The Free Society Conference and Nordic Summit 2008 is a conference being held at IT-University Gothenburg on October 24-26 to discuss issues relating to Creative Commons and the free music/software/digital world. It's a bit too far away for me, but if you're interested in learning more, go here: https://fscons.org/

Göteborg-based experimental/noise labels Release the Bats, Harsh Head Rituals and Klorofyll Kassetter have joined forces to open a storefront/studio/office space in the Almedal neighborhood under the banner Utmarken. Read more: https://www.releasethebats.com/utmarken.html

Swedish webzine Metica has closed their doors: https://www.metica.se/

Indiepop labels Series Two and Cloudberry are feuding: https://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=31429084&blogID=429183207

Somewhat OT: music site Paper Thin Walls is throwing in the towel: https://www.paperthinwalls.com/featuredarticle/index?id=231

The Danish venue Rust has started a digital record label whose goal will not be to compete with other traditional labels, but instead will focus on sideprojects, remixes and other b-side type releases. First up on October 6 will be the EP "Der er noget galt i himlen" from Lad De Små Børn, a project of Thomas Buttenschøn and Mathias Lyhne. From there, they plan on putting out other new releases every month with EPs on the way from Forest & Crispian and We Go Ego already confirmed. More here: https://www.myspace.com/rustmusicdk

Peter Ahlqvist of Burning Heart Records has started a new full-service record label called Panic & Action and has already recruited three bands to his roster: Chemical Vocation, Adept and Social Siberia. Working together with him is Eric Höjden from BHR act Kid Down and booking agent Andreas Skogmo, the winner of the 2006 Millencolin Music Prize for his DIY show promotion in Örebro with District 19. Look for new albums and tours with Chemical Vocation and Adept this fall, to be followed by a Social Siberia album in the spring along with a compilation/tour package under the "Panic & Action" banner. More: https://www.myspace.com/panicandaction / https://www.myspace.com/panicandactiontour

Been a long time coming: Swedish music industry site Musik Industrin (MI) will be doing a full revamp in September and is looking to expand their editorial content: https://www.musikindustrin.nu/
Will they continue to provide the same news I report with a week or more delay? Wait and see!

Music Export Finland reports that monster-metal act Lordi will be one of the headliners at this year's Popkomm Festival in Berlin: https://musex.fi/mxf/player/news?articleId=162

Roxy Recordings (The Ark, Hästpojken, etc.) has hired ex-Universal Music AB president Mårten Aglander, displacing current president Leif Käck to the CEO position. Read more: https://www.roxyrecordings.se/news.php?id=208

Music Export Finland's August newsletter is now online: https://musex.fi/mxf/news?articleId=161

The Tallest Man On Earth now has a US booking agent (Billions), so I guess that means we can expect a US tour?

Music Export Finland is now blogging: https://musex.blogspot.com/

Dagens Nyheter on Live Nation's domination of the Swedish live music scene plus an interview with Thomas Johansson, head of the company's business strategy for Europe and Asia: https://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2198&a=807546 (in Swedish)

Music Export Finland's July newsletter is now online: https://musex.fi/mxf/news?articleId=160