New Taken By Trees in September
The new Taken By Trees album "East of Eden" will be released on September 8 via Rough Trade.
MP3: Pekka Himanka - Jäi Lappiin sydämein
Here's a little something I picked up last weekend while vacationing in Astoria, OR, a seaside town with a strong Finnish heritage. I can't say I know much about Pekka Himanka, but I stumbled across his album "Jäi Lappiin sydämein" (Lappland remains in my heart? Online translators can only do so much for me here) in a local record store, previewed a few seconds for quality control at the listening station and figured, "why not?" Who couldn't use a bit of Finnish tango in their life? Besides being relevant to my interests (obviously), the chance of me stumbling across anything like this in the foreseeable future is nil. Old Suomi crooners don't just show up in bargain bins around here and it's not like I know enough to rate them, even if they did. One curious note to add: I don't remember if I've ever heard Pekka on an Aki Kaurismäki soundtrack, but he does carry the tag on Last.fm. Perhaps someone with more free time (and perhaps, Finnish comprehension skills) can track down which movie(s) his music appears in? It would be good to know.
Pekka Himanka - Jäi Lappiin sydämein
Hoob to release new album from New Tango Orchestra
Hoob Records (The Splendor) will be releasing the new album "Vesper" from Swedish jazz/folk act New Tango Orchestra on September 23. Expect Swedish and German tourdates to follow in the fall, in the meantime, head to their website to hear samples of old material: http://www.nto.nu/
Well worth checking out I'd say.
Dybdahl UK delay
Norwegian singer/songwriter Thomas Dybdahl's debut UK single "From grace" has been pushed back to August 31 with his album to follow on September 14.
Liechtenstein interview at ZME Music
ZME Music interviews Swedish indiepop act Liechtenstein: http://www.zmemusic.com/rock/interview-with-liechtenstein/
Enemy Alliance - Where night falls all day long
Swedish melodic hardcore act Enemy Alliance are wrapping up production of their new album and have posted the new track "Where night falls all day long" for streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/enemyalliance
Two new Markus Krunegård albums this fall
Laakso frontman Markus Krunegård will be releasing two brand new solo albums on October 14. The first is called "Prinsen av Peking" and is said to be "more majestic" while the other one, "Lev som en gris, dö som en hun" ("Live like a pig, die like a dog"), is probably more typical for Markus' style if we are to go by the title.
Cornelius Jakhelln on Ulver
Cornelius Jakhelln's (Solefald) intro talk from the recent Ulver live (re-)premiere is now published online for your perusal: http://www.jester-records.com/ulver/ulver.html (scroll down)
Terveet Kädet to release new album in late July
The new album "Ihmisen poika, pedon poika" from legendary Finnish hardcore act Terveet Kädet will be released on July 22 via Longplay Music. Apparently there's a UK tour in the works as well?
Monument will finally release the Final Exit DVD, also sign Forever Young
In addition to the long-awaited Final Exit discography LP + live DVD, Monument Records has confirmed the signing of Umeå sXe hardcore act Forever Young and will be releasing their new CD very soon. Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/foreveryounghc
Kning Disk confirms new vinyl-only album from Erik Enocksson
Kning Disk has confirmed that they will be releasing Erik Enocksson's new album "Man tänker sitt" on August 21. It will only available on limited (499 copies) gatefold vinyl, so act fast if you want one. Full details/samples: http://www.kningdisk.com/02_releases_kd070.asp?id=1070
Music is not a job
All Scandinavian on the various odd dayjobs held by Finnish musicians: http://allscandinavian.com/1185/music-is-not-all-glamour/
DiS interviews Fever Ray (again)
Drowned in Sound talks to Karin Dreijer Andersson (Fever Ray, The Knife): http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4137231-hey-fever-ray--dis-meets-karin-dreijer-anderssen
MP3: The Gentleman Losers - Ballad of Sparrow Young
Most guitar-based ambient artists seem intent on obscuring their sound source, not so with Finnish duo The Gentleman Losers. There's no mistaking the origin of these sounds, though they do indulge in heavy effects now and then. "Ballad of Sparrow Young" is typical of the group: circular guitar figures overlaid by a languid lead melody along with a few other subtle accompanyments. Yes, they do stray towards the new-age end of the musical spectrum, but in typical Scandinavian fashion, feelings of melancholy erase any indications of "mere" peacefulness. And yes, I know it's also not exactly the sort of thing that will make you sit up and pay close attention, but listening does have its rewards.
The Gentleman Losers - Ballad of Sparrow Young
Atlas Losing Grip - Time to waste
Swedish melodic hardcore act Atlas Losing Grip have a new song called "Time to waste" streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/atlaslosinggrip