Au Revoir Simone will be playing at The Echo on July 7. I believe the tickets will be $14 at the door and $12 online.

If you’re looking for a site that keeps track of all the bands that you love and tell you when they go concert,  you might want to check out this site called songkick. It tracks your favorite bands, emails you when they play in your area, and it’s free!

Sambassadeur just released a video for “I Can Try” off their new album European. I found this video on a site called stereogum, which is another cool music website if you’re looking for more sites to peruse through. Enjoy

Well, it was a sad day to find out The Mary Onettes had canceled their US Tour do to that damn volcano (which I still can not pronounce) that is disrupting the entire globe. How did I found out about this sad news you ask?  I went to the Viper Room website and noticed they weren’t showing The Mary Onettes on the calendar list for April 29th.  I being somewhat neurotic had to find out why and sent and email to their info department.  I honestly didn’t think I was going to receive a reply, but in a matter of seconds I did! I have to give a shout out to Sarah Berkowitz at the Viper Room for her quick response of the sad news, but she did inform me that The Mary Onettes are going to try to reschedule their US Tour in the fall after their European Tour.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed on this one.

In other Swedish Indie news The Radio Dept. is releasing their new album Clinging to a Scheme today! Go get it!

I decided to check out the Labrador Records site to see if any of the bands are coming out here to play and lo and behold:

US tour in April
19/4 – Philadelphia, PA – Marathon Bar

20/4 – Washington, DC – DC9

21/4 – New York City, NY – Mercury Lounge

22/4 – Boston, MA – Great Scott

23/4 – Columbus, OH – Summit

24/4 – Chicago, IL – Schubas

25/4 – Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern

26/4 – Portland, OR – Holocene

27/4 – San Francisco, Rickshaw
28/4 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar

29/4 – Los Angeles, CA – Viper Room

Yes I’m excited.  The question is can I get my lazy ass out to LA on a Thursday night?

On a side note:

Shout Out Louds released the album Work last week. Sounds more low key, but that’s not necessarily a  bad thing. It’s definitely a changed from their catchy Swedish Indie Rock that fans have been accustomed to.

Malory also released  an album called Pearl Diver in January to the ClubAC30 label.  Some other bands that you might have heard of off that label are: Airiel, Air Formation, Broadcast, Chapterhouse, The Daysleepers and much much more! Pearl Diver reminds me of  their last album The Third Face, but sort of a continuation or a progression of it.  I’m glad they finally finished and  released an album though, because I was starting to wonder if they turned out like so many other bands who just disappear  and are never heard from again.

The new Sambassadeur album is out!

I just downloaded the album today and there’s some pretty catchy songs like “Days” that should instantly be a hit with people. Most of the songs that I’ve listened of the album European still has that signature Sambassadeur pop.  It makes me think that I  should be riding a bike or walking around some city in Sweden, or for me Riverside which doesn’t have the same feeling when I think about it now.

I went to the official Sambassadeur website and found out they’re only touring in Sweden so far. I hope they come out to the States, and if they don’t,  The wife and I will take an unexpected trip to Sweden (just let me dream a bit Dear).

Here’s a sample of  “Days”

The Mary Onettes just released their album Islands yesterday and some songs that immediately caught my attention are: “Puzzles”,  “God Knows I had Plans”,  and “Dare”.  For those who do not know, The Mary Onettes is a Swedish Indie Band that has a retro 80’s sound to them.  Echo and the Bunnymen is probably the strongest artist that I can compare them to,  and that’s a good thing my friends.

I’m still listening to the rest of the album to find some gems and I’m hoping they come to the States for a tour. If I find anything, I will definitely let everyone know.

Here’s some vids to keep you busy.

Concerts

First, I’m sad to say that I missed the Band of Horses concert last week in Pomona. I heard from a friend that the show was great and they played a lot of new music from their next album. I guess I’m going to have to wait and hear it.  I also heard from the same source Grand Archives will be releasing a new album as well and I believe the release date is September 15th.

I am going to the Pet Shop Boys concert on September 24th at the Greek, They’re promoting their latest album Yes. What I’ve heard sounded pretty good, at least better than their last album. Oh, and Johnny Marr plays guitar on the album as well (I don’t know any other musician that plays in so many bands, it’s like he’s talented or something).

Other upcoming concerts that I’ll probably be missing are:

The Pains of Being Pure in Heart – Shows are September 19 at The Troubadour  and the 21st at the Casbah in San Diego. Their new EP Higher than the Stars is being release September 22nd and I should being looking forward to that.

Nocturnal Festival – It’s that time of year again and I’ll be skipping out on it this year. The concert is September 26th and it’s going to be at the NOS Events Center again this year. A big Booo! to that one. Last year was just so so and you can read the review here if you wish. I wouldn’t mind seeing Roni Size and Rabbit in the Moon perform live, but I don’t think it’s worth the price. I say move it back to LA and have some more big headliners and make it 18 and over please.  Hopefully next year.

Camera Obscura – The band is coming back to the States around November, but mostly on the east coast. They’re coming back to play the shows that they had to cancel from their previous trip and to make it up to their fans, what a band. I wish I can see them again.

