mew reports back from their US tour: mewsite.com/journal.php" target=_blank>https://www.mewsite.com/journal.php

I'm From Barcelona will be doing a few shows in the UK come mid-September.

The new album "Stolthet" from Swedish hip-hop duo Ison & Fille will be out September 27. The new single "Ner ditt vapen" will be out September 13.

Go, Jukebox! has posted two brand new songs from Reverend Big O: https://www.gojukebox.net/

The last installment of Fujasaki's "You never left an airport happy pt. 2" remix series is now complete with the latest contribution from French artist Guillaume Dégenétais: https://www.sudd.org/fujasaki/

Figurines will back in North America for a tour in October. Dates soon. In other news, the bands plans to begin work on their next album (their third) later this year.

The Deportees' new full-length "Damaged goods" is officially confirmed for a September 27 release.

Danish act Phonovectra is recording their debut album in Chicago with famed engineer Steve Albini. The finished product will be released by White.Out.music, the label founded by fellow Dane Emil Joergensen of Swan lee. Listen to some demos at myspace: myspace.com/phonovectra" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/phonovectra

Dusted reviews the latest from Noxagt: magazine.com/reviews/3062" target=_blank>https://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/3062

Finnish dark-ambient act Hæretici 7o74 has released a new live EP entitled "Heard flayings", recorded at Club Depo in Riga, Latvia in may 2006. Hæretici 7o74 is the collaborative duo of Ovro and Niko Skorpio, both respected artists in their own right. more info and tracks for sampling at myspace: myspace.com/haeretici7o74" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/haeretici7o74

Erik DeVahl has posted a new remix of his neighbor Bruno Bran and his song "Kamraten mittemot": myspace.com/erikdevahl" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/erikdevahl
Erik says "I've heard him singing and playing piano through the floor for two years now and this song is my favourite. It's in Swedish and about our inner strength."

Aversionline gives praise to Finnish act Satura Lanx: m/blahg/2006/08/chaos-with-panache.html" target=_blank>https://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/08/chaos-with-panache.html

Contest reminder! I'm still giving away a batch of old promo CDs every Tuesday. m/special/contest.html" onclick="window.open(this.href,'contest','width=410,height=230');return false;">Click here to enter! Please note that if you've already entered, there is no need to do it again.

Profile: Kazakstan

MP3: Kazakstan - Julien

Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you the first great release from the second half of 2006. I know there's lots more good stuff on the way from lots of established artists, but Kazakstan is the first I've heard that has really impressed me. The music came described as "experimental pop" and I think that's both good and bad. Bad because it sounds intimidating. Often the tag "experimental" also means difficult and that's most definitely not the case here. On the other hand, it's good because it dispels any notions you might have of this band being yet another rock band with guitars. The songwriting is rooted in folk/pop tradition - they'd probably all sound just fine on acoustic guitar - but like later-era Wilco, there's a lot more going on in the production and arrangements. Listen to "Julien", the song I've posted today. The verse riff is 100% quirky indierock, but then the chorus smacks you upside the head with a huge hook that will linger for days. But, as you'll note, the first chorus is only a teaser - the song retreats to a solo keyboard riff before offering up a completely different variation on the verse before really truly launching into the chorus again, this time with more power. It's a fantastic arrangement that shows off the band's tremendous skill and audacity. The band was also kind enough to answer a few questions, so they are also this week's featured profile piece: m/index.php?article=204">[click here]
So very highly recommended.

Kazakstan - Julien