I probably should've posted this back when it first went up, but better late than never, right? And who knows, perhaps I will see you at Kalabalik på Tyrolen next year! Otherwise, feel free to keep up with me and my own solo musical endeavor Harsh R.]]>
The camera work in this live clip is totally obnoxious, but thankfully the performance by I Break Horses far outshines it.
]]>Should have posted this days ago, but it got lost in the shuffle. Raw metal/punk from Sweden released on cassette, just as it should be. Look for a split 7" with fellow crust-metallers Bombs of Hades in the near future.
]]>New visuals from Terrible Feelings filmed while on tour in Europe.
]]>Swedish powerpop act The Sweet Serenades now have a video for their latest single "Can't get enough".
]]>New music from Dinner aka Danish artist/producer Anders Rhedin, probably best known for his work behind the scenes with Choir of Young Believers and also as an ex-member of Jong Pang. "You are like LA" is the title track of the first of two EPs to be released via .
]]>Swedish music distributor is finally up on SoundCloud and the first thing they have posted in the excellent new track from Swedish goth/postpunk/shoegazers Then Comes Silence.
]]>New epic dark and heavy rock from a band called Vibracula featuring members of other acts I've talked up over the years but whose identities I'll leave up to you to discover on your own.
]]>The Swedish Institute has launched a new video interview series and guests so far include Tiger Bell and Azure Blue. More at FB: https://www.facebook.com/SwedishMusic
]]>A live version of Artymove performing their new single "One of these days". Obviously not as ecstatic as the regular version, but still dece.
]]>Allvaret is a new band from Göteborg, debut LP soon via /.
]]>Another video clip from quality Danish psychrock act Halasan Bazar.
]]>
Rasmus Kellerman has a new band, but he won't tell us what it's called, or who else is in it.
If you've wanted more of the arrestingly heart-felt acoustic music that Kellerman began to explore with the album "The 24th", you won't be getting it (or at least, not right now). The album that Kellerman released under his own name was marked by a stripped-down honesty carried by his clear voice and lone guitar, with lyrics more autobiographical than his project Tiger Lou. It's brave when a musician takes on the "I" persona, and maybe, if you're blessed (or cursed) with the humbleness of a Swede, it might be a bit difficult for you to sell.
About a year ago there came a slightly dark time in Kellerman's blog that seemed to reflect his struggle with the sheer difficulty of standing alone on a stage without a band to share in the creative jam. Performing alone, no matter how honest the music and emotion, seemed vastly different from the joy that Kellerman expressed in past interviews about the musical collaboration that occurred onstage with Tiger Lou. But in the moment when an artist is in creative turmoil, soul-searching and changing, the most interesting music often occurs; as if feeling lost is the best place to begin something new.
If you're a follower of Kellerman's blog, you'll know that plenty of music is going on right now in Kellerman's life -- but it's all behind the closed doors of the studio. Kellerman has lately formed the first band in which he is collaborating on the actual musical creation itself (unlike Tiger Lou, in which the collaboration happened after album production and during performance), and while he has been hesitant to talk much about the band before the music hits the world, it seems to mark a new musical perspective and direction for him.
The way he speaks of it is of an ensemble effort, very much a meeting of minds and talents, and he digs waiting for the music that emerges from it. Rasmus is making us wait for more details too, but he's taken the time to tease us about it. It's a Trap interviewed him this past week.
I would like to learn more about your new project! I understand from your blog that you're not yet ready to talk about it beyond "It's with two friends and it really inspires me," but to me it means a break from how you seemed to write about music in your blog a few years ago.
I guess you're right about that! The difference this time around is that I'm in an actual band, with actual people. It's not just me, a guitar and a computer, writing music, and figuring stuff out as I move along. For now, the info is sparse, partly because there's not much to tell, and partly because we really want the music to be the first thing people encounter. There's is an idea to it, and we're not being elusive for the sake of being elusive. I like sharing the writing and recording process, and loved writing about my recordings etc., but those projects were so different from this one.
I seem to recall a post from the end of 2010 that seemed incredibly glum about your creative process and music in general. In the humble view of a stranger, it seemed that you put a lot on the line to sing your autobiographical songs, and maybe felt a bit disappointed by the results. 2011 was a year in which you picked up from that, and then in October of 2011 you were signed to and things seemed to kick back into gear...
Every time I've finished a record or a tour, I feel like it was my last one. Not because I don't love making records or touring with my friends, but because I think I can never write a new album, or possibly make another tour break even. And also because I'm very dependent on things being progressive.
When I wrote my acoustic album, I had no intention of making it a "proper" release. I was living in Berlin, Tiger Lou were on indefinite hiatus, I had an office and was doing graphic design full time, walking the dog and enjoying the slow road. Then I sent some stuff to , and the A&R Fredrik Holmgren was so stoked about it, which in turn rubbed off on me. So I figured I'd give it another go, but with a very different approach than usual. I wanted to keep everything very simple.
