Textura reviews the latest batch of new releases from the always-interesting Kning Disk and selects Rickard Jäverling's "The valleys" as one of their albums of the month: http://www.textura.org/reviews/enocksson_frahm_javerling_malcolm.htm
Fluxblog has a new track from Kings of Convenience: http://www.fluxblog.org/2009/09/too-close-to-your-boundaries
There's a new Bröderna Lindgren album on the way in October via Brus & Knaster and the guest vocalists this time 'round include Nina Ramsby, Olle Ljungström, Ebbot Lundberg, Hajen, Britta Persson, Mattias Alkberg and Patrik Arve. I have no idea what the record will be called or what the official release date is, but the first single with Mr. Alkberg is called "Som raketer" and it's excellent.
PopMatters reviews the new album "Väsen Street" from Swedish folk act Väsen: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/111126-vaesen-vaesen-street/
Cult of Luna says they will be gathering for a mid-October recording session, but they say it's not for a new album, it's for "something else." Expect more details soon?
Playground Music will be reissuing Badliver & Hans Brustna Hjärtan's Tom Waits tribute "Waits på Svenska (Fjorton sånger + fjorton sånger till)" on the occasion of Waits' 60th birthday on October 26. The disc originally came out 10 years ago and will reappear in a newly remastered edition that includes a bonus disc with 14 additional previously unreleased tracks. Preview a few songs here: http://www.myspace.com/badliversweden
Labelmates Jonna Lee and Maia Hirasawa willplaying eachother's songs together when they head out on tour in late October. Check out some rehearsal clips here: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=41450093&blogId=512345071
Swedish country-punks Grande Roses have added the title track from their new EP "The farm" to myspace: http://www.myspace.com/granderoses
I also hear rumors of a new release in the near future, but given their track record I wouldn't hold my breath.
Hard to believe, but It's a Trap! turns seven years old today, an age that could be considered near-ancient in the context of this whole interweb doo-hickey. Yep, I've been slogging away at this thing all those years, slowly improving my foreign language skills, refining my tastes, fighting burnout and maybe even becoming a better writer along the way (not really). I've sent out over 300 weekly newsletters, posted nearly 32,000 news items, visited Sweden three times (with a short sidetrip to CPH once), listened to countless albums and have also had the great pleasure of meeting a ton of lovely people along the way. So a huge thanks to you, my readers and also to all of the great artists who inspire me to keep this thing going -- without you, I am nothing.
Breach's final album "Kollapse" came out in 2001 towards the end of a period when I was intensely seeking out Norrland indie/hardcore. I don't remember my first connection, but that's how I got into KVLR, Fireside, Him Kerosene, Starmarket, Carpet People, Isolation Years and many other neighboring acts. Many of those bands remain favorites today and Breach is definitely near the top of the list, with their swansong record being an absolute classic. Nothing sounds like it, not even any of the band's other records. As for posting it today, it's mere luck they happen to have a song with a title fit for the occasion.
Breach - Seven
Swedish postrock act Jeniferever will be playing the UK this week before heading to the Netherlands and Denmark:
09/30 - The Cavern, Exeter (UK)
10/01 - Barden's Boudoir, London (UK)
10/02 - The Freebutt, Brighton (UK)
10/05 - The Joiners, Southampton (UK)
10/10 - Post Festival at Frontline, Gent (UK)
10/11 - dB's, Utrecht (NL)
10/13 - Eureka, Zwolle (NL)
10/14 - Bygningen, Veijle (DK)
10/15 - Vanløse Kulturhus, Copenhagen (DK)
10/16 - Studenterhus, Aarhus (DK)
Minty Fresh has released the debut album from Chimes & Bells aka Danish artist Caecilie Trier, also in Choir of Young Believers. Download the track "Into pieces of wood": http://www.mintyfresh.com/mailout/Chimes/Into.mp3
Check out a Tram Session with Love Antell from Florence Valentin playing the Lee Hazelwood song "Long black train": http://thetramsession.blogspot.com/2009/09/love-antell-florence-valentin.html
Kudos to Swedesplease for following up with epitaphs on quality Swedish underground indie labels that (more or less) disappeared without fanfare. First up in the series are Vapen & Godis and Yellow Mica.
Darkthrone will be putting the finishing touches on their next album come late October.
Here's the new Röyksopp video for "This must be it" (feat. Karin Dreijer Andersson): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iLkZMCZNmc