Song of the day and Stuff

January 25

2007-01-25T23:39:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Long Way Home by Tom Waits

This press release was in my mailbox today:

GM Opel & McCann Erickson settle lawsuit with Tom Waits

Tom Waits, the Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, has settled his lawsuit against Adam Opel AG and its advertising agency McCann Erickson Germany, which arose out of TV commercials for Opel aired in 2005.

Mr. Waits is donating his net settlement proceeds to charity. Of the resolution of this matter, McCann Erickson said, "We respect Mr. Waits, and deeply regret any embarrassment this may have caused."

Mr. Waits said "I'm glad to be out of the car sales business once and for all."

Even though Mr Waits claims has a long way home I would not bet any money on that he willl travel in an Opel.

A totally different, but sad, thing: I read today that the Polish journalist/writer Ryszard Kapuscinski has died. One of my teachers at my journalist school recommended him to me, and his reportings from those parts of the world where freedom of speech not was to be dealt with mostly, might been the most well-written ones I have ever read. Check out "Imperium", in where he travels twice through the Soviet Union, first in 1967, then 1989. I bet you won't be able to put it away.

January 22

2007-01-22T10:43:00.000+01:00

Song of the day:
Take Me Out (Franz Ferdinand Cover) by Magic Numbers

The first thing I realized when waking up this morning: No tap water until tonight due to some kind of work that of course has to be done the first day in months I have a complete day off. No tap water means no coffee. And that fact makes my skills to write anything interesting at all compared to zero. I can't concentrate. But tomorrow morning I leave Stalkholm to go and see Magic Numbers @ KB in Malmö. Fun fun fun.

I have noticed that yousendit.com, that I use for posting the songs, has started to post adverts regarding porn. If anyone knows a site with similar service, but with the porn excluded, please let me know since I would like to change.

January 18

2007-01-18T23:14:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: I Started A Blog Nobody Read by Spirites

Some randomly chosen parts (to help you sing along):

I started a blog which nobody read..
When I went to work, I blogged there instead..
I started a blog which nobody viewed..
The topics include:George Bush is an evil moron…
I‘m in love with a girl who doesn‘t know I exist….
I started a blog but nobody came; no issues were raised, no comments were made...
I started a blog which nobody read..
I’ll admit that it wasn‘t that great but you if must know here’s what it said..
100 of my favorite albums…
400 movies I would like to recommend…
I started a blog; I sent you the link, I wanted the world to know what I think...
I started a blog but when I read yours, it made me forget what I had started mine for.

Sometimes a pop lyric just says it all. Ha!

January 17

2007-01-17T20:28:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Fuck Was I by Jenny Owen Youngs

Ehm.. the hard drive hadn't gone "BOOOM". The power chord was a little loose. I hadn't checked that out properly. What the f was I thinking? But now all the songs are back!

"Fuck Was I" by Jenny Owen Youngs maybe hasn't the most positive lyrics so far, but since bitterness is something I really relate to (I guess I had that with my last name!) this song really speaks right into the heart of mine ;)

About her I don't know much, but her biography on her really nice website (where you also can download this song) says...

Jenny Owen Youngs is a feisty, hyper-sensitive, disease-free singer/songwriter/former girl scout who wants to be your friend. Claiming influences from Beck to Jesus Christ Superstar to Britney Spears, her music is an echo of Erin McKeown hopping into Jeff buckley's Pontiac, cruising backwoods Alabama red dirt roads and singing along to The Sundays and Nick Drake. Her songs straddle the heart-wrenching and the tongue-in-cheek and say Giddyup!

Sounds fine with me!

January 16

2007-01-16T11:47:00.001+01:00

Song of the day: Love is No Big Truth by Kings of Convenience

Today I woke up to the news that in the Norweigan city Bergen it has been raining for 79 days in a row now. But these days you don't have to live in those conditions to let the weather and the situation with the climate be the talk of the town. Unfortuneatly I have the feeling that it is just some kind of a hype, that people will stop thinking about it when the newspapers find something more selling to write about, when the next Big Worry comes up. But I hope I'm wrong.

Next week I am going to see a friend in the southern parts of Sweden for two days. To catch a flight and to take the train had almost exactly the same price. Flying takes less than an hour, travel by train more than four. The first impulse said flying, but when my friend gave me a little kind reminder I of course went for the train. Just one example that things won't happen just by themselves. I thought I was so aware and bla bla bla. So thank you Erik, now not only my conscience is cleaner.

And yes, rain for 79 days. No wonder that Erlend Öye from Kings of Convenience moved from Bergen to Berlin. Still I have some romantic thought that their music somehow comes from that kind of living, so if you can take some rainy days to finish a new album, it would be just great.

January 14

2007-01-14T21:12:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: The Storm Is Coming by Ed Harcourt

The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind. I almost blew away during my walk home from work today. Pretty scary.

January 12

2007-01-12T22:06:00.001+01:00

Song of the day: 'Angels In The Snow' by Elliott Smith

So what has happened since July 19? Well, from one point of view basically nothing, from another point a lot. I am where I was, I do what I did. And things just happen around the ordinary stuff, right?

My computer went broken soon after the last post though. I got a new one pretty much right afterwards, but all the music (and pictures...) on my hard drive dissapared. I still get sad when I think of it, some of it were really personal stuff that I won't find again, and some stuff were unrealesed songs, rarities and so on, that I really will need to spend a lot of time and efforts to get hold of again. And the other day my back up harddrive, with XXX gigabytes of music on it just said "boom" and all the songs went to find Some Beautiful Place To Get Lost. Just my luck. Guess it is §some kind of excuse, even though it is pretty lame...

I could chose to make this comeback a real firework, posting the one and only song that meant the most during my absense of blogging. If there was one. Instead I just post the song I have been listening most to today, my own song of the day, "Angels In The Snow" by Elliott Smith. Outside my window there in fact are some snowflakes, not enough to make angels, but enough to make the sidewalk a little white. Haven't seen much of that this winter.

July 19

2006-07-19T00:37:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: War On War by Wilco

It is pretty easy to be entirely fed up with all those things around out there these days, right? Maybe you saw this man on the news today, crying 'I don't have a rocket base, my sons haven't done anything, I don't even belong to a political party, what have I done?'

Something tells me that Israel attacks Hizbollah to give USA a reason to attack Iran.

June 13

2006-07-13T00:33:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: None...

There is something wrong with my right ear. I can hardly hear anything. I went swimming Sunday and Monday I woke up like this. I hope it will solve itself any day....

Morrissey has today announced two gigs in Sweden, 7-8 of August, in this small town on the countryside called Karlstad. Strange.

