Kristofer Åström's new video for "Conjure me" is now online: m/watch?v=jQWz37Hu-4Q" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQWz37Hu-4Q

MyFriends: Agent Side Grinder, Breum, Iiwanajulma, Northern Fields, Pintandwefall

Club 8
The boy who couldn't stop dreaming
Labrador

It's usually the first record you hear by a band that remains your favorite, but Club 8 have reached new heights with their sixth outing. At it's worst, it's as good as anything they've done before. At it's best, it's more complex, personal, and compelling. The band have extraordinary credentials in a certain genre of laid back Swedish indie. Their singer Karolina Komstedt was in the band Poprace, as was their songwriter/instrumentalist Johan Angergård, who is also busy in his other bands The Legends, The Acid House Kings, and behind the scenes at Labrador Records. Club 8 is distinguished by the contrasts among Komstedt's ethereal voice, which is astoundingly pretty without ever being cloying or affected, their melancholy lyrics, and a sound that is simultaneously gentle, dark and uplifting. On this record they all shine. While the lyrics grapple with relationships that don't work, fear of mortality, questioning God, inappropriate drug use and rural desolation, the music is relaxed and airy. Her singing has never been better and the production has never made the instruments sound this good. The total effect is akin to aloe vera for the soul; it soaks in, soothes, and somehow sets things right. It's chill without the snores, twee without the cute, and sweet without the toothache.
- Nancy Baym

MP3: Club 8 - Leave the north

It's Club 8 day here at IAT and not only do we have a review of m/reviews.php?r=208">their fantastic new album, we've also got an mp3 post for you. As with said review, I'll step aside and let contributor Nancy Baym tell you all about it:

This piano and violin based song from Club 8's new record "The boy who couldn't stop dreaming" (Labrador) epitomizes all that is best about them. The lyrics confront the emptiness of Northern Sweden ("we keep our eyes on the distance/cuz desolation greets us wherever we go") and the interpersonal distances that result ("we see trees/but never anyone who talks"). Yet, even as Karolina Komstedt is singing about cold isolation forcing her to leave home forever while the violins swell ominously, it sounds so warm and welcoming one wants to curl up in the song and stay forever. It's a perfect juxtaposition that makes for a perfect song.

For those of you in or around malmö, don't forget that Club 8 is playing the myspace.com/iatclubnights" target="_blank">It's a Trap! Clubnight this Saturday October 13 along with fellow IAT-faves Samuraj Cities. I'm sure it's gonna be an amazing show, the only pity is that I can't be there myself.

Club 8 - Leave the north

WE's next single "Hurdy gurdy" will be released in Norway on November 12 on 7" vinyl, CD and digital along with a video. The exclusive b-side of "RNR (I put my life)" was recorded live at Quart Festival in 2004. Said single will also be released in Scandinavian and GAS in January, preceding the new album "Tension & release" later the same month. The limited edition version of said album will also include a 30-min DVD doc filmed during the band's tour with motörhead last year. Watch a trailer at myspace: myspace.com/cosmicbikerrock" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/cosmicbikerrock

Danish post-hardcore act Lack reports that their new album is done and sent off to Bob Weston (Shellac) for mastering: https://www.lackattack.dk/
Expect an early spring release via Play/Rec.

AllAboutJazz reviews Kornstad's excellent album "Single engine": m/php/article.php?id=27121" target="_blank">https://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=27121

The new Cats on Fire video for "Draw in the reins" is up on YouTube: m/watch?v=zgb-5Fop4Bg" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgb-5Fop4Bg

Ektro Records vinyl-only imprint Full Contact will be putting out a 7" from Finnish act Tractor Pulling entitled "Ghost hungerland". Check out a sample at the NWOFHm myspace page: myspace.com/playloudnwofhm" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/playloudnwofhm

Eardrums has created a playlist of all the various Norwegian bands playing CmJ: msmusic.com/2007/10/10/a-playlist-of-music-by-norwegian-bands-on-the-cmj-festival/" target="_blank">https://eardrumsmusic.com/2007/10/10/a-playlist-of-music-by-norwegian-bands-on-the-cmj-festival/

Listen to GBG-based postpunks Cut City covering "The hanging garden" by The Cure: myspace.com/cutcity" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/cutcity
Said song will eventually be released on a Cure tribute being put together by Release the Bats!

Combat Rock has announced the signing of Tampere-based hardcore/punk act Another Sinking Ship and will be releasing their debut album "Legacy" this coming spring. Listen to samples at myspace: myspace.com/anothersinkingship" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/anothersinkingship

New London shows for Norwegian act Harry's Gym:

11/15 - monto Water Rats, London
11/19 - Notting Hill Arts Club, London

mIC Norway profiles Ulver and their new album "Shadows of the sun": mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007101014044114328679" target="_blank">https://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007101014044114328679
I still need to spend a lot more time with it, but cursory listens have me thinking it's probably Ulver's best post-black-metal work yet.

Emerald Park has posted the new track "Umeå" to their myspace page: myspace.com/emeraldpark" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/emeraldpark
Another band that recently did the exact same thing somewhat recently is Anna Leong - check out their own song "Umeå" here: myspace.com/annaleong" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/annaleong