First of all, I'd like to apologize for the lack of updates the past month. I'd love to say it's because I've focused on my studies for the exams I've had to take recently, but unfortunately it's just life that has come in between both blogging and studying so I'm gonna have to deal with those exams again later on...
Second, just like last year I'll be going offline over the summer. That means this will probably be my last post till mid-August, so here's some random updates on some favorite artists I've posted on before.
Detektivbyrån should have released their new single, Lyckans undulat (~ the budgie of luck), yesterday. I have had the pleasure of seeing them live three times since I first wrote something on them and can now state that they are my favorite Swedish band. When I saw them a couple of months ago, I was told the single should be available from their site at release so let's hope that it'll show up soon. Also, let's hope that Om du möter varg too, my favorite out of their new tunes, will be available for purchase and/or download in not too long ^^
Greenwich Resident posted a demo track called Eastwards on their MySpace a few days ago and have obviously added another new track, A low Hum, since then too. In case you do not remember them, I first wrote about these guys here after loving them on Siamese Flowers.
Paper Route now offers most of their songs from last year's self titled EP (my very favorite release of 2006, all categories) as well as some songs from the A Thrill of Hope as full streamable samples on last.fm. The song that got me, City Trucks, is unfortunately not available, but if you didn't get it when I mentioned it a first time you can get it now as it seems it's still possible to download the PureVolume's Holiday Sampler.
나의머리카락뭉치 uploaded another demo to millim a week ago. If you liked what you heard last time you should get this as well.
Showing posts with label Sweden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sweden. Show all posts
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Cake on Cake
This will be the last update for a while. I'm not sure how long exactly - just a couple of weeks or even months - but I'll be leaving town for someplace quieter, without my computer and even internet, to be able to foucs on my studies. As much as I love being a student, most of my friends have already graduated and I've come to feel like it's time for me to do the same...
I've planned to write something on Cake on Cake since December, when her Sun-Chairs EP was released on rain music, but somebody else always came in between. Today I recieved a copy of her new album, I Guess I Was Daydreaming, as a bonus (!) from the It's A Trap! Record Club, so what could be more suitable than making that post now?
In short: Cake on Cake is Swedish Helena Sundin making somewhat fuzzy, cute pop with a wide range of instruments, some electronics and the help of friends.
My favorite song off the new album was conveniently enough also available as a sample from her website, so I linked it below. Go visit her site for more and drop by rain music to get that EP along with the highly recommended O from D:ve ^^
Sparrow Parade
I've planned to write something on Cake on Cake since December, when her Sun-Chairs EP was released on rain music, but somebody else always came in between. Today I recieved a copy of her new album, I Guess I Was Daydreaming, as a bonus (!) from the It's A Trap! Record Club, so what could be more suitable than making that post now?
In short: Cake on Cake is Swedish Helena Sundin making somewhat fuzzy, cute pop with a wide range of instruments, some electronics and the help of friends.
My favorite song off the new album was conveniently enough also available as a sample from her website, so I linked it below. Go visit her site for more and drop by rain music to get that EP along with the highly recommended O from D:ve ^^
Sparrow Parade
Sunday, February 04, 2007
pg.lost
And the first artist to get a second post on this music blog is...
...pg.lost! I had the pleasure of catching them live yesterday and they had improved a great deal in the few months since last time. They are still unsigned (though some guy released some of their songs under his name - article in Swedish with interview here), but they just released their first EP, Yes I Am, to be sold at their gigs. A lot of work has gone into the cover art, which is handpainted, and the EP is limited to 100 numbered copies, so I'd suggest you go see them somewhere as soon as possible to grab yourself a copy. (If they don't play anywhere near you, you could always try booking them for an event at a venue closer to your location ~_^ )
Unfortunately it seems like MySpace has limited the possibilities to hotlink downloads (somebody should tell them to join last.fm :p), but if you go visit pg.lost's MySpace you'll be able to download the title track and hear two more songs off the EP. And don't miss getting the beautiful Siren while you're there if you missed my first post ^^
...pg.lost! I had the pleasure of catching them live yesterday and they had improved a great deal in the few months since last time. They are still unsigned (though some guy released some of their songs under his name - article in Swedish with interview here), but they just released their first EP, Yes I Am, to be sold at their gigs. A lot of work has gone into the cover art, which is handpainted, and the EP is limited to 100 numbered copies, so I'd suggest you go see them somewhere as soon as possible to grab yourself a copy. (If they don't play anywhere near you, you could always try booking them for an event at a venue closer to your location ~_^ )
Unfortunately it seems like MySpace has limited the possibilities to hotlink downloads (somebody should tell them to join last.fm :p), but if you go visit pg.lost's MySpace you'll be able to download the title track and hear two more songs off the EP. And don't miss getting the beautiful Siren while you're there if you missed my first post ^^
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Don't Be A Stranger
Fest-i-valen is coming up in a couple of weeks and there's a lot of artists playing I haven't even heard of before. Out of those "new" artists that I've checked out so far, this group is my favorite ^^
Photo by Sofia Runarsdotter
Formed three years ago as a trio, Don't Be A Stranger is now a sixtet. They released their first EP, Ho Ho, on their own label in November and according to Headstomp an album is to be expected early this year. I'm not sure how to describe their music, but it must be some kind of pop. Semi-slow, semi-cheerful pop - I like it!
