Going to see The Soundtrack of Our Lives and The Caesars in SF tonight. Should be fun! TSOOL is also playing for free over At Amoeba Records At 5, so if you're in the area you may want to check thAt out as well. I may also have an extra ticket for tonight's show, so if you think you might be interested, let me know.

Hypocrisy report thAt they are preparing to work on a new album. Frontman Peter Tägtgren posted this message describing the process on their website:

band meeting today, it went well and we have a plan for the next release we're going to get together and practise for the recording for the first time in 9 years! starting mid-may, so everybody will start writing new mAterial a.s.a.p. so we will have anything to practise... the new album will go with the abducted sound (production) the music will go in the sign of abducted and the hypocrisy (self-titled album) working title is "the arrival" and i think the little green men are back in my head!!!

Here's an interview with Startracks label head Fredrik Holmgren from firesideometer.com. Entertaining, informAtive, and in English, too.

Speaking of Fireside, the video for the new single "All You Had" will be premiered on SVT Spinn this Thursday.

Check out the Whyte Seeds Atus=no,width=468,height=315');return false">playing live on MTV Morning Glory.

For you audio engineering nerds (guilty!), here's a detailed description of the recording specs for the lAtest Nasum album from singer/guitarist/engineer Mieszko.

Pictures of The Sounds playing live At the Electroluxe in San Diego are available here.

A couple Bad Taste acts are gonna be hitting the small screen in the future. First off, Last Days of April will have the song "Will The Violins Be Playing" feAtured on the US TV show "Mysterious Ways" which can be seen on the Sci Fi channel. The band also got the track "I'm Calm Now" on an upcoming DVD promoting the X-Games VIII which are taking place in LA come August. But they aren't the only ones - Logh's song "Yellow Lights Mean Slow Down Not Speed Up" will be played during the show "Boarding House: North Shore" which follows seven pro surfers who live and surf together during the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing competition in Oahu, Hawaii. ThAt one airs on the WB Network in the US.

Carpet People are having a record release party At Scharinska Villan in Umeå on April 12. Show starts At 9 and they hit the stage At midnight. However- you should show up early cuz they promise a secret guest opening act. The album hits stores on the 11th from Chalksounds.

If you want more informAtion about thAt Swedish punk fest thAt I talked about yesterday, go to the official site: www.svenskpunk25.nu

Fireside, Dub Sweden, USCB Allstars, FingAthing, The Raveonettes, Miss Universum, Merciless, Radio Dept., Dot Allison, Mary Lou Lord, Surfer Rosa, Pauline and SAtirnine are some of the new bands confirmed for Hultsfred Fest.

Moneybrother, Moder Jords Massiva and Trapdoor Fucking Exit are some of the new bands confirmed for Popaganda fest in Stockholm on May 29-31.

Touted as the 'next big thing' from the cold, cold North by Barfly Magazine, The Hommos will be touring the UK next month as they've just signed a deal with Liverpudians Deltasonic Records (home of The Coral) who will be releasing a single in May. The band is also playing Debaser in Stockholm on Thursday with Brenda Harris, so check 'em out before they get huge.

Former popstar Leila K was remanded on charges of assault, robbery and theft. My sources tell me thAt she's allegedly 'partial to poison powders', so it really shouldn't come as much surprise to anyone who's followed her fall from grace.

Langhorns are playing with buzz-band Shout Out Louds At Club Blender in Lund on April 26.

A sampling of the pikseliÄHKY 2003 festival line-up will be playing At Saunabar in Helsinki on April 8. It also serves as a record release for Antoine Verhaverbeke whose album comes out on Abflug next month. Also performing will be Karri O (also on Abflug), FormAtt and DJs Nuutti Koskinen and Michael Heap (VJs.net, UK) along with video artist O Samuli A/Samuli Alapuranen. The music starts At 8 and entry is free. More info here.

Read Ate.php?id=336" target=_blank>a short, gushing review of the new album "Souvenirs" from the Netherland's The GAthering. As mentioned in therein, the album feAtures guest appearances from MAthias Elk of Jaga Jazzist and Trickster G (Kris Rygg) of Ulver, and yes, I agree thAt it really is greAt.

Reviews and samples of new releases from Ulver, KAtAtonia, JR Ewing and more from At/newest.html" target=_blank>Aquarius Records. Mailorder, too.

As already reported, Arve and Jarle from Supersilent will be appearing solo and as part of the Tord Gustavsen Trio on May 10 At the Maijazz festival in Stavanger, Norway. It's not confirmed thAt Supersilent themselves will also be playing the fest on the day before. In other news, Arve makes a guest appearance on the new Jørn Simen Øverli album "Pengenes Oppmuntrende Virkning" along with Stian Carstensen from Farmers Market.

Mustasch is entering the studio on April 22 to record a new album under the tutelage of producer Jacob Hellner (credits include Rammstein, Clawfinger, and Fläskkvartetten). They expect to have it out around fall.

Here's an interview with Ebbot from TSOOL talking about touring the US among other things. (in Swedish)

25 years ago the first Swedish punk single "Vårdad klädsel" from Kriminella Gitarrer came out. There's gonna be a show celebrAting this event At Vågen in Göteborg on October 4 feAturing Brända Barn, Asta Kask, AttentAt, Stry Terrarie and Freddie Wadling plus more to be announced. Tickets go on sale April 11.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Mew - Comforting Sounds
03. Kwan - Shine
04. Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry
05. A-ha - The Sun Always Shines On TV
06. C21 - You Are The One
07. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
08. Roxette - Opportunity Nox
09. Winta - Emotions
10. The Cardigans - For WhAt It´s Worth

Challengers:
01. Left Lane - Walk after you
02. HIM - Funeral of harts
03. Ralph Meyrz & The Jack Herren Band - Think Twice
04. Whyte Seeds - Slow motions
05. Don Diego - Min lAt

Go to the MTVE.com site to wAtch and vote for your favorite.

Lotta will be playing Tavastia in Helsinki on April 15 with Buddaboys. Even better, Yle Radio X3M will be broadcasting the show live.

Orange Crunch has a new EP coming out on Dead Frog in May. They play Alcazar in Stockholm tomorrow night, too.

The Svensk Rockarkiv will be making a roadshow appearance At Hultsfred fest this year. The archive was started in 1993 as a place to keep documentaries, photos, records and so on from all sorts Swedish artists through the ages.

The winners of the 2002 SAMA awards have been announced:

Best newcomer: Melody Club
Best song: Melody Club – Electric
Best album: Covenant – Northern Light
Best artist: Apoptygma Berzerk

Read more about the SAMAs here.

Download an mp3 of Randy's new single "A Man in Uniform". The new album "Welfare Problems" comes out April 14 on Burning Heart.

Hedningarna, Radio Dept., Tyskarna från Lund, Colony 5, Kamera, Interlace, Stairland, Magenta, Necton and The Celophane Flowers are few of the new Nordic bands confirmed for the upcoming Arvika Festival. Other new bands confirmed include Ministry, Mono and DAF.

The final list of nominees for the Swedish hip-hop awards has been announced. Go here for the full list. The ceremony will April 25 At Nalen in Stockholm. Performing live will be Spotrunnaz, Prominent, Don Diego, Peshi, DJ Confuse, Narcissists, Ison & Fille & Hemmalaget, Ken & BB Entertainment, Sam-E, and Timbuktu.

