Norwegian post-hardcore act Kvelertak are streaming two new tracks on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kvelertak
There's a little too much riff salad for my tastes, but the general feel of 'em is pretty cool. Also, the band has also announced the addition of new guitarist Maciek Ofstad from Path of No Return.
Swedish indie act Ep's Trailer Park have now posted their new video for the song "Black heart" online: http://vimeo.com/5029803
Fellow Swedes Christian Kjellvander and Frida Öhrn (Oh Laura) contribute backing vocals.
The Sounds have announced a massive tour which will take them through to the end of the year:
09/11 - Downtown Quebec, Quebec City (CAN)
09/12 - Metropolis, Montreal (CAN)
09/13 - Phoenix Theatre, Toronto (CAN)
09/16 - House of Blues, Boston, MA
09/17 - Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY
09/19 - TLA, Philadelphia, PA
09/20 - The Rams Head, Baltimore, MD
09/21 - 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
09/22 - The Norva, Norfolk, VA
09/25 - HOB, Myrtle Beach, SC
09/26 - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
09/27 - Orange Peel, Ashville, NC
09/29 - Ritz, Tampa, FL
09/30 - Revolution, Ft Lauderdale, FL
10/02 - HOB, Orlando, FL
10/05 - One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans, LA
10/07 - House of Blues, Houston, TX
10/09 - La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX
10/10 - White Rabbit, San Antonio, TX
10/11 - HOB, Dallas, TX
10/12 - Diamond Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK
10/14 - Club 101, El Paso, TX
10/16 - Marquee, Tempe, AZ
10/20 - Ventura Theatre, Ventura, CA
10/21 - Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
10/23 - HOB, San Diego, CA
10/24 - Warfield, San Francisco, CA
10/26 - Commodore Ball, Vancouver, BC
10/27 - Showbox, Seattle, WA
10/28 - Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR
10/30 - In The Venue, Salt Lake City, UT
10/31 - Ogden Theater, Denver, CO
11/05 - First Ave, Minneapolis, MN
11/07 - Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL
11/17 - Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)
11/18 - Sputnikhalle, Munster (GER)
11/19 - Vera, Gronningen (NL)
11/20 - VK, Brussels (BEL)
11/21 - Ac 2, Birmingham (UK)
11/22 - Oron Mor, Glasgow (UK)
11/23 - AC2, Manchester (UK)
11/24 - Electric Ballroom, London (UK)
11/25 - Casino Noveau, Paris (FRA)
11/27 - Joy Eslava, Madrid (ESP)
11/28 - Apolo, Barcelona (ESP)
11/30 - Alte Bors, Zurich (CH)
12/01 - Les Docks, Lausanne (CH)
12/02 - Rockhouse, Salzburn (AUS)
12/03 - Arena, Wien (AUS)
12/04 - Backstage Werk, Munchen (GER)
12/05 - Live Music Hall, Cologne (GER)
12/06 - Reithalle, Dresden (GER)
12/08 - Proxima, Warsaw (POL)
12/09 - Eskulap, Poznan (POL)
12/10 - Postbahnhof, Berlin (GER)
12/11 - Uebel&Gefearlich, Hamburn (GER)
12/12 - KB, Malmo (GER)
12/13 - Vega, Copenhagen (DK)
12/15 - Klubi, Turka (FIN)
12/16 - Pakkahoune, Tempere (FIN)
12/17 - Teatria, Oulu (FIN)
12/18 - Rytmikorjaamo, Seinajoki (FIN)
12/19 - Cable Factory, Helsinki (FIN)
Hello Saferide's excellent "More modern short stories..." album is released in Germany today so, as promised, she'll be heading down for a few shows:
09/24 - Magnet, Berlin
09/25 - Atomic Cafe, München
09/26 - Reeperbahnfestival, Hamburg
Hear a track from the Harrys Gym/Heroes & Zeroes live collaboration at the Harrys Gym myspace b-sides page: http://www.myspace.com/harrysgymbsides
Peter Bjorn and JohnIn town opening for Depeche Mode, the fellows Morén, Yttling and Eriksson played a special stripped-down set after their first of two dates at Madison Square Garden. Armed with just guitar, bass and drums, they brought their sound back to the beginnings of the band when rock music meant no backing tracks. It's not as though they're set quality has declined recently, in fact they've been tight and tops, but there's something about a pure rock show in a 70 capacity basement that makes it better. With material from each of their four albums and the single b-sides "(I just wanna) See through" and their cover of "Silly girl" (which was second of three covers they did), they played with brevity and seemed to be having a great time just running with it, not worrying about any mishaps. With his newfound standing set, seeing John Eriksson back behind the kit was a revelation -- I had forgotten just how amazing of a drummer he is. After playing for over 75 minutes, I left with a grin on my face and one of the best shows I've seen all year.