This song keeps popping up in my head. Visit their homepage to grab another track and drop by their MySpace to hear a couple of songs more.
Perfect Problem
Photo by Sofia Runarsdotter
Formed three years ago as a trio, Don't Be A Stranger is now a sixtet. They released their first EP, Ho Ho, on their own label in November and according to Headstomp an album is to be expected early this year. I'm not sure how to describe their music, but it must be some kind of pop. Semi-slow, semi-cheerful pop - I like it!
This song keeps popping up in my head. Visit their homepage to grab another track and drop by their MySpace to hear a couple of songs more.
Perfect Problem
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Betty Goes A Go-Go
As you probably missed it: I made a post on The Banjo Consorsium on my mandolin banjo blog yesterday. Check it out for some nice, soft music ^^
Swedish band Betty Goes A Go-Go has been releasing music for a while now and they have a new album,Winter Comes Here Winter Begins Here, coming out this year. According to the band itself they offer "melancholic new wave/postpunk with great nerve, angstridden harmonies and mindtwisting electronic sounds". I can't say I like all of it (I don't think postpunk is a genre for me) but some of their "angstridden harmonies", and especially their "mindtwisting electronic sounds" are just beautiful.
The song below was the first to catch my attention. While quite uneven at first it gets really, really good towards the end. For more, check out their website and MySpace.
Antarctica [left click]
Swedish band Betty Goes A Go-Go has been releasing music for a while now and they have a new album,
The song below was the first to catch my attention. While quite uneven at first it gets really, really good towards the end. For more, check out their website and MySpace.
Antarctica [left click]
Sunday, December 17, 2006
...and everyone fell asleep
Ok, so I don't even know of a handful active local bands, but from what little I have heard and seen, these guys are definitly my favorites.
The four guys of ...and everyone fell asleep formed the band in 2005. With three of them having a background in jazz (they even use a double bass!), their quite melancholic songs often have a very nice jazzy feeling to them. And I really like the singer's voice.
Don't miss the song below and go visit their MySpace for more. A new song should be available there in not too long ^^
Body of Sand [left click]
If you happen to be in Linköping on Wednesday (Dec. 20), I'd suggest a visit to Passagen at 19.00 for an evening of young experimental sounds from ...and everyone fell asleep and Wildbirds & Peacedrums ^_^
The four guys of ...and everyone fell asleep formed the band in 2005. With three of them having a background in jazz (they even use a double bass!), their quite melancholic songs often have a very nice jazzy feeling to them. And I really like the singer's voice.
Don't miss the song below and go visit their MySpace for more. A new song should be available there in not too long ^^
Body of Sand [left click]
If you happen to be in Linköping on Wednesday (Dec. 20), I'd suggest a visit to Passagen at 19.00 for an evening of young experimental sounds from ...and everyone fell asleep and Wildbirds & Peacedrums ^_^
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
The Knife
Most people into quriky electronic music probably know all about The Knife already. They're sister and brother, Swedish and have so far released three full albums and one soundtrack. Though I still haven't heard a single song from their most recent (and most praised) album, Silent Shout, I claim to really like The Knife - their first album, The Knife, was extraordinary to me.
Today is Lucia and The Knife are celebrating through once again sharing their 2000 Christmas version of Reindeer - one of my favorite The Knife songs. Make sure you get it and then go visit their homepage for cover art ^^
Christmas Reindeer
Sunday, October 29, 2006
treqie
It doesn't happen often, but every time I find out that somebody I know is making music I get somewhat uncomfortable. By now though I should've learnt not to worry about not liking their music since they're all doing just fine. This last time I even had a good laugh because of the funny lyrics ^^
treqie is this Swedish guy making his own kind of retro style synthpop. It reminds me of the kind of instrumental electronic music I liked so much as a child, only now there's vocals. To be honest his vocals aren't that good (they're just charming *_^), but the lyrics are all simple and entertaining so if you can understand Swedish they're definitly worth your attention. Check out the entire album Ett at last.fm if you've got an account ^^
The song below is my favorite by far - an italo inspired track with lyrics in Swedish about hairlessness: "We're hairless, no more hair. We're hairless, no more threads on our bodies" - I just love it!