I booked two weeks in Rolf Klinth's studio (where I always record) and called my friend Thomas Hedlund, asking him to play drums on some of the tracks. We never rehearsed beforehand, it was just me, Thomas and Rolf, trying the song out a couple of times, and then punching the record-button. After that we brought in some more people for a few overdubs, but essentially, no editing was done, everything is live and very much on the spur of the moment.
All the vocals were recorded during the same night (due to me having the flu for ten fucking days straight, and no voice to sing with). All the songs are very personal, some were several years old, some brand new. My main goal was to do everything differently, and I'm very happy with the outcome. In regards to everything else, I guess most people just weren't as stoked about the outcome as I was. That's life for you.
So where does this leave you musically now? At some point in your blog you wrote about wanting to make stuff that wasn't like anything you'd done before (in Araki or Tiger Lou or under your own name).
As for now, I'm working full time at a huge ad company, so finding the time and energy to make music is sometimes difficult. However, I'm fortunate enough to be able to take time off sporadically, and lock myself into a studio someplace, trying to make something beautiful again. That is what the new band is about.
So what's it like?! What do you have to say about your music right now?
Shit, I dunno. It's always weird. When I was younger writing was so easy. These days, sometimes it feels like a chore. But in a good way obviously. It just takes a true effort is what I mean, and I'm good with that. Once a new song is finished, that feeling is one of the best ones there is.
And now, with being in band, it's even better in the end. Because now, there are other people involved, who've added and subtracted from the equation, making the music so much bigger that what it originally was. That's why I try to do a lot of collaborations and remixes these days, there are elements in there, much bigger than me. A very big world, waiting for me to explore it.
So you mention how exciting it is to work with other people in a band, rather than having all of the reins yourself. What have you gained? And do you feel like you've lost anything (like, obviously, total control), and is it a worthy trade?
I don't really see it as a trade, as I still have the ability to do another Tiger Lou album anytime I choose to. When I need to hide away, write every single note of music, play every instrument, produce it myself, I'll do so. For now I'm really happy doing something new, and sharing the experience. The best being that the sum of the group is greater than the sum of its parts.
I could ask about musicians and if we're familiar with them from other musical projects, but I'll wait to be happily surprised. Instead, what I'm most itchingly curious about is what this music sounds like. Any hint at all? "Sounds like a sunny day in Berlin" ?
The soundscape is very much 80s oriented, mainly using vintage analog synthesizers like Jupiter 8, CS-80 and Mirage. One of the guys is a techno/house producer so his influence on all things rhythmic is very noticeable. And I guess I have a personal style of writing songs, melodies and words, so that shines through as well. The third person is a melodic genius and whenever his fingers touch the keys, magic happens. The sound is very big, very emotional and very danceable.
This all sounds extremely exciting, can't wait to hear it!
Interview by Tanya Rezak, photo by Pär Hugo Kjellén
]]>The official video for the new Graveyard single "Goliath".
]]>Solid Swedish pop balladeering from The High and Lows.
]]>Strobe-sensitive folks are advised to open said clip in a hidden tab while folks in the UK are encouraged to go see them live:
10/19 - The Lexington, London
10/20 - The Star And Shadow, Newcastle
10/21 - Supersonic Festival, Birmingham
Swedish-only unfortunately, but that's the way these things go.]]>
I take it Spain's Desert Icons have listened to a fair bit of Thin Lizzy in the past. The bits on here that do sound like a metalized Lizzy are the downers here. They just lift and brighten the atmosphere a bit too much in something that has the potential to be dark and nasty... in an outstandingly metal way. Out of three songs, opening track "The search" is Alchemist meets Thin Lizzy and the second song, "Animal rage" is Immortal meets Thin Lizzy. And the Lizzy bits are everywhere in both. Closing track "Time for the storm" is the best of the bunch here by miles and it's killer. And there's no Thin Lizzy in it at all! It showcases a band with an identity of their own who sound so fluid when they just run with it rather than trying to show people that they can play like Thin Lizzy. NB. I think this is the most I've ever written Thin Lizzy in my life.]]>
Death metal in-jokes abound! This is the title track of the band's upcoming 7" EP, due out November 6 via .
]]>New from Finnish cult/psychrockers Hexvessel off their latest record "No holier temple".
]]>Swedish dubstep? Sure, okay.
]]>Cool! A Swedish band whose sound harkens back to the early days of Kent and other similar 90s-era alt-rock.
]]>Add together stop/motion animation + Swedish Kraut/pop and you get Spagyrikerna. Look for an album this fall via .
]]>It's far too smooth for my tastes, but here's the latest from Swedish pop/rap act Norlie & KKV.
]]>The latest from Swedish electro/pop trio Artymove.
]]>Presenting the Ligetizer, a new 6-metronome instrument designed and constructed by Espen Sommer Eide of Alog/Phonophani. Full details here.
]]>
Saturday night at Debaser Malmö! The very last It's a Trap! Clubnight EVER! And we're going out with a bang too with two of Sweden's finest hardcore acts, Out of Vogue and Anchor, gracing the stage. Be there!
]]>has signed Swedish heavy rockers Dödaren and will be releasing the band's debut full-length "Maen" this coming December.
