Swedish posi-hardcore act Sista Sekunden has updated US dates on their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/sistasekunden
Drummer JC Benz has parted ways with Danish rockabilly freaks Powersolo. The band is currently weighing their options on how to replace him or not as they mix their next album, due out in 2009 via Crunchy Frog.
Komplott on the release of "Very friendly #0", the new comic book from Swedish experimental sound artist/author Ronnie Sundin:
Now, what's this all about then - a comic book? Well, Komplott hereby launches a new series of releases that will experiment with various formats and shapes. First out in this series is "Very Friendly" - a new project by Swedish sound/visual artist Ronnie Sundin that has taken the shape of a comic book! But not only that – it will be a record release as well. Sort of...
This project will continue along the path that was mapped out in his art book "The History Of Electronic Music" that was released in 2007 in collaboration with noCube/Häpna. With "Very Friendly" he will make his debut in the comic book format and here he will expand upon the stories and characters that was portrayed in above mentioned book but this time around some of the material will be of an autobiographical nature as well, recollecting some of his own experiences in the world of so called experimental music. It will be a wild ride for sure! Sort of...
But that's not all! Each issue of this comic book will also be accompanied with a 7" vinyl single that will present the music of some of the musicians and noise makers that are portrayed in the comics and the first one in line will be the 'legendary' noise maniac from Norway; Lasse Marhaug serving up some finely sliced audio memories from his days in Trondheim during the late '90s.
The first 'proper' issue will probably not be available until early 2009 but in the meantime - check out the teaser issue!
Go to the label website for more: http://www.komplott.com/
Aversionline revists Darkane's debut album "Rusted angel": http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2008/10/24/darkane-rusted-angel-cd/
Thomas Denver Jonsson and Björn Kleinhenz have decided to resurrect their folk duo The Topeka Twins and have recorded four brand new tracks, their first new material since the debut 7" EP from 2003. As to how and when it will be released, I will keep you posted.
Pitchfork reports back from Iceland Airwaves: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/146671-live-review-iceland-airwaves-festival
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Thorleifs - Förälskade
02. Bo Kaspers Orkester - 8
03. Agnetha Fältskog - My very best
04. Christer Sjögren - Mitt sköna sextiotal
05. Sonja Aldén - Under mitt tak
06. Sophie Zelmani - The ocean and me
07. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide
08. Takida - Bury the lies
09. Uno Svenningsson - Jag sjunger för dig
10. Steve Dobrogosz & Anna Christoffersson - Rivertime
11. Smurfarna - Smurfparty
12. ABBA - ABBA Gold - Greatest hits
13. Markus Fagervall - Steal my melody
14. E.S.T. - Leucocyte
15. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
16. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
17. Eva Eastwood - Well well well
18. Rebecka Törnqvist - The cherry blossom and the skyline rising from the street
19. Fatboy - In my bones
20. Nina Ramsby/Ludvig Berghe Trio - Du har blivit stor nu (en kamp!)
MP3: The Hellacopters - Where the action is
This weekend The Hellacopters will play their final run of shows and gracefully bow out of existence. I'm sure people have all sorts of varying opinions on whether or not this is the right time to call it quits, but I think it's fitting. They rocked harder and longer than most; better to end it all with dignity fully intact.
I'm bummed they never made it over to the US for one last tour, but at least I did manage to see 'em a few times, though never during the era of "Payin' the dues", easily my favorite 'Copters record. I was under 21 when that album came out in 1997, so all I could do was eye the club listings and wait. They still played a huge role in my Swedish music education though, especially with tracks like "Where the action is", a song that's not much more than a laundry list of friends' bands: Nomads, The Robots, Kids Are Sick, Entombed, Backyard Babies... and those are just the obvious names. It wouldn't matter if it wasn't also kick-ass rock'n'roll, but of course they pull that off flawlessly. See, learning can be fun!
The Hellacopters - Where the action is
The story of Finnish folk act Värttinä, "Korkeelta ja kovvoo", from author Kimmo Nevalainen was originally published in 2001 and now he's done a follow-up revision with the title "Värttinä – Mierontiella ja punaisella matolla". The official release date is October 25 and there will be a celebration at Tavastia Club on October 28 in Helsinki. For all us non-Finnish speakers, keep an eye out for an English version by author Jim Thompson in 2009.
Satyricon will perform in India in early November at the Great Indian Rock Festival. Dates:
11/01 - Mumbai
11/03 - Pune
11/07 - Bangalore
Norwegian act Nullskattesnylterne now has their new video for "Placebo" posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko07R-R0ZJA
If ordered a copy of the new Hello Saferide CD "More modern short stories from Hello Saferide" I'm happy to report that they have finally arrived and will be shipped out shortly. Everyone else, go here to place an order: [click here]
As always, copies on-hand are limited so be sure to act fast.
This year's Swedish/Norwegian music industry conference The New Union will be taking place in Oslo on November 18 and will feature seminars on live music promotion, publishing and more. Details at MI: http://www.musikindustrin.se/artikel/185/Det_drar_ihop_sig_for_The_New_Union.html (in Swedish)
You can also go directly to the conference website here: http://www.thenewunion.se/
Pitchfork's Marc Hogan reports from yesterday's Hello Saferide show: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/146760-cmj-wednesday-marc-hogan