- Matt Giordano
Should've mentioned this days ago, but my notes got lost with my dead laptop: webzine No Ripcord has published a beginners guide to Swedish indie-friendly music called "The Sound of Independent Sweden". It's actually not 100% indie per-se (see: The Ark for example) and it probably won't offer and revelations to regular IAT readers, but it's probably worth a peep anyway -- here's part two: http://www.noripcord.com/features/the-sound-of-independent-sweden-part-two
Part one aims to cover the northern part of the country and can be found here: http://www.noripcord.com/features/the-sound-of-independent-sweden-part-one
Swedish indie artist Band in Box has a new mini-album on way that she made in collaboration with visual artist Moa Hoff. It will be called "Bring back the time when girls were yours" and is set to be released in late fall via Hear He/r. Look for a two-track preview download to appear online soon.
Swedish singer/songwriter Sofia Talvik will be releasing her album "Jonestown" in North America and Japan this fall. No dates confirmed yet, but I'll keep you posted. Also, keep an eye out for tourdates in the Northeast to be announced shortly.
Icelandic artist Ólöf Arnalds will be releasing her US debut in the form of a new 7" featuring two cover tracks. The a-side is "Maria Bethânia" by Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso and the flip features her take on countrymate Elly Vilhálms' "Sveitin milli sanda". I don't have an exact release date, but it's expected to be out in time for her upcoming tour:
09/11 - The Crocodile, Seattle, WA
09/12 - Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
09/15 - Sycamore, Brooklyn, NY
09/16 - Rockwood Music Hall, NY, NY
09/17 - Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY
Crusher Records (Mainliners) will be releasing the new album "Två sidor av Horisonten" from Swedish 70s-style hard-rockers Horisont on September 25 on both vinyl and CD (and digital, 'natch). Hear a preview cut at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/crusherrecords
The new album from Finnish hardcore act Frivolvol will be called "Blades of steel". Yes, just like the classic hockey video game. Look for a preview on label Rabbit Ilsn's myspace to happen in September about the same time the record is released.
Belgian label Luchtrat will be doing a super-limited release of Norwegian act Virus' 2000 demo on a 3" CDR packaged in wood, cotton and leather. Only 66 copies will be made, so better act fast if you want one.
Grande Roses weren't kidding when they said it might take them another 2.5 years to follow up their debut EP. Lo and behold, here we are exactly that much time later and their sophomore EP "The farm" is finally ready. And again, true to their word, the songs are a touch slower but still full of the same punkrock vigor that made the first record so good. Unsurprisingly, the more varied tempos suits the band well and makes for a much more satisfying listen overall -- just listen to "I don't wanna get back on that horse again" and you'll see what I mean. Most country-rock bores the heck out of me, even the much-revered Gram Parsons (good songs, poor execution -- I'll take the cover versions, thank you), but this is just right. A little bit of jangle, some quality picking and a whole lotta heart. Now I just gotta know: how long until we get an album? 4 years? 5? What's it gonna be?
Grande Roses - I don't wanna get back on that horse again
Kranium Records has announced that volume 3 of their "Fuck your scene, kid" split 7" series will feature Nitad and Kvoteringen, two fine Swedish hardcore bands. The planned Nitad EP that Kranium was supposed to do is still happening, but it's be pushed back to early 2010.
