11 Swedish bands (who happen to be playing SXSW)

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by Avi Roig

Avi Roig is a Scandinavian music expert. In fact it's all he writes about on his website It'a a Trap. He even puts out records too. Below he talks about eleven Swedish artists that are visiting the U.S. this month to play SXSW and elsewhere.

Sweden

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DOWNLOAD: Marit Bergman - No Party (MP3)

Sweden Consensus has it that Marit Bergman's latest album "I think it's a rainbow" is very mediocre and sadly, I'm inclined to agree. Don't let that daunt you though - she's got another two solid solo records under her belt and, despite any criticism, is one super-talented lady. Listen to "Rainbow"'s lead single "No party" for proof.

And who could forget the greatness of "Adios amigos"?

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DOWNLOAD: Ane Brun - To Let Myself Go (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Ane Brun & Teitur - Rubber and Soul (MP3)

Sweden I'm kinda ambivilent about Ane Brun's first two records, but "Duets" is superb and her new live record ain't bad either. As for Teitur (from Denmark), I can't say that his solo work made much an impression on me, but I really like his voice. Now, howabout Ane and Teitur together? Beautiful.

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DOWNLOAD: David & The Citizens - The End (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: David & The Citizens - Absent mind (MP3)

Sweden David is pissed at me for reporting on widespread rumors relating to the fact that his entire backing band recently quit on him. Dude, if it's not true why not come out and deny it? And even if it is, who the fuck cares? People will still respect you if you say you love your girlfriend more than your ex-bandmates.

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DOWNLOAD: The Faintest Ideas - Nosebleeders on the tracks (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Faintest Ideas - You're Beautiful (MP3)

Sweden Spastic twee that may remind you of the Buzzcocks, more than the usual C86 crowd - The Faintest Ideas.

ALERT: The Faintest Ideas play NYC TONIGHT (March 9) and Cake Shop Tuesday (March 12)

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DOWNLOAD: Tobias Froberg - When The NIght Turns Cold (MP3)

Sweden Maybe skip the showcase and follow Tobias Froberg around on the street?

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DOWNLOAD: Frida Hyvönen - You Never Got Me Right (MP3)

Sweden I find Frida Hyvönen's music wholly unremarkable, but many folks whose taste and opinion I respect would strongly disagree.

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DOWNLOAD: Johnossi - Man Must Dance (MP3)

Sweden Sure, Meg White's feeble drumming is a big part of the White Stripe's sound, but imagine what they'd be like if she was good? Enter Johnossi. These guys sure make quite a ruckus for just two people, especially considering that frontman John Engelbert plays an acoustic guitar.

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Sweden The Swedish electro scene is overcrowded, but Lo-Fi-Fnk stands out. In the right venue with the right crowd, I bet it goes off.

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DOWNLOAD: Loney, Dear - I Am John (MP3)

Sweden Before he signed to SubPop, Loney, Dear mainman Emil Svandngen spent many years burning his own CDRs, booking his own shows and doing everything the hard way. More than just good music, this is proof that hard work and perseverence pays off.

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LISTEN: Mando Diao @ MySpace

Sweden I pick on these guys a lot. Whether it's for their reputation as Sweden's biggest band of assholes, their sophomore slump epitomizing album "Hurricane bar" or whatever else I can come up with, I will admit that the new record "Ode to ochrasy" is fairly decent. However, I must warn you: seeing Mando Diao live may be hazardous to your health.

ALERT: Playing Bowery Ballroom on May 14th.

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DOWNLOAD: Peter Bjorn & John - I don't know what I want us to do (MP3)

Sweden You don't need me to tell you that this is one of the year's biggest must-see acts. I've been a fan from the very beginning so it's incredibly gratifying to see Peter, Bjorn and John finally getting the attention they deserve.

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Tour dates for everyone below...

