Check out Pretty in Panic, the new musical project of Jenny Kellerman: http://www.myspace.com/prettyinpanic
Jenny (sister of Rasmus from Tiger Lou and sister-in-law to Andrea of Firefox AK) used to front the excellent low-key country act Dexter's Moon, but since that band is on hiatus, she decided to do something new. Mikael Bengtsson aka Juni Järvi produces and sings harmony on one of the songs posted. Rasmus Sandsten also contributes guest vocals as well.

Today's track reviews at Pitchfork are all Swedish indiepop: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/track_reviews
Both Firefox AK and Hello Saferide CDs are available from my mailorder.

Firefox AK will be relocating to Berlin in early October to begin work on her next record.

MP3: Araki - Love to run

I have already posted today's mp3 selection elsewhere, but it's far too good for me to leave it at that. The entire "Love to run" EP in which Firefox AK lends her song to the Kellerman clan for reinterpretation is amazing, but of all the versions, husband Rasmus (perhaps better known as Tiger Lou and billed here as Araki) delivers the kicker. The original version (available for streaming here) is kind of an upbeat electropop number and in Rasmus' hands, it turns into something much darker and more reflective. It's amazing how the entire mood is changed by switching the lead synth melody to guitar and stripping away the dance-heavy beat. Rasmus' plaintive vocals take you to an entirely different place, but I don't think it sounds sad, I think it sounds like love. The gentle way he handles and transforms his wife's composition is a thing of beauty all its own. The rest of the EP is damn good too, but this... this is special. [BUY IT]

Araki - Love to run

Once again I was graciously asked to contribute to a group post at Good Hodgkins and there's no way I could turn it down. This week's subject is cover songs that outdo the originals and my contributions are Araki vs. Firefox AK and Collective Soul vs. Dolly Parton. Read on: http://www.goodhodgkins.com/2006/05/30/the-music-blogosphere-presents-exceptional-cover-songs/
Also be sure to read Ryan's earlier post on some of his Scandinavian music favorites: http://www.goodhodgkins.com/2006/05/29/in-observance-of-scandinavian-bands/

TONS of new mailorder stuff due to arrive any moment, but who can wait? I'm making it all available to order right now: [click here]
Not only am I getting new EPs from Hello Saferide and Firefox AK (as well as restocks of both their full-lengths), I'm also receiving the lastest from Oskar Schönning, David Lindh, Timo Räisänen and Peter, Bjorn and John.

MP3: Otur - Travels right through

Electropop with big house beats is oh-so-hot right now and I'm really not feeling it at all. It's the kind of music that's tailor-made for the dancefloor, not active listening at home. Likewise, it's also very focused on the single, not the album. There's been quite a lot of huge hype tracks, but very few of the artists have been able to follow up with satisfying full-length albums. No surprise really - that's the way this sort of stuff has always been. Proper songwriting skills aren't necessary to heat up the dancefloor. Of course there are exceptions (aren't there always?). Firefox AK is easily my favorite, but after spending a couple weeks with Otur's new album "Pepperbox hill", I can recommend her as well. The record suffers a bit for being a touch too long, but there's enough genuinely good songwriting to make up for it. The song I've posted today is surely just as strong as the first two singles and there's more where that came from. Now let's just wait and see if Otur's (aka Emma Bates) old bandmates Christina Roos and Hanna Göransson from Light Bulb Project will fair as well with the new Cat5 album.

Otur - Travels right through

Ink19 on Firefox AK: http://www.ink19.com/issues/may2006/musicReviews/musicF/firefoxAk.html
Sadly, I just ran out of copies of her full-length album "Madame, madame!" for resale, but I hope to get more ASAP. Regardless, I've still got a few copies of the "What's that sound" EP: [click here]

Also posted today, Jason Christie's review of last night's Tack! Tack! Tack! show with Marit Bergman and Firefox AK: [click here]
Sounds like a great time was had. Pity if you missed it.

Live report: Marit Bergman + Firefox AK @ Tack! Tack! Tack!, London UK 05/15/06

Don't forget: Marit Bergman and Firefox AK are playing tonight at Tack! Tack! Tack!. I do believe that the show is completely sold out, so hopefully you already got tickets if you're planning on going. Look for a full report tomorrow.

Absolut Noise does the Q&A thing with Firefox AK: http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2006/05/interview-firefox-ak_12.html

MP3: Marit Bergman - This is the year

Marit Bergman plays Tack! Tack! Tack! in London on Monday, so of course I'm obligated to post a song from her today. I know a lot of folks (especially non-Swedes) know her from her fabulous "Adios amigos" single (see the equally amazing video right here), but I'm going to take you back to her first solo album "3.00 A.M. serenades". The production values aren't as high as "Baby dry your eye", but the songs are just as strong. This is the first song from that record and it's a doozy. Marit's trademark bittersweet lyrics and a huge chorus. Beautiful. As of this posting, there's less than 10 tickets left for the show, so be sure to hook it up now if you want in.
Bonus track re-post: Firefox AK - Habibi

Marit Bergman - This is the year

Check out the video for the new Firefox AK single "Love to run": http://www.razziarecords.se/uploads/Love%20to%20run%20(Razzia).mov

Less than 25 tickets left for Monday's Tack! Tack! Tack! show with Firefox AK and Marit Bergman! If you want in, you better get on it!