Oh No Ono - Helplessly young (video x3)
Oh No Ono want your help choosing a video for "Helplessly young": http://helplesslyyoung.morningsiderecords.dk/
MP3: NEI - City of gold
NEI, still redefining old man's rock. That's their tagline, don't wear it out. All us folks who grew up on AmRep, Touch & Go and other antagonistic rock are getting older, but we're not necessarily mellowing with age. I still long for the same sounds of yore, sung anew; I still want to bang out a racket all my own. The old records still sound just as good, but I want more! Young upstarts try and often fail; I say, to leave it to your elders to do it right. By all reports, the recent Jesus Lizard reunion was fully on point and NEI are no slouchers either. "City of gold" has been spun many, many times here at HQ since I received in on a demo CDr back in 2007, but now it's an official "single" on National, the band's first. Not like I expect radio to jump all over it though, so I advise those of you with a similar mindet and likewise similar (excellent) taste to download immediately! The album "New agenda" (due out September 16) can't come soon enough! Bring it on!
NEI - City of gold
New Mustasch in September
Swedish hard-rockers Mustasch will be releasing a new album on September 30 via Regain Records. More details tba.
Krusty Stills presents Alexandra Wennersten
Swedish indie label Krusty Stills (Pinto) are launching a series of mostly free digital releases and up first is a two-track single from Alexandra Wennersten. Check it: http://www.hanif.se/krusty/store.html
MP3: Micke from Sweden - Waiting for the end
Might as well stick with the label National for the rest of the week's mp3 posts. Micke from Sweden, the solo alias of Micke Lohse from Atomic Swing, at his best conjures up the aged, world-weary sounds of American-era Johnny Cash. At his worst, well, let's just stick with what works... "Waiting for the end" even incorporates some apocalyptic end-times religious imagery too, though I can't say whether or not he's got true faith in his heart or if he's just putting on airs. Regardless, as long as it's delivered convincingly that's all that matters and Micke does a decent job of pulling it off. Also, even when the strings and backing choir come in, he keeps the arrangement sparse and raw and works it for all he's got. At least it sounds honest. Anyhow, he's still decades away from doing songs like "Hurt" will the gravity of a life fully lived behind him, but it's a start.
Micke from Sweden - Waiting for the end
Pitchfork track review on The Legends
Pitchfork reviews The Legends' track "Always the same": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11368-always-the-same/
Kitty Wu - Love letters
The new single "Love letters" from Danish act Kitty Wu is currently streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kittywumusic
Diablo Swing Orchestra coming to the US
Swedish cabaret/death-metal act Diablo Swing Orchestra will have their new album "Sing-along songs for the damned & delirious" released in the US on September 22 via Sensory Records. They'll also be coming over to play Progpower USA in Atlanta that same month on the 11th.
New Trummor & Orgel in the works
Trummor & Orgel will begin recording a brand new full-length album this week. No word on an exact release date, but don't expect anything before fall.
Terveet Kädet in the UK
UK dates for Finnish hardcore act Terveet Kädet:
08/23 - Grosvenor, London
08/24 - Henry's Bar, Edinburgh
08/25 - tba, Leeds
08/26 - Chameleon, Nottingham
08/27 - tba, Brighton
08/28 - Bristol Punx Picnic
Maia Hirasawa interview at The Local
The Local talks to Swedish artist Maia Hirasawa: http://www.thelocal.se/20540/20090708/
New Division of Laura Lee website
Despite a widespread web presence, Division of Laura Lee decided to re-open their official website: http://www.divisionoflauralee.com/
Metal Blade signs Istapp
Metal Blade has signed Swedish black metal act Istapp. Listen at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/istapp
Tiger Lou laid to rest?
Looks like this summer's upcoming Tiger Lou shows may be their last: http://www.tigerlou.net/default.asp?id=734
Not that any of those dudes will stop making music, no way -- read the full post for details, but yeah, new stuff is on the horizon.
New Raveonettes album title, release date confirmed
The Raveonettes have confirmed that their new album will be called "In and out of control" and it will be released on October 6.