July 10

2006-07-10T22:35:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Work Is A Four-Letter Word by The Smiths

No, work is not just a four-letter word. It is also boring, and a real pain in the ass... no, sorry... pain in the foot I mean. It's bigger than ever, since I had to stand up and walk around the whole day. So yes, I was back today. Almost seven weeks ago since I slaved under the power of the duties of the capital ;)

So Italy it was. Fine with me. But Zidane wasn't that fine. I wrote the other day that he was the only player who still was able to surprise us. He sure did, but not the way we wanted him. Sad to end such a brilliant carreer like that. I rather remember his two headers against Brazil in the final '98 than this one...

July 07

2006-07-07T15:39:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Ease Your Feet In The Sea by Belle & Sebastian

Ease you're feet off in the sea, My darling it's the place to be

I can ease my feet in the sea! Both of them! And since it is like the sunniest day ever today: Byebye, walk down to the sea I must :)

JAAA-VIS!

2006-07-06T00:31:00.000+02:00

He is back, allright!!! Hahaha! Cunts are still running the world, this Sir is truly a legend!

July 05

2006-07-05T17:04:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: No More I Hate Yous by Television Personalities

Bye bye transformers-boot! We had some fun moments together but most of the time I honestly have to say that you were in my way. I felt a little trapped in your company. But I'm not ready to let you go entirely, so I hope that we still can be friends. You can stay in my apartment, I will give you your very own room (it's a really nice one that I call 'The Closet') so we don't have to get onto each other nerves too much. I thought that today was the last time I could see you, but since no one else wants you I guess you can stay. We won't share bed anymore though, we have to be strong about that.

So to be honest, I have to try to walk right on without you now. It surely will be hard in the beginning, and cause me a lot of pain, but I have to make it on my own. And I do feel a little bad to break up now when I feel better, since you stood up for me so well when I felt bad. It is not you, that's for sure. It is me. So from now on, there's no more I hate yous, that's all in the past.

I will never forget you though, transfomers-boot. Who knows, maybe I will need you again some day. Frankly I hope not.

Read about Television Personalities in an older post on this blog, right here (at the end of the page).

June 03

2006-07-03T21:31:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Oh! Sweet Nuthin' by Velvet Underground

Oh! Sweet Nuthin' is the last track of Velvet Underground's 'Loaded'-album and a very suitable title for how I've spent my day. Soon it has past, and I haven't done anything. I don't think I will either. I'll deal with those things tomorrow.

June 02

2006-07-02T21:38:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Sit Down by James

Today I will talk some football, mmkay...

I know it is easy to say afterwards, but I'm not surprised at all that Brazil (and Argentina) are out. Nowadays almost all the South American players get their paychecks from European top clubs, and the players throughout Europe know their skills very well. It is not like before, when they played in their own national leagues, almost unknown for the rest of the world.

Of course a defender like Lilian Thuram in France knows how to defeat Ronaldinho, he sees him play several times a week. Of course Argentinas Riquelme had such hard times to get through Rafael Marquez in Mexico, they are in the same league and struggle on the same pitches throughout the season.

And this is also exactly why the games have been pretty boring (if few goals is the same as boring, in my opinion France vs Brazil 1-0 was like candy for the eye) so far. The teams know each other too well. It was almost a little cute when Hollands Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Portugals Deco (both in Barcelona) sat next to each other chatting after been sent off in the same game, but it said a lot.

This World Cup has been all about the teams that have the best tactics, not about some kind of 'Joga Bonito' or whatever. Argentinas coach Pekerman showed the world that tactic isn't his strongest side when he did some really defensive substituions against Germany when leading one to nill, and could not do anything when Germany managed to score anyway. And when the Brazilians honestly were to bad this time to play so called attractive football, they did not have a plan B. The beauty in the game is soon lost I think. Look at Chelsea, look at Juventus, look at the way Liverpool won Champions League last year (the way to the fantastic final was like the most boring trip ever).

Now I hope, I want and I think that France will make it in the end. Because they have Henry, Ribbery and mainly Zidane, the only player who still has been able to surprise us. And because they have played the best football now in the end when the best teams are up against each other.

So, Go France!

I guess I have bored like 99% of my visitors with this. And I post this Song of the day for just one reason. It is a real britpop classic, allright, but that's not it. Actually I am pretty tired of it. The reason is that it is so fun to sing 'Oh Zidane' instead of 'Oh Sit down'...

July 01

2006-07-01T00:37:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Hemipode by Amina

Yes. The concert was beautiful. Both the place and the music. Sigur Rós had brought a brass band with them, and that gave another dimension to the songs that suited them really well. And what a venue. I hope more bands that I like will play there.

The also-Icelandic quartet Amina has been the support band for Sigur Rós for several years, and they also play strings with them on stage. Four girls, making instrumental music out of rather bizarre instruments, and make it sound pretty amazing from time to time. So far they have released a 4-track EP, 'AminaminA' from where this one is taken. The more I listen, the more I like it.

June 28

2006-06-28T01:21:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Njósnavélin (Nothing Song) by Sigur Rós

Sorry, I have been very busy, watching football (I know Sweden is out but that does not spoil the party) and The Simpsons (still have one disc left of the 7th season). So now you see, I do have a life. You can't expect me to post every day when I have so much important stuff to do instead.

In other words, the title of this Song of the day says pretty much about what I have been up to lately. But tonight is going to be something. Sigur Rós will play at this beautiful venue 'Dalhalla' right in the middle of nowhere in the big Swedish forest. It will take me the whole day to get there, and the whole night to go back, but I can't see how it would not be worth it.

Another nice Sigur Rós link, http://emichrysalis.co.uk/players/sigurros/photostream/

June 21

2006-06-21T00:23:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Something About England by The Clash

Yes there is really Something About England. They have not beaten us in football since 1968! And in this game Henrik Larsson scored another last minute goal that meant 2-2. So still no losts! Now we are up against Germany on Saturday. Tough game, but what the heck. We always play better against the so looking better teams.

I saw the game by myself in front of the telly tonight. A rather different feeling from being at the venue surrounded by 72 000 people, like in Berlin against Paraguay. It was massive. And if I did not dislike Coldplay that much I would have posted (It was all) 'Yellow', cause it really was. 50 000 of the crowd were Swedish dressed in our teams colours, including me, and the Stadium almost exploded when Ljungberg scored. Something to remember.

Playlist is now updated

2006-06-20T11:20:00.000+02:00

Another 10 songs. Click here to listen.

June 20

2006-06-20T01:42:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Autobahn 66 by Primal Scream

I never been interested in cars and stuff, not at all, but travelling in 200 km/h on the German Autobahn was actually pretty cool. Almost like riding some rollercoaster for hours and hours, and I like rollercoasters. And yes, Sweden won the game, today we take on England...

