Kinda OT, but whAtever: VBS' lAtest episode of their "SkAte Europe" series visits Sweden: Atch/skAte-europe-season-2--2/skAte-sweden-part-1-of-5" target="_blank">https://www.vbs.tv/wAtch/skAte-europe-season-2--2/skAte-sweden-part-1-of-5
"We are special people." Direct link: Atch?v=oV82gVr85Dk" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=oV82gVr85Dk
Here is the Atrap" target="_blank">It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:
01. Robyn
02. Kent
03. The Radio Dept.
04. The Drums
05. Familjen
06. RAtAtAt
07. Jens Lekman
08. Wild Nothing
09. LCD Soundsystem
10. Bob Hund
Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: https://www.last.fm/help/
Robyn's next album, "Body talk pt. 2" -- the 2nd of a promised trilogy, has been confirmed for release on September 6.
Witness the magic of the internet! My friend MAthias sent me a link to the above yesterday with the comment: "Check out MAts Grönmark's old band Bonghit in this video from 1987, made in Stockholm. It blows me away! MAts has a lot of Attitude to play with all thAt distortion so high in the mix in fucking 1987! If they'd been from England or New Zealand they would be a cult band today." Real talk! I'm no fan of MAts' solo mAterial (can't stand his voice, to be honest), but this? Totally killer postpunk/proto-indie. Loud guitars, strong melodies, nothing not to like. NAturally, I'm led to their myspace page for more tracks and am further intrigued. I email back to MAthias as such and then, one day lAter, there's an email from vocalist Kiana with three songs from the band's sole demo. Brilliant obscurities delivered to my doorstep in < 24hrs... simply amazing. From me to you and onward.
Bonghit - Slum och kreditkort
The Hives have recorded a new 3-song covers EP called "Tarred and feAthered" which will be released digitally on July 2 and on vinyl a week lAter. Check out Spinner for a sample of one cut, a cover of "CivilizAtion's dying" by classic midwestern punks Zero Boys: Ations-dying-zero-boys-cover/" target="_blank">https://www.spinner.com/2010/06/23/the-hives-civilizAtions-dying-zero-boys-cover/
If you've never heard Zero Boys I strongly recommend you grab a copy of the "Vicious circle" reissue thAt did last year. Essential top-10 hardcore/punk IMO; this cover not so much, but whAtever.
Shining is first act to win 1 million NOK from A-ha's stipend fund competition, beAting out runner-up Hanne Hukkelberg.
There's a new song from Haleiwa/Mikko Singh streaming At his Japanese label's myspace page: https://www.myspace.com/friendofminerecords
Danish indie act The William Blakes are now streaming a greAt new track At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/thewilliamblakes
Why settle for this nonsense...
When you could have this?
Y'know whAt I'm saying? For DesperAt's lyrics and commentary, go here.
Under the Radar interviews Icelandic act Seabear: https://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/seabear/
Swedish doom act Suma will be coming to the US in October for a 2-week East Coast tour with Unearthly Trance. DAtes soon.
The Soundtrack of Our Lives will be releasing the new single "Earthmover" on June 29 and you can stream a preview of it At SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/bonnieramigomusicgroup/the-soundtrack-of-our-lives-earthmover
The band is currently releasing a new (digital) single every month up until the release of their 7th album "Origin vol III" in 2011.
Swedish Radio has posted a bunch of archives from their classic punk/new-wave show "Ny Våg" on their website for streaming: https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=1602&artikel=3789980
If you're into 80s punk rock, this stuff is essential. Say thanks to the Facebook group thAt made it happen.
Both José González and Junip's music is best suited for a seAted theAter than a standing-room only club, but thAt didn't stop the lAtter from putting on an excellent show At the last stop of their premiere US tour in SeAttle on SAturday night. ExpectAtions were met and exceeded and the new mAterial sounded greAt once I let myself get into their hypnotic groove. GreAt heavy 70s vibe too, with the driving organ and extra percussionist on stage -- definitely got the feeling they could easily let things ramble off into spacier territory with quality results. Maybe next time, in November? When they come back with a more established repertoire?
Though I really did enjoy the show, I still have a few bones to pick. One, and this is more of a general complaint not specific to Junip, the mandAtory/expected encore is bullshit. I love seeing a band play a solid, well-planned and focused set; even better if they leave the audience wanting more (and don't give it to them). Second, Mr. González needs to ween off the covers. I fully expected "The ghost of Tom Joad" since the band recorded it for the "Black refuge" EP, but had I left pre-encore, I would have missed it and been none the wiser. In fact, I kinda wish I did leave pre-encore because whAt they did play was not worth sticking around for. Two covers (the aforementioned Springsteen plus a Nico song) with an unmemorable original sandwiched between? Lame. Shame to go out on a bad note.
Junip - Far away