Icona Pop and Mirel Wagner are the two Scandinavian representatives on Stereogum's top 40 best new bands of 2012 list, alongside local-to-me friends Milk Music who are also well worth checking out: http://stereogum.com/1142542/stereogums-40-best-new-bands-of-2012/franchises/listomania/
The brand new Mirel Wagner video for the tune "Joe" is out now.
Finnish artists Huoratron and Mirel Wagner plus Swedish expat Theresa Andersson all have new albums profiled in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/arts/music/new-releases-from-huoratron-mirel-wagner-theresa-andersson.html?_r=3
Not sure if it means there's going to be a full US tour or what, but I see that Mirel Wagner is confirmed to play the Hopscotch Festival in Raleigh, NC this coming September: http://hopscotchmusicfest.com/
PopMatters recommends Finnish artist Mirel Wagner, calls her an "old soul": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/156551-mirel-wagner-mirel-wagner/
Pitchfork rightly praises the US release of Mirel Wagner's excellent self-titled album: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16427-mirel-wagner/
Check out Finnish/Ethiopian artist Mirel Wagner performing a couple tunes live for Le Blogotheque's renown Take Away Show. More info: http://www.blogotheque.net/2012/02/20/mirel-wagner/
The esteemed Village Voice has a sizable profile piece on Finnish/Ethiopian artist Mirel Wagner in advance of her hitting the States for SXSW: http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-02-22/music/on-mirel-wagner-and-the-alleged-death-and-apparent-spread-of-freak-folk/
The Arts Desk has posted a third installment of their Nordic Music Round-Up series: http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/just-scandinavia-nordic-music-round-3
Featured artists include Jenny Hval, Alog, Mirel Wagner, Black Twig, Firefox AK, Karin Park, Den Svenska Tystnaden and many more.
Finnish artist Mirel Wagner got playlisted by Pitchfork: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/13079-no-death/
I haven't heard the entire album yet, but it's gotten rave reviews from abroad and all of the samples I've heard have been great.
Finnish artist Mirel Wagner will be coming to London for a few dates:
01/26 - Ja Ja Ja @ The Lexington
02/02 - Green Note Cafe
02/04 - Shhh Festival @ The Gallery Cafe
The next Ja Ja Ja Scandinavian music showcase has been set for January 26 at The Lexington in London and will feature a very strong lineup including Giana Factory, Philco Fiction and Mirel Wagner. Full details: http://www.jajajamusic.com/index.php/2011/12/new-show-ja-ja-ja-w-giana-factory-philco-fiction-mirel-wagner/
The semi-finalists for the 2011 Nordic Music Prize have been revealed:
Sweden:
Anna Ternheim - The night visitor
Jonathan Johansson - Klagomuren
Loney Dear - Hall music
The Field - Looping state of mind
Mattias Alkberg - Anarkist
Lykke Li - Wounded rhymes
Anna Järvinen - Anna själv tredje
Deportees - Islands & shores
Veronica Maggio - Satan i gatan
Goran Kajfes - X/Y
Denmark:
Larsen & Furious Jane - Dolly
Michael Møller - A Month of Unrequited Love
Oh Land - Oh Land
Mikael Simpson - Noget Laant, Noget Blaat
The Late Great Fitzcarraldos - The Late Great Fitzcarraldos
Malk De Koijn - Toback To The Fromtime
Iceage - New Brigade
Thulebasen - Gate 5
When Saints Go Machine - Konkylie
Hymns From Nineveh - Hymns From Nineveh
Finland:
Von Hertzen Brothers - Stars Aligned
Röyhkä & Mattila - Kaksi lensi tuulen mukaan
22-Pistepirkko - Lime Green Delorean
French Films - Imaginary Future
Siinai - Olympic Games
Rubik - Solar
Regina - Soita mulle
Michael Monroe - Sensory Overdrive
Mirel Wagner - Mirel Wagner
Chisu - Kun valaistun
Iceland:
Sóley - We Sink
Lay Low - Brostinn strengur
Ham - Svik, harmur og dauði
Sin Fang - Summer Echoes
ADHD - ADHD2
FM Belfast - Don’t Want To Sleep
Gus Gus - Arabian Horse
Mugison - Haglél
Björk - Biophilia
Apparat Organ Quartet - Pólýfónía
Norway:
Razika - Program ’91
Lars Vaular - Du betyr meg
Jonas Alaska - Jonas Alaska
Team Me - To The Treetops!
Ane Brun - It All Starts With One
Stein Torleif Bjella - Vonde Visu
120 Days - 120 Days II
Montée - Renditions Of You
John Olav Nilsen og Gjengen - Det nærmeste du kommer
Martin Hagfors - I like you
This list will eventually be culled down to a final 12 on December 1 before the winner is crowned on February 16.
It has now been confirmed that the European release of Mirel Wagner's self-titled album will happen on October 21 via .
has signed Finnish folk/blues artist Mirel Wagner and will be taking her self-titled album, previously released inside Scandinavia via , and releasing it across Europe this coming fall. Listen: http://soundcloud.com/bone-voyage/mirel-wagner-no-death