I saw the Norwegian film "Kitchen Stories" ("Salmer fra kjøkkenet") this past weekend and of course the first thing that struck me about it was its use of the Jan Johansson tune "Visa från Utanmyra" during the opening. The song is the lead-off track from the classic album "Jazz på Svenska" (now packaged along with "Jazz på Ryska" (Jazz from Russia) in a collection called "Folkvisor"), Sweden's #1 top-selling jazz album of all-time. And it's no wonder - the way that Johansson flawlessly blends Swedish folk melodies with jazz is absolutely breathtaking throughout the entire album. Be sure to check out the mp3 posted on the right to hear for yourself. As for the film, I enjoyed it quite a bit and definitely recommend it, but it will never match the masterpiece status of the music.

Splendid gives kind words about the "It's a trap reader's companion" compilation: https://www.splendidezine.com/review.html?reviewid=1102677457319175
The latest issue of Amplifier Magazine also has a nice review and I'll be typing it up a bit later today. UPDATE: Check it out right here.

The always-excellent international music blog Fat Planet has posted a bit about Peter, Bjorn and John this week: https://fatplanet.com.au/
It doesn't hurt that he gives me personal props either. Cheers Stuart! Thanks!

Esbjörn Svensson Trio has a new website and a sample of a track from the new album "Viaticum": https://www.est-music.com/

Check out the video for "Summers all gone" from Elmo Red: https://www.diapazam.se/video/elmovideo.mov

Norwegian female doom-rockers Octavia are currently seeking a new drummer.

Vocalist Øystein Hægeland has left Norwegian avant-metal act Arcturus. No reason was given for his departure.

Finland's Echo is Your Love will tour Europe for a couple weeks beginning in mid-February.

Music (for robots) posts about Swedish electronic artist Johan Skugge: https://music.for-robots.com/archives/000691.html

Norway's Aura Noir will tour South America in April. Preliminary dates:

04/15 - Concepcion (CHI)
04/16 - Santiago (CHI)
04/17 - Show La Serena (CHI)
04/20 - Buenos Aires (ARG)
04/22 - Bogota (COL)
04/23 - Cali (COL)
04/24 - Quito (EQU)
04/27 - Curitiba (BRA)
04/28 - Belo Horizonte (BRA)
04/29 - Porto Alegre (BRA)
04/30 - Sao Pablo (BRA)

Finally, the results of the MTVe UpNorth awards, as decided by their 2004 chart performances:

Best UpNorth artist: The Rasmus - In the shadows
Best Nordic hip hop act: Promoe - These walls don't lie
Best Nordic rock act: The Hives - Walk idiot walk
Best Nordic pop act: Junior Senior - Move your feet
Best Nordic electronic act: Röyksopp - Apple
Best Swedish act: Eskobar - Love strikes
Best Norwegian act: Maria Mena - You're the only one
Best Danish act: Outlandish - Guantanamo
Best Finnish act: HIM - And love said no
Best Nordic video: The Crash - Still alive

Dates for the upcoming Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, Mnemic and Hypocrisy tour:

04/05 - Buffalo Icon, Buffalo, NY
04/06 - House Of Blues, Chicago, IL
04/07 - Eagles Club, Milwaukee, WI
04/08 - Granada Theatre, Lawrence, KS
04/09 - Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO
04/10 - Lo-Fi Café, Salt Lake City, UT
04/12 - Graceland, Seattle, WA
04/14 - The Pound, San Francisco, CA
04/15 - House Of Blues, Anaheim, CA
04/16 - Key Club, Los Angeles, CA
04/17 - Venue Of Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ
04/19 - Back Room, Austin, TX
04/20 - Engine Room, Houston, TX
04/22 - Al Rosa Villa, Columbus, OH
04/23 - Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
04/26 - Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
04/27 - The Social, Orlando, FL
04/29 - Jaxx, W. Springfield, VA
04/30 - Webster Theater, Hartford, CT
05/01 - B.B. Kings, New York, NY
05/03 - Le Capitole Theatre, Quebec City, QC
05/05 - Opera House, Toronto, ON
05/07 - Harpo's, Detroit, MI

Dagensskiva is taking votes for the best album of 2004: https://www.dagensskiva.com/tavling/skivor2004/tavling2004.asp

Dimmu Borgir reports that they are taking it easy for most of 2005 to rest and record a new album. The band also might be rerecording their acclaimed second album "Stormblåst" sometime soon, but nothing's confirmed quite yet. Sounds like a bad idea to me, but whatever. I guess the Ozzfest crowd might buy it.

Finntroll's entire 1998 "Rivfader" demo has been posted for download: https://www.bioinf.nl/~joeri/finntroll/rivfader_demo/