Norrland doom act Seven Nautical miles (ex-Oceans Have No memory) have signed with UK-based label Sound Devastation Records and will be recording their debut full-length this summer. Preview a track here: myspace.com/sevennauticalmiles" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/sevennauticalmiles

Arcade Fire still rules the m/group/itsatrap">It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 track chart, but Logh did manage to slip into this week's top 10:

01. The National – Fake Empire
02. The Arcade Fire – Keep the Car Running
03. modest mouse – Dashboard
04. The Arcade Fire – Intervention
05. Bright Eyes – Four Winds
06. Patrick Wolf – Overture
07. The Arcade Fire – No Cars Go
08. The Arcade Fire – Ocean of Noise
09. The Arcade Fire – Black mirror
10. Logh – Thieves in the Palace

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us and share your tastes! Go here to learn more: m/help/" target=_blank>https://www.last.fm/help/

A loooong time back I mentioned that Swedish singer/songwriter Johan Bergqvist was contributing to a Shawn Smith tribute. Well, that came out in 2004 and was only available in a very limited edition with one of two tracks Johan recorded, so he's decided to make both of them available now as a free download. Check it out: ml" target=_blank>https://www.pristine.se/johanbergqvist/downloads.html

Got some extra money burning a hole in your pocket? Check out the Sincerely Yours bulletproof vest: https://www.sincerelyyours.se/

Norwegian hype New Violators check in on their return home after their debut US jaunt: myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=67999052&blogID=251089150" target=_blank>https://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=67999052&blogID=251089150

MP3: Badun - Kompleks

New track from Danish minimalist electronic/jazz artists Badun off their new self-titled album on Rump Recordings. Actually, the label minimalist is kind of a misnomer as the music is anything but - it's just that the sounds are small, in the style of the micro-/"clicks + cuts" genre. I find myself wishing that Badun was a bit more adventurous melodically, but the drummer side of me loves the playfulness of the beats. This track in particular is essentially a five-minute drum solo. It's a fun listen, but it's also not much of a song, so if you're not into extended jams, you probably won't dig it. I'm on the fence. I appreciate that an electronic act can embrace jazz in such an unstructured and artful way, but I'm also a fan of composition. Or maybe it just needs a more diversified palette of sound? I'd love to hear them collaborate with more live musicians.

Badun - Kompleks

MP3: The Bear Quartet - It only takes a flashlight to create a monster

mg src="https://www.itsatrap.com/special/it_only_takes_a_flashlight.png" alt="Yes, I am aware that this is a total cop-out, but I'm beat and dammit, it's a holiday weekend, even if I don't celebrate. And isn't it funny how taking time off only means more work waiting for you when you return. I know, right? So yeah, anyone who wants to contribute a BQ post for new week or the week thereafter, feel free to get in touch." />

The Bear Quartet - It only takes a flashlight to create a monster

MP3: Neveres - Repent

Seeing as how I had an interview published in magin.se/v5/viewer/files/default.aspx?paper=404032038019,05180&startpage=1" target=_blank>Norrbottens-Kuriren earlier this week, I figured it would be fitting to feature another Luleå band besides the weekly Bear Quartet post. I'm not sure who Neveres is - my sources tell me that it's the old band for a few of the The End Will Be Kicks guys. maybe Breach-related as well? It certainly sounds like it. Whoever it is, they aren't talking:

Thank you for showing an interest in the band, however I dont know who they are... I dont think anyone does... I heard that the album was written during a one-year drinking binch and recorded in the woods of northern Sweden sometime in 2003. It was supposed to be released by freedumbrecords but they never payed the sound engineer in full, so the album never got sent to the company.
The finished reording got lost somewhere along the way and all that is left is the rough mixes that are now available at neveres.cjb.net for free...
I hope this helps you and I hope you help to spread the word about the album.

I know I'm being lied to, but what can I do? Argue? maybe someone will shed some light on the mystery in the comments. Otherwise, enjoy a track of excellent, noisy Norrland hardcore in a similar vein of the bands referenced above. If you like what you hear, go to the link to download the entire record for free.

Neveres - Repent

Interview: Don Juan Dracula

Got a fresh interview with "Reader's companion" alumni Don Juan Dracula posted today: m/index.php?a=290" target=_blank>[click here]
Also note that there's a contest where you can win a digital copy of the band's most recent album "Young debutantes 2". Click the link to find out more.

Trust No One reports that their entry into the Logh "Raging sun" 7" series (theirs is 3/4, mine is 4/4) will soon be available for preorder: m/2007/04/sorry-for-abscence-of-updates-lately.html" target=_blank>https://trustnoonerecordings.blogspot.com/2007/04/sorry-for-abscence-of-updates-lately.html
Also on the way from the label is the debut album from Kongh as well as a possible Switchblade live DVD.

Finnish alt-country act The Latebirds report that they are done with their new album: m/news/46/" target=_blank>https://www.latebirds.com/news/46/

Rune Grammofon will be releasing two new albums in late may, "Norwegianism" from moHa! and "Conditions for a piece of music" from Ultralyd. moHa! is the duo of Anders Hana (guitar) and morten J. Olsen (drums) and Ultralyd is those two plus Kjetil møster (sax) and Kjetil D. Brandsdal (bass, Noxagt). They reportedly sound nothing alike, as the latter is said to be "kind of slow contemporary chamber rock." Look for both on CD and limited vinyl.

Norwegian hip-hop artists Don martin and Supa Sayed (Gatas Parlament) are offering up their "motgift EP" as a free download: https://www.gatasp.no/content.asp?uid=1043

Check out Ny Regim, a new all-star punk band ala Hets that's actually pretty damn ragin': myspace.com/nyregim" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/nyregim
This is a trend I can get behind.