Dead Man does 'Listed'
Dusted's latest "Listed" feature includes a contribution from Swedish pysch act Dead Man: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/822
Choir of Young Believers sign US deal
Choir of Young Believers have officially signed with Ghostly International. Look for a North American release of the album "This is for the white in your eyes" this coming fall.
Ghost Society to release EP in May
Danish act Ghost Society, which features members from People Press Play and Blue Foundation, will be releasing the new EP "Dogs and desperation" on May 11. Preview at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ghostsocietyofficialsite
Dirtfarming and Logging '09 tour
Swedish solo artists Hajen, Euphoria and the Lazy Boy, Winter Took His Life and Tvärvägen are teaming up for the "Dirtfarming and Logging '09" tour in May in which they will all share the stage together as a single band performing eachother's songs. Dates:
05/05 - På Besök, Malmö (SWE)
05/06 - MS Stubniz, Rostock (GER)
05/07 - Kulturhaus 73, Hamburg (GER)
05/09 - Kulturpalast, Hannover (GER)
05/10 - Bahía de Cochinos, Castrop-Rauxel (GER)
05/11 - Malteserkeller, Aachen (GER)
05/12 - Exhaus, Trier (GER)
05/13 - D:qliq, Luxemburg (LUX)
05/14 - KIFF, Aarau (CH)
05/15 - Zimmertheater, Tübingen (GER)
05/16 - Pop Up Festival, Leipzig (GER)
05/17 - Kultiviert Anders!, Leipzig (GER)
05/20 - Z Live Music Club, Stuttgart (GER)
05/21 - Musigbistrot, Bern (CH)
05/23 - Kulturverein Provisorium, Nürtingen (GER)
05/24 - Dimensione, Winterthur (CH)
05/26 - Intersoap, Berlin (GER)
05/27 - Klex, Greifswald (GER)
05/28 - Hasenschaukel, Hamburg (GER)
05/30 - Fängelset, Göteborg (SWE)
Download a preview comp from the artists here: http://www.zshare.net/download/591209963fec62af/
New Sweet Serenades single available for download, album for streaming
Leon Records are offering The Sweet Serenades new single "Die young" as a free download: http://www.leonrecords.se/songs/die-young-the-sweet-serenades.mp3
Karolina Komstedt from Club 8 provides guest vocals. Listen to their full album "Balcony cigarettes" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thesweetserenadesmusic
DOA on Fever Ray
Delusions of Adequacy reviews Fever Ray: http://www.adequacy.net/2009/04/fever-ray-fever-ray/
New music from LoveIsNotMyOnlyCrime
LoveIsNotMyOnlyCrime are streaming three new tracks at myspace, including a cover of the Pet Shop Boys song "Love comes quickly": http://www.myspace.com/loveisnotmyonlycrime
Expect a new EP from the group this summer.
Prelisten to the new Maribel album
Norwegian shoegazers Maribel are now streaming their new album "Aesthetics" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/maribelband
Little Dragon to support TV on the Radio
Little Dragon will be touring the US as support for TV on the Radio (excluding California dates):
05/11 - Mr.Smalls Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
05/12 - Headliners Music Hall, Louisville, KY
05/13 - Bottle Tree Cafe, South Birmingham, AL
05/15 - House of Blues - New Orleans, NO
05/16 - Stubbs Bar-B-Q, Austin, TX
05/17 - House of Blues, Dallas, TX
05/18 - Diamond Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK
05/20 - The Independent, San Francisco, CA
05/22 - Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa, CA
05/25 - Glass House, Pomona, CA
05/28 - Casbah, San Diego, CA
End of All recording next week
End of All will be going to Studio Hoborec next week to record a new 7" called "Places". Expect samples online as soon as the material is ready.
Industri Royal European tour this fall
Look for Umeå punkrock'n'rollers Industri Royal to tour Europe this fall starting in mid-October.
MP3: Thåström - Linnéa
Once I settled on the idea of dedicating this week to quiet/mellow-er material for my mp3 posts, I quickly realized I had way too many worthwhile qualifying tracks, but one artist stands head and shoulders above the rest and that is Thåström. Embarrasingly, I am nowhere near as familiar with his back-catalog as I should be, but I made sure snag a copy of the vinyl LP (#348/500, thank you very much) at my first opportunity since I dug Thåström's recent work with Sällskapet so much. I don't regret it one bit either -- "Kärlek är för dom" has been on steady rotation here ever since it showed up a few weeks back. For those unfamiliar with Joakim Thåström and his long career from fronting Ebba Grön to his work with acts such as Imperiet, Peace Love & Pitbulls and so on, I can only describe his current solo work as "industrial blues" though that really doesn't do it justice. Yes, it's bluesy and industrial, but it's so much more. It's funny, my wife has commented multiple times that he sounds almost like he's singing with an Irish brogue when his voice echoes out my office, despite singing in Swedish, though I guess perception from a distance can be funny that way. Regardless, it's not too outlandish a claim to be considered. I can certainly hear it; his voice has a roughness fitting for a damaged poet from anywhere.
It's hard to pick a track to share, though "Linnéa" is a definite standout, the steady pulse of the underlying synthline is so ominous and haunting. The mystery and the darkness, the questions unanswered; it hangs thick like fog. As the vocals strain and stutter, it's emphasized further, even moreso considering the restraint of the arrangement. It's all struggle without resolution. There's just one thing I don't understand: how can something so dark and powerful also be so popular? Life so rarely seems to work out like that. Only in Sweden, I suppose.
Thåström - Linnéa
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Caroline Af Ugglas - Så gör jag det igen
02. Larz Kristerz - Hem till dig
03. Moneybrother - Real control
04. E.M.D. - A state of mind - deluxe
05. Alcazar - Disco defenders
06. Malmö Opera Kör & Orkester - Jesus Christ superstar
07. Lisa Ekdahl - Give me that slow knowing smile
08. Thåström - Kärlek är för dom
09. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
10. Marit Bergman - The tear collector
11. BWO - Big science
12. Shirley Clamp - För den som älskar...en samling
13. Caj Karlsson - Tillsammans med mig
14. Måns Zelmerlöw - MZW
15. Sofia Karlsson - Söder om kärleken
16. Miss Li - Dancing the whole way home
17. Salem - Astronaut
18. Hammerfall - No sacrifice, no victory
19. Kent - Kent box 1991-2008
20. Anna Ternheim - Leaving on a mayday
Told you so: Suburban Kids confirmed for NYC Popfest
I told you about the rumours a month ago, today I can confirm it: Suburban Kids with Biblical Names will indeed be playing the NYC Popfest as Sunday, May 17's headliners at the Cake Shop. Advance tickets are already sold out, but there will be some available at the door.
Jo Wang's 'Symposion' available again
Termo Records, the record label run by White Willow/The Opium Cartel, has unearthed a few copies of affiliated artist Jo Wang's classic 1990 album "Symposion and will be offering it for a limited time. More info at the label's website or head to myspace for samples.