Shorties...

Was away from the computer Friday to Monday to time to do a little ”catching up”.

Sad to hear about the passing of Gustaf Kjellvander. R.I.P.
+ The Fine Arts Showcase - Brother In Black

On a more happy note. Enough money has been donated to finance the release of A Month Of Unrequited Love on double CD and triple vinyl.
Michael Møller - The Birth of a Song

Boxstr.net continues to refuse to cooperate so cannot upload anything. And downloading is pretty slow as well!

Entakt gives away the 5 tracks that originally were intended to be released as an EP entitled Stolpe Ud.
+ El Clásico

Just found this nice track by The Demos in the mailbox. Taken from the band’s Lovely album.
+ Meet At Night

Thank you...Entakt...and goodbye...

One of my favorite Danish bands Entakt has decided that time has come to throw in the towel. But as sad as it may be, it’s hardly surprising, as I know that the decision had been brewing for a while. Unfulfilled potential is probably what will come to mind when I someday decide to dissect my memories of the band, as I’ve always felt they were so close to writing the perfect song and only a sniff away from a major breakthrough. And in the end I guess this was exactly what drove the band to the sad but inevitable decision; A lot of hard work and very little to show for it. As well as constantly having to live with the pressure of trying to keep the ship afloat. So time came for the band members to shake things up, start over and move on into a world without Entakt. And I doubt it's going to be a problem. Front man (guitarist, songwriter, producer etc.) Jonas Villumsen has previously published a number of solo tracks and I’m told that more songs are on the way. Guitarist (and songwriter and producer and etc.) Kristian Martinsen is busy writing songs with (and producing for) other artists and I’m pretty confident that will hear something from the other band members in the future as well. So thanks for the ride guys; it was a pleasure!…
+ Kunsten at Slippe Taget
+ Vinterbrud
+ Orkestret med det blotlagte skelet
+ Jonas Villumsen - Piteraq (20 Blaa Celcius)
+ La Volumes Jinns - Barcelona Or Anywhere But Here

Size 43...

Download a free remix of Entakt's Størrelse 43. More news on/from the band real soon...

  Entakt - Størrelse 43 (SFF VMS remix) by jonasvillumsen

One-liners...

Tried to listen to the new Glasvegas album Euphoric Heartbreak yesterday, but got so bored that I gave up half way through!

Unlike the abovementioned album the new album Raven in the Grave by The Raveonettes sounds very promising after just one listen.
+ Forget That You're Young

Frank (my favorite music blogger) wasn’t exactly impressed by Oh Land’s showcase at SXSW.
+ Sun of a Gun

The Entakt concert tonight in Aarhus is cancelled due to illness.

Once again sorry to all of you mailing and never getting a reply, a blog mention, anything!

Scottish indie poppers The Felt Tips will be at Huset on May 5.
+ Treat Me Gently

Really want to post how badly Myspace sucks, but I guess everyone knows that already?

Not sure what to make of this super short video by Junica, but the little music featured in it sure sounds great!

Entakt + Altmodisch + Friday night...

A very blurry mobile shot from Friday night’s Entakt/Altmodisch concert. As always I forgot to bring my camera, but the band in the pic is Entakt in case you’re not familiar with either. I enjoyed both acts immensely and I’m pretty sure that the 10-15 other people showing up did the same. This was my first ever visit to Forbrændingen (and hopefully not my last) and despite being a really cool venue its location in the outer suburbs of Copenhagen seems to make it rather difficult to attract visitors. Although the fact that it was two rather unestablished names performing probably had more to do with Friday night’s poor attendance rather than the location itself? But both bands coped with it and delivered real fine performances. Once again I was reminded that I even though I tend to think otherwise, Entakt is a rock band and enjoys playing their music loud (luckily I didn’t forget my earplugs). My only complaint should be that the setlist lacked more than a handful of my personal favorites, but since the band has more than four albums worth of music to choose from, I guess this will always be the case? The indietronica universe, to which Altmodisch belongs, has never really appealed to me (I happily admit that), but I stayed open-minded and (as stated previously) really enjoyed what I heard (and saw). So summed up it was an evening well-spent! The bands are on a small tour together and next stop will be at Huset on April 7.
+ Entakt - [Vinterbrud]
+ Entakt - Kunsten At Slippe Taget

 The night i cant recall by Altmodisch

Altmodisch + Entakt...

