SPOT MAGAZINE 2010 - INTERNATIONAL
SPOT FESTIVAL | MORE THAN 130 DANISH AND NORDIC ACTS / INTERSPOT | MORE THAN 20 INTERNATIONAL ACTS / SPOT OPENING / SEMINARS AND DEBATES / INFO + FACTS [ARR. BY ROSA | THE DANISH ROCK COUNCIL IN ASSOCIATION WITH MXD | MUSIC EXPORT DENMARK] 1
KØBENHAVN - OSLO
DFDS SE AWAYS PRÆSENTERER
ROCKCRUISE KASHMIR CV JØRGENSEN OH NO ONO
THOMAS DyBDAHL
WHEN SAINTS GO MACHINE INDEPENDENT WAVES By
OG MANGE ANDRE
FØLG OS PÅ FACEBOOK 2
WWW.ROCKCRUISE.DK
List of contents 04 Welcome 05 Map of the festival area 06 Klub Rosa
Meet the Danish underground
07 The stronghold of songwriting
The Songwriter Stage – focus on the tunesmiths
08 Metal SPOT
The Nordic Explosion
09 SPOT Opening Night
the evening’s programme + presentation of the music
10 InterSPOT
sPOT’s new international sibling + presentation of bands
14 Bands on SPOT Festival
Presentation of the 130 Danish and Nordic musical experiences
32 Partners & sponsors 33 Seminars
photo: Jesper Hedemann
focus on the problems and opportunities of the music business
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Welcome The 16th SPOT Festival welcomes all international guests, collaborators and business partners. We’re proud to present bands and artists from the new Nordic scenes to a wide audience of both new and familiar faces. SPOT is a platform for Nordic music – an international meeting place where networks are formed and knowledge shared. Most importantly, it is a place where new music is respected and the word about its qualities is spread. We aim to create a relaxed but serious atmosphere, making it possible for our many guests to combine business and pleasure. SPOT has no VIP areas. We insist that the musicians, the audience and the music industry meet on equal terms. Our many stages are placed closely together. This way everyone gets a chance to hear as many acts as possible during InterSPOT and the following two days of the SPOT Festival. It is no easy task, of course, for small countries to play a role at the international music market. And we don’t expect Denmark to win any kind of world championship. But we will struggle to ensure that new Danish music – regard-
less of genre – gets the international credit it deserves. Through the years we have built up a strong network of international partners. Festivals, journalists, agents and managers all help us promote Danish music. Without these partnerships we would have very limited possibilities. We appreciate the loyalty and seriousness of these collaborators. The global music business is changing rapidly these years. Many are struggling with economy and financing, promotion and marketing. We all look to the future for new reliable and sustainable models of business. Music plays an ever-increasing role in our private as well as our public lives. The challenge for all of us is to find new ways of delivering this artistic and commercial potential. We hope that all our guests will feel welcome during the Festival – perhaps you will even make use of the chance to see a bit of the beautiful city of Århus. And we hope that on your way home, you will feel enriched in terms of musical experiences as well as business opportunities. Gunnar K. Madsen
Organiser: ROSA – The Danish Rock Council in collaboration with MXD – Music Export Denmark
SPOT secretariat, booking, conduction, magazine Gunnar K. Madsen, Michael Callesen, Conny Jørgensen, Henrik Friis, Jesper Norskov Christensen, Rasmus Wehner, Malene Mogensen, Fridthiof Engbo, Anne-Katrine Junge Bak, Mads Tourlin, Jesper Borup, Martin Ross Hansen, Jon Hededal, Mikkel Andersen, Lene Prang, Sofie Kjærsgaard, Anders Ovesen, Lars Davidsen, Bjarke Hansen, Anders Søndergaard, Dennis Glintborg, Roar Amundsen, Esben Marcher, Nils Lybæk, Sara Bindeballe, Kristoffer Vest, Erwin Lansing, Bjarne Roursgaard, Ann Line Thode, Thomas Rohde, Lisa Marxen, Christian Buhl, Aamer Khan, Piet Breinholm, Hans Christian Bugge, Rodrigo Cerri de Abreu, Mikael Højris, Jan Houkjær, Kim Døssing, Johnny Steinbrenner, John “Skæg” Hedegaard, Sara Krogager, Mark Astrup, Michael Overbeck, Mia Stjern, Jacob Skyggebjerg (Gaffa) and Michael Gonzales (Gaffa). Festival artwork & layout Thorbjørn Laursen/Creative Geist
Magazine design & layout Martin Ellgaard Frederiksen/Gaffa Nikolaj Lassen/Gaffa
T-shirt design Morten Bjelbæk/Geschäft
The programme is subject to chance without notice Special thanks to Gaffa for journalistic content
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Map of the festival area 17
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11 1) Info & Check-in - Musikhuset Aarhus 2) Store Sal - Musikhuset Aarhus 3) Lille Sal - Musikhuset Aarhus 4) Filuren - Musikhuset Aarhus 5) Rytmisk Sal - Musikhuset Aarhus 6) Officer 7) Ridehuset - Klub Rosa 8) Pick Up 9) ArcHauz 10) VoxHall 11) Train 12) Studenterhuset 13) Stubnitz 14) CafĂŠ Hack 15) Fatter Eskil 16) Vestergade 58 17) Musikcafeen 5
Klub Rosa – meet the underground During the SPOT festival, the two stages in Ridehuset will be housing Klub Rosa – a forum for both upcoming and more established artists. By: Mads Tourlin phoTO: rasmus weng karlsen
The venue Ridehuset has been housing SPOT concerts for several years. This year it takes on a special role under the name of Klub Rosa. Named after the organizers of SPOT Festival (ROSA – The Danish Rock Council), the two stages in Ridehuset will present some of the freshest young Danish talents. The bands are chosen by two local organisations: DUP (Independent Danish Record Companies) and ORA (The Association of Amateur Musicians). Both have presented SPOT concerts before, but in the more humble surroundings of tents on the festival grounds. - Our stage is bigger this year, so the bands have every chance to put on a good show. The conditions are optimal – as long as the musicians are ready to give it their best, the audience is sure to get a great experience, says Lars Winther, chairman of DUP. DUP will take over the stages from 4 pm until midnight with bands like Alcoholic Faith Mission, Magnus Fra Gaarden, Dansk Fløde and I Got You On Tape.
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DUP acts: – Magnus Fra Gaarden – Claes Cem – Alcoholic Faith Mission – The New Heartaches – Dansk Fløde – Sleep Party People – The Sad Lovers – The Tremolo Beer Gut – 4 Fod – Supershine – I Got You On Tape
ORA acts: – Plök – Wrong Side Of Vegas – Pinkunoizu – Bel Esprit – Vampire Blow – The Lovin’ Flickknives
Earlier in the day, ORA will be presenting their artists: Six bands from the fertile growth layer of Danish music, among them Plök, Vampire Blow and The Lovin’ Flickknives. - These acts are bands who reflect the potential found in the Danish practice rooms right now. We would like to show the audience what is happening directly under the surface of the music business, explains Jesper Krüger, who is the daily leader of ORA. After their shows at Klub ROSA, a handful of the DUP and ORA bands will receive comments and good advice from selected representatives of the music business. The Danish radio channel P3 will be broadcasting live from Klub Rosa.
The songwriter’s stronghold Photo: Jesper
hedemann
The Songwriter stage Esther Maria & The Songhorse First Aid Kit (SE) Melissa Horn (SE) Julie Maria Kaspar (FI) Johann Kristinsson (IS) Sebastian Lind Moddi (NO) Moto Boy (SE) Marie-Louise Munck Nordic Cowriters Agnes Obel Maria Timm og Marie Frank The Tiny (SE)
Lyd+Litteratur
Band Ane Frodegruppen 40 Song for Wendy Tone og Mette Moestrup
Photo: Thorst
en Overga ar
d
Need a breathing space between rock, pop, jazz and metal concerts? Welcome to the Songwriter stage… BY Jon Hededal
Since 1999, the Songwriter stage has been SPOT Festival’s centre for focusing on the music, the lyrics and the craft of songwriting. Here songs are presented at their most naked and authentic. The setting is intimate: a seated audience of maximum 300 people.
concerts often end up as unique experiences. The Songwriter stage is not limited to a ‘one person, one guitar’ set-up. There is room for acoustic guitars as well quirky electronica, a range of different genres and a blend of both well-known and upcoming artists.
A few ‘dogmas’ ensure that the focus is kept: No drum sets, and no more than three performers on stage at the same time. This sometimes leads to musicians performing in new constellations or presenting their music differently. Because of this, the Songwriter
A chance to hear brand new songs A recurring feature on the Songwriter scene is the Nordic Cowriters workshop. In the days leading up to SPOT Festival, a number of Nordic songwriters gather to write new material. This year, five musicians from Austin, Texas
will help them with the process. The results can be heard at the Songwriter stage.
Sound and poetry Also present at the Songwriter stage is the sound and poetry festival Lyd+Litteratur (literally ‘sound+literature’); an annual festival presenting collaborations between musicians and writers. Four of these can be heard at SPOT. Lyd+Litteratur is presented by Geiger and Litteraturen på Scenen.
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The metal scene is moving up Metal SPOT – The Nordic Explosion aims to strengthen the position of the metal genre at the SPOT Festival.
photo: Jesper Hedemann
by Mads Tourlin
This year the metal scene has improved conditions at the SPOT Festival: For the first time it will have its own stage. On Friday 21, the venue Studenterhuset will be hosting six bands from the heavier regions of rock under the headline of Metal SPOT – The Nordic Explosion. The concerts are arranged, conducted and promoted by the associations Metal Royale and Danish Metal Awards. They two have combined forced in an effort to strengthen the position of the metal genre at SPOT. - This is the first time that we have a decent platform for metal at SPOT. The venue is open to the SPOT audience as well as outside guests. It will feel like a regular metal concert, and that is something completely new, says Steffen Rasmussen, chairman of Metal Royale. Steffen Rasmussen stresses that the program offers a wide variety of acts. Some are extreme, some more experimental – like the Danish band Kellermensch, who incorporate elements from other genres as well.
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The collaboration with Danish Metal Awards has made it easier to attract international industry representatives. So far Metal SPOT has heard positive reactions from the Swedish Slavestate Magazine, the booking company Go Down Believing and UK manager Andy Farrow from Northern Music. Songwriter Sebastian Wolf of Kellermensch is looking forward to playing for a new audience. Although they are still waiting for the big breakthrough, the band has had a good year. After playing at last year’s SPOT festival they have signed a contract with UK manager Tim Hole and played live at radio stations BBC1 and XFM. This summer they will be touring abroad. - Its fits in perfectly with our plans to play at SPOT again. We’re not a pure metal band, but we’ve had good support from the metal scene, and we’re looking forward to playing for a real metal audience, says Sebastian Wolf. The venue Studenterhuset allows for an audience of 450 – a lot more than last year’s rather smaller stage Filuren in Musikhuset.
Apart from Metal SPOT – The Nordic Explosion, the regular SPOT programme also includes a few metal acts like Scarred By Beauty, The Kandidate and Dødning.
* Audience with a SPOT wristband can enter Metal SPOT for free. For everyone else, the price is 70 dkk. Tickets are sold by the door. The organizers are expecting to sell 200-300 tickets, so SPOT guests are advised to sho up early.
Metal SPOT – the Nordic Explosion Studenterhuset, Friday May 21 - Critical Mass - Essence - Kellermensch - The Link (BE) - Malrun - The Psyke Project
SPOT opening night SPOT opens with distinctive Swedish pop and a spectacular Danish collaboration By Henrik Friis phoTO: Jesper hedemann
The 16th SPOT Festival opens with a special event at the venue Musikhuset. On the programme is Swedish power pop followed by an example of musical fusion at its most peculiar – and most exciting. The opening night reflects the diversity of SPOT Festival. This year’s brand new initiative is the mini festival InterSPOT, which will be celebrated in music and speeches. With more than 20 acts from all over the world, InterSPOT is a symbol of the increasing international profile of SPOT Festival. With its traditionally strong Nordic profile, SPOT aims to strengthen the position of Danish music in Scandinavia, but also to present new Nordic names to the Danish audience. This is reflected in the opening night’s concert with Amanda Jenssen. The new Swedish singer excels in unique and melodious pop noir. Finally, the opening night presents a special concert with the delightful musical
mutant Slaraffenklang. Mixing members of Danish orchestras Slaraffenland and Efterklang, Slaraffenklang takes the stage with no less than two drummers, eleven singers, three guitarists, two bass players, pianos, electronics and roughly 17 brass instruments.
Amanda Jenssen (SE) Career began: 2007 Latest album: ”Happyland” (2009) www.amanda-jenssen.se
Former Swedish Idol runner-up Amanda Jenssen has become hugely successful after her album ”Happyland”, which is an electrifying mixture of murder ballads, lullabies and gangster jazz. The lyrics revolve around loneliness, darkness, reconciliation and love. Jenssen, who looks like the femme fatale of your favorite film noir, has been compared to as diverse artists as Nina Simone, Walker Brothers and Tom Waits.
Hopefully it will be a night of great music – but only a little taste of what’s to come during the three days in May, when more than 150 musical experiences make up the sixteenth chapter of SPOT.
Slaraffenklang
Latest album: ”Danish Dynamite Live at Sono Festival 2008” , ep (2008)
Opening Night – SPOT Festival 2010 Musikhusets Store Sal Thursday, May 20 at 7 pm Tickets: 125 dkk (+ fee)
As you might have guessed, Slaraffenklang consists of the bands Efterklang and Slaraffenland. The two bands have toured together, and on a few occasions they have joined forces gone on stage together – on request, that is. Comprising 12 members, including two drummers, Slaraffenklang plays cover versions of Efterklang and Slaraffenland tracks. Often the new versions are noisier and more dramatic, while in other cases the arrangements are brand new.
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Inter
illustration: aske zidore
More international music at SPOT SPOT Festival strengthens its international profile with the brand new mini festival InterSPOT Af Sara Bindeballe
This year the SPOT Festival welcomes a new sibling to the family. With more than 20 international artists, the new mini festival InterSPOT is the biggest international manifestation in the history of the SPOT Festival. - If we want to promote Danish music abroad, we have to invite international bands to play here as well. This also generates international buzz around the SPOT Festival as a
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whole, says InterSPOT coordinator Christian Buhl. He already feels a growing interest from abroad: - InterSPOT means we will be visited by a lot more people from the international music business, he says. The international programme has also caught the attention of the media, spread-
ing the word about the Danish festival. For instance, the Greek music magazine Sonik will bring a six-page feature about SPOT. InterSPOT takes place on May 20, directly after the official SPOT opening event. The mini festival is presented at seven Århusian venues – each one expressing a different mood such as “cosy”, “quirky” and “joyful”. The line-up presents a wide variety of the
latest musical styles and tendencies from countries like Hungary, New Zealand, Greece, Austria and Israel. - This is music you don’t hear every day. We’re talking hidden treasures, says Christian Buhl. The line-up includes unique experiences like the Greek indie band Film, New Zealand’s Bachelorette and German Glitterbug, whose experimental electronica is complemented by visuals from Israeli artist Ronni Shendar. Estonian trio Kirtana Rasa mixes instruments from Estonia, India, Africa and Indonesia to a special soundscape, where the warmth of the south meets the cool of the north. And the Belgian singer/songwriter The Bear That Wasn’t will arrive at InterSPOT by bike after an extraordinary journey, where he stayed as a guest in private homes in return for intimate living room concerts. Finally there are a few bigger acts like Swizz folk/jazz singer Sophie Hunger and the Austrian male vocal ensemble Bauchklang. Both will be touring the European festivals this summer. InterSPOT is your chance to see them for the first time. Tickets for InterSPOT are not available in advance. The audience can show up directly at one of the seven venues - Train, Musikcaféen, Café Hack, Vestergade 58, Fatter Eskil, Studenterhuset and Stubnitz. The entry fee is 20 kroner for each venue. It is recommended to show up early.
InterSPOT venues and moods: Venue: Train – mood: ”De Concert” Maximum audience size: 800 Gablé (FR), Sophie Hunger (CH), Montgomery (FR)
Venue: Stubnitz – mood: ”Electric” Maximum audience size: 300 Glitterbug (DE/IL), Fiago (AT), DJ Bootsie Quartet (HU)
Venue: Studenterhuset – mood: ”Joyful” Maximum audience size: 450 It’s a Musical (DE), Mama Rosin (CH), Bauchklang (AT)
Venue: Musikcaféen – mood: ”Quirky” Maximum audience size: 200 Bacholerette (NZ), Klein (DE), Arms & Sleepers (US)
Venue: Cafe Hack – mood: ”Cosy” Maximum audience size: 100 Awkward I (NL), The Bear That Wasn’t (BE), Kirtana Rasa (EE)
Venue: Fatter Eskil – mood: ”Intense” Maximum audience size: 100 Madesuyu (BE), Dez Mona (BE), Film (GR)
Venue: Vestergade 58 – The Austin Five Maximum audience size: 200 Danny Malone, Matt The Electrician, Troy Campbell, Scrappy Jud Newcomb and Nathan Felix (US).
Bands and solo artist at InterSPOT Troy Campbell
Scrappy Jud Newcomb
Danny Malone
Nathan Felix
The Austin Five (US)
m. Danny Malone · Troy Campbell Nathan Felix · Matt The Electrician Scrappy Jud Newcomb
Among the members of The Austin Five we find Matt The Electrician, who used to work as an electrician in Austin before embarking on his musical career – hence the name. Together with his friends in The Austin Five, who explore the music genres and niches that the individual members thrive in, he will be at SPOT 2010, and the audience is in for an authentically Texan dish that is both strong and multicolored.
Matt The Electrician
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Bands and solo artist at InterSPOT
Photo: Marc Driessen
Arms & Sleepers (US)
Awkward I (NL)
Bacholerette (NZ)
Since 2006 the American duo Arms & Sleepers, which consists of Max Lewis and Mirza Ramic, has released a fistful of home-produced albums, but with their latest release, last year’s Matador they really caught the critics’ attention with its energetic attitude and grander sound. The record is also released in Europe and Asia, and now the duo brings its unique musical universe to Aarhus.
Dutch Djurre de Haan began making music in his small bathroom in his hometown Groningen. However, neither the room nor the town could match his ambitions and soon he embarked on the journey that led to tours and showcases in all of Europe. Today there are four members playing on seven instruments in the band, which is known for Haan’s mild, almost whispering voice. Indeed, the title of the 2009 debut was “I Really Should Whisper”.
New Zeeland Bachelorette has some pure, firstclass pop to offer. The woman behind the alias is the singer and songwriter Annabel Alpers, who has played in various bands since 1996. She describes her own music as sci folk, and her second album “My Electric Family” indeed revolves around man and his reliance on computers and machines. It is also more concept-based than the debut “Isolation Loops” (2008)
Bauchklang (AT)
The Bear That Wasn’t (BE)
Dez Mona (BE)
In 2001 Austrian Bauchklang successfully released their debut album “Jamzero” in their native country, and now the six-strong vocal ensemble is ready to visit the SPOT Festival, where they will doubtlessly astonish the audience with their vocal skills and their gift for melodious tunes. For the last couple of years they have been quite a sensation due to their ability to move about in genres such as hip hop, reggae, trance, folk, ethno and drum’n’bass by means of only their voices.
With his voice and his guitar Nils Verresen is the mastermind of The Bear That Wasn’t. The band took the name from a children’s book, and the music evokes associations to Elliot Smith, Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens. The sound is whispering, warm and pleasant as can be heard on the eponymous debut album, which was released earlier this year and at the gig at this year’s SPOT Festival, where the talented kid will demonstrate his skills.
Belgian Dez Mona is like a black limo that is taking you away and you don’t know where to. That’s how the band describes itself in a press release. A more tangible description would be: a melancholy and soulful mix of jazz and, gospel and Spirituals. The lyrics revolve around themes such as lies and time that is slipping away while the handling of the strings is gentle like the softest touch. The band’s third album “Hilfe Kommt” is out now on 62 TV Records.
DJ Bootsie Quartet (HU)
Fiago (AT)
Film (GR)
Hungarian DJ Bootsie became interested in hip hop records when he was thirteen. Since then the well-reputed DJ has been involved in various constellations and released four albums under his own name, of which last year’s “Holidays in the Shade” is the latest. In particular Bootsie is known for the acoustic sound in his electronically based music and for his incorporation of Hungarian folk on his records and in his DJ sets.
The two Austrians Max Tertinegg and Markus Jausovecs have rightfully claimed to be the inventors of the “risco” genre, which is a fusion of rock and disco. With their mix of electro, disco, rock and house they have definitely created an energetic explosion of sound, which has resounded all over their home country, and the buzz is slowly transcending the Austrian borders. With the hardpumped tracks in mind, it seems fair to predict a gig far beyond average.
Greek Film play sombre, avant-garde music inspired by cinema and with roots in post punk. The band’s latest release “Persona” features equal shares of crescendos of noise, experiments and angelic vocals. Having played support gigs for The Cure, New Order and The Flaming Lips, the quartet has clearly been given the sign of approval by some like-minded bands further up the rock hierarchy. Our bet is that Film’s InterSPOT gig will be a spectacular experience.
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Matador” (2009) www.myspace.com/armsandsleepers
Formed: 1996 Latest album: ”Signs” (2010) www.myspace.com/bauchklang
Formed: 1995 Latest album: ”Holidays in the Shade” (2009) www.myspace.com/djbootsie
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Formed: 2000 | Latest album: ”I Really Should Whisper” (2009) www.myspace.com/awkwardi
Formed: 2006 | Latest album: ”And So It Is Morning Dew” (2010) www.myspace.com/thebearthatwasnt
Formed: 2001 Latest album: ”MyTV”, ep (2010) www.myspace.com/fiago
Career began: 1996 Latest album: ”My Electric Family” (2009) www.myspace.com/bachelorettepop
Formed: 2003 Latest album: ”Hilfe Kommt” (2010) www.myspace.com/dezmonamusic
Formed: 2000 Latest album: ”Persona” (2009) www.myspace.com/filmgreece
Bands and solo artist at InterSPOT
Photo: Ronni Shendar
Gablé (FR)
Glitterbug (DE/IL)
Sophie Hunger (CH)
French Gable play unpredictable and colorful indietronica loosely inspired by Lou Barlow solo and The Vaselines. At times the music takes the shape of soft pop, at others it’s noisy electronica with borrowings from the metal genre. Always fascinating regardless of genre. They have two albums to their name: the critically acclaimed debut “7 Guitars with a Cloud of Milk” from 2008 and the follow-up, last year’s “I’m Ok” – a reply to Daniel Johnston’s “Hi, How Are You?” (1983)
German Glitterbug plays experimental electronica and for his gig at SPOT2010 he has hooked up with the Israeli visual artist Ronni Shenda in order to create a unique audio-visual experience, which you can get an idea of by listening to Glitterbug’s new CD – the double album “Privilege”. With his incorporation of analogue instruments on stage and on record, he is rapidly making a name for himself as a live act.
Sophie Hunger, who grew up in England, Germany and Switzerland, released her first album “Sketches On Sea” in 2006 and subsequently went on an extremely successful tour. Last year “Monday’s Ghost” was released all over Europe, after which she was compared to artists like Laura Marling, Beth Orton and Björk. You’ll get the chance to check out her clever and quirky folk pop blues at InterSPOT, where she will bring along her regular band as well as her great songs.
It’s A Musical (DE/SE)
Kirtana Rasa (EE)
Klein (DE)
Swedish/German It’s A Musical consists of Ella Blixt and Robert Kretzschmar. They play direct and catchy pop music with inspiration from lo-fi aesthetics, Burt Bacharach and Karen Carpenter, and their debut album “The Music Makes Me Sick”, which was released last year, stunned the critics, who among other things praised the album for its playful melodies and successful balancing of joy and tristesse.
Kirtana Rasa from Estonia consists of Kaushalaya, Kadi Uibo og Alex Kardaš, who conjure up a mix of Southern heat, philosophy, and Nordic coldness in their music. Their songs focus on nature and the world we live in and incorporate instruments from Estonia, Africa, India, and Indonesia. It creates a distinct sound as can be heard on the album “Põhjataeva Tuled”.
The German trio Klein very recently released their second album “Outside In”. As for genre, it is Indie-disco-tronic country pop, and their ambition is to be “the next little thing” – hence the name. When playing live gigs they recreate the music from their albums in new versions. They experiment and improvise and the guitarist takes over the microphone – and the other way around. Klein has toured with the Danish band Kashmir and played at the Halden and Fusion festivals.
Madensuyu (BE)
Mama Rosin (CH)
Montgomery (FR)
Madensuyu is Turkish and means mineral water. It is also the name of this Belgian duo, who are both famous and notorious for their intense concerts. Madensuyu have released the albums “A Field Between” and “D Is Done”, which have been compared to Big Black’s “Atomizer” and PJ Harvey’s “Rid of Me”, so it is genuine and sinister rock we are dealing with and the InterSPOT crowd should prepare themselves for an extraordinary gig.
The band Mama Rosin hails from Switzerland. They play2-step garage and find their inspiration with AC/DC, The Clash and Velvet Underground. The music is joyful and makes good use of sharp vocals, a banjo and an accordion. The tracks on the band’s three albums range from psychedelic blues to African calypso. They have toured all over the world, and in 2008 they played more than 120 gigs, including one at the opening of the Italian Serie A.
The indie pop group Montgomery consists of five young Frenchmen with a reputation for energetic live performances. The music is subtle and curious, with quirky rhythms, and catchy refrains. In terms of style Montgomery draw on a multitude of references and sources of inspiration from all corners of rock, pop and electronica. Despite the seeming schizophrenia of genres, their sound actually forms a captivating and melodious whole.
Formed: 2002 Latest album: ”I’m Ok” (2009) www.myspace.com/gableacute
Formed: 2006 | Latest album: ”The Music Makes Me Sick” (2008) www.myspace.com/itsamusicalberlin
Formed: 1997 Latest album: ”D is Done” (2008) www.myspace.com/madensuyu
Formed: 1996 Latest album: ”Privilege” (2010) www.myspace.com/meglitterbug
Formed: 2004 Latest album: ”Põhjataeva Tuled” (2007) www.myspace.com/kirtanarasa
Formed: 2007 Latest album: ”Brûle Lentement” (2009) www.myspace.com/mamarosin
Career began: 2006 Latest album: ”1983” (2010) www.myspace.com/sophiehunger
Formed: 2005 Latest album: ”Outside In” (2009) www.myspace.com/kleinmusik
Formed: 2005 Latest album: ”Stromboli” (2009) www.myspace.com/chezmontgomery
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130
musical experiences ready for SPOT Festival
SPOT Festival is ready to begin its 16th chapter on May 21-22. The programme offers 130 Danish and Nordic bands and solo artists. More than 100 of them will be playing at SPOT for the first time. Some are presented by SPOT – some by our collaborators. Enjoy!
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photo: Sofie Amalie Klougart
BANDS A-B
4 Fod
Annika Aakjær
With the addition of DJ Simon Stoy 4 Fod is now a trio, and on 10th May they will release one of the most eagerly awaited records in Danish rap. Their debut album has been long in coming, and the hype is not least due to the underground classic "Køb Den, Stjæl Den EP",(buy it, steal that EP –ed.), on which the two rappers encouraged their audience to shake their fat deposits and shout "Jamojndoo" – a special greeting from their hometown Sønderborg. Their first single "Løb" is out on iTunes. Presented by DUP
Despite being accused of having released one of the most convincing debuts of 2008, Annika Aakjær still managed to astound the critics once again when she released the follow-up "Missionær" this year. The lyrics take issue with modern-day phenomena like indifferent hippie wannabes and daydreamers, the Danish People"s Party and the thoughts of a suicide at the fatal moment. Once again the redheaded songwriter got five-star reviews all over.
Simona has Pakistani roots, and she is one of only few women in the world that master the Arabic percussion – the darbuka. Despite the male dominance on the scene it is Simona"s ambition to leave her personal mark on the world of the darbuka. She also wants to unite Western pop music and Arabic rhythms, and in spite of the hostile attitude from many men in the business Simona won"t give up the fight for her take on the music and the release of her solo album. Presented in association with REAL
Alcoholic Faith Mission
Apollo
Thee Attacks
At the time of releasing their second album in 2009, AFM floated on a cloud of overwhelming and unambiguous praise from all over the world. When their third album was released this year, Danish music mag Gaffa also fell in love. The reviewer coughed up 5 stars for the alternative pop act and their "beautiful and worked-out album that ought to win them the hearts and souls of lots of music lovers". In the span of just four years they have toured half of Europe and have been released worldwide Presented by DUP
On a music scene dominated by indie and pop, Copenhagen-based Apollo has set out to defend the honor of unpolished, melodious classic rock with broad appeal. In 2009 the band toured with Carpark North, and sold the entire stock of their EP at the venues! Their debut album will be out in August on Copenhagen Records with mix by Michael Patterson and production by Søren Balsner. Sources of inspiration include The Killers and The Flaming Lips
There has been no end to the praise for the garage rockers of Thee Attaks. They want more than energetic and catchy 60s rock, and their dedication has now led to a contract with Crunchy Frog, which will release the debut in April. Producer Liam Watson (White Stripes, The Kills) made sure to get in touch with the band whom he called "the best sixties act I"ve heard in the last 20 years". The band also appears on the soundtrack for the Danish film Julefrokosten.
Formed: 1997 Latest album: ”Køb Den, Stjæl Den”, ep (2004) www.myspace.com/4fod
Formed: 2006 | Latest album: ”Let This Be The Last Night We Care” (2010) www.myspace.com/alcoholicfaithmission
Career began: 2008 Latest album: ”Missionær” (2010) www.myspace.com/annikaaakjaer
Formed: 2006 | Latest album: ”Songs From The Night And Songs For Tonight”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/apollolive
Career began: 2006 Latest album: ”Anish Music Too & Free” (2009) www.myspace.com/bandane In 2006 the Aarhus-based electronica artist Ane østergaard, better known as Band Ane, made her debut with the critically acclaimed album "Anish Music", which was followed by numerous concerts both in Denmark and abroad. In 2009 she followed up on the success with the equally praised double album "Anish Music Too & Free", whose experiments consist of a jumble of melodious electronica, spoken word, outtakes and dub. Presented in association with Lyd+Litteratur
Career began: 1999 | Latest album: – www.myspace.com/orientaldrummer
Formed: 2006 | Latest album: ”That´s Mister Attack To You” (2010) www.myspace.com/theeattacks
I’m going to see…
Photo: Steffen Jørgensen
Band Ane
Simona Abdallah
Before The Show
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Hearts & Heads” (2010) www.myspace.com/beforetheshow Copenhagen-based Before The Show plays unpolished and psychedelic rock. The five-piece indie band has already released the debut album "Hearts and Heads" in Denmark, and they are currently negotiating with the label Lili Is Pi Records concerning an international release. According to P3"s Carsten Holm, "the band draws on numerous indie inspirations and is reminiscent of The Kissaway Trail and Coldplay. The wrapping is a good, heavy, warm sound."
Rasmus Sejersen
The Psyke Project (DK) Cody: Beautifully dark and catchy songwriting. One of the few Danish bands with an international sound. Dødning: Denmark’s new riff kings – I have high expectations for their coming debut album. Scarred By Beauty: A band with great potential. They are my girlfriend’s favourite Danish metal band these days. They’re young, good-looking and dedicated!
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BANDS B-C Photo: Hanna Lovinda
Bel Esprit
Benni Hemm Hemm (IS)
Betting On The Mouse
At the core of the Bel Esprit"s wry and melodious rock music is the band members" shared playfulness. The band was formed in 2008, and since then they"ve been darlings in DR"s rock talent competition and played 40 gigs in Denmark and a promo tour in Norway – organized by the band and Norwegian Goldlog. Plenty of talent, message, determination and nerve create the drive that characterizes Bel Esprit. Presented by ORA
The mastermind of Benni Hemm Hemm is Benedikt H. Hermannsson, who writes the songs and produces the band"s albums. If you take the time to count all the members of the band, it turns out there are actually around 300! However, at the gigs there are normally from 3 to 40 members on stage. In April BHH released the EP Retaliate with 5 songs about knives, gold, Talibans and a pack of blood-thirsty vampires. Whether the latter will also go on Stage at SPOT remains to be seen.
The band members come from the hiphop, indie rock and pop circles of Copenhagen, but together in BOTM they label their music as alternative sadcore art pop. Singer Martha Marie Skou is at the head of the ensemble, who have played at various events at Rust and Christiania in Copenhagen and at Musikcaféen in Aarhus. They have just finished recording their debut EP.
Bjonko & Copenhagen Chalgija
Black City
Black Leather Machine
Formed: 2006 | Latest album: ”1,2,3,4!”, ep (2009) | www.myspace.com/bjonko
Formed: 2009 Latest album: ”Black City” (2010) www.myspace.com/blackcitydk
Bjonko Stosic hails from Macedonia, but now he lives in Copenhagen. In 1990 he made his debut as a musician in Balkan band Cardak. Later he was in the Bosnian ensemble Bosna, but now he has embarked on his own project: Copenhagen Chalgija, which is currently among the hottest Balkan acts in Denmark. The debut was nominated for a WMA, and in 2008 the band played at the Ohrid Festival, where only the best Balkan bands get to play. Presented in association with World Music Denmark
Black City is punk rock in English from the streets of Copenhagen. For a long time it was Bjørn Poulsen"s solo project, but it became an actual band in 2009 when the singer was approached by Universal Music. Together with guitarist Kristian Klærke he selected the right line-up, and after negotiating for six months they signed a deal with the giant record company. In January 2010 they started working on the debut, which is due for release later this year.
The reference to the controversial 60s rockabilly icon Vince Taylor is neither accidental nor misleading. The love of rock"n"roll is given free rein in Black Leather Machine, where bongo drums, a harmonica and a transverse flute conjure up a psychedelic atmosphere around the occasionally Morrison-inspired vocals. With club king Kenneth Bager and pop producer Thomas Troelsen to back them up, they are working on the album debut "Rock"n"Roll Dancer".
Formed: 2008 Latest album: ”Hula Girl”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/belespritband
Formed: 2005 Latest album: ”Retaliate” (2010) www.myspace.com/bennihemmhemm
Photo: Naja Rosa koppel
The Blue Van
Formed: 2000 Latest album: ”Man Up” (2008) www.myspace.com/thebluevan The Blue Van is a celebration of classic rock"n"roll. The references point back to the genre-defining sound of the 50s, but the 60s can also be detected as well as the 70s and the 90s. The 80s have been left out, however. The end result is melodious, catchy and uncompromising rock. The band has toured all over the world and the three first albums all featured massive radio hits in Denmark. All three albums got great reviews.
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Catbird
Formed: 2001 Latest album: ”Among Us” (2008) www.myspace.com/catbirdmusic In 2001 the singer Billie Koppel and multi instrumentalist Frank Hasselstrøm formed the alternative pop phenomenon Catbird. The sound is mild, gentle and acoustic. Occasionally electric. Billie is the daughter of Danish legends Thomas Koppel and Annisette, and even before her first release she was front-page material and was labeled the Danish equivalent of Björk. The band has released two albums, both of which got great reviews. Presented in association with the Danish Folk Council
Formed: 2009 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/bettingonthemouse
Formed: 2005 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/ragcitydolls
I’m going to see…
Casper Clausen Efterklang (DK)
Betting on the Mouse: I was introduced to their lovely music last year, but have never seen them live. Chimes & Bells: They’re simply a wonderful band, and I missed them at by:Larm in Oslo, so here’s the chance! FM Belfast: The rumours from Iceland say their concerts are like parties, and Icelandic parties are usually great.
BANDS C-D
Claes Cem
Chimes & Bells
Coco Moon
Gentle Paul Simon-inspired lyrical pop with plenty of folk and great tunes. The title as best singer at the Ermegenza final in 2008 has led to two Scotland tours and gigs all over Denmark for songwriter Claes Cem. In Scotland he was spotted by Carlos Bedoya (Beyonce, Mick Jagger) who was so impressed by Cem"s performance that he has entered into a collaboration with him, and in 2010 debut EP "Californian Babe" was released. Presented by DUP
Rattling drums, distorted guitars and a warm, sombre voice are some of elements in Cæcilie Trier"s (Choir Of Young Believers) latest project, Chimes & Bells. In February 2009 the group made their debut with the EP "Into Pieces Of Wood", which got a four-star review in Gaffa. The critic praised the "restrained, almost sighing delivery of the often painful lyrics". The record is also available in the UK and The US and a full-length album is in the offing next year.
Coco Moon from Aarhus was on Gaffa"s list of bands that are likely to get major breakthroughs in 2010. Among the reasons stated was that Nanna Odderskær is "a brilliant front girl whose luscious and sensuous voice fits like maple syrup for pancakes." The band combines cool synth-based minimalism with a measured and disciplined rock foundation that evokes associations to Peter Gabriel, Elastica or The Cardigans in their "Gran Turismo" period.
Cody
Critical Mass
Crystal Sky Butterfly
With his Danish take on the American country tradition the Copenhagener Kasper Kaae blew the critics away not just once but twice in 2009! First his eponymous EP drained the supply of reviewer"s stars across the nation. A couple of months later the debut album did the same! Today there are seven members in the band, and they have organized and played 40 gigs in New York, and their music has been released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Danish Critical Mass may share the name with various other enterprises, but the sound is uniquely their own. The band consists of musicians with experience from a multitude of genres but they come together with one shared attitude: a genre is a dogma preventing true art from being expressed straight from the heart. The result is wild, polymorphous progressive metal with inspiration from all corners of the world of rock. An EP was released last year. Presented by Metal SPOT
A backing singer from Junior Senior and a Superheroes drummer. Ellen Holck and Thomas Richard. Crystal Sky Butterfly. Alternative pop. The debut album was released digitally through Strange Ears in August. And now the duo have their minds set on the international markets, where there will surely be an audience for their distinctive, sophisticated and melodic pop. Live they are accompanied by a six-piece string ensemble.
Career began: 2008 | Latest album: ”Californian Babe”, ep (2010) www.myspace.com/claescem
Formed: 2004 Latest album: ”Songs” (2009) www.myspace.com/codysongs
Formed: 2008 | Latest album: ”Into Pieces Of Wood”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/chimesandbells
Formed: 2009 Latest album: ”Wasted Sentence”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/criticalmassdk
Formed: 2008 Latest album: ”Coco Moon”, ep (2010) www.myspace.com/cocomoonspace
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Family Silver” (2009) www.myspace.com/crystalskybutterfly
Dánjal (FO)
Formed: 2007 Latest album: ”The Palace” (2009) www.myspace.com/danjalmusic With a background in acting, Faroese Dánjal has a unique feel for the audience. As a sailor he has travelled to all the corners of the world, and his music is just as ever-changing as his domicile. One song is euphoric in its quest for new ports the next one is a melancholy yearning for native soil. The lyrics reject narrow-minded, self-destructive Western civilization. The reviewers liked the debut. Presented in association with World Music Denmark
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BANDS D-D
Dansk Fløde
Darling Don’t Dance
Deportees (SE)
Retro punk art rock infested by more visuals than an LSD trip gone bad, noisy yet at the same time melodious and with brilliant Danish lyrics sung with true feeling. They like to think for themselves and to push their own limits, and when playing live every gig is truly unique. Dansk Fløde is not band – it is an art group with many facets and a definite ambition: we have to move on in society, in music and in art. Presented by DUP
A violin bow on the bass guitar and an E-string tuned down to D. the three girls that make up DDD have created their very own sound, which has made them Soundvenue Selected and earned them gigs in NYC, Denmark and Iceland. After one of their gigs an Icelandic reviewer wrote that "their sound links back to 90s girl rock like The Breeders, Hole and Babes in Toyland" and went on to encourage Icelandic acts to observe and learn.
Last year Deportees released their third album, "Under the Pavement –The beach". Aftonbladot"s reviewer compared the band to Håkan Hellström and concluded, "I have to dig deep to find a Swedish pop album with so many magnificent melodies". There is a wealth of melodiousness that reminds me of the spark on Popsicle"s first three albums". The band was nominated for Swedish P3 Gold and two Swedish Grammy Awards.
Djosos Krost
Dokkedal/Dixen
Dúné
The Danish dubfather Pharfar together with Turbotito. The duo play everything as long as it is dub. From droning socio-realist roots to bass-fixated, transcending electro, always tied together by warm Jamaican vibes. With Pharfar on drums and Tito on keys, guitar and bass they bring to life the material that they have DJ"ed with in the US and all of Europe. Pharfar is also known from Danish dancehall pioneer band Bikstok Røgsystem Presented in association with World Music Denmark
Computers, effect machines, an MPC and two record players are the preferred instruments for the duo Dokkedal (DJ LeBon) and Dixen (DixOne) when they turn up the volume to a no-limits mashup of everything from dancehall and dubstep to hip hop, Bollywood breakbeats and pop. "Expect erotic aerobic, soul in your socks and plenty of bass", the lads say. Dokkedal is a regular in Den Sorte Skole, while Dixen produces for O.R. and Khal Allan.
Dúné draws on numerous genres of the last decades. Punk, pop and indie rock are fused into a hybrid the band labels indie electro rock, and it won the band the P3 Award as well as DMA and Gaffa awards in 2008. Last year saw the premiere of the intimate and serious documentary Stages, which follows the band members closely for two years. The debut album was released in Europe and Japan, and they followed up on it with soldout tours.
Formed: 2003 | Latest album: ”Ikke Taenke Paa Mandag” (2009) www.myspace.com/danishcream
Formed: 2005 Latest album: ”No Sign Of Bad” (2005) www.myspace.com/djososkrost
Formed: 2005 Latest album: ”Bare Frames”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/darlingdontdance
Formed: 2009 Latest album: – www.dokkedaldixen.com
Formed: 2003 | Latest album: ”Under The Pavement – The Beach” (2009) www.myspace/deporteesmusic
Formed: 2001 Latest album: ”Enter Metropolis” (2009) www.myspace.com/dunesite
I’m going to see…
Thomas Dybdahl (NO)
Career began: 2000 | Latest album: Waiting For That One Clear Moment" (2010) www.myspace.com/tdybdahl When it comes to reviews, singer-songwriter Thomas Dybdahl seems to be floating on a bed of roses. "Each time you can"t help being even more impressed with the commitment that the likeable Norwegian brings to the stage", one critic remarked in a live review. His concerts and records invariably get 4 or 5 stars from 6. Dybdahl is also in the super group The National Bank, which also has members of Jaga Jazzist og The Shining in the lineup.
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Dødning
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Dødning”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/doedning All the members of Dødning have a past in various hardcore and rock"n"roll bands. In 2006 they hooked up around their mutual love for sludge, stoner rock and metal of the heaviest kind, and the result is Dødning: a solid mix of Down, Eyehategod and Raging Speed Horn – the recipe for a dish Dødning calls Confederate metal. Last year Dødning recorded their debut album with Jacob Bredahl as the producer. It will be released in 2010.
Jesper Reginal, Crunchy Frog (DK) Ghost Society: I like what I’ve heard, and I know some of the band members, but I haven’t checked them out properly yet, so I’ll do that at SPOT. Spectors: I think it’s a party. I hope they’re playing at a time when I’m a little bit drunk. This is another band I haven’t thoroughly checked out yet, but their single is inevitable. Their photos and artwork have a tough edge, which seems promising. Hip hop has to be hardcore, otherwise I’m not interested. Thee Attacks: I haven’t seen them live in a while, and they’re evolving fast – from good to great – so they are not to be missed.
BANDS E-F
Photo: Nikolaj Holm Moeller
Efterklang
Per Egland (SE)
Eim Ick
Efterklang brought about a meteoric shower from the reviewers when releasing their third album, "Magic Chairs", early this spring. The stars simply poured down on the band. The reviews abroad have been similar. On the new album, they have a more pop-like sound, but they have kept the colorful touch of indie/electro/chamber music, which back in 2004 sent them into the orbit. Comparing them to other acts makes little sense Instead go and see for yourself!
In 2000 Per Egland was so fed up with pop music that he decided to become a composer himself. He studied at academies in Sweden and Italy, and in 2009 he recorded his debut "Slut Dina Ögon Och Dröm Om Egland." False modesty is not something that characterizes his voice. He has been compared to Greg Dulli and fellow Swede Alf Robertsson and labeled as an indie-dance band. Personally he thinks that his music ought to be considered punk..
With his well-made and critically acclaimed minimal techno, 20-year-old Eim Ick joins the large army of very young electro musicians from Denmark. His use of soulfully cut-up samples in effortless dance with minimalist rhythmic patterns makes the sun rise and brings you mental bliss. Soundvenue compares Eim with Swedish The Field and considers him "Denmark"s most likely candidate for an international breakthrough in the minimal techno genre".”
Photo: Steffen Jørgensen
Photo: Kim Døssing
Formed: 2000 Latest album: ”Magic Chairs” (2010) www.myspace.com/efterklang
Essence
Formed: 2005 Latest album: ”Essence” (2010) www.myspace.com/essencemetal Old-school thrash metal like the one that flows from Slayer and Testament. From dark Aalborg comes the uncompromising and ambitious metal band Essence with a sound that is indeed the essence of thrash metal. In 2007 they personally financed the release of the EP that has now made them a name that both the critics and the metal fans reckon with. The band is notorious for its live perfectionism and has played with some of the biggest metal acts. Presented by Metal SPOT
Career began: 2000 Latest album: ”Slut dina ögon och dröm om Egland” (2010) | www.myspace.com/peregland
Career began: 2008 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/eimickdk
Esther Maria & The Song Horse
Michael Falch
The country singer from Mid Jutland Esther Maria used to be part of the jazz scene, but after ten years she is moving in a new direction. Now she mixes American country with classic rock and is compared to artists like PJ Harvey. The debut EP "My Black Heart" was released in 2009 and the band that includes people from the Peter Sommer and Superjeg camps will soon be put to the test: A tour in the US and Canada is in the offing. Part of the Songwriter programme
Michael Falch hardly needs an introduction to a Danish audience, at least. The 53-year-old singer and guitarist started his career back in his legendary rock band Malurt and now his latest solo release "Fodspor I Havet" reaped plenty of praise from the critics. At SPOT 2010 Falch will talk about his career and the choices that he has made. There will also be a Q&A session before Falch"s concert with Boat Man Love.
Formed: 2008 | Latest album: ”My black Heart”, ep (2010) | www.myspace.com/esthermariamusic
Career began: 1977 Latest album: ”Fodspor i havet” (2010) www.myspace.com/michaelfalch
I’m going to see…
Fallulah
Formed: 2007 | Latest album: ”The Black Cat Neighbourhood” (2010) www.myspace.com/mymusicbank Under the name Fallulah 25-year-old Maria Apetri creates soft yet hard-edged alternative pop songs that are driven forward by Balkan beats and fiery hooks and have evoked comparisons to Florence & The Machine and Bat For Lashes. "I like showing both strength and vulnerability in my songs. I like the contrast", she says. Her debut album got excellent reviews. The spring is here!" was one reviewer"s verdict of the Danish/Romanian songwriter.
First Aid Kit (SE)
Formed 2007 | Latest album: ”The Big Black & The Blue” (2010) www.myspace.com/thisisfirstaidkit In 2007 the Swedish sisters in First Aid Kit sent their first track recorded at home to Swedish radio in the hope of catching their attention. The track was immediately playlisted and was dubbed "one of the best songs of the summer of 2007". In January this year they made their album debut with "The Big Black and the Blue" where the two sisters demonstrate their predilection for the American folk tradition with focus on acoustic guitars and great tunes. Part of the Songwriter programme
Árni Vilhjálmsson FM Belfast, (IS)
When Saints Go Machine: I once saw them live on Iceland, not at an official concert, but at an off venue-show. It was cool, so I’ll definitely see them again. Pony the Pirate: I’ve seen their name on posters so often by now, it feels like someone is trying to tell me something! Bauchklang: Someone recommended Bauchklang to me, and an Austrian male voice choir sounds like something you don’t see every day.
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BANDS F-H
FM Belfast (IS)
The Foreign Resort
Frodegruppen 40
In their home country FM Belfast from Reykjavik have bridged the gap between electronica and indie. Their sound has a touch of chiptune, and with "Lotus", their original interpretation of RATM"s "Killing in the Name Of", they have created a pub hit in the Icelandic capital. They became a name in 2006 when they played at the Iceland Airwaves Festival, and in 2008 the eight-strong band recorded their debut in studios in Reykjavik and New York.
With a voice that makes you think of The Cure and restless and torn guitars clashing with a defiantly aggressive rhythm section, the Copenhageners of The Foreign Resort are at the epicentre of the new wave noise rock scene, which they have been a part of since 2006 in Denmark and abroad. The band has toured in the US (documented in a tour diary on gaffa.dk) and now they have also released their 2009 debut across the Atlantic.
Since 2001 Frodegruppen 40 has been among the most eccentric acts on the Danish Spoken-word scene. The group consists of the writer Jens Blendstrup and a band that ventures into all conceivable genres behind the front man"s performance of his spoken-word texts, which border on grotesque. On the latest release "Du Ligner Noget Fra En Pejs" from 2008 the music ranges from grannies" pop, via jazz, country and electronica to punk and metal. Presented in association with Lyd+Litteratur
Ghost Society
Ginger Ninja
Grammofunch
Ghost Society consists of experienced musicians who have all been active on the international scene. Tobias Wilner from Blue Foundation and Sara Savery from People Press Play formed the band with the intention of "weaving together a delirium of tastefulness and abstraction". The debut album is out in Denmark and will soon be available abroad too. Gaffa gave the album five stars and described it as a "successful mix of noise pop and vulnerable tristesse".
Genres are mixed and dogmas are broken. No musical direction is too outdated or too frownedupon when the lads of Ginger Ninja compile their deliberate confusion of styles. The ambition is to push the limits and the rules that tend to become a straight jacket for art. What"s crucial is that the arrangement supports the tune. Gaffa had the band on its list of upcoming bands in 2010 and gave the Fridolin produced debut four stars.
The concert resembles a magical theater where images will be dancing on the audience"s inner screens. The band"s eponymous album was officially selected as cross-over release of 2009 and in one of numerous enthusiastic reviews it was labeled "an appointment with wellness". Grammofunch is a fusion of Jeppe Gram and Rune Funch, and it sounds like an electronic, instrumental mix of Philip Glass and The Beatles. Presented in association with JazzDanmark
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”How To Make Friends” (2008) www.myspace.com/fmbelfast
Formed: 2008 | Latest album: ”The Back Of His Hands Then The Palms” (2010) www.myspace.com/ghostsocietyofficialsite
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Offshore” (2009) www.myspace.com/theforeignresort
Formed: 2008 Latest album: ”Wicked Map” (2010) www.myspace.com/gingerninjamyspace
Formed: 2001 Latest album: ”Du ligner noget fra en pejs” (2008) | www.elektrolyt.dk/fr40new
Formed: 2007 Latest album: ”Grammofunch” (2008) www.myspace.com/grammofunch
I’m going to see…
GRUP2000
Habadekuk
Turkish culture has an Eldorado of exotic traditions and strange customs to offer. One of the many colorful facets of the Euro-Asian country is its music and that"s what Aarhus-based Grup2000 are exploring. With sources of influence from Central Asia, the Balkans, the Middle East and Europe, they capture the history of Turkish music in a sound that ranges from thoughtful folk music to modern upbeat pop music. Presented in association with REAL
Nine-strong Habadekuk brings folk music into the third millennium. With a powerful blend of salsa, jazz and folk, they infuse the traditional Danish minstrel"s songs with new light and life. Last year they won the Nordic folk music championships at Nord09 in Sweden. Their motto is "we blow you away", and doing just that they have stunned the audiences at folk music venues all over Scandinavia. "You just couldn"t sit still", one reviewer wrote. Presented in association with the Danish Folk Council
Formed: 2000 Latest album: – www.grup2000.dk
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Formed: 2008 | Latest album: – www.myspace.com/habadekuk
Hannes Tschürtz, Ink Music, (AT)
When Saints Go Machine: Because they make me dance! FM Belfast: Because they’re amazing live. Howl Baby Howl: Well… the name says it all!
BANDS H-K
Sandra Hakky
Hal og Nikolaj
Melissa Horn (SE)
20-year-old Sandra Hakky has been blessed with a great musical talent, distinctiveness, and an attitude all of which are evident on last year"s eponymous debut album. She has written all the songs herself, and the style emanates from vintage soul, but the genre never becomes a constraint on the songs. Street and club music also contributes to the sound and there is also room for pop and r"n"b in Hakky"s modern and personal take on soul.
Last year Danish pianist and Scotch-Australian fiddler Hal Parfitt Murray released their eponymous debut album. It was an experimental, alternative folk record, and the two pioneers received no less than two DMA Awards for their efforts. The reviewers came up with comments like "it"s amazing that two musicians at such a young age have reached such a high artistic level" and "sometimes it"s just pure magic coming out of the stereo". Presented in association with the Danish Folk Council
Melissa Horn debuted in 2008, and with personal and emotional lyrics as one of her trademarks she was soon Sony Sweden"s most played artist. Her Swedish voice and mild pop music have long since seduced a large audience in her native country, where her follow-up record "Säg Ingenting Till Mig" from 2009 was also nominated for both a Grammy and a Rockbjørn. That album was also followed by a successful tour all over Sweden. Part of the Songwriter programme
Howl Baby Howl
I Got You On Tape
Career began: 2009 Latest album: ”Sandra Hakky” (2009) www.myspace.com/playsandra
Formed: 2007 | Latest album: ”There’s No Team In Fuck You” (2009) www.myspace.com/howlbabyhowl
Formed: 2008 | Latest album: ”Hal og Nikolaj” (2008) | www.myspace.com/halnikolaj
Formed: 2006 | Latest album: ”Spinning For The Cause” (2009) www.myspace.com/igotyouontape
The sound is unpolished. It resembles a fusion of White Stripes and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, when Howl Baby Howl bring together garage punk, groovy 60s ballads and dirty back-alley blues. Silas Tingleff and Jeppe Brix both appear as backing musicians for artists like Steffen Brandt and Nikolaj Nørlund. When they play live they are assisted by people like Henrik Hall and Jeppe Hein. Last year"s debut got great reviews.
The music is the kind that makes the picky music enthusiast scratch his chin and think to himself "I"ll be damned, that"s clever", said one live reviewer about IGOTYT"s tour start. They play a kind of Scott Walker- and The Fall-inspired art rock which they have refined on three albums and for which they received the prestigious P3 Award in 2010. The band keeps developing their sound. The latest album is the elegant Spinning for the Cause. Presented by DUP
Jonathan Johansson (SE)
Julie Maria
Career began: 2008 Latest album: ”En hand i himlen” (2009) www.myspace.com/jonathanojohansson
Nobody else makes pop music like the Swedes. Jonathan Johansson made that unambiguously clear with his second album, which was given six stars in Gaffa, which already in March hailed it as the most beautiful album of the year and described it as "a piece of heaven – spiritual and sensuous pop that can make the most stubborn atheist believe in God"s kingdom". JJ is gentle, captivating light-as-snow melodies in an untouched winter landscape.
Career began: 2005 Latest album: ”Yaguar” (2009) www.myspace.com/juliemarianet Gifted and enchanting pop songs from a songwriter in a league of her own". Those were the words in one of the five-star reviews of Julie Maria"s latest album, "Yaguar" from 2009. There was also praise for the sophisticated arrangements by Christoffer Møller as well as the electronic beats from SNE. Julie Maria has collaborated with Steffen Brandt and his band TV2, and in 2009 she was behind the theme song for DR"s Christmas serial "Pagten". Part of the Songwriter programme
Career began: 2008 Latest album: ”Säg ingenting till mig” (2009) www.myspace.com/melissahornmusik
I Was A Teenage Satan Worshipper (FI)
Formed 2004 | Latest album: ”The Lemonade Ocean” (2008) www.myspace.com/teensatanists The Finnish band IWATSW presented their native country with a new sound: sugary electro punk with silly lyrics. Back then they weren"t really a band, but just a joke actually created by lead singer My Lovin Martian, who was, however, soon forced to form an actual band. The interest from record companies and booking agencies was that great, and in 2005 the band played their first gig. They have two albums and an EP under their belts now.
The Kandidate
Formed: 2005 Latest album: ”Until We Are Outnumbered” (2010) | www.myspace.com/thekandidate The record labels fought tooth and nail to sign The Kandidates, who eventually decided on Napalm Records, which also released lead singer Jacob Bredahl"s previous project Hatesphere. Their uncompromising blend of crust, punk, hardcore metal and death is the weapon with which they are going to conquer the European metal scene. In 2007 the band played at Roskilde under the name The Downward Candidate.
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BANDS K-K
Kandy Kolored Tangerine
Kaspar (FI)
Formed: 2008 Latest album: ”Kaspar” (2009) www.myspace.com/kasparband
Kellermensch
Formed: 2007 Latest album: ”The Perfect Swell” (2009) www.myspace.com/kandykoloredtangerine The vocals crawl like a jackal across the sand, and the nearest water is far away. The sun is piercing, and among the sources of inspiration we have Velvet Underground and Sonic Youth. Heroin is part of the sound too. Kandy Kolored Tangerine got their name from a Tom Wolf collection of essays. They label their music noisy, psychedelic desert rock, with beautiful people in dark places as its point of departure. The band released their debut in 2009.
The Finnish trio Kaspar consists of the two singersongwriters John McGregor and Mikael Hakkarainen and the drummer Tuomas Hakkarainen. Both of the singers have two solo albums under their belts and as a band they have finished their eponymous debut album together with Malcolm Burn. The band was named after the enigmatic German Kasper Hauser, who turned up in Nurnberg in a terrible condition with no past and a steadfast ambition to serve the king. Part of the Songwriter programme
Last year Kellermensch"s eponymous debut album was selected by Allscandinavian.com as album of the year ahead of both Mew and Psyche Project and generally speaking they have been wallowing in critical acclaim. "Their dark and somber, atmospheric rock music is best labeled as a strange and highly original cocktail of Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Neurosis", was how one critic tried to describe their highly original album debut. Presented by Metal SPOT
Kenton Slash Demon
Kill Screen Music
Kim LAS
The electro duo Kenton Slash Demon may be better known as one half of When Saints Go Machine, but in fact the two Copenhageners have released their fourth EP by now. It is upbeat house with analogue elements, and several media have hailed them as one of the most promising bands on the Danish scene. They have played in London, Oslo and at Sonar in Barcelona and here at home they"ve made remixes for Veto and Kasper Bjørke.
There are two Danes and one Swede in this rock constellation – including former Virgo lead singer Johan Stahl. They were on Gaffa"s list of bands to keep an eye on in 2009 due to their "razor-sharp rock songs that suit the stereo, the car radio, the live stage and the dance floor brilliantly". Last summer they were in L.A. together with Mads Heldtberg (Düreforsög, Bleeder) to record the debut, which will be released later this year.
DJ"ing in Copenhagen, playing in Mit Nye Band and booking punk bands for gigs for the organizer Drama, Kim Lavet Af Sand is indeed a versatile artist! Now the 30-year-old musician has gone solo, but he still likes to mix things. Genres and circles are blended with colorful experiments and the result is as multicolored as the underground that Kim LAS originates from. The solo debut arrived in 2009 through the label Fake Diamond Records.
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Khattabi”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/kentonslashdemon
Formed: 2009 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/killscreen
I’m going to see…
Photo: Asbjørn Sand
King’s Light Infantry
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Crops”, ep (2010) www.myspace.com/kingslightinfantry Genre is not a constraint for the local heroes of King"s Light Infantry and their sound. Neither is fashion or trends. The band has an unwavering faith in their stylish mix of indie, alternative and folk rock with their mutual awareness of what they want with their music. They have been "Soundvenue Selected" and "Band of the Week" on BandBase. The band has recently signed a contract with Pen Records concerning an EP, which is due this spring.
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Tim Hole
Authority Management, (UK) Let Me Play Your Guitar: When you go to a festival, you have to make the things you see fit in with the time of day! At SPOT, I am going to have a nice breakfast with Le Me Play Your Guitar… Dødning: … have Dødning for lunch … Mimas: … and after dinner with Kellermensch I’ll end the night with a drunken nightcap sing-along to Mimas. They’re bands in three different genres, but they all challenge their audiences with very unique music.
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Kellermensch” (2009) www.myspace.com/kellermensch
Formed: 2007 | Latest album: ”3 gange – den fri’s lange bange klamme sange” (2009) www.myspace.com/kimlas
BANDS K-L
K-liir
Kiss Kiss Kiss
The Kissaway Trail
K-liir is a space-jazzy beatnik blend of electronic music and hip hop. His career merits include reaching the freestyle finals, winning the preliminary round of Rapper of the Year, and the album "Sammen & hver for sig", which he released together with Ham Den Lange in 2004. Since then he has released the solo material "Ep"en før Ep"en" (The EP before the EP –ed.) and "Under den elektriske stjernehimmel", which reflects the sound of K-Liir today: electronica, trip hop, noise rock, emo and boom-bap with thoughtful lyrics.
In the three years that Kiss Kiss Kiss has existed, the young Aarhus lads have won a DMA and played at Roskilde. Their art-pop-infected post punk, inspired by David Bowie, The Clash, etc. was conceived when the boys met each other at their continuation school. "Release the Birds" hit the stores in March and was praised by the critics. One of the reviewers remarked that "Kiss Kiss Kiss master their sound to their fingertips and are clearly having a good time doing it".
The quintet"s rock-melodious indie pop is often compared to bands like Arcade Fire and Sonic Youth. Abroad, the praise for the band has been overwhelming everywhere (The Sun, NME, The Guardian). To the extent that the members of the band find it hard to understand all the fuss. In Denmark too, the band is a popular project, and their second album got brilliant reviews with phrases such as "a perfect, aesthetic and mature work of art".
Johann Kristinsson (IS)
Lars and The Hands of Light
Let Me Play Your Guitar
The music is incredibly acoustic, when 20-year-old Johann Kristinsson plays his semi-electronic folk pop. He is an artist that likes to experiment, and he doesn"t shy away from trying out new instruments. The result is haunting and atmospheric indie with English vocals. On the album "Call Jimmy" he manages to bring together everything from a harmonium and a xylophone to synthesizers and a cello. The critics called the gentle debut "a quiet classic". Part of the Songwriter programme
Lars i Lommen started his career in his small hometown Thisted up North together with his friend Kim LAS. Back then it was rap that the multi-faced artist ventured into, and since then he has been involved in countless bands and genres. Thus Junior Senior and Ima Robot have been among his employers. Now, however he has come home to focus on his latest project: the indie rock band The Hands of Light, which released its debut "The Looking Glass" on Crunchy Frog in January..
Blødheden er blid som The Byrds, og guitaren indtager pladsen i centrum, omgivet af raslende tamburiner og nænsom vokal. Sådan lyder københavnske Let Me Play Your Guitar, og det var den lyd, der i 2009 skød det nystartede band ind i P3’s Karrierekanonen og op på scenen til Soundvenue Selected. Bladet anmeldte debut-ep’en ”Doing Rainbows” med fire stjerner ud af seks, og sammenlignede bandet med de amerikanske indierockere i Fleet Foxes.
Formed: 1999 | Latest album: ”Under den elektriske stjernehimmel” (2009) www.myspace.com/kliir
Career began: 2007 Latest album: ”Call Jimmy” (2008) www.myspace.com/johannkristinsson
Formed: 2007 Latest album: ”Release The Birds” (2010) www.myspace.com/kisskisskissdk
Formed: 2009 Latest album: ”The Looking Glass” (2010) www.myspace.com/larsandthehandsoflight
Formed: 2005 Latest album: ”Sleep Mountain” (2010) www.myspace.com/thekissawaytrail
Formed: 2008 Latest album: ”Doing Rainbows” (2010) www.myspace.com/letmeplayyourguitar
I’m going to see…
Li Dinê
Formed: 2009 | Latest album: ”Where Where Yare”, single (2010) www.myspace.com/lidine With traditional Kurdish music as their point of departure the Kurds of Li Dïnê have attempted to create a new sound, where Kurdish scales and rhythms are mixed with r&b, rap, pop, house and rock. The lyrics are in Kurdish, Danish and English. Tradition meets innovation, and Kurdistan clashes with Europe and the US. The band promises a cornucopia of special guests on stage at their SPOT gig, which is to be considered a must-see at SPOT 2010. Presented in association with REAL
Sebastian Lind
Career began: 2009 Latest album: ”Stop These Feet”, single (2009) | www.myspace.com/sebastianlind Sebastian will soon release his debut album, which is inspired by Jeff Buckley and Thom Yorke. The album brings together the VUF label"s sense of electronica and the talented songwriter"s own gift for plaintive and melodious songs. Lind writes and produces his music himself, and occasionally it is all acoustic. In 2009 he was part of Mads Langer"s Danish tour. Furthermore, he is on Gaffa"s list of likely breakthroughs in 2010. Part of the Songwriter programme
Jacob Funch,
I Got You On Tape (DK) Chimes & Bells: I’ve never seen them live before, but it sounds great, so I’d like to catch them. Kim LAS: I think his album is absolutely great. I’ve actually seen him live several times, but somehow it’s always a fresh experience. I look forward to hearing him sing! Nabiha: I haven’t heard a lot of it, but I’m expecting an impressive show.
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BANDS L-M
The Link (BE)
Little Yells Alot
Definitely progressive, hardcore metal. Belgian The Link is not easy listening, but with the versatile vocals, they actually appeal to non-metallers too. The band started out in 2007 with the ambition to create a hardcore sound with pure, spine-shaking energy on the Belgian underground scene. The link"s music calls for headbanging and psychophysical metallic ecstasy and is inspired by bands such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Tool and Underoath. Presented by Metal SPOT
With a passion for distortion and hard-hitting drums, Little Yells A lot deliver their heavy alternative rock that takes 90s rock as its point of departure and finds its inspiration in bands like Sonic Youth, Stooges, Credence Clearwater Revival. Originally the three members of the band come from Western Jutland, but now the live in Copenhagen. They have toured in L.A. and been part of the "Career Canon", and recently they released their debut album, "Wintertan Interfear" on CD, LP and MP3.
The Lovin’ Flickknives
Magnus fra Gaarden
Malrun
The Lovin" Flickknives from Horsens play psychedelic indie rock with inspiration from heavyweights like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. The band was formed back in 2006 and has found its own sound by mixing the sound from the classic rock giants with inspiration from more modern acts like Motorpsycho and Queens of the Stone Age. Furthermore, on their latest tracks, the band seems to have found inspiration in the grunge of the 90s. Presented by ORA
The descendants of the jazz musicians of the new generation take matters into their own hands and transcend the traditional boundaries of the genre. Be-bop soli and swinging eighths are replaced by a controlled, well-composed punk and that mix creates the distinct up-tempo trumpet-driven Balkan jazz which is the group"s trademark. Last year"s debut was given four from six in Danish broadsheet paper Politiken, whose reviewer dubbed the instrumental band a jazz version of Slipknot. Presented by DUP
Melodious and emotional metal? Malrun. They are from Aarhus but their sound is international and impressive. The front man both sings and screams, but the message may be ironic, tongue-in-cheek or even positive. The debut album “Beauty in Chaos”, produced by Jacob Hansen, is going to be released in 2010, and the album marks a shift towards a sound with greater contrasts – heavier metal and milder vocal harmonies. Presented by Metal SPOT
Formed: 2007 Latest album: ”The Overlook”,ep (2009) www.mayspace.com/thelinkproject
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Abrenochrom", ep (2008) www.myspace.com/thelovinflickknives
Formed: 2004 Latest album: ”Winterian Interfear” (2010) www.myspace.com/littleyellsalot
Formed 2006 Latest album: "Magnus fra gaarden" (2009) www.myspace.com/magnusfragaarden
Tim Lothar & Peter Nande
Formed: 2009 | Latest album: ”Two For The Road” (2009) | www.myspace.com/lotharnande Tim and Peter have both received the "blues-actof-the-year" Award at Copenhagen Blues Festival in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Now, however, they have teamed up to form a duo, and their country folk blend creates blues that makes the listener long for corn fields, summer air, country life and malt beer. Their sources of inspiration are masters of the genre such as Charlie Patton, H. Ledbetter, Robert Johnson and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Presented in association with the Danish Folk Council
Formed: 2004 Latest album: ”Beyond”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/malrundk
I’m going to see…
Maribel (NO)
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Aesthetics” (2009) www.myspace.com/maribelband Norwegian Maribel"s debut album "Aesthetics" was released last spring, it harvested countless close-to-perfection reviews. The band plays melancholy rock right between Slowdive and Spacemen3. The record was hailed as "debut of the year" by Dagsavisen, while Musiknyheter called the band "shoegazer rock of the highest caliber", and considered the album to be the best last year – plain and simple. Since then the album has been released in the US.
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Mimas
Formed: 2004 Latest album: ”The Worries” (2008) www.myspace.com/mimas Aarhus band Mimas has championed their alternative, trumpet-driven indie-math pop in Germany, France England and Spain. In Denmark they have played at Roskilde and Recession. Their music has a touch of jazz and the melancholy vocals are at times assisted by a hard-hitting shout chorus. The band has existed since 2004 and they have an EP and to albums to their name, the latter of which has just been completed and will be released in 2010.
Peder Stenberg Deportees (SE)
Jonathan Johansson: Once when I saw him, he got something like six people to hammer along on a grand piano at the same time. That was beautiful. Per Egland: I really appreciate that man’s lyrics. The Foreign Resort: I’ve had them recommended to me.
BANDS N-N
Miss Li (SE)
Moddi (NO)
Mette Moestrup + Tone
Miss Li is the stage name of Swedish singer, songwriter and pianist Linda Carlsson. Even though the project can be characterized as singer/ songwriter it is far from the traditional kind. As a singer Carlsson is inspired by opera, musical, jazz, soul, pop, electro, blues, rock and heavy metal. On Stage Miss Li consists of a 6-piece band playing acoustic and electric instruments.
Pål Moddi Knutsen originates from the island Senja in the northernmost part of Norway. According to the singer-songwriter he creates his music on his mother"s old accordion, a stolen Russian mandolin and a blue guitar with two broken strings. According to the critics the result is "a subdued and intense acoustic guitar with smoldering strings and a haunting, Norwegian accent that catches the ear like a UFO catches a tractor. Part of the Songwriter programme
The award-winning poet Mette Moestrup, who is known for her collection of poems Kingsize and the collage novel Jævnet Med Jorden, will appear at SPOT together with the electronica prodigy Tone (Sofie Nielsen), whose debut album "Small Arm of Sea" was released in 2009. Together they bring an intense, informal and often soul-stirring performance with Moestrup"s words entwining Tone"s ambient landscapes, breakbeats and atmospheric vocals. Presented in association with Lyd+Litteratur
Career began: 2006 | Latest album: ”Dancing The Whole Way Home” (2009) www.myspace.com/experiencemissli
Formed: 2004 Latest album: ”Impeller” (2010) www.myspace.com/moddimusikk
Career began: 2010 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/tonemaettet
Photo: Sigrún Gudbrandsdóttir
Moto Boy (SE)
Career began: 2007 Latest album: ”Lost In The Call” (2010) www.myspace.com/motoboymusic
Marie-Louise Munck
Career began: 2008 Latest album: ”The Birds Fly Up” (2010) www.myspace.com/mmunck
Murder Formed: 2000 Latest album: ”Stockholm Syndrome” (2006) www.myspace.com/murderdk
Since he was eight, Oskar Humlebo has been obsessed with music. Back then, it was a choir concert in a London cathedral that enchanted the Swedish singer, who is 29 years old now. Having danced with jazz and taken on the experimental music genre, he has now unfolded as a pop musician with album releases and fans all over Scandinavia. Pop with a light and stripped instrumentation as well as a devoted voice and melodies. Part of the Songwriter programme
Marie-Louise Munck is the voice behind esteemed Danish indie projects like Amstrong og Antenne. She recently released her first solo album ”The Birds Fly Up” to great reviews. Her strong and distinctive voice gives a unique edge to her dark, gentle and melancholic champer pop. At SPOT she will be backed by a trio of musicians including a guest vocal performance by her sister, Camilla Munck (Munck // Johnson). Part of the Songwriter programme
In January the songwriter Jacob Bellens won the P3 Award together with his band I Got You On Tape. When he isn"t busy with IGYOT, he is active as one half of the acoustic duo Murder, who are to release their third album "Gospel of Man" in October. Anders Matthiasen is the other half of the duo, which has existed since 2000, and in particular their second and latest album so far, "Stockholm Syndrome", impressed the critics.
Nabiha
The New Heartaches
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen (NO)
Career began: 2008 Latest album: ”Cracks” (2010) www.myspace.com/nabihamusic Nabiha Bensouda, formerly known as Tiger Lily, draws on her African roots when creating her energetic radio-friendly attitude power pop. An Old Malian lullaby from the singer"s childhood has become the bridge on her first single "Deep Sleep", and already at five years old she fell in love with the soul, disco and reggae rhythms that she heard at home. The debut album "Cracks" was released in February – the same month that the 25-year old Nahiba was touring with Rasmus Seebach.
Formed: 2009 | Latest album: ”Deny Deny Deny” (2010) www.myspace.com/thenewheartaches TNH consists of former members of prestigious acts like Strawberry Slaughterhouse and Horrorpops. The sound is quite different, though, and follows the modern American rock tradition, spiced up with the madness of punk and garage. The lyrics are pure rock"n"roll and deal with parties, women and love. The first single "Evelyn", about a dysfunctional, love-hate relationship, is out now to pave the way for the album, which is due later in 2010. Presented by DUP
Formed: 2006 | Latest album: ”For sant til å være godt” (2010) | myspace.com/johnolavnilsen Headed by John Olav Nielsen the Norwegian band plays authentic power pop with a romantic view of youth and a penchant for grand string arrangements and joyful rock"n"roll riffs. Everything is kept in place by John"s gentle vocals and the band"s debut album "For Sant Til Å Være Godt", which was released in January through VME, stunned the critics in Norway. Subsequently they have enjoyed great success in their native country, and they are also to play at Roskilde later this year.
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Nordic CoWriters Organizer: ROSA og Mayday Music The last four days leading up to SPOT Engelsholm Castle will set the stage for 12 talented songwriters working on brand new songs, which are then to be presented for the very first time at the Festival. This is the fifth year with Nordic Co-writers, which has become a great success. As something new, four top-notch songwriters from Austin, Texas have been invited as an offshoot of The House of Song. Nordic Cowriters is supported by Mobile Music, KODA, DBJFA and DPA.
Elin Ruth Sigvardsson (SE)
Brandur Enni (FO)
Therese Aune (NO)
Vibeke Falden
Scrappy Jud Newcomb (US)
Matt The Electrician (US)
Troy Cambell (US)
Danny Malone (US)
Ida Wenøe Bach
Anna Bell
Johan Kristinsson (IS)
Agnes Obel
The Olympics
Pinkunoizu
Danish Agnes Caroline Thaarup Obel is currently living in Berlin, but she sings in English. She is known for her DIY attitude, and indeed she sings, plays, writes and produces all of it herself. The result is pleasant indie folk with her conservatoryskilled handling of the piano. Her debut album is due in August. Obel also appears on the soundtrack for Thomas Vinterberg"s critically acclaimed film Submarino and in a Telekom commercial. Part of the Songwriter programme
Copenhagen-based The Olympics, who actually have roots in Jutland, came about in the light of non-western music"s entry on New York"s alternative scene. They are a sparkling pop outfit who have released the EP "Adventure Pop" and are currently negotiating concerning the release of their debut album. They play cool and catchy indie pop and find their inspiration among people like David Bowie and Talking Heads.
In the intersection of free folk, noise rock, lo-fi and pop you find Pinkunoizu and their many-sided and exotic hotchpotch of all the genres above. It ranges from meditative peace to hysterical playfulness, and from hyper-changing to repetitive, and the band"s Japanese name means pink noise in English. Among the members of Pinkunoizu are people from Chimes & Bells and Le Fiasko. Presented by ORA
Career began: 2006 Latest album: ”Just So”, single (2009) www.myspace.com/obelmusic
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Lara Runarsdottir (IS)
Formed: 2007 Latest album: ”Adventure Pop”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/theolympicsband
Formed: 2009 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/pinkunoizu
BANDS P-R
Plök
Pony The Pirate (NO)
The Psyke Project
Plök from Odense have just released their debut album all over Europe. Their own preferred genre label is "Mathbeat synth punk", and although the sound is quite unique, Mr. Bungle is an obvious point of reference. There are elements of industrial, metal and progressive rock. The lads have toured in Germany, the USA, and England. In early 2011 the album will also be available in the US and they plan to release an EP later that year. Presented by ORA
PTP is the story of an unhappy pirate and his quest through the hard and scary facts of life on his way to his goal: a Neverland of happiness, passion, and meaningfulness. The sound of this journey is ingenious and infinite to an extent that has led to a contract with Columbia Music, which released the debut "This Is Our Psychopedia" (five stars in Aftenposten). The band moves easily between everything from shoegaze and neo punk to river dance and classical baroque.
With four albums, 300 gigs and several award nominations to their name, The Psyke Project have acquired a large fan-base in all of Scandinavia. They are considered the headliner on the Danish hardcore scene, and the reviews speak for themselves: five-star reviews all over. Soundvenue describes the ultra-hard metal music as "one of the most original, alluring and beautiful worlds of sound from a Danish band that I have ever come across". Presented by Metal SPOT
Formed: 2002 | Latest album: ”Sing Us Yr Guillotine Gospel” (2010) www.myspace.com/plk
Formed: 2006 | Latest album: ”This Is Our Psychopedia” (2010) www.myspace.com/ponythepirate
Formed: 2001 Latest album: ”Dead Storm” (2009) www.thepsykeproject.dk/
Photo: Anders Von Greffelstein
Quadron
RebekkaMaria
The River Phoenix
Robin Hannibal (Boom Clap Bachelors) is behind the razor-sharp pop production on Quadron"s eponymous 2009 debut album. In addition to the producer the duo also includes the female singer Coco O., who besides assisting her colleague Karen at her gigs is also in Boom Clap Bachelors. Plenty of critical acclaim – for instance, "Coco"s fragile, yet effective voice suits Robin"s electronic productions that reek of vintage knowhow."
The former lampshade lead singer has gone solo again and now returns with her second album. "Sister Sortie" is the title of the follow-up on the success in 2008 with "Queen of France". The electro pop has been replaced by a looser more soulful and elastic universe, and the absence of the prefix "As In" which used to be part of her stage name signals the new direction. Rebekka has her eyes set on the solo career.
The Danish quintet TRP paints an emotional and charismatic landscape of sound on an already colorful canvas. They want to remind us how absorbing intelligent music can be. The band has toured in the US, and the 2008 debut got great reviews. "The sound is pure, clearly guitar-driven and definitely draws on the rock scene of the 90s", remarked one reviewer, who compared the band to Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones and radiohead.
Formed: 2008 Latest album: ”Quadron” (2009) www.myspace.com/quadronquadron
Career began: 2001 Latest album: ”Sister sortie” (2010) www.myspace.com/asinrebekkamaria
Formed: 1998 Latest album: ”Ritual” (2008) www.myspace.com/theriverphoenixband
I’m going to see…
Mat Riviere (UK)
Career began: 2003 Latest album: ”Follow Your Heart” (2010) www.myspace.com/matriviere Mat Riviere er fra Norwich i England, hvor han allerede har formået at gøre væsen af sig. Flere engelske musikmedier har rost hans debutalbum ”Follow Your Heart”, der udkom i år, som værende dyster og genial pop, og den unge musiker er så småt på vej ud over landets grænser. Mon ikke han i hvert fald vinder et par yderligere fans med sit stemningsfyldte bud på alternativ pop på dette års SPOT Festival.
Claus Vittus, DR (DK) Film: The Greek band Film was recommended to me by their booker, who I’ve met on other festivals. It’s the same one who booked Choir of Young Believers in Greece. Now it goes the other way – I find that interesting. Chimes & Bells: I can recommend Chimes & Bells. I’ve seen them before, and they have a good energy on stage. As a music journalist I also find it important to follow a band’s development. They’ve done well so far, but are they still worth seeing? SPOT is a fine opportunity for ‘shopping around’ and keeping an eye on developments. Lars and the Hands of Light: I just know their album, so it’s interesting to see whether they can channel their energy on to the stage.
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BANDS R-S
The Rumour Said Fire
The Sad Lovers
A mere two months after the release of their debut EP, "The Life and Death of a Male Body", the band could also boast of having been "track of the week" on P3 and number one on the Danish ITunes album chart. The 2009 EP was awarded 5 stars by Gaffa, whose reviewer remarked, "They have succeeded in distinguishing themselves while also keeping a familiarity to their sound that will appeal to a broad audience".
Even the toughest death metaller will find it hard to resist a female voice as sensitive and light as the one in The Sad Lovers. You just have to acknowledge the group"s unique gentleness which is also apparent in the handling of the instruments. It is singer/songwriter and neo folk and it left the Diskant.dk reviewer in ecstasy: "absolutely irresistible straight-to-the-heart singing […] sounds like a song that ought to be in a David Lynch musical". Presented by DUP
Scarlet Chives
Scarred By Beauty
Shogun Kunitoki (FI)
Formerly known as Majorian, Scarlet Chives have been around the world. Their second EP was produced by the Englishman Paul Schroeder while the Canadian Tracy Maurice provided the cover art. They play alternative pop shoegazer rock with a female singer and gentle keyboards. In 2008 that cocktail earned them the victory in LiveContest and subsequently brought them to the Pavilion Junior stage at Roskilde, where their gig kicked off the festival that year.
SBB is a unique and experimental metal band with a penchant for outright hardcore. The band won"t be kept down by genre labels, and the only dogma for the band members is that art must be given free rein without any unnecessary rules or frameworks. In the band there are musicians from Hatesphere, Vira and Intelligent Pushing. Recently they released the EP "We Swim". In 2010 they plan to go on a European tour and to record their first album.
Psychedelic, organ-driven, purely instrumental indietronica from Helsinki. The band keeps pushing forward by looking back – back to the analogue electro of Jean Jacques Perrey"s heyday in the 1960s. SK started out by playing the music on commodore 64s, but has since then compiled a more traditional instrumentation, which led to the 2006 debut "Tasankokaiku". It took the band eight years to finish the album.
Naja Rosa
Career began: 2009 | Latest album: ”When The Smoke Clears” (2010) www.myspace.com/najamusic Naja Rosa is a Dane in New York. Being the daughter of legendary Thomas Koppel and Annisette (Savage Rose), she went with them on tour since she was a toddler. Now, however, she has settled in the city that never sleeps, and she has played her mix of soul, 70s rock and blues in the subway as well as at fancy venues. The music often has sparks of humor and omnipresent soulfulness, and the debut album "When The Smoke Clears" is ready for release.
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ” Majorian”, ep (2008) www.myspace.com/majorian
Formed: 2008 | Latest album: ”The Life And Death Of A Male Body”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/therumoursaidfire
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”We Swim”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/scarredbybeauty
Formed: 2008 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/thesadlovers
Formed: 1999 Latest album: ”Vinoaamakasio” (2009) www.myspace.com/shogunkunitoki
I’m going to see…
Elin Ruth Sigvardson (SE) Career began: 2003 Latest album: ”Cockatoo Friends” (2009) www.myspace.com/elinruth
The Swedish multi talent Elin Ruth Sigvardsson has released four albums and been nominated for a Grammy, but only now with her fourth one "Cookatoo Friends" has she followed the dream of releasing her music on her own. The singer/songwriter does that on her label Divers Avenue and on the record she is responsible for half of everything that is going on. Live she is assisted, however, by a band that includes flutes, percussion and a piano.
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Slaraffenland
Formed: 2005 Latest album: ”We’re On Your Side” (2009) www.myspace.com/slaraffenland With three albums under their belts Slaraffenland are well on their way to establish their alternative indie pop in the Danish musical landscape. Their target group is free and open-minded people who can be convinced that pop is just as lively and colorful as its more reckless sisters in other genres. The band has reaped plenty of favorable mention abroad, where they have toured with their powerful and irresistible live performances.
Thomas Bak Sørensen, LJUD (DK) The Blue Van: They have a very traditional style, but they hit this rock’n’roll sound from the 1960s, which makes it sound authentic. They don’t sound very Danish. In this particular context, I think that’s a positive trait! Frodegruppen 40: I think it’s great that SPOT also makes room for meetings between music and poetry. Frodegruppen’s music is nicely trashy and anarchistic compared to the indie hell one usually meets at SPOT! Fallulah: I haven’t heard her music yet, but it sound exciting how she mixes her Eastern European musical ancestry with pop. I imagine that could lead to intelligent pop.
BANDS S-S
Sleep Party People
Specktors
Kasper Spez
SPP is the warm, escapist and dreamy universe that Brian Batz, the guitarist of Majorian, goes to when he wants to escape the concerns of everyday life. The one-man band has been Soundvenue Selected and the eponymous debut album was recommended by Gaffa, whose reviewer gave it five stars and said, "It"s challenging, at times downright awe-inspiring and most of all damned pleasant for your ears." Presented by DUP
Straight out of the Copenhagen dubstep hype comes the rap group Specktors with their electronic mix of slum hip hop and distorted bass lines. No fresh street wear but rather deliberately worn-out sleeveless denim jackets, and the lads actually look more like a punk band than a rap crew. Before the release of the album "Shanksville", they treated their fans with the free mix tape "Du ved det", and in February they released the EP "Broerne Brænder".
Once Kasper Spez was known as one of the most uncompromising and original punch-line rappers in Denmark. In 2006 he gave up that métier and instead embarked on an even more personal role as a "Love Junkie". That was the title of an EP that resounded in the rap industry and put the rapper in the mainstream spotlight. Last year he released the album "Fantasten", which was lauded by the critics.
Tobias Stenkjær
Song for Wendy
Stoffer & Maskinen
Stenkjær aka Tobias Stone made his debut in 2008, and last year he received a DMA Award for his album, which according to the reviewers "oozes with a fearless and well-reflected lust for life". Later that year he made the music for an international Suzuki commercial, and in February 2010 he went to the capital of country music, Memphis, Tennessee to demonstrate his skills to a picky audience which included connoisseurs like Troy Campbell, Matt The Electrician and Betty Soo. Presented in association with the Danish Folk Council
Song For Wendy is the latest collaborative project between singer/songwriter Mads Mouritz and the Icelandic singer DISA. Beneath the undemonstrative title one finds a number of interpretations of poems from the anthology Poem for the Day collected by the very popular lyricist Wendy Cope. The lyrics, which revolve around love and are from the 18th to the 20th century, are turned into stripped and romantic duets by Mouritz and DISA. Presented in association with Lyd+Litteratur
The voice is Stoffer, the music Maskinen. The electro duo found each other in 2006 and have very recently released their eponymous debut album. Cristoffer Budtz is widely recognized for his poetic lyrics about alienated youth and the pangs of loneliness, while the experienced self-made rock virtuoso Andreas Sommer is praised equally enthusiastically for his contribution. Together they create rocking electro pop with inspiration from Veto, Mew and Dizzy Mizz Lizzy. In march they toured with Peter Sommer.
Striving Vines
Susanne Sundfør (NO)
Supershine
Fast-paced rock compositions, irresistible melodies, ingenious lyrics and sparkling, English vocals are the elements that create Striving Vines" distinct sound: rock music that is at once heart-breaking and contemplative, melancholy and optimistic and very tuneful. The album, which was released through Strange Ears in April is wry and alternative and is focused on distancing itself from things such as genre and tiresome mainstream sound.
In 2007 her gig was one of the most eagerly anticipated concerts at by:Larm. Afterwards it was also one of the most praised performances. In 2010 she returned to by:Larm and once again she succeeded in living up to the expectations. Both Norske Dagbladet and ABC Nyheter emptied their bags of stars for her. "Don"t let the by:Larm guests leave the country before they have heard Susanne Sundfør", said the former.
Modern rock from the traditional recipe. Supershine is the band for those of you who are looking for stylish and convincing rock without experimental detours. It is genre music with no-nonsense guitars, a deep bass and tight drums. They are the house band on the comedy TV show "Live fra Bremen" (TV2) and among the bands that will be big in 2010 according to Gaffa. The album debut with inspiration from acts such as Interpol and Editors will be released later this year. Presented by DUP
Formed: 2008 Latest album: ”Sleep Party People” (2010) www.myspace.com/sleeppartypeople
Career began: 2001 Latest album: ”Blissfully Unaware” (2008) www.myspace.com/tobiasstenkjaer
Formed: 2007 Latest album: ”Can´t Win Them All” (2010) www.myspace.com/strivingvines
Formed: 2008 Latest album: ”Shanksville” (2009) www.myspace.com/specktors
Formed: 2002 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/songforwendy
Career began: 2006 Latest album: ”The Brothel” (2010) www.myspace.com/susannesundfoer
Career began: 2006 Latest album: ”Fantasten” (2009) www.myspace.com/kasperspez
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Stoffer & Maskinen” (2010) www.myspace.com/stofferogmaskinen
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”The EP”, ep (2010) www.myspace.com/supershinemusic
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BANDS S-V
Surf In Stereo
Maria Timm + Marie Frank
The Tiny (SE)
Surf in Stereo plays surf jazz. The band was formed in 2008 and is definitely a welcome addition to the young Danish jazz scene. The music also contains elements of dirty surf, indie rock and Latin. Surf In Stereo Have won the "Ung Jazz" contest and played gigs in Sweden, Switzerland and Croatia. The debut album"s release date is 1st May.
Frank is gentle, poppish and singer-songwriter oriented, Timm is a little more rocky and edged. When they go on stage together they present their respective material in so new and fresh garments that the songs seem like brand-new creations. Frank wanted to move in a new direction and got in touch with Maria Timm, and later Marianne Lewandowski also joined the project, which will be touring in Germany, Holland and Belgium this spring. Part of the Songwriter programme
Swedish The Tiny was conceived on a dark, cold winter night when the two lonely souls Ellekari Larsson and Leo Svensson met and fell in love. Six months later the band was formed, and in 2004 came the group"s first album "Close Enough". So far they have released three albums, which were all praised enthusiastically by the critics. Their songs are haunting and gothic with elements of minimalism and classical music. The vocals have been compared to Björk and Kate Bush. Part of the Songwriter programme
Formed: 2008 Latest album: ”Surf In Stereo” (2008) www.myspace.com/surfinstereo
Formed: 2009 | Latest album: – www.myspace.com/mariatimm www.mariefrank.dk
Formed: 2003 Latest album: ”Gravity and Grace” (2010) www.myspace.com/thetinythetiny
Photo: Tonje Eliasson
Photo: Jessica Tolf Vulpius
The Tremolo Beer Gut
Turboweekend
Twins Twins
Danish-Swedish TTBG have long since been the biggest surf rock act in Scandinavia, but actually they"ve made it far beyond the Scandinavian market. Thus, they have played gigs in Russia, Scotland and Belgium. Their latest and fifth album was hailed by the reviewers according to whom "The Danish spaghetti lads are tall in the saddle", and, "It"s a pleasure to listen to TTBG"s cinematic old-school rock that oozes of pure love of the genre." Presented by DUP
Silas, Morten and Martin have played together as a band longer than most acts – since they were 14 that is. As the trio Turboweekend they have so far released two albums with their poignant and catchy electro rock, which is in great demand both on the Danish and the international club stages. Vocals, synthesizers, drums and bass lines meet in danceable beats while the lyrics add a touch of indie sensitivity.
Modern, alternative pop meets classic stadium rock. When Twins Twins" EP was released in 2008, people compared their sound to The Rolling Stones and The Strokes. Prior to that they had been Soundvenue Selected, and they thought the link to Pavement and Sonic Youth was more obvious. In 2009 the band played at Roskilde, and on the debut album from the same year they were moving towards a new sound with synthesizers and samples along with the fundamental guitar sound.
Formed: 1999 | Latest album: ”Nous sommes the tremolo beer gut ... qui le fuck êtes vous” (2008) | www.myspace.com/thetremolobeergut
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Ghost of a Chance” (2009) www.turboweekend.com
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Until Dawn” (2009) www.myspace.com/twinstwinsmusic
I’m going to see…
Underwater Sleeping Society (FI)
Formed: 1999 Latest album: ”The Dead Vegas” (2008) www.myspace.com/uwssoc
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Successful psychedelic indie rock? Underwater Sleeping Society. The Helsinki band is ready to emigrate to the rest of the world. Their music has been compared to that of Radiohead. Not due to plagiarism, but rather because the band possesses originality and skills that are almost worthy of the legends. In one of the highly favorable reviews of their latest album it said, "Their songs have practically got it all – from small quaint details to grand, roaring choruses."
Vampire Blow
Formed: 2008 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/vampireblow The core is classic rock"n"roll, but the lads spice it up with whatever they feel like and the result is a no-limits coupling of punk, blues and garage. Equal shares of inspiration from the heavy-weights of rock and constant open-mindedness during the recordings bring about an unrestrained and honest sound. As for the gig the band promises "brutality and chaos, spontaneity alongside insanely prearranged elements" and compares the show to metal gigs and raves. Presented by ORA
Vasilis Panagiotopolous Drowned in Sound, (UK)
FM Belfast: I’ve seen Icelandic FM Belfast a couple of times. They’re amazing live; they put on a really good show. It’s a lot of fun; they make people jump up and down! Film: They have a very dark and enigmatic sound, almost cinematic. They create a beautiful atmosphere. Chimes & Bells: In my opinion, one of the most promising new talents from Denmark.