When Primal Scream released the "Evil Heat" - album (from where this one is taken) a few years ago I already had given up on them. I think the main thing about them was that you'd never really know what you would get, but at this time they had started to repeat themselves over and over again. There was a time when I listened a lot to them, though. Loaded, Shoot Speed/Kill Light, Burning Wheel, Kowalski, Movin' On Up, Rocks, Star, Kill All Hippies, I'm Losing More Than I Ever Had, Into The Void, Come Together, Higher Than The Sun etc etc. Their new (boogie rock-ish) album? Hmm.. I'm afraid I could not care less.

June 13

2006-06-13T14:46:00.002+02:00

Song of the day: There's Too Much Love by Belle & Sebastian

'I could dance all night like I'm a Soul Boy, but you know I'd rather drag myself across the dancefloor'

Leaving for Berlin now, smell you later! Gooooooooooo Schweden

This Boot Is Made For Walking

2006-06-13T00:48:00.000+02:00

I have one of those now! I look like Terminator! Hasta la vista, baby!!

June 11

2006-06-11T12:51:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Let The Right One Slip In by Morrissey

I just read this book 'Låt den rätte komma in' by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, and I really liked it. One of those that maybe isn't a litterally masterpiece (even though it is really well written) but you just can't put away because of its really good story. So there's a little tip if you haven't read it already.

If you don't know Swedish, well, you have to wait for the translation to come (?) and meanwhile be pleased with this Song of the day by Morrissey, which title is the exact translation of the title of the book.

And yes, the playlist is updated. Listen here.

(No, I'm not going to mention 0-0 against Trinidad & Tobago. Crap.)

June 07

2006-06-07T18:23:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Good Friends Are Hard To Find by Ed Harcourt

I had an adventure today, I went into the centre of Stockholm for the first time since I broke the bloody foot. I was totally exhausted when back home and the normal short walk between trains and buses and stuff felt like miles. But I had two good reasons for going, to pick up the new Ed Harcourt album, 'The Beautiful Lie', that was released here today (we had holidays yesterday so we had to wait one day) and to buy the Big Pile Of Pocket Books that my bookstore working-mate Kajsa so kindly had chosen for me . So now I have new music, and lots of books I have not read. Who said it was hard to stay inside all day? It is raining anyway...

'Good Friends Are Hard To Find' is the last track of 'The Beautiful Lie', all all you can do is agree I guess. Sometimes they are hard to keep too. To hear the other 13 songs from the album, well, do like me: Go buy it ;)

June 06

2006-06-06T19:23:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Sweden by The Divine Comedy

Today is the National Day of Sweden, or whatever the translation would be. So here is a song about our lovely (??) country, made by The Divine Comedy, who happen to be English...

Maybe that's why he thought that Henrik Ibsen, mentioned in the lyrics, was Swede. He wasn't. To Mr Neil Hannons (aka The Divine Comedy) defence he changed that line to 'Astrid Lindgren' when I saw him live some years ago...

June 05

2006-06-05T23:48:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Hard Way To Fall (alt take) by Ryan Adams

Today I am in a pretty good mood. My foot is still broken of course, but the x-rays today showed I don't need any operations and that it is healing just fine. Good for my foot, good for me.

I just thought about that I have never posted any Ryan Adams tracks here. He is one of my favourites, so I guess it is about time now. This version of 'Hard Way To Fall' is not the same as from the Jacksonville City Nights album, and honestly I prefer it this way, just him and the acoustic guitar. So enjoy...

Sorry I could not resist on this one..

2006-06-04T00:32:00.000+02:00

Save the monkeys!!

It says 'Song of the day and STUFF', doesn't it?

June 03

2006-06-03T02:08:00.000+02:00

Songs of the day: My Playlist

No songs here today, but if you press the link above you can listen to my new 10-songs playlist on my Myspace site. I will try to update that on pretty regular basics too. As long as I find it amusing enough. The lemonissey web radio :)

You can tell I have helluva too much time now, right...?

June 01

2006-06-01T14:55:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Face Like Summer by Gorky's Zygotic Mynci

I saw the other day that the Welch brilliant pop band Gorky's Zygotic Mynci has decided to split up. A shame. So I let this Song of the day become a byebye to them and a hello to the summer, that officially starts today since it is June, right?

'Face Like Summer' is taken from the year 2000 mini album 'The Blue Trees', which according to me was their finest moment.

I have in mind to start post bonus summer songs, just as well as I did with the Christmas songs in December. But I don't know yet if that is a good idea or not. So let's start with this one and see where it gets.

Hmm... Ed Harcourt, Essex Green, Vive La Fete, Radio Dept and NEW YORK DOLLS (??!!) among many others will play at the Swedish festival Peace & Love in July, located in a small town called Borlänge. My first thought was "Why?", my second was "Maybe it is time to see Borlänge". Join me anyone?

May 30

2006-05-30T12:26:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Nights Of The Living Dead by Tilly and The Wall

3 updates in 2 days. It means nothing less than that I don't have much of a life for the moment.

Tilly and The Wall is one of those one thousand billions of bands that has something to do with Conor Oberst. Besides from being from Omaha, several members were in a band with him before he went massive with Bright Eyes. Oberst also produced their debut 'Woo', and let them record it in his basement.

What makes Tilly and The Wall a little special is that they don't have a drummer. They replaced him with.... a tap dancer. Which is like the most awesome idea I ever heard of. I wish I had come up with that. But since I even have problems finding any people to be in a band with, I guess it would be even harder to find a tap dancer to be in a band with...

'Nights Of The Living Dead' (yes of course it speaks to the zombie- fan in me) is taken from the 2004 album 'Wild Like Children'. This very week they have released a new one, 'Bottoms Of Barrels'.

May 29 again (in the middle of the night)

2006-05-29T23:52:00.000+02:00

Song of the night:
I'm No Superman (theme from Scrubs) by Lazlo Bane

Things going around in my mind an ordinary Thursday night at the emergency department at a hospital in central Stockholm:

1. Am I suppose to feel bad for that nazi skinhead guy that has been cut by a knife in his back by some anarchists? I mean, it is not deep at all, and he can even stand up? Ok, I feel a little sorry for him. But he seems to be a dick anyway, especially with that testicle-looking head of his.
2. Being driven around in a wheelchair by a friend could be even more fun if the foot wasn't aching.
3. It's pretty absurd but enjoyable that they show "Scrubs" in the waiting room.
4. I hope Elliott will be the one who helps me out.
5. Darn, he did not even look like JD.
6. Hmm..this corridore scares me, I shouldn't have watched "The Kingdom"
7. I wonder if Ernst Hugo will be seen in that camera from the roof soon? Danish bastards!!
8. X-ray...cooool...
9. X-ray...AOOUCH watch my foot, it hurts in that angle, pleeeeease...
10. Ït was really scary when the guy beside me played dead, cause he was really good at it, even the nurse had to check on his pulse, but I honestly prefer that instead of him screaming.
11. Usually I feel better than this when a woman helps me out of my jeans.
12. Lucky for me have the habit to shower every day. And that my Calvins are clean.
13. Can I go home soon?
14. Can I have painkillers?
15. Can I go home soon?
16. Ehm.. I hope I can borrow some trousers... it's too cold outside for just underwear.
17. These trousers are the ugliest I ever had.
18. No you stupid nurse, I don't have big feet, your working mates have put plaster around it that makes it look big.
19. Oh it was a joke, sorry I haven't slept in 34 hours now.
20. No you stupid nurse I can't GO (go and walk has the same word in Swedish if you get lost in the translation) home whenever I want to... that's why I'm here.
21.Oh it was a joke, sorry I haven't slept in 35 hours now.
22. I'm afraid of heights allright, but I have never been this scared to step up on a pavement.
23. I'm definitely not a superman.