Other Hodgepodge

Sambassadeur – is going to be releasing a new single in November and will be releasing a new album in January.  I can’t wait for that one and I will see them in concert this time. Oh yes, by the power of gray skull I will.

Pitchfork Media - has a few Camera Obscura videos of them performing live on their Cemetery Gates series. Too lazy to find the videos? Don’t worry I got you covered. I believe you don’t have to watch the annoying advertisement in the beginning of the videos, because I embed them in the post. You see, I take care of my peeps. Enjoy.

James

Honey in the Sun

French Navy

The first one is a band called The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. They’re an indie pop band from New York and I have to admit I was hesitant about them at first, but I couldn’t resist. I kept on coming back to them and listening a bit at a time (I mentioned awhile back that I’m weird like that). They have a self titled album which I suggest listening to it loud.  They are on tour and I believe they’re playing at the Echo in LA on the 20th of this month and in San Diego sometime in September. Here’s a couple of videos from their album (last video is some tribute I believe).

The other band is called The Bridal Shop. They’re from…wait for it…you guessed it, Sweden. They have a sound similar to Radio Dept, but I would say cleaner in the electronic side of things, but still kind of shoegazeresque. Have a listen to “From Seas“.

The Legends just released their new album Over and Over today and it has about 12 songs. I haven’t bought it yet, but what I’ve heard it’s not too bad (I know that doesn’t sound good).  Some songs are very distortion heavy and others are more on the regular  indie pop sound. I tend to listen to the songs and come back at another time and listen to songs again and then buy them. I know, I’m weird.

The Radio Dept. released a new single called “David” and I  found it on another music site called Brooklyn Vegan. Here’s the link to the song.  It sounds pretty cool and I hope they tour on the west coast when their album comes out.

Last week I saw Camera Obscura and I’m still not over it yet. For a fix I just watch the video below.

Okay, it’s been awhile and I really don’t have a good excuse, unless you think being lazy, watching The Stanley Cup Playoffs, working, and trying to listen to all the music I’ve downloaded in the past month is an excuse.  Along with the new album from Camera Obscura I’ve been listening to another band called The Legends. Yes, it’s another Swedish Indie band and you might have heard of the lead singer Johan Angergård. His other two bands are Club 8 and Acid House Kings. I don’t know how he finds time for three bands and is also the founder of Labrador Records (I’m feeling really useless right now).

Like Club 8 and Acid House Kings, The Legends has the typical Swedish Indie, Twee sound, but depending on what record you buy their style of music changes. That’s definitely not a bad thing and it keeps the albums unique and less monotonous. The album Up Against The Legends is one of their most popular albums and has more of a loud, echoey, reverb feel to it. There are songs  that are very catchy and just fun to play loud. Lets just say you might want to just get up and dance when you hear some of the songs.  Here’s an example (Wait until about a minute into the song for the catchy female vocals to come in). I just got hooked when I heard this song.

I mentioned above they have a unique sound depending on what album you get. With the album Facts and Figures, they went with more of a synth, electronic, new wave sound.  I can’t tell you why they went this direction, which was a total 180 from Up Against The Legends, but they don’t disappoint. It’s like they were trying to challenge themselves to see if they can transcend various styles.  Mission accomplished.

I got one more album called Public Radio. This is probably their less popular album, but it does have some gems. I believe this album was released between Up Against The Legends and their last album, Facts and Figures. You can tell by the subtle changes with the addition of some drum machines and a synthesized sound in a few of the songs that they were experimenting a bit. Example you say?

Well, I hope you got to listen to something new and hopefully spark some interest in the group. Oh,  and they’re releasing an album on May 6 titled Over and Over. Does that mean a US Tour? I really hope so…

Acid House Kings

This four piece band has been around since the early 90’s and are now signed to Labrador Records. The Acid House Kings are pretty much your happy,  jolly,  jangly, indie sound, but they have shown signs that they can move from that and produce some nice soft indie tunes. Their last album, Sing Along With Acid House Kings, had a bonus karaoke DVD consisting of the instrumental of all their songs off the album. Here are some examples from the DVD.

Club 8

Club 8 has two members. One of them being Johan Angergård, who’s also in Acid House Kings, and also female vocalist Karolina Komstedt. They have a really laid back sound, which makes you think of lazy weekends lounging around. Their third self entitled album, Club 8, has a trip-hop influence and they kind of remind me of a chilled out Saint Etienne. Even though their roots are in the indie sound, they’re not afraid to take a chance and experiment a bit. Have a listen.

The Radio Dept.

You might of heard this band if you saw or bought the soundtrack to Sofia Coppola’s film Marie Antoinette. I did neither, so I guess I was late to the party. I should of at least checked out the soundtrack more considering Sofia has good taste in music. I just couldn’t get over the trailer when I heard “Ceremony” being played over Kirsten Dunst. For some reason it just rubbed me the wrong way.

Sorry, back to the topic of The Radio Dept. Their sound is closer to shoegazing, but mixed with indie pop. This could be a good thing in my opinion. Not too heavy sounding, but not too happy bubble gum pop either. Of course I’m guilty of liking both ends of the spectrum.

I hope that I was able to introduce you to some more Swedish Indie bands, and if you are interested, make sure to check out Labrador Records. Most of the bands that I mentioned are signed under Labrador and they have plenty more bands to choose from.