Gbg-based noiseniks Smycken, featuring members from Pistol Disco and PWR, among others, have a new cassette release "Video haze" out now via US label : http://www.raccoo-oo-oon.org/np/
Expect another tape release via the Austin, TX-based very soon.
Sleevage talks to Bob Hund cover artist Martin Kann: http://sleevage.com/bob-hund-various-covers/
Jenny Wilson will play France in March:
03/25 - La Laitarie, Strasborg (FR)
03/26 - Le Ciel, Grenoble (FR)
03/27 - La Maroquinerie, Paris (FR)
The new Sambassadeur album "European" is now officially confirmed for release on February 24, 2010.
Swedish indie/electropop act We & Lisa have a new three-song EP for free download: http://www.weandlisa.com/media.html
Danish 90s rock act Dizzy Mizz Lizzy are confirmed for next year's Roskilde Festival as part of their reunion tour.
Markus KrunegårdIt's always very difficult to not gush and be objective when reviewing music by your favorite artists, and I have made no secret in the past with my adoration for the songs of Markus Krunegård. It's strange though, because I tend for myself to be skeptical of each new record of his, whether it be the solo material or with Laakso. Yet, each time I step back in awe after the albums have clicked. This year he has delivered two new albums on the same day, and I must admit, was a bit unsure when hearing a song here and there and yet, once again, this has changed after multiple listens. As each record passes, you become aware of how much he is improving lyrically -- they've become less direct, and more poetic -- an attribute one never really associates with modern pop music. Songs like "Prinsessan av Peking" and "Kär i en borderline" are glaring examples of the imagery he has been able to focus on, and the results speak for themselves. The arrangements are also top notch, once again mostly working with longtime comrade Jari Happalainen. Laakso fans will take note that "Dystra utsikter" is a re-appropriation of "Long Beach", yet with the sense of hopeful support shifting to that of desperation seeking relief; "Mitt kvarter" is an ode to his residence. I would be safe to say, that by now, Markus Krunegård has more than cemented his place as one of the top songwriters at the moment.
- Matt Giordano
Firstly, I've got a new item in stock: Undergången - An audio companion to the End-Tymes (CS)
Cassettes are the new black and none are more black than this, a 120-minute compilation of dark sounds compiled by Thomas Ekelund of Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words. Limited to 100 copies, so don't be surprised if they disappear quick.
Second! There are still a few final sleeveless copies of Hello Saferide's "Introducing..." LP available. After that, they are gone forever. Buy now!
Third! Our ongoing CD clearance sale may be winding down and thinning out, but there are still plenty of deals to be had! Please, help me get rid of all these damn CDs!
Fourth, and finally, if you want any chance of your order making it to your house by Christmas, you absolutely have to get it in this week as I will be making my last pre-Xmas trip to the post office on Saturday, December 12. Wait too long and your package might not arrive until New Year's. And then in 2010 I'm shutting down for inventory and renovation, so if you've been considering a purchase, the clock is ticking..
Here's the video for the new Per Egland single "Merkurius brinner": http://www.vimeo.com/8034391
Einz from Virus/Beyond Dawn/Infernö made a podcast mix for Todestrieb Records: http://label.todestrieb.co.uk/2009/12/05/podcast-einz-of-virus-comatose-haze/
Norwegian indie act Monzano has announced that their 2nd album is done and confirmed for a February 8 release via . Hear a sample cut at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/monzano
The Soundtrack of Our Lives will finally be back in the US for a string of dates in February:
02/16 - The Filmore at Irving Plaza, NYC, NY
02/17 - The Note, West Chester, PA
02/18 - House of Sweden, Washington DC
02/18 - Black Cat, Washington DC
02/19 - Warehouse Live, Houston, TX
02/20 - Emo's, Austin, TX
02/21 - Granada Theater, Dallas, TX
02/23 - Rialto Theater, Tucson, Arizona
02/24 - Casbah, San Diego, CA
02/25 - The Glasshouse, Pamona, CA
02/26 - El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
02/27 - The Independent, San Francisco, CA
02/28 - tba, Chicago, IL
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. Interlace - Nemesis
02. TALK 1
03. Kråkesølv - Skredder
04. Mata de Leon - He's alright
05. Agent Side Grinder - 210-392
06. TALK 2
07. Lapko - I shot the sheriff
08. Obliteration - Exterminate
09. Frivolvol - Blades of steel
10. Adam McCormack - Dead sailor
11. TALK 3
12. Marvins Revolt - Organize your arms
13. The Bear Quartet - Least loved (of the unloved)
14. Håkan Lidbo - Let's rock
15. TALK 4
16. Eskatol - Hevn
17. Elias & the Wizzkids - Oh these nights
18. Grande Roses - Factory
19. C.Aarmé - Assuan
20. TALK 5
21. Le Sport - Love in stereo
Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.
Check out a trailer for the forthcoming Meshuggah live DVD+CD "Alive", coming out in early February: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-o1CfpA1vE
Till grammisjuryn 2009:
Tack men nej tack, vi avsäger oss nomineringen, vi vill inte ha med Er att göra. Hoppas Ni respekterar detta. Vi tycker att en ursäkt vore på sin plats. Säg förlåt.
Vänligen,
The Bear Quartet
In case you missed it, The Bear Quartet were nominated for a Swedish Grammy and they have refused the "honor", issuing the statement above (translation here). It's not like it's the first time, so yeah, I'm not surprised. Still Sweden's best indie act and also the most contrary. Anyhow, it's not as if the prospect of BQ going up against the likes of Takida and Europe isn't ridiculous enough by itself, it hardly matters because you know that fucking Kent will win everything, whether you think they deserve it or not (I still haven't heard "Röd"; I'm sure it's fine, but I just don't care). So they are stepping aside and good for them. The Bear Quartet continues to do as they see fit.
On a similar token, the band has another new EP on the way to accompany the album "89" and of course it bares their willfully difficult streak. The song is "Carry your weight" and the EP comes with 3 b-side versions: a killer Spaghetti Western remix from Strange Maps aka Petter Granberg of Park Hotell, a psyched-out take by Malmö-based experimental artist VED and most importantly, the version I give to you today as performed by Finnish cult artist M.A. Numminen (performed together with longtime collaborator Pedro Hietanen on accordion). I can't remember where exactly I first heard of Numminen, but his intentionally annoying weirdness is a perfect match for BQ and yet another example of the band doing their best to aggravate their fans. Personally, I think it's hilarious, even if it's pure novelty. But most importantly, it makes perfect sense. The "Carry your weight" EP comes out December 11, the same day as The Bear Quartet's final concert of the year in their hometown Luleå where they will perform songs from "89" for the very last time.
M.A. Numminen - Carry your weight (The Bear Quartet cover)