]]>Very recommended, naturally. Also at PSL today, a new video from Min Stora Sorg and another live session with De Montevert.]]>
Rafael, Memento Vitae by Simeon Frohm from Fajta on Vimeo.
The fascinating Swedish jazz/experimental/spiritual label has announced that the long-awaited debut album "Nattens lovsång" from Andreas Runeson's project Ensemble Lakonia will finally be out later this year as part of the label's "Compunctio box". As for the video above, I can't say that I know much about it except that it includes music from the aforementioned act starting at, I believe, around minute 8.
]]>Here's the video for the new Daniel Gilbert single "The smell o'thunder".
]]>Speaking of , the label is also now streaming the new Disco Ensemble album "Warriors" in full via Soundcloud which I appreciate because it's not available on Spotify in the US yet.
]]>Presenting NEØV, the band once known as Neufvoin and now newly signed to . Look for the album "Orange morning" to be released this fall.
]]>"Outrun" is the 2nd video from Murmansk's excellent new album "Rüütli". It's also the track that seems to reliably come up on shuffle almost every day when I'm out running (no complaints!).
]]>Finnish indiepoppers Paperfangs do a low-key cover of "Everyday" by Buddy Holly.
]]>World Tour now have a video for their single "Forever tonight".
]]>Coming November 5 via , the new EP "Variations" from Danish artist CTM aka the solo alias of Cæcilie Trier (Chimes & Bells, Choir of Young Believers). A 2nd EP will follow in early 2013.
]]>The new Daniel Gilbert 7" is now streaming via ' Bandcamp page.
]]>Live footage of Haust playing in Oslo last weekend with their new lineup and a guest appearance from AnnK of Dark Times.
]]>Personally, I am incredibly underwhelmed.]]>
The latest video from Swedish duo First Aid Kit.
]]>New from Ane Brun. In related news, Ane had to cancel her US tour with Paul Gabriel due to illness and is being replaced by friend/band member/Swedish artist Jennie Abrahamson.
]]>I don't know anything about this band at all, but instrumental synthpunk is all good by me.]]>
has announced that the new First Love, Last Rites single "Charlot" will be released on November 12.
]]>Finnish indierockers Delay Trees pay tribute to their hometown Hämeenlinna, also the birthplace of renown composer Jean Sibelius. The band's new album "Doze" will be released on October 19 via .
]]>New visuals from Swedish punkrockers Dalaplan as directed by Christian Jönsson for an upcoming documentary due to be released next year. Look for the band's new 7" single "Ta mig när jag faller" to be released by on October 10 to coincide with the start of the band's upcoming Swedish tour.
]]>From the band's new album "Torches ablaze", out now via .
]]>Richard Reagh explains the concept behind his latest project "The Ed Harris Masters", a series of five digital singles he'll be releasing in the near future. As for the Marvin Gaye cover he references, you can find it here.
]]>Solid expansive melancholia out of Kalmar.
]]>New/old super lo-fi recordings from Swedish artist Horrible Houses, just repackaged and rereleased in a small limited-edition run by . Expect lots of warble and hiss.
]]>No word yet on when to expect it, but I would imagine an early 2013 release.]]>
New from Norwegian artist Susanna aka Susanna K. Wallumroe off her latest record "Wild dog".
]]>Check out Swedish industrial/EBM act The Pain Machinery covering genre pioneers Klinik.
]]>The 2nd video from Finnish cult psychrock act Seremonia.
]]>Wild blues-rock outta Sweden by way of Dear Euphoria's Sven Johansson and . Album this fall?
]]>At long last, something new from Superfamily! Recommended! Expect more singles this fall and then a new album in 2013?
]]>More like this please: killer early 80s synth-heavy gothrock outta Finland, recently given the vinyl reissue treatment via . So, so good; such a shame I only just heard about them a few weeks ago.
]]>Here's the video for the new Petra Marklund (September) single "Händerna mot himlen". Definitely a bit more low-key than her previous stuff, but that's not a bad thing at all.
]]>It has been officially revealed that has picked up Niels Nielsen and will be releasing his new 7" single "Shadow twin" on October 26 with a full-length album to follow in spring.
]]>Noisey sits down with Susanne Sundfør at Øya to talk Norwegian music.
]]>More here.]]>
Soft progressive rock from Norway with an album of epic 4xLP proportions coming this winter via . Can't say that it sounds like a good idea to me, but kudos to them for having the chutzpah to go with it.
]]>"Kids" is the new single from Norwegian dance-friendly alt-rock act The Lionheads, officially due out September 17 via imprint .
]]>The Raveonettes have a new video for the tune "The enemy" off their latest record "Observator". No idea what Pitchfork was thinking, I think the new album is totally solid.
]]>New from Swedish rockers Riddarna; hastily made in true rock'n'roll fuck-all style.
]]>A new video for "LÃ¥gsus" from Danish hip-hop crew Specktors, this time remixed with guest vox from pop artist Medina.
]]>released the new Nexus Kenosis album "Elsewhen" earlier this week and while it's not yet available on all digital platforms, there's an abridged sampler up for streaming via Spotify. Recommended!
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