Tobias Hellkvist makes such lovely drone music. I tend to listen to so much stuff in a more "dark ambient" style that I forget just how pretty this kind of music can be, but Tobias is always there to remind me. "Everything is connected" is his fourth full-length I believe and probably his most abstract to date -- I keep listening to it in an effort to single out highlights or pick out individual melodies, but the compositions always manage to escape me, float on by and lull me into a blissful meditative state. Bear in mind, that is by no means a complaint; simply a comment on how the record so easily envelopes me and my thoughts. And then, each time it ends, I find myself surprised at the sudden silence. For music that doesn't really "do" anything more than drift like tendrils of fog, it's a compelling experience and one well worth seeking out. - Avi Roig
The new Tobias Hellkvist album "Everything is connected", his first full-length since 2010's stellar "Evolutions", has been officially confirmed for release on September 18 via Japanese label . Listen to a sample above.
Tobias Hellkvist (Pixie Carnation) has announced that he will be releasing a new solo EP entitled "Kaskelot" on August 19 via the label . Said release was improvised and recorded during a single session at Sundlaugin Studio in Reykjavik, Iceland this past April.
The excellent Tobias Hellkvist has signed with London/Tokyo-based label who will be reissuing the previously self-released album "Evolutions" in mid-March with new artwork. More details when I get 'em.
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. TALK 1
02. The Goner - Within the hour
03. Moto Boy - The heart is a rebel
04. Detektivbyrån - Hemvägen
05. TALK 2
06. Valkyrien Allstars - Hvis jeg var deg
07. Tobias Hellkvist - Patience
08. Scarred By Beauty - We swim
09. [ingenting] - Tack
10. TALK 3
11. I'm From Barcelona/Daviel Lindlöf - Lower my head
12. Monazno - Yes we can't
13. Silver - The white logic
14. Eskatol - Siste dans
15. TALK 5
16. Murmansk - The surgical assistant
17. Dyno - Destroy! Destroy!
18. Folkvang - Folkvangs första
19. C.Aarmé - Angola (Princess version)
20. TALK 5
21. Abhinanda - Junior
Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.
When pondering Tobias Hellkvist's new record "Evolutions", keep the title in mind and remember that evolution takes place over huge periods of time. It is not revolution and though this new album does show progression, it does not reflect monumental change. The readily identifiable guitars are gone, replaced by tones and drone, all drifting towards monolithic ambience. "Arms" is a track built on echoing chimes and overtones, sounding something like an underwater clockshop. Or maybe it's your head that's underwater, as the cacophony eventually reveals a deep the groan of a sinking ship that in turn shifts into a light roar of rushing currents and cracking ice. Of course, this being Tobias and his music being the way it is, it's far more dreamy than dreadful. The term "Dronepop" has been floated before, but Tobias is the one artist who I think personifies it best.
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. Bastard Priest - Under the hammer of destruction
02. TALK 1
03. Monty - En till himmel
04. Superfamily - Songs of the weak will die
05. Agent Side Grinder - Black vein
06. TALK 2
07. Murmansk - Silver heel
08. Cleaning Women - Across the void
09. Pintandwefall - Jail
10. TALK 3
11. Tobias Hellkvist - Scars and stripes
12. Truckfighters - Traffic
13. Rockettothesky - Barrie for Billy MacKenzie
14. TALK 4
15. Peter Bjorn and John - I don't know what I want us to do
16. Håkan Hellström - En vån med en bil
17. Barra Head - Common ground
18. TALK 5
19. Makthaverskan - Vi var människor från början
Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.
The new album from IAT.MP3 artist Tobias Hellkvist is done and since he is a gentleman, he is offering three tracks for download/preview: http://www.tobiashellkvist.com/
I've only had a chance to listen to the album once myself, but I definitely dug what I heard. Fans of his earlier work will not be disappointed.
IAT favorite Tobias Hellkvist will be making his live solo debut on November 17 at the church Trinitakis Kirke in Copenhagen, together with P Jørgensen and others. Def sounds like something worth checking out.
If I didn't tell you that Tobias Hellkvist was involved with Pixie Carnation, you'd never know from listening. This band sounds nothing at all like his solo material, though you may start to find parallel threads if you look hard enough. For instance, that soaring e-bow/delay guitar in the background? I'd bet money it's all Tobias. Anyhow, I'm not posting this song because Tobias is involved, I'm posting it because it's a damn good song, one of my current favorites. Our personal connection is merely the method of informational transference, I wouldn't bother talking it up if it didn't deserve it. It's a great opener to their new 5-song "Fresh Poems EP", from the haphazard tuning drone that run into the rhythm guitar jangle and kick/snare lead-off, to the way the strings and feedback eventually coalesce to create a heavy air of anticipation. When the band crashes in with those falsetto backing vocals, I'm won over completely. The future is wide open for these guys -- so very recommended.
Check out Pixie Carnation, a new band featuring IAT.MP3 artist Tobias Hellkvist together with childhood friend Ola Pålsson: http://www.myspace.com/pixiecarnation
It's not like Tobias' other work, but that shouldn't stop you from listening because it's really, really good, solid indierock, emphasis on the rock. Expect a 5-song EP to surface very soon, otherwise enjoy the three tracks up for preview right now.
Tobias Hellkvist