Hairless (feat. Dasse)
Hairless (instrumental)
treqie is this Swedish guy making his own kind of retro style synthpop. It reminds me of the kind of instrumental electronic music I liked so much as a child, only now there's vocals. To be honest his vocals aren't that good (they're just charming *_^), but the lyrics are all simple and entertaining so if you can understand Swedish they're definitly worth your attention. Check out the entire album Ett at last.fm if you've got an account ^^
The song below is my favorite by far - an italo inspired track with lyrics in Swedish about hairlessness: "We're hairless, no more hair. We're hairless, no more threads on our bodies" - I just love it!
Hairless (feat. Dasse)
Hairless (instrumental)
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Detektivbyrån
Sorry about not sticking to my write-every-day-for-a-couple-of-weeks plan, but I was not in any state to even sit up when I got home yesterday so it was probably for the better...
Swedish Detektivbyrån (lit. The Detective Bureau) are just about to release their second EP, Hemvägen EP, and like Hedvika I am already completely in love with their music. Last year I was all about Yann Tiersen. This is the same kind of instrumental music, only with plenty of electronic instruments - how could it not be love?
Go check out Hedvika's first blogpost on Detektivbyrån for more download links and go visit their MySpace to hear a few songs more. The song below will be featured on the new EP ^^
E18
Swedish Detektivbyrån (lit. The Detective Bureau) are just about to release their second EP, Hemvägen EP, and like Hedvika I am already completely in love with their music. Last year I was all about Yann Tiersen. This is the same kind of instrumental music, only with plenty of electronic instruments - how could it not be love?
Go check out Hedvika's first blogpost on Detektivbyrån for more download links and go visit their MySpace to hear a few songs more. The song below will be featured on the new EP ^^
E18
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Bettlare & lösfolk
Since I'll be heading to school for some beer & music in less than an hour, I decided to check out one the bands I hadn't heard of before ^^
Bettlare & lösfolk are five people making ballads from the poems of Swedish poet Nils Ferlin. I think the best expression in English to describe their music would be singer/songwriter, but it's really a "trubadur" singing "visor" (something like Swedish folk pop) accompanied by a band. The singer's voice is not perfect, but this goes pretty well with the "vistradition".
Check out their pages at YouSeekMusic (Swedish) and MySpace to learn more about them and listen to more of their works.
I stolta städer (in proud cities)
Bettlare & lösfolk are five people making ballads from the poems of Swedish poet Nils Ferlin. I think the best expression in English to describe their music would be singer/songwriter, but it's really a "trubadur" singing "visor" (something like Swedish folk pop) accompanied by a band. The singer's voice is not perfect, but this goes pretty well with the "vistradition".
Check out their pages at YouSeekMusic (Swedish) and MySpace to learn more about them and listen to more of their works.
I stolta städer (in proud cities)
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Dimbodius
Busy again, sorry. But I'll try not to let it affect my music listening as much this time.
I'm generally against just having samples up for listen on artist homepages. Ordinarily I'm no longer interested in an artist I've decided to look up when I find that there are no non-live, full versions of songs available for free download. The artist I decided to look up today was different.
Swedish guy Dimbodius has been compared to both New Order and The Cure. Apparently he's been around for a while and the first full length album, When We Fall, was released in 2004. Synthish and great.
The song below has a pretty piano in the background, all the way through. Unfortunately Dimbodius' voice doesn't sound as good as on record, but it's still a nice song. This is important though: Do not forget to go to his homepage and listen to the samples in the little player at the bottom! It is good music. The kind that makes you very glad there is something as wonderful as music.
Hands Let Go (acoustic) (live at off the record, Oct. 2005)
I'm generally against just having samples up for listen on artist homepages. Ordinarily I'm no longer interested in an artist I've decided to look up when I find that there are no non-live, full versions of songs available for free download. The artist I decided to look up today was different.
Swedish guy Dimbodius has been compared to both New Order and The Cure. Apparently he's been around for a while and the first full length album, When We Fall, was released in 2004. Synthish and great.
