Daily Vault reviews The Mormones: http://www.dailyvault.com/2005_03_10-ch.html
It's not new, but KEXP has some nice on-demand live stuff from The Concretes: http://www.kexp.org/aspnet_client/SpecialMediaGroup.aspx?rID=2299&pID=528&fID=1080
Search their archives for quite a few other Scandinavian artists as well.
New mp3 today from Now, yet another fine instrumental act from the Aa label. The sound quality on this cut may be rough, but I think it just adds to the 70s fuzzed-out vibe. Just listen to that throbbing bass line and the explosive drums - you can tell that these dudes were 100% tuned in and turned on when they tracked this. There's a level of excitement in their performance that simply cannot be faked. And it's infectious. If you like what you hear, be sure to head over to their label's website to download a few other tracks or maybe even purchase the EP.
Plain Fade's debut full-length "Lies, Sanctions and Cruise Missiles" has been confirmed for release on March 25 via Punos Sound. Definitely a record I've been anxiously waiting to hear ever since I first heard soundclip demos.
Swedish power-pop act The Higher Elevations have a new website online with a bunch of soundclips from their new album "Always the same": http://www.thehigherelevations.com/
Finland's Magyar Posse is currently working on their third album, tentatively titled "Terror. Death. Love." Upcoming live dates:
04/13 - Klubi, Turku (FIN)
04/14 - Klubi, Tampere (FIN)
04/16 - Club 25, Vaasa (FIN)
04/17 - 45 Special, Oulu (FIN)
04/22 - Vernissa, Vantaa (FIN)
04/23 - Nosturi, Helsinki (FIN) w/Liekki
04/29 - Club 19, Pori (FIN)
08/12 - Kivistofolk, Vantaa (FIN)
Scandinavian Metal interviews oompa-metal band Trollfest: http://www.scandinavianmetal.info/interviews/interviews_detail.php?id=14
Lupatarkastaja passes along word that legendary Finnish act Paska is set to make a comeback: http://lupatarkastaja.blogspot.com/2005/03/paska-banana-butt-plug-mp3.html
For a limited time, Rough Trade Records is offering a free download of the track "Lifesaver" from half-Icelandic/half-Italian artist Emiliana Torrini: http://downloads.7digital.com/downloads/lifesaver/default.asp?partner=0
Download the new Bigbang single "Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee": http://www.bureaustorm.no/files/bigbang_fly_like_a_butterfly.mp3
Mp3 blog Uncritical is back and featuring a selection of tracks from Commanche, Fenomenon and more: http://uncritical.blogspot.com/
Tuco's Lounge has added two new tracks for download at their website: http://www.tucoslounge.no/
Splendid reviews Paste (swe): http://www.splendidmagazine.com/review.html?reviewid=1109330006517379