Nom de Guerre will tour Germany in February. Dates so far:
02/20 - Zwölfzehn, Stuttgart
02/21 - Gloria, Regensburg
02/23 - Bang Bang Club, Berlin
03/01 - Unikum, Halle
MP3: Sinikka Langeland - Høstnatt på fjellskogen
Time for some autumnal music - for those that passed on reading the interview (thanks again Mr. Porter!), Sinikka Langeland is a Norwegian/Finnish artist who mixes Nordic folk tradition with modern jazz, her instruments of choice being the kantele and voice. Opening track "Høstnatt på fjellskogen" ("Autumn night in the mountain woods") is evocative of exactly that, the shortening days and the slow recession into winter solitude/hibernation. It rushes in like the wind and then all becomes silent and still. Likewise, this piece moves slowly towards a center - notes are left hanging and unresolved, the strange chords creating a tension in the air. When it finally does drift into silence, there is peace.
Sinikka Langeland - Høstnatt på fjellskogen
This week's It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 albums of the week:
01. Radiohead – In rainbows
02. Sambassadeur – Migration
03. José González – In our nature
04. The Postal Service – Give up
05. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills
06. Mew – Frengers
07. Beirut – Gulag orkestar
08. The Knife – Silent shout
09. Radiohead – OK computer
10. The Arcade Fire – Funeral
Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: https://www.last.fm/help/
Swedish artists under 25 who write their own material are eligible for the Ted Gärdestad stipendiet, a grant put together by Ted's brother (and songwriting partner) Kenneth. There are three prizes available, one for 50,000 SEK and two for 10k apiece. Read more: https://www.tedgardestad.com/
Graveyard
s/t
Transubstans Records/TeePee Records
Hey, this is a shocker! To be honest, we are not that spoiled with great sounding bands from Sweden devoted to this kind of rock n' roll. The kind that flirts with, and administrates, the rawk history of the 70's and early 80's. It's been done so many times before, Spiritual Beggars and Unida got away with it for example, but for the most part, it's been carbon copies getting the press. Here, however, is a band that deserves the press. The obvious influences of Black Sabbath, Pentagram and Blue Cheer are present all along these nine tracks, but the main influence here must be the works of Glenn Danzig. Not so much Misfits though but more his solo albums and, for sure, Samhain. The craftsmanship of producer Don Alsterberg is flawless in letting the not-so-much distorted guitars lead the way through the all-analog recordings. And that is one reason to why this record should appeal to more people outside the hard rock/metal core. The warm and fuzzy feel doesn't take the edge off Graveyard's rock either, that's for sure. The other reason is the great vocals. It's liberating to hear, because if there's one genre where good vocals are required, it's this one! The Danzig progressions are there and I'm floored. The chorus in "Thin line" together with an insane groove takes the song through the roof and I'm screaming for more. Still think of Göteborg as a city of pop sensations or death metal pioneers? Broaden your horizons, here's Graveyard bringing back the rock to you.
- Jonas Appelqvist
Finally here, in-stock and ready to ship:
Laakso - Västerbron & vampires
Jonna Lee - 10 pieces, 10 bruises
Miss Li - Songs of a rag doll
I also have restocks of Hello Saferide, September and Miss Li, so get on it if you want 'em because there's a good chance I might not get more copies until next year. Also, consider the sale I'm currently running - the more you buy, the more you save.
Universal Poplab's upcoming remix album "Uprising - The remixes" has been confirmed for release on November 30 via Wonderland Records. Artists contributing include Zeigeist, Neuropa and Code 64.
Danish label Crunchy Frog (Snake and Jet's Amazing Bullit Band, Powersolo, Junior Senior, etc.) reports back from Iceland Airwaves: https://www.crunchy.dk/asp/default.asp?News_Id=219
Sudd has a new double-disc mixtape posted for free download: https://www.sudd.org/
Disc #1 is dance music, #2 is all 8bit pop.
Swedish label Stupid Dream is streaming their new comp "Elektronisk kompilation" in its entirety right here: https://www.stupiddreamrecords.com/
The collection is a mix of new, up-and-coming artists and a few established ones, all originating from the label's hometown area of Gävle/Sandviken, Sweden. Lots of good stuff as well as new one from in-house artist FAP, so check it out.
Swedish indie act Speedmarket Avenue has signed with Spanish label Elefant Records. Expect a new album in the spring.
Shout Out Louds on tour in Japan:
12/10 - Club 24 West, Yokohama
12/12 - Heaven's Rock VJ-1, Kumagaya
12/13 - O-Nest, Tokyo
Watch Shining (NOR), Enslaved and Keep of Kallessin jam out on King Crimson's "21st century schizoid man": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLdNsnQYKKA
Norwegian pop artist Bertine Zetlitz will release a new best-of collection on December 3. Otherwise, listen to the brand new track "Ashamed" at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/bertineofficial
"Saturn reality" is the name of a new film documentary on the band Circle, set to debut at the Avanto Festival on November 16. Read more: https://www.circlefinland.com/