MP3: KTMK - Kalinka

If you mistake this track for The Jesus Lizard, I don't blame you. That main riff is awfully similar to "Lady shoes". The thing is though, KTMK (short for Kansanturvamusiikkikomissio, try saying that one five times fast) predates 'em by five full years, having recorded "Kalinka" in 1985 for the "666" album. "Goat", on the other hand, was recorded in 1990 and it's no secret that at least engineer Steve Albini was a big fan of weird finnish hardcore. The more I dig into the stuff, the more obvious the influence is, regardless of whether it's out in the open or not. So are Chicago and Finland kindred spirits? Maybe? I've never been to either, but I gotta say that I certainly love the music.

KTMK - Kalinka

finnish indie/synthpop act Déclassé has confirmed that their new album "Silos" will be released on August 13. Hear the first single "She's a raver" at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/declassetheband

The folks at the fine finnish indie label If Society have started a blog: https://www.ifsociety.com/blog.php?page=1

finnish act Rubik have started work on their second album. The band is currently at Magnusborg Studio where they plan on recording 20 songs, 10 of which will end up on the final product in early 2009.

Pitchfork reviews the new Sally Shapiro remix album "Remix romance vol. 2": https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/51288-remix-romance-vol-2
Also at Pfork, an interview with finnish act Circle: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/51383-column-show-no-mercy- (at the bottom)

finnish bitpoppers and "Reader's companion" alums Desert Planet have now added the song "Three apples high" to the promo site for their new record "Moonrocks": https://desertplanetcom.virtual27.nebula.fi/moonrocks_promosite/kuuntelu.htm

finnish hardcore act Another Sinking Ship has two new tracks on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/anothersinkingship

Look for finnish shoegazers Murmansk to do a short European tour in October with their friends Mesmer. After that, it's back in the studio to record the follow-up to "Chinese locks", an album we just reviewed earlier this week.

Festival report: Hultsfred 08 (pt. I)

finnish hard-rockers Slideshaker report that their third album is finally done being tracked and is ready for mixing. No word on a release date yet, but two rough mixes are posted on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/slideshaker

LowCut interviews weirdo finnish hard/doom-rockers Mr. Peter Hayden: https://www.lowcut.dk/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=225:mr-peter-hayden&catid=34:interviews&Itemid=55

Check out a new track from finnish hardcore act Lighthouse Project on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/lighthouseproject
The band's new 7"/DVD collection "Misanthropic humanist" will be out in July.

Look for a new 7" from finnish punks Karanteeni to be released on Combat Rock Industry later this summer.

finnish avant/experimental act Kuusumun Profeetta will release their fifth album "Lyhtykuja" ("The alley of lanterns") in July via Ektro Records (Circle, etc.). Hear a new track at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/moonfogprophet

finnish indie/DIY/experimental label Rabbit Ilsn has a bunch of new netreleases posted for free download: https://www.myspace.com/rabbitilsn (scroll down)