Was an Independent, Do It Yourself Blog dedicated to Icelandic music by music slut Wim Van Hooste

Was an Independent, Do It Yourself Blog dedicated to Icelandic music by music slut Wim Van Hooste
Moved back to I love Icelandic music & started new blog Icelandic Music Mob
The Enfant Terrible of the Icelandic Music Scene - Crapule de Luxe Islandaise
The Mob
and I love Icelandic music

October 29, 2011

R.I.P. Icelandic Music Maffia > Viva I love Icelandic music again - The Second Coming > ROK around the clock

http://rokmusik.co


R.I.P.
5 years  
 I love Icelandic Music
Start on 29. October 2006
Icelandic Music Maffia
R.I.P. on 29. October 2011
Every end has a start!

This is the last post.
Keep on listening to Icelandic music!
Keep on making good (or bad) Icelandic music!
Bad Taste rules anyway.
Keep on writing/blogging about Icelandic music!

Takk fyrir síðast!
Kæru vinir

I'll leave you this for the upcoming winter time:
I love Icelandic music (aka ILIM)
Icelandic Music Maffia (aka IMM)
Icelandic Music Museum (aka IMM 2)
Icelandic Music Mixtape (aka IMM 3)
and
Icelandic Music Mob (aka IMM4)
 C U All @  
The Second Coming of the I love Icelandic music blog
and follow my
Pönk 2012 Project
aka Rock in Reykjavik 2.0
1982-2012
Other interesting (music) stuff can be found:
Iceland Music Export (IMX) in English
Iceblah in English
Rjominn in Icelandic
Dr. Gunni in Icelandic
I heart Reykjavik in English
Iceland Review New about Iceland in English
Reykjavik Grapevine Magazine in English

October 22, 2011

Review of Iceland Airwaves 2011 Festival by Veerle Van Den Broeck

I asked my friend Veerle Van Den Broeck aka Little Fairy Tale Princess to write a review of this year's Iceland Airwaves festival.
Airwaves 2011 was superb. A few highlights, as Wim asked me.
Best Concert: Mugison @ Harpa
Coolest shoes: Sóley
Best Off Venue: Kippi Kaninus @ KEX
Best Demons in Disguise: Aela (I just adore that Snow White Costume)
Weirdest object a visitor brought along: Pineapple (during the Beach House concert @ the Art Museum)
Longest queue: NASA before tUnEyArDs (?)
Biggest splash in a swimming pool: Elvar (of Hellvar)
Chasing all the skinkas and hnakkis out of the Art Museum: HAM
Best visuals: Of Monsters and Men
Concert I would have wanted to see: Ólöf Arnalds
Best Discovery: Samaris
Best dress: Björk
Coolest hairdo: Q4U's singer Elly
Biggest killjoy: The weather

October 17, 2011

Song of the 237. Week is Vicky's "Gold"

237. Song of the Week is Vicky's song "Gold". Track nr. 10 on their 2nd album "Cast a light" (released 12. October 2011).


