The Union Square Barnes & Noble store in NYC will play host to a special arts discussion and performance from Norwegian singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche and author Gary Shteyngart ("Absurdistan") on July 19 at 7pm. Journalist Katherine Lanpher will host and seating is availalbe on a first-come, first-served basis. More details and background info: https://upcoming.org/event/88824/
Willowtree will be doing some dates around Germany this fall: https://www.willowtree.se/live.asp?what=live
This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group most-played artist chart:
01. Camera Obscura
02. Johnny Cash
03. The Knife
04. Hello Saferide
05. Death Cab for Cutie
06. Tiger Lou
07. Jens Lekman
08. Sigur Rós
09. Radiohead
10. Belle and Sebastian
Top 10 tracks for the week:
01. Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken
02. Camera Obscura - Tears for Affairs
03. Hello Saferide - The Quiz
04. Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill
05. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
06. Camera Obscura - Dory Previn
07. Camera Obscura - Come Back Margaret
08. Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of This Country
09. Camera Obscura - Razzle Dazzle Rose
10. El Perro del Mar - Party
Want to make your own playlist count? Go here to learn more: https://www.last.fm/help/
After various delays, Duplicate Records finally has the new Lydia Laska EP "White trash attack" available for preorder. Preview some songs on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/lydialaska
Think black-metal garage-rock. Dark, filthy and bathed in fuzzy distortion.
Audrey new website is now online: https://audrey.se/
It's still a ways off, but Alarma Man is starting to work on a European tour in November. Dates so far:
11/04 - Denmark
11/05 - Germany
11/06 - tbc, Amsterdam
11/07 - Benelux
11/08 - Benelux
11/09 - Benelux
11/10 - La CASAmance, La Rochelle (FRA)
11/11 - Le Mondo Bizarro, Rennes (FRA)
11/12 - France
11/13 - Switzerland
11/14 - Switzerland
11/15 - Austria
11/16 - Sunny Red, München w/Kam:as
11/17 - Storchennest, Heidelberg w/Kam:as
11/18 - tbc, Magdeburg, w/Kam:as
11/19 - Germany
11/20 - Germany
11/21 - Germany
11/22 - Germany
11/23 - Germany
11/24 - tbc, Berlin
11/25 - tbc, Leipzig
Swedish superstars Kent are reportedly under investigation for using false 500 SEK notes in the video for "Kärleken väntar" from back in 2002. Apparently the props found their way into circulation?
Jimmy Ledrac's remix of "Songs of joy" by Promoe (and featuring Capleton) is available for free download: https://www.ledracmusic.com/
New music blog Pop Musicology posts on Scandinavian music and gives yours truly a shout-out in the process: https://www.popmusicology.com/the-scandinavians-are-coming/
MP3: Satyricon - To the mountains
When you hear the term "heavy metal", chances are high that you don't immediately think of large brass instruments. Perhaps after listening to today's mp3 from Satyricon's new album "Now, diabolical", your perception will be forever changed. I know it sounds weird on paper, but when the tubas and trombones enter a couple of minutes into the piece, it makes sense. The dark and bassy bell-tones are a complimentary counterpoint to b>Satyricon's perfect cold recording sound. The guitars are brittle and harsh, but layered so thickly that they come together in a thick wall of ice. Satyricon's music isn't all blazing blast-beats anymore - they've added far more rock'n'roll swagger and later-era Black Flag-style mid-paced riffing - but the impression it leaves is still pretty damn grim. I wasn't too stoked about the band's last album and I'm not all into the single "K.I.N.G", but I find "Now, diabolical" to be quite impressive overall. They are not content to repeat themselves, so they're trying new things and I commend that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but at least they aren't resting on their laurels.
Satyricon - To the mountains
MP3: The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Only lovers left alive
It's Friday and I'm feeling sluggish, so that means it's time for yet another guestpost. Here's one from frequent contributor Matt Giordano:
"Only lover's left alive" hooked me into The (International) Noise Conspiracy's first (and I still think best) album. A perfect slice of pop, the track (and also the album) have the (I)NC at an upbeat 60s British soul/mod/punk sound. Not just a highlight of "Survival sickness," this was also a top track of 2001. Here's to hoping the Conspiracy returns to this sound aesthetic on their next album.
The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Only lovers left alive
Whacked-out Norwegian jazz act Shining recently posted a whole slew of live videos to youtube: https://www.shining.no/v1/news.php
Norwegian noise/cut-up act Next Life has posted a brand new track for download: https://www.electricdungeon.org/03_Media.html
Combat Rock has posted the title track from the new Abduktio record for free download: https://www.fireinsidemusic.com/mp3/abba_yovuoro.mp3
Acid House Kings are giving away their cover of the Loveninja's "Keep your love" as a free download on the occasion of their upcoming US tour: https://www.labrador.se/keepyourlove/
Those dates yet again:
07/06 - 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
07/07 - School Kids Records, Chapel Hill, NC (2pm)
07/07 - Raleigh Music Hall, Raleigh, NC
07/08 - Cake Shop, New York, NY
07/09 - North Six, Brooklyn, NY
07/10 - TT the Bear's, Cambridge, MA
07/11 - DC Nine, Washington, DC
07/12 - Kensington South Forum, Philadelphia, PA