The song below has a pretty piano in the background, all the way through. Unfortunately Dimbodius' voice doesn't sound as good as on record, but it's still a nice song. This is important though: Do not forget to go to his homepage and listen to the samples in the little player at the bottom! It is good music. The kind that makes you very glad there is something as wonderful as music.
Hands Let Go (acoustic) (live at off the record, Oct. 2005)
Thursday, April 13, 2006
pg.lost
A couple of weeks ago, a friend sent me a message that consisted of three elements: the word "listen" in Swedish, a set of (quite many) exclamation marks and a MySpace address. It took me a while, but eventually I got there and now I can totally understand why he used all of those exclamation marks.
Swedish four member band pg.lost makes some pretty awesome post rock. As influences, they mention Sigur Rós, Mogwai and Mono and I'm more than happy to say that they don't disappoint. Admittedly, it takes a while before the magic kicks in, but when it does it is oh so wonderful.
Siren (left click)
The Kind Heart of Lanigon (left click)
Swedish four member band pg.lost makes some pretty awesome post rock. As influences, they mention Sigur Rós, Mogwai and Mono and I'm more than happy to say that they don't disappoint. Admittedly, it takes a while before the magic kicks in, but when it does it is oh so wonderful.
Siren (left click)
The Kind Heart of Lanigon (left click)
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Bobby Baby
Yay! Not only does Bobby Baby have a new awesome song up for download, but she's also coming to where I live to play in a couple of weeks ^_^ Bobby Baby is the most recent alias of Swedish girl Ella under which she make some great pop music. She shares all her music for free on the internet so do not miss going to her homepage for more, should you enjoy the song below.
Lucky Moments
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Lampshade
And so it happened again... Sorry to make anybody that still come here wait for another entry. I've been kind of busy lately, and I will be a while longer. But I'm slacking today. And on Thursday I'm gonna take the evening of and go see these people ^_^
Danish/Swedish group Lampshade released their second album, Let's Away, on February 24. Their style is soft rock, sometimes mellow and often pretty. At times they're even reminiscent of Efterklang. Lampshade are currently on tour in Sweden and will soon head for Germany.
The first song below comes from their new album, it's sung in Danish and if I'm not mistaken the title means "these birds". The other one is sung in English and appeared on their first album, Because Trees Can Fly. Also linked here just because it's pretty beyond words and I don't want you to miss it ^^ Still, do not forget to check out their site for additional information and a couple of songs more!
Disse Fugle
Plakka Plakka
Danish/Swedish group Lampshade released their second album, Let's Away, on February 24. Their style is soft rock, sometimes mellow and often pretty. At times they're even reminiscent of Efterklang. Lampshade are currently on tour in Sweden and will soon head for Germany.
The first song below comes from their new album, it's sung in Danish and if I'm not mistaken the title means "these birds". The other one is sung in English and appeared on their first album, Because Trees Can Fly. Also linked here just because it's pretty beyond words and I don't want you to miss it ^^ Still, do not forget to check out their site for additional information and a couple of songs more!
Disse Fugle
Plakka Plakka
Friday, January 20, 2006
Dexter's Moon
Tiger Lou yesterday was awesome. Today I've checked out the music created by his sister.
photo by Sara Appelgren
Dexter's Moon is a group of Swedes making what they call "Lo-fi Country Pop". They released their debut album, Come Rain, in 2005 and from what I've heard (half of it is available for free from their homepage ^^) it's all mellow, nice and beautiful, though perhaps not that much obvious difference between songs musicalwise.
The song below is a piano version of a song from their second demo, You Can Count On Me. It's very lovely.
Promise Piano
photo by Sara Appelgren
Dexter's Moon is a group of Swedes making what they call "Lo-fi Country Pop". They released their debut album, Come Rain, in 2005 and from what I've heard (half of it is available for free from their homepage ^^) it's all mellow, nice and beautiful, though perhaps not that much obvious difference between songs musicalwise.
The song below is a piano version of a song from their second demo, You Can Count On Me. It's very lovely.
Promise Piano
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Tiger Lou
It's been longer then I thought since I last updated, but here's an entry on a guy I'm gonna go see live tonight ^_^
One of Sweden's best indie artists is no doubt Tiger Lou, aka Rasmus Kellerman. (If I'm not mistaken, he's the second guy from the left on the pic above, while the others makes up his touring band.) Indie pop? Indie rock? I'm not sure how to describe his music to make it justice, but I can agree with his German label, riptide recordings, that wrote "it is rare that a pop song has felt so important as when told by the Tiger!" He released his debut EP, Trouble and Desire, in 2003 and his second full album, The Loyal, came out in October 2005.
