Keep up with the Trondheim-based Alternativ Julekalendar at Blogspot: http://alternativjulekalender.blogspot.com/
It looks like you still need to sign up for the mailing list to receive daily mp3s, but it's totally painless.
Aversionline on Norwegian math-core act Manhattan Skyline: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2008/12/02/manhattan-skyline-curses-cd/
Ovro debut vinyl release "Horizontal/Vertical" is out now on Drone Records: http://www.someplaceelse.net/shop/product_info.php?products_id=1539
300 copies on white vinyl with hand-made covers including newspaper clips and filmstrips.
Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:
01. Tiger Lou
02. Anna Ternheim
03. Hello Saferide
04. The Soundtrack of Our Lives
05. Frida Hyvönen
06. Jens Lekman
07. The Bear Quartet
08. The Tough Alliance
09. Logh
10. The Fine Arts Showcase
Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/
MP3: Simon Says No! - Shiver
More 90s indie nostalgia? Sure, why not! Norway's Simon Says No! doesn't really mine the same territory as say, Sad Day for Puppets -- they've got more in common with bands like Culkin or maybe Giant Boar, 'cept that's not right either. Simon Says No! is more muscular, heavier. I'm actually reminded a lot of fellow Norwegian act Cadillac who evoked similar 90s alt-rock feelings with a bit more of a detached stoner vibe. There might be a little Motorpsycho and 120 Days in there too, however the one band that's the strongest touchstone for me would have to be Chavez. Especially on tracks like "Shiver", with its big, beefy riffs and that continually buzzing part persisting throughout. It's a good formula, even if the song itself loses its luster once you get past the immediacy of the big guitars. Too many starts and stops, not enough memorable melodies to latch onto. Still, as demo bands go, I can't complain. There's potential.
Simon Says No! - Shiver
Grand Café
Let loose b/w Makin' out 7"
Roadkill Records
I am the one who always gets stuck with the unenviable task of covering the site's most mediocre of submissions. Seriously, how many synonyms for bland are there, how many ways to say "thanks, but no thanks"? Norway's Grand Cafe fare slightly better than labelmates The Smell of Mutiny, though their blue-eyed rhythm'n'blues rave-up still doesn't add up to much more than better-than-average bar-band. I appreciate the full arrangements with horns, organ and backing vocals, but why should I care when I've still got countrymen The Moving Oos? Or old Eric Burdon albums for that matter? Life is too short for music that is merely listenable.
- Avi Roig
Norway's The Lionheart Brothers will play their final show with drummer Peter Rudolfsen on December 11 at Revolver Bar in Oslo as he is leaving the band to spend more time with his family.
Suburban Kids with Biblical Names are working on putting the finishing touches on a new EP to be released in January via Labrador Records.
December is the month of advent calendars and there's a whole bunch out there with free music ready for download:
Country & Eastern is offering a new selection each day this month from their double-disc Christmas collection. There's also a release party at Fasching in Stockholm tonight (December 1).
Adrian Recordings is doing a weekly remix mixtape starting off with contributor Dumb Dan.
The Soundtrack of Our Lives have a mixed bag of freebies every day this month.
The German Kaizers Orchestra fansite is doing something or other.
Keep an eye on this post for more....
How Is Annie has announced the signing of Norwegian indiepop/postrock act Kråkesølv and is offering up three tracks as a free download: http://www.howisannierecords.com/article.php?id=115
Freddie Wadling (Cortex, et al) will release his new double solo album "Den mörka blomman/The dark flower" on January 28 and will spend the following month touring Sweden. Dates:
02/18 - Mariestads Teater, Mariestad
02/19 - Sigurdsgatan 25, Västerås
02/20 - Garden, Linköping
02/21 - Spegeln, Gävle
02/23 - Reginateatern, Uppsala
02/24 - Reginateatern, Uppsala
02/25 - Sagateatern, Borås
02/26 - Växjö Teater, Växjö
02/27 - Mejeriet, Lund
02/28 - Konserthuset, Göteborg
03/01 - Rival, Stockholm
Swedish roots act Baskery will be doing a long run of UK dates to support the release of their album "Fall among thieves" over in that part of the world: http://www.baskery.com/gigs.html
The official release date for said album in January 23