The Facebook experiment...part eight...

The HitC Facebook page has reached 142 likes...only one new like in a week, so this is still work in progress...Easter obviously did not help, as I spent the holiday abroad...

What did you miss since my previous update:

The new single/track by Sleep Party People...


The debut track from new Danish duo Cancer...


Adrian Sieber going disco...


This wonderful track and video from Stærosaurus...

The Facebook experiment...part five...

Reached 100 likes earlier this week (which have since grown to a whopping 104), so beware; world domination is just around the corner...

Highlights, which actually is an incredibly misleading term, because obviously everything posted on the HITC facebook page is a fucking highlight!

This lovely lo-fi, dreamy and catchy pop tune from Fire Stations.


A song with whistling by Sweden's Wuthering Height.


And of course the brand new track by Sleep Party People.


The debut video from Rosenthal, which fits the song perfectly!

Gazing at the moon...

New video from Sleep Party People...slightly morbid as usual...suffering badly from insomnia these days (I'm completely drained; partly explaining the lack of updates), so wondering if any of those pills are sleeping pills?

Shorts...

Just a couple of quick ones...

Check the line-up for this year's NYC Popfest and start drooling...looks pretty good don't you think!?

The new Sleep Party People track Chin is doing terribly on the Hypem Popular chart. Go heart it please! Musically I think they've move on quite a bit since the debut (A Dark Good Heart was a nice first step), but the (trademark?) vocals make the band very recognizable...perhaps a little too recognizable?
Sleep Party People - Chin

The new Blue Foundation single Lost is pretty nice, though it does sound as if they are returning to their trip-hop roots. Not exactly a fan of that!
Blue Foundation - Lost F. Sara Savery (Prefix Premiere)

Into My Mind, the debut single from Death Valley Sleepers is now available through iTunes! Not sure if this ended up being the final version (anyone?)...
 Death Valley Sleepers - Into My Mind

A dark god heart...

Stream/watch new song from Sleep Party People. A Dark God Heart is from the forthcoming album We Were Drifting On A Sad Song and doesn't indicate that we should expect any major changes to the sound on the debut. But since the debut was downright brilliant, why would anyone want things to change anyway? The video is sad, dramatic and perhaps a bit morbid!



Sleep Party People - A Dark God Heart by The Line Of Best Fit

ho ho ho...

Ingenuity has never really been one my strengths, so I’m borrowing last year’s title as well as last year’s illustration. I cannot help thinking that this post is somewhat of a contradiction, as I normally don’t shy away from expressing my dislike of Christmas in general. Not that I dislike everything about it, as I’m obviously enjoying the food, the beers (especially) and the days off. But the buying Christmas gifts madness, people “having” to see friends and families (whom we normally don’t care shit about the rest of year), kids acting like little angels etc. make me sick. As if behaving nicely (and spending loads of money on presents) in December gives you the stamp of approval to behave like a dickhead the rest of the year? So yes – I’m no fan and haven’t been since my late teens. That said; I do (of course) enjoy the many great tunes that always pop up this time of year and December offers the annual opportunity (posting them in June probably wouldn't make much sense) to post the best of the new ones as well as some old favorites…

+ I Am Noxious – The Snowman
Apparently published last year, but somehow I missed out on it. About “a snowman and his melting heart” and has a lovely Christmas feel to it!

+ Sleep Party People - Silent Night
Special but really beautiful cover of this ageless classic!

+ I Like Trains - Last Christmas
As I wrote last year: "Finally this classic sounds miserable; exactly as it should!"

+ Liam and Me - Winter Paradise (I Miss You This Christmas)
One of my favorite Christmas tracks...

+ Jmo - Santa, If You Do Exist
Murder Mystery frontman Jeremy has recorded this absolutely gorgeous indie pop Christmas song with jingle bells and jangling guitars...

+ Strawberry Whiplash - Santa Needs A Holiday
...and listening to some great guitarpop while on holiday probably won't hurt...

