Slightly off-topic, but definitely worth noting for those of us interested in Swedish culture beyond music: Daniel Ekeroth's new book "Swedish Sensationsfilms: A Clandestine History of Sex, Thrillers, and Kicker Cinema" on the wild period of Swedish cinema in the 70s and beyond will be out in March and can be previewed/ordered here: http://www.sensationsfilm.com/
I'd like to hope that will send me an advance copy for review, but somehow I doubt it.
The Silent Ballet reviews the latest Amiina album "Puzzle": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/3826/Default.aspx
We knew it was coming, now it's confirmed to be one step closer: Annika Norlin has re-recorded Säkert! material in English. No idea when it'll be out, but I'm looking forward to it.
interviews Amber Oak, a week before the release of their debut full-length "Illt": http://www.westsidefabrication.se/news/more-amber-oak/
Danish pop act Aqua are reportedly back in the studio working on new material for an album.
Stream a brand new track from Finnish act Rubik: http://soundcloud.com/fullsteam/rubik-laws-of-gravity
The band's next album "Solar", their third overall, will be released this spring via .
Next up from sister label will be Christoffer Roth's new solo single "New kind of love", due out February 11. His new album "Best in a mess" will follow on March 25.
offshoot label has announced the signing of new Swedish act World Tour. Check out their debut single "Sparks" here: http://www.cascine.us/world-tour-sparks.php
reports that Anna Järvinen's new Mattias Glavå-produced album is finished and will be released in March: http://www.strandedrecords.se/strandedrekords/stranded-blogg/2011/1/11/anna-jarvinens-nya-album-ar-fardiginspelat
The Thing are heading down under for a number of live dates as well as a recording session:
01/18 - tba Aukland (NZ)
01/20-01/21 - Vitamin S, Wellington (NZ)
01/23 - Mofo Foma Festival, Hobart (AU)
01/25 - Tura New Music, Perth (AU)
01/27 - Room 40, Brisbane (AU)
01/28 - Now Now Festival, Sydney (AU)
01/28 - SoundOut Festival, Canberra (AU)
01/30 - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (AU)
01/31-02/01 - Recording @ Head Gap Studios, Melbourne (AU)
02/02 - The Old Fire Station, Bendigo (AU)
Motorpsycho is planning on releasing a live album later this year as well as a new studio record based on the material they performed with Ståle Storløkken and the Trondheim Jazzorkester at last year's Moldejazz Festival. The band will also be touring a bit in April and here's what's confirmed so far:
04/13 - Azkena, Bilbao (ESP)
04/14 - Rocksound, Barcelona (ESP)
04/15 - 12 & Medio, Murcia (ESP)
04/16 - El Sol, Madrid (ESP)
07/14-17 - Burg Herzberg Festival, Breitenbach (GER)
Spin interviews Peter Morén of Peter Bjorn and John about a few of their songs off the forthcoming album "Gimme some": http://www.spin.com/articles/exclusive-peter-bjorn-and-john-talk-new-album
Firefox AK has announced that her new album "Colour the trees", produced by Andreas Mattsson, Lasse Mårtén and Björn Yttling, will be released in April via . The first single "Boom, boom, boom" comes out February 4.
Listen to Norway runs down the 18 Norwegian acts now confirmed for SXSW 2011: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2011011114030711899290
The list: Altaar, Benea Reach, Casiokids, Datarock, Death Crush, Forza, Harry`s Gym, DE Håker Flaten, Kvelertak, Marit Larsen, The Megaphonic Thrift, My Little Pony, Nico D & Admiral P, Serpentine, Simon Says No!, Sondre Lerche, Tôg and Youth Pictures Of Florence Henderson.
The Skull Defekts will be touring the US this spring:
03/27 - Turf Club, Minneapolis, MN
03/29 - Mission Creek Festival, Iowa City, IA
03/30 - Lemp Neighboorhood Arts Center, St. Louis, MO
03/31 - Hideout, Chicago, IL
04/01 - 31st Street Pub, Pittsburgh, PA
04/02 - Soundlab, Buffalo, NY
04/03 - Littlefield, Brooklyn, NY
04/06 - The Vintage Theatre, Scranton, PA
04/07 - Danger Danger Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
04/09 - Nightlight, Chapel Hill, NC
04/10 - The Pilot Light, Knoxville, TN
Also, in addition to the band's previously announced album featuring Daniel Higgs, now revealed to be called "Peer Amid" and due out soon via , the band will also be releasing yet another full-length LP via called "The slow storm". No release date yet, but I'll keep you posted.