Bjørke & Barfod - Superbacon
Danish producer Kasper Bjørke is teaming up with Tomas Barfod to release a new 12" EP called "Superbacon" as Bjørke & Barfod featuring two cuts plus a Runaway remix. Look for it later this month via .
Jenny Wilson live at Viva Radio
Check out a new live Jenny Wilson solo set and interview at Viva Radio: http://blog.viva-radio.com/Post.aspx?p=1437
FM2000 to release album in late September
Care for some humppa alt-rock? Look for Finnish act FM2000 to release their new album "Opium grilli" on September 29 via . Hear a sample tune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RZeRtulnpo
Kashmir - Pursuit of misery (video)
Kashmir's new fan-generated video for the song "Pursuit of misery". Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WdDoQhzMI4
Lapko in Russia
Lapko will do a couple shows in Russia at the end of the month:
09/29 - IKRA Club, Moscow
10/02 - Club Tantsy, St. Petersburg
Aktiv Dödshjälp
Men allting har ett slut
Halvfabrikat
This is the second in what is touted to be a trilogy of albums from Swede Tomas Nilsson and it marks a decidedly more metal outlook than the übercrusty "4:48" that he unleashed back in 2007. Back then it was a standard crust/grind ethic that Aktiv Dödshjälp was adhering to, and one that didn't stray one iota from the tried and tested formula utilized by so many before them. There was definitely a heap of potential in there, though, despite the fact that the debut full-length was really nothing more than a poor man's Skitsystem. Fast forward to 2010 and Aktiv Dödshjälp has definitely progressed, injecting a heftier dose of metal into the mix while retaining that crust mindset that has been the musical driving force of the project since day one. There's a bit of a problem, though. Put simply, it doesn't really work: at best the riffs are generic creations that offer little more than a familiar nod toward a multitude of bands playing the same crusty, punky hardcore; at worst they're clichéd, second-rate compositions that pale in comparison to the genre legends that have gone before. Special mention must be made of the vocals, specifically for the fact that they're way too high in the mix and become totally unbearable very quickly. If this album is to be commended, it's only for the fact that the band have tried to do something different with their sound, probably in order to keep things fresh and exciting. The fact that they have put out something quite the opposite is unfortunate.
- John Norby
All About Jazz reviews Phonophani
All About Jazz reviews the new Phonophani album "Kreken": http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=37368
Amiina - Over and again
Download a new track from Icelandic act Amiina from their forthcoming album "Puzzles", due out September 27: http://www.amiina.com/
New Diamond Dogs album coming this fall
Swedish rockers Diamond Dogs have inked a deal with for the release of their 8th album "The grit and the very soul", due out later this fall.
Delay Trees confirm album, post new single
Finnish indie act Delay Trees have confirmed that their self-titled debut album will finally be released on September 29 and have also posted a brand new track for free download called "About brothers": http://www.delaytrees.com/
New Kashmir EP from Hi-Fi Klubben
Danish act Kashmir will be releasing a new 12" EP entitled "Extraordinaire" in cooperation with Hi-Fi Klubben, the same folks who apparently were responsible for the vinyl reissue of the band's entire back-catalogue. Said EP will feature "Zitilites" and "It's ok now" on the a-side with "Danger bear" and "Break of the avalanche" on the flip, the latter being the sole track previously unavailable on a physical format -- it was released as a short-lived digital download for folks who preordered the album "Trespassers". For local folks who are interested, there will be a limited occupancy listening session/meet & greet with the band available to Hi-Fi Klubben customer club members, which can be joined for free right here: http://www.hifiklubben.dk/kundeklub/velkommen
Desultory to release new album
Recently reactivated Swedish death metal act Desultory has announced that they have completed work on their new album "Counting our scars", their first since "Swallow the snake" from way back in 1996. Expect a late 2010 release via .
Tsukimono - Field hollers 2000 - 2010
I had this idea; my idea was this collection.
This collection presents the music of Johan Gustavsson made under the Tsukimono moniker. It's meant to work as a "beginner's guide" as well as a testament to Tsukimono's first 10 years as an artist. I hope you enjoy this free-music as much as I have through the years, and I hope it can inspire you, as a listener, to delve deeper into the vast Tsukimono catalogue. There's a plethora of greatness to choose from and making selections for this compilation wasn't an easy task.
Wise men say only fools rush in. Some other wise man (still could've been Elvis though) has also said something to the effect of: Writing about music is like dancing about architecture; it's a very stupid thing to do. And regarding this album, letting the music speak for itself is surely the wisest thing to do.
Finally, just these words about Johan:
I've been close to a lot of people in my life, I've admired and loved quite a few, but Johan Gustavsson is the only man I've ever truly respected.
// David C Sjöberg - Cultural Theoretician and Conceptual Artist, 2010.
It's a Trap! is proud to present our latest netrelease: Tsukimono - "Field hollers 2000 - 2010" [IAT.MP3.015]
Curated, compiled and notated by David C Sjöberg, as quoted above, and featuring cover art by the artist himself, Mr. Johan Gustavsson.
I've known Johan for a number of years now and am ecstatic to continue my association with him, both as a friend and as a label. As with many artists in the experimental music scene, Tsukimono's discography is vast, varied and quite intimidating to the unindoctrinated outsider -- this collection serves as a much-welcome introduction to the man and his music. Organized thematically and not by release date, as you will read in David's superb and extensive liner notes, "Field hollers" aims to reduce the difficulty in approaching sometimes difficult music and succeeds beautifully. As much as I'd like to take credit for it, all must go to David and Johan for putting this collection together; I merely serve as the host. Much love to both of them and may we all enjoy the fruits of their labors.
Also! Johan will be releasing a new split 7" with Peter Broderick in October via , his first under the name Johan G Winther and also the first of the label's new "Re:Create Series" in which they will be recycling second-hand materials to construct the packaging of every release. As for the musical concept, both Peter and Johan decided to write a song about each other and then each covered each other's song, adding up to a grand total of four tracks. No exact release date yet, but it should be out in time for their upcoming tour together which kicks off in early October! Dates:
10/10 - Roepaen, Ottersum (NL)
10/12 - Steinbruch, Duisburg (GER)
10/13 - Sint Elisabeth Church, Gent (BEL)
10/14 - Muziekpodium, Bakkeveen (NL)
10/15 - Ko d'oooor, Middelburg (NL)
10/16 - St Giles, London (UK)
10/18 - St Mary Church, Brighton (UK)
10/19 - Academy, Manchester (UK)
10/20 - Pavillion, Cork (EIR)
10/21 - Harmonic Series @ Workman's Club, Dublin (EIR)
10/22 - Cube, Bristol (UK)
10/23 - South Street Arts Centre, Reading (UK)
10/24 - Supersonic Festival, Brimingham (UK)
10/25 - tba, Arras (FRA)
10/26 - tba, Paris (FRA)
10/28 - Treibhaus, Luzern (CH)
10/30 - Schauburg, Dresden (GER)
10/31 - Haus 73 (Saal), Hamburg (GER)
Service begets Casine
has launched a new US-based offshoot label called with a focus on "alt-pop and experimental electronic music with a major-key bent." Their debut release will be an EP from Finnish duo Shine 2009 called "Associates" with an album to follow in 2011. Samples and more info: http://www.cascine.us/
The Silent Ballet reviews For a Minor Reflection
The Silent Ballet reviews For a Minor Reflection's new record "Höldum í átt að óreiðu": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/3601/Default.aspx