Speaking of Timbuktu, he'll be hitting the road in May along with Chords, DJ AmAto and the live-band Damn!. The dAtes:

5/6 - Stockholm, Göta källare
5/7 - Göteborg, Nefertiti
5/8 - Göteborg, Nefertiti
5/9 - Malmö, KB

Here's a short interview with Jocke Ahlunds from The Caesars talking about the filming of the video for "Jerk it Out" in Havana, Cuba. You can also view the video from thAt page, too. (in English)

Check this article on up-and-coming Swedish pop groups Franke, Laakso, José Gonzales, The Embassy, Radio Dept., and Her Majesty from Dagens Nyeter. (in Swedish)

Ulf Lundell is hitting the road this summer:

7/4 - Varberg, Fästningen
7/5 - Sundsvall, GAtufesten
7/6 - Leksand, Sammilsdal
7/8 - Visby, Kneippbyn
7/11 - Christinehofs Slott
7/17 - Stockholm, Skansen
7/19 - Karlstad, Mariebergsskogen
7/22 - Borgholm, Slottsruinen
7/24 - Karlskrona, Bastion Aurora
7/25 - Västervik, Gränsö Slott
7/26 - Halmstad, Brottet
7/29 - Fjällbacka, Hamnen
8/1 - Uppsala, Fyrishovsparken
8/2 - Mariestad, Folkets Park
8/8 - Norge, Wrightegaarden
8/9 - Norge, Fredrikstens Festning
8/10 - Norge, Oslo, Rockefeller
8/15 - Linköping, Slottsparken
8/16 - Göteborg, TrSdgsrdsföreningen

Finnish electronic act Mr. Velcro Fastener will be playing At The Egg in London on May 9.

Finland's Amorphis has signed a deal with Virgin Records to release their new self-produced album "Far From The Sun". It will come out May 20 with the first single "Day Of Your Beliefs" coming lAter this month. Guitarist Esa Holopainen comments:

Having had to go through all the contractual differences in the past, the future does really look bright At the moment. The process of making the album was easy and the schedule for the summer and autumn live dAtes is developing steadily. We aim to play European festivals over the summer and hit the road on our own in the fall.

Despite the recent deAth of guitarist Teemu "Somnium" Raimoranta, Finntroll has decided to soldier on with their upcoming European tour with KAtAtonia. The official stAtement:

We do this with heavy hearts, as the sudden loss of Teemu 'Somnium' Raimoranta, a close friend and one of the leading forces behind this band, gave us a blow from which the recovery will take a long time. We feel thAt dropping everything now, canceling the tour and all the plans we together agreed for this band, would be an insult on Teemu's memory. Going back on the road was also the particular wish of his family and close ones. We feel thAt this is the best way to honor our friends' memory, taking the music out to the fans. On the following gigs the second guitar will be played by a long-time friend for all of us, Mikael Karlbom (The Seventh Planet), who has played as a stand-in guitarist for us several times in the past.
During the tour, we wish some courtesy on the part of fans, members of the press and others concerning questions about Teemu's departing, future of the band and such. We will share informAtion in due time.
Thanks to all those who have contacted us, expressed their condolences and honored our brother's memory.

Christian Kjellvander will be playing the opening of the Handikappåret 2003 At the Kulturhuset in Stockholm on April 11.

The Caesars are heading back to the UK in May with the French Kicks. The dAtes:

5/11 - Oxford, Zodiac
5/14 Manchester, Roadhouse

The Swedish pop group NAtural scored a number 2 position on the Japanese radio charts last week with the tune "Put Your Arms Around Me".

Charlie's Magazine will release their new album "Traffic" on April 22. The female-fronted band previously enjoyed a taste of success with the single "Sweet Alibi" back in 2001.

XL recordings imprint Rex Records will be putting out a new Radio Dept. single for the song "Liebling" on April 28. There's also word of a London show for around the same time, but no details yet.

Moneybrother has put up the "Reconsider Me" video for download: high / low

JuJu Records has put up an mp3 for the track "Imbumba Unity" which feAtures Swedish MCs Timbuktu, Moe (Spotrunnaz), Promoe (Loop Troop), CosM.I.C. (Loop Troop), and South African MCs RantoBoko, Zweli, Tabs, Sniper and Incredible Hulk. The track was produced by Breakmecanix while the Swedes were on tour performing At Johannesburg, Durban, Capetown and various S. African locales.

Also from JuJu, comes the new Timbuktu album "The Botten Is Nådd" on April 28. Also produced by Breakmecanix, the CD will feAture guest appearances from Chords, Supreme (Loop Troop), DJ AmAto, Daniel Boyacioglu and Peps Persson.

ThAt new Turboneyepro website Ather.com/" target=_blank>www.scandinavianleAther.com is now online, including samples and video from the new album.

The Hellacopters, GAte, The Sounds, and a reuniting DumDum Boys are among the bands confirmed for the upcoming Norweigan Wood festival. More info here.

Fireside's new album keeps getting positive reviews such as this one from Aftonbladet. You can listen to the band comment on the record themselves At thAt link too. (in Swedish)

The new Swedish metal 'supergroup' Nightrage has just signed a deal with Century Media to release the album "Sweet Vengeance" which was recorded At Studio Fredman by Fredrik Nordström. The band consists of drummer Per Jensen (The Haunted, InvocAtor), 'melodic' vocalist Tom Englund (Evergrey), vocalist Tomas Lindberg (ex-At the GAtes, The Crown), guitarist Gus G. (Dream Evil, Firewind), guitarist Marios Iliopoulos (ExhumAtion), and bassist Brice Leclercq. Sounds like it could be pretty cool.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives, The Ark, and Mando Diao have all been confirmed for a show At Grona Lund in Stockholm on April 30. Tickets are 100 kr.

The Ghoules have set themselves up with a week of shows around Europe. The dAtes:

5/07 - Goteborg (S), Sticky Fingers
5/08 - Aachen (D), Haupquartier
5/09 - Chemnitz (D), Subway to Peter
5/10 - Hoyerswerda (D), Dock 28
5/12 - Wien (A), Shelter
5/13 - St. Pölten (A), Jesters
5/15 - Lustenau (A), Culturefactory
5/17 - Rheine (D), Dramabar

Brand new feAture: If you look to your right, you'll see I've now got myself a mailing list. So if you want to receive weekly mailings of the news I report, go right ahead and sign up. And just to make it more worth your while, I'm gonna try and throw in some special bonuses with each mailing, too.

The transcript to yesterday's XFM chAt session with The Cardigans has been posted. Highlights: they are playing "Changes" by Black SabbAth live plus they recommend The Knife (see video link earlier today).

They may not be together as a band anymore, but Your Halo is a Radar will be getting a new album released in the US. No details yet, but I'll keep you posted. As for the former member's current projects, keep your eyes open for new stuff from Switchblade and The Je Ne Sais Quoi.

Sahara Hotnights will be Conan O'Brien's musical guests on April 10. Check local listings for airtimes.

Kristofer Åström says thAt if you got a copy of his new CD "Dead End" with the title printed on the actual CD, you are one lucky dude. Apparently, only twenty copies exist like thAt. If you're one of those lucky folks, email him and he'll send you "Northern Blues" on vinyl along with some other goodies like t-shirts.

Cult of Luna has posted some new live photos. They also got an interview online over At DigitalMetal.com.

Swedish rapper Petter making a bid for internAtional recognition? It seems thAt he's not only lined up a guest appearance on the new RZA (from Wu-Tang) album "The World According To RZA", but he's also doing some dubbing work for Tommy Boy Film's reissues of classic kung-fu movies. Read more.

Hank, the lead singer for Turbonegro, was hospitalized after taking a bottle to the head At a show in NYC on Sunday. He received ten stitches and was held overnight, but was back on stage for a show the next night. Read more.

The Knife has put the video for their lAtest single "You Take My BreAth Away" online: AthAway_big.mp4" target=_blank>big (10 mb) / AthAway_small.mp4" target=_blank>small (3 mb) (requires Quicktime)

David and the Citizens will be having a release party for their new EP "New Direction" At Club Debaser in Stockholm on April 18. They'll be playing both the new EP and as-of-yet unreleased mAterial from their upcoming second full-length. Oh, and they'll be DJing their favorite records, too. It's free, so why not? "New Direction" hits stores April 7.

The first Kaiku Sound and Video Art Festival will be taking place May 31 At Wiljami in Rovaniemi, Finland. Billed as "a night of sonic mayhem and visual eruptions", the festival series promises to "support and encourage the development of contemporary music/video artists in the north of Finland, and to provide a venue for new Finnish and visiting internAtional electronic media artists in the region." Playing this time around are Pure & Berger (AUT/NOR), Emi Maeda (JAP), Ceniq (FIN), and Keränen / Roberts / Verhaverbeke (FIN/UK/FRA) and entry is free. More info here: https://www.valotalo.com/kaiku/

Word has it thAt Agnetha Fältskog is planning a comeback and will release a new solo album next winter. It will be her first release since "I Stand Alone" from 1987. Read more.

Safari Season are having tunes from their debut album "The Sound of the Sun" played all over American MTV during programs such as 'The Real World', 'Road Rules' and 'Extreme/All-Star Challenge'. It remains to be seen whether this means they will cAtch on with a wider, internAtional audience, but it's definitely a good start.

Whyte Seeds will be on MTV Morning Glory playing live and being interviewed. It'll be aired SAturday 5/4 @ 10:00, Sunday 6/4 @ 10:00, and Tuesday 8/4 @ 19:00.

Magnus from The Cardigans on the new video:

Amir Chamdin who did "FWIW" will do "The storm" video. He has requested a lot bare chests and wet looks ! :-) We will shoot it around the 8:th of April in a secret but familiar place!

Scapesonik just put out a new demo. Email them if you're interested. The price is 30 SEK/$3/£2 plus postage.

Lullacry's new single out on April 28 will be for the song "Alright Tonight". A re-recording of the track "Sweet Desire" will be included as the b-side.

Gluecifer reports thAt they are indeed heading back to the US to tour in support a domestic release of "Basement Apes". No dAtes yet, but I'll be sure to let you know. As for their next album, they're still doing preproduction and writing and expect to have it done around August or September for a January 2004 release.

Askil Holm reports thAt the opening dAte on his tour went really, really well and he's getting greAt reviews. He's also got some more dAtes lined up for the future:

04/4 - Ålesund, Scena
04/5 - Kristiansund, No Name Bar
04/23 - Rørvik, Bryggas Fire Stuer
04/24 - Trondheim, Nidaros Bluesfestival
05/2 - Bergen, Ole Blues Festival
05/3 - Oslo, John Dee Rockefeller
05/5-17 - Norway, tba

Nicolai Dunger has got a couple gigs lined up for April and May:

04/01 - Köln, Gebäude 9
04/02 - München, Orange house
04/03 - Berlin, Knaack
04/17 - Vicar Street, Dublin w/The Frames
05/29 - Union Chapel, London w/The Frames

Dead Frog Records has signed Mary Celeste. Zero magazine describes them as dark pop music like older stuff from The Cardigans.

The Cardigans have been confirmed for this year's Quart Festival in July along with the Norweigan acts Ephemera, Surferosa, Ricochets, Exploding Plastix, Alpine Those Myriads!, Ralph Myers & The Jack Herren Band and DAtarock.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry
03. Mew - Comforting Sounds
04. Kwan - Shine
05. Roxette - Opportunity Nox
06. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
07. C21 - You Are The One
08. Winta - Emotions
09. The Cardigans - For WhAt It´s Worth
10. Sparkler - Tiger

Challengers:
01. Waldo - Face The Fact
02. Millencolin - E20 Norr
03. A-ha - The Sun Always Shines On TV
04. Randi Laubek - In Port
05. Jonna - Tyytyväinen

Go to the MTVE.com site to wAtch and vote for your favorite.

ExMS has posted the "Swedish Music UpdAte #2/2003" for viewing. Nothing really new if you follow this site, but maybe worth a look anyway.

Monastir's new album "The Modern Sound for a Loser GenerAtion" comes out today, but you can also download the new single "Teenage Years" from their mp3.com page.

Now confirmed for Emmaboda fest: Dorotea, Hell on Wheels, Parker, Sparks of Seven and Surounded. Oh, and some other non-Scandinavian bands like SleAter Kinney and MAtes of StAte are playing, too.

Franke's debut album "Optimismens Hån" comes out April 28. Look for 'em on the festival circuit this summer.

The new album from the Lars Vegas Trio "Viva Lars Vegas - Sverige Blev För Litet" comes out on April 22. The first single will be for the track "Låt Det Vara Kul" which will also contain a version of "Kom Hem" by Barbados.

Legendary prog-folk or whAtever-you-wanna-call-em band Träd, Gräs & Stenar have lined up a couple of shows in Stockholm:

4/5 - Gustav Vasa Church, Odenplan w/Stefan Sundström, Sofia Jannok, + more. Read more.
4/8 - Lava, Kulturhuset w/Cul de Sac, Damo Suzuki (the singer from Can). Read more.

Sunride has posted mp3 samples of every song from their new album over At their website. "Through the Red" comes out May 19 and the band is also going out on the road to promote it. The dAtes:

05/07 - Säätämö, Turku, Finland w/Dozer
05/08 - Klubi, Tampere, Finland w/Dozer
05/09 - Stella Star, Helsinki, Finland w/Dozer
05/10 - Lutakko, Jyväskylä, Finland w/Dozer & Ass Cobra
05/14 - Kino, Pori, Finland
05/15 - tba, Finland
05/16 - Bar 15, Seinäjoki, Finland
05/17 - Torvi, Lahti, Finland
05/23 - Burgerweeshuis, Deventer, The Netherlands w/Hermano
05/24 - Mikrokosmos, Magdeburg, Germany
05/25 - Knaack, Berlin, Germany
05/26 - Rosenkeller, Jena, Germany
05/27 - Paradox, Ingolstadt, Germany
05/28 - 013, Tilburg, The Netherlands

You might've noticed thAt my site was down yesterday. Seems there was a "malicious hacker Attack" on my web-provider, but everything should be fixed now. If anything is still askew, let me know. Back tomorrow.

Jeez, whAt a slow news day. Ain't hardly nothing happening At all.

In an amazing feAt of quick turnaround, I got two new mp3s ready from thAt P3 broadcast yesterday At the Umeå Open. Check it out on the right.

Gearhead will be putting out "Oslo City", the lAtest album from Norway's Mensen on April 8 in the US. Nicke Anderssen of The Hellacopters produced, so it definitely might be something worth checking out. Some mp3s can be found here.

Carola, Jennifer Brown, Robyn and Lisa Nilsson have all been added to the Piteå Dansar Och Ler (Piteå dances and smiles) fest.

Pitchfork reports the Jaga Jazzist will finally be getting a proper US release through the label Gold Standard LaborAtories (GSL). As is the case with a lot of 'new' artists taking their first steps on US soil, the release will be a compilAtion of already-released mAterial under the name "Animal Chin". Look for it in stores on April 7. It also seems thAt the labels Ninja Tune and Smalltown Supersound are working on reissuing their older works and a few of em may even already be available for mailorder. Not to mention, there's also talk of a US tour. Wait and see.

The Cardigans have confirmed even more festival appearances this summer:

6/6 - Rock Am Ring, Germany
6/7 - Rock In Park, Gemany
6/9 - Pink Pop Festival, Holland
6/29 - Werchter Festival, Belgium

Northside has three new records available for preorder: Mari Boine's new album "Eight Seasons", her remix album entitled, uh, "Remixed" (feAturing mixes by Bill Laswell, Jah Wobble, Those Norwegians, more), and the new Wimme CD which is called "Bárru". So yeah, order 'em from their website or wait until April 22 when they hit the shelves.

Starmarket has put up an mp3 of a new demo track they did called "Remembrance". Download it now.

Courtesy of Nordic Sounds magazine, MIC can now present a unique perspective on Nordic musical life as we bring you an Irishman's encounter with Nordic culture. NAtional but not nAtionalist. Nurturing. cooperAtive but slightly protectionist. No it isn't a country's foreign policy. It's the response of Irish Times' music critic Michael Dervan to the contemporary music scene he encountered on visits to all five Nordic countries.

Read more. (from MIC Norway)

Chaosbreedis the name of a new Finnish "deAth metal supergroup" feAturing Nalle Österman on drums (ex-Gandalf), Oppu Laine on bass (ex-Amorphis, Mannhai) Marko Tarvonen on guitar (Moonsorrow), Esa Holopainen also on guitar (Amorphis), and Taneli Jarva on vocals (ex-Sentenced, The Black League). Apparently they are currently rehearsing mAterial to be recorded this summer At the famed Sunlight Studios in Stockholm with producer Tomas Skogsberg. They plan to circulAte a demo online sometime this spring and are looking to secure a record deal in the near future. Anyone interested in offering them a contract or maybe booking them can get a hold of em At chaosbreeders@hotmail.com.

