Full tracklist and samples for the new jens Lekman EP "julie": https://www.srvice.com/serv016_pop.html

I saw Denmark's No Hope for the Kids last night in San Francisco and they were awesome. Their sound is reminiscent of early 80s LA punk: dark, melodic and driving. Check out the mp3 I just put up and, if you get a chance, try to see them on one of their last remaining US tourdates with pals and countrymates Deathtoken:

07/17 - 924 Gilman St., Berkeley, CA
07/18 - The Basement, Eugene, OR
07/19 - Portland, OR
07/20 - 2nd Ave Pizza, Seattle, WA
07/21 - Salem, OR

Upcoming live dates for Lasse Marhaug, one half of jazzkammer:

September - Norwegian tour w/Noxagt
09/23 - The Wire Festival 2, Empty Bottle, Chicago (US)
10/09 - Observatori Festival, Valencia (SPA). [w/Anla Courtis]
10/15 - Ultima Festival, Oslo (NOR) [Splatterkammer: Nikko/jazzkammer]
10/29 - Decibel Festival, Buenos Aires (ARG) [jazzkammer]
February 2005 - New Zealand tour [Del]

jaga jazzist reminisces about their just-completed US/Canada tour: jagajazzist.com/v2/news.php" target=_blank>https://www.jagajazzist.com/v2/news.php

Here's this week's top 20 Swedish albums:

01. Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 Fel
02. Vikingarna - Bästa Kramgoa Låtarna
03. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
04. Ted Gärdestad - Sol Vind & Vatten - Det Bästa
05. Robert Wells - Rhapsody In Rock Anniversary
06. Gyllene Tider - Gt 25 - Samtliga Hits!
07. Agnetha Fältskog - My Colouring Book
08. Teddybears Sthlm - Fresh
09. Charlotte Perrelli - Gone Too Long
10. Peter jöback - Det Här Är Platsen
11. Günther & the Sunshine Girls - Pleasure Man
12. Hans Martin - Den Blomstertid Nu Kommer
13. Noice - 24
14. Shirley Clamp - Den Långsamma Blomman
15. Marit Bergman - Baby Dry Your Eye
16. Carola - Credo
17. Infinite Mass - 1991
18. Per Gessle - Mazarin
19. Sahara Hotnights - Kiss & Tell
20. The Solution - Communicate!

Wtf? The day after Dagensskiva publishes their guide to heavy metal (see yesterday's news), Aftonbladet has to je/story/0,2789,505114,00.html" target=_blank>do the same? Okay, whatever.

Pitchfork approves of the new Hives single: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/wearetheworld/04-07-16.shtml
I've only spun the new record a couple times so far, but my first impression is definitely positive. The production from PMA Gunnerfeldt is undoubtedly first rate. But don't just listen to me - listen for yourself. MTVe has the entire album up for streaming: https://www.nordic.mtve.com/features/cms/index.asp?id=1006000000000279&type=1&page=1

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Promoe - These Walls Don´t Lie
02. Nightwish - Nemo
03. The Hives - Walk Idiot Walk
04. Nik & jay - En dag tilbage
05. Venke Knutson - Scared
06. Elastinen - Syljen
07. Kings Of Convenience - I´d Rather Dance With You
08. Sahara Hotnights - Hot Night Crash
09. Various Artists - I Kan Ikke Slå Os Ihjel
10. A-Teens - I Promised Myself
11. Eskobar - Bring The Action
12. Petter - Repa skivan
13. Euroboys - One Way Street
14. Teddybears STHLM - Hey Boy
15. The Raveonettes - Heartbreak Stroll
16. Marit Bergman - I´ll Always Be Your Soldier
17. Deportees - Arrest Me ´Til It Hurts
18. Bergman Rock - jim
19. Lordi - Blood Red Sandman
20. Safari - Crazy Dream Crazy Days

Challengers:
01. Infinite Mass - The Thief
02. Kemopetrol - My Superstar
03. Her Majesty - The Past Is Not A Good Idea
04. Gunnar - Haunted Honey Moon
05. Captain Murphy - Daddy Can Dance
06. Sondre Lerche - Days That Are Over

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.

