Country: Norway

Blå Måndag podcast interview

Hello, is this thing on? I'm still retired from running this website, but I never stopped caring about Scandinavian music and apparently some people still care about what I have to say on the subject, so check out this interview I did this past summer with the nice folks at the Blue Monday Podcast: https://www.xn--blmndag-fxab.se/43-kalabalik-2019/
I probably should've posted this back when it first went up, but better late than never, right? And who knows, perhaps I will see you at Kalabalik på Tyrolen next year! Otherwise, feel free to keep up with me and my own solo musical endeavor Harsh R.

So long, farewell

Stick a fork in me, I'm done. After 10 years of near-daily blogging I have decided to walk away from It's a Trap!, a decision that I have weighed for quite some time and one that did not come easily. This site has been a major part of my life the past decade and while I treasure that time greatly, both via the music and all of the absolutely lovely people I've met along the way, I've become increasingly tired, burnt-out and simply far too busy to give it the attention it truly deserves. So, rather than let you bear witness to my slow descent into a crispy shell of bitter cynicism, I'm getting out while the getting's still good. Thanks to all of the amazing bands and labels who I have worked with and whose art has inspired me, thanks to everyone who ever contributed an article, review or even an email recommendation, thanks to Jonas for handling the clubnights so admirably and most of all, thanks to YOU for reading! I doubt I'll ever stop caring about music, Scandinavian or otherwise, so I'm sure I will eventually resurface somewhere else before long. Until then, keep in touch!

Pitchfork says Susanne Sundfør is Best New Music

Pitchfork finally gets hip to the amazing Susanne Sundfør, bestowing their "Best New Music" tag on the single "White foxes": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/14304-white-foxes/

Listen to Norway Band of the Week: Moskus

The young jazz piano trio Moskus is Listen to Norway's latest band of the week: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2012092512363985846646

Study: Oslo and Stockholm lead Europe in music taste

Apparently Oslo and Stockholm are ahead of the curve when it comes to music discovery (and rejection): http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-04/18/cities-musical-taste

Pitchfork reviews Enslaved

Pitchfork likes the new Enslaved album "RIITIIR", but perhaps not quite as much as some folks: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17147-riitiir/

Hombre Malo/Desert Icons - SplitHombre Malo/Desert Icons
Split
Nooirax Producctiones

7

Yep, the crusties will love this! Hombre Malo kick off proceedings off and, to be honest, they do take a while to hit their stride. Once they do though, they just click and you're right in there with them, tearing shit up. The first three tracks are essentially punked-up stoners while closing track "Burial ground for a past life" showcases the Oslo-based sludgers at their finest. The punky stuff might sound cool and all, but when Hombre Malo hit mid-pace before slowing to a drawn-out, doomed halt, it's as pummelling as a bag of pool balls to the cranium. More of this in the future will level cities.

I take it Spain's Desert Icons have listened to a fair bit of Thin Lizzy in the past. The bits on here that do sound like a metalized Lizzy are the downers here. They just lift and brighten the atmosphere a bit too much in something that has the potential to be dark and nasty... in an outstandingly metal way. Out of three songs, opening track "The search" is Alchemist meets Thin Lizzy and the second song, "Animal rage" is Immortal meets Thin Lizzy. And the Lizzy bits are everywhere in both. Closing track "Time for the storm" is the best of the bunch here by miles and it's killer. And there's no Thin Lizzy in it at all! It showcases a band with an identity of their own who sound so fluid when they just run with it rather than trying to show people that they can play like Thin Lizzy. NB. I think this is the most I've ever written Thin Lizzy in my life.
- John Norby

Presenting the Ligetizer

Presenting the Ligetizer, a new 6-metronome instrument designed and constructed by Espen Sommer Eide of Alog/Phonophani. Full details here.

The Quietus talks to Årabrot

The Quietus talks to Årabrot frontman Kjetil Nernes about the band's new EP "Mæsscr": http://thequietus.com/articles/09864-interview-arabrot-kjetil-nernes-maesscr

Haust - Live @ Last Train, Oslo (video)

Live footage of Haust playing in Oslo last weekend with their new lineup and a guest appearance from AnnK of Dark Times.

Ane Brun - These days (video)

New from Ane Brun. In related news, Ane had to cancel her US tour with Paul Gabriel due to illness and is being replaced by friend/band member/Swedish artist Jennie Abrahamson.

Susanna - Imagine (video)

New from Norwegian artist Susanna aka Susanna K. Wallumroe off her latest record "Wild dog".

Presenting: B/B/S/

B/B/S/ = Erik Skodvin (Deaf Center/Svarte Greiner) + Aidan Baker (Nadja) + Andrea Belfi. An album has been recorded and will be released in 2013 via , in the meantime hear some live improv recordings here.

Superfamily - Pay the price (video)

At long last, something new from Superfamily! Recommended! Expect more singles this fall and then a new album in 2013?

Noisey interviews Susanne Sundfør (video)

Noisey sits down with Susanne Sundfør at Øya to talk Norwegian music.