New Radio Dept. EP very soon
According to Labrador's twitter, The Radio Dept. will be mastering a new EP this coming Monday.
Uncurbed/Behind Enemy Lines split on the way
Uncurbed recorded 8 new songs last week for an upcoming split with Behind Enemy Lines.
Lip Service - Silent empire download
Lip Service's new single "Silent empire" is being offered as a free/donation download: http://www.devotchka.se/downloads/
The Pirate Bay calls for retrial
Are you kidding me? It has been revealed that the judge in the Pirate Bay case was a member of various Swedish copyright organizations alongside many members of the prosecution. Read more: http://www.thelocal.se/19028/20090423/
If that's not an obvious conflict of interest, I don't know what is.
Nordic Notes presents 'Folk aus Skandinavien - Highlights des Nordens'
German label Nordic Notes is releasing a compilation of Scandinavian folk entitled "Folk aus Skandinavien - Highlights des Nordens" featuring 18 different artists from all over the region. Check the official comp website for full details: http://www.skandinavien-folk.de/
It's in German, but hopefully you can figure out the important stuff even if you don't know the language.
The Sounds - 4 songs & a fight
The Sounds are streaming the new track "4 songs & a fight" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thesounds
New Niko Skorpio EP to be available in all formats, as well as a free lo-bit download
Finnish industrial/darkwave artist Niko Skorpio will release his new "NeitherSphere" EP as a 7" on June 8, but you can also choose to purchase a CDR, FLAC or mp3 version. Or you can just download 128k mp3s for free -- go here for full details: http://www.someplaceelse.net/releases/?id=spe053
MP3: The Late Call - Put your lights on
More quiet melancholic music for you today, in keeping with this week's unofficial theme. The Late Call is the project of Stockholm-based singer/songwriter Johannes Mayer and his debut album "Leaving notes" was released earlier this month through German label Tapete Records. "Put your lights on" is the opening track and by far my favorite -- it's got a bit of José González' understated beauty, but the vocals are far more forward and the mood far less introspective, thus giving it an immediate pop appeal. But really, I just like singer/songwriters who can manage to wrangle so much out of a nearly unadorned fingerpicked guitar + vocal composition. No tricks, no distractions, just the bare essence of the song. Nothing else is needed.
The Late Call - Put your lights on
New song from Wan Light, first in three years
After three years of silence, Swedish indiepop act Wan Light is back with a new track streaming at myspace called "Do": http://www.myspace.com/wanlight
Premiering at the Volt Festival: The Uppsala Orchestra Of Analogue Synthesizers
Acclaimed Swedish electronic artist Håkan Lidbo is once again taking on a high-minded project and is organizing a symphony orchestra of analog synths that will be performing at the Volt Festival in Uppsala, Sweden on June 6. The group will be operating under the name UASSO, or The Uppsala Orchestra Of Analogue Synthesizers, and will be conducted by Erik Möller (Unai) with help from a Roland TR-808 control voltage clock output. The piece they will be premiering is composed by Erik along with Kroffe Ulfves (0-visionen) and Mario Pierro (Riders of the Lost Arp). An estimated 50-60 people will make up the group.
Stream Mikey and the Gypsys
Swedish folksy indie/pop act Mikey and the Gypsys are streaming their new record "Enormous shows combines" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mikeyandthegypsys I don't know anything about these guys except that they sound pretty good - well worth checking out.
Alexis Weak - Farväl Gullmarsplan (trailer)
Check out the video trailer for Swedish rapper Alexis Weak's new EP "Farväl Gullmarsplan", due out May 18 via La Vida Locash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1XQlh0i2PI&fmt=18
Kinda lame they just stole "Where the wild things are" footage, but whatever.
American Idol does Lykke Li?
So apparently Lykke Li's "I'm good I'm gone" was featured on American Idol last night? Hoookay.... Read more: http://pitchfork.com/news/35162-american-idol-sings-lykke-li/
The Daily Show presents Stockholm Syndrome, pt. 2
Somewhat off-topic, but here is part two of the "Stockholm Syndrome" segment from TV's The Daily Show: http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=225126&title=The-Stockholm-Syndrome-Pt.-2
Not so much music-related content, though Björn Ulvaeus does get a few words in. And for those of you out there who might be American slang-deficient, here's the definition of "full release."
MNW Klassiker presents Wilmer X
MNW is releasing (has already released?) a new entry in their "Klassiker" best-of series featuring proto-punk/rockabilly ac Wilmer X. 45 songs, two CDs, all from the period of 1980-87.