Rigas - Tonite
There's a new Rigas single coming out next week called "Tonite", the first taste of his forthcoming album due out next February, but you can download it for free today: http://rigas.blackside.org/Rigas_Tonite/01%20Tonite.mp3
Kning Disk confirms new EP from Anna von Hausswolff, offers sample
Swedish avant label Kning Disk will be releasing the debut 7" EP from artist Anna von Hausswolff on February 5, 2010. Preview a rough mix here: http://soundcloud.com/kning-disk/anna-von-hausswolff-track-of-time-demo
Iron Lamb signs with Pulverised
No big surprise: Pulverised Records has picked up Swedish all-star death metal act Iron Lamb and will be releasing their debut full-length album in early 2010.
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. The Bear Quartet
02. Kings of Convenience
03. Frida Hyvönen
04. Loney, Dear
05. El Perro del Mar
06. David & the Citizens
07. Håkan Hellström
08. Lake Heartbeat
09. The Hidden Cameras
10. The Soundtrack of Our Lives
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/
Adrian Recordings looks East
Adrian Recordings is heading East and sending Andreas Tilliander off to do a few shows in Thailand and China plus Boeoes Kaelstigen to play Japan: http://www.adrianrecordings.com/default.asp?newsid=242
Pitchfork reviews Múm
Pitchfork reviews the new Múm record "Sing along to songs you don't know": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13470-sing-along-to-songs-you-dont-know/
The Mary Onettes on tour
Labrador act The Mary Onettes will be touring Spain, the US and Germany over the next couple months:
10/08 - Circulo de bellas artes., Madrid (ESP)
10/09 - Monkey Week Mucho Teatro, Puerto de Santa María (ESP)
10/10 - Music Box, Lisboa (POR)
10/11 - Sala Mondo, Vigo (ESP)
10/12 - O Meu Mercedes, Porto (POR)
10/13 - Centro Cultural Ollerias, Málaga (ESP)
10/14 - C.C Universidad, Zaragoza (ESP)
10/15 - Sala Estéreo, Alicante (ESP)
10/16 - La [2] de Nitsa, Barcelona (ESP)
10/17 - Sala Zero, Tarragona (ESP)
11/03 - TT The Bears, Boston, MA
11/04 - Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY
11/07 - Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA
11/12 - Debaser, Malmö (SWE)
11/13 - Debaser Medis, Stockholm (SWE)
11/14 - V-Dala nation, Uppsala (SWE)
11/18 - Bang Bang Club, Berlin (GER)
11/19 - Bunker Ulmenwall, Bielefeld (GER)
11/20 - Gloria Sublime, Regensburg (GER)
11/21 - Silber, hit the North, Hamburg (GER)
Turboweekend in the UK
Turboweekend will be doing a couple London showcase gigs in October:
10/14 - Tabloid Toys @ The Fly
10/15 - Levi's Ones To Watch @ The Barfly
Backyard Babies announce 20th Anniversary Tour
Swedish rockers Backyard Babies have announced their plans for a 20th Anniversary Tour to take place next February:
02/04 - Bikini. Barcelona (ESP)
02/05 - Joy Eslava. Madrid (ESP)
02/06 - Kafe Antzokia. Bilbao (ESP)
02/07 - La Maroquinerie. Paris (FRA)
02/08 - Essigfabrik. Cologne (GER)
02/09 - Islington Academy. London (UK)
02/11 - Härterei. Zurich (CH)
02/12 - Estragon. Bologna (ITA)
02/13 - Backstage Halle. Munich (GER)
02/14 - Markthalle. Hamburg (GER)
Isobel & November to release debut in November
Swedish gothic country act Isobel & November report that they have finished recording their deubt full-length and will be mixing and mastering it in the next few weeks for a relaese in early November.
MP3: Kornstad - Oslo
I'd like to think that all of my regular readers have investigated Håkon Kornstad by now considering how often I talk him up, but just in case, here's yet another chance. "Oslo" is what I'd guess you call the single off his new solo album "Dwell time" (out now on Jazzland Records), that is, if jazz albums had singles anymore. Thematically, it's very much in line with his acclaimed Ingebrigt Håker Flaten collaboration "Elise": organic and spiritual, calm and focused. Unlike his previous (also excellent) solo outing "Single engine", the material here is purely performed solo, though helped along with loop pedals and such. On this piece Håkon effortlessly layers phrases on top of one another in a way that never calls too much attention to itself; it ebbs and flows naturally rather than with a clever wink. He also wisely holds back, maintaining a consistent mood throughout even at the peak and through to the end when he lets it taper off into silence. Also, no matter how many times I hear it, this is a piece that always seems to end far too soon despite its near five-minutes runtime. Easy to listen to, easy to enjoy. Hope you'll agree.
Kornstad - Oslo
Kalligrammofon reissues Dead Letters EP
Kalligrammofon has reissued Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words' 2005 "Sally Hill EP" in a special limited edition of 50 copies: http://www.kalligrammofon.com/main.php?artist=9
Nicolai Dunger - Heart and soul
Nicolai Dunger has a song from his forthcoming album "Play" streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/nicolaidunger
Despotz signs Pintandwefall
Despotz Records has announced the signing of excellent Finnish act Pintandwefall. I don't have any more details beyond that, but I'll keep you posted. I was actually just listening to them yesterday and thinking about how much I really like their latest album "Hong Kong, baby" -- it hasn't left my mp3 player in many months (that's rare).
Kornstad in the NYT
The NY Times lauds Norwegian saxophonist Håkon Kornstad: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/arts/music/27play.html?_r=1&src=tptw