The new Concretes single for "Warm Night" comes out September 12 which Rough Trade calls "gorgeous Scando pop with breathy female vocals somewhere between Nico and Mazzy Star." The b-side "Final Goal" was co-written by their friend Nicolai Dunger. There is also a video coming for the main track and they say it should hit Swedish airwaves by October 1.

I dunno why I neglected to post it earlier, but besides the "Ready Mades" EP with those Reverend Big O covers of The Bear Quartet, the band will also be releasing the album "Songs To Kill Your Lovers By" on October 1 through A West Side Fabrication. It was produced and mixed by Manne v. Ahn Öberg, whose previous credits include acts such as Stina Nordemstam, Nicolai Dunger, and Mercury Rev.

Nicolai Dunger will be releasing a new "Tour Edition" EP on that upcoming tour with Christian Kjellvander that will feature a few tracks from his upcoming album that he recorded with Mercury Rev.

Why wait until the press release goes out on Monday? Here's the dates for that upcoming Christian Kjellvander/Nicolai Dunger Swedish tour:

10/13 - Chinateatern, Stockholm
10/14 - Katalin, Uppsala
10/15 - Gävle Konserthus, Gävle
10/16 - Parkteatern, Örebro
10/17 - Konserthuset, Jönköping
10/18 - Konserthuset, Göteborg
10/23 - Konserthuset, Helsingborg
10/24 - Konserthuset, Västerås
11/07 - Kalmarsalen, Kalmar
11/08 - Loius De Geer Konserthuset

Tickets go on sale September 1.

That upcoming Nicolai Dunger/Christian Kjellvander tour I mentioned yesterday will actually be a co-headlining event with both artists receiving 50-50 billing. Dates are expected to be revealed on Monday.

Fireside's lastest album "Get Shot" is released in the US today. I wonder how it'll do? Look for more Scandinavian dates and possibly a full European tour later this fall.

In other Startracks-related news, Christian Kjellvander will doing a tour in October and November with his backing band Lazy Grace Frontier and Ebrelius Quartet plus support from Nicolai Dunger. Sounds like a good time to me! After that, he's gonna do some European dates in November before taking time off for recording in the US. Maybe some shows over in this part of the world too? Who knows?

Cobolt will be doing a 5-song EP for Startracks imprint StarEP that should be out sometime around September or October.

Leiah and Starmarket are both working on new records due out this spring.

Nicolai Dunger finished up the album he's doing with Mercury Rev a few weeks ago. No release date yet, but we can probably expect to see it around late fall or early next year.

Pitchforkmedia.com has relaunched with their new design today plus reviews of Nicolai Dunger - "Tranquil Isolation", the album he did with Will Oldham, and Jaga Jazzist - "The Stix".

Niklas from www.nicolaidunger.tk reports that Nicolai Dunger made a surprise appearance during the Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Will Oldham) set at the Accelerator show in Stockholm the other day. They sang a slow version of the song "Hey Mama" together and it was said to be awesome. He apparently did the same thing the night before in Göteborg, too. Anyone record it? That track comes from the album that Nicolai did together with Mr. Oldham over at his home studio in Kentucky called "Tranquil Isolation".

Glad midsommar!

Paola's updated summer tour schedule:

06/21 - Järva, Folkets Park
07/05 - Borlänge, Peace and Love
07/10 - Arvikafestivalen
07/11 - Varberg, Nöjesparken
07/17 - Skellefteå, Trästocksfestivalen
07/26 - Helsingborg, Dunkers Kulturhus
08/15 - Göteborgskalaset

Finnish death-metal supergroup Chaos Breed report that their "Unleashed Carnage" demo is being picked up for release by an as-of-yet unnamed label. They'll probably throw some other material on the disc, too. Assuming all goes well, they hope to have it out in time for the Tuska festival on July 11.

Robert Palmer has apparently covered Nicolai Dunger's "Dr. Zhivago's Train" on his new album "Drive". Weird.

Mom Pop Records, the label that will be releasing Your Halo is a Radar and Soviac in the US, is offering a free six-song sampler for those who might be interested. Simply head on over to their website and leave your address in the guestbook.

Eye Will Drown Records and Räka Produktion have set up a new festival at DIXI in Falköping, Sweden this coming November 11 called the Betong Festivalen. Bands set to play include Rentokiller, Set My Path, Liquid Phase, Troublemakers, Frost and The Mischief. For more info, go to the Räka site or email eyewilldrown@hotmail.com.

