BQ - 89 LPs are here
I just received a package with a few copies of The Bear Quartet's excellent 2009 album "89" on glorious vinyl and man, do they look good! Want one? Email me. $20 plus postage.
Jóhann Jóhannsson to release soundtrack album in April
Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson will release the new album "And in the endless pause there came the sound of bees" in April via . Said album with feature Jóhannsson's soundtrack for Marc Craste's film "Varmints" which was previously released as a limited tour-only edition last summer, but will now appear with two previously unreleased tracks. More info and international tourdates at Iceland Music Export: http://www.icelandmusic.is/News/1267/Johann-Johannsson--New-Album---Tour-News-/default.aspx
Absolut Noise turns 4
France-based Swedish music blog Absolut Noise celebrates its 4th birthday by posting a bunch of rare tracks: http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2010/02/absolut-noise-4-years-old-birthday.html
A-ha to play final US dates in May
US dates have been announced for A-ha's worldwide farewell tour: http://www.a-ha.com/tour/
NYC and LA only and fan presales are already gone, but that's the way it goes.
Punk nostalgia not dead
Speaking of Patrik Wirén (see below), he reports on his blog that there will be a massive 1st-wave Swedish punk fest happening April 1-3 at Göta Källare in Stockholm. Read more: http://rogertsblogg.blogspot.com/2010/02/punknostalgi.html
Artists include Bitch Boys, Usch, Kitchen & the Plastic Spoons, Warheads, Imps and tons more.
Umeå Hardcore, the book
Swedish rocker turned journalist Patrik Wirén (Misery Loves Company, Alpha Safari) is working on a book about the history of the Umeå hardcore scene in the 1990s, which will fortunately not just be a book about Refused as he adamantly states: http://rogertsblogg.blogspot.com/2010/02/boksnack.html
Not sure yet if it will be Swedish-only or what, but I'll post an update as soon as Patrik gets back to me.
The Megaphonic Thrift confirm new album
Norwegian act The Megaphonic Thrift will release their new album "Decoy decoy" on March 1 via .
New Disco Ensemble single in late February
Finland's Disco Ensemble will release the new single "White flag for peace" on February 24, both on 7" vinyl and as a digital download. In addition to the a-side and a demo version of the same, the single will also include the track "Get some sleep".
Friendly Noise #3
Issue #3 of the always-gorgeous webzine is now online: http://www.friendlynoise.se/fzn/3
Sambassadeur track review at Pitchfork
Sambassadeur's "Stranded" gets a mediocre track review at Pitchfork: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11747-stranded/
Susanne Sundfør - The brothel
Listen to Susanna Sundfør's new single "The brothel" at Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/susannesundfor/the-brothel
Näääk - Namnet ba Näääkish (video)
Check out the video for "Namnet ba Näääkish" from Swedish hip-hop artist Näääk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ru-chk21YI
The Silent Ballet reviews "Magic chairs"
The Silent Ballet reviews Efterklang's new album "Magic chairs", their first for big label : http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/3073/Default.aspx
Jónsi to tour North America
Jónsi has announced North American tourdates starting in April:
04/06 - Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC
04/07 - Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC
04/09 - The Showbox Sodo, Seattle, WA
04/10 - The Showbox Sodo, Seattle, WA
04/13 - Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR
04/15 - Zellerbach Auditorium, Berkeley, CA
04/16 - Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA
04/18 - Coachella, indio, CA
04/21 - Paramount Theatre, denver, CO
04/22 - Liberty Hall, Lawrence, KS
04/24 - Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
04/25 - Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
04/26 - The Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee, WI
04/27 - Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL
04/28 - Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL
04/30 - Sound Academy, Toronto, ON
05/01 - Sound Academy, Toronto, ON
05/02 - Metropolis, Montreal, QC
05/03 - Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA
05/05 - House of Blues, Boston, MA
05/06 - House of Blues, Boston, MA
05/08 - Terminal 5, New York, NY
05/09 - Terminal 5, New York, NY
New Teddybears album in spring
There's a new Teddybears album called "Devils music" coming in late March/April and it will reportedly feature a collaboration with Atlanta-based rapper Cee Lo and The B52s on the same track, among other treats I'm sure.