Johnossi
03/15 - Plus One House Party, Austin, TX
03/16 - Uncle Flirty's Loft, Austin, TX
03/17 - NY2LON, Austin, TX

David & The Citizens
3/15 - Nordic Night SXSW Official showcase at Uncle Flirty's Loft Austin, TX
3/15 - End of an Ear SXSW Instore Austin, TX
3/16 - Pirate Promotions Party SXSW - SOHO (217 E. 6th St) Austin, TX
3/17 - Music by the Slice - Home Slice Pizza's SXSW Party Austin, TX
3/17 - 10th Anniversary Redeye Distribution SxSW Party Austin, TX

Ane Brun
03/13 - House of Sweden, Washington DC
03/16 - SXSW Day Stage Cafi, Austin, TX
03/16 - 18th Floor at Hilton Garden Inn, Austin, TX

Teitur
03/09 - Hard Rock Cafe, Memphis, TH
03/10 - Hard Rock Cafe, Atlanta, GA
03/16 - 18th Floor at Hilton Garden Inn, Austin, TX

The Faintest Idea
03/09 - The Woodser, NY, NY w/ Pants Yell & The Young Untold
03/10 - The Fire, Philadelphia, PA
03/11 - The Galaxy Hut, Arlington, VA
03/12 - Cake Shop, NYC, NY w/ The Young Untold, Affair d'coeur & Stick Insect
03/15 - Lovejoys, Austin, TX
03/16 - The Parish II, Austin, TX

Tobias Froberg
03/10 - Five Spot, Atlanta, GA
03/13 - Chelseas cafe, Baton Rouge, LA
03/15 - Alan McGee afternoon, Austin, TX
03/16 - 18th floor at Hilton Garden Inn, Austin, TX
03/18 - Bend studios, Dallas, TX
03/22 - The Fold in tangler, Los Angeles, CA

Frida Hyvönen
03/09 - Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, PA
03/10 - Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
03/11 - Wexner Center For The Arts, Columbus, OH
03/12 - Abbey Pub, Chicago, IL
03/13 - Randy Bacon Gallery, Springfield, MO
03/14 - Opolis, Norman, OK
03/15 - Secretly Canadian Showcase, Austin, TX
03/18 - Knitting Factory, Los Angeles, CA
03/19 - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
03/21 - Chop Suey, Seattle, WA
Note: all dates except SXSW with Under Byen

Lo Fi Fnk
03/09 - Shine, Vancouver
03/10 - Towne Lounge, Portland OR
03/11 - Indigo District, Eugene, OR
03/13 - Mezannine, San Francisco, CA w/Fujiyi & Miyaki
03/14 - Stereo/Fader, Austin, TX
03/14 - Super! Alright!Space, Austin, TX
03/15 - Beauty Bar, Austin, TX
03/16 - Urban Outfitters (1 pm), Austin, TX
03/16 - Factor People (4 pm), Austin, TX
03/17 - Rock'n'Roll Hotel, Washington DC
03/18 - Sonar (tbc), Baltimore, MD
03/20 - Tremont Hall, Charlotte, NC
03/21 - Kiss Atlanta event, Atlanta, GA
03/22 - Common Grounds, Gainsville, FL w/Pink Velveteen
03/24 - Post, Miami, FL w/Junior Boys
03/27 - Drake Hotel, Toronto w/KIM Presets/Crystal Castles DJ set
03/28 - Club Lambi, Montreal
03/29 - Square, Boston, MA
03/30 - Making Time, Philadelphia, PA w/Datarock, The Presets
03/30 - RUFF Club, New York, NY
03/31 - Studio B, Brooklyn, NY

Mando Diao
Mar 14 - SXSW Festival - "THE SYNDICATE PARTY" @ Red 7 Austin, Texas
Mar 15 - SXSW Festival "Official Showcase" @ Dirty Dog Austin, Tennessee
Mar 15 - SXSW Festival "Spaceland/Live Daily party" @ Antone’s Austin, Texas
Mar 15 - SXSW Festival "YARIS MEAT & GREET" @ Artz Rib House Austin, Texas
Mar 16 - SXSW Festival "Village Voice Party" @ La Zona Rosa Austin, Texas
Mar 17 - SXSW Festival "Filter Showcase" @ Cedar St Coutryard Austin, Texas
Mar 17 - SXSW Festival "Direct TV" @ Austin Convention Center Austin, Texas
Apr 29 - Coachella Festival Indio, California
May 1 - Bottom Of The Hill San Francisco, California
May 3 - Dantes Portland, Oregon
May 4 - Crocodile Seattle, Washington
May 5 - Plaza Club Vancouver, British Columbia
May 8 - 400 Bar Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 9 - Double Door Chicago, Illinois
May 11 - Blind Pig Ann Arbor, Michigan
May 12 - Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, Ontario
May 13 - Petite Campus Montreal, Quebec
May 14 - Bowery Ballroom New York, New York
May 16 - Maxwells Hoboken, New Jersey
May 17 - Black Cat Washington, Washington DC
May 18 - Johnny Brendas Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 19 - TT The Bears Cambridge, Massachusetts