Those of you lucky folks with Roskilde tickets can view the full schedule here: http://www.roskilde-festival.dk/object.php?obj=32f000c&code=45

Laakso has finished recording sixteen new songs, some of which some will end up on the forthcoming debut full length album. Band member David Nygard says, "We are very satisfied so far. Feels like it's more alive and boiling than the EP. Jari [Haapalainen, Bear Quartet], the producer, made us scream and destroy instruments. Of course we left a few tender, acoustic numbers too, for the girls..."

MIC Norway put up a profile on Emmerhoff & The Melancholy Babies today.

Via DJ Martian comes this profile on Mew in The Guardian. Is Denmark the new Sweden?

Here's an e-card for the song "Let´s go dancing" from the new Danish band The Fashion.

Some of the bands confirmed for the Rock for Moc festival in Bergslagen, Sweden on September 5-7: Mimikry, Different Kinds, Dog Almighty, System Breakdown, Willowtree, Eskju Divine, LEASH, Splicer, Outbreak, Seventribe, Coastline. More info: www.rockformoc.com

I coulda sworn that I posted something about it ages ago, but I guess I missed it. Anyhow, The Virtues pass along the news that they will be recording two tracks for an upcoming Shawn Smith (Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhead) tribute compilation. "The Day Brings" and "I Don't Know" are the songs they're doing.

Arch Enemy will on radio station WNYU's program "Hellhole" in NYC on June 17 at 9pm and will reportedly be premiering new material from their upcoming album "Anthems of Rebellion". WNYU broadcasts at 89.1 FM and can be streamed online from www.wnyu.org.

Nicolai Dunger is currently finishing up recording of his new album with Mercury Rev in Stockholm and it should be out sometime in early 2004. His fan site also reports that there are rumors concerning a "simulated restaurant gig" called "Dunger at the Diner", whatever that means. There's also word that Nicolai will be providing backing music for an album of Edith Södergrans poems. I'll let you know when I find out more. And lastly, it looks like he'll be heading back over to the States for a couple gigs in August:

08/06 - New York, Mercury Lounge
08/07 - Chicago, Schuba's

Trewetha Records reports that they have signed the new bands Midnight Monkeys and Sister Lightyear. Midnight Monkeys is currently recording a two-song single for an August release and Sister Lightyear will have a 4-song EP coming out this fall.

Coming to Club Debaser in Stockholm on June 21-22 is the 2003 Gearfest/Cearclub 2003, presented by Gearhead Records, featuring The Ricochets, Flaming Sideburns, Sahara Hotnights, The Mutants and more. Go here for the full details.

Unioncarbideproductions.com reports that the new UCP single will be released commercially on June 23. Chances are your favorite online retailer is already taking pre-orders. Also, the box set has now been set for release in November. Read the press release. And lastly, head on over to the UCP site for a full roundup of reviews for the Hultsfred reunion show.

The latest from Darkthrone, as posted by Nocturno Culto:

"Darkthrone had some successful rehearsals a week ago. Three new songs were in our focus, and Fenriz is finished with four lyrics for the album, so we are well prepared. Currently we are working on even more material, so more rehearsals are on the way."

MIC Norway has put up a profile on up-and-coming singer/songwriter St. Thomas.

For more info about the various Kalas demoscene bands reported on yesterday, check this out. (in Swedish)

Seems that planned live Kent DVD from their stadium concert is a no-go.

Per Gessle is indeed hitting the road this summer in support of his new solo album "Mazarin". I haven't seen the full itinerary yet, but the first show will be at Brottet in Halmstad on July 29. His backing band will include Clarence Öfverman, Anders Herrlin, Jonas Isacsson, Helena Josefsson along with Christoffer Lundqvist and Jens Jansson from Brainpool. Read more. (in Swedish)

Using the American Warped Tour as a template, Burning Heart, Luger and Eventum are bringing the "Playstation 2 - Heart Attack Tour 2003" to Sweden. Along with the various extreme sports and video gaming events, you'll also get a chance to see Moneybrother, Looptroop, Fireside, Raised Fist, Mike Vallely & The Rats and Randy all together in concert. More bands are expected to be announced for the individual dates, too. Dates now confirmed:

08/08 - Göteborg, Göteborgskalaset
08/15 - Örebro, Örebromässan
08/29 - Malmö, Kockums
08/31 - Stockholm, Riddarholmen

New bands for Avrika: Liberator, Södra Åkeriet, Sven Andersson, DJ Montagu & Golkonda, Alpine Those Myriads, Flying Edward, Don Juan Dracula, Garbage Angels and The Belacqua Project feat. KOEFF.

