Entertainment For Lively Minds
Scandinavia is where it's at!
Efterklang's cd 'Parade', recently dropped on the doormat, and what a pleasure it is, to listen to something so fresh and interesting. There does genuinely seem to be 'something in the water', so to speak, in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, in that they are not only producing interesting music from the likes of Mew, Soundtrack of our Lives, Fever Ray etc, but also some cracking pop from the likes of Lykke Li, Annie and A Camp.
Indeed the Fever Ray cd will certainly be in my top 5 albums of this year, its an intoxicating piece of work, which has the ability to make me smile and tap my feet as well as completely disturb. Many of these artists have something unique about them, that I can't put my finger on. It all seems to be so effortless, plus there is an air of cool and sophistication that is very bewitching.
Any further recommendations gratefully received
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This might be a place to start...
http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/lets-hear-it-swedish-girls
You're spot on, there seems
You're spot on, there seems to be a nice steady stream of cool stuff from Scandinavia. I'd also add Peter, Bjorn and John, although I don't know much of their stuff beyond Young Folks, and Robyn, the Cardigans, Concretes, etc. Can't wait for the Annie album. Pitchfork are offering a free MP3 from it, the track 'I don't like your band', at the moment if you're interested.
Scandinavia
Is argued to contain Finland and Iceland too.
This would then add to your list of suggestions by a factor of awesome. There is so much great music that comes from Iceland. So if you think that it comes under the Scandinavian ethos, then great, check out the following. If not, then check them out anyway.
Mum (the Icelandic Efterklang)
Sigur Ros (I shouldn't need to explain how good ( ) is)
Olafur Arnalds (modern classical composer - beautiful)
Johann Johannsson (sweeping orchestral magnificence)
Kira Kira (twitchy Ambient soundscapes and noise)
Amiina (twinkly electronic beauty)
anyway, loads more
spotify playlist as a sampler:
http://open.spotify.com/user/badger_king/playlist/06j3mNgYSxgbiUOeF8MHpP
Iceland
I just got back from Reykjavik the other day. The city is still absolutely buzzing with pop activity, despite abysmal financial crisis, ahead of the Airwaves festival which is on right now. Loads of fantastic bands (some not so fantastic, but what the hell) and a great atmosphere.
Nice to see the playlist above - I can't access Spotify here but would love to have a listen. I knew Kira Kira and Johan Johansson some years back, when they ran 'Kitchen Motors', a loose collective of Icelandic musicians who were pretty active around Reykjavik, staging gigs and infrequent 'happenings'. They released a load of albums by local musicians, most of which are well worth tracking down, should you be in the mood for some idiosyncratic glitchy-soundscapes, kooky keyboards and odd vocals. Their compilations 'Nart-Nibbles' and 'Kitchen Motors Family' make for brilliant overviews of the scene.
Should you ever be in Reykjavik - and its absolutely worth a visit! - head to the city's music hub - a small friendly shop called 12 Tónar, which is the best place to spend a few hours drinking free espresso and checking out local sounds. It's rather like Rough Trade, they run a label too and you can pick up downloads on their site, www.12tonar.is
thanks for the heads up
When more financially viable, I will certainly invest in those compilations. Should be good, as most Icelandic music sounds the same (in a good way).
I would really like to go to Iceland, especially after watching Heima a number of times. I am a big fan of them and their culture. I got my mum to knit me the same jumper as Kjartan Sveinsson from Sigur Ros has on in the DVD - the brown one he has on throughout most of the film.
Although their tradition of eating lambs heads is a bit weird.
Presumably you could also
Presumably you could also then include The Sugarcubes/ Bjork?
Space Disco!
Lindstrom. And Prins Thomas.
What the heck is in the water up there in Scandinavia? Did someone melt down Abba and pour them into the drinking reservoir?