Icelandic Songs of the Week of 2007 - 2011
Take off 18. March 2007 - R.I.P. 17. October 2011
More than 200 great Icelandic tracks 
(brand new or (instant) classics)
  1. Ensími Slow return
  2. Ampop Sail to the moon
  3. Eberg Plastic lions
  4. Hellvar Electric toy
  5. Mammút Þorkell
  6. Mínus Futurist
  7. Pétur Ben White tiger
  8. Jeff Who? Death before disco
  9. Bogomil Font & Flís Eat your car
  10. Funí Morgunbæn
  11. Bang Gang It’s alright
  12. Ólöf Arnalds Í nýju húsi
  13. Þór Eldon & Dagur Sigurðarson Daudaskammtur
  14. Benni Hemm Hemm Snjór Ljós Snjór
  15. Dyrðin Hunangsdropar
  16. kimono Japanese Policemen
  17. Lada Sport Tango in the valley of death
  18. Holiday in the sun
  19. Holiday in the sun
  20. Steindór Andersen & Sigur Rós Fjöll í Austri Fagurblá
  21. Hafdís Huld Ski jumper
  22. The Way Down Bring me the sun
  23. Jan Mayen We just want to get everybody high
  24. Retro Stefson Medallion
  25. Yukatan House
  26. Emiliana Torrini Gollum’s Song
  27. Hudson Wayne Coffee
  28. Fræbbblarnir Ó Fræbbblar vors lands
  29. HAM Voulez-vous
  30. Brúðarbandid Sid
  31. Worm is Green Love will tear us apart
  32. Mr Silla & Mongoose Ten foot bear
  33. Unun Mexikó
  34. Elíza Empire Fall
  35. Bloodgroup Moving like a tiger
  36. Morðingjarnir Airwaves
  37. Motion Boys Hold me closer to your heart
  38. Ólafur Arnalds Himininn er að hrynja en störnurnar fara Þér vel
  39. Dimma Mama
  40. Jóhann G. Jóhannsson Kjötsúpa
  41. Stafrænn Hákon &Unstatuesque Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
  42. Sometime Heart of spades
  43. UMTBS Story of a star
  44. Sprengjuhöllin Worry til spring
  45. Védis A beautiful life
  46. Dr. Gunni Helvitis gráðugu fífl
  47. Purrkur Pillnikk Óvænt
  48. Þeyr Killer boogie
  49. FM Belfast Synthia
  50. Sudden Weather Change Kill goretrout
  51. Þursaflokkurinn Skriftaganger
  52. Borko Spoonstabber
  53. Dísa Temptation
  54. The Sugarcubes Dancing Queen (demo)
  55. Björk Wanderlust (Ratatat Remix)
  56. Kenya This is real
  57. Who Knew Sharpen the knife
  58. Ourlives The audience part 2
  59. Amiina Fjarskanistan
  60. Blindfold Don’t think it’s a sin
  61. Andhéri Stundum veit ég ekki hvar ég er
  62. Dr. Gunni & Vinur hans O kisa min
  63. Reykjavík! Æji plís
  64. Rúnar Eff Disco freaks
  65. Singapore Sling Guiding light
  66. Heiða Loftborg
  67. Vicky The Plan
  68. BOB Under the influence of My Bloody Valentine
  69. Steed Lord featuring Krummi Bucket of  blood
  70. Úlpa Dinzl
  71. Gavin Portland This ain’t the Dakota
  72. Tommygun Preachers Battle of the Monkeys
  73. Barði Jóhannsson & Noemi Dream
  74. Pornopop Hangover you
  75. Rúnk Klapparstígur
  76. Sverrir Bergmann Snow
  77. For a Minor Reflection Óhljód
  78. Inside Bilderberg Return of the pigs
  79. Hungry & The Burger Cosmonauts
  80. Plúseinn Shake
  81. Dynamo Fog Rock & Rock
  82. Naflakusk Habacap
  83. Elly Vilhjálms Vegir liggja till alla átta
  84. Æla Óður til hinna guðdómlegur
  85. Slugs Lesbiur
  86. Jet Black Joe Higher and higher
  87. The Viking Giant Show Chemicals
  88. The Pet Cemetery Cold hands
  89. Texas Jésus Salatbar
  90. Sin Fang Bous Catch the light
  91. Múgsefjun Dag eftir dag
  92. Rúnar Júliusson & Hjálmar Blæbrigði lífsins
  1. Bob Justman Most of all
  2. Dr. Spcok Doctor Patient Relationship
  3. Ruddinn I need a vacation
  4. Toggi Silly Old Song
  5. 7oi The problems are complicated
  6. Klive Don’t give up the ghost
  7. Sólstafir Köld  
  8. Maus Poppaldin 
  9. Trabant Superman (Remix by Worm is Green) 
  10. Daisy Hill Puppy Farm Young blood 
  11. Sindri Eldon Honeydrew 
  12. Sing for me Sandra The fight 
  13. Cosmic Call Cold hands 
  14. Bag of Joys Sveitasnakk 
  15. Nögl My world 
  16. Captain Fufanu The lake trough Lake Town 
  17. Íkarus Krókódílamaðurinn 
  18. Sleeping Prophets 1,2,3! 
  19. Leaves We are shadows 
  20. Cynic Guru Drugs 
  21. Vonbrigði Sykill 
  22. Foreign Monkeys Molla 
  23. Anonymous Tao 
  24. Hermigervill Starlight 
  25. Prinspólo Átjan & hundrað 
