New Scandinavian bands added to Arvika are Minus (ICE), Soviac, Niccokick and Snook.

Chalksounds has posted a new web-single from Soviac for the Emmon (Paris) remix of "Boogie Woogie" entitled "You R an ass". Head on over to download it now: http://www.chalksounds.com/

Soviac will be releasing a new single and video in May for the track "You R an ass" as remixed by Emmon of synthpop group Paris.

Chalksounds acts Carpet People and Soviac are both in the studio recording demos.

Here's the round-up of Scandinavian music reviews for the last two weeks from the German webzine Sellfish:

Division of Laura Lee - Das not compute
Power Quest - s/t
Eclispe - Second to none
Moonbabies - The orange billboard / Soviac - Trilogy sexlife rodeo friscotti
Prime Sth - Beautiful awakening

Soviac and The Unisex are now booked by Monstera.

Is this Lallapalooza or what? The Chalksounds Festival is hitting the road once again for a show at Norrlands Nation in Uppsala on February 25 with KVLR and The End Will Be Kicks. Gunman (Soviac) and DJ Norrland will be spinning, too. KVLR will have the Stickman version of their new album that day, as they've confirmed the European release for February 24. As stated before, it'll be out on March 23 in the US through my very own It's a Trap! Productions. I just got the discs yesterday and they look absolutely stunning. See for yourself.

Soviac's most recent album "Triology Sexlife Rodeo Friscotti" has been confirmed for a US release date of January 27 through MTT Records. The band is also currently working with Monstera on a Swedish tour and dates should be coming soon.

Cdoass has posted a brand new mp3 of the track "The Correct Use of Failure" for download on their website. They'll be doing a new 7" with Johnny Bråttom Records in January featuring the songs "Clockwork" and "Speak To Me".

MTT Records has confirmed the US release of Soviac's latest album "Triology Sexlife Rodeo Friscotti" for January 27.

Chalksounds has put together another festival, this one taking place at Debaser in Stockholm on January 16. Moonbabies and The End Will Be Kicks will be playing and DJ Norrland and Fredrik Brändström (Crystal Committee, Starmarket) will spin records. The first twenty people through the door will receive free copies of the new Moonbabies CD, too.

Also from Chalksounds comes word that US label Minty Fresh is working with Soviac trying to get their music into the movies. No word yet on whether they've been successful yet, but I'll let you know.

Soviac - "Trilogy Sexlife Rodeo Friscotti" (Chalksounds/MTT Records)
This CD is big on concept, not quite so hot on execution. The idea behind it is that each of Soviac's three members gets a third of the album to produce themselves and to put together as they see fit, with or without the rest of the bands help. It's not quite as high-concept as Kiss' set of albums for each member (or The Melvins' own knockoff, for that matter), but it is still an interesting idea. Problem is, I don't think the band has quite the skills enough to pull it off. It's quite an audacious effort for a band only on their sophomore album and I appreciate the thought and work that went into it, but the results are mixed. Some of it is pretty darn good noisy indie rock, but there's also a lot of what I'd just write off as filler. Lots of good ideas, but too many were developed far enough. Give me more actual songs please. As for the packaging, the decision to use three separate panels for liner notes is really, really cool. Inventive design is always appreciated.

Soviac has been forced to cancel their current European tour and return home after completing eight dates. No specific reason was given for the move.

Upcoming Soviac European tourdates in support of their new album "Triology Sexlife Rodeo Friscotti":

10/10 - Athus, Le Marignan
10/11 - Selestat, Au Bar Le Tigre
10/12 - Occii, Amsterdam (NL)
10/13 - tba
10/14 - Tanzhalle, Hamburg
10/15 - K4, Nürnberg
10/16 - tba, Kassel
10/17 - Magnet, Berlin
10/18 - Jugendhaus Komma, Esslingen
10/19 - Stellwerk, Donauwörth
10/20 - Prager Frühling, München
10/21 - AZ, Mühlheim
10/22 - Cafe Panama, Fulda
10/23 - Titty Twister, Dresden
10/24 - Zone 11, Hallein
10/25 - Shelter, Wien
10/26 - Fiesta Club, San Vendemmiano
10/27 - Tempio, Pavia
10/28 - Chorus, Lausanne
10/29 - Molodoi, Strasbourg
10/30 - Les Brasseurs, Nancy
10/31 - tba, Berlin
11/11 - Smalls, Västeråas w/Black Eyes, 7feet4
11/15 - tba, Västervik w/Black Eyes, 7feet4

I don't know what the hold-up was, but Seven Feet Four finally got themselves a new website. Upcoming shows for the band in Sweden:

10/16 - Shindig!, Effes, Visby
10/23 - Blå, Eskilstuna
11/11 - Smalls, Västerås w/Black Eyes (US, Dischord Records), Soviac
11/15 - tba, Västervik w/Black Eyes, Soviac

Chalksounds is offering a special deal for Swedish customers on the new Soviac record "Triology Sexlife Rodeo Friscotti" where if you buy it now, you get a free 12" bag and poster. Get the scoop here, along with sound samples from a couple of the tracks.