The winners of the 2005 Spellemanpris, aka the Norwegian Grammy:

Spellemann: madrugada
Female artist: Ane Brun - A Temporary Dive (Det Er mine/V2)
male artist: Robert Post - Robert Post (Universal)
Pop group: Röyksopp - The Understanding (EmI)
Electronica: Alog - miniatures (Rune Grammofon)
Rock: madrugada - The Deep End (EmI)
metal: Audrey Horne - No Hay Banda (Dog Job/Tuba Records)
Hip-hop/Rnb: Paperboys - When Worlds Collide (Bonnier)
Jazz: Hans mathisen - Quiet Songs (Curling Legs AS)
Open class: Nils Petter molvær - Er (Universal)
Best newcomer: marthe Valle - It's A Bag Of Candy (Grammar Records)
Best song: madrugada w/Ane Brun - Lift me (Det Er mine/V2/EmI)
music video: Robert Post - Got None (Universal)

Full results: mann.no/vinner.html" target=_blank>https://www.spellemann.no/vinner.html

Popmatters reviews Norwegian avant-metal act Green Carnation: matters.com/pm/music/reviews/green_carnation_acoustic_verses/" target=_blank>https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/green_carnation_acoustic_verses/

Swedish label Friendly Noise has announced two new releases for February 1. First up is a comp entitled "Are You Scared To Get Happy?" which features music from the play of the same name and includes acts such as The Radio Dept., Erik De Vahl, Testbild!, majessic Dreams, Action Biker and more. The second disc is the album "You in honey" from Swedish indiepop act most Valuable Players. Full tracklist and details: ml" target=_blank>https://www.friendlynoise.se/news.html

Fluxblog posts a track from Sophie Rimheden: ml" target=_blank>https://www.fluxblog.org/2006/01/lights-on-ceiling-dont-know-sophie.html

Dusted reviews the new Darkthrone EP "Too old, too cold": magazine.com/reviews/2647" target=_blank>https://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2647

The Swedish student radio top 20 chart is back from vacation:

01. Dub Sweden - "We're So Loud"
02. Arctic monkey - "When the Sun Goes Down"
03. martha Wainright - "Bloody mother F***ing A**hole"
04. SwingFly - "Something's Got me Started"
05. Belle & Sebastian - "Funny Little Frog"
06. Whyte Seeds - "Bold as Love"
07. The Sounds - "Song With a mission"
08. Christian Kjellvander w/Nina Persson - "Roaring 40's"
09. Alf - "manchester man"
10. Dilated Peoples - "Back Again"
11. Stars - "Your Ex-lover is Dead"
12. Irene - "Baby I Love Your Way"
13. Death Cab For Cutie - "Crooked Teeth"
14. Absentee - "Weasel"
15. maxïmo Park - "I Want You to Stay"
16. Beth Orton - "Conceived"
17. Damian marley med NAS - "Road to Zion"
18. Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins - "Rise Up With Fists"
19. Ashanti - "Still on it"
20. Daddy Yankee - "Rompe"

Aftonbladet on the In Flames collaboration with pop-artist Lisa miskovsky: ml" target=_blank>https://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,770499,00.html (in Swedish)

Nordic reviews in the latest High Bias update:

m/reviews/20060129_short2.html#Dozer" target=_blank>Dozer - Through the eyes of heathens
m/reviews/20060129_short2.html#Hellacopters" target=_blank>Hellacopters - Rock & roll is dead
m/reviews/20060129_short4.html#Slideshaker" target=_blank>Slideshaker - In the raw

Check out an e-card for the new Aerial album "Black rain from the bombing", out tomorrow on Nomethod: method.se/Ecard/Ecard060131.htm" target=_blank>https://www.nomethod.se/Ecard/Ecard060131.htm
As I said before, this is one of 2006's first great releases. The record will be available here as a paid download with physical copies arriving in stock eventually.

Pitchfork has posted a track review of José González' Kylie minogue cover "Hand on your heart": media.com/tracks/06-01-30.shtml" target=_blank>https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/tracks/06-01-30.shtml

Blood music, the "solo" project of Karl-Jonas Winqvist from First Floor Power, is now on myspace and has posted two unreleased songs for streaming: myspace.com/singasongfighter" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/singasongfighter

Swedish indie label Songs I Wish I Had Written has signed Gentle Touch and will be releasing their debut EP on February 22. Download a taste right here: m/GT/GentleTouch-memories.mp3" target=_blank>https://www.songsiwish.com/GT/GentleTouch-memories.mp3

In other SIWIHW news, the upcoming Le Sport full-length will be out in mid-march and the new Lovekevins album will be released by summer.

God Damn Trio has posted four new songs for free download: mntrio.com/" target=_blank>https://www.goddamntrio.com/

MP3: Gustav and the Seasick Sailors - Charlie Fay

New mp3 today from Gustav and the Seasick Sailors. I started selling stuff from their label marilyn Records in m/store.php?search=marilyn%20Records">my webstore recently, but I only recently got a chance to really give their bands a good listening. Achordian and Shooting John, the other two bands on the label, are both kind of countrified pop (indiepop with a twang?), but GatSS has more of a driving powerpop feel. It's similar to countrymates David & the Citizens in that they're both the creative outlets of their singer/songwriter frontmen, but at the same time, it's also a band effort. Change the backing band and it most certainly would not be the same. "Charlie Fay" is the band's most recent single, a first taste of what's to come on their upcoming album "Sirkus" which is due out on march 9. Looking forward to it.

Gustav and the Seasick Sailors - Charlie Fay