  26. Snorri Helgason Freeze-out 
  27. Retrön Slow me 
  28. GusGus Add this song 
  29. Pís of keik Ég og Nonni 
  30. Björt Sigfinns Raining 
  31. Árstiðir Látum okkur sjá 
  32. Stjörnukisi Reykeitrun 
  33. Pedro Pilatus Stella 
  34. Weapons Up tight 
  35. Skelkur í brengu Sindri drepa 
  36. Bróðir Svartúlfs Rólan Sveiflast enn 
  37. Me, the Slumbering Napoleon She’s a maniac 
  38. Hjálmar Það sýnir sig 
  39. DJ Musician I put my hand up in the air 
  40. Lady & Bird Not going anywhere 
  41. Hafdís Huld Robot, Robt 
  42. Hellvar Falsetto 
  43. Óli Popp You and I 
  44. Ljósvaki Indigo Revolution 
  45. Pascal Pinon Djölflasnaran 
  46. Sykur Bite me  
  47. Lára Rúnarsdóttir In between 
  48. Hjaltalín Hooked on chili 
  49. Cosmic Call Owls 
  50. Svavar Knútur Clementine 
  51. Stafrænn Hákon Hátiðarskap 
  52. Nóra Opin fyrir morði 
  53. Reptile Kindness &Love 
  54. Berndsen Dark times 
  55. Plúseinn Heat 
  56. Foreign Monkeys Los 
  57. Elíza Newman Hopeless case 
  58. Fábula Call it a night  
  59. Markús &The Diversion Sessions Now I know 
  60. Hildur Guðnadóttir, BJ Nilsen &Stilluppsteypa The Temple of the Holy Tooth 
  61. FM Belfast Par Avion (RMX Retro Stefson) 
  62. Benni Hemm Hemm Retaliate 
  63. Seabear Softship 
  64. Sindri Eldon The Ugly Truth 
  65. Who Knew Perfect parenting 
  66. Thor Kristinsson Our love 
  67. Ruddinn feat. Heiða Cover the distance 
  68. Biogen Element 
  69. Hank &Tank Precious one 
  70. Eberg & Pétur Ben Come On, Come Over 
  71. Futuregrapher Acid Hverfisgata 
  72. Kakali The Cave 
  73. Two Step Horror King Bee 
  74. S.H. Draumur Helmút á mótorhjóli 
  75. Siggi Ármann Every second 
  76. Steini Beat Love Down 
  77. Miri Ég á heimi á Íslandi 
  78. Pollopönk Kjólakallinn 
  79. Of Monsters & Men Love Love Love 
  80. Bellatrix Dare Devil 
  81. Toggi Take me dancing 
  82. Reptilicus Okkar heili er innsiglaður 
  83. Prinspólo Underwear (FM Belfast cover) 
  84. Berglind Ágústsdóttir (feat. Hellvar) Kúrekastelpan
  85. Moses Hightower Vandratað 
  86. Biggibix Situation 
  87. Swords of Chaos Skeletons having sex on a tin roof 
  88. Amiina Over and Again 
  89. Hairdoctor Dagur Eitt 
  90. Svartidauði The Temple of Deformation 
  91. For a Minor Reflection Flóð 
  92. Króna Maðurinn sem vildi verða Guð 
  93. Suicide Coffee Party People 
  94. Lifun Ein stök ást 
  95. Holiday in Norway 
  96. Vicky Portrait 
  97. Skorpulifur Eldur og Ís 
  98. Singapore Sling One more trip 
  99. Peter and Wolf Lagið um Guð 
  100. Hostile Ad infinitum 
  101. Nolo Pretty face 
  102. Just another snake cult Spell of Platonic reversal 
  103. Dyrðin Snjófólk 
  104. Kúra Einstein 
  105. Morning After Youth Lived 
  106. Skálmöld Kvaðning 
  107. Ljótu hálfvitarnir Bjór, meiri bjór 
  108. Valdimar Undraland 
  109. Mugison Haglél 
  110. Biogen On with the show 
  111. California Cheeseburger On the beach 
  112. Prince Valium Crying hearts 
  113. Sóley Theater Island 
  114. Apparat Organ Quartet Söngur geimunglingsins 
  115. Lockerbie Snjóljón 
  116. Caterpillarmen Revenge 
  117. Inside Bilderberg Superposition 
  118. Sudden Weather Change A smoke trail in the sky 
  119. Orphic Oxtra Hey  
  120. Jón Þór Ólafsson Tímavell 
  121. Plastic Gods Zero Tolerance 
  122. Two Tickets To Japan Stellar patterns 
  123. Johnny and The Rest Sunday blues 
  124. Kira Kira Gremlin holiday 
  125. Vigri Drag down the dark 
  126. Spacevestite The skies will leave the light on 
  127. FM Belfast In line 
  128. 1860 Snæfellsnes 
  129. GusGus Deep inside 
  130. Manslaughter Eistnafluglagið 
  131. Rúnk Rúnk 
  132. Ofvitarnir Time the elevator 
  133. Saytan Empire 
  134. Hellvar I should be cool 
  135. Samaris Góða tungl 
  136. Ruddinn Supersonic situation 
  137. Krummi Broken clock 
  138. The battle of brothers 
  139. HAM Ingimar 
  140. Ikea Satan Babaramas 
  141. Two Step Horror Wray 
  142. Skurken Lager fyrir Futuregrapher 
  143. KJARR Harvest (go to sleep) 
  144. Dathi Bitter sweet tears
  145. Vicky Gold

