Swedish group Shout Out Louds are gearing up for the release of their fourth full-length album, Optica, due out on February 26 via Merge Records. Take a listen to Optica's lead single "Blue Ice" at the bottom of this post. The LP is up for preorder via Merge's webstore.

In support of Optica, the Shout Out Louds will embark on a spring North American tour. That tour includes a performance at Metro on May 16. Tickets for the Chicago show go on sale this Saturday (12/8) at noon CST.

All Shout Out Louds tour dates and a stream of "Blue Ice" are below...

Continue reading "Shout Out Louds releasing new LP, touring, playing Metro"

We Are Serenades @ Hotel Vegan for BV-SXSW (via)

Swedish duo We Are Serenades (fka Serenades), who are members of the Shout Out Louds and Laakso, are set to release their debut LP, Criminal Heaven, on April 17 via Cherrytree Records/Interscope. Listen to a few album tracks at the bottom of this post.

Core members Adam Olenius and Markus Krunegård (plus live band) hit SXSW in a big way, including a set at BrooklynVegan's Thursday day party (stay tuned for pics). We were able to catch their high-energy set, packed with infectious pop songs and duel-lead vocals.

The group have announced their first-ever North American run, which begins in early-May and hits the Empty Bottle on the 16th of the month. Tickets go on sale TODAY, at 10AM CST.

All 2012 tour dates, song streams, and some videos, below..

Continue reading "We Are Serenades schedule US dates (Empty Bottle included); releasing debut LP (song streams)"