[new labrador release]

Swedish bands have become sort of a trend nowadays. Yet, there are very few that actually stand out and sing in their native language. [ingenting] are six blokes who, since 2003, have stayed true to their mother tongue. Having released two albums, they excel as pure indie poppers and are now back, carrying on with their awkward Swedish accent. "Tomhet, idel tomhet" is produced by Jari Haapalainen (Camera Obscura, Ed Harcourt, The Concretes) and is out September 9th. The only Labrador band singing in Swedish? True and precious.



http://www.nadazipp.se
http://www.myspace.com/nadazipp

FM Reykjavík

I have met a lot of music alliances hooked up in the music world but this one between Iceland and Ireland... boy, this is a strange one. FM Belfast wear heavy coats in the frozen streets of Reykjavík. They dig electro/indie stuff and seem to be cut out for international success [Iceland Airwaves has been promoting them since 2006]. They also have a pretty album out ("How to Make Friends", 2008); it's worth buying it from their website and if you do that, grab the chance and watch again "101 Reykjavík". honestly, how COOL was that movie?



http://www.fmbelfast.com
http://www.myspace.com/fmbelfast

TWEE sensation

Adrià Arbona and Paulita Demaiz are two charming twee maniacs. HE plays odd instruments like glockenspiel and stylophone; SHE plays the tambourine and claps her hands in a pseudo-naïve way. Together they are Papa Topo!, otherwise the new sensation of Spanish music! They are absurdly young, hail from the exotic bizarre place of Mallorca (Binissalem, Balears) and dote on the likes of Tullycraft, Pipas, Nixon, Talulah Gosh. In October Papa Topo! are to release a split single with Guatafan (on elefant records) while their first single is on the cards, produced by Guille Milkyway (La Casa Azul). Twee cuteness.

ps. I could compare Adrià and Paulita with the Greek band LE PAGE, they would definitely match together for a split single or sth.



http://www.myspace.com/papatopo

god help the boy

I will now spill the beans. Stuart Murdoch is BACK with a new (sort of) project he’s been working on. I got to admit I was never a hardcore Belle & Sebastian fan; surely, they’ve written gorgeous pop songs and are amongst the Scottish dream team, still I never managed to fall in love with them. Sometimes this just happens. Nevertheless, what’s new and interesting here is the female voices [selected after auditions] with a bit of 60s girlgroup touch, all shored up by a musical narrative which is much better than that of “Storytelling”. Other clues involve mystery performance by Neil Hannon from the lovely Divine Comedy and album release date on the 22nd June (Rough Trade). God help the boy? No, Stuart doesn’t need any help whatsoever.



http://godhelpthegirl.com
http://www.myspace.com/pleasegodhelpthegirl

german sushi

How can Germany tie in with Japan? Honestly, I didn’t think there was an actual meeting point between the two countries until I came across the band Telesushi. Göttingen's outfit seems to have avidly digested beers, sake, sausages and tuna sushi along with large amounts of indie pop, new wave and punk; they even have a couple of covers on Ramones and The Monkees. Telesushi have just self-released the cd “Endeavourle” which you can easily order through their myspace. They are not popular yet but sure are bent on becoming soon.



http://www.myspace.com/telesushi

Post me a memory

The Postmarks are a band that I started to relish a while ago. What I enjoy most about them is an abstract retro-french element, the image of sky and sun above Miami, the cinematic figures that come as unexpected. And even though releasing cover songs for one year didn’t necessarily mean walking in uncharted paths ["By the Numbers" project], The Postmarks do spawn seductive and atmospheric pop tunes… like “Goodbye” from the debut or “Go Jetsetter” from this year’s album “Memoirs at the End of the World” (released 25/8/09). Their music makes me beam. And that is a damn good thing.



http://www.thepostmarks.com
http://www.myspace.com/thepostmarks

This is a mixtape for you.

