UK-based female-centric mag Wears the Trousers is launching a record label imprint whose first release will be a comp entitled "Beautiful star: The songs of Odetta", an tribute to American folk legend Odetta Holmes aka the "Queen of American folk music". The relevance to It's a Trap!: Norwegian artist Ane Brun contributes with an exclusive cover of "If I had a ribbon bow". Go m/2009/10/26/wears-the-trousers-records-presents/" target="_blank">here for more info, otherwise wait until November 30 for the release.
There's a nice noise-hardcore-scene vibe going around Stockholm with some amazing bands gigging in basements and bars and such, under the radar of -- or underestimated by -- the established clubs; these bands are getting their gigs by themselves and getting together a group of friends in a hole in the ground serving beer. Anyone paying attention will recognize that most members tonite are the usual suspects and this one featured, among others, members of Traktor, Emerson Fittipaldi, Seven Feet Four and Bruce Banner, on stage and in the audience.
Axe kicked off the night with some ferocious hardcore-noise-punk in the vein of Brick and that old hardcore band from Sigtuna that I can't remember the name of right now. They were really cool. They've got hooks! Check out myspace.com/weareaxe" target="_blank">their myspace and you'll see what I mean (the song "Firmafest" is an amazing stand-out!). They also are not afraid to go mid-tempo for some noise-intensity. The live-experience was great, yet lacking some volume and conviction, but hopefully they'll iron this out. If they do, this band will be a force to be reckoned with.
EL-SD were a bit more heady, recalling early Unwound, Sonic Youth, even early Quagmire (!) as well as sporting "Yank crime"-era Drive Like Jehu song lengths. I was blissing out ofc, with the amazing gzzz-ing and no-wave picking guitars of David Fried right in front of me and bumping into Frippe going crazy wielding the bass. Good shit, this.
Karpis went metal on me, taking noise-rock down drop-tuning with growling even. They were bringing it, but I was kind of done unfortunately, trying to flirt, drink beer and stuff instead. I'll catch more of your set next time guys, promise!
So, fellow travelers, when in Stockholm, I humbly suggest you forgo established venues, constantly applying the one-size-fits-all-indie-dancefloor after every damn concert, for the basement jovial hardcore-scene-experience. Get your promille up and cheer for your new-found favourite underground band! You can even pogo a bit if u'd like.
- Mathias Rask-Andersen
Finnish/Swedish indie act Oriel Joans (feat. singer/songwriter Pekka Pörtfors) have a new single called "Knuckles whiten" and are streaming both it and the b-side "I only wish to lay" at myspace: myspace.com/orieljoans" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/orieljoans
RIYL Isolation Years, Anna Leong, melancholy pop.
It's not even November, but The Genuine Fakes are already offering a preview of their upcoming holiday single "All I want for Christmas": music.thegenuinefakes.com/" target="_blank">https://music.thegenuinefakes.com/
Penny Century, quite easily my favorite currently unsigned Swedish indiepop act, have posted a video playlist of four songs from their recent live appearance in Östersund, Sweden: m/view_play_list?p=4EF8D4B7294809DD" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=4EF8D4B7294809DD
Senza Tensta, the solo alias of Jonas Rosén (ex-Asterisk*/Female Anchor of Sade), has two new releases out now on Kalligrammofon. First is the 7" "Skull of Sade II", a dubbed-out retake of the Female Anchor of Sade track from 2001, and the second is "Big bear small bear", a C30 cassette featuring two long tracks. Full details here: mmofon.com/" target="_blank">https://www.kalligrammofon.com/
Norwegian indierock act Hypertext report that their new album "Astronaut-Kraut" is totally finished and will be released in early 2010. Preview three tracks at myspace: myspace.com/hypertextband" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/hypertextband
Fellow Norwegian Susanne Sundfør (who is excellent, btw) provides guest vocals.
mIC Norway talks to keyboardist Ståle Storløkken about Supersilent and their new album "9", as well as a few questions about his other band Elephant9: mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2009102311501020284733" target="_blank">https://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2009102311501020284733
Swedish rockers Satan Takes A Holiday will release their self-titled debut album on November 18 via I made This/End of Comedy. Preview a few tracks at myspace: myspace.com/satantakesaholiday" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/satantakesaholiday
El Perro Del mar has a new video for the song "Change of heart": meo.com/7086797" target="_blank">https://vimeo.com/7086797
She heads out on the road with Peter Bjorn and John in the US m/?n=31485">next month.
Axe, EL-SD & Karpis