey"
13. (NY) Chick Habit - "Rule the World"
14. (ÅT) Moby - "Lift Me Up"
15. (ÅT) Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck - "The Good You Bring"
16. (09) Embee med José González - "Send Someone Away"
17. (ÅT) Doves - "Black and White Town"
18. (06) Diplo - "Newsflash"
19. (NY) Amerie - "1 Thing"
20. (NY) Millencolin - "Ray"
Leaving the chart: Timo Räisänen, Wolfmother, The Donnas, Estelle, The Postal Service, Radio Luxemburg, Logh, Beck, The Lovekins and Maxim.