Supersilent will be playing the Vossajazz Festival in Norway on April 3 with Terje Rypdal sitting in on guitar. Other confirmed artists for the fest include Xploding Plastix and Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band. Details: http://www.vossajazz.no/
The Je Ne Sais Quoi have confirmed that the upcoming CD version of their debut EP will be released in the US by Murder the Turtle Records and in Europe on Coalition. And as an extra incentive, the new version will also contain one extra track.
Is this a coincidence or what? Metica debuts their new RSS feed today also: http://www.metica.se/news/news_result.php?n_id=0202
Apparently the Cleveland Plain Dealer name Junior Senior's "D-d-don't don't stop the beat" as the album of the year, beating out both Outkast and White Stripes. And my local paper, The SF Chronicle named "Move your feet" as single of the year and even went as far as to call it "the best song EVER!"
Morton Abel will kick off his tour of Norway on February 5 and will be out on the road until March. Here's the dates:
02/05 - Folken, Stavanger
02/06 - Folken, Stavanger
02/07 - Varhaug Idrettshall, Varhaug
02/11 - Rockefeller, Oslo
02/12 - Bingon, Lillehammer
02/14 - Fjellhaven, Gjøvik
02/18 - Fraktgodsen, Voss
02/20 - Byscenen, Haugesund
02/25 - Arena, Stord
02/26 - Logen Teater, Bergen
02/28 - Fogdegaarden, Ålesund
03/04 - Samfundet, Trondheim
03/11 - Ibsenhuset, Skien
03/12 - Rockefeller, Oslo
03/18 - Rica Hall, Tromsø
03/24 - Studentersamfunnet, Bodø
Backing him up will be Børge Fjordheim on drums, Inge Helland on guitar, Hans Petter Heggli on bass, Geir Bratland on keys and Ingfrid Straumstøyl doing backing vocals.
Check out a sample mp3 from the upcoming Manifesto Jukebox split with Japan's Minority Blues Band: "If I Had a Soul"
And speaking of Combat Industry-relates bands (re: Manifesto Jukebox), Finland's I Walk the Line got themselves a new website. They also report that they've finished work on the new album "Badlands" and it should be out in February. Check out a sample: "Vagrant's Burden"
The band also reports they're planning a UK tour for the summer, but haven't confirmed anything yet. Dates currently booked for their home country:
02/25 - Klubi, Tampere w/Sparks Of Seven, Damn Seagulls
02/26 - Klubi, Turku w/Sparks Of Seven, Damn Seagulls
02/27 - Lutakko, Jyväskylä w/Sparks Of Seven, Damn Seagulls
02/28 - Semifinal, Helsinki w/Sparks Of Seven, Damn Seagulls
03/10 - Yo-talo, Tampere
03/11 - Torvi, Lahti
03/12 - Stella Star Club , Helsinki
03/13 - TVO, Turku
03/19 - Club 25, Vaasa
03/20 - Bar15, Seinäjoki
Swedish hardcore act Bruce Banner is currently booking a US tour for July and August along with Deadfall (SF, CA). Anyone willing to lend a hand is encouraged to contact scottykarate@hotmail.com.
The date of Spain's Serie Z Festival has been moved from March to August 28-29 and so has Backdraft's scheduled appearance there. In other news, check out some pics from the recent live debut of the bands new lineup: http://hem.passagen.se/dwagenius/bd.obar.index.htm
Not only are the Shout Out Louds heading back to NYC next month for three more showcase performances, they also got a mention in the newest Rolling Stone. Check it.
As mentioned before, I'm a fan of the record myself and would heartily recommend it to anyone already enjoying bands like The Caesars/Caesars Palace.
MIC Norway profiles singer/songwriter St. Thomas: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2004011211542040876173
Mattias Olsson reports that all six original members of Swedish progrockers Änglagård got together for the first time in six years for dinner, glögg and to check out some live tapes and video footage. The band currently has no future plans together, but everyone is quite busy with their own projects. Mattias own upcoming albums include his Nanook of the north Eskimo concept album, a release from electronic solo projet Molesome and his newest project AK-momo,a collaboration with video and performance artist AK von Malmborg. That last one will consist of 11 songs from 6 afternoon writing sessions with music based solely on the Optigan with vocals, Mellotron and Orchestron as the only overdubs. Exergy Music will be the label handling all Swedish domestic releases and Parasol/Hidden Agenda will be releasing Nanook in the States. Go here for more details: http://www.anglagard.net/