Italian website Onda Rock has assembled a new comp of Scandinavian music for free download, including tracks from artists such as Emerald Park, I'm Kingfisher, Old Lost John, Mylittlepony and much more: http://www.ondarock.it/speciali/ondadrops05.htm
New brutal hardcore/metal out of Norway flying under the banner Heksed. The band's self-titled debut album was just released and can be streamed in full at Bandcamp.
has posted details for the upcoming Motorpsycho double-album concept work and Ståle Storløkken collaboration "The death defying unicorn": http://www.runegrammofon.com/artists/motorpsycho/rcd-2124-motorpsycho-and-stale-storlokken-the-death-defying-/
This is the winner of this year's NRK Urørt contest for best unsigned act in Norway.
Jenny Hval on the new Hanne Hukkelberg album "Featherbrain", due out February 17 via : http://www.propellerrecordings.no/hanne-hukkelberg-introducing-featherbrain
Norwegian pop act Donkeyboy will release their sophomore album "Silver moon" on March 2.
A Fist in the Face of God interviews the dudes from Norwegian thrash act/Obliteration sideproject Nekromantheon: http://afistinthefaceofgod.blogspot.com/2012/01/interview-with-kick-sindre-of.html
Pitchfork gives high marks to the most recent Alog album "Unemployed": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16193-unemployed/
artists Jenny Hval and Phaedra will be making their London debut together at the Borderline on March 19. And in related news, labelmates Motorpsycho will be playing London as well, at the Garage on April 12.
has announced that they will be releasing the debut album "The bride" from Swedish bassist Martin Höper on January 25. Go here for a sample tune. HOOB will also be collaborating with Norwegian jazz/folk label on the release of the new Lindha Kallerdahl album "Let's dance" on February 15. Samples and more info on that one right here.
Various ArtistsFifth signature compilation from the very cool Oslo-based label , celebrating their five years of existence and a variety and diversity of styles. The label's ability to act as an umbrella collective works when the sum of so many contrasting creative devices, at times, outweigh some particulars -- but in the spirit of camaraderie, we're not here to pick those out. Experimental yet smart, the label is a solid example of successful DIY'ing in today's world. The comp could probably roughly grouped into categories: quirky-electronic-based tracks (Hans Ice - "Phone home" / satanicpronocultshop - "Tennnojizoo (remix by Kesalan Patharan)", Toshybot - "Super Nintendo Chalmers"); 80s synth-pop tunes in the vibe of Bill Murray on a karaoke dance-floor (Cyranoarmageddon - "50 cent" / Pilemil - "Back to 1010"); nods to Can (Radio 9 - "Damo Suzuki is staying at my house"); literary freak folk star Magnus Moriarty with, "Distant athletic parts of you" and other serious folk-ies (Yoreyolk - "Eggs" / Feather and Folly - "Emma's island"). My two favourite tracks however, are Hanny - "Can't", female fronted rapping/vocals producing some catchy beats. Then Easy & Center of the Universe - "Bosphorus (Coco high energy rewerk)", mixing the "irresistibly funky sound of Skweee with rich Eastern melodies that one would usually hear in styles like Turkish Anatolian pop, Egyptian our music or dance latest dance sound pounding from a Persian bazaar." If that ain't descript enough for you, let's just say it sounds like the parents have finally reigned home and inundated the kids with who's boss. A comp highly recommended for anyone wanting an appealing taster through Oslo's underground.
- Ann Sung-an Lee
Brand new from Norwegian act Mount Washington (nee Washington). Look for the band to release a new album later this year.
The Øyafestivalen and Music Export Norway are teaming up to bring upstart Norwegian acts Young Team and Razika to London for a pair of showcases in late February. They'll also be doing a split 7" in collaboration with Rough Trade. Full details: http://www.musicexportnorway.no/oya-and-men-bring-acts-to-london.5006721-149133.html
has confirmed that Norwegian black thrashers Aura Noir will release their new album "Out to die" on March 23. Full details: http://www.indierecordings.net/news/news.php?id=66
