Billie the Vision and the Dancers on tour in Europe:
06/10 - Ephebia festival, Terni (ITA)
06/11 - Nabilah, Naples (ITA)
06/12 - Villaggio Globale, Rome (ITA)
06/13 - B-cool, Rome (ITA)
06/16 - Salon Jürgenz, Oldensburg (GER)
06/17 - Heartbreak Hotel, Bremen (GER)
Check out the video for "We share our mothers health" from The Knife: motomichi.com/images/weshare_online.mov" target=_blank>https://www.motomichi.com/images/weshare_online.mov
Stylus gets all poppist on us and slaps their "recommended" tag on Amy Diamond: magazine.com/reviews/amy-diamond/still-me-still-now.htm" target=_blank>https://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/amy-diamond/still-me-still-now.htm
Popmatters reviews Serena maneesh: matters.com/pm/music/reviews/serena-maneesh-serena-maneesh/" target=_blank>https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/serena-maneesh-serena-maneesh/
Hyped Swedish electro act The Similou has signed to Sony/BmG imprint Direction Records in the UK and will be releasing a new single on July 17. Preview some new UK remixes right here: mmunikation.com/dnm/BWHandleEvent.aspx?command=ct&bwl=58c0d1b27d704b84.3979.6F94" target=_blank>https://www.kundkommunikation.com/dnm/BWHandleEvent.aspx?command=ct&bwl=58c0d1b27d704b84.3979.6F94
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Ola - Given to fly
02. The Poodles - metal will stand tall
03. Carola - Från nu till evighet
04. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
05. Shirley Clamp - Favoriter på Svenska
06. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
07. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
08. Lasse Stefanz - Pickup 56
09. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
10. BWO - Halcyon days
11. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
12. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
13. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
14. Anna Christoffersson/Steve Dobrogosz - It's always you
15. mustasch - Parasite!
16. Laleh - Laleh
17. Sebastian - Sebastian
18. Takida - ...make you breathe
19. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
20. Eldkvarn - Atlantis
more World Cup fever, courtesy of Uje Brandelius (aka Doktor Kosmos) and NONS: https://www.bollenbollenbollen.se/
I missed hearing about his NYC shows earlier this week unfortunately, but Swedish singer/songwriter Adam Heldring will also play CBGBs on June 21.
Swedish singer/songwriter maia Hirasawa (as profiled m/index.php?article=187">here recently) just posted a new song on myspace: myspace.com/maiahirasawa" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/maiahirasawa
I have already posted today's mp3 selection m/2006/05/30/the-music-blogosphere-presents-exceptional-cover-songs" target=_blank>elsewhere, but it's far too good for me to leave it at that. The entire "Love to run" EP in which Firefox AK lends her song to the Kellerman clan for reinterpretation is amazing, but of all the versions, husband Rasmus (perhaps better known as Tiger Lou and billed here as Araki) delivers the kicker. The original version (available for streaming myspace.com/firefoxak" target=_blank>here) is kind of an upbeat electropop number and in Rasmus' hands, it turns into something much darker and more reflective. It's amazing how the entire mood is changed by switching the lead synth melody to guitar and stripping away the dance-heavy beat. Rasmus' plaintive vocals take you to an entirely different place, but I don't think it sounds sad, I think it sounds like love. The gentle way he handles and transforms his wife's composition is a thing of beauty all its own. The rest of the EP is damn good too, but this... this is special. m/store.php?item=226">[BUY IT]
Araki - Love to run
I mentioned Deud in passing when they first appeared myspace.com/deud" target=_blank>on myspace, but I always worry that my little side comments go unnoticed. I knew the band was something special even after hearing just a few songs streamed online, so I immediately requested a copy of their demo "The man who was Sunday". Blessed be the miracle of the Internet, I had mp3s in my mailbox in less than 24 hours! That's modern magic right there! The music probably isn't for everyone, but I for one love their take on doomy post-hardcore. Think Breach, but way more drawn-out and atmospheric. It's not quite as dark and menacing as Khanate or Switchblade, but it's still mighty ruling and the track I've posted today is a definite highlight. The sound quality can be a bit rough (it is a demo after all), but the sounds they create overcome the technological limitations. Please note that you can download the whole damn demo at the aforementioned myspace link, but also be aware that I boosted the levels for this particular mp3 so it'll sound slightly different.
Deud - Fredag
German label Sinnbus Records has licensed Alarma man's excellent self-titled debut album from 2005 for European release this coming August. Can't wait that long? Buy it m/store.php?item=68">here.
Lucky misu has posted a new five-song EP for download: misu.com/" target=_blank>https://www.luckymisu.com/
Swedish bit-poppers Goto80 has updated the mp3 section of their website: m/" target=_blank>https://www.goto80.com/
Oh No Ono has a new website: m/" target=_blank>https://www.ohnoono.com/