In the world of TV, film and theatre the concept of the three act structure is nothing new. In the first act we’re introduced to the characters and main locations; the second act introduces a confrontation or obstacle; and finally, our third act finds resolution through a climax followed by dénouement. From the chin-stroking highs of Seven Samurai and The Godfather to the goofball comedies of Sandler and Ferrell the three act structure is employed everywhere. But on an album? With their self-titled debut, Sweden’s latest (and probably only) neo-power-kraut seven-piece Ikons are here to show us that not only is it possible, the results can be very special indeed. Continue Reading

On the 15th February 2010 expect a “An existential and cosmic odyssey – A transcendental adventure” to pop your ear drums as Ikons release their eagerly anticipated new album.

It shall be self-titled and it shall be released on Service, Sweden’s premier label, on CD and vinyl. We’ve had it at TLOBF Towers for a number of weeks now and it’s a great, impressive, heaving neo-shoegaze-krautrock flip-flopper of an album.

Watch the video for the track ‘Slow Light’ below:

Floating in on the last fine breeze before winter hits, Gothenburg, Sweden’s Lake Heartbeat provide enough blissful pop melodies on their debut record, Trust In Numbers, to remind us what summer felt like before our memories of it begin to fade. The Swedish duo, consisting of Janne Kask (formerly of Brainpool) on vocals/programming and Kalla Kåks on guitar/bass, are notoriously reticent in regards to promotion for the record, but their feelings and moods are laid quite bare within the lyrics and melodies on these searching, earnest pop numbers. There is a wistful, jaunty quality to these tracks that is hypnotic and pleasing, and while any depth you might be searching for within these songs might be as deceiving as the beachfront facade that graces the cover of the album, I’m not sure that digging any deeper is the point to these songs. They are kept intentionally light and airy, at once both elegant and buoyant, thanks to the stylish production of Studio mastermind Dan Lissvik. Continue Reading

Nhessingtons

Welcome back, friends. Let’s talk about music, shall we?

First off, did you hear the new song by Pistol Disco? I’ve written about them before, I know. But this song is just too epic not to mention. It’s called ‘Bad Wisdom’ and you can download it for free from www.pistoldisco.com. If the story of Pistol Disco was a movie, this song would be the scene where Alex and Mikael are riding their steeds trough some dusty plains. Just before taking off into space, obviously.

As I’ve mentioned before, Alex has done some work on the debut album for the Service act IKONS (who are going to be massive, if anyone wonders) and one of the members, Carl Hedén just finished a new song with his other project together with Pär Bourghardt, called Outmen. The song is called ‘You Might Be In a Band’ and it’s a truly beautiful pop song, complete with kind of Ennio Morricone-esque guitars and percussion. One of the most spot-on songs I’ve heard in months. They a currently working on new material and it’s going to be really exciting to hear what comes out. Continue Reading

Dan Lissvik. Gothenburg belongs to him.

Hi there, it’s been a while. You ok? Great. Me too.

Have you heard about The Crêpes? No? Then let me tell you about them. I assume that you are familiar with The Embassy and Studio? Well, The Crêpes is a duo consisting of Fredrik Lindson from The Embassy and Dan Lissvik of Studio. They just released their first record What Else?, which is already sold out, I’m afraid. Me and some friends went to a garage sale hosted by Dan and Fredrik and judging by the amount of people who bought the record, I’m really not surprised. I couldn’t afford the record myself, since I got no real job and therefore no money, but Fredrik was kind and provided me with some wine from a carafe. Good enough. Continue Reading

This week: The slightly pastier-looking one from The Tough Alliance!

Favourite dance?
I believe it was Aristotle who first said, human is a dancing animal.

Best place in Sweden to set an old English epic?
Southern Sweden.

Would you say that the use of baseball bats in your stage shows glorified violence?
I would say that all music, on some level, glorifies violence. Music is a very primal need. Like sex and violence fit so incestuously together, well so does music. And music and sex for that matter (laughs). Continue Reading

If you were to live in the bountiful land of music and wonder that is Gothenburg, goodness knows why you’d want to hark back to the dank streets of ‘80s Castlefield for inspiration. But along with fellow Swedes The Tough Alliance, Air France and Lake Heartbeat (all except Air France on the marvelous Service label), The Embassy’s second album throbs lasciviously with the Haçienda’s housey pulse whilst retaining its cool Scandinavian allure – and none more so than on opener ‘Some Indulgence’. Instantly, pretty much everything about it conspires to let you know that Tacking is going to be a grand pop record – from the lo-fi Joy Division-esque guitar jangle to synths that glow with the lustre of teenage romance, and breathy orgasmic percussion which contrasts endearingly with singer Fredrik Lindson’s awkward drawl. Continue Reading

The Embassy are Sweden’s prime pop professors and designers behind the Göteborg scene, which includes acts such as Air France, El Perro Del Mar, The Tough Alliance and Studio (of which the two latter even named their own labels after Embassy songs).

Their latest album, Tacking, finally gets a release in the UK on July 20th. And it’s a very good slice of prime electro-pop. They’re winners of various awards, but still an indie phenomenon in Sweden and unfortunately pretty unknown internationally.

In 2005 The Embassy’s debut Futile Crimes was voted number 3 of the 21’st century’s best 100 records by 100 Swedish music luminarie… perhaps Tacking will see them win more prizes…

The Embassy on Myspace

Admittedly, Jens Lekman made this mix available up on his website about a month ago – but I’ve only just discovered it thanks to fellow Lekman uber fan and TLOBF staff writer Laura Snapes.

I’ve just finished listening to his adorable mix May 17th, Two Thousand and Fine: ‘The Summer Never Ends’ and had to post it up.. It contains some priceless commentary from the great man, some little snippets of the samples he used on his last album Night Falls Over Kortedala and also the recent single from fellow Service Records labelmates and super influential Swedes The Embassy.

Tracklisting is:
(excerpt from) The Summer Never Ends /// I Really Think That We Can Make It Girl /// Nicolette Larsson – Lotta Love /// The Embassy – State 08 /// (excerpt from) New Directions /// Coke Escovedo – I Wouldn’t Change A Thing /// Filippo Trecca – La Morte Dell’erminia /// His name is Mikael Carlsson, her name is Alicia Keys /// Lamont Dozier – Blue Sky and Silver Bird /// Cat Stevens – If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out /// Jeff Perry – Love Don’t Come No Stronger /// Good News – Australia /// Baby’s Gang – America /// American Breed – Always You

Just click here and scroll on down to the May 17th post to find the link.

In other Lekman related news. I also discovered a video by a band called The Sweptaways today which features Jens on vocals. It’s pretty nice and probably the only new Jens-related material we’ll hear in 2009 – watch below whilst you’re waiting for the mix to download.

MFMB / Photograph by Emma Hartvig

The first in our new series all about the burgeoning Swedish music scene; Nya Vågen (or The New Wave) sees Victor Svedberg disect what is happening right now in Gothenburg, Stockholm and Malmö.

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What’s that noise? It’s the sound of young Sweden. A Sweden more creative and alive than it’s been for a long time.

Ok, really. What IS that noise? Well, it’s Pistol Disco, of course. A duo consisting of Alexander Palmestål and Mikael Enqvist. Their kraut-rock influenced music is a facinating experience. Listening to them is a journey through history, passing acts like Neu!, Spacemen 3, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Silver Apples but it all leads to something truly unique and beautiful. A dreamy world of noise and rhythm. Continue Reading