Fluxblog has a new unreleased track from Annie for download: http://www.fluxblog.org/2005/07/youre-in-sleepless-dream-annie-and.html

I wouldn't normally mention something like this, but since it's a slow news day: Splendid is reporting that Ben Gibbard (Death Cab, Postal Service) and Norwegian pop princess Annie are an item. Gasp! (oh, and be sure to read the disclaimer)

The SF Bay Guardian interviews Annie: http://www.sfbg.com/39/39/art_music_heartbeat.html

Updated info for Annie's "sweetest fucking tour of the summer":

06/28 - Hiro Ballroom, New York, NY
06/29 - Scenic, New York, NY
06/30 - Sonotheque, Chicago, IL
07/01 - Mighty, San Francisco, CA
07/02 - Virgin Sunset Instore, Los Angeles, CA
07/03 - Standard Downtown Rooftop, Los Angeles, CA
07/05 - Cinespace, Los Angeles, CA

I'd go myself, but the SF date is the day I'm moving to Washington state. Anyhow, if you're interested there's more detailed info here: http://www.vice-recordings.com/annie/

Annie
Live @ Koko, London, 06/16/05

Annie performed her debut London gig at this incredibly plush venue on one of the first stifling hot nights of the year. After a smattering of DJ appearances earlier in the year, Annie's first London live performance was well anticipated. Although, only billed as the support to St. Etienne, the venue was packed to the rafters by the time Annie hit the stage. Accompanied by a DJ who introduced her by playing a Blondie record, Annie was clad in a down to earth floaty white top and black jeans. This non-pretentious appearance acted as a subtle sign that Annie is destined the masses, and not just for the style and fashion press. In this sense, it's hard to understand how her debut album "Anniemal" has failed to crossover at present. In her performance we are treated to gems such as the perfect pop of "Chewing gum" and "Heartbeat", Pitchfork's favourite song of last year. The live airing of "Chewing gum" featured a cute exchange between Annie and her DJ, via use of a vocoder. Alongside the standout songs on "Anniemal", a couple of new songs are played including one featuring the repeated line "Will you marry me," accompanied by some cheeky finger pointing at the crowd. Ultimately, these songs are dance music with an added pop sensibility. Tonight the people wanted to dance, something which the absurdly busy nature of the venue did ill afford
- Nick Levine

PopMatters posts two reviews of Annie: one / two

Pitchfork interviews hyped Norwegian pop princess Annie: http://pitchforkmedia.com/interviews/a/annie-05/

The lineup for the Iceland Airwaves festival in October has been announced: http://www.icelandairwaves.com/news.asp?newsID=59&pageID=14
Scandinavian artists include The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Annie and José González along with local Icelandic acts Nine Elevens, Ampop, Apparat Organ Quartet, Bang Gang, Brain Police, Deep Jimi, Dr. Discoshrimp, Dikta, Eberg, Forgotten Lores, Gus Gus, Hairdoctor, Hjálmar, Jagúar, Jan Mayen, Leaves, Kimono, Mínus, Rass, Sign, Ske, Vinyl and Without Gravity.

The Baltimore City Paper talks to Norwegian pop starlet Annie: http://www.citypaper.com/music/story.asp?id=10019

Hyped Norwegian pop singer Annie is doing a bunch of DJ gigs along with Timo Kaukolampi in the US starting at the end of June. And, as Pitchfork says, she will indeed step up to "rock the mic" at said gigs, too. Her full tour schedule:

06/03 - 333 , London, England w/Raiders of the Lost Arp
06/04 - Mish Mash @ Cargo , London, England w/Caged Baby
06/05 - Horse Meat Disco @ Dukes Vauxhall, London (UK)
06/15 - Concorde 2, Brighton (UK) w/Saint Etienne
06/16 - Koko, London (UK) w/Saint Etienne
06/17 - ABC, Glasgow (SCO) w/Saint Etienne
06/28 - Hiro Ballroom, New York, NY
06/29 - Scenic, New York, NY
06/30 - Sonotheque, Chicago, IL
07/01 - Mighty, San Francisco, CA
07/02 - tba, Los Angeles, CA
07/03 - Standard Downtown Rooftop, Los Angeles, CA
07/05 - Cinespace, Los Angeles, CA

The New York Times profiles Annie: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/arts/music/01rose.html?

Coolfer relays (mostly) disappointing reviews from Annie's recent hyped show in NYC: http://www.coolfer.com/blog/archives/2005/04/its_a_hard_knoc.html

Hyped Norwegian pop artist Annie will be doing a special DJ recording billed as an alternative to a live act. She'll be working with Finnish producer Timo Kaukolampi (And the Lefthanded, Op:l Bastards) to create a mix called "The Annie Mix - Decks, Beatbox and Vox" that will feature her own music interspersed with other artists along with sampler work, effects and her vocals. Their label says it will be "a severly tight and very dancy crossover set between 60 and 120mins of electro, rock and disco and will be available throughout the summer." More info soon?

Here's this week's MTVe UpNorth video chart:

01. Moneybrother - They're Building Walls Around Us
02. Smak - Hallanvaara
03. Darin - Money For Nothing
04. Thomas Dybdahl - A Lovestory
05. Christian Walz - Never Be Afraid Again
06. Hammerfall - Bloodbound
07. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö
08. Lazyboy - Underwear Goes Inside The Pants
09. In Flames - Touch Of Red
10. Annie - My Heartbeat
11. The 69 Eyes - Lost Boys
12. Beats And Styles - Two White Monkeys
13. LAB - When Heaven Gets Dirty
14. Sugarplum Fairy - Far Away From Man
15. Moder Jords Massiva - Fast Attack/ Slow Decay
16. Mendez - Is That Ok
17. Husky Rescue - City Lights
18. Jim Stärk - Morning Song
19. Håkan Hellström - En Midsommarnattsdröm
20. Deportees - Champagne

Challengers:
01. Elin Sigvardsson - Stupid Sunday Song
02. The Margarets - Surf Alone
03. Anna Ternheim - My Secret
04. Simone - Last Days And Nights Of Rock'n'Roll
05. Angu - Red Light

Go here to vote for your favorite.

Norway's Annie will have her acclaimed album "Anniemal" released in the US on May 24 via Big Beat/Atltanic.