Shpy - Lated (video)

Shpy = Daniel Vegerfors (Elias & the Wizzkids, Yamon Yamon) and Simon Karlsson (The Third Try Club). Listen to their debut EP "Springs" here: http://shpy.se/

Elias & the Wizzkids tour GAS

New tourdates for Elias & the Wizzkids:

09/13 - Weekender, Innsbruck (AUS)
09/15 - Gaswerk, Winterthur (CH)
09/16 - La Catrina, Zürich (CH)
09/17 - KiFF, Aarau (CH)
09/18 - Kornhauskeller, Waldshut (GER)

Sirius playlist week #27

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. TALK 1
02. Makthaverskan - Inside of me
03. Swedish House Mafia - One
04. Elias & the Wizzkids - Waste of time
05. TALK 2
06. The Animal Five - Dancing on my own
07. Miasmal - Creation of fire
08. The Aches - Count slowly to ten
09. Karin Ström - Reptilian brain
10. TALK 3
11. Dear Euphoria - No more time to weep
12. Delay Trees - Cassette 2012
13. Sort Sol - Marguerita
14. TALK 4
15. The Tallest Man on Earth - The wild hunt
16. Cut City - The sound and the sore
17. The Hives - Civilization's dying
18. The Nature - Din medicin
19. TALK 5
20. Kaka - Below this sun
21. The Scrags - Psycho cyclone
22. On Volcano - Ride the wolf
23. TALK 6

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Elias & the Wizzkids - Waste of time (video)

Elias & the Wizzkids get all retro with a little help from Therese Johansson of Lowood. Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVMoccMtx08

Elias & the Wizzkids - Crooked road (live video)

Check out a live video of Elias & the Wizzkids performing "Crooked roads" with an old church organ in Luleå: http://www.eliasandthewizzkids.se/wp/wp-content/uploads/crooked_lulte%C3%A52.mov

Elias & the Wizzkids
Just do it!
Hybris

After releasing two stellar singles in 2009, Elias & the Wizzkids have returned with their second album, "Just do it!". They have changed their sound immensely since the early days, and said singles alluded to the band's new, finely honed pop sound and clean production as opposed to the alt-country leanings of their first record. I must say thought, it's quite enjoyable hearing Elias Åkesson's scratchy voice over the lush arrangements of this new set (see "Oh these nights" with it's anthemic chorus). However, the band doesn't fully forsake their old sound, they just consolidated it to the closing track "What would kill us". And it works so well, because each track recalls varying influences, and excels wholly on its own. The 80s-leaning opener "Waste of time", the 70s-pop-meets-Beatles aspect of "Crooked road" and the absolutely huge "Hit & run". But the underlying strength of each one makes this a much more cohesive set than this review may lead on -- the structure of the album is as impeccable as the songwriting and performance. It's hard not to gush (in the professional sense) over a great album, but when one hears it, it is the logical conclusion.
- Matt Giordano

Elias & the Wizzkids - Stormy weather

The new Elias & the Wizzkids album "Just do it!" is out now via Hybris and the band is now streaming their latest single "Stormy weather" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/eliasandthewizzkids

Hybris 2010

New releases in works from Swedish label Hybris:

Elias & the Wizzkids – Just do it! (March 1)
Monty – 2010 (March 7)
Familjen – tba (spring)
Far & son - Ett hjärta av brons (fall)
Hell On Wheels – tba (fall)

Elias & the Wizzkids album pushed back to March

Hybris has pushed back the release of the new Elias & the Wizzkids album "Just do it" to March 1 and yes, it will be available on both CD and vinyl.

Sirius playlist week #49

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Interlace - Nemesis
02. TALK 1
03. Kråkesølv - Skredder
04. Mata de Leon - He's alright
05. Agent Side Grinder - 210-392
06. TALK 2
07. Lapko - I shot the sheriff
08. Obliteration - Exterminate
09. Frivolvol - Blades of steel
10. Adam McCormack - Dead sailor
11. TALK 3
12. Marvins Revolt - Organize your arms
13. The Bear Quartet - Least loved (of the unloved)
14. Håkan Lidbo - Let's rock
15. TALK 4
16. Eskatol - Hevn
17. Elias & the Wizzkids - Oh these nights
18. Grande Roses - Factory
19. C.Aarmé - Assuan
20. TALK 5
21. Le Sport - Love in stereo

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Elias & the Wizzkids confirm new album, single

Elias & the Wizzkids have confirmed that their new Andreas Söderlund-produced album "Just do it" will be released on February 2. The first single "Oh these nights" will be officially released on December 2, but you can already check out for free right here: http://www.eliasandthewizzkids.se/OhTheseNights/

Elias & the Wizzkids on tour in Northern Europe:

10/02 - Raw Temple, Berlin (GER)
10/03 - NBI Club, Berlin (GER)
10/05 - Subway to Peter, Chemnitz (GER)
10/06 - Konstanz, Konstanz (GER)
10/07 - 59:1, München (GER)
10/08 - Dimensione BarCafe, Winterthur (CH)
10/09 - La Catrina, Zurich (CH)
10/10 - Gare de Lion, Wil (CH)
10/11 - Kornhauskeller, Waldshut (GER)
10/13 - Fluc, Wien (AUS)
10/15 - Hasenschaukel, Hamburg (GER)

Elias & the Wizzkids
A little mess
Hybris

Part alt-country, part Buddy Holly and part indiepop is the make-up of Elias & The Wizzkids on their debut full-length "A little mess" and it's a solid effort from start to finish. Split into two halves, the beginning of the record is like a sunny afternoon, bright and fast, whilst the ending is more subdued and akin to a fireside dusk, mellow and full of purpose. Tempos found on "I wish", "Acknowledge me" and the stellar "The dance" get the heads bopping in the first half. "Fourth of July" and "Friday night" offer a dwelling for the listener with their warmth and personal feel. However, in track six we find "The mermaid", perhaps the album's best song, with its reminiscent romanticism through fairytale characters making complete sense. All in all, "A little mess" maybe so emotionally, but organized and logical, just as we all are.
- Matt Giordano

MP3: Elias & the Wizzkids - I wish

Elias and the Wizzkids' folsky indiepop isn't the sort of thing I'd expect to hear from the label Hybris, but then again, as one of Sweden's most forward-thinking labels, they revel in defying expectations. "I wish" is an incredibly charming upbeat number with fun, self-depreciating lyrics and a driving country feel. The beauty is in its simplicity - a few quick verses with an easy setup ("I wish I had...") followed by a smirky, self-satisfied chorus. The third verse breakdown leads to self-discovery and then we get a big double-chorus finale to wrap things up. Pop perfection? It's mighty close. Sometimes the classic formulas are all you need.

Elias & the Wizzkids - I wish

Sweden's Peace & Love Festival is going on the road to Santiago in Chile and sending a handful of Swedish acts along for the ride including Mando Diao, Miss Li, Advance Patrol and Elias & the Wizzkids. The dates are January 4-5 and there should more info online here soon: http://www.peaceandlove.nu/