The always stunning Stina Nordenstam contributes guest vocals to the title track of Danish dance/electronica duo Filur's new album "Into the wasteland".

Of all the post-Refused bands, I like David Sandström's stuff the best. He made one brilliant Scandinavian folk-inspired album ("Om det inte händer nåt innan i morgon så kommer jag") and then reinvented himself as a singer/songwriter. Quite a distance from his beginnings as Final Exit's frontman, eh? His latest album "Go down" almost made it into my top 10 for the year, but I listened to it too much and burnt myself out. It's still a great record, we just need some time apart y'know? Today's track is David's take on Stina Nordenstam's lead single from her last record "The world is saved". It's interesting to note how well the song works in a rock context - even with all of Stina's pop artifice stripped away, you still have a great song.

MP3: David Sandström Overdrive - Get on with your life

Of all the post-Refused bands, I like David Sandström's stuff the best. He made one brilliant Scandinavian folk-inspired album ("Om det inte händer nåt innan i morgon så kommer jag") and then reinvented himself as a singer/songwriter. Quite a distance from his beginnings as Final Exit's frontman, eh? His latest album "Go down" almost made it into my top 10 for the year, but I listened to it too much and burnt myself out. It's still a great record, we just need some time apart y'know? Today's track is David's take on Stina Nordenstam's lead single from her last record "The world is saved". It's interesting to note how well the song works in a rock context - even with all of Stina's pop artifice stripped away, you still have a great song.

David Sandström Overdrive - Get on with your life

It's been quite awhile since we've heard anything new from Anja Garbarek. The daughter of renown ECM recording artist Jan Garbarek is oft compared to Stina Nordenstam, both for her reclusiveness and aura of mystery, but also because of her music. Anja's songs tend to be a bit more straightforward in terms of pop melody, but she shares a penchant with Stina for unusual sounds and arrangements. I think the new album "Briefly shaking" is Anja's best, most satisfying work yet - just check out the lead single "The last trick" and tell me you don't agree. I challenge you. If you're one of those folks who's enjoying the new Kate Bush record, this should appeal to you as well. Smart, experimental pop music as good as this does not happen nearly as often as it should.

MP3: Anja Garbarek - The last trick

It's been quite awhile since we've heard anything new from Anja Garbarek. The daughter of renown ECM recording artist Jan Garbarek is oft compared to Stina Nordenstam, both for her reclusiveness and aura of mystery, but also because of her music. Anja's songs tend to be a bit more straightforward in terms of pop melody, but she shares a penchant with Stina for unusual sounds and arrangements. I think the new album "Briefly shaking" is Anja's best, most satisfying work yet - just check out the lead single "The last trick" and tell me you don't agree. I challenge you. If you're one of those folks who's enjoying the new Kate Bush record, this should appeal to you as well. Smart, experimental pop music as good as this does not happen nearly as often as it should.

Anja Garbarek - The last trick

Preview some samples from the upcoming Anja Garbarek album "Briefly shaking" over at her website: http://www.anjagarbarek.com/
The daughter of legendary Norwegian jazz musician Jan Garbarek, Anja's music can probably best be compared to Stina Nordenstam.

Stina Nordenstam makes a guest appearance of the song "Wonderful world" from Nine Horses, a new act featuring the illustrious cast of David Sylvian, Steve Jansen and Burnt Friedman. Their album "Snow borne sorrow" comes out October 10.

Apparently Stina Nordenstam's most recent album "The world is saved" will finally get its long-awaited North American release on June 23 via V2 in a new edition featuring three bonus tracks and an exclusive remix of "The end of a love affair" by UK electronic act Faultline.

PostEverything profiles artist Hanne Hukkelberg who some consider to be a Norwegian equivilent to Stina Nordenstam: http://www.posteverything.com/artists/release.php?id=10410

Stina Nordenstam has been working on music for a project with multimedia art group Projekt3 which will premiere in Stockholm on June 1. Read more: http://se.v2music.com/site/news.asp?ID=990 (in Swedish)

