The Embassy - You tend to forget (video)
The Embassy's brand new video for the single "You tend to forget" is now available on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Ahp0NNzCQ&fmt=18
Theodor Jensen - Songbird
Theodor Jensen's forthcoming single "Songbird" is currently streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/razziarecords
Look for his new album "Tough love" in either August or September.
Twins Twins now mixing
Morningside Records reports that Twins Twins just finished recording their debut album and are currently in mixing mode, with an eye towards an October release. Aske Zidore from labelmates Oh No Ono is behind the deck.
Embee - Desire to be free (feat. Nina Ramsby)
Embee's new single "Desire to be free" (feat. Nina Ramsby) is now available as a free download: http://www.looptrooprockers.com/new-embee-single/
The Mary Onettes
Dare EP
Labrador
My roommate has held that The Mary Onettes are the best band hailing from Sweden for quite some time now, and with the release of "Dare" I can no longer deny the group their rightful placement among the mass of creative genius that emanates from Scandinavia. The title track, and first single from the upcoming album, has The Mary Onettes exploring new territory with a confidence and proficiency that is almost impossible for a band with only one album and a handful of EPs under their belt. Philip Ekström's vocal delivery on "Dare", especially in the final moments of the chorus where his words spiral upwards along a lavish, inspired string arrangement, is simply brilliant, as is the songwriting that provides the melodic tapestry through which Ekström explores the introspective, doubt-ridden material of which the entirety of the EP is comprised. "Kicks" and "God knows I had plans" finds elements of "Pet sounds"-era Beach Boys and the Spector-esque (and criminally underappreciated) The Brother Kite worming their way into The Mary Onettes' instrumentation - "Kicks" as a slower, piano-driven, magnificently layered exploration of lost friendships; "God knows I had plans" driving forwards on a vehicle of jangled guitar lines and soaring vocals, surveying the shadows existent between shafts of sunlight. It's been a long time since a band has inspired in me this level of excitement and passion for music, feelings I thought were relegated to those adolescent years when an album still had the power to change the course of your life.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
The Local interviews Titiyo
Conservative online rag The Local talks to Titiyo: http://www.thelocal.se/19834/20090602/
Bygdin - Huldreheimen
Groove is offering a track from 120 Days sideproject Bygdin for free download: http://www.groove.no/html/news/38569972.html
The band's debut album "Bygdin #1" comes out on June 8.
Norma Sass confirm debut EP
Hyped Norwegian all-female act Norma Sass will release their debut EP "A dance of victory the morning after" on August 3 via their own Anticipated Records label in cooperation with Tuba. Listen at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/normasass
The Samuel Jackson Five contemplating a new release
Norwegian postrock act The Samuel Jackson Five are in talks with two labels to do a joint vinyl release compilation various previously unreleased material, live tracks and remixes. No confirmation of anything yet, but I'll try to keep you posted.
MIC Norway profiles Pirate Love
MIC Norway profiles breakout hopefuls Pirate Love is advance of their North American tour: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2009060310124169803616
All About Jazz covers JazzNorway in a Nutshell 2009
All About Jazz offers a primer on Norwegian jazz via the JazzNorway in a Nutshell 2009 festival: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=33093
Folke - Wet soap
Folke, the pop alias of jazz bassist Torbjörn Zetterberg, is offering his new single "Wet soap" as a free download via label Brus & Knaster: http://www.brusoknaster.se/
Look for his sophomore album "Ordinary extraordinary" to be released in Septebmer.
I Was A King US tour diary
I Was A King are keeping a tour diary while travelling the US: http://www.iwasaking.com/
Salem - Roxy (video)
Check out Salem al Fakir's new video for "Roxy", filmed when he was down in California recently: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZp8e5Gbzk8&fmt=18
Is he really a Capitalist Casualties fan? Somehow I can't quite buy it.
New tracks from Bonafide + Bullet at myspace
Black Lodge is streaming new tracks from both Swedish hard-rockers Bonafide and Bullet at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/blacklodgesweden