Thanx and all the credits to Jörgen for keeping me company the whole night. We had some fun too, right?

May 29

2006-05-29T20:21:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Girl In The War by Josh Ritter

Another Josh R that plays acoustic pop music really well.

Josh Ritter played at this free festival in Stockholm, last weekend. But since I fell so bad on my Thursdays visit to that very same festival that I broke my foot, I missed his gig Saturday. Afterwards I heard it was great. Of course.

"Girl In The War" is taken from the album "The Animal Years", released in April. If you enjoyed this song of the day and like to hear more, there is an e-card where you can listen to the whole brilliant album @ http://www.flashenhanced.com/joshritter/

I know I have said it before, but now that the damage is done and I hardly go out for the moment, I guess it will be easier to update more often. All I can do is try my best...

April 27

2006-04-27T23:50:00.000+02:00

I don't really feel like posting today, but I just want to say that you can listen to Ed Harcourts forthcoming single "Visit From A Dead Dog" at his myspace site @ www.myspace.com/edwardharcourt.

I have also changed my profile song at www.myspace.com/scaryflairy to a tune from the new Radio Dept album.

So what will you do this weekend? I will work and try to make a living.

April 25

2006-04-25T23:51:00.000+02:00

Song of the day:
Redemption Song by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros

It was not usual that Joe Strummers voice was recorded like this, with just an acoustic guitar and not so much more. But this splendid Bob Marley cover from 2003, taken from the album Streetcore, shows that maybe it should have been done more often.

The history of Joe Strummer is maybe not needed to be told once again, but if you want you can check out an earlier post on this blog about him, from November 21st, here.

Now I have posted some pre-Clash and some post-Clash. The reason why nothing from The Clash themselves has been posted so far, is because it is so damn hard to pick one...

April 24

2006-04-24T22:58:00.000+02:00

Song of the day: Small Town Girl by The Good Shoes

I recently discovered this so-called new wave British band, and I really like what I have heard so far. It's something with this British accent and this kind of distorted guitars that really speaks to me in a way that makes want to go out and have a blast. And I like the fact it's so uncomplicated. I have been listening a lot to 'slower' music the latest months, and nothing wrong by that, I still like that a lot, but sometimes I just get a little fed up with it, and want to listen to these kind of songs, that does not speak to my brain or heart really, more to that feeling that makes me want to do drumming moves in the air (yes, if it had been the 80's it would have been an airguitar, but I'm more into airdrumming these days) and stand up shouting EVERYTHING'S OK AND EVERYTHING'S ALLRIGHT.

As a bonus you can check out my recently updated My Space site at www.myspace.com/scaryflairy (no, you are not allowed to ask about the nickname) to hear a really good song by Television Personalities that, just as this song of the day, makes me happy by listening to. Despite the lyrics which is like the opposite of happy. I will try to change the profile song pretty often, so it does not hurt to check it out from time to time, And if you want to, send me a friend request. If I find you interesting, I might add you, who knows ;)

March 31, It looks like love

2006-03-31T23:02:00.000+02:00

Song of the day:
It Looks Like Love (acoustic in London) by Josh Rouse

When I started this blog I really thought I would post more often. At least once a week. But honestly, the latest weeks (months yes I know) I just have not felt like I wanted to. The reason, hmm, I have had better things on my mind.

I also had promised myself that The Song of The Day would be about music, and not about me myself. But since I live with music around me and within me all the time, the times when I write about myself is about music too in a way.

I guess I soon could rename this blog to the Josh Rouse Song of the Day, since I already have posted some songs from him, but his music has been with me anywhere I have been going the latest year. I never stopped to listen to 'Nashville' before 'Subtitulo' was out, so these two albums have melted together for me, as a soundtrack for a year when a lot happened, bad stuff, good stuff. I have been really sad to this music, but really happy too. It has given me comfort, and it has been with me through the greatest times. Honestly i did not think that one single musician would mean so much for me again. In that way I feel like 17 again, when some certain bands meant like everything. So I felt it was impossible not to post another Rouse song. Especially now:

Music has put in brought some news in my life. I have met someone. Someone I really care for. And we met because of music, talking about bands and artists that is important to the both of us (Josh Rouse, Ryan Adams, The Spice Girls ;)...). It all has developed, and it really looks like love. And what I like the most is that I am completely myself with her, even though I have not seen her for that long. And not that many times either, to this point. She lives right outside Paris. She is French. But it's not more than a half a day away.

So if you feel like, meet me in the front row at the Josh Rouse concert in Stockholm the 9th of May. I will be in seat four, with a really special someone Alice next to me in seat five. To see a Josh Rouse concert together with her, sharing it with her. I am such a music nerd, but I think about it all the time.

February 14

2006-02-14T22:43:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: You Made Me Realise by My Bloody Valentine

My Bloody Valentine on Valentines Day. Isn't it just perfect? I guess you can treat your distortion pedal with whole lotta love too.

And by the way, Josh Rouse will play in Scandinavia in May. Check out www.joshrouse.com for details about the venues and the dates.

And I can't stop staring at you, your expression looks a little confused, this little story will end oh so well...

February 13

2006-02-13T20:29:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Mount Palomar by The Soft Hearted Scientist

If The Verve would get together with The Beta Band who already had began to play with the Gorkys Zygotic Mynci, I think the result would be something like The Soft Hearted Scientists. This is the first single from their debut album 'Uncanny Tales From The Undergrowth' where they mix together Welch folkmusic with more psychadelic pop. This song is not that psychadelic though, more like... pop.

I wanted to post a song from the new Beth Orton album that is released on Wednesday, but after listening to it today I feel rather dissapointed about it and I guess I will wait until I have found a song that really gets to me. So far none of them have.

Some good news is that Sigur Rós will do a show at the beautiful Swedish venue Dalhalla, in the end of June. Sounds nice to me.