I knew something was different when the envelope had a fancy wax seal. I'm always excited to get packages in the mail, but it's rare that I receive something sent with such care and effort. Upon opening I was even more intrigued - here was a CD packaged in an elaborate insert designed to look and fold out like a flower. My words can't do it justice - you really have to see and feel it to appreciate it. This was most definitely not the standard mediocre demo material I often receive. No, Ea Philippa is most definitely not mediocre or average. Besides the CD, the package also included one of the most ridiculous press releases I've ever seen. Ridiculous as in "Composer and singer Ea Philippa releases her debutalbum "Fjerne Himle" ("Distant Skies") the 7th of March this and with that she bids welcome onboard the starship towards distant galaxes and enchanting realms." Ridiculous as in "The music describes a univers far from this world wraped in magic and fairytales quite ready to explore. It includes glaktic princesses from faraway planets, Dreamweavers in spiderwebpalaces, indecent wizzards and beautyfull elven women with chameleonhair." (all typos reprinted as-is) Did I mention that it's printed on paper with faux burnt edges? And that it includes a map of her aforementioned "magical univers"? Normally this sort of thing would go straight into the trash bin after a good laugh, but I must admit - my curiousity had been raised. There is something so earnest and purehearted in the way that Ea presents herself that I just had to give her more of a chance. I'm glad I did because the music turned out to be quite good.

Genre-wise, Ea exists somewhere between Björk and Stina Nordenstam or maybe within the realms of Loreena Mckennitt and Joanna Newsom. The sound is jazzy at times and very vocal-heavy, but not in a love-it-or-hate-it way like how Newsom is regarded. There's an element of mystery and fantasy that tiptoes the line of absurdity without falling over. The compositions have strong folk and classical compenents as well, in both the melodies and the arrangements. One of my favorite ingredients of the sound is the use of vocal noises and body percussion for beat construction. It's so organic and natural sounding. I suspect that if I understood Danish I might be a bit bummed by the lyrics, but ignorance is bliss. I don't need to know, I just want to enjoy it. Overall, I can't say that this is the best thing I've heard in awhile, but it is easily the most interesting and unique. Definitely worth checking out.

The people behind the now-removed Stina Nordenstam website Seek You Danger now have a new fansite up called Desire Avenue: http://www.desireavenue.com

The Stina Nordenstam website Seek You Danger is closing down: http://www.seekyoudanger.com/
It remains to be seen what will happen to her (lack of) web presence now.

Stylus posts their 40 worst album list which includes media darlings Jens Lekman, Deathprod, Annie, Stina Nordenstam and more: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/feature.php?ID=1403
It's actually the same list as their top 40 best albums, just with um slightly different commentary. Everyone loves to see the hyped acts taken down a notch. Also posted at Stylus today is a review of Scorch Trio: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=2651

The nominees for the 2004 Manifest Awards have been announced. Here are a few of the categories:

Pop/rock:
David Sandström - "The Dominant Need of the Needy Soul Is to be Needed"
Jens Lekman - "When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog"
Stina Nordenstam - "The World Is Saved"
Silverbullit - "Arclight"

Hardrock/punk:
C.Aarmé - "C.Aarmé"
Dismember - "When Iron Crosses Grow"
Haunted - "rEVOLVEr"
Koma - "Tsunami"
Totalt Jävla Mörker - "Människans ringa värde"

Hip-hop/R&B/soul:
Helt Off - "Helt Off"
Ison & Fille - "Ison & Fille"
Promoe - "Long Distance Runner"
Snook - "Vi vet inte vart vi ska men vi ska komma dit"
Rico Wondahman - "Takin' Over"

Post-rock/electronica:
Backlash - "Heliotrop"
Andreas Tilliander - "World Industries"
Sophie Rimheden - "Miss"
Hans Appelqvist - "Bremort"
IC1 - "The Birth of Industrial Cool"

Dance/house/techno:
Quant - "Getting Out"
Andreas Tilliander - "World Industries"
Sophie Rimheden - "Miss"
Hird - "Moving On"
Ernesto's - "Album"

Solo/singer/songwriter:
Stina Nordenstam - "The World Is Saved"
Florence Valentin - "Johnny Drama"
Billie the Vision & The Dancers - "I Was So Unpopular in School"
Tobias Fröberg - "For Elisabeth Wherever She Is"
Nina Ramsby & Martin Hederos - "Visorna"

Best live:
Existensminimum
Mattias Alkberg
Silverbullit
Svenska Akademien
Jens Lekman

Best newcomer:
Tiger Lou - "Is My Head Still On?"
Nanook of the North - "The Täby Tapes"
Fatboy - "Steelhearted"
Jens Lekman - "When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog"
Cirera - "Honestly, I Love You *Cough*"

The Manifest Awards are considered an alternative to the Swedish Grammy in the same way that the Alarm Prize is regarded in Norway. Winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held February 1 at Nalen in Stockholm. More info: http://www.som.a.se/manifest/index.html