Junip album gets name, release date
The name of Junip's upcoming full-length album, due out September 13, is "Fields".
Världens smartaste man
I'd post a link to Kristian Anttila's new video for "Världens snuskigaste man", but those geniuses decided to impose copyright blocking based on location, so fuck 'em.
Bob Hund - Festen är över (video)
This is Bob Hund's new video for the song "Festen är över". Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNWx51i0SH4
Kubot are back, looking for label
Kubot, the Swedish duo of Martin Bergström (Bergdom) and Martin Gustafsson (Boy Omega), are back with a new album after 10 years and are looking for a label to release it. Connect with the band via myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kubotmusic
The Breakers recording a new album with Little Steven
Danish rockers The Breakers are back after a 4-year break and are over at the legendary Electric Ladyland Studios in NYC working on a new album with Steven van Zandt of The E Street Band in the producer's chair. Expect an autumn release.
Ghost signs with Rise Above, will also release 7" with Iron Pegasus
Swedish retro metal act Ghost has officially signed with UK label for the release of their debut album this coming fall. The band has also contracted with out of Germany for a 7" single featuring the track "Elizabeth" which sounds a lot like Mercyful Fate, as you can hear at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thebandghost
Sad Day for Puppets - Monster & the beast
In case you overlooked it when I first posted about it (though admittedly, not so directly), Sad Day for Puppets are giving away the new track "Monster & the beast" as a free download: http://saddayforpuppets.bandcamp.com/
The band's new album "Pale silver & shiny gold" will be released on September 1 via /.
MP3: Nybakat! - Music box
Nybakat!'s new album "Happy land" is no grand departure from the first one, but it's not as if that's a problem. More folk-influenced Swedish jazz? Yes, please! Pianist Ira Mogilevsky does let her bandmates get in on a bit more the action this time 'round though, so I suppose that does diversify the repertoire. As before, Ira's own pieces definitely reflect her Russian/Israeli background and on this particular record her tracks seem to lean more towards the slow and moody (despite the title, not that I'm complaining), but they are also balanced out by songs such as "Music box", a boppier number penned by drummer Vlad Nedelin with an odd time signature and a tense melody that seems to favor chromatic movement. As someone who doesn't necessarily seek out that much jazz these days, I really am glad that this record found its way to me. It's already received considerable playtime in my house and will continue to get much more in the future. Very recommended.
Nybakat! - Music box
This week's Last.fm chart
Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:
01. Familjen
02. The Radio Dept.
03. The National
04. Jens Lekman
05. Håkan Hellström
06. Anna von Hausswolff
07. The Bear Quartet
08. Robyn
09. Band of Horses
10. Shout Out Louds
Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/
Yoyoyo Acapulco now on Bone Voyage
has signed Norwegian antifolk act Yoyoyo Acapulco for and will be releasing their debut album "The Pleumeleuc Experience" in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on May 28 with other territories to follow.
Deathbed album preview
Preview Deathbed's upcoming record "Birds of a coming storm": http://www.rokkizine.fi/artikkelit/deathbed/
There's an interview posted as well, but it's in Finnish.
Under the Radar on "The people's record"
Under the Radar reviews Club 8's newest release: http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/the_peoples_record/
Teddybears vs Dramaten vs Don Carlos
Teddybears have composed new music for Verdi's "Don Carlos" and will be present for a one-off live performance of it at Dramaten in Stockholm on May 31. The music will also be released in a 250-copy limited edition vinyl pressing, available only the night of the performance. Read more: http://www.dramaten.se/dramaten/forestallningar/Dramaten-Teddybears-vs-Don-Carlos/ (in Swedish)
Alf - Hälften kvar (video)
Here's the video for Alf's new single "Hälften kvar": http://vimeo.com/11788606
MP3: EP's Trailer Park - Holy diver
I spent a good deal of time online yesterday reading heartfelt tributes to Ronnie James Dio, a man who was not only incredibly talented and blessed with a long career, but also much loved by everyone he came in contact with. The overwhelming consensus is that the man was one-of-a-kind, humble and friendly to everyone and well-worthy of his iconic status. I only saw him perform once (on the "Angry machines" tour circa '97 IIRC), but it made me a fan for life. I went in with absolutely no expectations and he put on the kind of performance that befits a man of his reputation, even though he at that point, quite far from the soaring heights of his earlier career. Speaking to other folks these past few days I know there's plenty other Dio fans out there who are missing him and, as you can hear from this mp3 post, his influence actually extends further than you might expect! EP's Trailer Park plays Americana-style folksy rock but, like many children of the 80s, he knew and loved Dio as a youngster: "It was 1984, I was ten years old and I was cycling to the ice rink in Visby for a hockey practice. I had a brand new yellow Sony Walkman and in it was a tape with Dio's debut album. I was wearing something that should resemble spandex pants (my mother had made them for me) and a denim jacket with a picture of the album cover of "Holy Diver" on the back. Hard rock and ice hockey was my entire world and Ronnie James Dio was god." I doubt he was the only one. This is Eric from EP's Trailer Park's tribute to the man, performed with backup support from Christian Kjellvander and recorded with Tobias Fröberg.
EP's Trailer Park - Holy diver (feat. Christian Kjellvander)