Download the music box version of "Hem ljuva hem" from Detektivbyrån: https://www.detektivbyran.net/hemljuvahemmusicbox.mp3
Listen to Peter Morén of Peter Bjorn and John help out with WNYC Soundcheck's Picks of the Week: https://www.wnyc.org/shows/soundcheck/episodes/2007/11/13
Morten Harket's (A-ha) new single "Movies" is now streaming at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/harketmorten
It's a Trap! isn't nominated for a Plug Award, but Blog Radio on Sirius Left of Center sure is. Vote here: https://www.plugawards.com/
Look under "Media Catergoies (Obessive) > Specialty Show Of The Year (Commercial Radio)". Otherwise, check out other Scandinavians nominated for various categories such as José González (Americana, male artist, video), Jens Lekman (male artist), Watain (metal), The Field (electronica/dance) and Prins Thomas (DJ album).
Swedish acts confirmed for EuroSonic: I'm from Barcelona (official opening act for EuroSonic 2008), Detektivbyrån, Those Dancing Days, Promise and the Monster, Lykke Li, Cult of Luna, Miss Li, Little Dragon, Moonbabies, Taxi Taxi, Friska Viljor, Burst and Andi Almqvist. The festival, one of Europe's preeminent platforms for new music, will feature a special focus on Sweden and takes place in Groningen, the Netherlands, on January 10-12. More info: https://www.noorderslag.nl/
MP3: Tiger Lou - Sam, as in Samantha
Truth be told, I wasn't terribly impressed when I first heard Tiger Lou via the single "Oh, Horatio". It's a fine song, but it took seeing him live at a random living room show in Oakland for me to really appreciate his talent. Rasmus Kellerman's greatest musical asset is his voice, so to hear his songs distilled down to barebones accompaniment was the revelation I needed. His presence and projection made me hear each song anew. It's not a universal test for all types of music, but if the song works in such a setting, it proves that it's bonified. Listening back to Rasmus' early singles this morning makes me realize how far he's come over the years - what was once a promising young singer/songwriter has developed into a true artist, something that first becomes apparent on today's song selection "Sam, as in Samantha". It's still a dude and his guitar at its core, but it's also imbued with a strong sense of drama that didn't exist before on his early 7"s. It's in the production, it's in the performance. Where he goes next, remains unknown - the songs, the voice will undoubtedly be Tiger Lou/Rasmus Kellerman, but I think he aims to surprise as well. New influences, new perspectives... how could he not? Whatever he does come up with, I'm sure it will be great.
Tiger Lou - Sam, as in Samantha
Pitchfork reviews the new album from The Hives: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/47067-the-black-and-white-album
Mixtapes & Cellmates
A retrospective
Nomethod
This compilation of sold-out EPs hit the shelves not too long after their debut full-length and offers the ears the band's early development. Personally, I find this material more enjoyable than the self-titled album, mainly due to the prevalent heavy shoegaze elements. Here the shoegaze fuzz accentuates the beauty and gives off an ethereal quality to songs such as "C: you D: the ride home" and "Something less than last time". Their future move of abandoning the pretty, melodic slight drone for great pop hooks is no surprise really, however what the listener gets here is a stellar example of where I consider the band to excel - in shoegaze buried pop.
- Matt Giordano
The latest Music Export Finland newsletter is now online: https://musex.fi/mxf/player/news?articleId=145
September's brand new video for "Until I die" is now online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1W7GyumTqo
In case you are looking for an affordable way to purchase her latest album "Dancing shoes", I've got it right here.
Swedish jazz pianist Mats Öberg (Mats/Morgan) has a new solo album on Caprice called "Improvisational two". Read more: https://www.caprice.rikskonserter.se/template/CDNewsDetail.asp?NewsID=595 (in Swedish)
This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:
01. Kurt Nilsen - Push push
02. Hellbillies - Spissrotgang
03. D.D.E. - 15 år live
04. CC Cowboys - På Svalbard uten strøm
05. Ole Ivars - Vi lever i håpet
06. Henning Kvitnes - Stemmer i gresset
07. Dance With A Stranger - Everyone needs a friend - The Very Best of DWAS
08. Vidar Johnsen & Peter Nordberg - Ord & Øgonblick
09. Alejandro Fuentes - Tomorrow only knows
10. Ole Edvard Antonsen - Landscapes
11. Minor Majority - Candy store (2 CD edition)
12. Jan Eggum - Hjerteknuser
13. Valkyrien Allstars - Valkyrien Allstars
14. GT-Sara - På farten med full rulle
15. Raga Rockers - Ubermensch
16. Scandinavia - Fly
17. Sigvart Dagsland - Forandring
18. Christian Ingebrigtsen - The Truth about lies
19. Trond-Viggo Torgersen - Det du kan + noe rart & noe nytt
20. Iver Kleive - Requiem
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
02. Martin Stenmarck - Det är det pojkar gör när kärleken dör
03. Christian Kjellvander - I saw her from here/I saw here from her
04. Hardcore Superstar - dreamin' in a casket
05. Christer Sjögren - Älskade andliga sånger
06. Magnus Uggla - Pärlor åt svinen
07. Louise Hoffsten - Så speciell
08. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
09. Peter Lemarc - Kärlek i tystnadens tid
10. Petter - God damn it
11. Thorleifs - Våra bästa år
12. Nisse Hellberg - En tiger i tanken
14. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao 3
15. Peter Jöback - Människor som du och jag
16. Shirley Clamp - Tålamod
17. The Hives - The black and white album
18. E-Type - Eurotopia
19. Drifters - Ett liv med dig
20. Mando Diao - Never seen the light of day
The new Disfear album "Live the storm" has been confirmed for release on January 22 in North America, January 28 elsewhere via Relapse Records. Look for the band to tour both US coasts next year in support. Check out a live video of a brand new track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8gREjpHrHU