BANDS V-Z
Villa Nah (FI)
Vinnie Who
Wazzabi
The Finnish Duo Villa Nah, comprising Juho Paalosmaa and Tomi Hyyppä,, will go on stage at SPOT to spread their alluring synth pop tunes to the SPOT audience, who in all probability will get to hear the duo perform "Daylight", a track which sums up the sound on Villa Nah"s debut album, "Origin", which incidentally hits the stores at roughly the same time as SPOT 2010 kicks off.
Through a chemical reaction between synthetic Italo disco and positively organic rock you get the distinctive, indie-psychedelic disco house that characterizes My Evil Twin member Niels Bagge"s solo project, Vinnie Who. On top of that the 21-yearold Copenhagener ads his stunning, androgynous vocals, and soon everybody is blown away. In 2009 they played at Roskilde. Lasse Lyngbo (Diefenbach) is in charge of the production and keeps track of everything in the laboratory.
A minimalist band with a maximum sound. The electronica jazz duo Wazzabi met in NYC 12 years ago and began working together right away. In 2005 they formed the group which plays a kaleidoscopic and cinematic genre hotchpotch, with which they and the singer Shaka Loveless (Are We Brothers) have very recently toured in the US. Wazzabi also collaborate with Camille Jones, Tue Track and DJ Noize. The debut album will be released in May. Presented in association with JazzDanmark
When Saints Go Machine
Wrong Side Of Vegas
Houssam Zamzam
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Mothmaking Sessions”, ep (2009) www.myspace.com/wrongsideofvegas
Career began: 1995
Latest album: ”Houssam Zamzam” (2003)
WSOV started in 2006, and since then they have released three EPs, which will soon be followed by an album. Their unpolished rock with plenty of attitude draws on inspiration from the rock"n"roll gods of the 70s – Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, but also from modern acts like Jet and The Datsuns. The band has played support for bands like SKambankt, Baby Woodrose and The Blue Van. Currently they are planning a bunch of gigs all over Germany. Presented by ORA
If you go to Gellerupparken and ask for a musician, 95 per cent will tell you to go see Houssam Zamzam. Houssam Zamzam and Al Charq excel in classical music and pop from the entire Middle Eastern region. Over the years the four members of the band, who have Lebanese-Palestinian background have acquired a large repertoire and a reputation that has made them a band in great demand for concerts, weddings and engagement parties both in Denmark and abroad. Presented in association with REAL
Formed: 2006 Latest album: ”Origin” (2010) www.myspace.com/villanah
Formed: 2007 Latest album: ”Ten Makes A Face” (2009) www.myspace.com/whensaintsgomachine With inspiration from a world ranging as far as the European techno scene, Beach Boys and Moloko, the Copenhageners of WSGM conjure up their critically acclaimed and club-friendly electro indie. WSGM themselves call it "dishwashable pop with mainstream appeal", and the reviewers were stunned by the debut "Ten Makes A Face" and its machinelike beats, filmic synths, Nikolaj Manuel Vonsild"s vocals and the way everything seemed to form a whole.
Karriestart: 2007 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/vinniewhoofficial
Formed: 2005 Latest album: – www.myspace.com/wazzabimusic
www.zamzam-music.com
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SPOT Festival 2010 is presented by ROSA – The Danish Rock Council in collaboration with MXD – Music Export Denmark Main sponsors
SPOT Festival is supported by the Music Committee of the Danish State Arts Council
Sponsors
Partners
Archauz | Café Hack | JazzDanmark | DR – The Danish Broadcasting Corporation | DSB Wildcard | DUP – Independent Danish Record Companies | Creative Geist | Europcar | Fatter Eskil | Danish Metal Awards | The Danish Folk Council | In-Demand | Lyd+Litteratur | ORA – The Association of Amateur Musicians | Metal Royale | midt.dk | [REAL] Musikcaféen | Musikparlamentet | OffDay | Oppenheimers Eftermiddag | RMF | rockaarhus.dk | sTUDENTERHUS åRHUS | Train | VoxHall | World Music Denmark | Danmarks Grimmeste Festival International partners: InterSPOT & SPOT On Denmark: Ina Keβler & Katja Hermes | Initiative Musik (DE) | Tatjana Domany, AMAN (AT) | Ralph Christoph, C|O POP (DE) | Fruzsina Szép & Frigyes Machan Nesta, RegiON conference (HU), Kurt Overbergh (BE), Hannes Tschürtz & Babsi Steiner, INK Music (AT) | Alexandre Edelmann, Montreux Jazz festival (CH) | De Concert International Festival Association, Rockhal (LU).
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Seminarer Friday May 21th. 12.00-12.50 MOBIL MARKETING I MUSIKBRANCHEN (Danishj language) ERFARINGER OG VISIONER Magnus Restofte, Maria Wael, Annie Agerbek 13.00-14.00 INNOVATIONSKONKURRENCE (Danish) SKAB ET KONCEPT, DER GAVNER DANSK MUSIK 14.15-15.05 FUTUREHIT.DNA (English language) THE SECRETS OF HIT SONGS IN THE DIGITAL AGE Jay Frank (US) 15.15-16.15 THE REAL DEAL (English) UK MANAGERS – DANISH ARTISTS Andy Hart (UK), Jonathan Morley (UK), Tim Hole (UK) Moderator: Keith Harris (UK) 16.30-17.30 DO-IT-YOURSELF (Danish) ELLERS BLIVER DET MÅSKE ALDRIG GJORT Nis Bøgvad, Noah Rosanes, Rasmus Søby Andersen Moderator: Carsten Holm 17.00-18.00 FILM & STORYTELLING (English) RECORDMAN –THE LAST AMERICAN COWBOY Coon (US)
Saturday May 22nd. 11.00-11.50 SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST (English) A TOM WINDISH INTRODUCTION TO THE US LIVE INDUSTRY Tom Windish (US), Si Hawkins (UK) 12.00-12.50 FREE STREAMING AND DOWNLOADING (English) CLEVER PROMOTION, WASTED INCOME OR BREACH OF COPYRIGHT? Eldar Ästthórsson (IS), Martin Gormsen, Martin J. Thörnkvist (SE), Lena Brostrøm, Rasmus Ardahl Moderator: Carsten Ortmann 13.00-13.50 A CONVERSATION (English) FOREIGN ARTISTS IN JAPAN Archie Meguro (JP), Steve McClure (CA) 14.00-14.50 MUSIC PUBLISHING (English) THE NEW HOME OF A&R AND THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE A LIVING? Pelle Lidell (SE), Jens-Markus Wegener (DE), Rémy Peronne (FR) Moderator: Christian Ulf-Hansen (UK) 15.00-16.15 ER NETTET BARE VARM LUFT? / THE WEB: THE SHOULD WE BELIEVE THE HYPE? (English/Danish) Opening keynote: Arial Hyatt (US) Morten Hjort, Christian Taagehøj, Martin Thörnkvist (SE), Kristian Leth Moderator: Carsten Holm 16.30-17.30 MUSIC AND GAMES – LET’S PLAY... (English) Eric Friend (US), Thomas Bärtschi, Stephen King (UK
All SPOT seminars take place at Radisson Blu (SAS) - except ”Film & Storytelling: Recordman – The Last American Cowboy”, which takes place at Musikhuset (Lille Sal).
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Photo: Amanda Elisabeth Olesen
Friday
FUTUREHIT.DNA
– THE SECRETS OF HIT SONGS IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Friday May 21th. 14.15-15.05 Author Jay Frank will show how digital consumption has changed the way you hear music. He will explain how recent hits have become more successful by employing tricks that play into the changing listening habit. The secrets that will be shared to make songs more hitworthy are winning raves the world over and are already being employed by many record labels. Jay Frank (US), Senior Vice President, Music Strategy for CMT. Author of “Futurehit.DNA. – How the Digital Revolution is Changing Top 10 Songs”
THE REAL DEAL
– UK MANAGERS – DANISH ARTISTS Friday May 21th. 15.15-16.15
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How do managers work in the world’s arguably most important - and competitive - music market? What’s so special about Tina Dickow and Kellermensch, that top-notch UK managers bother to take them under their wings? What are the key ingredients to a non-UK Artist (possibly) making it in the UK? Jonathan Morley (UK), Manager (Tina Dickow), Northen Lights Management Tim Hole (UK), Manager (Kellermensch), Audio Authority Management Moderator: Keith Harris (UK), Dirrector of Performer Affairs, PPL. Chairman – Musictank. Lecturer - University of Westminster.
FILM & STORYTELLING
RECORDMAN – THE LAST AMERICAN COWBOY Friday May 21th. 17.00-18.00
It is the story of a small group of men who started the record business with no rules, no road map and in the process recorded the soundtrack to the second half of the twentieth century. Coon (US), writer, producer, director
Saturday
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
- A TOM WINDISH INTRODUCTION TO THE US LIVE INDUSTRY
Saturday May 22nd. 11.00-11.50 Meet Tom Windish agent and founder of one of the most important independent booking agencies in the US. Windish Agency boasts an impressive roster of international artists such as Justice, the XX and Hot Chip. Moreover the agency represents an array of Scandinavian artists such as Trentemøller, the Knife and Röyksopp.
Tom Windish will be interviewed by Clash Magazine news editor Si Hawkins followed by a Q & A session. Tom Windish (US), founder, agent, Windish Agency Si Hawkins (UK), news editor, Clash Magazine
FREE STREAMING AND DOWNLOADING
– CLEVER PROMOTION, WASTED INCOME OR BREACH OF COPYRIGHT?
Saturday May 22nd. 12.00-12.50 Is free music a sustainable model for artists and record labels in a digital world? When is free streaming and downloading a form of advertisement, and when is it a product that should be paid for? Who has the rights to what? Can the music business improve its coordination? Could it become as easy to start an online music service as it is to start a radio station? Presented in collaboration with gogoyoko.com and KODA Eldar Ästthórsson (IS), gogoyoko.com Martin Gormsen, KODA Martin J. Thörnkvist (SE), The Swedish Model Lena Brostrøm, Danish Artist Union Rasmus Ardahl, Bandbase Moderator: Carsten Ortmann, culture jounalist and radio host at DR, musician, cand.mag
A CONVERSATION:
ists making it big in Asia – but is it really that easy? Archie Meguro and Steve McClure (residental in Japan since 1985) will explain what foreign artists should and should not do when trying to achieve success in Japan. Archie Meguro (JP), Senior Vice President of Sony Music Japan International Inc. Steve McClure (CA), Executive Editor, McClure’s Asia Music News, freelance journalist and broadcaster
MUSIC PUBLISHING:
THE NEW HOME OF A&R AND THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE A LIVING?
Saturday May 22nd. 14.00-14.50 Creative music publishing is now accepted as one of the biggest drivers of the success of talent and also fast becoming the biggest part of an artist/writer’s income, on this panel we will discuss the creative elements of the music publishing business in the new, border defying, digital and analogue, International, real world. Pelle Lidell (SE), European A&R Executive, Universal Music Publishing Jens-Markus Wegener (DE), AMV,TALPA Rémy Peronne (FR), La Maison de Production Moderator: Christian Ulf-Hansen (UK), Plan C Management
THE WEB: SHOULD WE BELIEVE THE HYPE?(UK/DK)
Saturday May 22nd. 15.00-16.15 Opening keynote in English by Ariel Hyatt, in which Saturday May 22nd. 13.00-13.50 she examines online possibilities for musicians on difMXD Spot Program Ad stories 08/04/09 19:04 ferent Side We have all heard the success of Danish artlevels1and in various genres.
FOREIGN ARTISTS IN JAPAN
The keynote is followed by a panel discussion in Danish about the internet and the opportunities it provides in communicating and promoting music and how it can often lead to a lack of nuance in relations to the type of artist, genre, and product distributed or sold. Presented in collaboration with Musikparlamentet Arial Hyatt (US), founder of Ariel Publicity. Author of ”Music Success in Nine Weeks”. Morten Hjort, community Manager, Copenhagen Records Christian Taagehøj, Slaraffenland Martin Thörnkvist (SE), Songs I Wish I Had Written, co-founder of The Swedish Model Kristian Leth, The William Blakes, Speed of Sound Moderator: Carsten Holm, journalist, radio host DR P3
MUSIC AND GAMES – LET’S PLAY...
Saturday May 22nd. 16.30-17.30 A discussion about music usage in video games. Capturing the mood, setting the scene, and determining the pace for video games are critical aspects to sound design. How do you adapt music to games - what is adaptive music? How do music supervisors find bands, music, and composers to hire for their project? What are the things to consider when submitting your music to a gaming studio? Eric Friend (US), Sound Enginer, Friendo Sound Thomas Bärtschi, Music Supervisior & Sound Designer, IO Interactive Stephen King (UK), Believe Digital UK
es Danish music and promot sh ni Da of rt po ex e rally. ark supports th mercially and cultu m Music Export Denm co th bo – ad ro r music ab professional popula A small selection of MXD activities: These objectives are to be achieved by means of:
Presenting Danish Music at music trade shows and festivals International project partner and PR partner of the SPOT Festival
Economic support for Danish music export initiatives and concert campaigns
Supporting Danish bands touring internationally
An increased international awareness of Danish Music
Supporting Danish music industry export projects
The retrieval and processing of information and know-how
Presenting SPOT on DENMARK, in collaboration with ROSA, worldwide
For further info visit: www.mxd.dk 35
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