October 16, 2011

Best Icelandic Albums of 2011, so far...

Icelandic music I like - My personal favorites of this year are:
1. Hellvar "Stop that noise" (Kimi Records)

2. HAM "Svik, Harmur og Dauði" (Smekkleysa)

3. Reykjavik! "Locust Sounds" (Kimi Records)
  Cats - Reykjavík! by Reykjavík!
4. Vicky "Cast a light"

5. Ruddinn "Need a vacation"


Good 2: Mugison's "Haglél" (his first one in Icelandic), FM Belfast's "Don't want to sleep", Björk's "Biophilia" (if you can call it an album with all the Apps).
Most disappointing album by Sykur. Just to mention one. Sorry guys.
Still prefer Sykurmolarnir.

"dEUS" does not exist, but if he does...


Goodmorning Reykjavik! - Here are The Murderers to Wake You Up!

Going Underground
Morðingjarnir/The Murderers
"Sunnudagsmorgun í Reykjavik" (Sunday Morning in R'vik!)


What to do on a lazy morning/afternoon with a hangover (or not, whatever) in downtown R'vik on the last Hellv/ar/itis day of the Airwaves?
Feed the ducks @ Tjörnin lake near the City Hall. Buy yourself a hot dog with everything @ the best place in town, near the flea market/old harbour of Reykjavik. The bad boys Metallica & Bill Clinton were there long before you ;-)
Go to the Flea Market Kolarportið. Taste the rotten shark, sheep head, Icelandic candy; or just a tasty icecream will do for most of you. You can find some good (and bad) 2nd hand Icelandic music there 2. Have a kebab, pizza, sandwich on the way back. You're 100% ready for the final night & morning of Airwaves 2011 after a cup of coffee or thee.
Don't forget to drink plenty of Icelandic water, tap or other H20. The pure Air is for free.
Buy an apple in the supermarket you can eat it while waiting outside if you're unlucky. Just eat when you get in line. Make friends with people in the row before & behind you.
Free you're mind & the rest will follow.
Go & see the band Hellvar (with Haukur of Morðingjarnir on bass) @ Munnharpan @ Harpa (the huge glasscube by the harbour, you already know, you can't miss it) @ 17:00 sharp. And say "Hi". Or go to Hellvar Online.
Or here for the new version:
Personal Advice provided for free by Your Doctor ;-)

October 15, 2011

MÓGIL Off-Venue @ 12Tónar Record Store @ Iceland Airwaves 2011

MÓGIL Off-Venue @ Iceland Airwaves 2011@ 12Tónar, Reykjavík on 14. October 2011
The only Belgian-Icelandic band there is, as far as I know, unless you call Reykjavík! also a Belgian-Icelandic band ...

Although I think GuildfordGhost should buy a better camera next year.

Synthia in Icelandic music

Synthia in Icelandic music
Worm is Green
"Synthia", on the album "Push Play" (Mikrofona, 2007)

FM Belfast
"I can feel love/Synthia" @ Botanique venue, Brussels, Belgium (February 2010)
2  songs featured on their debut album "How to make friends" (World Champion Records, 2010)
Performed for a full house: an audience of Belgian Iceland(ic music) lovers & Icelanders living/working in Belgium (& even around Belgium)

Samaris "Góða tungl" Live Off-Venue @ Iceland Airwaves 2011

Another good Video by I heart Reykjavik
Samaris
"Góða tungl"

For Iceland Bob

Strangest Iceland Airwaves 2011 Video So Far

Sightseeing ... & Icelandic music

iceland airwaves - upstairs version from 3llipsis

HAM @ Reykjavik Art Museum @ Airwaves 2011

HAM
"Ingimar", the single of the new album "Svik, harmur, dauði" (Smekkleysa, 2011) live @ Listasafn (Reykjavik Art Musuem) @ Airwaves 2011

An old Video by me
HAM @ NASA @ Airwaves 2010

Nurses in Icelandic music

Nurses in Icelandic music
This morning I was listening to the song "Nurse, please" on the new Reykjavik! record "Locust Sounds" (Kimi Records, 2011).

Reminds me of this:
"Add this song" by GusGus, filmed @ hospital

But the one & only Sugarcubes made "Happy Nurse". A track on their 3rd album "Stick around for joy" (Smekkleysa, One Little Indian/Play It Again Sam, 1992)

The kinky punk band Æla likes to perform in nurses uniforms on stage (here Live @ Organ venue)

Thursday Airwaves Highlights according to Icelandic Glacial Water

Thursday Airwaves Highlights 

ICELAND AIRWAVES : Thursday Highlights
Or do you prefer this water?

"Water" by The Sugarcubes
From the album "Here today, tomorrow next week!" / "Illur arfur!" (Smekkleysa/Rough Trade & One Little Indian, 1989)
Wait for me underneath the water
Wait for me I have to go now
Into the big city
She pulls me firmly towards her
Wait for me underneath the water
Wait for me here
You'll be fine underneath the water
I'll be back early next summer
We met again at the lake
After all these years,
You said "want a drink?"
I love you
And you know I will be back
Hold your breath
And nestle into the ice
Wait for me underneath the water
Wait for me and count to ten
You'll look up and I will be there

Wait for me
The lake was frozen,
You took me for a walk over the ice,
I cracked
The ice cracked
I fell into the lake
I watched you through the eyes
Love into you
Wait for me underneath the water
Wait for me and singalong
"She's coming, coming, coming"
Wait for me
I watched you through the ice
I expected you to crawl for help
I smiled, you just stood there
I tried to kiss you through the ice,
You just walked away

Or "Tidal Wave" by The Sugarcubes

If you like the singing (?) of Einar Örn Benediktsson aka EÖB, go & see him @ Faktory Main Stage tonight downtown 101.
Please, Don't forget to say Goodmorning!

Ghostigital @ Faktory @ Iceland Airwaves 2011 on Saturday 15. October 2011 @ 21:00

Don't miss Ghostigital @ this year's Airwaves
Ghostigital = duo Einar Örn Benediktsson & Curver Thoroddsen
Ghostigital @ Faktory Main Stage @ 21:00
And stay for the next duo Captain Fufanu with Einar's son Kaktus @ 22:00
 Ghostigital's Website
Photograph by Sveinn Steinar

Ghostigital @ NASA @ Airwaves 2007

 Ghostigital @ Tunglid @ Airwaves 2008

Ghostigital @ Edgy Evening of Bad Taste @ Bozar Museum, Brussels, Belgium (2008)
Notice without Curver on stage, but with the kind help of Ben Frost & Gisli

Ghostigital (& Finnbogi Pétursson) Off-Venue @ Airwaves 2009
A Quiet Afternoon @ i-8 Gallery
 
Ghostigital final song @ Tjarnarbio Cinema @ Airwaves 2010
Notice the party on Stage

Nine Elevens Live @ Grand Rokk Video

Nine Elevens (feat. Valdimar of Reykjavik! & Lazyblood fame) Live @ Grand Rokk venue downtown Reykjavik a while ago

Icelandic viking power from Hali Slick

The Boys Are Back In Town - Review of "Locust Sounds" by Reykjavík! (Kimi Records, 2011)

The Boys Are Back In Town
Let’s do something special in my final week, reviewing an Icelandic album.
And what an album. “Locust Sounds” by rockers Reykjavík!, don’t forget the exclamation mark to avoid confusion with Iceland’s capital city. Without any doubt the best album artwork I saw this year. While lying in my bath @ home, I was having my private listening party in a small Belgian hot tub. Finally Reykjavík! made their grown-up, mature record. Although the 2 previous kids, “Glacial Landscapes, Religion, Oppression & Alcohol”(2006) and “The BLOOD” (2009), were not ugly @ all. Say the rise of Reykjavik! 2.0. Or Ride is having a cozy but loud barbecue with I Adapt & Gavin Portland in the backyard, while some family & friends (Mugison e.g.) are providing the extra meat & beer. Great vocals, noisy guitars, banging drums: this is Rokk i Reykjavík - The Revenge. Certain one of the best records made in Iceland this year. Need I say more? Yes, I love the track titles. My favorite track is “Nurse, please”, of course ;-).

The album is released today on the local Kimi Records label.
See Reykjavík! @ Reykjavík, or somewhere close to you soon!?

Label: Kimi Records

October 14, 2011

AMFJ "BÆN" released on 10. October 2011

AMFJ
"BÆN"

Listening Party of Reykjavík's Third Album "Locust Sounds" @ Kex Gym & Tonik Room on Saturday 15. October 2011

Go & listen to the new Reykjavík! Album. And buy "Locust Sounds".

They are playing @ the moment (as we speak) Off-Venue @ Bakkus venue (opposite Amsterdam venue). You can buy it there already if you're @ Airwaves.
Reykjavik @ Gogoyoko
"Hellbound Heart", a track of their 3rd Album
  Hellbound Heart by Reykjavík! 
 What's more
R!'s "Cats" was the best Icelandic song of 2010 in my humble opinion.
Cats - Reykjavík! by Reykjavík!
Reykjavík! performed "Cats" last year for KEXP

Music Alliance Pact (MAP) # 37 (October 2011)

3 years 
MAP
37 great Icelandic tracks
It's time for the 37th I love Icelandic music/Icelandic Music Maffia contribution to an international initiative, the Music Alliance Pact, aka MAP. I take part in this Blog Alliance since the start in October 2008 3 years ago. On a monthly basis music bloggers from around the globe select a track from their country which is then posted collectively and simultaneously on those blogs - giving each nation's track international exposure.
A trip around the world in 34 songs with a take off in Iceland:
This month I contributed the song "Cover the distance" by Ruddinn featuring Heiða Eiríks (Ragnheiður Eiríksdóttir).


Click the play button icon to listen to individual songs, right-click on the song title to download an mp3, or grab a .zip file of the whole 34-track compilation via MediaFire.

ARGENTINA: Zonaindie
Flopa/Minimal - Atolondrón
A couple of months ago, the indie supergroup formed by Flopa Lestani, Mariano "Manza" Esaín and Ariel Minimal reunited for several sold-out concerts in Buenos Aires. The experience was so positive that Flopa and Minimal decided to step into the studio to record some songs, and the result is an EP called Reducción de Daños. Atolondrón was written by Flopa and is our favorite track from it, but you can download the whole EP for free from their website.


AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They?
Option Command - Break Even
Option Command (who has previously released gorgeous music under the name Broken Chip) hails from the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney. Where his former project often focused on texture and mood, Option Command is a more beat-oriented project. Break Even sounds like playing Atari in a canyon, and is a good blend of the two musical personas. Both are worth checking out.


BRAZIL: Meio Desligado
Lirinha - Adebayor
Jose de Paes Lira, best known as Lirinha, is the former vocalist of Brazilian group Cordel do Fogo Encantado, who have produced some of the most consistent works in terms of updating regional sounds from Brazil's northeast. In Lirinha's first solo album, the results are somewhere between alternative rock and a new take on mangue beat. His excellent CD is available for free download at his website.


CANADA: I(Heart)Music
Sound Of Lions - Enders
Yes, Sound Of Lions borrow somewhat liberally from 90s trip-hop generally, and Portishead in particular. However, as Enders - and the rest of their debut, 11:44 - demonstrates, they're so good at making the old genre sound fresh and new, it's easy to overlook a little thievery when the end results are so incredibly listenable.


CHILE: Super 45
Nuevacosta - Todo Fácil
Four-piece outfit Nuevacosta released their debut offering, Costa Brava EP (available for free at their website) this year under the Casa Joven and Espacio Cellar labels. Through these six songs, the band explores new wave sounds and early 90s Chilean pop, creating dark, lo-fi, atmospheric soundscapes.


CHINA: Wooozy
Eat Alien's Brain - Sick Body Dance
Eat Alien's Brain are an electro duo from Chengdu, who formed in August 2010. Loco and Umar, both in their early 20s, use music to express their attitude towards freedom. Their sound is hard to define - electro/dance with a bit of Nintendocore/chiptune/crunk. They were highly recommended by the NME, who described them as "Crystal Castle bound up with Burial and Sepultura".


DENMARK: All Scandinavian
Laura Drescher - I Do I Will
I can't really tell you much about Laura Drescher other than she was born in Spain, raised in Denmark, and that she released both an EP (Polyest) and an album (Hallucinations Of A Good Life) last year. Oh, and she's not sore on the eyes either. It's gloomy and groovy electronica - here represented by I Do I Will from Hallucinations Of A Good Life - and if you like what you hear, head for SoundCloud where you can download both album and EP for free.


ENGLAND: The Guardian Music Blog
Daley - Smoking Gun
A new blue-eyed soul boy from Manchester, Gareth "Daley" Daley looks set to be the first genuinely interesting British artist to operate in that area since David McAlmont or Lewis Taylor. He was a nominee on this year's BBC Sound of 2011 poll, has already tasted chart success, having sung on Long Way Home from Wretch 32's top-5 debut album as well as on the Gorillaz track Doncamatic, which he co-wrote with Damon Albarn. Now he's signed to A&M and working on his own debut album, due out in 2012, with Suede guitarist and Duffy producer Bernard Butler as well as Dre of Dre & Vidal (Alicia Keys, Usher) and Shea Taylor (Ne-Yo, Beyoncé).


FINLAND: Glue
Koria Kitten Riot - An Anthem From The 80's
Koria Kitten Riot is the project of singer-songwriter Antti Reikko and it brings well-crafted pop songs, full of detail and ambitious instrumentation. It puts together the intimacy of the songwriter and grandiose arrangements in a manner that reminds us of Bright Eyes. An Anthem From The 80's is a melancholic song about long-gone happy times and is taken from Koria Kitten Riot's second album, The Lows & The Highs, out this month.


GERMANY: Blogpartei
BOY - This Is The Beginning
BOY are a little hyped in Germany right now. Valeska and Sonja just released their debut Mutual Friends via Groenland Records, which features warm and cosy folk-pop songs. They are written and sung so well that you instantly forget summer was awful this year and start enjoying the Indian summer.


GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda
The You And What Army Faction - I Used A Blade To Carve Me A New Smile
The You And What Army Faction set their distortion pedals on stun and amplify each strummed string to produce a crushing, absorbing and raw wall-of-sound repetition where chaos and beauty ravish each other within the same song. Their artful contrasts and angular arrangements are imbued with instrumental dexterity and coherent ideas and balanced between formlessness and structure, melody and cacophony. Here's a vibrating preview from their upcoming sophomore album.


ICELAND: Icelandic Music Maffia
Ruddinn - Cover The Distance
Ruddinn is one guy, Bertel Ólafsson from Hafnarfjörður, who has released three albums to date. Ruddinn works primarily alone but receives a helping hand occasionally. He mixes electro pop with indie guitar and a dash of 80s shoegaze. Cover The Distance, a track from his third album I Need A Vacation, features Heiða Eiríksdóttir of the band Hellvar on vocals.


