US synth duo (and long time favorites) Cause & Effect has announced that they are currently working on new songs! If/once the songs are published that will be the first new stuff we hear from the lads since the 2003 The Sunrise EP! Below the video for what is perhaps their best known song Another Minute as well as a remix of The Sunrise EP track Into The Light.
Here's a great piece of news from Danish electro rock quartet Volvoe. The band has been quiet for a long, long time (thought it was appropriate to add an extra "long" compared to my previous mentioning of the band), but yesterday they announced that their debut album will be out some time this spring (or summer). The album will be named Black Doors and two tracks are now streaming on the band’s Myspace page. Plus a third track can be heard as well if you watch the video clip below. No news on the number of tracks and how the album will be released (self-release, label, download, CD etc.), but the three appetizers sound real promising, so chances should be pretty good that the album will be able to match the brilliant, but already 3 years old, Organized Faults EP (download links below).
Just a short follow-up thought on Peter’s comment from yesterday. To some extent I agree that selling your music to companies for use in commercials isn’t very hip or especially cool. However this is no longer the age of the Vincent’s and the Wolfgang’s where poverty and great art seemed inseparable and today you cannot really blame artists for making decisions having their bank accounts in mind. Basically meaning that if they cannot make a living by being musicians (writers, painters etc.), they’ll most likely have to find some “real job” instead to help paying the bills. So when an offer like this comes up (though I obviously don’t know how great an offer it really is), it is rather easy to understand why it’s accepted, as it could perhaps help pay next months rent. And judging from the number of visitors who’s ended up visiting this blog the past 24 hours while searching for Death Valley Sleepers; being feature in that commercial has meant some much deserved exposure for the band, and hopefully given (and continue to give) the band bunches of new fans. Which sort of makes this whole commercial thing an even better idea! Cool or not? I’ll let you be the judge on that, but if you ask me Death Valley Sleepers was and remains immensely cool. And no car commercial is really going to change that! + Left Me High (disabled)
Band of Horses will be at Vega on April 18, but am not planning attending this one. First of all April 18 is Sunday of the Copenhagen Popfest, so I expect to be worn out completely by then. And since I did see them a couple of years ago, I believe I’ll manage without seeing them this time, though I did think the show back then was absolutely brilliant. Copenhagen will be the last stop on a short European Tour (8 dates announced so far), which has made me start looking for news on any imminent release(s), though without much success so far! + Is There A Ghost + The Funeral
Tower Of Foil shares a second single from the band’s forthcoming album Driving North. The new track is called The Frozen Ocean is a real typical Tower Of Foil track in the sense that it’s sweet and beautiful. And with the weather being as it is right now, it’s hard to imagine a better timed release. + The Frozen Ocean
A Pleasant Dream is a pleasant Spanish blog (though I don’t understand a single word – you know; No habla español) focusing entirely on Nordic pop music.
Lucky Soul shares (in exchange for your email address) the title track of the band’s forthcoming album A Coming Of Age. “A lyrically dark, sonically dramatic Bond-theme-in-waiting, influenced by Scott Walker, Edif Piaf and brutal loss of innocence in equal measure”! Couldn’t have said that better myself...cough, cough.
Cannot recall ever being this tense and alert, as I spent the past weekend constantly monitoring the web for any (and I really mean any!) information regarding tickets for The Radio Dept. concert on May 15. Not that I was expecting to find any news, as tickets never go on sale during weekends, but nonetheless I was pathetically anxious. Predictably tickets became available this morning and now that tickets have been purchased, it’s high time to return to being my old self.
Despite another two months left until it's officially released, it does seem like Clinging To A Scheme has leaked? Whether or not it is in fact the album is obviously impossible to determine, but the songs (the two promo tracks aside) are all new to me, so it could very well be that this is indeed the album (if so - why not release it now?). Unless of course some prankster is pulling our legs! Leak or not! I’m definitely going to buy the album!
Label mates Club 8 shares new single Western Hospitality. Sure it’s really nice, but each time I listen to it, I can’t help thinking of this one. Though I’m probably the only one who can hear any similarities! + Western Hospitality
New track Ingrid Bergman by Champagne Riot is now streaming at Myspace. As previously mentioned it is Stefan of Northern Portrait, who does the singing, and the result of this highly intriguing collaboration is an absolutely glorious pop tune. A video for the song is in the making, but when/if the track will be released remains unresolved for now (or at least has not been made public). Though Shelflife or Matinée seem like real good and fairly obvious bets (just trying to stir up some rumors)! Don't you think?
Blogger has been busy deleting music blogs and the debate rages on. Cannot say I’m a huge fan of these actions, but there are indeed some blogs that deserve all the shit they are (and hopefully will be) getting!
