Björn Kleinhenz has recorded a bunch of new material at his new home on the island of Fårö and will be releasing the collection as a digital download in May under the title "Head held high on fearsome pride" for what he says will be "a very reasonable rate." There will also be a small run of CD versions as well for those attached to obsolete physical objects.
Soundvenue is streaming Snake & Jet's Amazing Bullit Band's new album "Peace boat": http://www.soundvenue.com/artist/snake--jets-amazing-bullit-band
The Silent Ballet reviews the new Shogun Kunitoki record "Vinonaamakasio": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/2327/Default.aspx
Since Nomethod is doing cheap reissues of both Mixtapes & Cellmates discs and the Robert Svensson album since signing with Border Music, they're giving away a bunch of free mp3s including a brand previously unreleased new one from Robert: http://www.nomethod.se/
Better late than never, PopMatters offers up their report on Norway's by:Larm Festival: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/72676-bylarm-2009/
Wonderland Records released Swedish Americana act Quarterhorse's new album "The weight of the world" this week and has the whole thing available for streaming here: http://www.quarterhorse.se/FLAM/press.html
In other Wonderland news, they'll be releasing debut albums from the bands Arvid and Swedish for Beginners in late May, the 20th and 27th to be exact (respectively). Download sample mp3s from both here: http://www.wonderlandrecords.com/ex
Swedish act Molotov Jive has signed with German label Strange Ways who will be releasing their most recent album "Songs for the fallen apart" in GAS on June 26. Expect a few tourdates this summer with a more extensive jaunt in September.
Melody Club's new album "Goodbye to romance" is streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/melodyclub
This could almost be a U2 song at the start, but that bass is way too cavernous. And of course the vocals have none of Bono's self-importance; rather they settle into the mix like another instrument. The further you go however, the deeper you get into Murmansk's own heavy shoegaze sound, emphasis on the heavy. This particular track doesn't ever wallop you with a huge chorus though, rather it's all about the tone and the mood, especially seeing as how this is merely the opener for new album "Eleven eyes to shade". Everything that follows builds on what came before and let me tell you, it is truly epic to behold. Play LOUD.
Murmansk - Sweet trio
Small, the Danish act I just posted about yesterday, has signed a North American deal with Last Gang Records (MSTRKRFT, Tiga) who will be releasing "Sunshine lover" as a single.
Mew has kinda/sorta revealed the title of their upcoming album: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=35725465&blogId=483596236
Danish indie duo Agata & Me will be playing a couple shows in Ireland next week:
04/24 - Ballroom of Romance @ The Lower Deck, Dublin
04/25 - Róisín Dubh, Galway
The group is also giving away their "Overnite EP" as a free download via Last.fm for a limited time: http://www.last.fm/music/Agata%2B%2526%2BMe/Overnite+EP
Check out the new video for "Cards on the table" from Swedish melancholy singer/songwriter The Late Call: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=54707010
The debut album "Leaving notes" is out now via Tapete Records.
Assuming all goes according to plan, The Bear Quartet's new album, their first for Adrian Recordings, will be out in September.