Welcome to June! I've chosen Audrey's debut full-length as the album of the month and we've also got a brand new contest for you! Interested in attending this year's Peace & Love Festival in Borlänge, Sweden? I can't help with getting you there, but I can certainly help get you through the gate - click on the banner on the right for a chance to win a pair of tickets. I know that providing your phone number might seem weird and unnecessary, but rules are rules and the fest management is being strict about such things.

You can now stream four full tracks from Audrey's new album "Visible forms" at the Tenderversion website: http://www.tenderversion.com/
CDs are in-stock and available for purchase right here.

Nomethod has revealed that besides from new full-length albums and digital singles from both Mixtapes & Cellmates and Aerial, they'll be doing a comp this winter featuring a large cast of exciting Scandinavian artists. Names confirmed so far include Bobby Baby, Mixtapes & Cellmates, Kuryakin, Most Valuable Players, Aerial, Tar...Feathers, Echo Is Your Love, Cat Burglar, Penny Century, We Are Soldiers We Have Guns, Otur, Audrey and KVLR. More details to come!

Copies of the brand new Audrey album "Visible forms" just arrived on my doorstep! Buy it now: [click here]
Also just added to the store today is the debut release from Danish singer/songwriter Rasmus Helner. Check it: [click here]

For many folks, Audrey's new album "Visible forms" is one of 2006's most anticipated releases. The post-rock act's debut EP impressed a lot of people, myself included. I still haven't heard the whole thing (copies for the mailorder are on the way and should be here next week), but what I have heard is just as brilliant as I'd hoped for. Brooding, dark and beautiful; these are the key-words. Their skill-level has improved considerably too, as the string arrangements are much more involved and more compelling. I think they're working better as an ensemble as well, proof positive that touring can make a band. So check out this first little taste of the record that their label Tenderversion was kind enough to pass on and get excited for the album's release on May 9.

MP3: Audrey - Mecklenburg

For many folks, Audrey's new album "Visible forms" is one of 2006's most anticipated releases. The post-rock act's debut EP impressed a lot of people, myself included. I still haven't heard the whole thing (copies for the mailorder are on the way and should be here next week), but what I have heard is just as brilliant as I'd hoped for. Brooding, dark and beautiful; these are the key-words. Their skill-level has improved considerably too, as the string arrangements are much more involved and more compelling. I think they're working better as an ensemble as well, proof positive that touring can make a band. So check out this first little taste of the record that their label Tenderversion was kind enough to pass on and get excited for the album's release on May 9.

Audrey - Mecklenburg

In other Stereo Test Kit-related news, Audrey's debut full-length "Visible forms" is done and confirmed for release in June in the UK (May 9 in Sweden via Tenderversion). I've been fortunate enough to hear three songs already and it sounds just as amazing as I'd hoped. Also on the way from STK is a new record from Musika 77 (nee Music 77) called "Brave you free may", due out in early July.

Also on the way from Tenderversion is the much anticipated full-length from Audrey. The band will be putting the finishing touches on the recording next week and it's due out in April.

Swedish post-rockers Audrey on tour in the UK:

11/14 - Bar Bloc, Glasgow
11/15 - tba
11/16 - The Barfly, London w/The Chalets
11/17 - The Qubar, Margate w/We Are Soldiers We Have Guns
11/18 - The Glee Club, Birmingham
11/19 - tba
11/20 - The Phoenix, Manchester

Audrey will do a week of shows in the UK in November. Dates soon.

Anna from the Swedish postrock act Audrey is featured in the article on female drummers in the new issue of the "Music Hurts" webzine: http://www.musichurts.com/

Tenderversion recording artists Audrey enter the studio today with producer Paul Bothén to begin work on their debut full-length. Look for it this coming fall.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Swedish post-rock is on the rise. Bands like Logh and Audrey are already receiving international attention, but there's also plenty of worthy up-and-comers. Caterpillar Ghost is one of those bands. The group has been around for quite awhile it seems, but the new EP "My beautiful revolution" that just came out last month on Signature Tune in the UK is my first exposure to them. Their sound doesn't exactly stick to the epic soundscape blueprint of GYBE! and the like - instead, they dabble in other stylistic modes and choose to mix things up with creative off-kilter rhythms and weaving guitar lines. The song I've posted today covers all the bases and shows just how versatile these guys can be. It's also worth noting that CPG features one-quarter of the members from fellow Swedish post-rockers Jeniferever who I understand are currently recording their debut album at Tonteknik in Umeå. Either that, or they will be soon if they aren't already done. Anyhow, that's another name to potentially watch out for in this genre. Wait and see!

The UK's Stereo Test Kit Records is starting a new compilation series called "Records Make Great Pets" in which each edition will highlight the scene from a particular country. The focus on volume one? Why, Sweden of course. The tracklist:

01. El Perro Del Mar - Dog
02. Heikki - Former hero
03. Audrey - Triumphal arch
04. Britta Persson - Defrag my heart
05. Laurel Music - The way love goes
06. Caroline Soul - People I know (don't want me)
07. Melpo Mene - Don't save me
08. Club 8 - Cold hearts
09. Sambassadeur - Between the lines
10. Chasing Dorotea - The anchor song
11. Björn Kleinhenz - Out of style
12. Speedmarket Avenue - He's a rebel
13. we are soldiers we have guns - Tourists in our hometown
14. Iamuse - Dullcity (just in time)
15. Music 77 - Juniper Leo

It comes out on July 4. More details here: http://www.stereotestkit.com/pets.htm

Audrey
Live @ The Betsey Trotwood, London, 04/30/05

This was the first time I had been to the infamous Betsey Trotwood, the 60 capacity venue in Farringdon. It's the one venue in London that always seems to attract Swedish bands on their first visit to this country. The sound of Audrey is hard to pin down as they have so many fantastic influences. Prior to seeing the performance I had read about their comparisons to Low and Red House Painters. Whilst Audrey do have their sombre moments, there is also an underlying depth of their songs which suggests that beneath every cloud there is a silver lining. The band is made up of four young girls from Göteborg who display a maturity beyond their years. In fact, it is hard to believe that their recently released EP is their debut. During the performance the only song that the band play from their record is "Box and fights", which is mostly instrumental and builds up into a waltz-like pace, and features a whispered narrative from drummer/vocalist Anna Tomlin. To sum things up, Audrey make music which is as fresh as the morning on a clear spring day. With a little more touring in the UK they could well pick up a sizable cult audience.
- Nick Levine