Tetris = Therapy has finished recording their debut album Acquaintances and two preview tracks are free to download. The band is still working on the artwork and more importantly on how to release the album. Be it digitally or on CD, I’m definitely in for a copy! + Seasick + A Lack of Concentration
This is old news already, but since Sunday the excellent For Tomorrow album by Emerald Park has been available as a free download via bandcamp as well as from webpage of the band’s new label 23 Seconds. Labeled "2010 edition" as two extra tracks has been added compared to the original 2008 release. + For Tomorrow
While we’re talking about free downloads, don’t forget to grab the Winter EP by Norway’s Remington Super 60. Sweet and lovely, though shorter than anything I can recall ever hearing before, as the 5 tracks last for whopping 8 minutes and 39 seconds. + Old Man
In April last year I posted these two beautiful tracks by Sweden’s [ingenting], because the sun was shining, which made me feel all summery! Today I am posting the same two tracks for the exact opposite reason. It’s the coldest, darkest and snowiest winter ever(you know; the one they are going to write about in history books and the one my grandchildren will hear about again and again) and no matter how hard I try, I seriously cannot recall what the sunshine on my skin feels like! No question I’m in the midst of a winter depression of major proportions! + Släpp In Solen ("let in the sun") + Här Kommer Solen ("here comes the sun") (photo credit)
I assure you that the above title sounds a lot more interesting than is actually the case. My wife has invited five friends over for an all-girl dinner, and I’m looking after the kiddos. Or sort of looking after, as they are busy watching some Barbie flick. So as long as I’m keeping a low profile and minding my own business everyone should be happy. And since I have my laptop and an (so-so working) internet connection, this is exactly what I intend to do! Though at some point, I’m probably going to risk an eye and try to get my hands on a glass of red wine.
But now I’m going to check out some mails, news, blogs etc. and perhaps add something to this post should anything of interest pop up.
Stick around! Who knows what will happen??
Come April Slowshark Recordswill release Moto Boy’s sophomore album Lost In The Call in Denmark. The label has mailed me the first single of the album called The Heart Is A Rebel and that’s one pure, sweet and catchy pop song! + The Heart Is A Rebel
The promo mails have started to arrive, so I'm slowly beginning to believe that Clinging to a Scheme will indeed be released in April. We've been waiting for so long, so can this really be true? + Heaven's On Fire
Hungarians EZ Basic are giving away their new (and absolutely smashing) song May in exchange for your email address. So much worth it and right now I simply cannot stop listening! What the f*ck? Taking the chance and risking the second eye by posting the song. The word on this song needs to be spread (and fast) and hopefully the band will approve this move! + May
And while you're busy exchanging your mails address, why not swap it for the new and absolutely lovely (and wonderfully titled) single Our Love Was Saved By Spacemen by The Pipettes?
Things are bloody close to surreal tonight. Just found this track by PaperDoll in a promo mail and for the I don't know how manieth time tonight I'm completely blown away. If this is a dream don't wake me up. Unless it's the red wine that's doing the trick? + Anything At All
It's almost midnight, so time to find the bed! A lovely Sunday to everyone!
Now here’s a band that I’ve never really been able to figure out. When I first heard about Ruined by Martin in December 2005 the duo (as it was back then) played catchy electronic influenced pop music, and having just been picked as Demo band of the month by Gaffa the future looked incredibly bright. That was exactly 4 years and two months ago (or 50 months if you like) and since then the band has seen a number of line-up changes and managed to be absent for lengthy periods of times; and then each time, just as I began fearing the we’d never hear from the band again, they returned with songs sounding better than anything previously recorded. And each time, the band had moved one step further towards a darker, more electronic, less catchy and perhaps even depressing sound, thus showing them constantly developing their musical approach and not being afraid of walking new paths. Logically every return gave hopes that now was the time that their career would kick-off, but sadly history kept repeating itself. Whether or not this will once again be the case, only time can tell, but two days ago the band was heard from again for the first time since September last year. And this time the band is not only retuning with a batch of fine new songs (the march towards a darker universe continues), but more importantly with a new band name - tung_nem. A decision taken by the band as a consequence of the musical transformation the band has gone through and the musical relationship with Ruined by Martin becoming more and more distant. So in the future there’ll be no more news or music to post from RbM, but hopefully plenty of stuff from tung_nem? Unless of course the band decides to pull another disappearing act! Let’s hope not! + Leap of Faith + New Perfection + Self Assured + You Might Make It
Danish legends Laid Back has remixed the Lars and The Hands of Light track Me Me Me. The remix features vocals from John Guldberg and has that classic Laid Back feel to it. Even I, who’s a notorious non-fan of remixes, cannot ignore how utterly cool this one is. + Me Me Me (Laid Back remix)
Since this has more or less turned into a remix themed post, this remix of the Animal Collective track My Girls is surprisingly listenable. 2 fine remixes in the same post has to be a personal best! + My Girls (Mike Monday Unofficial Remix)
Indie label 24 Hour Service Station will release a 32 track double CD named Ceremony -a New Order tribute - on February 20. The release is dedicated to the late Tony Wilson and contains 31 cover versions of various New Order tracks (by various artists) as well as “a sonically enhanced spoken word dedication to Tony Wilson to introduce the record” by Peter Hook.
