reports that Fire! recently did some shows with Jim O'Rourke (Sonic Youth, Wilco, etc.) in Japan and also recorded some studio sessions together. Look for the end result to be released in 2011. In other RG news, check out preliminary details for their next release, "Inertiadrome" by Ultralyd: http://www.runegrammofon.com/artists/ultralyd/rcd-2105-ultralyd_-inertiadrome
has posted samples of new music in their website's player, including upcoming tracks from "Twenty years of stony sleep", the new record from Jenny Hval (Rockettothesky) and Maja Ratke (Fe-mail, etc.), as well new stuff from artists such as Ultralyd and Scorch Trio: http://www.runegrammofon.com/news
The mystery is revealed! TLRC = Rune Grammofon's new imprint The Last Record Company. Look for new releases from Maja Ratkje, Ultralyd and Stian Westerhus in the near future.
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:
01. Disfear - Deadweight
02. TALK 1
03. The Social Services - Up in arms
04. Kaka - The hotspurs (the less know the faster we go)
05. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Manic panic
06. TALK 2
07. Tiger Lou - Patterns
08. Paper - My life is going under
09. Dreamboy - Stars
10. TALK 3
11. Lack - Watchmen
12. Don't Be A Stranger - Mon chi-chi
13. Ea Philippa - Heslenes sang
14. TALK 4
15. Ef - Thrills
16. Isolation Years - Yellow cross on blue
17. Frivolvol - Satellite kids
18. TALK 5
19. Enslaved - Eld
20. The Grand Opening - Secrets revealed
21. Ultralyd - Comphonie V
22. TALK 8
23. Firefok AK - Techno tears
24. The Indecision Alarm - Alienation process
25. Looptroop Rockers - Marinate
26. TALK 7
27. Markus Krunegård - Jag är en vampyr
28. The End Will Be Kicks - Exit ramps
29. Cadillac - Locomotive
30. TALK 8
31. Lukestar - Lake Toba
32. Commando M Pigg - Baby doll
33. Printer - Minds out
34. TALK 9
35. Seven Feet Four - Auto emotion
36. Tobias Hellkvist - Abomination
37. Barra Head - Undermine
38. TALK 10
39. Britta Persson - Happy hour
40. Anna Leong - Guillotine
41. Ted Gärdestad - Can't stop this train
42. TALK 11
The playlist for my radio show this week:
01. Paper - My life is going under
02. TALK 1
03. Mr. Suitcase - You don't smile anymore
04. Camouflage - Violetta du
05. Majessic Dreams - Black out
06. TALK 2
07. Amorphis - Towards and against
08. Beyond Dawn - Among the sedatives
09. Don't Be A Stranger - Perfect problem
10. TALK 3
11. Totalitär - Nej vi ska inte ha nåt
12. Miss Li - I'm glad I'm not a proud American
13. Tiger Lou - A lucky escape
14. Oskar Schönning - Fraid
15. TALK 4
16. Karsten Pflum - Draworder
17. Anna Ternheim - Lovers dream
18. Front and the Factory Lies Beneath - Drown in misery
19. TALK 5
20. Midaircondo - Could you please stop
21. Pg.lost - Yes I am
22. The Perishers - Carefree
23. TALK 6
24. Pistol Disco - Upside down
25. Nasum - The system has failed again
26. Sweatmaster - Mystery
27. The Second Band - The modern age
28. Träd, Gräs och Stenar - In kommer gösta
29. TALK 7
30. Ultralyd - Low waist
31. Ambulance - Forever friends
32. The Social Services - Up in arms
33. TALK 8
34. Barra Head - Overseas
35. Sivert Høyem - Exiles
36. Viola - Imaginary times
37. TALK 9
38. Kornstad - Turkey, Texas
This Ultralyd track reminds me a lot of God, the short-lived Kevin Martin/Justin Broadrick project from back in the 90s. Take the relentless, crushing groove of the Swans and layer it with avant noise. There's no screaming sax here though, just wailing feedback, though that does turn up elsewhere on the record, more often on the spacier tracks. However, since I'm a guy who loves tracks that bludgeon the listener into submission, this is the one piece that stands out the most for me. While I generally appreciate the thought and talent that goes into every single Rune Grammofon release, it's only the more cohesive, rhythmically consistent albums that can hold my attention. When Ultralyd is steady on-point like this, I'm all about it. When they start mining more ambient/abstract territory, they lose me.
Ultralyd - Low waist
Rune Grammofon has posted details for the forthcoming Ultralyd album "Conditions for a piece of music", due out May 21: http://www.runegrammofon.com/artists/ultralyd/rcd2065-ultralydconditionsfora
Rune Grammofon will be releasing two new albums in late May, "Norwegianism" from MoHa! and "Conditions for a piece of music" from Ultralyd. MoHa! is the duo of Anders Hana (guitar) and Morten J. Olsen (drums) and Ultralyd is those two plus Kjetil Møster (sax) and Kjetil D. Brandsdal (bass, Noxagt). They reportedly sound nothing alike, as the latter is said to be "kind of slow contemporary chamber rock." Look for both on CD and limited vinyl.
French label Textile Records will be releasing a split 12" featuring Norwegian/Load Records acts Noxagt and Ultralyd. It will be out in mid-May and will feature all-exclusive material.
The planned Skull Defekts/Ultralyd split 7" on Fang Bomb has now turned into a 4-way split LP with high quality noise artists Skull DFX, Ultralyd, Bastard Noise and Wolf Eyes. No word on a release date yet.
Upcoming tourdates for Finnish post-rock superstars Circle:
10/08 - The Croft, Bristol (UK) w/Fuzz Against Junk
10/09 - St John's Church, Leeds (UK) w/Guapo, Jazzfinger, LAKOM
10/10 - The Cluny, Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK) w/Ultralyd, Jazzfinger, Sound System
10/11 - Studio 24, Edinburgh (UK) w/Moniak
10/12 - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham (UK) w/Oxes
10/14 - Three Fat Fish, Exeter (UK)
10/15 - The Spitz, London (UK) w/Guapo, Sunroof!
10/16 - The Engine Room, Brighton (UK) w/Raised By Wolves, Charlottefield, Southall Riot