"Sweden's finest deathrockers" Helltrain have signed with Nuclear Blast and is already at Dugout Studio in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand working on their forthcoming album. The band's pedigree is quite strong with members coming from other groups such as The Everdawn, Gates of Ishtar, Defleshed, Raised Fist and more. To listen to a couple demos from the band, go here.

In case you missed the reference yesterday, Reverend Moore was the dance-hating preacher in the movie "Footloose" and was played by John Lithgow.

Added a new mp3 today from Last Days of April. Their latest album "Ascend to the Stars" just came out over here in the US and the track "Playerin" is easily my favorite from that release. In fact, it was my favorite summer single last year. Y'know those songs you sometimes hear on the radio around this time of year that seem to embody the essence of summertime? That song fits the bill perfectly. And as for this year, my pick (so far) would probably have to be "Reconsider Me" from Moneybrother. I figure y'all were just dying to know.

Otherwise, there's probably not going to be much news today as everyone is at Hultsfred fest it seems. Wish I was. Check out the Dagensskiva special on the event. Oh, and check out www.hultsfred.tv for more, too.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Outlandish - Guantanamo
03. A-Teens - Perfect Match
04. Turbonegro - Fuck The World
05. The Cardigans - You´re The Storm
06. Kashmir - Rocket Brothers
07. Her Majesty - F.U.N.E.R.A.L
08. C21 - She Cries
09. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
10. Da Buzz - Alive
11. Equicez - Live From Pass It
12. HIM - Funeral of hearts
13. Mando Diao - Sheepdog
14. Antique - Moro Mou
15. Melody Club - Cover Girl
16. Darude - Music
17. The Narcissists - Fanatik R.I.P
18. Jon - This Side Up
19. Dallas Superstars - Fast Driving
20. The Klerks - Shame

Challengers:
01. Paula Lobos - Fuss & Fight
02. User - Do You
03. Ingrid Marguerite - Everything I Need
04. Bad Cash Quartet - Dirty Days
05. Superheroes - Someone Else

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.

Download the free, electronic Diskodiktator single for the track "Just Say 'No' to Democrazy!". A video for the song, his first one ever, is in the making. The full-length album "The World According To..." isn't out quite yet, but is already available for preorder.

Voidfaith Netzine has posted an interview with my pals KVLR. (in Swedish)

The Alpine, Moi Caprice, Baal, and Figurines are a couple of the bands confirmed for the Sydslesvig-Rocks in Schleswig, Germany on August 23.

Here's the full schedule for this weekend's Norweigan Wood Festival.

Norweigan jazz vocalist Silje Nergaard has been nominated for the Edison Jazz Award, which will be presented at the upcoming North Sea Jazz Festival on July 11-13. Other nominees for the award include Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall and Jimmy Scott. More info here: http://www.edisonaward.nl/Jazz/

And speaking of Norweigan jazz, acclaimed saxophonist Jan Garbarek will be on the BBC's Radio 3 Jazz on 3 radio show tomorrow at 11:30pm local time.

Since they didn't manage to send it to me yesterday as planned (ahem.), here's the rest of the playlist from the Galaxy Gramophone DJ night:

11. Raveonettes - Attack of the Ghost Riders 12. Cato Salsa Experience - In Case You Need Deep Love 13. Nicolai Dunger - What Tomorrow 14. Sparks of Seven - Move Me On 15. TSOOL - Independent Luxury 16. Singapore Sling - Overdriver 17. Union Crabide Productions - Golden Age 18. Backyard Babies - Made Me Madman 19. Citizen Bird - Joy 20. DOLL - Need To Get Some 21. DOLL - We've Been Planning This For Years 22. Isolation Years - Arctic Zone 23. Cardigans - Communication 24. Whyte Seeds - Slow Motions 25. Motorpsycho - Dr. Hoffman's Bicycle 26. TSOOL - Nobrainer 27. Turbonegro - Turbonegro Must Be Destroyed 28. Union Carbide Productions - Mr. Untitled 29. Caesars - Sort It Out

