Kranium Records (Nitad) is putting out a split 7" featuring Swedish crusties Makabert Fynd (ex-Doberman Cult) and Stockholm oldsters Nice Idiot under the banner "Fuck your scene, kid volume 1". No release date as far as I know, but there will only be 250 copies so keep your eyes peeled and be on the lookout for further volumes in the series.
Live music with Lowood at PSL: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2009/03/23/musik-med-lowood/
Alibi Tom is going to the UK in May:
05/08 - No Fiction Club @ Power's Kilburn, London
05/09 - Keystone Escape Club, Kettering
05/11 - Breakthrough with Rough Trade @ Latest Music Bar, Brighton
PopMatters on the new Röyksopp album "Junior": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/71037-royksopp-junior/
I agree, definitely the group's best work so far.
Musique Machine reviews the latest Svarte Greiner record "Kappe": http://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=2160
Check out Pixie Carnation, a new band featuring IAT.MP3 artist Tobias Hellkvist together with childhood friend Ola Pålsson: http://www.myspace.com/pixiecarnation
It's not like Tobias' other work, but that shouldn't stop you from listening because it's really, really good, solid indierock, emphasis on the rock. Expect a 5-song EP to surface very soon, otherwise enjoy the three tracks up for preview right now.
Dagens Nyheter reports that if the EU extends copyrights to 95 years as planned (they currently expire at 50), it could have serious consequences for some smaller, niche labels: http://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/hannas-bolag-hotas-av-95-arig-inspelningsratt-1.827006 (in Swedish)
Wonderland Records and Release Magazine are putting on an Emmon remix competition and the winner will get their version of the track "Lips on fire" pressed as the b-side of the super limited 12" edition of her new single, in addition to being tacked on the digital release. Go here to download all the essentials and get started: http://www.wonderlandrecords.com/ex/
Swedish DVD Magazine UZI has a new issue out and it's a special feature on legendary Swedish artist Björn Olsson, a man who's not only known for his prestigious solo work, but also for playing with bands such as Union Carbide Productions and The Soundtrack of Our Lives and producing many, many fine records (The Bear Quartet, Håkan Hellström and Mando Diao are but a few of the artists he's worked with). Said DVD contains all sorts of never-before-seen footage including various demo recordings, live videos and much more. Full details and trailer: http://www.uzi.se/
Logh will come out of semi-retirement and return to the live stage for the End Pilot Festival in Erfurt, Germany on April 11. Other Swedes appearing include Scraps of Tape and Erik Enocksson. More info: http://www.endpilot.de/
Norwegian pop artist Bertine Zetlitz reports that she is now not just the proud mother of a baby boy named Finn, but also hard at work on her next album. She says she's been working on new material with a friend and will soon have enough songs for a full album.
The new Factory45 single "Beach resort" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/factory45
However, the band's debut album "Would you take the things off that you like the best?" has been pushed back to September.
Kleerup has a new video for "Longing for lullabies": http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/kleerup/video/looking-for-lullabies
German label Denovali Records will be doing a limited vinyl run of Jeniferever's new record "Spring tides" to coincide with the CD/digital release on April 13 via Monotreme. Denovali will also be doing a vinyl reissue of the band's debut "Choose a bright morning as well". Details + preorder: http://www.denovali.com/jeniferever
There's a lot of new bands exploring the sound of classic Gbg indierock -- Samtidigt Som and Kusowsky are two I've covered -- but Samuraj Cities are really the only band I've heard in that vein that are taking the classic blueprints and pushing them in new directions. It's the same familiar melodies and epic melancholia, the same chest-thumping anthems, but the sound is something completely different. Samuraj Cities have always been aurally distinct from the very beginning, but when I listen to the single "Spoonful of talk" and hear them break into the massive chorus, I know they're on to some next-level shit. They go far beyond the typical guitar-bass-drums-vocals instrumentation, continually adding layers and layers of sound without ever losing focus. The guitars swarm like bees and scream like sirens. I didn't even notice the lack of bass on first listen until it dropped in and made my jaw drop. I declare: They've always been a good band; now they're heading towards greatness. Pay attention!
Samuraj Cities - Spoonful of talk