Marit Bergman
03/15 - Uncle Flirty's Loft, Austin, TX

Loney, Dear
03/10 - Irving Plaza, NYC, NY w/Of Montreal
03/11 - Avalon Ballroom, Boston, MA w/Of Montreal
03/12 - Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY w/ Tunng
03/14 - Emo's IV Lounge, Austin, TX
03/16 - First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN w/Of Montreal
03/17 - Pabst Theathe, Milwaukee, WI w/Of Montreal
03/18 - Schubas Tavern, Chicago, IL
03/19 - Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH w/Of Montreal
03/20 - Southgate House, Newport, KY w/Of Montreal
03/21 - Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN w/Of Montreal
03/22 - Gray Eagle Tavern, Asheville, NC w/Of Montreal
03/23 - Banana Joes, Columbia, SC w/Of Montreal
03/25 - Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta, GA w/Of Montreal
03/29 - Abbey Road, Gainesville, FL w/Of Montreal
03/30 - Studio A, Miami, FL w/Of Montreal
03/31 - The Club at Firestone, Orlando, FL w/Of Montreal
04/01 - Freebird live, Jacksonville, FL w/Of Montreal
04/02 - The Moon, Tallahassee, FL w/Of Montreal
04/09 - First Unitarian, Philadelphia, PA w/Low
04/10 - 9:30 Club, Washington, DC w/Low
04/12 - Magic Stick, Detroit, MI w/Low

Peter Bjorn and John
03/14 - La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX
04/28 - Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Indio, CA
04/30 - 9:30 Club, Washington DC
05/01 - Webster Hall, New York, NY
05/02 - Webster Hall, New York, NY
05/03 - Theater of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
05/04 - Paradise, Boston, MA
05/05 - Theatre National, Montreal, Quebec
05/06 - Phoenix Concert Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
05/07 - Wexner Centre - Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
05/08 - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
05/09 - First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
05/12 - Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
05/13 - Neumos, Seattle, WA
05/14 - Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
05/15 - Bimbos 365 Club, San Francisco, CA
05/16 - Bimbos 365 Club, San Francisco, CA

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Now check out eleven bands from Montreal. And some from Finland.

And visit Avi's site It's a Trap.

posted at 12:53 PM on March 9, 2007 in MP3 | SXSW | music | Comments (11)

Comments (11)

david & the citizens are so freakin awesome. i own their first two albums and will def be checking them out at sxsw. they never come to the states.

Posted by tom | March 9, 2007 2:16 PM

why the hate on mando diao? the new album fucking rocks! i can't wait to see them at bowery.

Posted by Anonymous | March 9, 2007 3:28 PM

I love your site and opinions BV, but it is an old, and in my opinion, unfounded cliche to claim that Meg White is a crappy drummer. Please. The White Stripes are an important rock band and Meg White is their drummer. End of Story.

Posted by cj | March 9, 2007 4:12 PM

Avi Roig wrote this post.

Posted by jb | March 9, 2007 4:46 PM

my bad, and on second reading, the comment gives Meg some credit, so my first post was a bit bitchy.

Posted by Anonymous | March 9, 2007 4:55 PM

my bad, and on second reading, the comment gives Meg some credit, so my first post was a bit bitchy.

Posted by cj | March 9, 2007 4:55 PM

Another awesome Swedish band: Love is All.
http://mybigmouthstrikesagain.blogspot.com/

Posted by Christopher | March 10, 2007 2:01 PM

mando diao suck ass. saw loney dear last night. he was ok.

Posted by Anonymous | March 11, 2007 1:08 PM

About The Faintest Ideas' gig @ Cake Shop on March 12th . . . . . 3/12 is a Monday.