Night Tripper signs Obrero
has announced the signing of Stockholm-based beardos Obrero, a band that features ex-Protector vocalist Martin Missy. Expect an album in April, otherwise hear some sample tunes at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/obreroswe
Niels Nielsen - Whatever I feel
Niels Nielsen released a new song just a week-and-a-half ago, but he's already got a follow-up -- check out his latest work "Whatever I feel" right here: https://nielsnielsen.bandcamp.com/track/whatever-i-feel
Billie the Vision best-of in the works
Swedish indiepoppers Billie the Vision & the Dancers are putting together a best-of compilation featuring cuts from all five of their albums for release this spring which will also include a bonus disc of various friends and role models covering their songs.
MP3: September - Me & my microphone
It's no secret that September is my favorite mainstream pop act and one of the few I follow, which is not to say I'm fully stoked on everything she's done post-"In orbit" (a modern pop classic IMO), but there's no denying that her cover of Petter's "Mikrofonkåt" is fantastic. The numbers support it, the track is huge! Well, now there's than English version of said single and while I'm not as crazy about it as the original på svenska, it's still a quality pop tune and I really do hope she'll be able to continue her success abroad.
PB&J on NPR
Peter Bjorn and John are featured in the latest episode of NPR's All Songs Considered: https://www.npr.org/2011/02/15/133758428/new-mix-peter-bjorn-and-john-fleet-foxes-and-more?sc=nl&cc=asc-20110216
The Megaphonic Thrift - Candy sin (mp3 + US dates)
Norwegian indie act The Megaphonic Thrift is giving away a new track via Filter called "Candy sin": https://filtermagazine.com/index.php/media/entry/mp3_the_megaphonic_thrift_offer_a_candy_sin_filter_exclusive
The band is also coming over for SXSW and has lined up a new NYC gigs in addition to their various showcases:
03/13 - Mercury Lounge, New York, NY w/Arbouretum
03/14 - The Rock Shop, Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Vegan SXSW-send off party)
03/16 - Flavorpill/Musebox/I Rock I Roll/Bellhouse NY Day Party (SXSW), Austin, TX
03/19 - American Art Authority Day Party (4PM) (SXSW), Austin, TX
03/19 - Main showcase at Speakeasy (8PM) (SXSW), Austin, TX
dameUlove is over
Danish feminist music collective dameUlove has decided to shut down after seven years citing "damen er træt" (the lady is tired) and will be going out with a final party on March 26 at Folkets Hus in Copenhagen featuring Amalia, Heidi Mortenson, DJs Djuna Barnes, Rosa Lux and Ung Flugt, and more.
Ludwig Bell - Silvertejp (video)
Ludwig Bell's new video for the song "Silvertejp". Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa4Snuk4iHI
Roxette
Charm school
EMI
Reunions are a tricky thing, especially if it's been a decade, a health scare and a few middling solo releases in between albums. Roxette will always be one of Sweden's most successful and beloved commercial pop bands; no one can take that away from them. Fans were understandably eager to see them reunite, but once you get past the "oh, it's Per!" and "ooh, it's Marie!" nostalgia trip of the new album's opening tracks, it's a long slog through shadows of former glories (chiefly, "Listen to your heart", repeated ad nauseum in slightly different formats). It all sounds like what I feared it might -- a Per Gessle album. Why, when you're known for your bright, shiny pop songs, record an album of plodding, quasi-rock grasping for credibility that it'll never achieve? To many critics, Roxette will never be "credible, and that's part of the reason we fans like them. I wish they would have embraced their glossy pop side (which pokes through on tracks like "Big black Cadillac" and the should-have-been-better lead single "She's got nothing on (but the radio)"). At least if you're going to repeat yourself, have some fun with it.
- Nick James
Jeniferever - Dover / Waifs & strays
There's a couple new tracks from Jeniferever up on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/monotreme-records/sets/jeniferever-dover-and-waifs
Text & Musik, the festival
"Text & Musik" is the name of a new Swedish festival celebrating just that; two nights, two cities, twelve bands, including Mattias Alkberg, Kajsa Grytt, Pascal, Ulf Stureson, Conny Nimmersjö, Magnus Ekelund, The Bells, Hospitalet and more. The first night will take place July 27 at Kägelbanan in Stockholm and from there it will move to Storsjöyran in Östersund way up north for the 29th. Full details at Mattias Alkberg's website: https://www.mabd.se/?p=700
Pato Pooh - Kill Cupid
Swedish rapper Pato Pooh is giving away his new single "Kill Cupid" as a free download: https://patopooh.com/pato-pooh-kill-cupid-mp3/
Kellermensch in Germany
Kellermensch will head to Germany in late April:
04/29 - 59:1, Munchen
05/01 - Knust, Hamburg
05/02 - Lido, Berlin
05/03 - Luxor, Koln
05/04 - Kleine Freiheit, Osnabruck
Best of Imperial Recordings
will celebrate 9 years as a label on March 1 with the release of a new digital-only 41-track greatest hits collection, simply titled "Best of". Featured artists include José González, Promise and the Monster, Zeigeist, Martin McFaul, Melpo Mene, Eskju Divine and Samuraj Cities.
Despotz signs The Unguided
has signed Swedish melodic metal act The Unguided, a new band featuring ex-members of Sonic Syndicate. Look for the band's debut EP "Nightmareland" to be released this spring.