I've got a busy workday ahead of me, so updAtes may tend to be a bit slow. Bear with me. And lots of new links coming soon, too.

UPDAtE: I'm finally done for the day and the links page has a ton of new sites on it. Enjoy!

Here's some pics from day one of the Umeå Open. Thanks Magnus!

The Cardigans have been confirmed for the Glastonbury festival which takes place on June 27. More info here.

Interested in the new Nasum album? The band has put up a full preview page with the album cover, tracklist and some samples. Check it out.

Thirdimension has added two of their videos to their site. Go to the 'Pleasure' section to check 'em out. The band admits they're kinda old and maybe not "not among our top ten-list of videos", but they say "the lAtter one ["Yes Equals No"] is quite cool." Works for me.

Get a preview of the new Moonbabies song "Fieldtrip USA". Like I said yesterday, Chalksounds is putting out some greAt pop records soon and the upcoming album "The Orange Billboard" is no exception. Good stuff.

On April 1, Burning Heart records will unleash the new Turbonegro site Ather.com/" target=_blank>www.scandinavianleAther.com where they say you'll find "mp3's, tourdAtes, bio, photos, video, competitions, e-cards and games." As much as I dig some of their old stuff and respect the band, I find the new album to be a bit too polished and boring. Eh, on the other hand, it's still better than most of the dreck out there I suppose. Those of who just discovering the band, buy one of the recent reissues - thAt's where it's At.

The nominees for the Swedish Hip Hop Awards have been announced. Check it.

Norwegian/Senegalese kora master Solo Cissokho won the BBC World Music Award for his album "Tretakt Takissaba" which was recorded together with Swedish fiddler Ellika Frisell. Cissokho has worked for many years on his goal of fusing "African griot-tradition with traditional Norwegian folk music," as stAted by MIC Norway. For those thAt are unaware (as I was), the kora (or cora) is a Senegalese string instrument. Read more about it here.

More from MIC Norway:

Despite strong presence of Norwegian artists on the nAtional Top 40 album charts, the sales trend is negAtive. The February figures from the AssociAtion of Norwegian Record Distributors indicAte a 21% decline in sales of Norwegian records compared to 2002. Despite this, the mood on the Norwegian music scene is still very positive.

Read more.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. v/a - Melodifestivalen 2003
02. v/a - Fame Factory volym 4
03. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
04. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
05. The Refreshments - On the rocks
06. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
07. Fernandoz - Vem får din kärlek i nAtt
08. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
09. Wilmer X - Lyckliga hundar
10. Evergrey - RecreAtion day
11. Emil Sigfridsson - Tillbaka till igår
12. The Sounds - Living in America
13. Kikki Bettan Lotta - Live från Rondo
14. Robyn - Don´t stop the music
15. Anders Widmark feAturing Sara Isaksson - s/t
16. Kajsa Grytt - Är vi på väg hem?
17. Rikard Wolff - Du får mig (om jag får dig)
18. The Knife - Deep Cuts
19. Ted Gärdestad - Droppar av solregn
20. IsolAtion Years - It's golden

The Hives have been added to the bill of the V Festival which takes place August 16-17 At Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in Staffordshire. Apparently it will be their only UK appearance this year. Other bands confirmed for this fest include Echo And The Bunnymen, Coldplay and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Tickets are available At www.wayahead.com.

The Concretes will finally be releasing their self-titled album on May 1. The lead single "You Can´t Hurry Love" is already out. The band is also opening for Ed Harcourt on the following dAtes (sorry, no venue informAtion):

3/31 - Stockholm
4/2 - Göteborg
4/3 - Malmö

The mighty Hellacopters are coming over to the UK in April to do some shows and a live session with John Peel. Pretty cool, eh? Now if they'd come back to America. SUpport will come from The Peepshows. Anyhow, the dAtes:

4/7 - London Scala
4/8 - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
4/9 - Live on John Peel, Radio 1
4/10 - Birmingham Academy 2
4/11 - Camber Sands Weekender
4/12 - Dublin Temple Bar
4/13 - Manchester Academy 3
4/14 - Leeds Cockpit
4/15 - Bristol Fleece & Firkin
4/16 - Brighton Concorde 2
And in Europe, too:
4/17 - Nijmegen (NL), Doornrossje
4/18 - Zwolle (NL), Hedo
4/19 - Kassel (D), Spot
4/20 - Erfurt (D), Spot
4/21 - Bremen (D), Schlachthof

Meshuggah has finally got confirmed dAtes for their upcoming US tour with Strapping Young Lad:

4/25 - Graceland - SeAttle, WA
4/26 - Roseland - Portland, OR
4/27 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
4/29 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA
4/30 - The Edge - Palo Alto, CA
5/01 - The Palace - Los Angeles, CA
5/02 - The Scene - San Diego, CA
5/03 - Galaxy TheAter - Santa Ana, CA
5/04 - Marquee TheAter - Phoenix, AZ
5/06 - Stubb's B-B-Q - Austin, TX
5/07 - White Rabbit - San Antonio, TX
5/08 - Canyon Club - Dallas, TX
5/09 - Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK
5/10 - The Other Side - Tulsa, OK
5/11 - Headliner's - Louisville, KY
5/12 - Clutch Cargo's - Pontiac, MI
5/13 - The Metro - Chicago, IL
5/14 - Quest Club - Minneapolis, MN
5/15 - The Rave - Milwaukee, WI
5/16 - Peabody's Down Under - Cleveland, OH
5/17 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA - New England Metal & Hardcore Fest
5/18 - Birch Hill - Old Bridge, NJ
5/19 - Jaxx - West Springfield, VA w/HAte Eternal
5/20 - The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
5/21 - Village Underground - New York, NY
5/22 - North Six - Brooklyn, NY
5/23 - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY
5/25 - Les Foufounes Electriques - Montreal, QUE
5/26 - Club Rocket - Toronto, ONT

Swedish dis-core band Skitsystem are finally heading out on their first European tour. For those thAt don't know, the band is fronted by ex-At the GAtes/The Crown, current GreAt Deceiver singer Tomas Lindberg. He plays guitar in this band, too. Fellow crusties Victims are opening. The dAtes:

4/21 – Hamburg, GER - Rote flora
4/22 – Potsdam, GER - Archiv
4/23 – Mülheim, GER - AZ
4/24 – Bielefeld, GER - AJZ
4/25 – Stuttgart, GER @ TBA
4/26 – Amsterdam, NETH - Villa Friekens

I put up a bunch of the pictures thAt were taken on the KVLR tour up At Indie Workshop. Kind of a tour diary, more of a photo journal. Anyhow, there's some dece pics worth checking out. Also be sure to check out this site for some greAt pics from the Flagstaff show. A digital camera just can't really compete with true quality B&W photography.

Umeå Open, the first big fest of the year starts tonight. I'll try to get reports and photos as soon as I can.

MAttias from The Soundtrack of Our Lives will be on 104.3 FM in NYC on March 30 At 9pm. More info and streaming informAtion can be found here.

Word has it thAt "You're The Storm" will be the next single from The Cardigans. Apparently the band has even re-entered Tambourine Studios to record some brand new b-sides for it to be included along with a few earlier versions of the song.

Arve from Supersilent will be performing solo on 5/10 At Mai Jazz, an internAtional jazz festival in Stavanger, Norway. More info here. In other Supersilent-relAted news, Helge aka DeAthprod has finished mixing and mastering the new album from Shining. The band is a jazz quartet from Norway led by Jørgen Munkeby (ex. Jaga Jazzist) and the record will be out 5/12 on Jazzland.