Exactly 5 years ago today I registered at Last.fm and as per today my total number of plays has reached 82,429. Or what equals an average of 45 tracks per day. If you ask me that’s quite a decent average, as this doesn’t include music heard while on holiday, in the car (!) and on the stereo at home. I admit that I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to statistics, as I quite enjoy dissecting the lists to get an idea of how my music taste and listening behavior have evolved over time. And of course it’s nice to get verified that bands I claim are my favorite ones are in fact the ones I listen to the most. Though I do have to add that it can be somewhat frustrating seeing an artist (Coldplay) I grew tired of a long time ago still holding a position in the top 20. But overall things look pretty much as I expected them to and according to Last.fm these were my top 5 favorite (or at least most listened to) artists and songs for the past 5 years:
Tjeklisten is a weekly (and quite popular) radio chart voted for by listeners of Danish Radio P3 and every Sunday afternoon the new list is published. Normally this is the playground for artists like Britney, Robbie, Madonna and (shudder) Lady GaGa (check the list of the 100 most popular artists in the history of the list and you’ll be hard pressed to find 10 decent ones), but every once in a while I do check the list to see if any interesting acts have entered or are being tested (see my post from last Monday). At home it’s (believe it or not) my wife, who decides what’s played on the stereo, so yesterday it was all radio, meaning that I for once had the chance to (or was forced to) listen to Tjeklisten in its entirety. As usual 95% of the content was pure garbage, but at least 4 things were worth noticing, thus justifying this post. For the third week in a row the list was topped by The Balcony (video) by The Rumour Said Fire. Apparently the song wasn’t even close to being dethroned, so a 4 week reign (at least) seems very likely. I remain seriously puzzled by this, which made me utter the following to my wife. “This is stuff I like and not something that is supposed to be mainstream”. Not exactly an everyday occurrence that a band becomes this popular (not in Denmark at least), when their only release is a 6 track EP! Much deserved though!
Entering the chart at no. 20 is Bone Will Break Metal (video) by Ginger Ninja. Another band I’d hate to see go all mainstream, but since you cannot ignore the financial side of things a long stay in this chart can mean the world to an upcoming band. So please vote for these guys and help them move up the chart.
First song tested was the grand SDP by The Kissaway Trail. It became an immediate favorite, when I heard it the first time back in December, so definitely another track that deserves making the chart.
Finally the new single Hjärta by Kent was among the songs tested, but since this is the most popular band in Scandinavia, cracking the chart isn’t of the same importance as it is for the three aforementioned bands. Kent, at you all probably know, is my favorite band, but they do pick odd tracks as singles, as Hjärta has to be among the weakest tracks on Röd. I really don’t see this as a track that will make people stop and listen if the song is aired on radio, which I’ve always thought was the main purpose of a single? But now having watched the video for the song, it has become quite evident that the band picked Hjärta as their next single with a complete different purpose in mind!
Oh no you say; yet another of those dreaded posts! Well, I’m afraid so. I know they are sorry excuses for posts and are no good for one's blogger renommee (if one has any, of course). But I can think of (at least) three waterproof explanations for, why I shouldn’t feel ashamed of reusing the same formula as used Wednesday. First of all; nothing of any interest is happening these days. If something is in fact happening, I have failed to notice. But then again. Ask my wife and she’ll be more than happy to explain how capable I am of being physically present, but spiritually absent. Second; it’s quite stressful having a four digit number of mails in the inbox, and posts like these are often the direct result of 50 or more mails having been read, deleted or “taken action upon”. Finally today’s and Wednesday’s posts have introduced me to 20 unfamiliar, but rather interesting, artists, thus extending the palette of bands to follow in the future. But no more ramblings for now! Instead go ahead and enjoy today’s catch! + Her Magic Wand - Mistakes + Bear Pilot – Tears + Music Go Music – Warm in the Shadows + The Fresh & Onlys – Invisible Forces + The Splinters – Mysterious + Smile Smile – Beg You To Stay + Boy Genius – Blame Love + MillionYoung – Cynthia (Letting Up Despite Great Faults Remix) + The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – The Sun Ain't Shining No More (33HzRemix) + Air Conditioning School – Wake Me Up
Not going to waste much time on typing words today. Instead it's my intention to share the best stuff found in the mailbox (and some of it is indeed really great), so be prepared for music galore! However I cannot help adding that (as always) I'm amazed by the number of truly horrible songs and acts being promoted, making it quite a rollercoaster ride checking mails. Luckily (though quite unusual) today’s ride has had significantly more highs than lows.
Death Valley Sleepers has mailed a brand new recording named Into My Mind. A psychedelic 60’s inspired tune, and of course it’s absolutely fabulous. Download all previous recordings from this post. + Into My Mind (Disabled)
The Ginger Ninja debut album Wicked Map was released last Monday and it’s an absolutely wonderful infusion of energy. An infusion I believe all us are in dire need of right now.
For the past two weeks The Balcony by The Rumour Said Fire has topped the aforementioned list. When and how did the band become mainstream (hate that word)?