February 02

2006-02-02T21:21:00.000+01:00

Songs of the day:
Quattro (World Drifts In) by Calexico
Woman King by Iron & Wine

The other day I had an e-mail from a booking agency that Calexico and Iron & Wine will do a show together in Stockholm in April. I just find that being good news, and that's basicly why I post two songs today, from one each.

Calexico (the guys without beard) will release the album 'Garden Ruin' in April, Iron & Wine (aka Sam Beam, the guy with the beard) has the EP 'Woman King' out right now. They have also made an EP together, which I think have been able in the stores for some while now.

February 01

2006-02-01T22:18:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Sooner Or Later by Marah

This is the band that made English writer Nick Hornby say 'The best live band since The Clash', and after that go on tour with them, just because he wanted to show them to the audience. I was at one of this shows, when Hornby read som essays about concerts that had changed his life, and where Marah first did some covers of those bands (including a splendid version of Clash's *Lost In The Supermarket') and after that a whole show.

I never saw The Clash, I'm much too young to have been able to (I saw Joe Strummer solo once, playing some Clash-songs but I can't say it was that revolutionary) but I have to say that this show by Marah was really really good, with so much energy and so much happiness surrounding it all. There were no doubts that they just loved to play their music.

On record though, you can't really fell that energy. If it was just pure really good rock n roll live, it's more like standard rock on CD, which unfortuneatly makes it a little boring sometimes. But I really like this song, especially the riff, taken from their second album 'If You Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry'.

I took the picures above at the show at Södra Teatern, Stockholm. I even manage to catch the plectrum from the guitarist, but I gave it to Thomas since he looked líke he wanted it even more.

January 31

2006-01-31T20:17:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Let Me Have This by The Radio Dept

Some Swedish stuff that I really like. This song is taken from the 5-track EP 'This Past Week', which was The Radio Depts only release last year. It's something about singer Johan Duncanssons voice together with the music that makes it so perfect to listen to in the late evenings, with headphones on. And I guess it somehow reminds me of all this music I used to listen to when I was younger, at the same time as it doesn't sound old at all.

I have a bonus for you today. The day before yesterday my post included an unreleased Josh Rouse track. Since I guess I consider myself as a 'fan' of his music I can't help myself from posting the link to his new video, 'Quiet Town', now that I have it. If you want to you can see it, and hear the song too of course, right here. I think the messed up hair and the Costello-glasses suits him quite well :)

January 30

2006-01-30T18:20:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Lived In Bars by Cat Power

I have seen two versions of Cat Power. One that made me afraid and one where she appeard to be pretty terrified herself.

Concert number 1: I'm in the front, taking pictures. She lits a cigarette and want me to pass it on to some other guy that probably looked like he needed one. So I grab the cigarette, to immedeatly being screamed at from the guards to put it away. The concert hall was a non-smoking area. So there I stand, with the cigarette in my hand, wanting to be a rebel and the hero and just don't give a damn about what the guards are screaming at me, but at the same time I don't want to be knocked down by this angry gorilla-looking staff. So I do basicly nothing, just standing there looking stupid as usual. I mean, I don't even smoke. At the same time Cat Power starts to scream because the cigarette was not for me. So it ends up with me being the enemy to everyone, to the artist on stage, to the crowd and to the guards. I threw the cig on the ground, and went to see the rest of the (really good) show from the back.

Concert number 2: A seated one. I'm at the second row this time. Cat Power is really shy, there is almost no light on stage and she is singing really quiet and softly. She is so nervous that she forgots the lyrics and plays the songs wrong from time to time, she stops in the middle of a song just to say something or starts over because she can't remember the chords. You can see on her face that she is trying to concentrate but that she is feeling really uncomfortable for not succeding. But she does not stop, she tries and tries and tries and plays for hours. And the crowd just loves it, including me. Somehow the most honest show I have ever been to, you could really feel it was a real human up there, and not some 'entertainter' meant to please the crowd.

I bought her new album, 'The Greatest' today. I have listened to it a few times now and it sounds like one of those I will listen to a lot. This is the song that caught me first, but I'm sure I will have another favourite next week, or maybe even tomorrow. But in that case, I can post that one too. And I am not afraid of her anymore, I even have the picture above as a big poster on the door to my bathroom.

January 29

2006-01-29T22:09:00.000+01:00

Songs of the day:
Clockwork Toy by Ed Harcourt
Givin' It Up by Josh Rouse

So I had a break. But I guess you need that sometime.

First of all I want to thank all the people that e-mailed me and asked me what was happening with this blog when it wasn't updated for like a month. The answer is lack of inspiriation and time, but now I will try to go on with a full strength... Until the the next time I need a break.

To apologise for being away so long, I will bring you not one Song of the day but two, from two of my most favourite artists. Both songs are so far non-official released ones, that will be on albums later this year.

Josh Rouse releases "Subtitulo" in March, and Ed Harcourt will release two albums during the year "if the music label lets him" that is...

In an earlier Josh Rouse post I was talking about him being inspired by soul music, and this time it is even more obvious. It really makes me look forward to the album..

The Ed Harcourt track is more like a classic piano one, that took me some time to appreciate. But after hearing it live just before christmas, I understood what a good song it is. Simple, yes, but still good.

December 30

2005-12-30T22:56:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: The New Year by Azure Ray

Another song by Azure Ray. Read about them in an earlier post. This is from The 'Burn & Shiver' - album.

So, when the year comes to an end, in this years last post (I won't have time tomorrow), I want to focus on the good stuff that happened during 2005, and forget about the roughness and the sadness. It was a strange year indeed, with lot of changes around, but seeing all this stuff below together makes me remember the year as a good one after all.

This made my 2005 (in no special order at all):
The Stockholm-London-Berlin-Stockholm trip (Björne, I still owe you plenty!), His Joshness@The Oxford Zodiac, Hoppipolla and the rest of Takk…, HIF-dif 2-1, Streetlights, Winter in The Hamptons, It’s The Nighttime, Sad Eyes and the rest of Nashville (definitely the album of the year), Scoring for my amatuer football-team (Åland, beware!), Ed Harcourt@Kägelbanan, HIF-ifk gbg 3-2, The greatest mate Annika, The Raveonettes in London, Cold Roses, the e-mails from Alice, Mary Lou Lord@Dieselverkstan, visiting Jonas A, Oh I Need All Of The Love, finally get hold of ’The Ghosts Parade’-single, my talking Darth Vader doll, Garden State, Lost In Translation, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Donkey-Kongas with Jörgen, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The VIP tickets to Söderstadion and the following evening, Khonnor@Mondo, Sigur Rós@Cirkus, Such Great Heights, Nick Hornby & Marah@Södra Teatern and all the rest that I can’t remember.

The Song of the day will go on in the year 2006. Happy new year to you all!

December 22

2005-12-22T21:41:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Some Jingle Jangle Morning (When I'm Straight) by Mary Lou Lord

When Mary Lou Lord played in Stockholm this fall, she did it in the middle of the afternoon, at this one-day indoor festival, called 'Ladyfest'. The (really good) theme of the festival was to present culture only made my women, and at least 90% of the audience were female too.

There were not much people in front of the stage, and the crowd were really quiet, a little too quiet. Mary tried to communicate but did not get much response. From time to time she asked the audience what song to play, and no one said a thing. And in the back stood me, Johan and Thomas, whispering to each other what songs we wanted our american indie-queen to play, 'His Indie World', 'Lights Are Changing', 'I Don't Wanna Get Over You' etc, but did not dare to speak out loud. If not being such shy chickens we could have heard all the songs we wanted. But it was nice anyway.

'Some Jingle Jangle Morning (When I'm Straight)' was Marys debut single and came out in two versions, a 'punky' one and a more 'poppy' one. In the link above you find the punk, if you want to hear the other version, just click here. Then it is up to you decide which one to be the best. I like them both.

Speaking of indie-queens, Todays Christmas bonus is one of the few that could make me dance around the christmas tree and even be happy about it, 'I Was Born On Christmas Day' by Saint Etienne & Tim Burgess. Singer Sarah Cracknell would definitely be a member of the indie-royal family. Tim Burgess from The Charlatans, well, he qualifies for being the landlord or the housekeeper or something like that...

December 20

2005-12-20T21:28:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Going Out Again by Electrelane

Still feel like listeing to some semi-electronic stuff. I'm not too sure about the part of the song when the saxophone is being brutally assualted/freaking out, but the rest of it is a sure floor-filler :-)

I had my ticket booked for the Electrelane concert in Stockholm this fall, but in the end I could not afford to go. A little sad, I heard it had been nice. This track is taken from the 2004 album "The Power Out". Earlier this year they released "Axes", which is pretty fine too.

Todays bonus christmas song is a slow but nice one: I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day by Pedro the Lion

December 17

2005-12-17T00:34:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Teen Angst by M83

This is the time of the year when the all the magazines publish lists of the albums of the year and stuff. I don't care much for those, but still I'm rather surprised that French M83's 'Before The Dawn Heals Us' isn't included anywhere, as far as I have seen. It would surely be on my top 5.

In the post about Slowdive the other day I talked about this line between noise and perfection, and well, here we go again. If Slowdive had been in the middle 2000's instead of 1990's they probably would sound something like this. Synthgazing?

Bonus christmas song: Blue Christmas by Bright Eyes

December 15

2005-12-15T01:16:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: (I Think) I'm Turning Japanese by The Vapors

(since I could not find a proper picture of the band, I post a pic of some really wierd Japanese scarfs)

Todays post is entirely dedicated to Eddi since it is her birthday today. YAAAAAAY!!!

Rumours around town say you are a fan of this blog and since you are the only one who put up comments on regular basis and aslo being a great fika-mate, you are truly worth the celebrations :-) I thought the title of this song suited you well, we all wondered if you were on your way Turning Japanese a while ago. In fact, I'm not really sure if you have lost that state yet! I have to admit though, that the line No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women, no fun, no sin, no wonder it's dark says a lot about myself too ;-) This one would have done well on the last years 'This Is Pop?', wouldn't it?

The Vapors are one of those English New Wave-bands that only will be in the history books as "One Hit Wonders". They went on tour with The Jam, but '(I think) I'm Turning Japanese' was their only succes before falling into oblivion.

Since Ryan Adams is a guy that Eddi (Head-i?) literally did fall for a while ago, his 'Hey Parker, It's Christmas' has to be the perfect bonus christmas song for todays post. Have a splendid day!

December 14

2005-12-14T21:55:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Lightness (demo) by Death Cab For Cutie

Time for another double feature. Death Cab For Cutie is one of those bands that the indie-Talibans think are "sell-outs" just because they have learned how to produce their records properly. All the others, including me, think that they just sound a whole lot better than before, and that 'Plans' is one of the best albums of the year. 'Lightness' never made it to that album, but is still a really nice song.

Death Cab For Cuties contribution to the Holidays is 'Christmas (Baby Please Come)' which is todays bonus christmas song.

December 13

2005-12-13T18:38:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: When The Sun Hits by Slowdive

This is another of those songs I just love. Shoegazing just as beautiful as it can get. The distortion together with the melody and singing.... there is a thin line between noise and perfection. The haircuts never reached that level of perfection, though.

Slowdive released 4 albums, the last one in 1995. This track is taken from 'Souvlaki', released in June 1993. Last year a best of double album, 'Catch The Breeze' hit the stores, which is a perfect intoduction to the band. Songs like 'Dagger' and 'Here She Comes' really deserves a resurrection. The tip of the day.

Todays bonus christmas song is in fact a really good one, called nothing harder but 'The Christmas Song' by Denmarks finest The Raveonettes.

December 12

2005-12-12T23:55:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: The Ghosts Parade by Ed Harcourt

Todays post is a double feature of one of my favourites, Ed Harcourt. I was suppose to wait until Saturday, to celebrate that he is playing a solo gig in Stockholm, but I could not wait. Ed had plans on releasing a double album with songs all about ghosts, but that never happened. To quote Ed himself: 'It was a shame because even if the double album had been a failure, at least it would have been a grandiose failure!' Some songs were released though, this one as a limited single, and 'Blackwoods Back Home' as a B-side to mention some of them.

Todays bonus christmas song is another rare Ed-track: His version of the traditional In The Bleak Midwinter. I'm not sure what I think of him singing in this deep voice, but it is still a fine track.

December 11

2005-12-11T23:37:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Flowers In December by Mazzy Star

A rather suitable title this time of the year, 'aight?

Mazzy Star, with the beautiful voice of Hope Sandoval, is another of those bands whose records I always return to. When I have a day feeling a little down for some reason, I often put one of their cd's in my record player. Their music sort of fits the mood, without making me feel even worse.

They have released 3 records so far, (plus a Hope Sandoval solo album which is good but not that good) but unforuneatly it looks like there will be no more. I saw them live a few years ago, and back then they played a lot of songs from an upcoming album, that for some reason I don't know of never got released. Sad, cause it sounded just as good as it always do.

Todays bonus christmas song: Santa Claus by The Sonics

December 09

2005-12-09T21:30:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Hey Sailor by The Detroit Cobras

I'm not much into skiing. So I never have been to an After Ski. But I have heard it is the heaven of Cover bands, which would be the same as hell for me.

The Detroit Cobras, though, is one of the few cover bands that could describe themselves as 'coool'. This song was originally written by someone called Mick Lee Lane, but I doubt his version was this good, even though I haven't heard it.

Christmas bonus song:

Run Away With Me by Jens Lekman
Thanx Jonas A for the great tip.