Sahara Hotnights are going worldwide! They'll be playing in Australia with The DAtsuns beginning in lAte April/early May and also hitting Tokyo, Japan on May 6. The details:

04/24 - Brisbane Australia, The WAterloo
04/26 - Sydney Australia, Metro
04/28 - Melbourne Australia, Hi Fi Bar
05/01 - Adelaide Australia, Enigma Bar
05/02 - Perth Australia, The Globe
05/06 - Tokyo Japan, Astro Hall

Kristofer Åström has hinted thAt he might be doing another EP this summer and definitely a new album next year. Nothing definite yet, as he says it's mostly up to Startracks, his label.

The Legends will be feAtured on the May single from Labrador Records. They are described as "C-86 and northern soul influenced punkpop" by the label and they put up a preview mp3 for the track "Make It All Right". Check em out this Friday At Klubb Instant Feelings in Stockholm.

The new single from Carpet People was sent out to Swedish radio today, so be sure to call in and request it. I've got a promo copy of the album and can confirm thAt it's really, really good. Lots of good stuff coming from Chalksounds in the near future, so pay Attention! The album hits stores April 11.

Here's some video footage of Surferosa playing At So WhAt in Oslo. The band will be opening for Turbonegro with JR Ewing on the upcoming big Norweigan tour. I think they sound kinda like the Norweigan version of The Sounds, but whAtever.

Monastir is hitting the road in support of their new album "The Modern Sound For A Loser GenerAtion" which comes out Monday. The dAtes so far:

3/28 - Lund, Blekingska NAtionen
3/29 - Oslo, Mono
4/10 - Stockholm, Tantogården
4/31 - Göteborg, Sticky Fingers
5/2 - Hässleholm, Perrong 23
5/3 - Lidköping, Nätverket
5/17 - Gävle, Musikhuset
7/19 - Norberg, Rockaway Beach
7/18 - Skellefteå, Trästock

The details for this year's big Kalas tour have been announced. And yes, the rumors are true: scheduled to perform are Håkan Hellström, Lars Winnerbäck, Timbuktu & Damn, Magnus Carlson, Marit Bergman and Her Majesty. One local band gets to open each show, too. Here are the dAtes:

7/10 - Norrköping, Folkets Park
7/11 - Kalmar, Kalmarsundsparken
7/13 - Visby, P18/Visborgslätten
7/17 - Örebro, Brunnsparken
7/18 - Skövde, P4/Heden
7/19 - Lysekil, Pinneviken/Gullmarsvallen
7/24 - Malmö, MölleplAtsen
7/25 - Varberg, Varbergs Fästning
7/26 - Göteborg, Bananpiren
7/31 - Säter, Skinnbo Udde
8/2 - Stockholm, Universitetet

In Flames, Mando Diao and The Sounds have been confirmed for the Piteå Dansar Och Ler fest which will take place July 23-27. More info here.

The two HIMs of the world have apparently come to an agreement over use of their names. The 'evil' H.I.M. of Finland (which stands for 'His Infernal Majesty') has finally settled with the Chicago band of the same name and will now be able to release records in the US under their acronym. The details of the deal have not been released, but you can read a touch more of the back story here. (from Blabbermouth)

Hi, I'm a moron. In my haste of getting those Hederos & Hellberg mp3s up, I didn't properly investigAte the song titles well enough. The first track is actually called "Songs from Silence" and I should've known thAt. It's not like I don't have the album or anything. Thanks Steffo.

Solefald reports they will soon have a video for the track "Mont Blanc Providence Crow". It will contain mAterial from Oslo, Paris, and Manchester, along with various TV studio-filmed segments. The band also recently received money from Norsk TekstforfAtterfond to put towards a new album, so they will be heading over to Iceland in June "in order to get inspired and to write new mAterial expanding the musical expression even further." The lAtest album "In Harmonia Universali" just came out this week and is already gAthering positive reviews. I have yet to hear it, but they have definitely proven to be one of the most interesting 'metal' bands in the past. Probably worth checking out. And yes, metal is in quotes for a reason.

MTV UK has put up a Cardigans micro-site feAturing all sorts of goodies like an album preview, videos, and photos. There's also another one from One.Tel here. And lastly, people who have already purchased the album can go here for even more exclusive content.

Randy has put up some pictures from recent video shoot for the new song "A Man in Uniform".

Here's some pictures of TSOOL playing Philadelphia on March 22.

The Sounds say they are planning to come back to the US in May before the start of the European festival season. Details when I get 'em. They've also announced thAt Kamera will be the openers on the upcoming Swedish tour. I've never heard them, but they have samples on their website.

In other rumor news, thAt MC3 show feAturing Nicke from The Hellacopters (among others) was apparently recorded for a future DVD release. Again, no details yet, but I'll pass news along when I hear it.

No rest for the weary, eh? KVLR will be hitting the road again in June to support their lAtest release "On Planted Streets". A new single might even be in the works, too. Only Germany has confirmed dAtes so far, but here they are:

6/12 - Ex House, Trier
6/13 - Atomic Cafe, München
6/17 - Cafe Trauma, Marburg
6/20 - Molotow, Hamburg
6/21 - Kieler Woche (Delta Radio Stage), Kiel

Askil Holm's first show on the 'Daydream Receiver Tour 2003' will be in his hometown of Namsos, Norway on March 29. Tickets and more info can be found here. The rest of the dAtes will be announced shortly.

The Whyte Seeds have announced two dAtes in Sweden:

3/25 - KB, Malmö
3/26 - Nalen, Stockholm

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Roxette - Opportunity Nox
03. Mew - Comforting Sounds
04. Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry
05. Kwan - Shine
06. C21 - You Are The One
07. Winta - Emotions
08. The Raveonettes - Attack Of The Ghostriders
09. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
10. The Cardigans - For WhAt It´s Worth

Challengers:
01. Sparkler - Tiger
02. IsolAtion Years - Open These Eyes
03. Remedeeh - Learning Lessons
04. Evolver - Love Confidential
05. Slalom - Camshaft

Go to the MTVE.com site to wAtch and vote for your favorite.

Export Music Sweden (ExMS) has put up pictures from the recent showcase At SXSW in Austin. Check it.

P3 Swedish radio will be broadcasting from the Umeå Open this SAturday with performances from IsolAtion Years (acoustic), Paris, and The Crystal Committee. The broadcast starts At 8:03 pm / 11:03 am Pacific Time and you can listen At the P3 website. Click 'lyssna'. I'll try my best to get some recordings, if I can. I might be getting some pictures, too.

Svenska Akademien + Moder Jords Massiva Propaganda, Voice Of A GenerAtion, DGPP, and User have all been confirmed for the upcoming Augustibuller fest to take place in, you guessed it, August. More info here.

"We don't give a fuck! It's not our problem. Let the tanks roll..."

Thank you Marduk for thAt greAt commentary on the war in Iraq.

Grave has offered their apologies to fans on account of the cancellAtion of the planned European tour with Defleshed. The explanAtion:

The European tour thAt was planned for March and April 2003 has been cancelled due to problems with the bookings and scheduling of the tour.
With only 3 weeks to go before the start of the tour we had not recieved whAt was agreed upon in terms of booked and confirmed shows.
We feel thAt in such a situAtion we will rAther wait until we can go on a full European tour and play for all of YOU rAther than just a few selected countries and shows.
We want YOU to know thAt Grave really wants to and will tour as soon as we get the opportunity to do a successful tour.

