"It would be difficult for me to imagine liking this record any more than I actually do right at this very moment" says NME's Robert Fitzpatrick about Radio Dept.'s single "Why won't you talk about it?". The track is currently NME's single of the week and will receive an official UK release next week on XL Recordings. Full Radio Dept. UK release schedule:
06/14 - Why Won't You Talk About It?
08/02 - Where Damage Isn't Already Done
08/16 - Lesser Matters
Lars Horntveth manages to claim NME's runners-up spot. Here's what Robert had to say about him:
"Norwegian person constructs unbelievably graceful instrumental. Not, sadly, a cover of Steve Miller's 1974 classic (don't front - those bluegrass harmonies are the bomb), but still high quality. Horntveth is the man behind Jaga Jazzist, a ten-piece outfit who have radically retooled - gulp - jazz, and come up with something a little more experimental. He's also written for psycho-metallers Turbonegro, so you can imagine it's not quite Acker Bilk we're dealing with here. 'The Joker', though is in a universe all of its own, touching on ocean-deep electronica, groovy string quartets, minimalist jungle and tropicala. Four Tet have turned in their best remix in about three years, too - a jumble of spliced beats trimmed down to tiny shards, seemingly by some monomaniacal lunatic with some dangerous fucking scissors - so it's all good."
Various members from the bands Transport League, Taetre, Dimension Zero and Nightshade have joined forces in less-than-serious black-metal project called Gaffla Knifvur. The music is said to be in the same vein as Emperor, but the lyrical content consists of humorous texts in Swedish about 'evilistic and satanic chefs.' Just what the world needs, right? Anyhow, they've recorded a two-song demo and are seeking a record deal. Their site is currently down, but when it comes back, it can be found here: http://www.drink.to/gafflaknivfur/
Download two mp3s from Hero Dishonest's upcoming album "Let Your Poison Scream":
01. Case #2: Hobo Hobby
02. Dead Theories
Check out the video for "The Bag" from Dubadown: http://www.thedefinitions.com/Dubadown-theBag(hi).wmv
Preview the track "Nina, olen palasina" from Risto's upcoming self-titled CD on Fonal Records: http://www.fonal.com/audio/risto_risto/nina.mp3
JuJu Publishing has signed 19 year-old hip-hop producer Soul Supreme. He's currently got a record deal with US-based label Grit Records who put out his debut album "The Saturday Night Agenda" which features guest appearances from KRS-One, Pete Rock, Big Daddy Kane and more. He also produced Petter's single "Repa Skivan" and is currently working on various American projects. Read more: http://www.svenskunderjord.com/incNyheterView.asp?id=635 (in Swedish)
Norwegian rockers We will release their new album "Smugglers" in Norway on September 13. The album is produced by the band with help from Chriss Goss. Guests appearances include Euroboy and Chris Summers from Turbonegro, Chris Goss and Danny Young from Gluecifer.
Endstand is cancelling their shows in Helsinki and Turku this weekend as drummer Henkka is in the hospital recovering from injuries received playing football.
MIC Norway covers the country's well-funded efforts to promote jazz worldwide with drummer Paal Nilssen-Love and trumpeter Arve Henriksen leading the charge: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2004060912542331186083
Dungen will be throwing a record release party for their new album "Ta det lugnt" at Klubb Spenat in Stockholm on June 16. Joining them on the bill will be folkpsyche band Lynx Lament and The Works. More info: http://www.subliminalsounds.se/
Splendid completely pans Hederos & Hellberg: http://www.splendidezine.com/review.html?reviewid=1085772372369733