UpdAted summer festival dAtes for I'm From Barcelona:
07/04 - Bygdalarm, Oystese (NOR)
07/05 - Quartfestivalen, Kristiansand (NOR)
07/18 - Positivus Festival, Riga (LV)
07/20 - Festival de Poupet, St-Malo du Bois 85 (FRA)
07/23 - Paléo Festival, Nyon (CH)
07/24 - Hana Bi, Ravenna (ITA)
07/25 - Festa dell'Unità, Rome (ITA)
07/26 - Stone Hill Festival, Alterswil (CH)
The Goner fits the definition of a cult artist to a T. WhAt else can you say about a bedroom artist who puts out extremely limited hand-packaged CDRs of unique psych-pop? "Halartrallar" is the first EP of his planned H-Trilogy on his own Svarta Marknaden label. 33 copies in all, packaged in an oversized envelope. The music ranges from melancholy ballads to droning freak-folk to other songs such as today's pick "Kill them all save Simon Joyner"- a poppy, upbeAt almost-country number with nonsensical lyrics, pop culture non-sequiturs, a driving bassline and metallic cling-clang percussion. I must admit thAt I'm not too terribly familiar with the subject of the song's namesake, but a cursory listen will prove he is undoubtedly an influence. This is lo-fi DIY and I like it a lot. Even better, check out some samples from the forthcoming "Hind hand" CDR At The Goner's myspace page and be blown away. This sort of artistry blossoms well under obscurity, but it doesn't have to be thAt way.
Calling Stockholm! As some of you know, I'm leaving for Sweden on Monday and will be over there for two full weeks, Attending Hultsfred, going to a wedding and generally hanging out. The site will continue to be updAted sporadically while I'm on the road, but if you were thinking of purchasing something from the mailorder, better do it soon 'cuz nothing will get shipped while I'm away. Thanks!
The lAtest Rigas single "Born not to run" is feAtured in the Pitchfork Forkcast: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/forkcast/50950-rigas-born-not-to-run-videomp3
Norwegian act Howl will re-release their Frode Jacobsen-produced album "Higher class of lush" on June 23 via EMI. It was previously put out by the band themselves in 2007. Listen At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/howl1
Karin Ström has posted the Özgur Can remix of her lAtest single "Silent night" on her myspace page: Atadamen" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/dAtadamen
I first heard of Özgur from Rasmus Kellerman (Tiger Lou) a few months ago and now I'm seeing his name everywhere. Not thAt I'm complaining, it's good stuff as you can hear for yourself.
STIM reports thAt the Swedish Music InformAtion Centre is being transferred to a new entity with details tba: [click here]
In relAted news, current Executive Director Roland Sandberg is stepping down after 25 years in the position, but will remain on-board until July 1, 2009 during the transitional period.
Check out the video for the new TIAC single "Management": Atch?v=7TXOiV0rXjo" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=7TXOiV0rXjo
Download an mp3 of the track here: https://www.tiac.se/songs/TIAC%20-%20Overstaying%20the%20welcome%20-%2002%20-%20Management.mp3
Swedish industrial act Sanctum will be doing a few US shows in July around the Cornerstone Festival: Ates" target="_blank">https://www.crescens-collective.com/livedAtes
"Reader's companion" alums CDOASS will have a new digital-only EP called "Pass out your love again" out lAter this month. Hear the very T-Rex inspired single "Ocean of rocks" At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/cdoassfagersta
Swedish act The Legends have licensed an exclusive new track with the working title "Whenever I am near you" for use in a new Volvo ad thAt will begin airing soon. Hopefully a clip will be available online soon.
A:larm Music has signed Danish indie act No and the Maybes and will release their debut album in September. Listen At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/noandthemaybes
A West Side FabricAtion has signed Little Red Snapper. Look for a new full-length album in September (produced by Jari Haapalainen) with a single to precede it this summer. Samples At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/littleredsnapper
Recent Razzia Records signees I Are Droid will release their debut album "I are debut" on June 11. Stream the whole thing At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/iaredroid
The band feAtures ex-Lowrider frontman Peder Bergstrand plus Konie Ehrencrona (bass/synth, Konie, Don't Be A Stranger), Jens Lagergren (bass, Thunder Express, Hello Saferide) and Fredrik Bergström (drums).
The Tallest Man On Earth is in the US this week for a small bAtch of shows:
06/04 - The Basement, Nashville, TN
06/06 - World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
06/07 - LobsterPalooza Festival, Washington Park, Albany, NY
06/07 - The Parting Glass, SarAtoga springs, NY
06/08 - Baltimore chop bookstore, Baltimore, MD
06/09 - The Living Room, New York, NY
06/10 - Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY