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Sweden isnt always happy and shiny. It can be dark and wild and fairly dramatic. From the odd woods of Sweden, where there is a town called Tranås, the band of Degrees is narrating its own unique fairytale. Mikael Jacobson (The Trick, Late Night Conversation)and Rickard Folke (Boygirlme) decided to stick to their heavy coats and put their shoegaze pop hearts together in 2008. New record "Dream On Dreamy" was out on May 21. High temperature on its way.



http://www.myspace.com/degreestranas
http://www.dgrs.se

Tesco Chainstore Ligloss

I’m a sucker for weird band names. And when they include ironic references, they are even more appealing. Borrowing their name from a film, Tesco Chainstore Mascara formed in 2005 and immediately showed their love for The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Belle & Sebastian. Double a-side single "Big Bowl of Wrong”/”You Lost Me at Hello" is available through Bubblegum Records(as part of the label’s limited edition download project). Some more black mascara, please.



http://www.myspace.com/tescochainstoremascara

bravery

Bravery is a virtue. It makes you wish to pursue your goals in a more creative and passionate way. Brave Irene seem to be pretty much aware of that. An all-girl band from Vancouver that formed in 2009 by Rose Melberg (ex Tiger Trap and The Softies). Indie and lo-fi sounds, bubbly melodies, retro aesthetics with a bunch of bands like Strawberry Whiplash, Very Truly Yours and Days to mingle with other. Very promising debut came out in March on Slumberland.



http://www.myspace.com/braveirene

on fire

Finnish hearts are nothing like cold and distant creatures. They are flames that dance in different colours and shapes. Burning Hearts (founded by members of Cats on Fire and Le Futur Pompiste) are one of this blog's fav bands. New single "Into the Wilderness" (released by Shelflife 21st June 2011) is a pop anthem. <3 X3



http://www.myspace.com/burningheartsmusic

lover

Love is a big issue these days. Some doubt its existence; some have still faith in it. Amor de Días (Spanish for 'love of days') is the name of the (till recently secret) group formed by Alasdair MacLean of the Clientele and Lupe Núñez-Fernández of Pipas. Painting, music and feelings seem to be their common ground, expressed here through lovely folky pop sounds. Debut “Street of the Love of Days” (recorded between UK and Spain) is out on Merge 17th May. Spread the Love.



http://amordedias.com

SpringHeart

When I saw Simple Minds live I was a wacky teenager. When Summer Heart decided to name one of their songs “Simple Minds” they declared war with the superficial hipsters. Summer Heart seems to be a solo project from a young Malmö-based Swedish boy. He loves hot weather, warm hearts, Beach Boys-esque harmonies and dreamy pop lo-fi strong wind in the air. New Ep "Please Stay" is a yummy download through the site below. ps. lovin the artwork!



http://summerheart.bandcamp.com/

oldcastles

Dreams are made of tiny little yellow hearts glued together. They show innocence and passion and pure love in its greatest form. Dream pop is that kind of music that makes your head spin around from layers, visions and colors. Youth Castles come from US and they are relatively new in the music business, yet they are very charming in a Slowdive or Pale Saints-esque way. Lovely new single "Love & Honesty" was released 8th March. Youth & Love.



http://youthcastles.bandcamp.com/
http://www.myspace.com/youthcastles

Down with Loneliness!

Loneliness can be a cruel thing. Empty bed, smoke in the air and dirty glasses in the dustbin. Help Stamp Out Loneliness invented their brilliant name in the city of Manchester; they believe in love, have strong connections with Language of Flowers and praise jangle pop in its purest form. Wanna fight loneliness? Pre-order their forthcoming album “Help Stamp Out Loneliness” (released 9th May) at Papillons Noirs and make your statement.



http://helpstampoutloneliness.bandcamp.com

acidhousequeens

They are swedish and have been hitting the indie pop waves since early 90s. Fifth album “Music Sounds Better With You” -full of 60s inspired lovely tunes- was initially due to be released in 2008, but then pushed back for a release in 2011 (Labrador, March 22nd). Music sounds so much better with the Acid House Kings!!



http://www.myspace.com/acidhousekings

curryakin

I like curry. Its hot and funny and makes my mouth bubble. Kuryakin have a flair of India but actually live in Sweden. They record everything at home and dislike being categorized under twee; Avalanches, Prefab Sprout and 80's indie is probably more their cup of tea. First release was an EP/7inch on Shelflife while the “Fought A War” EP is available from the japanese label Fastcut Records. New album "A New Day" has recently been released (Fastcut Records) and is full of spicy sunshine extra yummy tunes. Optimistic and cute.



www.kuryakin.se
http://soundcloud.com/kuryakin

spider recluse

Brown Recluse is a large dark brown spider; when threatened it usually flees, seemingly to avoid a conflict and is rarely aggressive. Brown Recluse is also a harmless psych/pop Philadelphia outfit which started as a duo and evolved later to a six-piece band. They offer a super sunshine pop feeling with refined 50s elements while they have played with bands like Pants Yell!, Matt and Kim, Acid House Kings and Casiotone for the Painfully Alone. They now release debut album “Evening Tapestry” (with limited edition coke bottle green vinyl copies through Slumberland!!). Harmless and beautiful.



http://www.myspace.com/brownreclusesings

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My world is made of lollipops, red balloons and nerdy striped t-shirts. My heart is twee and that’s why I'm a sucker for long picnics or plastic earrings. Le Page is a Greek band; in fact they are the only twee band in Greece right now. A boy and a girl who, apart from being two little sweethearts, are wonderful people and lovely musicians. Tony and Terpsichori joined forces in 2007 inspired by 50s aesthetics, old movies and the folky guitar of Adam Green. Their debut “Yojikevin” is true to their vision and colourful stories and is out now on their own label (Bantha Records) with the cutest artwork. Love it.



http://www.myspace.com/lepagemusic

silver bears

Bears are cruel beasts. They are huge and they roar and they eat poor little penguins. Yet, once they turn gold they get gentle and soft and caring. Gold-Bears are living under the umbrella of Magic Marker, Cloudberry and Slumberland and that can only work in favor of them. A twee punk band from Atlanta, Georgia that shares the same taste with the likes of Boyracer, Huggy Bear, Rocketship and Neutral Milk Hotel. First 7-inch "Tally" was introduced as a jangly pop gem, while new 7inch is now out! Cant wait for the debut coming out this spring.



http://www.myspace.com/thegoldbears

brilliant patterns

Colors are getting brighter this season. Neon and pink and yellow are all over the place and inside my wardrobe. Brilliant Colors are a San Francisco girl band who follow that trend and have been around for a few years. With a punk background and a love for dreamy C-86, those girls know how to scratch their guitars and have a good time on stage. Following up two sold-out singles (on Make A Mess and Captured Tracks) they landed their debut album in 2009 while recently released a wonderful split 7″ with Girls Names from Ireland. Check it out on Slumberland and feel the colors.



http://www.myspace.com/brilliantcolorssanfrancisco

white stars

Stars are everywhere. You can spot them on little envelopes, inside poetry pages or on the surface of a red table cloth. Based in Canada, Shimmering Stars have been around for only a year and are inspired by the smell of anxiety, the sound of anti-socialness and the taste of Everly Brothers. They say they are eager to share their nasty thoughts and that can only be a good thing. First 7" "East Van girls/I'm gonna try" is out on the limited edition of 500 units. Star Addiction.



http://shimmeringstars.bandcamp.com