Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:
01. Hello Saferide
02. Håkan Hellström
03. Detektivbyrån
04. Pelle Carlberg
05. Jens Lekman
06. Loney, Dear
07. The Radio Dept.
08. Acid House Kings
09. Air France
10. The Soundtrack of Our Lives
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/
Monday is Labor Day here in the US, so I'm hoping to spend it as far away from the computer as possible. But I won't leave you empty handed - check out our review of the new Division of Laura Lee album "Violence is timeless" or read my interview with Swedish expat artist Theresa Andersson. Regular updates will resume tomorrow.
Division of Laura LeeAfter a short, eccentric choice for an opener ("Caress/Hotnights", a track that would not have been out of place on Nirvana's "Incesticide"), "Violence is timeless" continues to bristle alive with "LAX". Combining the youthful energy of garage and punk with the sensibility of indie rock, "LAX" is a dark track that effortlessly exudes a sense of 'cool' that has been lacking from much of the contemporary scene, most likely because it feels a little more aligned with the energetic efforts of Iggy Pop than more recent efforts to combine early punk with the trendy indie movement. From the opening two tracks, the album continues to show the development of Division of Laura Lee. The title track continues to expound the album's darker tendencies, driving onwards with the purpose of bands like Convoj and The End Will Be Kicks. The lyrics from which the album derives its title -- "It makes sense to die young, back where I come from violence is timeless" -- perfectly exemplify the strange balance between cynicism, melancholy and passion that the band successfully marries. Tracks like "Anytime" and especially "3 guitars", my favorite track on the record, show the influence that artists like Sonic Youth and Pavement continue to have on contemporary music. The ending track, "Do you love me", a fantastic homage to Fugazi's "Do you like me", ends the album on a strange note similarly to how it opened, and it shouldn't be any other way. "Violence is timeless" is an exceptional album, one that reminds us of the soundtracks that led us here, that continue to push us forward.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
I already posted a track from Silverbullit as part of our ongoing Göteborg Spotlight Series, but today I'm happy a present an interview with guitarist Andreas Nilsson, an artist who's also well known for his phenomenal video work. Madrugada, José González and The Knife are just a few of the names of artists he has collaborated with. Andreas may no longer be a Gbg resident, but his contributions to the city's music and art scene are numerous. Read on...
First off, my standard intro question: how long have you lived in Gbg? What brought you there and what keeps you in town?
I moved here at age 17 to go to artschool. Lived here for 17 years, so half my life... I live in another town now, but I miss the sort of underground musicscene that Koloni, Kning Disk and Ideal bring to Gothenburg. It's amazing that a town of Gbg's size has such a big scene for this kind of stuff.
You seem to be working more visually these days as opposed to sonically - which medium would you say is your strong point? How often do the two overlap? If someone asks "so, what do you do?" how do you answer?
The way that I work is a cluster of things that I barely understand the logic of myself. But I try to overlap as much as possible. It's an ok place to be in, the twilight zone.
If someone asks me what I do, I lie and tell them I'm a horsewhisperer or something.
How was Way Out West? Were you satisfied with Silverbullit's set? See anything of note?
Playing with Silverbullit again was great. Always fun to see Simon play keyboardsolo in his patented rapestyle and we were touched by all the people that showed up.
But I didn't have time to see much else at the festival. The Bug had a great stomach-turning bass. My big festival moment this year was My Bloody Valentine at Roskilde. It was so loud that I experienced a physical reaction in my nose that I had never experienced before. It was kind of buzzing and humming the day after, very strange.
I understand you managed to get Freddie Wadling to make a guest appearance - who's idea was that? Was it a matter of mutual appreciation or did it take more wrangling to get it together?
We've been working on a track that Freddie gave us as a demo. The idea of playing together came to us in a DHL-package.
What current projects are you working on? What can we expect to see/hear from you in the next six months or so? What are the chances of a new Silverbullit album?
Just finished a video for a British band called White Lies. The track is called "Death". Today I'm in Gothenburg working at the Stadsteatern. I'm working on a play called "Butterfly Kiss" together with director Malin Stenberg. A dark and surreal text about a dysfunctional family with an urge to kill. It premiered 19th Sep for all you culture vultures out there.
Finally, got a song you would like to share, either from one of your own bands or from a local act you admire? Tell me about it!
I think people should have a listen to the band Kite from Malmö. They have a beautiful song called "My girl and I". I also like Prince of Assyria who is releasing an album on Kning Disk this fall.
Both Kite and Prince of Assyria obliged by sending in tracks for posting, but since Andreas recommended a specific Kite track, that's the one I'm going with today. Stay tuned for more on The Prince- a recommendation from Andreas Nilsson does not go unnoticed!
Kite - My girl and I
Download a new track from Swedish singer/songwriter/poet Emil Jensen: http://www.adrianrecordings.com/swedishmodell/07_Jag_ar_van.mp3
His new self-titled album comes out September 3 via Adrian Recordings.
The new Lordi album "Deadache" is confirmed for a US release on October 28 via The End Records. Hear the first single "Bite it like a bulldog" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lordi
Mad For It has a new Parker Lewis track up for download (and a far better new website design): http://www.madforit.se/
Seems to me that their supposed feud is looking fishier and fishier.
Check out a video montage of Jazkammer from their performance at Club Urga in Tokyo last February: http://www.vimeo.com/1549754
Kning Disk will be putting out a 7" vinyl/3" CDR split on October 1 featuring ASS (aka Andreas Söderström) and Rickard Jäverling. One song each, more info here: http://www.kningdisk.com/02_releases_kd055.asp?id=1055
Check out the video for "Tammen varjossa" from Finnish artists Eleanoora Rosenholm: http://www.fonal.com/media/mediaframe.php?%20id=146
Their new album "Älä kysy kuolleilta, he sanoivat" will be out on September 10 via Fonal Records.
Two new, previously unheard I'm From Barcelona tracks ("Andy" and "Headphones") are streaming at this microsite for the new album "Who killed Harry Houdini?": http://www.whokilledharryhoudini.com/
Swedish techno artists Dmitry Fyodorov's fourth and final tribute to the crust/hardcore scene is out now and is called "Obligatory jock slaughter": http://www.adrianrecordings.com/Obligatory_Jock_Slaughter_Song.mp3
Instead of being named after a famed Swedish hc act, this one comes from an old song by Chicago-based powerviolence act Charles Bronson. Witness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPfDEpE4_C4
Somewhat OT: music site Paper Thin Walls is throwing in the towel: http://www.paperthinwalls.com/featuredarticle/index?id=231
The Guardian reviews EST's swansong album "Leucocyte": http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/aug/29/jazz2
