Skatterbrain's favorite albums of the year includes quite a few Scandinavian titles such as The Honeydrips, Cats On Fire, Celestial and Club 8: http://skatterbrain.org/2007/12/skatterbrains-top-15-of-2007-woo-hey.html

Indie MP3 interviews Club 8: http://www.indie-mp3.co.uk/2007/10/club-8-part-one.html

Live report: Samuraj Cities + Club 8 @ IAT! Clubnight #2, Debaser, Malmö 10/13/07

Check a PSL live session with Club 8: http://svt-psl.colo.netstar.se/default.aspx?entryID=219

Club 8
The boy who couldn't stop dreaming
Labrador

It's usually the first record you hear by a band that remains your favorite, but Club 8 have reached new heights with their sixth outing. At it's worst, it's as good as anything they've done before. At it's best, it's more complex, personal, and compelling. The band have extraordinary credentials in a certain genre of laid back Swedish indie. Their singer Karolina Komstedt was in the band Poprace, as was their songwriter/instrumentalist Johan Angergård, who is also busy in his other bands The Legends, The Acid House Kings, and behind the scenes at Labrador Records. Club 8 is distinguished by the contrasts among Komstedt's ethereal voice, which is astoundingly pretty without ever being cloying or affected, their melancholy lyrics, and a sound that is simultaneously gentle, dark and uplifting. On this record they all shine. While the lyrics grapple with relationships that don't work, fear of mortality, questioning God, inappropriate drug use and rural desolation, the music is relaxed and airy. Her singing has never been better and the production has never made the instruments sound this good. The total effect is akin to aloe vera for the soul; it soaks in, soothes, and somehow sets things right. It's chill without the snores, twee without the cute, and sweet without the toothache.
- Nancy Baym

MP3: Club 8 - Leave the north

It's Club 8 day here at IAT and not only do we have a review of their fantastic new album, we've also got an mp3 post for you. As with said review, I'll step aside and let contributor Nancy Baym tell you all about it:

This piano and violin based song from Club 8's new record "The boy who couldn't stop dreaming" (Labrador) epitomizes all that is best about them. The lyrics confront the emptiness of Northern Sweden ("we keep our eyes on the distance/cuz desolation greets us wherever we go") and the interpersonal distances that result ("we see trees/but never anyone who talks"). Yet, even as Karolina Komstedt is singing about cold isolation forcing her to leave home forever while the violins swell ominously, it sounds so warm and welcoming one wants to curl up in the song and stay forever. It's a perfect juxtaposition that makes for a perfect song.

For those of you in or around Malmö, don't forget that Club 8 is playing the It's a Trap! Clubnight this Saturday October 13 along with fellow IAT-faves Samuraj Cities. I'm sure it's gonna be an amazing show, the only pity is that I can't be there myself.

Club 8 - Leave the north

Check out Club 8's new video for "Whatever you want": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVC-Sag5Qxo

Stream Club 8's new album "The boy who couldn't stop dreaming": http://www.labrador.se/index_lab108.php3

TOMORROW! If you happen to find yourself in or around Malmö, be sure to head down to Debaser to check out the very first It's a Trap! Clubnight featuring The End Will Be Kicks and AHRM! It's gonna be a killer, so don't miss out! Other shows booked this fall:

10/13 - Samuraj Cities and Club 8
11/15 - Death By Kite and Housewife Lovers
12/14 - Randy and Johndoe

How awesome is that? I may just have to fly out for December, if I can afford it.

The new Club 8 track "Heaven" is now available as a free download: http://www.labrador.se/mp3/club8-heaven.mp3

Pitchfork is streaming another new Club 8 track: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/forkcast/45221-club-8-heaven-mp3stream

Club 8's new album "The boy who couldn't stop dreaming" will be out September 26.

Absolut Noise talks to Johan Angergård of Labrador Records/Club 8/Acid House Kings/The Legends: http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-johan-angergard-labrador.html

Pitchfork has a new Club 8 track in their Forkcast section: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/42938-club-8-whatever-you-want-mp3

Swedish tweepop legends Club 8 are reportedly working on a new album for release sometime around summer '07. In the meantime, listen to a previously unreleased track on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/club8