The band still plans on doing their upcoming US tour with GoAtwhore, ImmolAtion, and December. The dAtes so far:

05/27 - Don Hills New York City, NY
05/28 - The Depot Baltimore, MD
05/29 - tba
05/30 - Showplace TheAtre Buffalo, NY
05/31 - Newport Music Hall Columbus ,OH
06/01 - Agora TheAter Cleveland, OH
06/02 - tba
06/03 - House Of Blues Chicago, IL
06/04 - The Lab St Paul, MN
06/05 - tba
06/06 - Graceland SeAttle, WA
06/07 - Meow Meow Portland, OR
06/08 - The Pound San Francisco, CA
06/09 - Galaxy TheAtre Santa Ana, CA
06/10 - Key Club Los Angeles, CA
06/11 - Brick By Brick San Diego, CA
06/12 - Huntridge TheAtre Las Vegas, NV
06/13 - The Mason Jar Phoenix, AZ
06/14 - Launch PAd Albuquerquee.NM
06/15 - E-9 El Paso, TX
06/16 - Canyon Club Dallas, TX
06/17 - The Backroom Austin, TX
06/18 - Zeppelins New Orleans, LA
06/19 - Masquerade Atlanta, GA
06/20 - tba
06/21 - tba
06/22 - tba
06/23 - Factory 324 Roanoke, VA
06/24 - Hooplas Virginia Beach, VA
06/25 - Ziggy's Winston-Salem, NC
06/26 - Jaxx West Springfield, VA
06/27 - Chantilly's Manchester, NH
06/28 - The Chance Poughkeepsie, NY
06/29 - Stone Pony Asbury Park, N.J

A whole bunch of new music today, including the first half of thAt Hederos & Hellberg concert. Also, the newest single from IsolAtion Years "Open Those Eyes". It's a little more uptempo and sunny than older IY stuff, but I'm starting to really like it.

Fireside finally got their new website up and running. Check it out.

Dialog Cet is heading out on the road in support of their new album "Konsumera Era", which was released today:

4/12 - Jönköping, Rocks
4/15 - Uppsala, Genomfarten
4/16 - tbc/tbn (to be not)
4/17 - Göteborg, Gump w/Träd, Gräs & Stenar
4/18 - Lund, Blekingska NAtionen
4/19 - Oslo, Café Mono
4/20 - Sandviken, Kungen

Melody Club has posted the video for the new single "Covergirl" on their homepage. Oh, and I also have it on good authority thAt the bassist also plays in a grind band. Pretty funny, I just wish I could remember their name.

Get a preview of the new soundtrack music from Ulver for the movie "Svidd Neger". Once the site loads, click the 'musikk' tab. I think it all sounds really cool so far, and there's even a little guitar on excerpt 4.

Hemmalaget will be performing At the upcoming Swedish Hip-Hop Awards to be held At Nalen in Stockholm on April 25. Isn't 'Swedish hip-hop' an oxymoron? Oh, but I kid! More info here or here, At the official site.

Those lucky dogs in The Hellacopters get to open for the Rolling Stones At Cirkus in Stockholm on July 22. First the MC5 invite, and then this? I bet those guys are stoked.

It's been hinted At before with the announcement of Logh as an opener, but I can now reveal the extent of the upcoming Fireside tour:

4/16 - Göteborg Sticky Fingers w/Logh
4/17 - Malmö Voltmeter @ KB
4/18 - Uppsala Grand w/Logh
4/24 - Linköping Herrgår´n w/Logh
4/25 - Västerås Village w/Logh
4/29 - Sthlm Södra TeAtern/ KGB w/Logh
4/30 - Oslo (n) Blå w/Logh
5/01 - Lund Mejeriet w/Logh & De Stijl
5/02 - Hamburg (D) Molotow w/De Stijl
5/03 - Köln (D) Underground w/De Stijl
5/04 - Dresden (D) Star Club w/De Stijl
5/05 - München (D) Orange House w/De Stijl
5/06 - Milano (I) Transilvania Live w/De Stijl
5/07 - Lausanne (CH) Bleu Lézard w/De Stijl
5/08 - Bern (CH) ISC w/De Stijl
5/09 - Leuven (B) Stuk w/De Stijl
5/10 - Utrecht (NL) Ekko w/De Stijl
5/11 - Groningen (NL) Vera w/De Stijl
5/12 - Amsterdam (NL) Melkwegw/De Stijl
5/13 - Rotterdam (NL) WAterfront w/De Stijl
5/14 - Brügge (B) Cactus w/De Stijl
5/15 - Berlin (D) Magnet w/De Stijl
5/16 - Helsingborg Tivoli w/De Stijl

The new album "Get Shot" comes out April 7.

Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt will be doing a collaborAtion with Porcupine Tree leader Steven Wilson on a Linda Perhacs cover to be used on a tribute CD. Steven has produced the last few Opeth releases, including the much-anticipAted "DamnAtion" album due out next month. Billed as the 'mellow' counterpart to the recently released "Deliverence", I can tell you now thAt it's easily the best thing they've done for some time. I've been an Opeth fan for sometime, but have felt their musical progression has gotten a bit stagnant recently. Well, no more - "DamnAtion" shows a whole new side of the band and proves they are easily one of metal's top acts. And no, I don't get paid to say thAt. I wish.

Pristine Music has a couple new singles in the works. First up is Johan Bergqvist, a singer/songwriter who I've talked about a little before. He's played with bands like The Virtues and Peter, Björn, and John and will have a three-song release out in May. Next is the hard rock act Hell n’ Diesel. The EP "Asphalt Supreme" came out last June and their new single will be recorded in April, in stores by May. Both new releases will be accompanied by videos.

Amorphis side-project Verenpisara have completed work on their second album "Happosadetta" ('acid rain'). Look for it May 15 on BMG.

Check it: The BBC's One World spotlight on Norway, 'Part Three - The Oslo Experience.'

I already talked a little about it I think, but here's the info about the upcoming 'Midnight Sun' tour feAturing various Norweigan artists in the UK. Set to perform are Supersilent, DJ Strangefruit, Sidsel Endresen, and Arve Henriksen. The dAtes:

5/22 - Exeter, Phoenix
5/23 - BAth, BAth InternAtional Music Festival Pavillion
5/24 - Belfast, Crescent Arts Centre
5/25 - Salisbury, Salisbury Festival
5/26 - Birmingham, Medicine Bar
5/27 - Liverpool, Unity TheAtre
5/28 - London, 93 Feet East

Northside Records reports they've got some new CDs in the works. First is "Bárru" from joiker Wimme. Hedningarna singers Liisa MAtveinen and Tellu Turkka provide guest backing vocals on threetracks which were recorded At the Holiday Inn during 2002's Nordic Roots Festival in Minneapolis. There's also three video tracks from the same fest on the disc. The label also has a new Hedningarna 'ice-priced' (low-priced: ~$5 or so) comp with a few new tracks in the works along with a new album from Frifot, too.

The Virtues have confirmed the release dAtes for their new album. Look for it in Scandinavia on March 24, April 26 for the US.

My pals KVLR will be entering Komeda Studios soon to record six new tracks. They describe them as "more rough, energetic, poppy and weird than before, all songs recorded live." I'm definitely excited - all the ones they played on tour sounded really good. And to the guys in the band and the message you posted - you're welcome! 'Twas my pleasure taking you guys out on the road - I had a blast. I'm gonna steal your photos you left me and post my own road journal soon.

Burning Heart has announced thAt they've signed Sparks of Seven from Göteborg. Their debut album is expected in 2003 and the label describes their sound as "the missing links between Union Carbide Productions, Stone Roses and Primal Scream." They'll be playing Nalen in Stockholm on March 26 with Her Majesty and Whyte Seeds.

Göteborg's Morlocks have broken up. Here's whAt they had to say about it:

Even if the band Morlocks is buried, the three members will continue their musical work in other constellAtions, so keep your eyes and ears open!
Morlocks will also take the opportunity to thank all of you who has supported and helped the band during the years, and above all our wonderful audience. You will surely be missed!

Send all 'last hellos' to morlocks@nangijala.com.

Andrea Hagen has announced thAt she has ceased working under the name Hagalaz Runedance and will ressurect her old moniker Nebelhexe (fog-witch). She also is said to be working on a musical project/theAtre piece with Martin Walkyier (ex-Skyclad, SabbAth). Read the full stAtement here.

Christian Kjellvander had added a couple solo dAtes in Switzerland to his tour itinerary:

05/13 - Luzern Switzerland, Schüür-Bar
05/14 - Lausanne Switzerland, Bleu Lézard
05/15 - Bern Switzerland, ISC w/IsolAtion Years
05/16 - Winterthur Switzerland, Gaswerk w/Pinkostar and Valium Speed

Download two mp3s samples from the upcoming Nine album "Killing Angels": "Inferno" and "Discontent OD". Look for it in stores around August/September on Burning Heart.

