Asha Ali - The time is now
Asha Ali's great new single "The time is now" is currently streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ashaalimusic
'We call it Skweee' trailer
Check out a trailer for the new film "We call it Skweee", a feature-length documentary on the underground Scandinavian electro/funk sound known as "Skweee": http://www.vimeo.com/6261953
Fontän in the Forkcast
Fontän in the Pitchfork Forkcast: http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/13296-neanderthaler/
Mattias Alkberg's 100 favorite songs
Swedish mag Novell asked Mattias Alkberg (The Bear Quartet) to compile a list of his top 100 favorite songs of the '00s and here is the result: http://www.mabd.se/?p=127
Mari Boine new album preview
Stream five new tracks from Sami singer Mari Boine: http://www.mariboine.no/
The new album "Sterna Paradisea" is out today.
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. Mew
02. The Bear Quartet
03. Hello Saferide
04. Frida Hyvönen
05. Anna Ternheim
06. Håkan Hellström
07. Grizzly Bear
08. The Big Pink
09. Yo La Tengo
10. Taken By Trees
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/
Download two new tracks from Band in Box
Swedish indie act Band in Box has two new songs being offered for free download: http://www.bandinbox.net/
Stream Dúné's new album
Soundvenue is streaming Dúné's new album "Enter metropolis" in its entirety: http://soundvenue.com/artist/dune
Jasper TX update
The always-busy Jasper TX (aka Dag Rosenqvist) reports that he's currently working on an album together with Danish poet Bue Nordström entitled "Replica Archipelago" to be released on October 8 via Bokbandet. There will be a record release show at Göteborgs Konstmuseum on October 9. In other news, there's also a soundtrack in the works for Dutch filmaker Juriaan Booijs' new work "Conformists" written together with Simon Scott (ex-Slowdive), a double-disc collection of OOP 3" CDRs with new remixes/cover versions via UK-based label Under the Spire and, lastly (for now), a European tour in the works for November. Head to myspace for more: http://profile.myspace.com/jaspertx
MP3: The Silent Section - Frightened
Finally, back to discussing mp3s I actually like. First impressions of Danes The Silent Section had me thinking early Madrugada or mid/late-period Swans, but further investigation makes me think of Bay Laurel, should you remember them. I think it must be those tenor vocals because they're certainly not as overly metallic as that band ever was. Beyond Dawn might be a good point of comparison too, though in that instance it's the sound of recording that reminds me of them. Both "In reverie" and "Electric sulking machine" had a similar brittle-ness to them. Of course the one thing that ties of all these points of interest together is the mood: black as pitch. The Silent Section play gothic rock, straight up. There are pop overtures and bits of neo-folk and sometimes they get a little heavy, but at its heart, it is what it is. Call it "death rock" if you want, but I say it's a cop out for people scared of the g-word. If you can embrace a little darkness, there's nothing to be frightened of whatsoever.
The Silent Section - Frightened
The Open Up and Bleeds - Stiv Bators in all of us (video)
The Open Up and Bleeds now have an official video for "Stiv Bators in all of us": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddoRxSsgZFA&
Kristofer Åström - Conjure me (ASSID remix)
Listen to the ASSID remix of Kristofer Åström's "Conjure me" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kastrom
New Alphabeat in October
Danish pop act Alphabeat will release their new album "The spell" on October 19. The first single and title track is out August 31.
Sirius playlist week #34
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. Jong Pang - Liar liar
02. TALK 1
03. The Bear Quartet - Least loved (of the unloved)
04. Tortyr - Jag faller
05. Pistol Disco - Evergreen
06. TALK 2
07. Magnus Carlson and The Moon Ray Quintet - Sea lion woman
08. Thåström - Kärlek är för dom
09. Okkultokrati - Hand of glory
10. Syster Lycklig - Djuret
11. TALK 3
12. Tredje Mannen - Cul-de-sac
13. The Psyke Project - Winter
14. Titiyo - Longing for lullabies
15. TALK 4
16. The Silent Section - Loss of consciousness
17. Firefox AK - Winter rose
18. [ingenting] - Dina händer är fulla av blommor
19. TALK 5
20. Marvins Revolt - New Year's in Warsaw
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.
Next Fever Ray single = Seven
Fever Ray's next single will be for the track "Seven" and will be released on October 5. As always, a huge assortment of artists have been lined up to provide remixes including Crookers, Martyn, CSS, Marcel Dettman, Seth Troxler and Nicolas Chacona. Fellow Swede Johan Renck will direct the video.