I absolutely love The Tiny's first album "Closer". Vocalist Ellekari's childlike voice and the group's intimate chamber-pop arrangements aren't just befitting to their name, they are beautiful and touching. Seeing them perform at Umeå Open was even better as their copious charms spilled freely from the stage into the audience. It's no wonder then that I was tremendously excited to hear their follow-up record "Starring; someone like you", but I'm sorry to say that my excitement faded quickly once I actually heard it. It's not that the record is bad (it's not), but this new recording has destroyed so much of what made The Tiny special. Layers of unnecessary instrumentation. Extraneous sound effects. Over-baked. What happened to The Tiny that I used to love? I used to feel a close kinship with you, but now you're pushing me away. The band I once knew is still there - I know because I can still hear it on songs like the one I've posted today, but our relationship has changed. Maybe we just need some time apart, but I tell you what: I'll be here waiting for you when you decide to come back.

Asha Ali
Warm fronts
NONS

Please someone pass me the bourbon to go with this record... oh and get me a cigar, book me into a New York City hotel, get me a seat by the window and let classically trained, north Stockholm resident Asha Ali be playing. Simplistic electric piano, plucked acoustic guitar, minimal backing harmonies and accompaniment is the recipe, deviated upon on one track "Just a light touch" which features some vibraphone/organ/accordion. She does the singer/songwriter thing, but with more instrumentation and sullen tones. Ali's pitches can at times reach The Tiny or Montys Loco quality, but cuts above as she manages not to warble or become too overly sentimental. An outstandingly worked EP that is sure to keep doing me in.
- Jason Christie

MP3: The Tiny - Kind of like you

I absolutely love The Tiny's first album "Closer". Vocalist Ellekari's childlike voice and the group's intimate chamber-pop arrangements aren't just befitting to their name, they are beautiful and touching. Seeing them perform at Umeå Open was even better as their copious charms spilled freely from the stage into the audience. It's no wonder then that I was tremendously excited to hear their follow-up record "Starring; someone like you", but I'm sorry to say that my excitement faded quickly once I actually heard it. It's not that the record is bad (it's not), but this new recording has destroyed so much of what made The Tiny special. Layers of unnecessary instrumentation. Extraneous sound effects. Over-baked. What happened to The Tiny that I used to love? I used to feel a close kinship with you, but now you're pushing me away. The band I once knew is still there - I know because I can still hear it on songs like the one I've posted today, but our relationship has changed. Maybe we just need some time apart, but I tell you what: I'll be here waiting for you when you decide to come back.

The Tiny - Kind of like you

Swedish ambient artists Tape on tour, including a number of gigs as Andreas Mattson's backing band:

04/15 - Konserthuset/Stenhammarsalen, Gothenburg (SWE) (backing Andreas Mattsson)
04/19 - KB, Malmö (SWE) (backing Andreas Mattsson)
04/20 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (SWE) w/The Tiny
04/26 - Triptych Festival, Mono, Glasgow (UK) w/Tarwater
04/29 - Triptych Festival, The Venue, Edinburgh, w/The Concretes
04/30 - Triptych Festival, The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen (UK) w/Arab Strap, etc
04/23 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (SWE) (backing Andreas Mattsson)
05/20 - "Made in Umeå festival", Umeå (SWE)
05/30 - Luminaire, London (UK) w/Volcano!, Greg Davis, Sebastien Roux
06/03 - Venn festival, Bristol (UK)
06/10 - Teatro i, Milano (ITA)

MTVe is streaming both the new Concretes album "In colour" and, more importantly, the new album "Starring: someone like you" from The Tiny.

The Centre Culturel Suédois in Paris is putting on a series of Swedish music showcase shows:

03/07 - Peter von Poehl, Magnus Tingsek
04/25 - Frida Hyvönen, Hello Saferide
06/21 - Christian Kjellvander, Anna Ternheim, Ane Brun, The Tiny, Wendy McNeill

More info: http://www.ccs.si.se/

The video for "They say it's weird" from chamber-pop act The Tiny is now online: http://www.thetiny.net/content/releases/weird_video_main.html
The track comes from the new album "Starring; someone like you", due out March 22 on DetErMine Records.

The Tiny will release a new EP entitled "My mother" on February 1. The title track also appears on the forthcoming full-length "Starring someone like you", but the other three songs are all exclusive to the release: "Safe than sorry", "This one's for Mr.Smith" and "/Sincerely yours".

The Tiny are just about to mix their new album "Starring; someone like you". They aren't sure yet which of the twelve songs they recorded with esteemed producer Jari Haapalainen will make the final cut, but you can read the song titles at the band's website: http://www.thetiny.net/

Norwegian singer/songwriter Ane Brun will release an album of duets entitled ...drumroll... "Duets" on November 23. Some of the artists she sings with on said record include Madrugada, Syd Matters, Ron Sexsmith, Teitur, The Tiny, and Wendy McNeill.

Swedish singer/songwriter Tomas Andersson Wij will release his new self-titled album on October 5. The recording was produced by TAW along with Johan Lindström and Peter LeMarc and features guest contributions from Mattias Blomdahl, Jesper Nordenström, Andreas Dahlbäck, Titiyo, and Ellekari Larsson (The Tiny). Tracklist:

01. Vill du ha mig ändå
02. Oroshjärta
03. Ring mig Johanna
04. En hel värld inom mig
05. Solen går upp
06. Första snön är alltid vitast
07. Res dig upp och gå
08. Jag fick aldrig dig
09. Värmlands indianer
10. Dina svala händer
11. Jumbotronen
12. Nu kommer jag hem

Podcast: Summer bummer, pt. 2

Minimalist pop trio The Tiny will be entering Cristoffer Lundkvist's studio in Vallarum on July 11 to begin work on their sophomore album.

Okay, I survived Umeå Open day two and actually managed to get up and give my seminar this afternoon at 1. There weren't a ton of people there, but I can't blame them considering how much beer was being consumed the night before. As I said, I barely made it there myself. Firefox played at the same time, too. I'm bummed I didn't get to see her.

Anyhow, the bands I got to see last night were all really, really good. The Tiny kicked things off perfectly and were followed by Tiger Lou. Having only seen Rasmus perform solo before, it was reelly exciting for me to finally hear him with a full band. They played my favorite song "The war between us" along with a couple new tracks, so I was 100% satisfied. I screwed up and totally missed the next few bands while I hung out with friends, but I made sure I got to see The Ark. What can I say? They were amazing. They better come back to the US. Soon.

Tonight I have see Cult of Luna, Isolation Years, Silverbullit and Moneybrother. So many great bands, all at the same fest. And Rasmus from TL is doing guest vocals with CoL, too. Can't wait!

Day two is when the real party begins! My required listening checklist: The Tiny, Tiger Lou, Caesars and The Ark. I'll try to pop my head in to see a few of the other acts, but my time and energy are limited. It's hard to keep up drinking with the Swedes, y'know. Assuming I'm not too hung over, I'll check back in tomorrow. Cheers!