Logh has been announced as the support act for Fireside on their upcoming Swedish tour. CongrAts! And besides thAt, they've got quite a bit of other touring coming up. The dAtes:

03/20 - Prinzenbar (Docks), Hamburg, GER
03/21 - Magnet, Berlin, GER
03/22 - Starclub, Dresden, GER w/The Kills
03/23 - Gebaedue 9, Köln, GER w/The Faint
03/24 - Normal Records, Köln, GER
03/26 - La route du rhum, Nantes, FRA
03/27 - Local Transmission, Bordeaux, FRA
03/28 - Atzavara Club, St Feliu de Guixols, Girona, ESP
03/29 - Sala Moby Dick, Madrid, ESP w/The Donnas
03/30 - Sala Azkena, Bilbao, ESP
04/02 - Le Gibus, Besançon, FRA
04/03 - BOA, Luzern, CH
04/04 - Rockplanet, Pinarella di Cervia, ITA
04/07 - Szene Wien, Wien, A w/Cameran
04/08 - Orange House, Munich, GER
04/09 - Schlachthof, Wiesbaden, GER
04/10 - Schwimbad Musik Club, Heidelberg, GER
04/12 - La Guintuette PirAte, Paris, FRA
04/13 - Freebutt, Brighton, UK
04/14 - 93ft East , London, UK
04/15 - Club Fandango @ Dublin Castle, London, UK
04/16 - Sticky Fingers, Gothenburg, SWE w/Fireside
04/18 - Grand, Uppsala, SWE w/Fireside
04/24 - Herrgårn, Linköping, SWE w/Fireside
04/25 - Village, Västerås, SWE w/Fireside
04/29 - Kägelbanan, Stockholm, SWE w/Fireside
04/30 - Blå, Oslo, NOR w/Fireside
05/01 - Mejeriet, Lund, SWE w/Fireside

The Sounds say they are playing San Diego tonight on their website. No word on whAt club, but I'm sure if you're down there it shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

Zillion Digits aka David Sandström (ex-Refused) will be playing Klubb Modos in Umeå on March 22. I've been hearing good things about this, so check it out if you can.

Download an mp3 of 69-Hard's song "The Bullets", taken from the forthcoming album "Blues From Hell" due out April 11 on Idle Hands Records. Preorders are being taken At the label's website so act now, especially if you want a copy of the limited 3-song single.

There's going to be a new comp coming out called "Nordic Favourites" feAturing 17 tracks from 17 artists including Silje Nergaard, Gåte, Bel Canto, Morten Abel, Maria Mena, The Rasmus, Junior Senior, The Sounds, Kristofer Åström, The Crash, and Lordi. Look for a "massive" Nordic TV ad campaign in the near future.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. v/a - Melodifestivalen 2003
02. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
03. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
04. The Refreshments - On the rocks
05. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
06. Wilmer X - Lyckliga hundar
07. Fernandoz - Vem får din kärlek i nAtt
08. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
09. Emil Sigfridsson - Tillbaka till igår
10. v/a - Fame Factory volym 4
11. Kikki Bettan Lotta - Live från Rondo
12. The Sounds - Living in America
13. Robyn - Don´t stop the music
14. Kajsa Grytt - Är vi på väg hem?
15. The Knife - Deep Cuts
16. Ted Gärdestad - Droppar av solregn
17. Anders Widmark feAturing Sara Isaksson - s/t
18. Magnus Uggla - Klassiska mästerverk
19. Barbados - Rewind
20. A Teens - New arrival

Lars Winnerbäck's new album "Söndermarken" has already gone gold in Sweden. Look for him on tour this summer over there.

This week's Swedish college radio chart (from Dagensskiva):

Leaving the chart:
(09) Whyte Seeds "Slow Motions"
(15) USCB Allstars "WAtch Me Roll"
(16) Dj FormAt Ft. Chali 2na & Akil "We Know Something You Don't Know"
(17) Simian "La Breeze"
(18) Håkan Hellström "Den fulaste flickan i världen"
(19) Lars Winnerbäck "Åt samma håll"
(20) Millencolin "E20 Norr"

Kent has lined up another show this summer: the Park festival in Moss, Norway on June 14. Also playing are Kaizers Orchestra and Vibeke Saugestad.

UPDAtED: Finntroll, Impaled Nazarene, and (maybe) Children of Bodom will be doing a benefit/memorial show At Nosturi in Helsinki on March 25 for Teemu "Somnium" Raimoranta. The price of entry will be a 10 euros dontAtion with all proceeds going to cover expenses for Teemu's family. The funeral will be on March 29.

The Finnish band Amorphis have signed with EMI to release their next album, the self-produced "Far From The Sun". The first single "Day Of Your Beliefs" comes out in April, the album to follow in May. This will be the band's first major label release following a long relAtionship with Relapse Records.

After some time off and membership changes, Leiah is once again preparing to hit the road and tour Europe. Joakim can't make it because of new job obligAtions, but they think they've found a suitable replacement in Martin aka the "wiz kid" and "the unholy driver." The dAtes so far:

03/21 - Haldensleben Germany, JFZz "der club"
03/22 - München Germany, Kafe Kult
03/23 - Innsbruck Austria, WorkstAtion
03/24 - Off
03/25 - Budapest Hungaria, Red Hole
03/26 - Cakovec CroAtia, TBA
03/27 - Koprivnica CroAtia, Kuglana 2
03/28 - Italy, TBA
03/29 - Pescara Italy, TBA
03/30 - Italy, TBA
03/31 - Ferrara Italy, TBA
04/01 - Italy, genova, TBA
04/02 - Toulouse France, Caravan Serail
04/03 - Torrelavega Spain, Ave Turuta
04/04 - Madrid Spain, madrid, Ene Ba
04/05 - Castellon Spain, Ricamor
04/06 - Castellon Spain, Kevin's House, exclusive show
04/07 - St. Feliu Spain, Atzavara Club
04/08 - Off
04/09 - Gent Belgium, Gent, Frontline
04/10 - Leuven Belgium, Leuven, Sojo
04/11 - Athus Belgium, Athus, Le Marignan
04/12 - Recklinghausen Germany, südpol
04/13 - Hamburg Germany hamburg, molotov
04/14 - Off
04/15 - Schwalmstadt Germany , Die Bar
04/16 - Münster Germany, Gleis 22
04/17 - Hohenmölsen Germany, Alte Musikschule
04/18 - Frankfurt/main Germany, Exzess
04/19 - Nürtingen Germany, Kuckucksei
04/20 - Schweinfurt Germany, Stadt Bahnhof
04/21 - Prague Czech, 007
04/22 - Berlin Germany, KAto
04/23 - Dresden Germany, NubeAtz

Supersilent has announced a few new festival dAtes including the Spot 09 festival in Århus, Denmark on May 30 and Øyafestivalen in Oslo on August 9. A full list of scheduled appearances is here.

The New Mess will touring Europe this June. The (very) tentAtive dAtes:

06/06 - Hanau (D) Schweinehalle
06/07 - TBA
06/08 - TBA
06/09 - TBA
06/10 - TBA
06/11 - Dresden (D) AZ Conni w/Off Minor
06/12 - Leipzig (D) Zoro w/Off Minor
06/13 - Cottbus (D) Chekov
06/14 - Berlin (D) Ausland

For more info about thAt new David & the Citizens EP I talked about yesterday, go to the band's website. They've put up full descriptions of whAt to expect from each song along with the recording informAtion.

Ludwig from The (InternAtional) Noise Conspiracy will be filling on drums for The Soundtrack of Our Lives on the US tour in April. The dAtes:

4/2 - Minneapolis MN, 400 Bar
4/3 - Lawrence KS, Bottleneck
4/5 - Denver CO, Bluebird
4/6 - Salt Lake City UT, Zephyr
4/8 - San Francisco CA, Bimbo's 365 Club
4/10 - SeAttle WA, Graceland
4/11 - Vancouver, Commodore Ballroom
4/13 - Whistler, Whistler Mountain Base

In other t(I)NC relAted news, Dennis has finished up work on the new Lost PAtrol album and will be taking it to stage At the upcoming Umeå Open on March 28. Backing him will be members of Randy, Refused, IsolAtion Years and The Perishers.

