Manes is dying? Read: https://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=14551432&blogID=366794799

Danish indie act The Late Parade has licensed their self-titled EP to Rallye & Klee for release in Japan. It will also be released in Benelux in the near future as well. Samples: https://www.myspace.com/thelateparade

Now that he's a father, drummer Jens Kinch has decided to leave Spleen United to concentrate on his family. A replacement has yet to be announced.

If you haven't added Thomas Denver Jonsson's new blog to your regular reading list, you really should: https://vanbloggen.blogspot.com/

Oskar Linnros from Swedish hip-hop groups Snook and Maskinen is working on a solo album under the name Kihlen. Read more: https://www.metro.se/se/article/tt/2008/03/10/11wnojemusikkihlen/index.xml (in Swedish)

Reports from SXSW are starting to pour in, including the response to the US live debut of The Tough Alliance: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/49272-sxsw-wednesday-amy-phillips
More on TTA here: https://stopusnot.blogspot.com/2008/03/tough-alliance-at-sxsw.html
Any other reports?

Pitchfork adds Wildbird & Peacedrums to the Forkcast section: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/forkcast/49264-wildbirds-peacedrums-doubthope-videomp3

Lukestar's excellent album "Lake Toba" (already declared to be a top 10 fave for 2008) will be released in the US, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, France, Japan and even Malaysia later on this year. Details to come! Can't wait? I've got imports for sale right here.

The new BWO/Bodies Without Organs greatest hits record "Pandemonium greatest hits" will be out on April 9.

Norwegian electronica/trip-hop act Folk&Røvere has posted a bunch of tracks on myspace from their forthcoming album "Lysrædd", due out April 14: https://www.myspace.com/folkogrovere
I don't know if it's just the Voices of Wonder affiliation, but I definitely am reminded of 3rd and the Mortal listening to this.

Finnish act The Crash will have their album "Pony ride" released throughout North America and the UK on May 20 via Rykodisc.

Norwegian indiepop act Hiawata! recently recorded a new 5-song EP with Kenneth Ishak (Beezewax). Expect a May release via SellOut! Records.

Spoon Train Audio is releasing a new compilation entitled "Oslo!" featuring 15 various Oslo-based indie/pop acts showcasing their local scene. Here's the tracklist:

01. The Little Hands of Asphalt - Oslo
02. Nomber 5s - You Know
03. Truls and the Trees - Upside Journey
04. Ingeborg Selnes - The Blow
05. Je Suis Animal - Labyrinth Game
06. Campfire Kansas - Everything After
07. Harmonica - Princess
08. Lukestar - Peregrin
09. Jim Protector - Finally! A Flicker of Hope!
10. Yoyoyo Acapulco - Kamasutra Tsunami
11. Lofiman - The Music's There To..
12. My Little Pony - MacGyver Blues
13. Cold Mailman - The Great Escape
14. Monzano - Poster Boy
15. Hiawata! - Dylan McKay

Preview a few tracks at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/poposlo

Swedish straight-edge hardcore act Anchor reports that they've finished recording their new album and they hope to have it out in time for their tour in May. As said here before, US label Catalyst Records will handle the CD and Refuse Records from Poland will press the vinyl.

Swedish melancholy country act Amandine will release the new digital single "Silence of a falling star" b/w "Let the morning ignite" on March 24. Catch the band on tour later this month:

03/21 - Lades, Copenhagen (DK)
03/22 - Schokoladen, Berlin (GER)
03/23 - Cafe Panam, Leipzig (GER)
03/24 - Washerei P Hall, Innsbruck (AUS)
03/25 - Mariaberg, Rorscach (CH)
03/26 - La Limonaia, Fucecchio (Firenze) (ITA)
03/27 - Arci Kroen, Villafranca (Verona) (ITA)
03/28 - Morya, Cellatica (Brescia) (ITA)
03/29 - D:qliq, Luxemburg (LUX)