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There's a new batch of swedish indierockbands out there. The scene is very much alive and kicking, much thanks to bands like Seven Feet Four, Division of Laura Lee, KVLR, Alarma Man, Knife and Ape, LDOA and Logh. On this three track-EP, this Eskilstuna-based quintet deliver the kind of tunes that put them in the same league. I had often come to the conclusion that something was missing after hearing their previous recordings, but not anymore. This is well-played and tight indierock with hooks. Especially the title track that, if there's any justice in this world, should get more airtime and attention. It's about time these guys release another full-length.
- Jonas Appelqvist
The two musical genres I find myself listening to the most are generally considered to be two of the most reviled: country and metal. I'm sure some of that is due to my steadfast, contrarian nature, but I make no apologies. I am what I am. If having Slayer loaded on my mp3 player and Strayfolk in the car stereo seems at odds, that's too bad. Good music is good music.
I've been covering a few things from the heavier end of the spectrum recently, so let's switch sides and talk country. Strayfolk is the kind of band you are amazed to discover is from Scandinavia - they're the kind of band I expect to run into at the local dive, playing an extended set for a group of indifferent drunks. There's a touch of The Pogues in their sound, but their roots are most definitely in classic Americana. Let me put it this way: if you enjoyed Bruce Springsteen's recent Pete Seeger tribute, you'll love this. It's rough and tumble at times but, as you'll hear on today's mp3, also capable of being laidback and gentle. It's those latter qualities that appeal to me most as I find them to be the most elusive. Anyone can play tough and act like a drunk, but tapping into the other, softer side of country proves to be far more difficult and is harder to fake. You can hear it in the way the performers lay behind the beat, in the coo of the steel guitar. Very well done.
Listen to more tracks from the band's website: www.strayfolk.com
Strayfolk - I thought I had it down
Just got copies of Samuraj Cities yesterday as well as restocks of both EST and Peter Bjorn and John, so head to the store to hook yourself up. I'm still working on getting more copies of Hello Saferide's "Would you let me..." EP, but it's slow going. Soon, I hope.
Download an mp3 of Swedish noiseniks The Skull Defekts performing live at Tate Gallery on January 5, 2007: https://www.dexterbentley.com/audio/hellogoodbye/SkullDefekts.mp3
The release of Annika Norlin's (Hello Saferide) Swedish language project Säkert! has been moved up to February 7.
Danish act Port Largo has a new song up on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/portlargo
New UK tourdates for Mando Diao:
03/05 - Audia, Brighton
03/06 - Kings College, London
03/07 - Zodiac, Oxford
03/08 - Cockpit, Leeds
03/09 - Cathouse, Glasgow
03/10 - Academy, Manchester
03/11 - Academy, Birmingham
The new BSBTA Label Group website is now online: https://www.bsbta.com/
Swedish hip-hop producer Jimmy Ledrac has produced the debut single "Excuse me" for American pop artist Angelique Cinelu and you can listen to it now on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/jimmyledrac
New tourdates for Logh:
02/01 - Cafe de la Plage, Paris (FRA)
02/02 - Cafe Nun, Karlsruhe (GER)
02/03 - Salzhaus, Winterthur (CH)
02/04 - Tams Theater, München (GER)
02/06 - Magnolia, Milan (ITA)
02/07 - Schokoladen, Berlin (GER)
02/20 - AC 30, London (UK)
02/21 - Packhorse, Leeds (UK)
02/22 - Balcony Bar, Dundee (UK)
02/24 - Cavern Club, Exeter (UK)
02/25 - The Hope, Brighton (UK)
02/26 - Porth Mahon, Oxford (UK)
Bad Afro has announced that they'll be releasing the debut album "2000 micrograms from home" from Danish all-star act Dragontears on March 19. The band features members from Baby Woodrose and On Trial and started out as an improv/jam project back around New Year's 2005. Go here for samples/more info: https://www.myspace.com/dragontears2000
Daniel Dellamorte from Insision has published book chronicling the early history of Swedish death-metal entitled, plainly enough "Swedish Death Metal". The book is 500 pages long and features extensive interviews, photos, a complete A-Z list of over 900 (!!!) bands and zines and, best of all, is published in English so anyone can read it. There will also be an extra special releasefest on January 26 at Kafé 44 in Stockholm featuring pre-At the Gates act Grotesque (their first show in 16 years!) plus Nirvana 2002 and Internment. More info: https://www.myspace.com/tamarapress
Finnish act Montevideo has posted the video for the single "Come clean": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHPzGIbACKM