The story about Convoj is the story of a band that broke through on the net and on stages all over Sweden in 2004, but where the hunt for the big record deal became more important than to build on the real success they had with their listeners. (You can read their story on Convoj’s Myspace page). Now they seem to have landed and will finally release their debut album “Exceptionnel”, which will be out the 10th of December in collaboration with Wonderland Records.

They deliver an energetic indie rock with their own sound. Franz Ferdinand-edgy guitars form the base of the sound with a an expressive singer that almost sounds like he has turned himself inside out. Songs that are not too predictable, but with catchy choruses. Music that require some attention from the listener, which they certainly deserve.

My Timekeeping Heart:

Follow Convoj in a couple of tracks and judge for yourself:

The Shovel
My Timekeeping Heart

Listen more on Convoj’s page at Wonderland Records

Sometimes I’m asked if we’re not soon going to run out of intesting new Swedish music to write about. We do have the ambition to a new artist every day (even if we also present new albums with the artists.) I think I have a pretty good overview and I normally answer that there are tens of thousand great artists in Sweden that deserve more attention. There is a lot of listening to artists and sometimes I get extra happy from a new discovery.

Like when I found Gocart System. Their apparently straight pop songs didn’t fool me. This is really joyful. Retro flirting songs run away and become something completely different. Like in for example “Always Been the Same” where they start with a “No One Lives Forever”-intro and then runs off to all kinds of directions.
This is imaginative pop that’s inspired by many sources, so at the moment I’ll stick with the label “Gocart System”.

This autumn they will release their debut EP on their own label Lashiec Records. Listen to two tracks here:

Always Been the Same
Silver Guitar

Visit Gocart System on Myspace

Yes, this blog is still about swedish music and swedish artists; de la Mancha is not from la Mancha but from Göteborg. And this year they have released their first full length album “Atlas”.

If you’re in a hurry this is not for you. But if you can let go of time and immerse yourself fully into the music and just be there, then you have come to the right place. Because de la Mancha take the space they need to develop their songs to what they are supposed to be. Carefully they build ambiences from themes and melodies, often up to a grand crescendo.

There are a lot of influences here and I find vibes from Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Sigur Ros and the dreamy pop of Marjorie Fair. It has a lot of variation, it’s beautiful, it’s dreamy, well yes it’s great music this.

Listen to two tracks from “Atlas”:

The Kimono
Release All Light

Visit de la Mancha on Myspace and listen some more

Things have been happening fast for The High Fives. They started out 2006 in Katrineholm, Sweden, in 2007 they toured all over Sweden and played at Hultsfredsfestivalen, they drank black absinth and turned a hostel upside down, and now in November 2008 they release their debut album “Work of Art” (Show Me the Money/Wonderland Records).

And their music runs pretty fast too. It’s indie pop/rock with a lot of energy with nice melodic hooks, and the latest addition to the band with two brass players emphasizes this even more. (extra pluses for saxophone solos). A party atmosphere I would say, positive and happy, and with this as a starting point I’m sure they will continue to get a lot of attention on their concerts and gather faithful crowds.

The third of November the album “Work of Art” is released, but you can get a taste of it here by listening to two great tracks from the record:

241
Duracell

Visit The High Fives on Myspace

Here’s some music that hopefully puts you in a good mood. Don’t get fool by the name Heart-Sick Groans, because the ambience is just opposite of what could be expected. Fun.

This is happy indie pop with folk influences. Imaginative, playful and mostly acoustic arrangements, with a violin, with tasteful effects and nice harmonies that are laid out in the best Beautiful South manner.

Earlier this year they released the EP “Oh, I Can Do a Number of Things”, and you can listen to a song from the EP below, “The Season For Us”. Now they are recording some new material, from which you can listen to “Suddenly Molly” here.

The Season For Us
Suddenly Molly

Visit Heart-Sick Groans on Myspace

Other music sites and blogs about Heart-sick Groans: Swedesplease, Absolutepunk.net, Pop Tarts Suck Toasted