Seeing Altmodisch and Entakt at Forbrændingen tomorrow night.

Size 43...

The new video for Entakt's rather Blur inspired track Størrelse 43.

Today I'll...

...you guessed it! Drink loads of coffee and try to get some work done! Yada yada yada – time to come up with something new dude!

...stream the (entire) new The William Blakes album Music Wants To Be Free from Soundcloud. Expect it to sound nothing like the previous three albums by the band.
Wasted Years by The William Blakes

…listen (already have) to new track Hollywood by The Oxygen Ponies a number of times. A real grower!
 Hollywood by The Oxygen Ponies

...impatiently be waiting for the new Entakt video for Størrelse 43 (size 43) to be published.

...spend some time scratching my head while trying to figure out why people are so high on the new albums by Radiohead and Bright Eyes. Both albums have their moments (I have no problems admitting that), but most of the time I felt like I was wasting my time.

...listen to the forthcoming self-titled Oh Land album.
We Turn It Up by Oh Land

...???...

Zimmerman remix...

Entakt shares this Spejderrobot remix of recent single Zimmerman. The remix is far too alternative for my taste as it bears close to no resemblance to the original version (video posted below the remix), but since I am quite a fan of the band (you probably know this by now), I never waste an opportunity to give the band some exposure. If you happened to miss it, go check out the somewhat more interesting Dub Tractor remix of the same track, which I posted back in December.

Zimmerman (Spejderrobot remix) by jonasvillumsen

Zimmerman remix...

Entakt shares this Dub Tractor remix of their recent single Zimmerman. Pretty cool although really, really different from the original (watch the video below). More remixes are in the making (according to the band's blog).
+ Zimmerman (Dub Tractor Remix)

Zimmerman...

Finally...the video for the new and absolutely brilliant Entakt single!

Various bits...

Been feeling awful since Friday, but seems like the cold is retreating. Perfect timing, as I’m going to see The National at KB-Hallen tomorrow night. Wouldn’t really be the same if I was sneezing, coughing and having a stuffy nose! Should be (definitely will be) a blast!
+ Bloodbuzz Ohio
+ Fake Empire

New single Zimmerman by Entakt has been added to the P3 and P4 playlists. Unfortunately it's yet not available for streaming (or buying if anyone does that anymore) anywhere, but the video for the song will be published next Saturday (November 20). Worth noting as the band has have difficulties in the past getting airplay!

This is somewhat unusual. A Danish band singing in Danish has a song remixed by a fellow Dane. OK perhaps that’s not quite unusual. But said remix being released by a major US music website certainly is! Though you can of course argue that no one understands a word what Under Byen is singing anyway, thus making the whole "singing in Danish" part irrelevant. Download the Kasper Bjørke remix of Alt Er Tabt at Stereogum.
+ Alt Er Tabt

A cold wind (Piteraq)...

According to Wikipedia, Piteraq is a “cold Katabatic wind which originates on the Greenlandic icecap and sweeps down to the east coast”. Especially occurring around Tasiilaq or Ammasalik / Angmagssalik as it’s called in Danish. What on earth has happened to this blog you probably ask yourself? You came here for music and instead you’re getting a lecture (though quite a brief one I admit) in meteorology. Oh well! Thought this would be the perfect way to introduce the beautiful solo track Piteraq (20 Blaa Celcius) by Entakt frontman Jonas Villumsen, because I wasn’t sure whether any of you knew what a Piteraq actually was? Maybe I was completely mistaken, but I happily admit that didn’t know what it was, so I thought I’d share my newly acquired knowledge (doesn’t happen very often, so seize the moment)!!