30. Sahara Hotnights - Push On Some More 31. Hardcore Superstar - Rock n Roll Star 32. Concretes - You Can't Hurry Love 33. Hives - What's That Spell? Go To Hell! 34. Raveonettes - Great Love Sound 35. TSOOL - Still Aging (request) 36. Isolation Years - Open Those Eyes 37. Bear Quartet - I Remember... 38. Broder Daniel - Dark Heart 39. Jan Martens Frustration - Get Along Get Together 40. Hellacopters - By the Grace of God 41. Motorpsycho - Glow 42. TSOOL - Impacts & Egos 43. Bear Quartet - Fuck Yr Slow Songs 44. Heikki - All I Needed 45. TSOOL - Hang Ten 46. Nicolai Dunger - Something In the Way 47. Bjorn Olsson - selections from the new CD to close the bar....

They also pass along word that they are encouraging more people to send them music to play, along with t-shirts to wear while spinning and whatever. Um, so like, send your goods to me and I'll make sure they get them, right? But seriously - if you're interested in sending stuff just drop me a line and I'll put you in touch.

Lambgoat.com reports that The Great Deceiver (Tomas from At the Gates/Skitsystem + members of Diabolique) will be touring Europe in October/November along with Swedish metal-wannabees Darkest Hour.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Carola - Guld platina & passion - det bästa
02. Tomas Ledin - I sommarnattens ljus
03. Pugh Rogefeldt - Pughs bästa
04. Tommy Körberg - Gränslös - det bästa med
05. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
06. Robert Wells - Rhapsody in rock the complete collection
07. Da Buzz - More than alive
08. Alcazar - Alcazarized
09. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
10. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
11. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
12. Moneybrother - Blood panic
13. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
14. Style, Sandelin & Ekman, Freestyle - Samlade hits
15. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
16. v/a - Fame factory visor
17. Martin Nilsson - En del av mig
18. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
19. Eddie Meduza - Live(s)!
20. v/a - Fame Factory volym 5

Entombed has been forced to cancel their appearance at the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio on June 13-14 after drummer Peter Stjärnvind's wife was hospitalized. The cause of her ailments are still undiagnosed and of course Peter wishes to remain with her at this time. Guitarist Alex Hellid commented, "Peter is really upset by this. He doesn't want to be the cause of us not playing. We all know how important this show is/was. We are really sorry, for the fans and for ourselves, because we really wanted to play." Alex and frontman L.G. Petrov still plan to be in attendance at the fest to sign autographs and meet with fans. Other bands still scheduled to play include Evergrey, Trouble and Candlemass.

Nightwish has added a second date to their short US/N. American itinerary. After playing the ProgPower Festival in Atlanta on September 5 and at The Medley in Montreal, Canada on September 6, the band will play L'Amour in Brooklyn, NY on the 7th.

Sondre Lerche has posted a bunch of photos along with a new entry in his tour diary from his current jaunt together with Ed Hartcourt.

The Confusions' updated tour schedule:

07/01 - TBA, London
07/02 - Underworld, London w/Non Of The Above, Girlinky & Lux
07/05 - Gatufesten, Sundsvall
07/17-19 - Trästocksfestivalen, Skellefteå

Puffball, Sahara Hotnights, and Division of Laura Lee are among the bands now confirmed for the Kerrang! 'Snickers Game On' festival at the Millenium Dome in London on June 21-22. More info: www.snickersgameon.co.uk

Logh reports that are taking a bit of a break this summer as they've just finished a large batch of touring. "[We] are tired and need some rest, since it has been kind of a hectic year," they say, but they will still be doing a couple festival gigs in the near future. Check their page for the latest. For the fall, they've already got a Scandinavian tour lined up in September and a European jaunt tentative for October/November. And that's not even the last of it - they also have the vinyl release of "The Raging Sun" set for September along with two new 7" releases set to drop before the end of the year. That doesn't sound like taking it easy to me!

Via the Cardigans Country site, comes this link for a stream of yesterday's Pinkpop performance. They've also got a couple new articles posted online over there, so check 'em out if you're curious.

Delusions of Adequacy lauds The Virtues in their review of the album "Ruminate".