+ Fireflies - X-mas song
More great guitarpop for Santa!

+ One Weekly Gun - One Xmas Song
Check what I wrote about it three years ago. Should have been a classic by now!

Check back for updates tomorrow, the day after tomorrow...etc...

As previous years the post will be bumped to the top of the page when new songs are added…

Sleep party remix...

Brian Batz (aka Mr. Sleep Party People) has asked a few of his favorite artists to remix a track from his debut album. This has resulted in 4 remixes that have been put together on a remix EP, which was released yesterday via iTunes. As you all know I'm really no fan of remixes; but I'm a fan of Sleep Party People and without being (too) biased the remixes are actually surprisingly (and refreshingly) competent.
SLEEP PARTY PEOPLE - The Dwarf And The Horse (Trentemøller RMX) by Brian Batz

Sparks and flames...

Two quick thoughts on last night’s concert; it wasn’t a waste of time, but still plenty of work left before White Lies becomes a great live act. So don’t expect to see me queuing outside the ticket office to get tickets for their next tour. And despite my recent approval, the songs on Ritual are beyond doubt weaker than the ones on the debut, as the concert reached a completely different level (Bigger Than Us aside), when the band performed songs from To lose My Life.

Bumped into Tobias of Death Valley Sleepers at the concert and had a (real) quick chat. I obviously wanted news on the band’s debut album and it sounds like it’s imminent…
+ Black Pearl

Check this new track Every Spark Deserves A Flame by Danish synth-rock trio tung_nem. I’ve featured the band a number of times and it’s beyond me how they stay unnoticed.
Every Spark Deserves A Flame by tung_nem

Have to catch Sleep Party People live someday soon. Has to be an absolutely mind-blowing experience watching five “rabbits” performing music? Here's a live version of brand new (maybe even unfinished?) track We Were Drifting On A Sad Song.

Various...

A short of apology to all of those mailing me their promo stuff. At 10 a.m. I had exactly 3,971 mails in my inbox, so the chances of me ever reading your mails are…well…slim. And even smaller that you'll ever hear anything (good or bad) back from me! I’m sorry if I’m wasting your time, but that’s how things are and how they will (most likely) remain!

One of my current favorite tracks; Flowers Bloom by High Highs; is doing terribly well on the Hypem popular songs chart. Go heart it!
+ Flowers Bloom

I’ve spent a large part of the past 24 hours thoroughly enjoying the Psychic Powers debut Infinity. One complaint though! Why didn’t they include this terrific RAC remix of Dreamboat? Could have been the perfect bonus track!

 Dreamboat (RAC Remix) by Psychic Powers

Check this wonderful video for Sleep Party People's Notes To You.

Shorties...

Really short today...

Soundvenue has picked the self-titled debut album by Sleep Party People as the best album released by a Danish artist so far this year. Well done Brian!
+ I’m not human at all

UK duo The Tamborines shares their track CWB in exchange for your e-mail address. Definitely worth it!

Rodolfo recommends Canadian band Les Incendiaries. I'm pretty confident that this is something that Peter will write about at some later point, so instead I simply suggest that you download this Under Electric Light remix of their song Danaé, which I've posted a few times before.
+ Danaé (Under Electric Light mix)

Let's Go Surfing by The Drums has been remixed by The Raveonettes and now sounds like a song by (this can hardly be a surprise) The Raveonettes.
+ Let's Go Surfing (The Raveonettes Remix)

Shorties...

The holiday season is upon us, so perhaps ”shorts” would have been a more fitting title for today’s post? Going to Jutland on Monday for 5 days, so don’t check for any updates next week; consider this a service message for the three of you, who occasionally drop by to see if anything is happening!

What a pathetic effort by the Danish side against Japan yesterday. Everyone (in Denmark at least) were excited 8 months ago when Denmark qualified for the World Cup, and then this was all we got! Come on guys! Heroes die with their boots on and not with their pants down bending over.

