A Nordic Affair
For me, few things say Swedish summer like the sound of seagulls, so Stockholm native Gustav Tranback aka Paper Hearts literally had me at hello with his new, Air France-leaning track ‘Fly Away’, which from then on only gets better and better. It comes off his debut EP On Top Of The World, due out on May 31 via Pepperbox Recordings, and we’re thrilled to offer you an exclusive first listen/download of this immediate beach party hit below.
The Reykjavik club and dance music scene has been blossoming quite staggeringly over the last two years. May 17 sees the first release by a brand new Iceland dance label called Imola Nights which is an independent record label based in Reykjavík. The release is the single Flower Time by Vidarsson & David DeL’Etoile and it features this remix by B.G. Baarregaard who’s also a key figure within the new wave of Icelandic dance music.
Imola Nights was founded by B.G. Baarregaard and Vidarsson in early 2012 and the label is a cub of the increasingly fertile Icelandic dance music scene. B.G. Baarregaard is a busy man as he’s also one of four owners of another newly established dance label, Color Me Records. Color Me Records just released B.G. Baarregaard’s excellent Nude Disco which is available in all major digital outlets.
Tonight, for those of you not on the way to The Great Escape, Crunchy Frog Records present their fourth and final leg of their shows at The Wheelbarrow in London. The label that brought you Junior Senior, The Raveonettes, 18th Dye and Heavy Trash are presenting the following fine, upstanding artists, and free entry…
The Tremolo Beer Gut
They love tremolo, they love beer and they’ve got guts. Man, if only every band’s name was so focussed. TBG are the world’s premier retro-surf-rock band and their records explode with original-yet-classic compositions, recorded boldly in mono, dual stereo and whichever way the band damn-well pleases. Live, they’re always a dangerous encounter.
Lars and The Hands of Light
This Copenhagen quartet released their first album ‘The Looking Glass’ in the spring of 2010, an exceptionally mature and coherent debut. The band has toured as opening act for The Raveonettes and Belle and Sebastian among others (who like them very much indeed).
Snake & Jet’s Amazing Bullit Band
Snake & Jet or Thor and Thomas, if you prefer. The only band that’s both laissez-faire and perfectionist, lo-fi and hi-fi. Their first single, ‘Black Egg’ was Clash Magazine’s Track of The Day. Listen:
Facebook invite here.
730 doors
830 Lars and The Hands of Light
930 Snake and Jet’s Amazing Bullit Band
1030 The Tremolo Beer Gut
As we’ve told you numerous times already, Finnish singer-songwriter Sansa is destined for big things. And frankly, we’re running out of superlatives to describe her amazingness, so let’s not waste any time here. Her new album Savior, which comes out next week, can now be streamed in its entirity below, and we strongly suggest you give it a go. Enjoy.
If you’re in London on May 31, make sure you don’t miss Sansa’s live performance at our very own Nordic club night at The Lexington, where Reptile Youth and Maribel will be playing as well.
So here is a new occasion to discover Malmö based producer Bam Spacey – that is if you missed out on his great deep minimal atmospheres when we introduced him here, and here. ‘Taigan’ is a brand new extract from the upcoming EP Land, to be released through Brooklyn label Ceremony on May 22. It follows the promising single ‘Vi Delar Samma Grav’, and well, it is as highly recommended. Listen below.
Back a couple of months ago we let you know about the rip-roaring lead single from Stockhaus‘s debut album, which was simply called ‘Hi!’. It was also simply quite great. In case you weren’t aware, Stockhaus is Kristian from Bergen’s Ungdomskulen and with his first record, Colors, he’s exceeded expectations in a suitably colourful offering. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable jaunt from beginning to end.
The news now is that there’s also a new video – with lots and lots of kissing – for ‘Dance In The Dark’, which is a bit less upbeat than ‘Hi!’, but a contrasting shade and speed in any case. It was directed by Ole Sebastian Kaass but you can watch the entire thing below, with a minimum of hassle.
Tomas Barfod, main producer and band member of WhoMadeWho, is set to release his solo album Salton Sea on May 22 via Friends Of Friends, and after having unveiled a video for ‘Broken Glass’ only a couple of days ago he’s now back with another album offering; the melodic electro pop gem ‘November Skies’, which features Sweden’s Nina Kinert on vocals. Listen to it below and then pre-order Salton Sea here.
Only a few months ago, the splendid Oslo-based shoegazers Maribel put out their second album Reveries via our good friends at Splendour Records. Going from remixes all the way from our own Ja Ja Ja discovery Violet Dream, we move along to one of the finest Kiel based, German producers Ulrich Schnauss, putting his peculiarly mirrorlike, personal touch on Maribel’s ‘The Thief’. We’re very excited to give you all a first listen/download of the upbeat beauty below.
Oh and don’t forget to attend our next Ja Ja Ja show at The Lexington, where Maribel will be playing alongside Sansa and Reptile Youth.
On May 29, long time Ja Ja Ja favourites Ditt Inre will be releasing the debut EP En Värld I Brand via their new home Cascine, and as per usual when the ever on-point label is involved, people all over the world are going nuts. We get that of course, as we’ve seen the greatness in the Stockholm duo since August last year (yes, we’re a bit proud). It’s melancholic, summery, deep, dancy and very Swedish, and thus highly recommended. Listen to and download the first single off the EP, ‘Månljus (Saknad)’, below.
One of the most promising artists Sweden has to offer at the moment, Dante, is coming over to the UK soon to play The Great Escape in Brighton and a TLOBF presented show in London (together with Icona Pop, yet another Swedish pop sensation), but first, on May 9, he’s gracing Proud Galleries in Camden with his presence. The future future soul star’s performance is a part of the monthly Breakout showcase for new and breaking acts, staged by Music Week in conjunction with All Night Long Promotions and co-hosted by Institut Ramon Llull.
And now for the fun part! We have FIVE PAIRS OF TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY! For your chance to win, just head over to our Facebook page and answer this question: in the film Clerks, what sport does Dante play on the roof of the convenience store he’s supposed to be working in? You have until May 8 to enter the competition.
Here’s ‘Next To You’, a taste of what to expect from this coming Wednesday night.
