Listen to Norway has posted a new episode of their 99 Minutes podcast series: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2011102511315112811169
Featured artists this time include Karpe Diem, Jaga Jazzist, Harry's Gym, Splashgirl, Årabrot, Hedvig Mollestad Trio, Martin Hagfors, Ungdomskulen, The Little Hands of Asphalt, Enslaved and lots more.
Norwegian indie/funk act Ungdomskulen have a new single out now called "Facemask", the first taste of their forthcoming album and the follow-up to their "Gimme ten" experiment of 1-minute songs: http://open.spotify.com/album/2X4GktkIR4QC0BjDZyfRvi
Like Rubik, another band with more ideas than songwriting skills, I can't get into this at all.
Pitchfork reviews the new Ungdomskulen pseudo-novelty project "Gimme ten": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15554-gimme-ten/
Also at Pfork today, an "Guest List" interview with Icelandic artist Jóhann Jóhannsson: http://pitchfork.com/features/guest-lists/7985-johann-johannsson/
Nö Music reports that Ungdomskulen will be doing an album of ten one-minute songs, pretty much all I can take from that band, and will posting them for free download before eventually releasing them on vinyl: http://www.nomusicmedia.com/2011/04/12/ungdomskulen-give-us-ten/
Ja Ja Ja February showcase has been confirmed for February 25 and will feature Ungdomskulen, Vuk and The Good the Bad, as selected by curator Simon Raymonde (). Read more: http://www.jajajamusic.com/spotlight.php?id=26
Apparently the April show will feature all metal acts, as chosed by Alexander Milas of Metal Hammer.
Ungdomskulen will be releasing the new 7" single "Idunno" on September 21 via UK club promoter/label NIKA Club and will be celebrating with a record release show at Hoxton Bar in London.
Ungdomskulen's new record "Bisexual" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ungdomskulen
Ungdomskulen's new album "Bisexual" is confirmed for March 2.
NRK Lydverket has live footage of Ungdomskulen performing "Modern drummer" acoustic (almost PSL-style) at Hovefestivalen: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1378342454/bclid1411847775/bctid1632758849
The video for Ungdomskulen's single "Modern drummer" is on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdBFvaxeKf8
UngdomskulenBeing labeled as noiserock can be a bit misleading for these guys, as I've found them, after a few selective listens and seeing this show, as being more a prog-rock band in structure and sound. This is not a bad thing at all, it just can lead to a bit of confusion. As for the show, the band put forth a metric ton of energy, beating the audience relentless and loud for around fifty or so minutes. Playing tracks from last year's "Cry-baby", the band's performance resembled a punked-up version of Adom or Queens of the Stone Age. After my ears stopped ringing, it was obvious that these three Norsemen put on a good show. Keep tabs on them the next time they come to your town.
- Matt Giordano
Friday Bridge is collaborating with Labrador artists The Sound of Arrows on their new album, due out in August. Friday Bridge will also be contributing the track "It girl" to volume two edition of the "Digital penetration" compilation series being put out by UK-based label Alt Delete Records. Other Scandinavians on said comp include Slagsmålsklubben and Ungdomskulen and you can get more details at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/altdelete
Norwegian noiserockers Ungdomskulen on tour in the US:
01/15 - The Werehouse, Winston Salem, NC
01/16 - Nightlight, Chapel Hill, NC
01/17 - The Spazzatorium Galleria!, Greenville, NC
01/18 - The Red & Black, Washington DC
01/20 - Cake Shop, New York, NY
01/22 - O'Briens Pub, Allston, MA
01/23 - AS220, Providence, RI
01/24 - TBA, Ithaca, NY
01/25 - Lee's Palace, Toronto ONT
01/26 - The Pike Room, Pontiac, MI
01/27 - Grog Shop, Cleveland Heights, OH
01/28 - Jammin Java, Vienna, VA
01/29 - The M Room, Philadelphia, PA
01/31 - The EARL, Atlanta, GA
02/01 - Tasty World, Athens, GA
02/06 - Club NME @ Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA
PopMatters reviews Norwegian hype noiserockers Ungdomskulen: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/51540/ungdomskulen-cry-baby/