The Rasmus will release the song "Guilty" as their next single, either later this month or in August, depending on where you are in the world. The UK gets in August 9 for what it's worth. A video for the song was filmed in Los Angeles last May with director Nathan Cox and should be hitting TV soonish. Up next, the band plans to conquer the East and is heading over that way for promo activities from july 16 to the 24th. Their most recent album "Dead Letters" hits japan on july 21. Otherwise, it's just more touring in the band's future. Here's the latest:

08/01 - Ankkarock, Helsinki (FIN)
08/04 - Liseberg; Göteborg (SWE)
08/07 - Sziget Festival, Budapest (HUN)
08/08 - Castle Clam, Linz (AUS)
08/14 - Astra Fest, Hamburg (GER)
08/15 - Leuven City Festival (BEL)
08/20 - Mont Soleil Festival (SWI)
08/21 - Gampel Open Air (SWI)
08/22 - Istambul (TUR)
08/29 - Reading Festival (UK)
09/02 - Tallinn, Club Hollywood (EST)
09/03 - Riga, Skonto Stadium (LAT)
09/11 - Fete De Humanite, Paris (FRA)
09/18 - Paris, Elysee Montmatre (FRA)
09/30 - Hamburg, Docks/Grosse Freiheit (GER)
10/02 - Berlin, Columbiahalle (GER)
10/04 - Koln, Palladium (GER)
10/07 - Munich, Muffathalle (GER)
10/14 - St Petersburg, Manezh (RUS)
10/15 - St Petersburg, Manezh (RUS)
10/16 - Mtv Russia Awards, Kremlin, Moscow (RUS)
10/17 - Moscow, Dkg Theatre (RUS)

Peter, Bjorn and john will be releasing a cover of "Teen Love" by The Concretes as their next single on September 8. It will include two bonus tracks as well. As for the new full-length, that's coming out on October 6.

Ariel Kill Him European tourdates:

08/16 - Astra Stube, Hamburg
08/18 - Dreikönigskeller, Frankfurt
08/20 - Kremblin, Bilbao
08/21 - Takio Destruction Fest, Torrelavega
08/22 - Xoldo Club, Galicia
08/23 - Malas Companias, Majadahonda
08/24 - Teteria, Ubeda
08/26 - Groovy Club, Grao Castellon
08/27 - Stereo, Alicante
08/28 - Centre Civic La Fonteta, St. Feliu
08/29 - Ieper Fest @ Vort'n'vis, Ieper
08/30 - Cafe Dwaze Zaken, Amsterdam

Ex-Gardenian vocalist jim Kjell and joined up with ex-Dimension Zero/In Flames guitarist Glenn Ljungström for a new band called Pitchline. The as-yet-unsigned band plans to enter Abyss Studios in November to record their debut album.

Finnish free "jazz" label Tyyfus is now ready with their first release: "Relaxativity Suite (in 40 Bowel Movements)" from Hetero Skeleton. The music is described as "explosive and hilarious freekjazz mayhem. Blastbeats, manic chimp-like vocalizing and some "jazzy" parts in there, too. Plus occasional bodily functions." Most definitely not the typical 'forest folk' that Finland is becoming known for, as they say themselves. More info: https://www.tyyfus.com

Danish hardcore band Lack is set to enter Studio Overlock just north of Stockholm on August 10 with engineer William Blackmon (Children of Fall) to begin work on a new full-length album. No release date yet, but they hope to have it out sometime this fall.

jester Records reports that Bogus Blimp have completed their new album, but unfortunately it will also be their last. Expect 'the most circus band in the circus' to get it ready for release by the end of the year.

Also from jester comes word that When is ready with their new album "Whenever", due out in October. There's a new one from Kåre joåo (title tba) on the horizon as well and the new Origami Galaktika album "Horisont" is out in September, or from the label's webshop in August.

Norway's Noxagt are on the john Peel show tonight: johnpeel/thisweek/thisweek.shtml#sess2" target=_blank>https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/alt/johnpeel/thisweek/thisweek.shtml#sess2