Elias and the Wizzkids - Mr Right Guy
Elias and the Wizzkids are giving away their new single "Mr Right Guy" as a free download in exchange for an email address: http://www.eliasandthewizzkids.se/mrrightguy/
MP3: The Opium Cartel - Better days ahead
"Better days ahead" by The Opium Cartel starts out like melancholic art-rock, but quickly changes direction once the palm-muted guitar and moog comes in. From there it goes in all sorts of directions; prog to pop to psychrock and back to art-rock yet again. It works well though, even the cowbell on the chorus and the wacky tone-bending synth breakdown somehow make sense in context of the whole. Nothing feels forced, it all just flows. I discover new sounds almost every time I listen too, which makes it all that much better. For example, the pizzicato strings at the halfway point. And the Edge-like guitar licks that come in soon thereafter. It seems so convoluted to talk about it, but they make it sound effortless.
The Opium Cartel - Better days ahead
Aversionline reviews One Hidden Frame
Aversionline reviews the new album from Finnish melodic hardcore act One Hidden Frame: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2009/05/26/one-hidden-frame-giant-steps-lp/
C.Aarmé has a new album, seeking label
C.Aarmé has recorded a new album and are looking for a label to release it. I've heard a sampler and it's absolutely killer, no surprise. Who's gonna man up?
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. Loney, Dear
02. The Fine Arts Showcase
03. Montt Mardié
04. Phoenix
05. The Bear Quartet
06. Frida Hyvönen
07. Detektivbyrån
08. Jens Lekman
09. Hello Saferide
10. Passion Pit
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/
El Perro Der Mar - Gotta get smart
El Perro Del Mar's new single "Gotta get smart" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/elperrodelmar
Liechtenstein live on the radio
Swedish indiepoppers Liechtenstein did a couple radio recordings while over here in the US and here's when they'll be airing:
06/03 - WPRB @ 7-10pm
06/06 - WFMU @ 9pm-12am
That's local (Eastern) time btw.
Two Danish acts to play the Nebraska Pop Fest
Series Two Records will be bringing the Danish acts Labrador and Cleeman out to Nebraska for the Nebraska Pop Festival in late August. Full details: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=31429084&blogId=490807796
The Silent Ballet comp #12 now available for download
Postrock website The Silent Ballet have a new comp for free download and it features an exclusive track from Jasper TX as well as new music from Sickoakes and more: http://www.thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/367/ItemID/2392/Default.aspx
2009 Steppeulven winners announced
Here are the winners of the Steppeulven, the Danish critic awards:
Best Music: Jannis Noya Makrigiannis (Choir Of Young Believers)
Best Live Act: L.O.C.
Best Producer: Henrik Balling (Peter Sommer m.m.)
Best Vocalist: L.O.C.
Best Lyrics: Peter Sommer
Best Newcomer: Annika Aakjær
Best Sang: Peter Sommer - Vi falder først den dag vi kigger ned
Best Composer: Jannis Noya Makrigiannis (Choir Of Young Believers)
Best Band: Marybell Katastrophy
Best Album: Peter Sommer - Til Rotterne, Til Kragerne, Til Hundene
Pioneer Prize: CV Jørgensen
Elias and the Wizzkids - Mr Right Guy (video)
Check out Elias and the Wizzkids brand new video for "Mr Right Guy": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XdR1B58mTs&fmt=18
The Count is out!
Infamous black metal murderer Varg Vikernes (aka Count Grishnackh) has been officially released from prison: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=120605
Sirius playlist week #21
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. TALK 1
02. Small - Sunshine lover
03. Samtidigt Som - Constant in motion
04. Ironville - Roses
05. Montt Mardié - Dancing shoes
06. TALK 2
07. Samuraj Cities - Spoonful of talk
08. Fronda - Discomusik
09. Billie the Vision & the Dancers - You'd better watch out, 'cause I like you
10. Robert Svensson - I was summer, you were
11. TALK 3
12. Florence Valentin - Spring ricco
13. Lacrosse - We are kids
14. Superfamily - Let's go dancing
15. TALK 4
16. Turboweekend - Trouble is
17. Dyno - Don't speak love
18. Cilihili and DaBook - Orinoco flow
19. TALK 5
20. High Hats - The end
21. Two White Horses - Good times are gone forever
22. Margaret Berger - Robot song
23. TALK 6
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.
We Live In Trenches confirm debut LP
We Live In Trenches have announced that their upcoming debut LP "Modern hex" will be released on P.Trash Records in late August. Says the label: "Think Fucked Up mix with a Kamikaze Trio guitar plus a part AC/DC). Candidate of the "Rock" LP of the year!!!" Look for samples online soon.
MP3: Broder Daniel - Only life I know
I've been obsessed with this song recently and its triumphant resignation. Like many Broder Daniel anthems, the soaring melody is at odds with the lyrical content and that makes me question its intentions and sincerity. Sometimes I hear it as a celebration: I love my dead-end town, it is my destiny. You know that any talk of "the grass is always greener..." is total bullshit anyway; why set yourself up for disappointment? There is power is knowing what you face, knowing your enemy. On the other hand, it's much more easily read strictly as a down-and-out heartbreaker: No initiative, no fun, no future. Living in this town is barely living at all. I go back and forth, but generally find myself siding with the former. I love my own small town. It's potential can seem stifling, so I understand why so many move on from here to other opportunities, but there are also plenty of possibilities open to those willing to take charge, take risks. In that spirit I hear this song as sarcasm -- yes, I know my city, sometimes all too well, but that's also why I love it.
Broder Daniel - Only life I know