Danish heavies Rising have officially signed with German label and will soon begin recording their debut full-length with producer Jacob Reichert Nielsen in late March. Expect a late October release with a European tour to follow.
Powersolo's new album "Buzz human" has been confirmed for release on February 14 via . Hear the poetic title track: http://www.powersolo.dk/
is a new label out of Copenhagen, starting off a few digital EP releases this spring to be followed by vinyl later on down the road. Their first release: a stunner of a debut from electro artist Ticktock called "In the belly of the whale #1". Actually, I've only heard half of the release's 4 tracks, but I'm way way into it, so you get to grab one of them today and/or hit up Soundcloud for the other. I'm all about goth balladry as the sound of 2011, Ticktock fills that niche quite nicely. Get the rest on the official release date which is February 7.
Ticktock - Carnivala
Danish pop act Aqua are reportedly back in the studio working on new material for an album.
Danish act Alcoholic Faith Mission have a new video for the song "My eyes to see": http://www.vimeo.com/17991064
Today is the release of Iceage's debut full-length "New brigade", available on vinyl via and CD/digital via , is the first great new release of 2011. Knowing that Peter Peter of The Sods/Sort Sol produced their self-titled 7" and that it was subsequently picked up by MRR as a band-to-watch should give you a good idea of where these kids are coming from, but just in case, let me elaborate: Iceage are a group of Danish kids in their late teens playing tense postpunk as if the last 30 years of music never happened. There's no "tryhard" feeling to it either, it really does sound like these dudes naively picked up instruments and the sounds you hear are exactly what came out. No false affection, no retro posturing, all natural rock'n'roll. "White rune" is my favorite tune from said album, but there's plenty more where that came from.
Iceage - White rune
Mechanical Bird are a great, low-key Danish act who fall under the radar far too easily, despite my admiration of them in the past. They released a new EP back in late October, yet here I am only now just getting around to talking about it. January is supposed to be a quiet month, but no, I keep finding myself buried in more and more work, getting further behind. Anyhow, "Eternity and such" is a highlight of said EP, anchored by gently plucked banjo and metaphysical queries. The first note of the vocals always has me thinking that they'll go into some Simon & Garfunkel-style harmonies, but when the chorus actually does come in, the gentle female backing vox (by Sarah Hepburn?) give it a different feeling entirely, something a bit more twee. Otherwise, the song builds with a subtle kitchen sink approach, layering in additional little oddities with every iteration until the gathered multitudes applaud themselves at the end. Low-key for sure, but not worth passing up entirely.
Mechanical Bird - Eternity and such
Danish rockers Black City have a new video for the song "The one you sacrifice": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6QdY304p4o
Danish act Green Pitch has announced their intention to release three new EPs over the course of 2011. The first one, entitled "Asleep", was supposed to come out in the fall and is now confirmed for release on January 24 and will be available on vinyl or as a paid download. Label says the 2nd should be out this summer, but no date has been confirmed yet.
Efterklang guitarist Frederik Teige is going solo and will be giving away his debut album "Body god" via Bandcamp beginning on January 14. Check out the single "Invisible vampires" here: http://frederikteige.bandcamp.com/track/invisible-vampires
Niki and the Dove (#8) and Oh Land (#13) make NME's list of "20 bands you need to hear in 2011" which probably means that the hype of these probably overrated acts will be deafening.
The final 12 nominees for the first annual Nordic Music Prize have been announced:
Dungen - Skit i allt
Paleface - Helsinki – Shangri-La
Frisk Frugt - Dansktoppen møder Burkina Faso i det himmelblå rum hvor solen bor, suite
Susanne Sundfør - The Brothel
Robyn - Body talk
Jónsi - Go Do
Efterklang - Magic Chairs
Serena Maneesh - S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor
The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a scheme
Ólöf Arnalds - Innundir skinni
Kvelertak - Kvelertak
First Aid Kit - The big black & the blue
The winner will be announced during by:Larm in Oslo February 17-19. More here: http://nordicmusicprize.com/
The Embassies of Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway are collaborating together on a Scandinavian music showcase in Zürich, Switzerland entitled "Sounds Nordic, Sounds Good!". The inaugural event will happen on January 16 and will feature representatives from each of the four countries: Saybia, Sivert Høyem, The Amplifetes and Sweatmaster. For more details, go here or here.
Berlin-based Scandinavian music clubnight Nordic By Nature has a new mixtape for January: http://soundcloud.com/shibie/nordic-by-nature-honey-jan-mix
They also have a show booked for January 31 featuring Iceland's Bloodgroup at the Levee Club: http://www.nbnberlin.de/tickets.html
No exact dates yet except for one, but here's 's confirmed release list for this coming spring:
Dragontears - 2000 micrograms from home LP repress. 500 copies on green vinyl. (AFROLP032). Release January 17.
Baby Woodrose - Mindblowing seeds & disconnected flowers LP/CD (AFROLP041/AFROCD041)
Baby Woodrose - Blows your mind LP repress. 500 copies on purple vinyl. (AFROLP020)
On Trial - 2x7" (FRO050)
Telstar Sound Drone - 7" (FRO051)
And for fall:
Baby Woodrose - Love comes down CD/LP (AFROLP042/AFROCD042)
The Setting Son - s/t LP repress. 500 copies on red vinyl. (AFROLP034)
Baby Woodrose/The Setting Son split 7” (FRO052)
The Dolly Rocker Movement (AU/US) - Your side of town 7” (FRO053)