December 06

2005-12-06T23:55:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Cars (Variant) by To Rococo Rot

When me and friend Thomas went to Berlin this summer, we discussed the quality of German music with some people we met in this really nice punk-bar. Since we had had a few beers and just had discovered the price of the Jägermeister, our (ehm, mine) arguments went something like 'Hohoho you all like The Scorpions baaAAaah'.

But I have to admit that besides the horrible Rammstein, bad poodle rock and rap group Die Toten Hosen, there are some really nice bands. Tarwater, Lali Puna and To Rococo Rot among others. So my apologies to The German People, there are some gold hidden in all the poop ;-)

I often listen to To Rococo Rot in the winter. I don't know why, but their instrumental tunes sound so good in my headphones when walking in the dark and cold.

Bonus Christmas song:

Santa Claus Is Smoking Reefer by The Squirell Nut Zippers

December 05

2005-12-05T20:05:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Rise by Azure Ray

I noticed that everything has been pretty slow and very male on this blog the latest days, so todays song of the day is more like, well, still pretty slow, but definitely not male.

When seeing Azure Ray live a few years ago, one of my friends said something like "All bands should be female" and in that very moment it was hard to disagree. Wonderful songs, wonderful voices.

Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink of American duo Azure Ray released 3 great albums and a 6-track ep before they split up earlier this year. 'Rise', taken from their self-titled debut album, might be one of their finest tracks, but my favourite album must be the beautiful 'Burn & Shiver' from 2001, which stills grows on me.

Todays bonus christmas song:
Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses

December 04

2005-12-04T23:22:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Story Of An Artist by Daniel Johnston

Daniel Johnston lived with his parents almost until the age of 40. Because of his lack of social skills and his physical illness it was impossible for him to live by himself. He went in and out from mental institutions, but when at home he had this tape recorder and a piano, and recorded his own-written songs influenced by The Beatles and favourite cartoon character and alter ego 'Casper The Friendly Ghost' (also scared and desperate about talking to people) the whole days. Then one day, the ground next to the house was for sale, and the Johnstons bought it and built Daniel his own house. And if nothing have changed during the latest months, he still lives there making and recording his odd but wonderful music.

It isn't the wildest guess that 'Story of Artist' is about himself, just like many other of his songs. 'Like A Monkey In The Zoo', 'Sorry Entertainer', 'Devil Town' to mention some of them. About a year ago this double album was released, with a sort of 'Best of Daniel Johnston' on the one side and the same songs covered by artists such as Tom Waits, Beck, Flaming Lips, Bright Eyes and Mercury Rev on the other. A great way to discover "The Late Great Daniel Johnston' as the album is called. Just another tip.

Todays christmas bonus song is by a band who claim to be influenced by Johnston and who is included on the double album:
Christmas Is Going To The Dogs by Eels.

December 02

2005-12-02T23:57:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Waltz#2 (xo) by Elliott Smith

Of all those musicians who died too early the death of Elliott Smith was the one who moved me the most. I kind of liked Nirvana, but I wasn't the biggest fan, and Hendrix, Curtis, Presley and Lennon died before I even had heard a single tune from them. When Elliott passed away by stabbing himself in the stomach, I was in the middle of what should be called a fan-ship, and wondered when the album he was recording was to be released.

'Waltz#2 (xo)', from his 'XO'-album, might be one of his more well-known songs, so you probably already know it, but since it would be included on my list of the ten best songs ever written by anyone, I chose to post it. I don't see how I could get tired of this song, and there is always a reason to listen to it.

Elliott Smith to me was more than the ordinary singer/songwriter guy. He was pure rock n roll, but in a sensitive way. His voice was perfectly suitable for the the songs he wrote, and he had an unique way of playing the guitar. It's so sad we won't hear it again.

To cheer things up, enjoy todays Bonus Christmas song:
Come on Let's Boogie To The Elf-Dance by Sufjan Stevens

December 01

2005-12-01T21:52:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Hoppípolla by Sigur Rós

When I was a kid my nose was bleeding like all the time, out of nothing. I was pretty much known as the nosebleed-kid, which was fine, cause at least I had some kind of identity. This stopped when I was around twelwe or thirteen or something, and I can't say that I mind.

'Hoppípolla' (Icelandic just as the rest of the song) has been my favourite track from the latest Sigur Rós album 'Takk' ever since I heard it from the first time. And when I heard what the lyrics was all about the other day, I started to love the song even more.

In a really rough translation it goes something like jump into puddles of water, jump into puddles of water, and if my nose starts bleeding I won't mind at all, I will just go on jumping. And there is my childhood.

When people ask me who my favourite bands are, I always find it hard to answer. But Icelandic Sigur Rós is absolutely one of them. At least for the moment. And the language must be one of the most beautiful that there is, even though I can't understand much, if any.

And now here comes the fun! Since december starts today I will include a bonus-xmas song in every post until Santa shows up. Enjoy today:

I'd Like To Have An Elephant for Christmas by Hank Thompson.

And who wouldn't?

November 30 (a little late)

2005-12-01T00:00:00.000+01:00

Song Of the Day: I Hope He Is Everything You Wanted Me To Be
by Television Personalities

If you live in Sweden, maybe you saw the TVP documentary on TV last week. I've been listening a lot to two of his (yes, it's a solo project, not a band) more well-known songs, 'Part-Time Punks' and 'Smashing Time', both really funny and happy, almost crazy. Suited fine at any party.

But the documentary showed something else. Dan Treacy, as he was born as, was nothing but an ill, broken, drunk and really depressed junkie with big marks of needles all over his arms. You could feel nothing but sad to see it.

I don't know why I chose this particular song. But I love the lyrics. Simple and true. And it shows a completely different side of Television Personalities than the irony and the fun I've known him mostly for.

Dan Treacy isn't a good singer, and he can hardly play the guitar, but his music sounds so honest somehow. Far away from the stuff you hear on regular basis. And now, when he is about to release his first record in eleven years, he deserves all the respect he can get and I can't do nothing but wish he will get well.

By the way,
There is still time to see the (really good) documentary by Swedish journalist Andres Lokko at
http://svt.se/svt/road/Classic/shared/mediacenter/player.jsp?d=43478&a=486757
It's in English with Swedish subtitles

November 29

2005-11-29T12:04:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Oh, I Need All Of The Love by Josh Rouse

I know I've already posted a Josh Rouse song earlier, but I could not resist on this one since I have played it over and over again since I had the record yesterday. Rouse often speaks of legends as Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, and you sometimes could find some tracks of that in his songs. With 'Oh, I Need All Of The Love', he does not only put down one of his toes into soul music, but his whole leg.