INDONESIA: Deathrockstar
BRNDLS - Start Bleeding
BRNDLS have helped shape today's Indonesian garage rock scene with their harsh sound, raw attitude and foul-mouthed frontman. Also known as The Brandals, they have just brought out their latest album that stole the XTRMNTR concept and delivered their most well-produced release to date.


IRELAND: Nialler9
Tieranniesaur - In The Sargasso
Strutting disco-infused funky indie tunes that recall the experimental new wave pop visions of ESG and Tom Tom Club don't come by every day. So Tieranniesaur standout. This Irish six-piece revel in fun, old-school danceable thrills and their self-titled debut album is one of the best releases Ireland has to offer this year.


ITALY: Polaroid
A Classic Education - Forever Boy
Produced by Jarvis Taveniere of Woods, Call It Blazing is undoubtedly the most eagerly-awaited indie rock album in Italy this year, but not only in Italy. A Classic Education have released two EPs and a single, traveled the US, Canada and UK, played SXSW and CMJ, and are touring Europe with British Sea Power right now. They are definitely one of the best things to have happened to the music in my country in the past decade. Their sound is magnificent, warm, ambitious and timeless.


JAPAN: Make Believe Melodies
Canopies And Drapes - Sleeping Under The Bed
Sleeping Under The Bed twinkles from the get-go, Tokyo solo artist Canopies And Drapes setting up a glowing dream of a song about hearts melting like ice cream and perfect lovers. Yet this, the highlight off her debut EP, conceals some darkness around the corners. The minimalist structure allows for some chilly synths to stand out, and then she steps back from all the gooey love talk for a frank final line: “Where should I go? I got lost.” It sounds gorgeous from the start, but grows more complicated with time.


MALTA: Stagedive Malta
Beangrowers - The Priest
Beangrowers are a rare and delicate breed of band - managing to be intelligent without being ponderous, fun without being silly, outrageously poppy without being cheesy, and rocking without being clichéd or predictable. This female-fronted three-piece are Malta's biggest music exports, with a following on both sides of the Atlantic. This track is from their album Dance Dance Baby, which has just been re-released digitally.


MEXICO: Red Bull Panamérika
Robota - Troqueladora
Dystopian scenarios are inherent to industrial music, with narratives and textures well explored by artists on the Mute roster - from Throbbing Gristle and The Normal, to Suicide and Add (N) to X. Mexico City trio Robota particularly share Add (N) to X's aesthetic based on a vintage electronic junk sado-fetishism. Troqueladora is taken from their "vibrant" second album, Vulgar Display Of Power. No, there's no relation with Pantera other than pure cyber-punk irony.


NETHERLANDS: Unfold Amsterdam
Chris Kok - Sounds Of Sirens
Since studying 'pop' at the Amsterdam Conservatory, Chris Kok has spent the past couple of years working on songcraft and stepping out to play live at every opportunity – be it contests, open mic nights, festivals or art openings – all while freely distributing his music online. The graft seems to be paying off, and now working with a full band, even his most intimate acoustic troubadour pieces are taking epic turns. Sounds Of Sirens is the kind of atmospheric pop Snow Patrol should be making, and that's merely one template from his sonic arsenal. Look out for a full album from Kok and his band Civil Union later this year, plus listen to his new self-titled acoustic EP (including a version of Sounds Of Sirens) on Bandcamp.


NEW ZEALAND: Einstein Music Journal
St. Rupertsberg - In Albania
Wellington octet St Rupertsberg began in 2009 when Kate Whelen assembled a group of female musicians to start a rather unique band. Now, after gaining rave reviews from critics and audience members at this year's Campus A Low Hum festival, word of the group's musical prowess has spread. Performing together like a multi-talented musical circus, the band members take turns playing various instruments, including trumpets, clarinets, trombones, synthesisers and percussion. But the main highlight is an all-inclusive vocal chorus. Their debut EP is available now from Bandcamp.


NORWAY: Birds Sometimes Dance
Autonomia - Steiner Å Stå På
Autonomia are a great and hidden gem from the large underground of Norwegian music, with members from veteran bands such as Freeshine, Dunderhonning and Far From Tellus. Singing in Norwegian, their music is eclectic and it can shift from sweet and rough indie-pop with Hüsker Dü guitars to long, slow and heavy post-rock/post-hardcore anthems reminiscent of bands like Envy and Neurosis.


PERU: SoTB
Royalvalet - Escorpio y Rimel
Royalvalet is a project formed by musicians who had their beginnings in other bands. When it comes to composing a song, each member gives his contribution with full freedom, there are no creative limitations. Led by Salim Vera, Royalvalet began in March 2010 and have released three highly creative rock singles to date.


PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco?
The Klinton Kings - Rulin'
The Klinton Kings is the project of Lewis M, a recent graduate of Oporto College of Arts and Music. He has just a few songs available online. However, his most promising single, Rulin', which was recently available on a CD of new Portuguese acts, transmits a maturity and creativity rarely heard in most first singles. A debut album is expected in 2012.


ROMANIA: Babylon Noise
Moonlight Breakfast - Still
Self-characterized as a retro electro band, Moonlight Breakfast is one of the freshest presences on the Romanian alternative music stage. In only a couple of months after getting together for this project, they reached the top position in Romania's alternative radio charts.


RUSSIA: Big Echo
InWhite - Sea
One of the cutest Russian indie-pop bands, InWhite is looking forward to their upcoming album. Sea is a beautiful piano-driven song that can carry you away from a seaside to the storm.


SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop
Panda Su - I Begin
The title track of Panda Su's second EP illustrates her appeal: dark, intelligent pop with all sense of vulnerability left intact. Apart from her occasional on-stage face paint, the Panda Su package is never black and white. Her music often draws on experimental sounds, but never at the expense of melody. Her lyrics, both fragile and cryptic, demand attention – I Begin finds Su repeating the poignant lines, "I should try to remember/I should try to forget". It's apt that Su Shaw named the outlet for her music after an endangered creature - songs of this quality really are rather rare.


SINGAPORE: I'm Waking Up To...
Etc - Big Girl's Blouse
Etc is truly one of Singapore's best-kept secrets. There are no fancy fashions or trends associated with the duo of Ben Harrison and Harvey Chamberlain, just well-written guitar-rock to a steady beat. Harrison's jangle-raggedy guitar work is exciting and tasteful enough to balance perfectly atop Chamberlain's near-primal approach to the beat, yet also easy enough for that slacker sway. They have an album in the works, but we'll make do with their generous online singles in the meantime.


SOUTH AFRICA: Musical Mover & Shaker!
140 - Say It Better
Meet your new favourite power-pop, tongue-in-cheek, somewhat satirical band. Meet 140. They recently released their debut single Say It Better, a synth-drenched pop song. But not to be stereotyped or confined, the band's next single could range from indie-rock to anything they feel their listeners would like. With a unique, zany and out-there approach, 140 is band whose mantra is to do things differently. In fact, it's experimentation that will keep everyone engaged and interested in this provoking new set of creatives.


SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
Mighty Coala - Seoul
Indie-pop band Mighty Coala has been around for many years, but it wasn't until this month that their first album For Bright And Healthy Mornings, mixed by Yeol Park of August MAP band Pigibit5, was released. With a preference for short songs that are both fun to play and listen to, Mighty Coala offer a rich sound with plenty of curiosities. Seoul is an uplifting tune dedicated to the city where they live and the city they love.


SPAIN: Musikorner
Las Tocayas - Hombres
Las Tocayas, despite their name, are not an all-girl band; they're actually two girls and a boy who met through an internet forum dedicated to Spanish indie band Los Planetas. If we said that their influences include The Flaming Lips, Surfin' Bichos, Nacho Vegas and The National, you wouldn't believe us, but, yes, we mean it. Their music can be described as hedonistic and their lyrics are rather irreverent and joyful. Maybe, as they confess, they're more inspired by everyday life, television, their gossiping neighbours and Jon Secada. Hombres is a hilarious ode to men and what we can and cannot expect from them.


SWEDEN: Swedesplease
Poor Lifestyle - These Times
Hardcore and punk should be immediate and Poor Lifestyle certainly is. You may argue that this song is breaking no new ground and I'd say you're right - that's the beauty of it. This song will be coming out in Sweden on a split 7" with friends The Wallrides sometime soon.


SWITZERLAND: 78s
Evelinn Trouble - I'm On Fire
Evelinn Trouble has, in her still very young career, gone through some major changes. The Zurich resident started off as an 18-year-old releasing a very intimate singer-songwriter record, alone in her bedroom. She was soon discovered and heartened by the Swiss indie scene and last month brought out her sophomore record Television Religion, which presents her as a 'femme fatale'. It's great pleasure seeing her grow.


UNITED STATES: I Guess I'm Floating
Young Man - Enough
The compositions of Colin Caulfield, playing under the moniker Young Man, have come full circle on his latest LP titled Ideas Of Distance. An achingly beautiful album with more layers than an Arctic explorer, Enough is a track that boils up slowly like water left on the stove. Except each rising bubble is a different sonic explosion and instead of bursting on the surface in watery, translucent explosion, you can see the melodic colors dispersing in swirls of steam.



VENEZUELA: Música y Más
Limpiacabezales - Mérida
Limpiacabezales was formed in 1998 by Claudio Sanchez, Orlando Toro and Carlos Eljuri. After a few shows in several cities across Venezuela, they released their first EP this year, which features five songs that serve as a teaser for their album, expected to come out later this year.