Piteraq was the first track published from Mr. Villumsen’s ongoing solo project, which (for now at least) seems to have the working title 3913 (the postal code of Tasiilaq). However the solo recordings doesn’t mean that Entakt has been put to rest, as a pre-mix of a new track was made available for streaming yesterday (either from the band’s new webpage or below if you happen to be a lazy sod). The new track has cunningly (?) been named Klubben i Angmagssalik, which sort of ties it all together.

But the Greenlandic connection aside, the songs bear very little or no resemblance to each other. Not going into any details, as I think you should listen and judge for yourself, but it always a pleasure, when artists choose different musical paths for their solo projects rather than make a version 2.0 of the band.
+ Piteraq (20 Blaa Celcius)

Klubben I Angmagssalik præ-mix by Entakt

Paper Planes Festival (part deux)...

As promised a few words to follow-up the video I posted yesterday. Catching Paper Planes is a (fairly) new Danish booking and management agency (committed to promote, counsel and manage the talented musicians of Denmark and the world), and tomorrow night a small festival named Paper Planes Festival 2010 will take place at Huset in Copenhagen. Unfortunately I won’t be able to show my support by attending, though I so much wish I could, as the line-up (consisting of 6 bands) looks really interesting. Obviously I’d love to see old favorites Entakt (again), as this will be the first time in quite a while that the band is back on stage (as a band) performing live. And I wouldn’t be surprised if they include a few new tracks in the set. So yes; for that reason alone I’d love to be there. But even more intriguing (if possible) would be the opportunity to witness the debut concert of new act Tempomatador. Who, you might ask? If I say that they (not so long ago) was called Mikkel Max og Drømmenes Bodega, you’ll probably still ask who? But if I add that frontman Mikkel Max used to be in EPO-555 and Oliver North Boy Choir (along with bassist Ivan) as well playing the bass in The Boombox Hearts, those names might ring a familiar bell? Anyway; they play lovely, catchy, yet somewhat melancholic and Danish languaged pop music, with a self-declared ambition to be the best band in the world…some day. The Festival kicks off tomorrow at around 7 p.m. and the tickets cost a reasonable DKK 100.
+ Tempomatador – Glas og Støj (so highly recommended)
+ Entakt – Kunsten at Slippe Taget

Gold...

What has been a really great day started in the perhaps best possible way, when I found epic new track Gold by The Boombox Hearts in the mailbox this morning. Completely new to me it wasn’t, as I had heard it once before, when they played their debut concert at Copenhagen Popfest (pic), and I do remember thinking back then; “wow this is great”. And having heard the studio version I’m still thinking exactly the same, though using something more superlative than “great” is tempting. I’m having some difficulties catching the lyrics, but according to the band the song is a wee bit sad and dominated as it is by the twang guitar sound (reminiscing Chris Isaak) as well as getting support from a beautiful cello, it does indeed have a melancholic feel to it. Gold is the first appetizer from a 5-track EP that is said to be in the making and which hopefully will be out some time later this year.
+ Gold

Sweden's Irene shares a brand new demo track named The Catcher in the Rye. Found via the twitter account of Acid House Kings, so cannot really tell if it's a sign of more things to come! Hmmm - more information (in Swedish) and download link can be found here.

New Danish management & booking agency (and blog) Catching Paper Planes talks to Entakt frontman Jonas Villumsen about his new solo project as well as the future of the band. And quite a few other things as well!
+ Kunsten At Slippe Taget

Check out lovely new single Jimmy Had a Polaroid by Math and Physics Club. Taken from the forthcoming album I Shouldn’t Look As Good As I Do, which is now available for preordering from the Matinée shop.
+ Jimmy Had a Polaroid

zzz...

