Swedesplease – The Swedish Music Blog

It’s been a little while since I posted some pure and simple Swedish twee. That’s resolved today with two songs off of g.o.o.f’s new cd Hollywood Ending. This cd was recorded in August and released via cdr in September. If you want a copy go to g.o.o.f’s MySpace page and make him an offer (he’ll take just about anything in trade but has a fondness for mixtapes, collectible hockey cards and photographs of a nice view).

We Are Friends
Five Letters

P.S. Last time I wrote about g.o.o.f. I put up some artwork by the amazing Liz Adams to accompany the post. The painting above is also from her.

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I remember Jonna Lee’s name from the underground indie club night she started in Stockholm called PopMarathon. For a while I used PopMarathon’s MySpace page as my own personal A&R service, writing about all the bands Jonna would book at the club. I knew she was a musician/singer/songwriter as well, but just assumed she was more of a budding star than the real thing. Turns out I was wrong. Though this is her “official” album she’s put out a number of records including a pop project in her teens. Clearly she’s grown up and left that pop sound behind with her mellow take on indie rock on her new Razzia Records release 10 Pieces, 10 Bruises.

The new record has Ed Harcourt all over it, playing many different rolls including co-songwriter and co-producer. The other guest that I’m familiar with is Supergrass drummer Danny Goffey. The first single is called “Dried Out Eyes”and it’s a sultry, slow-burn of a song in which the female protagonist acts as a voyeur peering through a window onto a love scene unfolding between an ex and another woman. The video hits all the right notes as well with it’s film noir feel and 50′s romantic feel (think Audrey Hepburn). More info here.

Dried Out Eyes

“Dries Out Eyes” video

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(There are five guys pictured on their MySpace; please God let this be the lead singer)

I just got tipped off to Trelleborg/Sassnitz. This over-the-top, gothic, indie krautrock is not usually my kind of thing, but the over emoting on both these songs is intriguing.

The band’s name comes from the ferry that connects Trelleborg, Sweden with Sassnitz, Germany. Apparently that journey is a common one and a coming of age pilgrimage of sorts for young swedes as the cheap beer resides on the German end of the trip.

“Push Me” is the clear single of the two, but “Landscaping” with it’s more elaborate and undulating sound may stand the test of time (and repeated listens) a little better.

Push Me

Bonus:

Landscaping

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(“Batgirl” by Elizabeth McGrath.)

I made a big fuss about Marit Fahlander a couple of months back and now the blog 5 Acts does the same, check out the light electronica layered pop of “Different Worlds”.

Into The Groove has some easy listening dance pop from Velvet.

The Quaint Space (and A Tune A Day) has more news of one of my most anticipated Swedish releases of the fall: Little Dragon.

Gorilla Vs. Bear have a song off of the acclaimed 2007 release of Studio’s West Coast LP.

Rock Sellout has perfect retro pop from Sambassadeur.

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