Melody Club, Kashmir, Ralph Meyers and the Jack Herren band, Cato Salsa Experience, Gluecifer, Delaware, and The Jessica Fletchers are just a few of the bands that have been confirmed for Norway's Working Class Music Festival in Drammen on June 6-7. Go here for the full scoop.

Norweigan pop-singer Lene Marlin's forthcoming album has been delayed indefinitely due to an ongoing contractual dispute with her manager. Read more. The new record was produced by Glen Ballard (Alanis Morisette) and is the follow-up to 1999's hugely successful "Playing My Game".

Pitchforkmedia.com review the new album from Swedish experimental artists Tape.

Nicolai Dunger will play at Torgrocken in Sundsvall, Sweden on July 17.

Aftonbladet reports that Kent will be heading over to Japan from October 8-19.

The rumors have been flying for a long time (I first saw word last October), but we can now finally confirm that The (International) Noise Conspiracy is indeed working with producer extraordinaire Rick Rubin on their next album. "We are writing songs, then it will be intriguing to see what [he] can do with them," says vocalist Dennis Lyxzen. They'll be heading to LA in August to work on it.

Ex-Aqua singer Lene Nystrøm will be releasing her first solo single "It's Your Duty" in September, with the full-length album "Surprise" to follow in September or October.

Happy Swedish National Day.

Turbonegro are doing an online benefit for the St. Pauli Football Club ("the one with skull & crossbones logo" as they say) in the form of three ebay auctions:

"Scandinavian Leather" deluxe box set #666, autographed by the complete band
"Scandinavian Leather" deluxe box set #1910, autographed by the complete band
St. Pauli player jersey with Hank van Helvete lettering on the back and his autograph

Check 'em out, but keep in mind they also promise "more interesting things to follow."

Here's some pictures from Komeda's video shoot for the track "Cul de Sac".

Nicolai Dunger will be providing guest vocals on an upcoming EP from Calexico for the song "Alone again or", originally done by Love. It comes out June 16.

Labrador Records has announced they will now be distributed in Germany by AL!VE with promotion to be handled by C&D Promotion. Their first release over there will be "Kate 97" from Tribeca. For more info contact Stephan.Meyer@alive-ag.de or chris.donn@cdpromotion.de.

Paris has signed a publishing contract with Songs & Stories Publishing.

The latest edition of Doomsday Magazine just came out and it includes interviews with Uncurbed, Totalt Jävla Mörker, Burst and more. More info and some back-issue text: www.doomsdaymag.tk (in Swedish)

NRK has posted Amulet's new video for "Breaking News". Check it.

Hedningarna has posted a couple videos on their new website. The band's new retrospective CD is out now in Finland, Spain and the US and should hit Sweden in September. It contains various tracks from 1989-2003 along with two brand new songs. Read more.

The Confusions, Satirnine, Dynamo Chapel, Paola and The Crystal Committee are now confirmed for the Trästock festival in Skellefteå, Sweden on July 17-19.

Kent's big concert at Stockholm Stadium tonight will be recorded for a future album/DVD release. There's also rumors of various special guests showing up, such as Titiyo and Lisa Miskovsky.

Clawfinger has posted the video clip for their new single "Recipe for Hate": Windows / Real
You can also check out some behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot right here.

The Hives, In Flames, and Flint have been added to Hultsfred fest.

Gåte's new single "Statt opp (Maggedulia)" has been postponed one week due to 'transport complications.' It now will come out on June 16.

Elin Sigvardsson will contributing her version of "You're A Big Girl Now" to the upcoming "May Your Songs Always Be Sung" Bob Dylan tribute. Other artists on the comp include Chris Whitley and Elliot Murphy. She also posted a quick note on her website with regards to what she's up to now. (in Swedish)

Jettie has announced that Stefan Juhlin has left the band. They say there's no hard feelings and they're all still friends, they just grew apart. His positioned won't be immediately replaced, rather they will continue on as a three-piece for now. In other news, the band's CDEP "Some Stories We Trust" recently came out on Kasual Records and they're already hard at work on new material.

Better late than never, the Seattle Weekly has published a feature on Righteous Boy, the side project of Cardigans bassist Magnus Sveningsson. Apparently Future Farmer Records just put out the record in the US this week.

Also by way of Cardigans Country, comes this Q&A session with Nina Persson from Exclaim!, a Canadian webzine.

