Danish act Death To Frank Ziyanak have broken up following the departure of bassist Mads Schmidt who left at the end of their just-completed tour with Hank Robot and Loopgirl. Singer/guitarist Frank Ziyanak plans to continue working with drummer Ibber, as well as with his other band The Wong Boys, in addition to finishing his upcoming solo album.
Overrated Danish hype The Floor is Made of Lava are currently working on a new album entitled "Howl at the moon" to be released in early 2010. Read more at Gaffa: http://www.gaffa.dk/nyhed/34911
Swedish jazz combo Klabbes Bank are streaming a few tracks from their new album "Je suis la mer" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/klabbesbank
It comes out October 7 via Hoob Records and will be celebrated with a release gig at Nefertiti in Göteborg on the 10th.
Tutankamon is comprised of Stockholm all-stars Adam Olénius (Shout Out Louds), Peter Morén (Peter Bjorn and John), Daniel Värjö (The Concretes) and Niklas Korssell (The Plan) and, unsurprisingly, it sounds like a muddled mix of all four dudes' other bands: a bit of PB&J's mod and Beatles-influenced powerpop plus a dash of Shout Out Louds + The Plan's contemporary indie/MOR and topped off with a touch of The Concretes' lazy twee. As much as I'm sure there guys are having a great time playing together, I'm sorry to say that the sum of their parts adds up to less than they started with. That is, except for the lead single "Have you ever been in love?" which is a Grade A fantastic pop tune. I wasn't exactly wowed the first time I heard it, but it's quite easy on the ears and grows tremendously on repeated listens, something I imagine will be inescapable in weeks (months?) to come. It might not have the potential to reach "Young folks"-level ubiquity (few songs do), but I wouldn't mind if it did. There's nothing overtly clever or quirky to grow tired of; just four guys in a room making music together with the help of a few extra hand-claps.
Tutankamon - Have you ever been in love?
Twins Twins' new album "Until dawn" is currently available for streaming at Soundvenue: http://www.soundvenue.com/features/2009/09/28/stream-twins-twins
Swedish emopop act Kid Down has parted ways with Burning Heart/Epitaph. However, the band aims to record something new by the end of the year and will probably take on a more DIY approach it seems.
IAT.MP3 artist Racingpaperplanes is currently working on a new album together with pal/producer Kristofer Åström and is seeking out a label to release it: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=5249278&blogId=513020024
Check out Swedish sister duo Piroth and their new video for "Fog dancers": http://vimeo.com/6871874
Ex-Broder Daniel bassist/founder Daniel Gilbert will be releasing his debut solo album "New African Sports, Soul Café Club No #1" on December 28 via Dolores Records. Hear a sample tune at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mybuddy
Swedish hip-hop site BigDif Music has a new mixtape for free download: http://www.bigdifmusic.com/?p=121
The new Kent album "Röd", their 8th overall, will be released on November 6 and will be available in a seemingly ridiculous limited 4CD set in addition to the long, solitary disc that proves you are but a mere fair-weather fan. As for what each CD will contain, it hasn't been revealed yet and I'm not sure I even want to know, but the first single "Töntarna" comes out October 14 (it was released digitally last night) and will include a Familjen remix.
This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:
01. Diverse artister - Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2009
02. Solveig Slettahjell - Tarpan Seasons
03. John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen - For Sant Til Å Være Godt
04. Kings Of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
05. OnklP & Jaa9 - Sellout!
06. Thomas Dybdahl - En Samling
07. Jan Garbarek Group - Dresden - In Concert
08. Ghost Dog - First Book of Samuel
09. Mari Boine - Sterna Paradisea
10. Steinar Engelbrektson Band - Minna Som Eg Har
11. Alexander Rybak - Fairytales
12. Paperboys - Oslo Agreement
13. Stavangerensemblet - Samlekasse
14. A-ha - Foot Of The Mountain
15. Röyksopp - Junior
16. Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes og Askil Holm - Halleluja Live Vol. 2
17. Bjørn Berge - Fretwork
18. Hilde Heltberg - Elske Fritt
19. Contrazt - Uten Kart og Kompass
20. Eriksen - De aller beste
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Lars Winnerbäck - Tänk om jag ångrar mig och sen ångrar mig igen
02. Takida - The darker instinct
03. Europe - Last look at Eden
04. Eva Eastwood - The beat goes on
05. Sarah Dawn Finer - Moving on
06. Sofia Karlsson - Söder om kärleken
07. Ebba Forsberg - Ta min vals: ebba forsberg sjunger Leonard Cohen
08. Jerry Williams - Dynamite - live
09. The Real Group - The real album
10. Malena Ernman - La voix du nord
11. Drifters - Ljudet av ditt hjärta
12. Mats Bergmans - Premiär
13. Erik Hassle - Hassle
14. Caroline Af Ugglas - Så gör jag det igen
15. Fibes, Oh Fibes! - 1987
16. Alcazar - Disco defenders
17. Lasse Stefanz - Truck stop
18. [ingenting] - Tomhet, idel tomhet
19. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
20. Scotts - Längtan
The Finnish Music Information Centre reports that both Rubik and 69 Eyes, two bands I have barely any interest in, will be touring the US this fall: http://www.fimic.fi/fimic/fimic.nsf/0/6DEDAC5505787F8FC225764300385009?opendocument