DOWNLOAD: Annie - My Love Is Better (Sunkh Knight remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Annie - I Don't Like Your Band (MP3)

Annie's second album, Don't Stop, was supposed to come out last year, and for the Norwegian singer's net-savvy audience, it basically did. The version of the record that is being commercially released now is a bit different from what leaked in 2008-- a few tracks have been cut, a few more have been added-- but since it is being released with a bonus disc that includes every notable excluded track save for her cover of Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts", the final product is less glass-half-empty and more cup-runneth-over. [Pitchfork]

The bonus disk is an EP called "All Night" - tracklisting below. Two tracks off the new album (one being a remix) above. A video for a different "new" song below.

Annie won't be performing live to promote the release, but she is in town as a DJ. You can catch her at Tribeca Grand tonight (11/21) where Boy Crisis is also playing. The flyer for that show and all dates below...

Continue reading "Annie - new albums out (MP3, video), DJing in NYC tonight"

Tom Tom Club play with Devo & Dan Deacon at McCarren Pool tonight (June 26, 2008). Even if you didn't realize it was a Tom Tom Club song, you're probably pretty familiar with their 1981 hit "Genius of Love"....

Continue reading "Tom Tom Club, Dr Jeckyll & Mr Hyde, Annie & Mariah Carey"

DOWNLOAD: Robyn - Be Mine (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Robyn - With Every Heartbeat (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Robyn - Konichiwa Bitches (Trentemøller Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Robyn - With Every Heartbeat [Punks Jump Up Remix] (MP3)

Tickets go on sale today at noon for a February 5th Robyn show at Highline Ballroom in NYC, and for one four days later at the Troubadour in LA. It's been over two years since the Swedish pop star first developed her indie-cred, and currently she's bigger than ever - the song "With Every Heartbeat" recently hit #1 in the UK.

I'm excited. Unlike Annie, whose live show ended up being kind of a dud compared to her studio work, Robyn is constantly touring and playing out. Just watch this and this.

More videos, and all tour dates, below....

Continue reading "ROBYN is coming to the USA! (MP3s, video, tour dates)"

DOWNLOAD: Lykke Li - Tonight (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Shugo Tokumaru - Young Folks (PB&J Cover) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have To Leave It (MP3)

Peter Bjorn and John, Shout Out Louds, and Lykke Li are all from Sweden. Shout Out Louds play Bowery Ballroom in NYC tonight (Oct 25), Music Hall of Williamsburg tomorrow, Maxwell's on Saturday, and then they continue their North American tour (with Johnossi - also from Sweden). Björn Yttling (Bjorn) produced Our Ill Wills - the new Shout Out Louds record out on Merge. 21-year old Lykke Li (real name = Lykke Zahrisson) sings the girl parts on that record. Lykke Li just came out with her own EP as well. It was also produced by Bjorn. Bjorn and Lykke are here in NYC working on her full length album - which also explains part of the reason Peter and Bjorn have been around town. Lykke Li was the girl singing the the girl part on "Young Folks" at the CMJ show at Galapagos. Lykke Li is playing her own two shows - a free one at Knitting Factory on October 29th, and a not-free one at Mercury Lounge the next day. Bjorn will probably be at those shows to help her out. Maybe Bjorn and Lykke will also both be at the three NYC-area Shout Out Louds shows to help them out too. Lykke and the Shout Out Louds tour Europe together in November and December. One further connection all these artists have: Bud Fox manages Shout Out Louds, Johnossi, Lykke Li, El Perro Del Mar, and Bjorn. Peter plays Joe's Pub on November 19th. Who knows where the hell John is.

In related news, Sweden's Jens Lekman is also playing two shows this weekend.

Sweden in NYC, 2007'
Oct 25 - DJ Bjorn @ Hiro Ballroom (info)
Oct 25 - Shout Out Louds @ Bowery Ballroom
Oct 25 - SOL @ afterparty @ Lolita Bar
Oct 26 - Shout Out Louds @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Oct 26 - SOL afterparty @ Union Pool (w/ DJ Bjorn)
Oct 27 - Shout Out Louds @ Maxwell's of Hoboken
Oct 27 - Jens Lekman @ Webster Hall
Oct 28 - Jens Lekman @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Oct 29 - Lykke Li @ Knitting Factory
Oct 30 - Lykke Li @ Mercury Lounge
Nov 19 - Peter @ Joe's Pub

Lykke Li may be the new Annie or Sally Shapiro or Robyn (who Bjorn has also produced and who Bud Fox also works with), or something 'Swedish pop star' like that. All tour dates, and Lykke's video for "Little Bit", below.......

Continue reading "Lykke Li (from Sweden) Bjorn (without Peter & John) Shout Out Louds (tonight) --- Tour Dates, MP3, Video"