Some of the bands scheduled to play Metalfest Vienna which takes place in Austria from August 23-24: In Flames, Lacuna Coil, Amon Amarth, Katatonia, Finntroll, Borknagar, and Vintersong. More info here.

Supersilent is now confirmed for the Internationales Jazzfestival in Saalfelden, Austria on 08/30. They are also playing Parkteatret in Oslo on 05/31.

Thearkworld.com has put up a video of the band playing "Angelheads" live from Stockholm on April 30. The website also has posted Ola, Jepson and Lasse's favorite records, so head on over to check it out.

Interested in the upcoming Soundtrack of Our Lives shows in Slussens? Well, tsool.tk has got a bilingual guide just for you.

Mando Diao has reportedly already sold 16k copies of their album on import in Japan before the official release date of June 18. They'll also be heading over there to play the Summer Sonic festivals in Tokyo and Osaka in support of the release before returning for a headlining tour this fall. As for the rest of the world, Mute will be releasing it in the US on August 26, France on June 24.

Bobby is having a record release show at Club Mondo in Stockholm on May 26 where they will play two five-song sets. Get tickets by emailing galesbury@hotmail.com.

CNN will be broadcasting a Swedish music special on the program 'The Music Room Show' which is set to air six times between June 27-29. More details when I get them.

Great news for the US! V2 just announced they will release Fireside's latest album "Get Shot" over here on July 22! Will they tour in support? We can only hope.

Dub Sweden's new single next week is for the song "Ice In My Fire" and you can listen to it here. The b-side will be the song "Things That I'm Scared Of".

Man, can Division of Laura Lee ever complete an entire tour? Seems that DoLL had to recently pull out of the current Turbonegro jaunt due to serious illness. The statement from the band:

Dear audience,
This tour has been amazing in all ways, fantastic audience, met some incredible people, everything was amazing until May 20.th in Zürich when Jonas was too sick to go onstage, due to fever and influenza. Hakan & I went onstage to fulfill our duties , but left the stage after 10 minutes of making noise.
David got seriously ill and it got even worse when he tried to go onstage. His illness became acute and he had to be taken to the hospital's emergency room where the doctor had to drug him for his pain and put him on an intravenous drip. David is ordered to be in the hospital for observation for the next 3-4 days and will not be able to fulfill his duties on the rest of the dates on this tour. Yesterday evening we were not even able to establish contact with David as he was on such heavy medication. Our tourmanager Erik Welén is sitting by David & will keep us updated. We are right now heading back to Gothenburg.
We'll keep you updated & again we are so sorry to cancel the upcoming dates in München, Köln, Bielefeld & Berlin. We'll be back.
Take care
Per Stalberg 22/5

The list of bands booked for Rookiescenen at Hultsfred fest has been announced: Alice in Videoland, Ayesha, Backroom Matches, Bad Monkey, Chastisement, Flickering Habit, Goto 80, Hank,I Love You Baby!, Illstar, Inglorious Bastards, Kitty & The K, Sparzanza, Subdive, The Ackermans, The Bones Band and The Family Truckster. More info here.

Here's something totally unexpected: Pitchforkmedia.com reviews the new album from Värttinä and likes it! I had no idea they'd actually cover world music, but I guess they're branching out. And the reviewer is even knowledgable on the subject, too. I'm shocked. And not to be outdone, PopMatters covers the album today, too.

Nicolai Dunger has been added to the Popaganda Fest on May 31 in Stockholm.

Kent's upcoming concert at Stockholm Stadium on June 6 is in jeopardy. In case you weren't already aware, there are some serious labor strikes going on right now in Sweden and the venue's gateworkers are involved. The concert organizers are trying to get an exemption request in to make sure it still goes on, but many are skeptical. If the Swedish Speedway Grand Prix is cancelled, than why would a Kent concert be different? Wait and see.

The documentary film "The Future Is Not What It Used To Be" on Finnish electronic music pioneer Erkki Kurenniemi is scheduled to be shown at the upcoming 50th Venice Biennale in June. After the screening, a special tribute concert will take place featuring Pan Sonic, Carl Michael von Hauswolff and man-of-the-hour Erkki Kurenniemi himself. For those unable to attend, there's a DVD out called "The Dawn of DIMI" that features said documentary along with various short films and animations, plus concert footage from the early 70s. More info here and here.