David Fridlund (David & the Cititzens) will be going into Fashion Police Studios in Stockholm this November to finally begin work on his next full-length album.
Labrador is offering up the new Legends single "Seconds away" as a free download: http://www.labrador.se/mp3/the_legends-seconds_away.mp3
If you dig feedback squall pop ala JAMC/Pascal/etc., you'll dig this. I'm not normally a Legends fan, but I am definitely into it. C'mon, who doesn't love shrill feedback braindrills? Not me! Anyhow, the official date for the disc release (w/b-side remixes and so on) is November 5.
The excellent melancholy Danish rock act Skywriter will have their album "Where both worlds never meet" released in Germany on October 10, so of course they'll also be coming over for a few shows:
10/09 - Kofferfabrik, Fürth
10/10 - Cafe Panam, Leipzig
10/11 - Astra Stube, Hamburg
10/12 - Forum, Bielefeld w/Ef
10/15 - Zwölfzehn, Stuttgart
Hear samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/skywriterdk
This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:
01. Odd Nordstoga - Pilegrim
02. Maria Mena - Cause & Effect
03. Øystein Sunde - Meget i Sløyd
04. Rita Eriksen - Hjerteslag
05. Diverse artister - Mgp Jr 2008
06. Tommy Tokyo feat Starving For My Gravy - Smear Your Smiles Back On
07. Kjell Inge Torgersen - Gnist
08. Smurfene - Smurfeparty
09. Kurt Nilsen - Rise To The Occasion
10. Espen Lind - Army of one
11. Helge Toft - 5500
12. Jarle Bernhoft - Ceramik City Chronicles
13. Knutsen & Ludvigsen - Dum og deilig -beste
14. Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart
15. Vassendgutane - Xo
16. Silver - Wolf Chasing Wolf
17. Lillebjørn Nilsen - 40 spor
18. Real Ones - All For The Neighbourhood
19. Ingenting - Kjempegreier
20. Lindstrom - Where you go I go to
Oh Laura is heading to Australia for a few shows in late November:
11/27 - Basement, Sydney
11/29 - Queenscliff Festival, Queenscliff
11/30 - Manchester Lane, Melbourne
Swedish AOR duo Strangers in Wonderland have confirmed that their debut album "Shadows" will be released on October 6 via Last Refrain Music and you can preview the entire damn thing at their website: http://www.strangersinwonderland.com/
Swedish art-rock act A Gilbert Play will release their new album "Lay lay" next week via Dreamboat Music. More info: http://www.dreamboat.se/
Finnish label Verdura will be putting out new albums from noiserockers Candy Cane, Mother Goose (with a newly revamped lineup) and Hetero Skeleton in the near future. No dates yet on any of them, but I'll keep you posted.
MP3: Kiki Pau - Pit bull
Pop music with a touch of swing? I can get behind that. We don't need another full-on scene revival, but sure, I'll support a band that wants to jazz it up a bit. Finland's Kiki Pau does a decent job at it, though I get the sense they're holding themselves back. Shouldn't a song called "Pit bull" be a bit more... invigorating? Angry, even? Or would that just be reinforcing negative stereotypes? Not all bullies are that way, I know. Anyhow, the people doing those backing vocals sound like they'd rather be anywhere else and the solo section never really takes off quite like I hoped. Still, it's good to hear a band doing something a little different beyond the usual indiepop templates. I'm good with that.
Kiki Pau - Pit bull
Aversionline on Norwegian "beatdown" hardcore act Last to Remain: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2008/09/24/last-to-remain-operation-beatdown-cd/
Swedish artist Tvärvägen has a new single called "September" posted for free download today: http://www.myspace.com/tvarvagen
Tvärvägen is the band of Henrik Öhberg who also plays with both alt-country act Ironville and hip-hop duo Amok. Look for his album "Sånger från Tvärvägen" this fall via Knoppar.
Viola pays tribute to departed friend and sound engineer Henry "Henkka" Waldén, a man who worked with many prominent Finnish punk/indie acts: http://www.ifsociety.com/viola/news.php?newsid=54
The new album "Fantom zone" from Finnish act Jolly Jumpers is now streaming in its entirety at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jollyjumpers
Hybris has announced the signing of Jonathan Johansson and will be releasing his debut single "En hand i himlen" on October 28 with an album to follow in February. Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jonathanojohansson