In Flames had to cancel their show tonight in Cleveland with Mudvayne because their bus broke down "in the middle of nowhere." However, they promise to make up for it on their just-announced upcoming US headlining tour. DAtes so far:

4/02 - Fayetteville AR, JR's Dickson St. TheAtre
4/03 - Houston TX, Fitzgeralds
4/04 - Dallas TX, The Galaxy Club

From Rolling Stone concerning this year's SXSW fest:

Best Swedish Band: The Soundtrack of Our Lives beAt Citizen Bird [Silverbullit] here in 2002, but this year it was all about the ladies. We give the nod to Maria Andersson and her hard-rockin' Sahara Hotnights over Maja Ivarsson and the New Wave sounds of the Sounds. The Hives' Howlin' Pelle Almqvist concurs -- he's dAting Maria.

The Sounds have confirmed the dAtes for a Swedish tour in April thAt will coincide with the release of the new single "Rock'n'Roll". The dAtes:

4/19 - Helsingborg, The Tivoli
4/20 - Malmö, KB
4/23 - Stockholm, Klubben
4/24 - Göteborg, Trädgårn
4/25 - Sälen, Högfjällshotellet
4/26 - Jönköping, Parken

Håkan Hellström, The Sounds, Mando Diao, Meshuggah, Melody Club, and Loop Troop have been confirmed for the upcoming Arvika fest to take place July 10-12. Other internAtional acts confirmed include Björk, Front 242, and Chicks on Speed.

Nü-metallers Blindside have been forced to cancel a number of dAtes on their upcoming European tour. Those affected:

3/28 - Wolverhampton, Little Civic
3/29 - Glasgow, CAthouse
3/30 - Manchester, Roadhouse
3/31 - London, Underworld
4/2 - Berlin, Magnet
4/3 - Cologne, Prime Club
4/5 - Hamburg, MarX
4/6 - Munich, Orangehouse

The Crown has set "Possessed 13" as the title of their upcoming album, due in September on Metal Blade Records.

It has been announced thAt Finntroll/Impaled Nazarene guitarist Teemu "Somnium" Raimoranta's deAth on Sunday was the result of an alcohol-relAted fall. Again, my condolences to his friends and family.

Got a new mp3 today from yesterday's broadcast of the last Hederos & Hellberg show. I'll put the whole thing up eventually, but for now you can enjoy their Hellacopters cover done in their standard slowcore fashion. Of course, thAt also means the Kristofer Åstrõm mp3s will go away. Get 'em while you can, I guess.

Some words about KAtAtonia and their new album "Viva Emptiness":

Destructive, finite and somber, Viva Emptiness is, in fact, in a league of its own. - DigitalMetal.com

KAtAtonia are simply one of the finest European rock bands over the past decade, yet in Britain they remain virtually unknown - apart from readers of Terrorizer magazine. - DJ Martian

I, for one, am in total agreement. Definitely one of my most anticipAted releases this year.

I'm happy to report the new Logh album is done! Read all about it.

Last Days of April will finally release their lAtest album "Ascend to the Stars" in the US on June 3 from Crank! Records.

Starmarket reports they have completed work on a seven-song demo in preparAtion for their next record to be recorded in June. TentAtive titles so far include "Horse On the Run", "Biscuits for Everyone" and "Rendundance".

I missed it when it was first posted, but here's a short interview with Garm (or whAtever you want to call him) from the always-interesting Ulver.

If you sign up for The Klerks mailing list, you get to listen to a preview of the new b-side "Moving Much Too Fast" from the single "Shame". Read more.

Check out the video for the new Millencolin single:

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E20 Norr: high / low

For those thAt might be curious, here's a full report on The Sounds' recent trip to the US. (in Swedish)

The tracklisting for the upcoming Fireside album "Get Shot" (out April 7) has been announced:

01. All You Had
02. Follow Follow
03. The Betrayer
04. Backwards Over Germany
05. Throw It Away
06. I'm Coming Home
07. Problem (to You)
08. All Criminals Are Us
09. Swinging Sid's Chain Around
10. Player

View the cover art here. The next single will be "All You Had" and it'll be out either lAte March or April. A Swedish tour will follow, along with the following, already-confirmed shows:

5/02 - Hamburg, Molotow
5/03 - Köln, Underground
5/04 - Dresden, Star Club
5/05 - München, Orange House
5/07 - Bleu CH, Lézard
5/08 - Bern, CH, ISC
5/15 - Berlin, Magnet

Ulf Stureson will release his third solo album on April 11 on Silence Records and they swear it's his best to dAte. He's also playing At Nalen in Stockholm on April 10 with Florence Valentine, so get tickets here if you're interested.

The Swedish snowboarding movie 'Stomped' just came out on DVD over there and feAtures music from Timbuktu, Fjärde Världen, Loop Troop and more.

Organism 12 is back in the studio working on his second album. Look for it this coming fall on JuJu Records. In other JuJu news, PSTQ is also starting to write for his next record. Again, look for it around fall.

Division of Laura Lee report thAt they are starting to plan for their next record (due out sometime in 2004) and a full US tour in the fall. For now, they just have a few more US dAtes lined up:

4/21 - Houston, Engine Room
4/22 - Austin, Emos
4/23 - Dallas, Gypsy Tea Room
4/25 - Phoenix, Mason Jar
4/26 - Coachella fest

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry
02. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
03. Roxette - Opportunity Nox
04. Mew - Comforting Sounds
05. C21 - You Are The One
06. St. Thomas -Long, Long Time
07. Winta - Emotions
08. The Raveonettes - Attack Of The Ghostriders
09. The Cardigans - For WhAt It´s Worth

Challengers:
01. Paris - Streetlights
02. SAtirne - Hey No Hell
03. Kwan - Shine
04. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
05. Ladybird - Dangerous To Me

Go to the MTVE.com site to wAtch and vote for your favorite.

The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, The Ark and Mando Diao will be performing At Grönan Live this summer. If I remember right, something was said about this some time ago. Apparently this will also be TSOOL's only Swedish show this summer as they are expected to be working on a new album.

David & the Citizens have a new EP coming out April 7 called "New Direction". They've also got a couple gigs lined up with Laakso and Björns Vänner. Check it:

4/18 – Stockholm, AccelerAtor At Debaser
5/16 – Malmö, KB
5/23 – Göteborg, Pusterviksbaren

Aftonbladet is saying today thAt Lars Winnerbäck och Håkan Hellström are planning on doing the Kalas tour together. Read more. (in Swedish)

There's a new festival coming to Stockholm on May 31 called Stockholm Calling. Already confirmed for this year's event are The Cardigans, Thomas Rusiak and Christian Kjellvander, along with internAtional acts Zwan and Placebo.

Randy is also planning to do some touring after their new album "Welfare Problems" comes out on April 14. The dAtes so far:

4/20 - Stockholm, Debaser
4/21 - Göteborg, Pusterviksbaren
4/22 - Oslo, So WhAt
4/23 - Lund, Club Buster @ Mejeriet w/The Rogers Sisters

The band also promises to do a few more Scandinavian dAtes this summer, so don't despair. They also filmed a video for the track "A Man in Uniform" last weekend, so look for it soon.

Kajsa Grytt will hitting the road in support of her new album "Är Vi På Väg Hem?" starting in April. You can read more about her here (in Swedish). Otherwise, here's the dAtes:

4/13 - Örebro, Klubb Söndag
4/14 - Uppsala, KAtalin
4/15 - Malmöm, KB
4/16 - Stockholm, Södra TeAtern
4/17 - Göteborg, Nefertiti
5/17 - Jönköping, Kulturhuset

Looptroop and Fireside have been confirmed for this year's Popaganda Festival in Stockholm. Other bands already confirmed include Buck, Bad Cash Quartet, Shout Out Louds and Franke.

And speaking of the Shout Out Louds, they are the band of the week over At MTVE.com. Atures/cms/index.asp?id=1001500000000273&type=3&page=1" target=_blank>Check it.