Yesterday went by exactly as predicted, as I spent the entire day trying to recover from the lack of sleep. Find it difficult not being somewhat bitchy about it, as I think it’s pretty close to impertinent to let people pay for the tickets and then let the main act enter the stage at 11.15 p.m. I know I’m getting older, but I cannot help considering this as a message to people like me, who have to go to work the next day or even worse have children that must be at school at 8 a.m., that we are not really welcome. Whether this was a decision made by the venue or the band I don’t know, but a rather irritating one it was. And for the first time ever, I was forced to leave a concert before it finished (at 0.30 a.m. – and my friend and I weren’t the first ones to leave), as I could hardly keep my eyes open any longer plus knowing that we had the pleasure of a 45 minute drive ahead of us. The concert you ask? Nice, very nice, but as you probably have figured out, I didn’t really enjoy it!

Had a beer and a (much longer than expected) chat with the always friendly Jonas (of Entakt) before the concert, and got the latest updates on the band. Things are brewing, but precisely when we’ll hear something new from the band is still far too early to tell.
+ Kunsten at Slippe Taget
+ Orkestret med det blotlagte skelet

You bet this will soon be all over the blogosphere in an instant (it already is), but since I (like just about every other music loving human in the universe) am looking forward to High Violet, I have no other option than to jump on the bandwagon and post the first appetizer from the album.
+ Bloodbuzz Ohio
Now that I’ve listened to it a few times, I do think it’s absolutely glorious, but don’t parts of it sound like this one?

Was it completely wrong of me expecting a band named Dazzle Ships to be at least somewhat inspired by OMD? Guess so, because they really are not!
+ Least Resistance

Speaking of old favorites OMD. I probably knew that the band was still around, but certainly not that the original line-up is back together. And I definitely did not know that they plan to release an album this year (to be named The History of Modern). A demo version of the very Enola Gay’ish Sister Mary Says is free to download (you do have to register and all that) from the official webpage. Oh, those memories!

Merry Christmas...

This will probably be the last post before Christmas, so time has come to wish regulars, occasional readers and anyone else, who happens to pop by, a Merry Christmas!

I don’t think I’ve watched one full episode of this year’s Christmas Calendar Pagten, but nonetheless I’m looking forward to it every day just to be able to hear the fantastic title track Uden Hinanden.

Danish music site BandBase.dk has published a list of the 25 most popular artists of the past decade and obviously it’s thrilling to see favorites Entakt finishing second overall. Then in the same breathe they published a post stating that the band is (sort of) splitting up and then (sort of) reassembling the pieces. What this means exactly I don’t know (and apparently the band doesn’t either), so your guess is as good as mine!
+ Vinterbrud

Matinée Recordings just mailed that they are shipping my order today! Hey mr. postman! Hurry up!

US indie pop act (one-man project) Fireflies offers his new Covers EP as a free download. I've mentioned times and times before that I'm no fan of cover versions, but the 7 recordings included on this EP are simply brilliant.
+ Walk On The Moon (Asobi Seksu cover)
+ Walk On The Moon (Asobi Seksu original)

Shorties...

It’s been a rather busy day at work, as I’ve spent a fairly large chunk of it in various meetings. Luckily none of them were a waste of time, which unfortunately isn’t always the case. One negative consequence though; I’ve had very little time to check out any new stuff, so today I’ll have to scan the “back catalogue” and stick to that good-ole “shorties” formula.

Oh No Ono are giving away two recently published remixes. You do however have to register first to get access to the downloads. Don’t I just hate that!

Trying to keep the remix thread alive for a few more seconds. Remixes of two Entakt tracks are free to download (no registration needed) right here.

“The Banana Hold-Up is a newly founded club night at Jolene Bar, desperately trying to resuscitate the indiepop scene in Copenhagen”. Yay! Fucking YAY!

Swedish indie collective Napoleon will release their new single Cleopatra on Ruffa Lane Records on October 5. To me it somehow seems like an odd decision to release a single oozing this much of summer deep into autumn.
+ Cleopatra

Why Write? is a new project fronted by Danish singer/songwriter Jacob Faurholt. The self-titled debut EP will be out on Canadian label What a Mess ! Records in November.
+ Jesus on a Stamp

Danish alternative rockers Green Concorde have decided to call it quits. Not exactly a surprise, but still very sad, as I can't help feeling that they never really reached their full potential.
+ This Time (remix by tWAMi)
+ The Anthem To Which We Fall
+ Catch and Turn
+ Flowers of Romance

Keychain...