I’ve listened to the new Kent album En Plats I Solen more than a half-dozen times, and yet I’m still not sure what to make of it. As much as I want to like the album, I just can’t help feeling somewhat indifferent when listening to it.

When you name your band Girls on Film your influences should be crystal clear to everyone who grew up during the eighties. And nice first single Highschool Dance by this new Danish trio is indeed a rather new romantic inspired piece, reminding me quite a lot of Superheroes.
+ Highschool Dance

My Name Is Legion shares their remix of the Sleep Party People track I’m Not Human At All. As always I like the original a lot better than the remix.
+ I’m Not Human At All (My Name Is Legion remix)
+ I’m Not Human At All

Our Falling Snow...

Lots of nice words have already been written about the self-titled Sleep Party People debut album (exhibit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and deservedly so. Adding anything to this is virtually impossible, though I cannot help being a bit baffled that the term shoegaze has been mentioned a few times. The music is indeed both dreamy and introspective, but those trademark distorted guitar sounds are really nowhere to be found. Personally I like the “modified” “electronic shoegaze” term a lot better, as my first thought, when I listened to the album, was that it was closely related to an ambient Sigur Rós universe, focusing on creating atmospheric and beautiful sounds rather than on writing memorable melody lines. However upon further listens, I’ve numerous times caught myself humming various tunes off the album, thus adding another (interesting) dimension to my first impression, as well as prompting the question; what should this be called exactly? Playful electronic pop with an experimental edge perhaps or? To be honest I really don’t care and cannot be bothered searching for (or perhaps even inventing) a more accurate description. Instead I’ll stick to what I do know; that this is a gloriously beautiful album.
+ I’m Not Human At All

Blue Foundation shares the Zeds Dead Dubstep Remix of their track Eyes on Fire.
+ Eyes On Fire (Zeds Dead Remix)

Due to popular demand the post with download links to all (?) Death Valley Sleepers songs has been updated.

Shorties...

Stuff is piling up again!

My conscience is black. I promised to write a few words on the Sleep Party People debut album, but won’t be able to do so, before it’s released on Monday. Shame on me! Will try to make amends next week!
+ I’m Not Human At All

Scottish trio AirSpiel shares a brand new recording named Freerider. A really nice anthemic indie rock track and the first taste of things to come, as the band is preparing a single release in March.
+ Freerider

So far the new album Vexations by Get Well Soon has failed to impress me. But I'm certainly going to give it plenty of chances to win me over, before the band's concert at Loppen on March 23.
+ 5 Steps / 7 Swords

Tower of Foil shares the track Driving North from the band’s forthcoming debut album of the same name. Lovely stuff as always and great that the band will finally be releasing an album!
+ Driving North

Music bloggers everywhere have joined forces (or at least so it seems) and made up their minds that Swedish duo, with the close to ungoogleable name, jj is the next big thing. Personally I'm still trying to figure out exactly why!
+ Let Go

Chris writes about a new alliance he nicknames “A Champagne Portrait”. Think I'd prefer “A Northern Riot”, but I definitely share his excitement!

Chromewaves gives us the lowdown on the much anticipated third album from The Radio Dept.

Chief of the Tribe by Blue Swan is currently topping the “most played track” chart at BandBase.dk. The track was originally published in August 2008, so where did this sudden increase in popularity come from?
+ Chief of the Tribe

A bag of warm chestnuts...

Wednesday I had to attend a meeting in Copenhagen and though I’m happy to no longer be working in our Capital city, I did enjoy the 1 hour train ride. Moments where I can sit quietly doing absolutely nothing without having a bad conscience are rare, so naturally I embraced this opportunity with enthusiasm. Decided to spend most of the time on the train listening to the much talked-about debut album by The xx and although previous listens have revealed that it is a fine release, it wasn’t until this point I understood how truly great it really is. Inspired by this revelation I immediately decided to buy tickets for the band’s concert at Vega, Copenhagen on January 15, which lead to a rather huge (and positive) surprise, when I saw that it had been moved from the small stage to the larger one (thus tripling the capacity), and with only a few tickets left! So while I was sleeping the hype apparently reached Denmark as well? But tickets have now been secured and I do expect that this will be the perfect way to kick off 2010.
+ Basic Space

