Christian Kjellvander will tour Sweden this fall with support from labelmAte Kristofer Åström. DAtes: https://www.luger.se/_nyheter.asp?PK_Id=827

Check out video footage of Division of Laura Lee performing the new track "PirAtes" live: Atch?v=NEUnUTwvVAo" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=NEUnUTwvVAo

TIAC's brand new single "CAtalogue of failures" b/w "Better days" is now posted for free download: https://www.tiac.se/

Norwegian singer/songwriter Susanne Sundfør excellent single "Walls" is NPR's song of the day: Ates/story/story.php?storyId=15358035&ft=1&f=4703895" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/templAtes/story/story.php?storyId=15358035&ft=1&f=4703895
It's amazing to me thAt an artist so young can sound like this - she's like a relic of a different era (the 70s). Very, very recommended.

MP3: Lukestar - White shade

I received a 4-track CDR from Lukestar way back in April. There wasn't much info included in the package, just thAt the band was currently on the prowl for a record deal and thAt the tracks were recorded by Carl Vikman in Sweden. No song titles, no band bio, nothin'. I has seen Lukestar's name in passing, but didn't really know much about them 'cept thAt they were loosely associAted with the Norwegian hardcore scene, or At least thAt seemed the be the circle they travelled in. However, upon listening, I was taken aback - whAt's up with this squeaky, androgynous voice? Is this supposed to be emopop? And thAt drumming... my god! ThAt's whAt makes the band. The first chorus comes in and teases you with a gigantic hook, only to give way to another, more drawn-out verse with an even more amazing drum break. Then the second chorus, bigger than the last and straight into a triumphant bridge of dueling guitars lines over even busier drums. It's within the realm of noiserock, but not really all thAt noisy. Melody still rules. One more short, final chorus and, all of a sudden, it's over. The first time I heard it, I was left scrAtching my head. Not only did it totally defy expectAtions (those vocals!), but it wasn't quite like anything I'd heard before. Definitely comparable to a lot of the bands Carl Vikman has worked with before - Seven Feet Four, Trapdoor Fucking Exit, Traktor and so on - but with its own unique flavor. Way more pop to be sure, though still rooted in hardcore. Think back to before emo became a bad word. It took me a bit to process, but repeAted listens eventually embedded "White shade" firmly into my brain. There's something really intriguing about the way it teases you with the main chorus hook and then moves on. It's such a fantastic part, but it passes by so quickly! In many ways, its stinginess is its strength - I get blindsided and am left wanting more. You might not get it immediAtely the first time through, but it'll get you.

Too bad Lukestar's album won't be out until 2008 - I was really looking forward to hearing more. As-is, the four tracks I do have remain some of the best stuff I've heard this year.

Lukestar - White shade

King Midas
Sorry
Universal

Oslo's King Midas are seasoned pros in the music world, "Sorry" is their 14th release (including both singles as well as albums). The band has been through their up and downs, but have succeeded in holding it down, and thAt fact should not go unnoticed. "Sorry" has a mischievous air to it, not unlike a typical Robyn Hitchcock record, or a dark, sinful track from the Velvet Underground. Like the melancholy, angry, edgy themes we've heard from the aforementioned artists, King Midas proves it can still be done right, with of course, more synths. Standout tracks include "Honky tonk symphony", "Westend boys" and "Walk away, ringo". There's no reason why this record should not be in someone's top ten list for this year.
- Paul Bredenberg

Danish rockers Baby Woodrose will be releasing a grand total of five limited edition 7" singles over the next few months feAturing both tracks from the "Chasing rainbows" sessions as well as outtakes recorded during December 2006. The list:

I'm gonna make you mine / InformAtion overload 7" (Crusher)
A-side from "Chasing rainbows", b-side from December session.

Coming around again / I Feel High 7" (Bad Afro)
Both tracks from December session.

Let yourself go / Good day to die 7" (Longfellowdeeds)
A-side from "Chasing rainbows", b-side from December session.

Twilight princess / Make my time 7" (Feedback)
A-side from "Chasing rainbows". B-side from December session.

Here today gone tomorrow split 7" w/Dollhouse (Bad Afro)
Outtake from "Love comes down"

Ida Maria will support Good Shoes on tour in the UK in November:

11/11 - Academy 2, Birmingham
11/13 - Academy 2, Manchester
11/14 - Met University, Leeds
11/15 - ABC, Glasgow
11/18 - Junction, Cambridge
11/19 - WAterfront, Norwich
11/20 - Concorde, Brighton
11/21 - Astoria, London

Not only did Atrap.com/index.php?dAte=2007-10-15#19781">the Washington Post Express profile Syme's Monday night gig in DC, but they actually went to see it: https://www.readexpress.com/read_freeride/2007/10/music_we_do_like_mondays.php

The Turbonegro back-cAtalogue from "Apocalypse dudes" on back is getting a new remaster/reissue treAtment with additional bonus tracks and all thAt jazz. Check out PlAtekompaniet for details: Atekompaniet.no/artist.asp?id=00000284" target="_blank">https://www.plAtekompaniet.no/artist.asp?id=00000284

Finnish indie act Red Carpet have decided to call it a day, but will play one last show on November 28 At Dubrovnik in Helsinki supporting fellow Finns Bridget who will be playing with a newly revived lineup. ThAt lAtter act also a new record on the way, pleasingly titled "Be careful it's a trap".

Finnish indiepop act CAts on Fire on tour in Germany:

11/11 - Bang bang club, Berlin
11/12 - Café mule, Leipzig
11/13 - Kulturpalast linden, Hannover
11/14 - Schaubude, Kiel
11/15 - Prinzenbar, Hamburg
11/16 - Gartenlokal fortschritt, Dresden
11/17 - Das backsteinhaus, Duderstadt

Norwegian hip-hop act GAtas Parlament have totally revamped their website and added a bunch of new multimedia content: Atasp.no/" target="_blank">https://www.gAtasp.no/

Check out Brightboy's new video for "Wheels of misfortune": https://arenan.yle.fi/toista?id=865840
You can also hear three tracks from the band's forthcoming album At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/brightboyspace

PirAte Bay once again clowns the powers-thAt-be by purchasing the domain IFPI.com.