Not feeling all that well today so should be interesting to see what today’s post turns out to be like.

Have streamed the four lastbandalive tracks over at BandBase.dk over and over since mentioning the band in yesterday’s post. Still no news on the EP though. Recall seeing lastbandalive at this year’s Start! Festival and how I thought they sounded like “the best band in the world” through the first three or four songs. Unfortunately that impression didn’t last and I don’t think I even stayed and watched the performance till the end. The band will be playing at the Start! Festival after party at PH Caféen in Copenhagen on August 29 and I would be there if I wasn’t going to Lolland for a few days with some of my most childish friends.

Another concert I won’t attend after all is the Crunchy Frog 15 year anniversary party, as I had forgotten that we are going to a birthday party. Unless magic occurs and EPO-555 decides to reform at some later stage, this sadly means no EPO-555 concert for me in this life.

Rikke (Blaa Vinyl) sent a message yesterday appraising La La Naïve and suggesting that I should check out another Danish duo, Bodebrixen, as the two acts are somewhat connected (helping each other out when playing live etc.). I’m aware that I should have checked out the music of Bodebrixen ages ago (there has been some hype), but I’m afraid I opted not to. But luckily Mr. Bode and Mr. Brixen have finally been introduced to me and 10 seconds into the first track I realized that this is something that I’m going to enjoy immensely. Naive indie pop tunes oozing of Swedish influences always seem to be a winning formula and in this case it’s no different as I’m literally blown away. A self-titled album was released last year, but is currently being rerecorded, remixed and will be rereleased (lots of re’s) in October. Sign me up for a copy!
+ Keychain

Rounding out today’s post; Jonas has compiled an extensive list of all (?) references in Entakt lyrics. You definitely need to understand Danish to fully appreciate this “master list”, but not necessarily to enjoy the band’s fine songs.
+ Kunsten af Slippe Taget
+ Orkestret Med Det Blotlagte Skelet

Various...

This is the third post in a row named ”various”. Used to call these kinds of posts for “shorties”, but I’ve moved on. My creativity certainly knows no limits!

Entakt frontman Jonas is giving away a new recording of a track (or more like a sketch for a track) written for the Sorgenfrei-Villumsen project. It was recorded in one take in his living room, while he was having a cold, so it can hardly be more lo-fi than this. You probably need to understand Danish to fully appreciate the song, but as always anything recorded by Jonas is worth a listen.
+ Bygdebarn (en sang for J)

This is sensitive stuff, but apparently booing Morrissey wasn’t the cleverest thing to do? This incident has been mentioned in every review I've read of the concert. And just for the record. No – I’m not the person in question! UPDATE: Post has been taken down.

Swedish duo the argument is giving away their second album everything depends for free via Bandcamp. Unfortunately it runs for just 25 minutes, but this is absolutely glorious stuff and if 25 minutes is what we’ll get, I guess I can live with that!
+ Nothing Remains

New single (or freebie track if not a single) You Won by The Legends seals the deal. I will now order the album, as this is among the best songs I’ve heard this year. The promo mail says “sparkling pop in colossal production with Philip of The Mary Onettes adding deliciously doomy 80s-esque drum sounds to the song's anthemic qualities. Epically lovely!”. So true!
+ You Won

The steady and impressive flow of new interesting demo recordings from Death Valley Sleepers continues. Newbie Touch Stars is perhaps a little noisier (and definitely a bit shorter) than the more recent recordings, but the songwriting remains top-notch and the influences (VU, JAMC etc.) are as present as ever. Curious as I am, I’ve asked about the band’s future plans, as I find it hard to believe that this freebie scenario can go on forever. Long term ambitions obviously do include the recordings of an album, but for now the band seems more than content sharing the demos hoping that they will help spreading the word, as well as give the band some much appreciated feedback.
+ Touch Stars