The Mary Onettes are heading to southern Europe for a few dates at the end of September:
09/29 - MusicBox, Lisboa (POR)
10/01 - O Meu Mercedes, Oporto (POR)
10/02 - Playa Club, A Coruña (ESP)
10/03 - Donosti Klubba Festival, Donosti / San Sebastián (ESP)
10/04 - Tribeca Club, Oviedo (ESP)
Kongh plans to enter the studio this fall to record their new album, tentatively titled "Shadows of the shapeless". Expect an early 2009 release, but in the meantime, be sure to catch them on tour with labelmates Switchblade - dates (and samples) at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kongh
Swedish indie act Stella Rocket say that their new album is finally on the way. No exact date yet, but I think it might be out by the end of the year.
Check out a new Takeaway Show episode featuring Lykke Li and El Perro Del Mar: http://www.blogotheque.net/Lykke-Li-et-El-Perro-Del-Mar
If you've ever had the opportunity to see Christian Kjellvander in concert or have heard the live tracks off the "Introducing the past" collection, you know that he is an impressive performer. Whether he's playing solo, with a full band or alone with his wife Karla-Therese as is the case on today's track, his voice stands out, shining through in his rich, clear baritone. I'm most familiar with the Johnny Cash version of "Southern accents" from the "Unchained" album, but the track is actually a Tom Petty original and the title track to his 1985 album. Petty, as you'd expect, tends to sound a bit more pop/mainstream on the original and Cash lends it more of a gospel touch with his clear, booming diction and backing organ, however, the Kjellvanders make it their own by keeping things very subdued and very country. They also layer on a few exceptional bluegrass vocal harmonies, a subtle but important touch. Most importantly though, it's their show of restraint that separates them. Listen to either of the other two versions after this one and you might start thinking they're a bit too melodramatic and overwrought. It's certainly happening to me.
Christian & Karla-Therese Kjellvander - Southern accents
Amalie RiisSafe and sound is right, this record takes no risks. Amalie Riis has a nice voice and I'm sure she's got a great heart, but her emotional resonance is close to nil. In a world filled with aspiring singer/songwriters, it takes much more to stand out from the pack and simply being "nice" is never enough. No amount of talent can make up for lack of creativity, though sometimes that can be overcome by force of personality or sheer energy. Sorry to say, her skills are not being put to good use. Which is not to say this album is entirely lacking highlights, it's just that they shine so dimly. I enjoy the ethereal Emmylou Harris-esque opener "Nothing you can do about it" and the John Prine homage "My heaven" is also decent (even if it is actually a Laurie McClain song), but the rest passes by without leaving much of a wake. Perfectly pleasant, though also perfectly forgettable. Say no to mediocrity.
- Avi Roig
Premonition Records (The End Will Be Kicks) will be releasing a new 8-track CD from Umeå act BillyEd in the near future. Hear samples: http://www.myspace.com/billyedmusic
Here's a video clip of Jonna Lee performing an acoustic version of the new track "The last night": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rytOznrTCQ
Sahara Hotnights will tour Europe with Sugarplum Fairy as support to promote the international release of "What if leaving is a loving thing":
09/23 - Matrix, Bochum (GER)
09/24 - Doornoosje, Nijmegen (NL)
09/25 - Modernes, Bremen (GER)
09/26 - Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg (GER)
09/27 - Sputnikhalle, Munster (GER)
09/28 - Kamp, Bielefeld (GER)
09/29 - Burgerhaus Stollwerk, Cologne (GER)
10/01 - Colo-sal, Aschaffenburg (GER)
10/02 - ISC, Bern (CH)
10/03 - Kofmehl, Solothurn (CH)
10/04 - Orpheum, Graz (AUS)
10/05 - Rockhouse, Salzburg (AUS)
10/06 - Arena, Wien (AUS)
10/07 - Backstage, München (GER)
10/09 - Columbia Club, Berlin (GER)
10/10 - Musikzentrum, Hannover (GER)
10/11 - Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)
New tourdates for Quit Your Dayjob:
09/18 - Tsunami, Köln (GER)
09/19 - Kulturladen, Konstanz (GER)
09/20 - Babalu, Munchen (GER)
09/21 - Szene Wien, Wien (AUS)
09/23 - SO36, Berlin (GER)
09/24 - Chemiefabrik, Dresden (GER)
09/25 - Pretty Vacant, Düsseldorf (GER)
09/26 - Amp, Münster (GER)
09/27 - Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg (GER)
Swedish indierockers Artmade are streaming their new single "Ghost" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/artmade
The band's new album "1614" will be out on August 15.
Danish pop act Alphabeat has added a bunch of new dates to their fall European tour itinerary: http://www.thisisalphabeat.com/gigs
Those Elias and the Wizzkids tourdates I told you about earlier this month are finally starting to come together: http://www.myspace.com/eliasandthewizzkids
The Silent Ballet on the new Jeniferever EP "Nangijala": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/1596/Default.aspx
