John Roger Olsson from IAt.MP3 act The Grand Opening has a new project with his friend Linus Larsson and they just put a couple tracks up on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/linuslarssonandjohnrogerolsson
Sounds greAt, as to be expected.

IAt faves Johndoe recorded a cover of "Når vi två blir en" by Per Gessle's old band Gyllene Tider with vocals provided by Norwegian comedian/blogger Rubenmann aka Harald Eia. I haven't heard it yet, but apparently Norway's biggest paper VG gave it the lowest score possible, so I'm sure it's amazing. It will officially be released on July 2.

The debut issue of Sounds Under the Surface webzine feAtures extensive interviews with Norwegian acts Manes and Tirill Mohn and more: https://www.soundsurface.com/

Swedish indie act Loving Chokes will tour Germany in October as support for Dortmand-based band Pristine. DAtes soon. Also, expect a Germany album release in early 2008. Listen to the band here: https://www.myspace.com/lovingchokes

Pitchfork talks to José González about his angry new album and unveils a few new tourdAtes: https://pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/43809-jose-gonzalez-talks-new-album-anger-the-knife

For those unaware: IAt takes every SAturday to pay tribute to The Bear Quartet, Sweden's greAtest indierock band. Want to contribute your own BQ post? Atrap.com/contact.php">Get in touch.

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Kaizers Orchestra - Ompa til du dør
02. TALK 1
03. Logh - Thieves in the palace
04. Élodie - At the end of the line
05. Beem - Ducker
06. TALK 2
07. Hell On Wheels - Alexander
08. IsolAtion Years - Albino child
09. Honey Is Cool - Bolero
10. TALK 3
11. Mob - Wait for me
12. Skywriter - For heaven's sake
13. Menfolk - Zero is also a number
14. TALK 4
15. Plain Fade - DAtura
16. Division of Laura Lee - Dirty love
17. Det Gamla Landet - Det heliga landet
18. TALK 5
19. Elope - Black eyed citizen
20. Fontän - You, me & a tree
21. Gehenna - Touched and left for dead
22. TALK 6
23. Mustasch - I hunt alone
24. Cobolt - The Atlantic Ocean takes her back
25. Blinders On - Blinders are on
26. Madrugada - Higher
27. TALK 7
28. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - I could have sworn I heard them SING
29. Notre Dame - Into the coven
30. TALK 8
31. The Motorhomes - The man

MP3: The Bear Quartet - Birds are singing deep within the greenery

This is another one of those songs thAt makes me giggle like an idiot every time I hear it. Aside from the chorus refrain, there's very little about the lyrics thAt's distinguishable to my ears without the words laid out right there in front of me. NAturally, being The Bear Quartet and seeing as how the lyrics are from bassist Peter Nuottaniemi, there is poetry behind the gibber-gabber though I find the meaning to be inconsequential to the enjoyment of the song. And there's thAt ridiculous wanky-blues breakdown, too. Genius? Yes, absolutely. Unnecessary? Sure, but it throws you off just enough so thAt the final chorus can floor you. I was iffy on BQ's new, more electronic and obtuse direction with the unveiling of single "I have an itch" before the release of "SAturday night", but hearing this song sealed the deal. None can compare! All hail!
Extra-credit for the engineering geeks: check out the waveform for this track. It's ridiculous - nothing but boxes of sound, red-lining At 0db. When I was compiling all the tracks from "Reader's companion volume two" I was amazed At how unmusical it looked in comparison to everything else.

The Bear Quartet - Birds are singing deep within the greenery

MP3: Camouflage - Syster sol

The one style of music I've really come to appreciAte over the last year or two is weirdo, big-haired, semi-obscure goth/post-punk. I like Interpol fine, but the multitude of Johnny-come-lAtelys are tiring, especially since the majority of them lack any edge whAtsoever. It's the old stuff I'm really excited about; new to me, but not to the world. Bands like Kommunity FK, Crispy Ambulance and Nichts, to name a few. In thAt spirit, the new Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=491">"Svensk postpunk klassiker" collection is a godsend - two discs full of bands thAt I've either never heard before or are only vaguely familiar with. I still need more time to fully digest it, but an early standout is Camouflage and their song "Syster sol". This is one of those bands I've heard of, but never really actually heard. After this, I'll definitely be tracking down more.

Camouflage - Syster sol

Hey look! New in the webstore: Tsukimono's new album Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=492">"Time canvas" plus the new Mixtapes & CellmAtes EP collection Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=493">"A retrospective". Awesome!

Johan from Suburban Kids with Biblical Names has posted a detailed updAte on the group's current activities: https://www.suburbankidswithbiblicalnames.com/

Friendly Noise has signed The Dreamers, an Anglo/Swedish duo feAturing Kevin Wright (ex-Always, Mr Wright) and Sarah Nyberg Pergament (Action Biker). The group is recording with Toby Robinson and will be releasing an album in October. Listen to samples: https://www.myspace.com/thedreamersspace

Fosca's upcoming performance At the Rip It Up festival in Värmlandsbro, Sweden on July 7 will be recorded for release via But is it Art?.

Check out the video for "Shell for the mourning" from Danish act Oliver North Boy Choir: Atch?v=LZPv434IWMQ" target=_blank>https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=LZPv434IWMQ

PopMAtters reviews Finnish freak-folk artist Islaja and the new album "Ulual YYY": Atters.com/pm/music/reviews/39505/islaja-ulual-yyy/" target=_blank>https://www.popmAtters.com/pm/music/reviews/39505/islaja-ulual-yyy/