When The William Blakes frontman Kristian Leth announced earlier this year that he was teaming up with Danish singer Morten Remar, I approached the news with some skepticism, as I haven’t been all that interested in the doings of mr. Remar’s since he released the Som De Andre Gør single in 1987 as part of the duo Back To Back. Yesterday a video for the constellation’s first single Lige nu og her was uploaded, and despite the single being released as far back as June (available via iTunes), yesterday was the first time I actually bothered checking the song out. To be honest, I cannot stress how glad I am I did! This is straightforward pop music and I see no point in pretending anything but, which probably means that it's something you’ll get tired of after some time! But at the same time I’ve been struggling to recall the last time (if ever) I heard a song that I was able to hum following the first listen (meaning that it’s catchy beyond belief) and then (after the second run) beg my wife to give a listen. And now I’m asking (begging if you like) the rest of you to listen to it as well! For the curious, a debut album should be out on Speed of Sound some time next year.


Speaking of Speed of Sound. Seems like the self-titled debut album by Sleep Party People will be out on said label on January 25. That's really great news!
+ I'm Not Human At All

Paul Rijnders of Anything Box shares a reproduced version of his old track Wonderful at Soundcloud. Good stuff!
+ Wonderful

Shorties...

Not much time today, so this will be a short one.

Have just bought the WHT solo album from VETO front man Troels Abrahamsen. Will get back with a few thoughts, whenever I’ve found the time to give it some decent listens.
+ End Scene

Italian DIY label We Were Never Being Boring Collective kicks off by releasing a 3” CD single containing 4 different cover versions of the Wavves track So Bored by four different artists. And the song does get treated in 4 quite varied, but highly entertaining, ways, as the versions range from the acoustic gorgeousness created by Le Man Avec Les Lunettes, via the inferno produced by Death In Donut Plains, over the atmospheric beauty by His Clancyness to the almost unrecognizable 47 seconds long electronic craziness of Dj Minaccia. The CD is a 30 copies limited edition, so hurry up if you want a copy. Or do as I did yesterday; download it for free from the label’s webpage.
+ Le Man Avec Les Lunettes – So Bored (Wavves cover)

Two days ago I mentioned that Sleep Party People had been signed by Speed of Sound, and I have since recieved permission to post a track from the album. According to the Myspace page the album is finished and will be called I’m The Little Bunnyman. No official release date has yet been announced (if so, I cannot find any), so for now enjoy I’m Not A Human At All as an appetizer, which hopefully will make you drool for more?
+ I’m Not Human At All

This and that...

Please not that today’s post is not called ”various” but ”this and that” instead. The difference? You tell me!

Electronic one-man project Sleep Party People has been signed by expanding Danish label Speed of Sound. I’ve mentioned Sleep Party People a few times before, but in case you didn’t pay attention back then, the man behind the SPP alias is Brian Batz of blog favorite Majorian and the excellent, but (since long ago) disbanded Mavis. Fine Danish blog Data Sapiens has more including information on a debut album as well as a track for download.

Evan Voytas, whose track Getting Higher can still be found among my current favorites in the right column, has recorded a cover of The Cure’s A Few Hours After This.... Originally the b-side of the In Between Days single, which in fact was the first record I ever bought by The Cure. Doubt very much that I ever listened to the b-side, so pretty difficult comparing the cover version to the original, though my first reaction was that he’s doing a pretty decent job.
+ A Few Hours After This (The Cure cover)

Started the day by downloading tracks from various promo mails and as always a few made a decent impression and most of them made none at all. No track made an instant impact, which unfortunately doesn’t happen as often as one could wish for. However this track by VNV Nation taken from the duo’s recently released Of Faith, Power and Glory album has turned out to be quite a grower, and one any fan of up-tempo industrial-inspired synth-pop should find quite appealing after a few listens.
+ The Great Divide

Look my way...

