Cosmic Hearse pays tribute to Esa from Swedish act Disarm who recently passed away: http://cosmichearse.blogspot.com/2008/06/to-valhalla-esa.html
Listen to four tracks off the new Erik Halldén album "Memories, oh, the memories": http://www.myspace.com/erikhalldenmusic
It comes out July 12 via Cosy Recordings and will be celebrated with a release party at Sugar Bar in Stockholm along with Johan Hedberg.
The new Carpark North single "Shall we be grateful?" will begin streaming on Myspace this Monday, June 30: http://www.myspace.com/carparknorth
The official release date is July 14.
Aversionline looks back at mid-90s Göteborg metal scene also-rans Gardenian: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2008/06/27/gardenian-two-feet-stand-cd/
Marit Bergman's new single "300 slow days in a row" featuring Titiyo is now available to her subscribers. I'd expect it to be streaming on myspace next week maybe with the (very entertaining) Cecilia Nordland (Monkeystrikes) directed video to follow.
Norwegian act Real Ones will release their new single "Ballad of an old man" on June 30. Preview at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/realonesmusic
Pitchfork reviews Kleerup: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/51044-kleerup
Also posted, an mp3 from Juvelen who, as I mentioned before, will be playing a few NYC shows coming up: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/51412-juvelen-hanna-mp3stream
MP3: Cortex - Animals (...looking at me)
As I've been saying, one of my main missions while in Sweden was to acquire old vinyl I wouldn't be able to find anywhere else, primarily Swedish postpunk from the 80s. The one act at the very top of my list: Cortex. For those already in the know, Cortex vinyl is rare and highly desirable, so I didn't have much luck, but I did score a copy of their final release, the "Animals (...looking at me)" 7" so I didn't have to come home completely empty handed. It's a killer record too, a claustrophobic, paranoid chant over stomping distorted drums and wailing guitar. Also note the particularly strong Freddie Krüger influence (he is credited for "useful inspiration"). As for the b-side "Tears in the rain", well, it's a ballad and it's pretty good, but it's definitely a b-side. It points more in the direction that Freddie Wadling was heading, not so much where he came from (goth/punk). Still though, without a doubt, one of Sweden's best artists. Well worth the money I paid for it, now I just need to score a copy of "Spinal injuries"...
Cortex - Animals (...looking at me)
Svart
Älskade, älskade du EP
self-released
The other day while chatting with my friend about Håkan Hellström, she became frustrated with me when I described the artist as a symbol of Gothenburg, sitting on an icon throne. She laughed when I gave him a simile Halo thing. She contended that we need something in addition than Hellström in this town. The curious coincidence about this; the same day I stumbled on a band that made me say, a new Håkan sound! Is this his little brother that isn't supposed to be like him? (Swedes you get it). No it's not, I am talking about the band Svart, with their EP "Älskade älskade du". These guys are delivering Swedish indiepop, from the generation that grew up with Broder Daniel, Melody Club, The Ark and was influenced by my halo guy above, but also by Bad Cash Quartet and Hello Saferide. A fascinating blend isn't it? And it serves, it serves, it serves! This is as a rowdy popsicle that all of us may want to taste, infinitely, this summer. This EP consists of 5 songs, all good, my favorites is for sure "Elin när hon dansar and Tåget", which makes me think of Per Gessle's "Här kommer alla känslorna på en och samma gång" and Kristian Anttila's "Paul Weller", a great combo. I will bring this EP to the summer evenings with barbecuing and give Svart applause since they are giving us something extra and something original that can be described as Student-life music. Finally, People! We have something more to listen to than "För sent för edelweiss" this summer. This is a sunny-romance, spreading love and delight. 5 songs could be more, I want more! However... my friend told me she likes it. Is this something we asked for? What do you think?
- Therese Buxfäldt
Norwegian pop artist Elvira Nikolaisen's video for her new single "Will you fight for me?" is now on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9cyWCThCf0
Via Swedesplease, here's an surprisingly decent article on the behind-the-scenes aspect of Swedish music promotion abroad: http://digital.spin.com/spin/200807/?pg=78&pm=2&u1=friend
Anders at ExMS is a great guy and yes, his office really is like a bunker. A bit nicer inside than my own home setup, but still the truth.
Carpark North's new Brian Sperber-produced album will be out in September. Look for the first single to be released soon.
Music blog Winnie Cooper interviews 1/2 of Swedish electro act Rocca: http://winniecooper.net/2008/06/winnie-interviews-christoffer-of-rocca/
Check out the quirky stop-motion animated video for "Modern man", the new single from Danish artist Music for Modern Man: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=36975889