The track is taken from the limited 'Bedroom Classics vol.2'-ep which you still can order from www.joshrouse.com or download on Itunes. The record is pretty different from the stuff he did before, a "between albums release" with songs that did not fit in on his forthcoming album 'Subtitlo', due to be released in March. If you are curious about him, get the 'Under Cold Blue Stars' -album and start from there. Just a tip.

November 28

2005-11-28T23:54:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: There Is A Number Of Small Things by Múm

I have never been to Iceland, but I really would love to go. This is a beautiful little tune from Múm's debut album 'Yesterday Was Dramatic - Tomorrow Is Ok', and one of their finest moments so far. Sometimes instrumental songs move you more than those with lyrics. And I just love the part around 05.20 into the song, when the bells come back and the lalala-thingy starts. Music for late evenings.

November 25

2005-11-25T00:28:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Placard by The Bear Quartet

When The Bear Quartet reach the levels they do in this song, they definitely are the best band Sweden has to offer. And pretty often they do. Just listen to the lyrics!

I can't remember if they have released ten, eleven or even twelwe albums up to date, but this is taken from my favourite one, 'Personality Crisis' from 1998. And tonight they are doing a gig at Nalen in Stockholm. Meet me there or be square.

November 24

2005-11-24T22:59:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Jessica by Adam Green

I saw a few minutes of 'Newlyweds' today. Kinda amusing sometimes, in the same silly way that often make the worst jokes the funniest. But still it is not as amusing (and true!) as this little tune. "Jessica Simpson, where has your love gone, it's not in your music, no".

Adam Green was formely a member of The Moldy Peaches, and used to appear on stage in a Robin Hood - costume. This song is taken from his 2nd solo album (out of 3) called 'Friends of mine'. Another favourite line by this guy is "Bind me, gag me, take me to the Bunnyranch, do me doggy, rape me in the parking lot". Mmmmkay...

All you have to know about Jessica Simpson is included in todays Song of the day.

November 21

2005-11-21T16:31:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Keys To Your Heart by The 101'ers

The 101'ers is Joe Strummer at his early musical career, before The Clash. He formed the band 1974 togehter with people living in a squatted house on 101 Walterton Road In London. 'Keys To Your Heart' was released as their debut single, and they played frequently at small clubs all over London. One night they were supported by The Sex Pistols, and seeing their appareance made Strummer decide that he had to change his musical direction.

Not very long after that, in what seem to be a struck of luck and good timing, Paul Simonon and Mick Jones appeared to a 101'ers gig and frankly told Strummer that "You are great but your music suck". Strummer, who agreed, decided to join The Heartdrops, Jones' and Simonons band, who later change their name to The Clash.

'Keys To Your Heart' is in my opinion a pretty uplifting and fine popsong. Nothing revolutionary though. That happened later.

November 18

2005-11-18T20:36:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Uptight by The Darling Buds

Since it's Friday night I thought of giving you a rather classic uptempo indiepopish one to make you wave you arms around and around, jump up and down, shake your bootys or whatever you like to do during the weekend.

Formed in Cardiff, Wales in 1986, The Darling Buds were part of the brief "Blonde" period of UK indie music, along with their more commercially successful contemporaries The Primitives. Basically the trend was for a band to have a blonde female singer backed by a load of blokes wearing black and trying to look moody.

November 17

2005-11-18T03:42:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Teenage Riot by Sonic Youth

I spent the whole day the same way I will spend my Friday and Saturday: Together with hundreds and hundreds 14-15 year old kids while working for GLÖD magazine at a school fair in Sthlm. The most of them where really really nice but some were just as annoying as you can expect them to be... I'm exhausted and can't think of anything clever to say, so I just leave you with another song of the day with a title that says a lot about the day I had.

And yes. From now on you finally don't need to be a member of this blog to post comments. I'm pretty new (read: I'm an idiot) to this stuff. Sorry.

November 16 pt 2

2005-11-16T22:02:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: See below

I just heard that the drummer in Shonen Knife have been killed in a car accident. I wasn't a big fan, but it was easy to smile when hearing them. sad.

http://www.shonenknife.com/mainpage.html

November 16

2005-11-16T21:10:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Beat Him Up by Helen Love

I am working on this article about Swedish schools and pupils who just arrived here from other countries. Do they in any way get any edjucation about sex, and if they are, is it understandable?

Anyway, I was at this meeting today, where they handled this. There were a lot of teachers, some school nurses and then Olle "Fråga Olle" Waller, often seen on Swedish TV. I might come back to this really interesting issue when the aricle is written and done since I just started, but I can bring up two things:

* Some teachers think that pupils from muslim countries don't want to talk about sex, that they never think about sex and that it is therefore impossible to have any edjucation about it at all. But other teachers who had tried this, told us that the pupils always had more, and also different questions than the "regular Swedish kid" of same age. And when someone finally starts to talk to them about sex, they never want to stop. It is scary that some teachers prejudices increases the education.

* Many teachers had their cellphones on. And some of them even answered the calls. In the middle of a meeting.

November 15

2005-11-16T01:07:00.000+01:00

Song of The Day: Michigan by Josh Rouse

I decided to move my blog to this place since several people complained about that they couldn't post any comments if they weren't members on myspace. So here it is. And now you better start posting...

From November 13

2005-11-16T01:06:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: Crooked Teeth by Death Cab For Cutie

Tonight I passed by the nice little place where my band used to rehearse, just to see that everything was ok since no one had been there for months. It looked all fine, but you can't say that about the house across the street. Its a large 6-floored house with lots of apartments, and the upper floor had been totally destroyed in a fire during the weekend. I could still feel the smell of burned stuff, and it looked terrible. Now I heard that no one got badly injured, but obviously many people had lost their homes.

This is located in Husby, a rather poor suburb in northern Stockholm, with lot of immigrants living there. And it says a lot about the problems there is with integration and stuff, since almost no one who lived there had a proper home insurance. Even I think it is hard to understand all the rules and what information I should fill in in all those posts. Of course it's even harder for someone who doesn't know the language. So just because there is a lack of understandable information about how our system works, these families won't get the right economic help to start up their new lives in their new homes. And that is a tragedy, just as much as the fire itself.

A totally different thing:

There was a loud BANG on my balcony for about half an our ago. When I opened the door to check what the hell was going on, I noticed that someone had dropped "The Idiot" by Dostojevskij right upon my balcony table. That could mean two things:

1. It's a sign, if I read it it will change my life.
2. My neighbours think I'm an idiot.

From November 12

2005-11-16T00:59:00.000+01:00

Song of the day: His Indie World by Mary Lou Lord

There was a really unpleasant man in the shop today. As far away from nice as you can get. I gave him the finger inside my pocket all the time we were talking. When he was about to pay, he had this black amex-card which you only can get if you have helluva lot of money. Maybe it's just my prejudices, but does the niceness dissappear in the same speed as the wallet gets thick?