Sweden's Monastir is heading over to Japan along with the UK's Farrah for a couple dates in February:
02/12 - Shibuya Club Quattoro, Tokyo
02/13 - China Town, Hiroshima
02/14 - Keith Flack, Fukuoka
02/15 - Shinsaibashi Club Quattoro, Osaka
Check out a flyer here: http://www.syftrecords.com/label/monastir.html
David Lindh of the Hail Marys and Yvonne has been confirmed as the new bassist for Broder Daniel. He made his onstage debut with the group at the recent Aftonbladet Rockbjörnen awards.
By way of Dagensskiva, here is the first Swedish student radio top 20 for the year:
01. Belle & Sebastian "I'm A Cuckoo"
02. Broder Daniel "Shoreline"
03. Shout Out Louds "Please Please Please"
04. Tiger Lou "Oh Horatio"
05. David & The Citizens "Graycoated Morning"
06. Bergman Rock "Help The Band"
07. The Latin Kings "T.L.K."
08. Franz Ferdinand "Take Me Out"
09. Weeping Willows "Stairs"
10. The Thrills "Don't Steal Our Sun"
11. Timbaland & Magoo "Indian Flute"
12. Kamera "Suburban Boy"
13. Courtney Love "Mono"
14. Disco Volante "Distort The South"
15. Her Majesty "You And Me Against The World"
16. Mazarine Street "Bourgeois Blood"
17. The Strokes "Reptilia"
18. Dizzee Rascal "Jus'a Rascal"
19. Backyard Babies "A Song For The Outkast"
20. Muse "Hysteria"
This coming March, Swedish indie label Planekonomi will release the debut EP "Angry Knees" from Monkeystrikes. This new band features vocalist Cecilia Nordlund and bassist Johan Karlsson of the seminal Swedish rockband Souls and the recording was produced by Nille Perned (Wannadies, Kent). But that's not all! I've got a semi-exclusive preview mp3 for you to enjoy. Check it out on the right.
Updated live dates for Surferosa:
01/22 - TV2-God morgen Norge, Oslo (NOR)
01/23 - Huset, Svalbard (NOR)
01/29 - Tv2-Senkveld, Oslo (NOR)
01/30 - Parkteateret - Wuha Benefit Gig, Oslo (NOR)
02/03 - Club Fandango @ Dublin Castle, London (UK)
02/04 - Lennons, Southampton (UK)
02/05 - Coliseum, Coventry (UK)
02/06 - Carling Islington Academy, London (UK) w/3 Colours Red
02/08 - Birmingham Academy, Birmingham (UK)
02/09 - Metro Club, London (UK)
02/10 - Liverpool Academy 3, Liverpool (UK)
02/11 - The Cluny, Newcastle (UK)
02/12 - Liars Club at The Social, Nottingham (UK)
02/13 - Cockpit, Leeds (UK)
02/14 - Club Motherfucker at Upstairs @ the Garage, London (UK)
02/14 - ICA Theater, London (UK) w/The Killers
02/16 - Notting Hill Arts Club, London (UK)
Okay, C.Aarmé has confirmed that the release party for their new record is going down at Playground in Pustervik, Sweden on February 27. There will be DJs and the first 100 people in the door get a free beer and CD. Or so they say anyhow. The debut self-titled album comes out February 25 on Burning Heart.
It looks like I can now confirm the lineup for the upcoming Norway/Denmark showcase happening at SXSW this year. It's gonna be Under Byen (DK), Thomas Dybdahl (NOR), El Caco (NOR), Hush (DK), The Defectors (DK) and Silver (NOR). It's set to go down March 20 at Carribean Lights, but remember that big events like these are always subject to change.
Upcoming dates for Finnish folk-act Värttinä have been announced:
02/14 - Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome (IT)
02/21 - Umeå Folk Festival, Umeå (SWE)
03/02 - Schouwburg, Kortrijk (BEL)
03/03 - CC Westrand, Dilbeek (BEL)
03/04 - CC Ter Vesten, Beveren (BEL)
03/05 - CC Ter Dilft, Bornem (BEL)
03/06 - CC Achterolmen, Maaseik (BEL)
03/07 - CC Leopoldsburg, Leopoldsburg (BEL)
03/08 - Oosterpoort, Groningen (HOL)
03/09 - Tivoli de Helling, Utrecht (HOL)
03/10 - 013, Tilburg (HOL)
03/11 - Paradiso (La Nuit), Amsterdam (HOL)
03/13 - Kulturbrauerei, Berlin (GER)
03/14 - Abaton, Praha (CZ)
03/15 - Cankarjev Dom, Ljubljana (SLO)
03/16 - Szene Wien, Wien (AUS)
03/17 - Divadlo ARENA - Theatre Arena, Bratislava (SL)
03/18 - Moods, Zurich (SWI)
03/19 - Schlachthof, Bremen (GER)
04/22 - April Jazz, Espoo (FIN)
In between all of these dates, the group says they will still be doing rehearsals for the upcoming Lord of the Rings musical. Also, on the Belgium dates, substitute vocalist Karoliina Kantelinen will replace Johanna Virtanen as she will be returning home to care for her newborn son.
Danish act Learning from Las Vegas have confirmed that Virgin will be licensing their record "Richard and Liz" from label Crunchy Frog for release in Scandinavia in mid-February. The latest single "1989" will soon be sent out over there in support and the first single "The Only One" hits MTV Nordic the first week of next month. And finally, they have announced that Jesper "Fzat" Sand (also in Thau) will be leaving the group, rendering them once again a trio. Upcoming dates in Denmark with fellow up-and-coming Danes Tiger Tunes:
01/23 - Café von Hatten, Randers
02/26 - Tobaksfabrikken, Esbjerg
02/27 - Kulisselageret, Horsens
02/28 - Månen, Haderslev
Magnus from The Cardigans says that their most recent European tours have been big money losers so chances are they won't be coming back. They simply can't afford it. He still thinks there's possibility of a smaller-scale US tour, but nothing's been set up yet. It's really a shame how little promotion these guys get outside of Scandinavia. Remember, it took a second release of "Lovefool" before they ever broke in the US. That sort of opportunity rarely ever happens.
Finnish indie label If Society has posted a couple updates on their activities: http://www.ifsociety.com/news.php
The upcoming Viola CD "Tearcandy" is still on track for April and they expect big things from it.
There's a new stipend available to young Swedish jazz musicians that's being put out in honor of Alice Babs. Read more.