Let’s keep C86 alive!
2006.03.16
Those of you who’re into scandinavian indie-pop, c86-pop, tweepop and stuff like that, you’d better hurry and visit the Indie-mp3 blog, you know… I’m wondering how Tom (the guy who runs this fantastic blog) finds the time to write so much about so many great bands. We at noisedifsk, don’t have so much time, or rather we’re too lazy. We prefer using this Indie-mp3 blog as a source of information, or even “stealing” its tips. That’s exactly what i’m doing now, since the last 5 (yes five!!!) posts are dedicated to scandinavian pop!
First, Tom reports that Le Sport “have released their latest single titled It’s Not The End Of The World which is backed by the tracks Loveboat and Euroheart. The single, which precedes the album Euro Deluxe Dance Party is limited to 300 copies and can be purchased from the Songs I Wish I Had Written shop. Erm, boogie on down!”
Then: “From the Swedish label that been bringing us the eighties synth pop revival in the form of Unarmed Enemies and Le Sport, Songs I Wish I Had Written present this EP from their latest signings, Gentle Touch, who may or may not have been named after a rather crap 1980’s TV series starring Jill Gasgoigne.
Put away those 1980’s 12″ CD collections you have been buying from the supermarket and put this EP on instead because influences of the Pet Shop Boys, Heaven 17, Human League and to a lesser extent New Order or Depeche Mode are all here. Opener Memories sets the tone with a classic 80’s beat complete with the serious male vocal (mono) tone that generally accompanies such style of music. That’s not a negative thing by the way and is the only way you can notice the vocals over the pounding but melodic beats. There is not much too choose from between the songs although Smedby is the pick of the bunch because it is the more noticeable track of the four and is thus more likely to stay in your head just that bit longer. So put that bad shirt (or blouse) on, get under the glitterball and erm, dance your butt off!”
The third post is: “Songs I Wish I Had Written have released the second single from Stockholm’s Unarmed Enemies. Titled Show Me Your Plans it comes with a radio mix and a superb remix from labelmates Le Sport. Buy it the from Songs I Wish shop. Better hurry as it is limited to a 100 copies!”
One more?: “Vapnet have released their latest single on Hybris. Titled Thommegrand it features remixes from the likes of Le Sport and Surburban Kids With Biblical names. Buy it from the Hybris Shop!”
Tired of Swedes? “The April Skies are a Norwegian band who took their name from a Jesus and Mary Chain single. They play a pretty decent brand of 1980’s indie-pop which is best summed up on their single Three Minute Singles. It’s a powerful, melodic pop single and the sleeve has the covers of 25 singles that influenced the band including Joy Division, Stone Roses, Dexy’s Midnight Runners etc. It’s pretty striking.
The band, like many others, also draw on influences from the 1960’s – anything from The Monkees and the Beach Boys to the likes of Dusty Springfield.
This is pretty good stuff. Sadly their website is not updated on a regular basis and I can see no information on how to get hold of the single. However there are mp3’s available. Check them out!
The April Skies – Three Minute Singles
The April Skies – Rise and Rise Again”
Thanks Tom…
