Torpedo has enlisted martin Karlsson from Seven Feet Four as their new drummer. Not a huge surprise, especially considering that ex-member Jimmy O is probably too busy with his main band The Je Ne Sais Quois and their upcoming record release.

Emerald Park has posted some new tracks on myspace: myspace.com/emeraldpark" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/emeraldpark
As mentioned before, Emerald Park is recording their new album together with Ola Frick (moonbabies) and they now report that most of the eleven tracks are done. I don't think they're signed yet, but I don't think that'll last too long.

Stereogum on the latest demo recording from Norway's New Violators: m.com/archives/new-new-violators-messiah.html" target="_blank">https://www.stereogum.com/archives/new-new-violators-messiah.html

Jens Lekman's new video for "The opposite of hallelujah" is now online: m/watch?v=ahwZADY1urI" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahwZADY1urI

A West Side Fabrication has postponed the release of the new Olle Nyman album "Venture" until January 2008.

MP3: José González - Down the line

José González has lost the element of surprise, so the new album "In our nature" might seem slightly disappointing at first. Same lofi production, same instrumentation 'cept for a slight bit more percussion and backing vocals. There appears to be very little progression on the surface. Dig deeper though and you might be surprised - all the talk about "In our nature" being darker and far angrier than its predecessor are true. The songwriting is stronger and more consistent as well. It's easy to let "Heartbeats" (and other covers) overshadow José's own self-penned material, but his songs stand fine on their own - there's a reason I chose "Crosses" for my first m/label.php?show=iat002">"Reader's companion" comp. José does not fit the stereotype of melancholy/depressed singer/songwriter and that's that. Nick Drake comparisons begone!
"Down the line" is the first song on the new record to grab my attention, mostly because I instantly recognized it from the last time I saw José perform live. I love the way the composition builds on the steady strum of that high chord and gentle slap-back pitter-patter rhythm. "Don't let the darkness eat you up." A song of hope? Reassurance? Or a warning?

José González - Down the line

MP3: The Bear Quartet - I would be poor

This week's Bear Quartet post comes courtesy of Jim Kelly from m/" target="_blank">Parasol, probably the most BQ-obsessed person I know (besides myself, I guess). His pick: "I would be poor". Read on:

It's a simple sentiment: "without you I'd have nothing" and one of the sweetest love songs in existence, within The Bear Quartet canon and without. And lo and behold this sweetly simple ode was penned by "the kid", keyboard player Calle Olsson. "I would be poor" (a "Gay icon" album b-side from the "Load it" EP), is a song of two stripes, split right down the middle. What starts out as a plaintive acoustic ballad backed by gently tinkling ivories (foreshadowing!), with mattias crooning about sticks and stones and every little thing, about how treasures mean nothing without the love of your life to share it... at the midpoint Calle's piano rears up and the song becomes a sure-fire, immediately smile-inducing, rowdy ragtime shamble, with a singalong gang chorus and a keening keyboard's siren wails hanging like streamers. A paean to someone (or everyone), and ripe for your (potential) special someone's next mixtape.

The Bear Quartet - I would be poor

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Timo Räisänen - my valentine
02. TALK 1
03. Torpedo - From Russia with love
04. Desert Planet - Breakout button
05. Ebba Grön - mamma pappa barn
06. TALK 2
07. The End Will Be Kicks - Don Johnson
08. Skywriter - Where both worlds never meet
09. Skull Defekts - The secret
10. TALK 3
11. Tsukimono - Tokyo OEast
12. Kristin Asbjørnsen - Trying to get home
13. Enemy Alliance - Government subsidized ghetto
14. TALK 4
15. The Indecision Alarm - Where every fucking dream is killed
16. Dismember - Soon to be dead
17. mixtapes & Cellmates - moments
18. TALK 5
19. Kristofer Åström - All in
20. Pan Sonic - Virta 1
21. Ulver - Of wolf and fear
22. TALK 6
23. mainliners - Olivia
24. 120 Days - Let me come down
25. Universal Poplab - 60 is the new 40
26. TALK 7
27. Dag Vag - Popitop
28. The Bombettes - Lust is the new black
29. Breach - Big strong boss
30. TALK 8
31. CS Nielsen - Black spots
32. Tape - Sand dunes
33. The Psyke Project - For us to see for us to help
34. TALK 9
35. Cortex - Shark boys die hard
36. Viola - I don't know how to party
37. Don't Be A Stranger - Lonely together
38. TALK 10
39. Broder Daniel - What clowns are we

TOmORROW! If you happen to find yourself in or around malmö, be sure to head down to Debaser to check out the very first It's a Trap! Clubnight featuring The End Will Be Kicks and AHRm! It's gonna be a killer, so don't miss out! Other shows booked this fall:

10/13 - Samuraj Cities and Club 8
11/15 - Death By Kite and Housewife Lovers
12/14 - Randy and Johndoe

How awesome is that? I may just have to fly out for December, if I can afford it.

Still haven't filled out my reader survey yet? m/limesurvey/index.php?sid=54434&lang=en" target="_blank">What are you waiting for? And remember, it's 100% anonymous and none of the questions are required so only answer the questions you want. And then, when you're done, enter to win a copy of m/label.php">the entire IAT discography. Your participation is appreciated!

Did you catch the new Aerial interview posted yesterday? m/index.php?a=322">Check it out!

Sincerely Yours has a new mp3 single from Jonas Game posted for free download: ml" target="_blank">https://www.sincerelyyours.se/yours0055.html

mando Diao will be blogging from their trip to China: mandodiaophotoblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">https://mandodiaophotoblog.blogspot.com/

Look for Swedes m:40 and Splitter to tour Europe together in October:

10/18 - mukkes, Leeuwarden (NL)
10/19 - Bar&Boos, Leiden (HOL)
10/20 - Dizzyrock Festival, Geel (BEL)
10/21 - tba
10/22 - The Soap Box Club, Nancy (FRA)
10/23 - tba
10/24 - tba
10/25 - tba
10/26 - Ann And Pat, Linz (AUS)
10/27 - Cizkrajov KD, Slavonice (CZ)
10/28 - AZ Conni, Dresden (GER)
10/29 - Fundbureau, Hamburg (GER)
10/30 - Toxis, Rostock (GER)

Norwegian label Lilac Sky has finally updated their webpage with updates on Dominic, Angora Static, Kaospilot, The Birds Are Spies, They Report To The Trees and more: m/" target="_blank">https://www.lilacsky.com/