There's a new episode of Listen to Norway's excellent podcast program "99 Minutes" online and it's a special feature on Norway/Scandinavia's biggest folk festival, Folkelarm: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2011092009273169897001
If it's anything like last year's similarly-themed show, this is crucial listening.
' vinyl reissue of Lama's singles collection "...Ja mikään ei muuttunut" will be out next week: http://www.svartrecords.com/shoppe/releases/695-lama-ja-mikaan-ei-muuttunut-lp-.html
For Americans, I'd presume that or will be getting copies eventually just like they did with the self-titled LP and the Ratsia reissues.
UK site The Arts Desk has posted a roundup of new Scandinavian releases including Tiger Baby, Splashgirl, Sacred Harp, Siinai, Jens Lekman and Edda Magnason: http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/just-scandinavia-new-music
Pitchfork reviews the new Regina album "Soita mulle": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15833-souta-mulle/
Another sample from the new Ville Leinonen album "Auringonsäde/Pommisuoja", out now via .
More pop from the archives. One thing I neglected to mention in that last post is how Spotify has affected by current listening habits. While I'm still spending way too much time listening to all the new releases that come my way, I'm mostly exploring the vast acres of music I could never get access to previously. There's still huge gaps in availability (no Bob Seger WTF? and howabout some more Finnish folk?), but there's more than enough good stuff to keep me satisfied for a long, long time. For instance, yesterday I spent a lot of time exploring the catalog, something I would have never enjoyed without shelling out top dollar for import CDs (I highly recommend "Vesper" by New Tango Orquestra). My cup runneth over; it's easy to become overwhelmed. But let us not forget the obscure hits of years past: Boys of Scandinavia do goth/wave-y/funky synth-pop like no other. Will they ever release a new record?
Boys of Scandinavia - Don't wish upon a star
Lapko are back in Woodstock, NY recording their next album: http://lapkolive.blogspot.com/
The Finnish Music Information Centre previews a few new contemporary folk albums from the artist Suo, Polka Chicks and Freija: http://www.fimic.fi/fimic/fimic.nsf/0/52E62730C4F48882C22578E70029BAF4?opendocument
I just wish there was an easy way for me to actually hear these artists.
Pitchfork gives high marks to Finnish black metal act Circle of Ouroborus: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15815-eleven-fingers/
Huge thanks to everyone who has ordered so far -- your packages are in the mail and should hopefully be arriving shortly, if they haven't already. For those of you who have inquired about orders, but have not paid -- I'll hold stuff for another day or so and then it's up for sale again. Everyone else, including those that may be unaware, I'm still clearing out inventory and have plenty of quality stuff to get rid of! As many CDs as you want for $3 plus the price of shipping -- check out the list and email me your order!
A beautiful new video from Finnish act Magenta Skycode for the track "Kipling", filmed in Lapland by producer/director Miikka Niemi.
Spain's multidisciplinary Scandinavian arts festival Días Nórdicos is back for a 2nd year this coming September and October. As before, featured events will include talks, art exhibitions, film and of course, music -- artists confirmed so far include Zebra & Snake, Andi Almqvist, Anna Brønsted (Our Broken Garden), The Megaphonic Thrift, Junip and more. Full details: http://www.diasnordicos.com/
Aversionline is into Finnish beatdown hardcore act .45 Stainless: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2011/09/07/45-stainless-ogbd-cd/
has confirmed that the upcoming debut album from Cigarette Crossfire will be called "In between the cure and the disease" and will be out on October 26. Expect samples to be posted soon.