Italy ain't that much of an indie pop country, no question about that. However, I recently found out that Bologna is the centre of italian indie.. so search no further. Young and hyped fivesome My Awesome Mixtape take pride in their last year's award as Best Live Band -at the annual Meeting of Independent Labels in Faenza- and come as an interesting blend of indie rock, hip hop and electronica. Desperately in search of an after-holiday tune to stuck in your head? You definately NEED to listen to awesome single "Me and the Washing Machine". Either buy the “Other Houses” EP (issued for a total of 168 numbered copies) OR wait for second album "How Could A Village Turn Into A Town" out September 2009. Italian pop!



http://www.myawesomemixtape.it
http://www.myspace.com/wearemyawesomemixtape

Patrick, can I be your slave?

This is a different post with a very recognizable face. And even though his new album is considered old news by now, it would be unfair not to mention that Patrick Wolf has released one of this year's finest works. He is a brilliant musician and I have tons of respect for his style, his voice, his music, his stage presence, his hair colours, his artistic manners. His fifth album "The Bachelor" is fierce!! ps. "Hard Times" is the new vid, but I prefer to post here sth from 2005.



http://patrickwolf.com
www.myspace.com/officialpatrickwolf

it's ukelele time!

Down at the river of Mississippi, Dent May takes delight in fishing. He puts on his big glasses, combs his hair in the most absolute nerdy way and turns into this retro pop persona that it’s fairly impossible to ignore. More kitch than Darren Hayman and more ironic than Kelley Polar, he released -along with his ensemble Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele- the folky pop album “The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele” (on Animal Collective's Paw Tracks label, feb 2009). Dent May is a weird talented little fellow and I declare my love for his videos. Eat your heart out, yes.



http://www.myspace.com/dentmay

norwegian geography

I've always found the mutual support between Sweden and Norway utterly cute. In response to Bedroom Eyes’ “Norwegian pop”, we've got Monzano who chatter about “Swedish geography”. Monzano are an Oslo-based indie rock quartet that is intrigued by good books, bad movies, road trips, hangovers and chocolate cakes. They released their debut “High Horses & One Trick Ponies” [an album that I have most enjoyed and played on repeat for quite a while], lost two members and are now back all brand new and shining. GOOD NEWS is: they announced they are finally recording their next album, which has the working title "By this time last year everything will seem younger". It is expected to be out in autumn and I am a happy girl.



http://www.myspace.com/monzano

I say france and you whistle. DUH!

I was very recently introduced to this band and, honestly, it took me like 3 seconds to succumb to their temptation. First of all, I’m a sucker for weird band names. Second, I’m a sucker for swedish indie pop. Third, I can’t help deeply appreciating six people who love squirrels, colourful teddy bears, bubble machines and soft toys... only cause they breed “smiling hearts and warm lips” to quote their words. You Say France & I Whistle blend indie pop with cowbells and retro keyboards; and they’ve got a 2008 released hand made cloth covered cd, which you can order through their myspace. Whistle!!



http://www.myspace.com/yousayfrance

YOU are the apple of my eye.

I like The Marquez brothers. Both Dale and Ryan seem to be pretty hardcore indie pop kids with high sensibilities, impeccable music taste and some of the coolest t-shirts around. Originating from Manila - Philippines, they create their dreamy pop sound in California... leaving thus aside a bunch of other most interesting projects [Sodajerk, Carnival Park, Sonnet LVIII, Soft Pillow Kisses]. Things you need to be aware of: dedication to Bouquet, love for Sarah catalogue, one debut album released last year. Apart from a couple of sweet covers on the Lucksmiths and Prefab Sprout, Apple Orchard are to release their new EP “Leafy Lanes” in a few days (on their own label Haymarket Recordings). So keep an eye for them. and an apple.




http://www.appleorchardpop.com
http://www.myspace.com/appleorchard

clock work music

In my Japanese fantasies I discern various objects; some are cute pink squares, some are white dolls with kinky outfits, some are plain chopsticks with a touch of sushi on the edge. Reminiscing the shibuya-kei era, Sucrette star in those fantasies. They come from Kyoto, adore France, revive the old bossa feeling while play with whispers and childish voices. Shiho and Okuda Hidetaka return with a double gift; new album “Bon Voyage” and a new edition of mini album “C’est si bon” (2007) re-titled “C’est si bon plus”! Did I mention how much I love japanese pop? Well.. there you go.





http://www.sucrette-web.com
http://www.myspace.com/sucrette2