Melpo Mene signs to Coppertree Records in the UK
UK-based label Coppertree Records has signed Swedish artist Melpo Mene and will be releasing his album "Bring the lions out" on 180g vinyl.
Hälsningar från skogen, the box
Kning Disk has released a special limited box-set soundtrack to the film "Hälsningar från skogen" ("Greetings from the Woods") featuring exclusive tracks from many fine Swedish artists such as José González, Hans Appelqvist, Jean-Louis Huhta and Tape. Full details here: http://www.kningdisk.com/02_releases_kd063.asp?id=1063
I Love You Baby! to tour Ukraine
I Love You Baby! is heading to Ukraine in May:
05/12 - Churchill, Xharkiv
05/13 - Gungubazz, Donetsk
05/14 - Master Schmidt, Dniepropetrovsk
05/16 - Botchka, Kiev
05/17 - Agatha, Xharkiv
Hanne Hukkelberg - Bandy riddles
Stream a new track from Hanne Hukkelberg via YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFrJtSYkPpw
Love Is All på Svenska
Love Is All recently recorded a bunch of their favorite old Swedish pop songs from artists such as Tant Strul, Bob Hund and Magnus Uggla and have posted them all for listening at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/loveisall8
New Karin Park at the end of the month
Norwegian pop artist Karin Park will release her new album "Ashes to gold" on April 27 via the Datarock-run label YAP Records. Fredrik Saroea of Datarock also produced said record.
Rupesh Cartel album preview
Rupesh Cartel are offering a preview of their new album "Anchor baby" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/rupeshcartel
New Acid House Kings album in 2010?
Acid House Kings are in the process of working on a new album: http://twitter.com/acidhousekings
They're a slow-moving band, so they really aren't kidding about the 2010 outlook.
New album from Tysti Mari in late April
Swedish punkrockers Tysta Mari will release their new album "Sverige casino" on April 25 via 11743 Records. Listen to samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/stockholmspunk
Murmansk streaming yet another new track
Finnish shoegazers Murmansk have added yet another new track to their myspace page from their forthcoming album "Eleven eyes to shade": http://www.myspace.com/murmansktheband
I'm actually listening to a promo copy of said album right at this very moment and it sounds great. Really heavy and powerful.
MP3: Hjertestop - Illegalt signal
I fully did not expect Hjertestop to make it to the Pacific NW on their current US jaunt, but when 5pm rolled out yesterday evening I got a last-minute show announcement on my local email list so of course I went. How could I not? It was within easy walking distance and the weather was downright summery yesterday. They're still one of my least favorite bands doing that "diagonal punk" thing right now (it's a design thing more than just a sound; Hjertestop has the latter more than the former), but that's not saying much because they're still 100% solid and they proved it last night by delivering an equally solid set. As expected, it was no-frills hardcore punk performed with machine-like efficiency in that way that only the Scandinavians seem to master. My favorite: "Illegalt signal". Every break, every triplet: total precision. Even though it had me out until 1am on a Monday, I regret nothing.
Hjertestop - Illegalt signal
Kscope to release Anekdoten retrospective
Kscope will be releasing a 2CD Anekdoten retrospective entitled "Chapters" containing (remastered) tracks from the band's five albums along with various rarities and unreleased songs. The digital release will be on April 27 and the physical discs will follow on May 11. Full details here: http://www.kscopemusic.com/anekdoten/chapters/
New Aerial has a title
Aerial's new album now has a title: "Put it this way in headlines". Read all about it right here: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=46912171&blogID=481675394
As I've said before, the few samples I've heard have been absolutely amazing -- really looking forward to hearing the full album!
Samtidigt Som
Flykt, kärlek & broderskap
Luxury
Despite a few exceptional songs, Samtidigt Som's debut album falls flat. Too many tracks following the same formula, too many similar tempos, beats and melodies -- after a while even the standouts become interchangeable. The best Göteborg-style indierock is equal parts extreme euphoria and despair; Samtidigt Som does a fine job nailing the sound, but can't keep up the feeling and never quite reaches the outer limits. Mighty promising, yes, but not there yet.
- Avi Roig
Switchblade sets recording date
Switchblade will be entering Gröndal Studio with engineer Karl Daniel Lidén (VAKA, Dozer) on April 24 to begin recording their next album.