The song below is a single from Tiger Lou's first album, Is My Head Still On? Though released as a single I think it's far from his best song, but it was the only one for which I could find a full downloadable sample :p If you're on last.fm and want to hear more - go check out his last.fm artist page where most of his released songs are available.
Sell Out
One of Sweden's best indie artists is no doubt Tiger Lou, aka Rasmus Kellerman. (If I'm not mistaken, he's the second guy from the left on the pic above, while the others makes up his touring band.) Indie pop? Indie rock? I'm not sure how to describe his music to make it justice, but I can agree with his German label, riptide recordings, that wrote "it is rare that a pop song has felt so important as when told by the Tiger!" He released his debut EP, Trouble and Desire, in 2003 and his second full album, The Loyal, came out in October 2005.
The song below is a single from Tiger Lou's first album, Is My Head Still On? Though released as a single I think it's far from his best song, but it was the only one for which I could find a full downloadable sample :p If you're on last.fm and want to hear more - go check out his last.fm artist page where most of his released songs are available.
Sell Out
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Tias Carlson
Here's a guy I first heard of from swedesplease.
There's a lot of good singer/songwriters coming out of Sweden, and Tias Carlson is one of them. He released his debut album, What I have gathered from coincidence, in 2005 and hopefully he'll have a new album out early summer 2006. I could hardly find any info on him, but here's a quite nice interview from German sweet jane music
I really like the song below, so please take a listen. And if you like it too - of course you should go to his homepage for more ^^
Setting Sun
There's a lot of good singer/songwriters coming out of Sweden, and Tias Carlson is one of them. He released his debut album, What I have gathered from coincidence, in 2005 and hopefully he'll have a new album out early summer 2006. I could hardly find any info on him, but here's a quite nice interview from German sweet jane music
I really like the song below, so please take a listen. And if you like it too - of course you should go to his homepage for more ^^
Setting Sun
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Warehouse
Here's something as rare as a recommendation originating from one of my sisters - she has an internet pal with a girlfriend who's brother plays in a band...
Had it not been for my sister telling me Warehouse came from Swedish town Halmstad, I would definitly have guessed that these guys were American beacuse of their alt rockish, sometimes Lifehouse reminiscent, style.
The song below is taken from Just another lastone and all songs from that album are, with one exception, available in full mp3 versions from their homepage. Go listen to them and also take the chance to hear some of the short samples for the even better songs included on Subject to change.
Bounce
Had it not been for my sister telling me Warehouse came from Swedish town Halmstad, I would definitly have guessed that these guys were American beacuse of their alt rockish, sometimes Lifehouse reminiscent, style.
The song below is taken from Just another lastone and all songs from that album are, with one exception, available in full mp3 versions from their homepage. Go listen to them and also take the chance to hear some of the short samples for the even better songs included on Subject to change.
Bounce
Friday, December 23, 2005
Elin Sigvardsson
As I mentioned her in my last post, here's one of my favorite singer/songwriters.
Elin Sigvardsson was the first artist ever produced by one of Sweden's most acknowledged artists, Lars Winnerbäck. While I prefer her first album over her second, which she produced herself, her songs are all great on album and very nice to hear live.
The song below is a Christmas themed song where she's only accompanied by acoustic guitars. To get a better chance of understanding why I like her music so much - go visit her homepage and check out some of the music vids ^^
Love Me without Heart
Elin Sigvardsson was the first artist ever produced by one of Sweden's most acknowledged artists, Lars Winnerbäck. While I prefer her first album over her second, which she produced herself, her songs are all great on album and very nice to hear live.
The song below is a Christmas themed song where she's only accompanied by acoustic guitars. To get a better chance of understanding why I like her music so much - go visit her homepage and check out some of the music vids ^^
Love Me without Heart
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Covox
Today I came across the Chinese record company Shanshui for the first time...
...and there I found Swedish guy Covox! He's a chiptune composer making what he describes as "melodic high-energy romantic gameboy pop". His first album, Delete the Elite, was released this summer in Sweden and, with an extra bonus track, only a week ago in China.
This song sounds very happy and the title is awesome. Check it out and go to Covox homepage for more ^_^
Summer Fruit Dance Party
...and there I found Swedish guy Covox! He's a chiptune composer making what he describes as "melodic high-energy romantic gameboy pop". His first album, Delete the Elite, was released this summer in Sweden and, with an extra bonus track, only a week ago in China.
This song sounds very happy and the title is awesome. Check it out and go to Covox homepage for more ^_^
Summer Fruit Dance Party
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)