The final list of nominees for the Swedish Grammis have been announced: https://www.grammis.se/?page=132

MIC Norway profiles Tommy Tokyo, an artist who made many Norwegian year-end lists: https://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2008121114303446480659

Danish act Slaraffenland is in the studio with producer Fridolin working on a new album for release in the spring via Rumraket.

Swedish duo Moonbabies are now firmly established in their new German home and have revamped their website: https://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/
They've also started a blog to follow along as they work on their next album with all sorts of bonus downloads and more: https://moon-babies.blogspot.com/

Paddington Distortion Combo will have a new album out on February 23.

Jazz critic John Kelman's top picks for 2008 include a wealth of Scandinavian releases, including EST, Arve Henriksen and a whole bunch of stuff from the Norwegian labels Jazzland and Rune Grammofon: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=31338

Emperor, one of the most disappointing live acts I've ever seen, will be releasing a live CD/DVD collection with footage from their recent reunion tour. Read details at Ihsahn's myspace: https://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=66871101&blogID=455561665

Solefald has signed with Norwegian label Indie Recordings and are working on a new album for release in 2009.

Pitchfork has a big guestlist feature with best-of lists from artists such as Luomo, Lindstrøm, Lykke Li, Air France, Sune Rose Wagner, Paavoharju and Love Is All: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/147687-guest-list-best-of-2008

Time Magazine rates Ida Maria's "Oh my god" as their #3 song of the year: https://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/top10/article/0,30583,1855948_1863440_1863493,00.html
Upcoming US dates:

01/12 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA
01/13 - Viper Room, Los Angeles, CA
01/15 - Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
01/16 - Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY

Opeth just released a new digital-only EP which features their cover of "Would?" by Alice In Chains. Read more: https://www.opeth.com/index.php/news/show/id/110

I'm From Barcelona's new single "Mingus" gets a digital release today: https://www.imfrombarcelona.com/?p=661

Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten's favorite albums of the year: https://oslopuls.aftenposten.no/musikk/article111824.ece

Hello Saferide has been awarded the Novell Prize for storytelling in music from Swedish mag Novell. Read more: https://www.hellosaferide.com/?p=307

Expect a new single from Peter Bjorn and John before the end of the year and a new album (with vocals) in spring.