will be putting out a 7" from The Skull Defekts ahead of the band's new album with Daniel Higgs, due out next year via . Featured tracks are "Gospel of the skull" b/w "Push it down on me" and it should be out in January.
Ólafur Arnalds takes Drowned in Sound on a restaurant tour of Reykjavík: m/in_depth/4141296-%C3%B3lafur-arnalds-young-composers-guide-to-reykjav%C3%ADk-dining" target="_blank">https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4141296-%C3%B3lafur-arnalds-young-composers-guide-to-reykjav%C3%ADk-dining
Svarte GreinerThe problem with Svarte Greiner (aka Norway's Erik K. Skodvin) is that it fails to create an atmosphere of any real note in a genre that is brimming with bands and projects that take the listener into all sorts of ethereal worlds. Total escapism is the name of the game in ambient circles and, while "Penpals forever" does offer that to a degree, it's more of a visual image of what Skodvin has done to create the sounds he has, rather than the otherworldly experience that listening to the likes of dark ambient sounds provides. As a result, the potential gloominess that Skodvin could have created is, for the most part, lost and we're left with more of a lesson in sound invention. maybe this is his intention and, in that case, he's done a sterling job. However, this type of 'music' has been done countless times before and has produced much more profound results in the past. Horses for courses though, and maybe this type of askew instrumentalism is right up a lot of streets for some. For me it's just very average.
- John Norby
is doing a reissue of classic Swedish power/indiepop act Happydeadmen's debut album "Eleven pop songs" on the occasion of said album's 20th anniversary. The new edition will include new liner notes from label boss Ola Hermanson, the man who originally released the record, as well as Johan Angergård, who of course you should know from Acid House Kings/The Legends/Club 8/. more info and sample tunes at the website: https://www.fractiondiscs.se/
Absolut Noise has a new track up from Life Before man, a long-running/never-documented Swedish indie act featuring my friend mattias from Culkin/KVLR: m/2010/11/internet-killed-tape-stars.html" target="_blank">https://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2010/11/internet-killed-tape-stars.html
If you dig noisy guitar-driven indie (such as mattias' other/previous bands), you will dig this. I do.
Prejka reports on , a new label from malmö which will be releasing a series of 12 7"s documenting their city's interesting experimental music scene: https://prejka.se/?p=4931
The first three confirmed releases are Skeppet, Pets or Food and a Gaerra/mirrors are Black split.
Early confirmations for SXSW 2011 include Alcoholic Faith mission, Giana Factory, Fm Belfast, Spleen United, WhomadeWho and Those Dancing Days. Full list: m/music/shows/bands" target="_blank">https://sxsw.com/music/shows/bands
has signed Oslo-based act Systematic Confusion and will be releasing their debut album in early 2011. Preview a couple tracks at myspace: myspace.com/systematicconfusionmusic" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/systematicconfusionmusic
Pitchfork has Under Byen's creepy new video for "Unoder": m/tv/#/musicvideo/9926-under-byen-unoder-paper-bag" target="_blank">https://pitchfork.com/tv/#/musicvideo/9926-under-byen-unoder-paper-bag
Shame that the music isn't more compelling to go with the visuals.
Swedish music mag Gaffa has launched their own awards initiative and will be doling out prizes in 12 categories (6 domestic-only) as determined by reader votes: https://gaffa.se/priset2010
Check out footage of Scraps of Tape performing a brand new track at their rehearsal space in malmö. Direct link: meo.com/16447927" target="_blank">https://www.vimeo.com/16447927
"Fuck you! Hail Satan!" Yeah, it's way corny, but it also puts a big, dumb smile on my face. Crucifyre aren't going to change anyone's life, but they are obviously having a lot of fun and that's more than okay by me. Besides, death metal really should be fun anyway.
I don't totally hate this, though I much prefer Jimmy Eat World's version of the same sound circa 10 years ago. Still, as far as -related is concerned, this is perfectly acceptable modern pop/rock radio fodder.
Finnish duo Shine 2009 perform live for PSL: musik-med-shine-2009/" target="_blank">https://blogg.svt.se/psl/2010/11/01/musik-med-shine-2009/
Kristofer Åström performs a brand new song for Northern Lights: m/2010/11/we-celebrate-the-northern-light-release-with-a-brand-new-song/" target="_blank">https://northernlightsblog.com/2010/11/we-celebrate-the-northern-light-release-with-a-brand-new-song/
Very recommended.