Swedish guitar-less pop trio Eskju Divine has a nice new website design: http://www.eskjudivine.com/index2.htm
The new Jens Lekman/El Perro Del Mar split 7" has been confirmed for a November 1 release and can now be preordered from the label: http://www.hybrism.com/
Hardcore Superstar is officially giving it another go and has lined up a bunch of shows for mid-December:
12/11 - Biljarden, Halmstad (SWE)
12/16 - New age club, Roncade (Treviso) (ITA)
12/17 - Rainbow club, Milan (ITA)
12/18 - The Field, Carpaneto Piacentino (Piacenza) (ITA)
12/19 - Venue Fabrik, Sardinia (ITA)
Fluxblog reposts a track from Swedish/Norwegian electronic duo Fox n' Wolf: http://newflux.blogspot.com/2004/10/everybody-singing-along-united-state.html
Online label Monotonik has yet another new release from Swedish electronic artist Bliss: http://www.mono211.com/content/releases/mtkmp137.html
Finally someone reviews the "Lotus Eaters" Dead Can Dance tribute: http://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=548
New releases from Norwegian avant label Rune Grammofon:
Food - Last Supper
The fourth album from this quartet and quite possibly their very best. Brilliantly performed and recorded, it´s highlighting the delicate balance between Ballamy and Henriksen´s melodic and lyrical playing and the electronic soundscapes they fully started to explore on "Veggie". Which speaks volumes when we know that "Veggie" was nominated for a Norwegian grammy and received some outstanding reviews, "this is remarkable, visionary music" (Jazz UK), "a very important work" (Milkfactory, UK). And lets not forget Mats Eilertsen and Thomas Strønen, one of many excellent rhythm sections currently working in Norwegian jazz.
v/a - Runeology 2
Dressed in a Kim Hiorthøy designed slim cardboard sleeve, this 10 track 70 minute collection includes tracks from current albums by Deathprod, Arve Henriksen, Phonophani, Strønen/Storløkken, Scorch Trio and Food as well as tracks from forthcoming releases from Nils Økland, Alog, Shining and Archetti/Wiget. The price is only NOK 49,- (appr EUR 6,-) if you order it at the same time as a you order any ordinary Rune Grammofon cd. Please make a note in the message box at the bottom of the Shop page if you want to add it to your order. Please note that when the total postage is calculated, it counts as an ordinary cd.
Swedish synth-pop act Lowe will release their debut album "Tenant" and single "Hear Me Out" simultaneously on November 10 via Megahype Records. A video for the latter is coming soon and is said to be a "story of decadence, deceit and seduction," that features "several Swedish artists and fashion models in a highly sexual 'Eyes Wide Shut' scenario." Apparently it was so salacious that someone stole a tape containing some of the most explicit material and they had to reshoot some of the scenes. There will be a special record release show at The Spy Bar in Stockholm on October 20.
Aftonbladet is reporting that Håkan Hellström's new Björn Olsson-produced album will be released March 15.
The latest Scandinavian music reviews from Sellfish:
Sewergrooves - A constant reminder
Various Artists - Heartattack
Hell on Wheels has added a new gig to their NYC itinerary and will be playing The Delancey on October 30 with friends Bling Kong.
Download the live set from Finnish electronic artist Reptiljan as recorded at Destination Disorder! last week: http://www.someplaceelse.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=19 (free, but registration required)
Orvo's set from the same event might be released on CDR by Some Place Else Records in the near future.
Arcana is working on a new album that they say will sound slightly different than previous works, with the added influence of Arabian music worked in. Polish artist Agnieszka Szuba will be handling the cover and the title will be "Le serpent rouge". No word on when it will be done, but I'll keep you posted.