I posted the video for the new Doves single Kingdom Of Rust two weeks ago, and the song has been on permanent rotation ever since. Jetstream, the first track published from the forthcoming album, is still free to download from the official webpage, and the combination of the two tracks has increased my expectations for the upcoming album. I know I should be careful not expecting too much, at the band’s previous album Some Cities was a disappointing follow-up to the incredible The Last Broadcast, as it just never reached the epic heights of its predecessor. A month and half from now (April 6) we’ll all be much wiser, so until then I’m crossing everything possible and hoping that the band will hit another homerun. The band’s gig page has my constant attention, as new live dates are regularly being added. So far no European dates (plenty of UK/Ireland dates, but none on the continent) have been published and seeing Denmark being added to the list, would pretty much being a "dream come true". However I have a slight suspicion that the bands only visit to our small country will be for the Roskilde Festival, which will leave me discontented once again, as I definitely won't be attending the festival. So I’m crossing what’s left to cross, and hoping that a “real” Danish concert date will be published...soon!

The past few days have been scrapbook material for Brian Batz (a.k.a. Sleep Party People). Not only did he publish a brand new track by Sleep Party People, but perhaps even better his solo project was featured as New Band of the Day on this blog.

New track Press Hold by Swedish synth duo Ostrich is streaming at the band’s Myspace page. Been a while since we heard any news from the lads, but this one was worth waiting for!

US quartet The Respectables have been mailing a few tracks since the band was included in last week’s “mailbox” post. And the track Could It Be has actually been added to my current favorites (see the right column), without me even bothering commenting the band or the song. The band won’t be the runaway winners of any innovation contests, as the music is straightforward rock music with catchy hooks and riffs aplenty. But who will object and say that this is a bad thing? And since the band throws a lead singer sounding like a Kelly Jones/Rod Stewart clone into the mix, you know we're dealing will stuff that will never grow out of fashion.
+ Spark & Destiny
+ Could It Be

Majorian/Sleep Party People videos...

Neither Sleep Party People nor Majorian should be completely unfamiliar to you, if you’re a semi-regular reader of this blog. But in case you happen to be a newcomer, here’s an ultra short recap. SSP is an electronic solo project of Brian Batz, who’s also one of the driving forces behind Majorian. This weekend Brian mailed me the links for two new videos; one by each band/project, and kindly asked if I'd be interested in posting them...and of course I am!

The first one features Majorian playing a stripped down and really lovely version of the track Island (of their recent EP) prior to a concert. Thus explains why the video bears the additional title “Dressing Rooms Concerts”. Recorded and edited by Martin Thaulow. Shoe polish anyone?



The second one only runs for 1:45 and features the Sleep Party People track In The Morning Sun We Stand. It includes/mixes videos taped in New York and Bornholm, and was recorded and edited by mr. Batz himself.

Zweimal Dänisch...

Brian Batz, former member of the now disbanded Mavis and current member of Majorian, is currently working on a small yet really interesting side-project named Sleep Party People. Don’t expect rock sounds ala Mavis or anything similar to the quiet beauty of Majorian, but instead prepare yourself for some quite experimental and electronic dominated tracks. I guess only time will tell, how serious this project should be taken, but the two tracks will be included on a forthcoming compilation release by Neh-Owh Records.
+ I'm Not Human At All
+ A Sweet Song About Love

Danish synthpop trio State Noir is the first band to contact me, since my contribution to this article/blog post at Bandbase. So far the band has two tracks available for downloading, and I’ve been listening quite intensively to them both. They are quite entertaining and very energetic tunes with rather catchy melodies, though they do at same time the leave a somewhat unfinished impression. If they structure their ideas a bit and take another turn with the vocals (In A Day especially), I’m confident that we’ll have some really great stuff to be looking forward to.
+ State Noir
+ In A Day