Here's the video for the new Maskinen single "Segertåget": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kZ8U3WWHTU
Pitchfork reviews the expanded digital release of the new Love Is All EP "Wishing well": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/51447-love-is-all-wishing-well-5-ep
There's a new Förmögenhet track up on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/formogenhet
Said track will appear on the upcoming 7" comp "Den magiska cirkeln"
MP3: On Volcano - Out of sight
Okay, time for one last mid-year highlight. On thinking about who to cover, I knew I had to do something non-Swedish since a lot of the higher rated stuff from thereabouts is rightfully getting the attention it deserves (and no, I'm not talking about Kleerup). So Finland it is! I was inclined to do another Frivolvol post¹, but I figure that would be too much negativity for one week. They are, after all, one of the most nihilistic/misanthropic bands I've heard in quite some time. Instead I give you another track from indierock shoegazers On Volcano. I know I only just got their debut EP "My sleep was filled with dreams" quite recently², but it's been on steady rotation ever since it arrived. Further proof of my devotion: I purchased a number of copies for resale knowing full well that they are an obscure act with no profile whatsoever. It's worth it to me, they are that good. As I said last time, the band started out doing postrock and you can still hear that in their sound, but they've honed and refined the approach to be more pop-oriented, much thanks to frontwoman Minna's prominent vocals. "Out of sight" is a perfect example as it starts off in dreampop land before getting direct and to-the-point on the chorus. Wait for the breakdown too- that's the best part! Totally unexpected, but absolutely perfect.
On Volcano - Out of sight
Swedish rockers Diamond Dogs have four new tracks off their new album "Most likely" posted for listening at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/diamonddogssweden
Buffet Libre's 80s Rewind Project featuring a wide variety of bands covering their fave 80s classics is now online for perusal: http://www.buffetlibre.net/
Swedish artists include Friday Bridge, Lucknow Pact, Social Services, We Are Soldiers We Have Guns, Band In Box, Adventure Kid and more.
Kranium Records is giving away a free limited-edition 7" to the first 170 people who order the new Nitad CD. Hear a track "Mina tanker" and view the awesome cover art at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kraniumrecords
Swedish noiserockers Voices Break the Silence have a couple new tracks on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/voicesbreakthesilence
If you miss Seven Feet Four, be sure to check these guys out.
The new single "Utopia" from The Soundtrack of Our Lives is streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/officialtsool
Swedish d-beat punks Wolfbrigade have a brand new track called "Barren dreams" up on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/wolfbrigadeofficial
Expect the new album "Comalive" to be ready for release in time for the band's US tour in September.
The folks at the fine Finnish indie label If Society have started a blog: http://www.ifsociety.com/blog.php?page=1
Peter Morén (Peter Bjorn and John) is supporting José Gonzáles on a few upcoming UK dates:
08/28 - St Georges Music Hall, Bradford (UK)
08/29 - Roadmender, Northampton (UK)
08/31 - Regents Park Open Air Theatre, London (UK)
Norwegian indie act Je Suis Animal is coming to the UK at the end of the month:
07/27 - Indietracks Festival, Derbyshire
07/30 - The Gramophone, London
07/31 - Nice n Sleazy, Glasgow
08/01 - Henrys Cellar, Edinburgh
08/02 - Labour Club, Northampton
08/05 - Madame Jo Jo's, London
Finnish act Rubik have started work on their second album. The band is currently at Magnusborg Studio where they plan on recording 20 songs, 10 of which will end up on the final product in early 2009.
New Audrey tourdates:
07/20 - PMK, Innsbruck (AUS)
07/21 - La Fortezza Delle Donne - Festival, Mirandola (ITA)
07/22 - Villa Merkel, Esslingen (GER)
07/24 - Cafe Panam, Leipzig (GER)
07/25 - Steinbruch, Duisburg (GER)
07/26 - L*Abore Festival, Hauptmannsgrün (GER) w/Scraps of Tape
Expect the band to be back on the road this fall too.