New Lykke Li album Wounded Rhymes to be released march 1st, listen to it here!

Wounded Rhymes, the new album from Lykke Li comes out March 1 on her own label LL Recordings. But right now you can listen to the whole album here!

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes (Hype Machine Album Exclusive) by LykkeLi

New video from I'm Kingfisher - Smile with your 1000 teeth

I'm Kingfisher aka Thomas Denver Jonsson recently released a new music video. This time it's one of my favourite I'm Kingfisher-songs, Smile with your 1000 teeth. Enjoy! By the way, there are rumors going around that we might get the chance to see I'm Kingfisher in Stockholm this spring, but for those of you close to Malmö, there's a higly anticipated gig with Damien Jurado coming up in april!

Update: The gig in Stockholm is official, this too along with Damien Jurado. Me and Mårten got ourselves front row seats, hope to see you there!


I´m Kingfisher "Smile with your thousand theet" - Official Music Video. from Nicholas Wakeham on Vimeo.

AA Bondy can see the pines are dancing

Scott Bondy, also known as AA Bondy (born Auguste Arthur), is one of those typical folk singers that would fit so neatly into our beard-music theory if it wasn't for the fact that he has a very narrow shaven beard so to speak. His music is way dark, obviously to match the state of his sore mind. This makes me think about our formula for truly great music: A bit of a beard plus some hardship matched with a big portion of musical talent and great music will automatically follow? If we could only ask John Grant or maybe Justin Vernon about this one... Anyway, Scott Bondy has relased two really good albums of which the latest one "When the devil's loose" from 2009 probably is the best one. "I Can See the Pines are Dancing" is maybe the catchiest song on that record and a good start for digging into Bondy's music and mind.



"Killed Myself When I Was Young", just slightly darker... :P



This is a link to open AA Bondy on Spotify >

A few AA Bondy songs on Soundcloud >

Damien Jurado recording with Richard Swift again

Damien and Richard

One of our favourite albums last year was Damien Jurado's melancholic "Saint Bartlett". Now great news has come from his wife Sarah, who says in her blog that Damien and companion Richard Swift (another favourite) are working together on Damien's tenth album. She says "in the time it took Shealynn and I to run out and get burgers, he and Swift recorded 5 immaculate tracks of guitar & vocals. Two hours later, 4 more. Their pace is inspiring, as is the end product."

If you missed "Saint Bartlett" consider filling in the gap! :-)
Follow this link to open Damien Jurado's "Saint Bartlett" on Spotify.

The Low Anthem leaving god and Darwin for "Smart Flesh"

We're in the midst of the springflood of beard music here, and the next album to wash us over is The Low Anthem's "Smart Flesh", following their successful debute "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin". The new album is not yet released, but you can already hear it over at... well, yeah...NPR. Hear the album in it's entirety here!

Bright Eyes final album "The People's Key" now on NPR and Youtube

On Conor Oberst's birthday, february 15th, less than a week from now, what seems to be Bright Eyes final album "The People's Key" will land. But you can already hear it over at NPR and on Youtube. The day after Bright Eyes will be performing in Stockholm and BMBM will off course be there, looking swell as we always do... Favourite track on the album: Ladder Song.

El Madrigal @ Southside Pub, Stockholm

If you are located in Stockholm or nearby I strongly suggest you that you get your asses to Southside Pub to see El Madrigal play this friday at 20.00. A highly anticipated gig for yours truly, I've been longing to see El Madrigal live for quite some time, but missed out last time.

Attend to event on Facebook here!

New single from Okkervil River - Mermaid

 I've always had some kind of love/hate feelings towards Okkervil River, but I actually like the new single released today. Their upcoming album is to be released on Jagjaguwar the 10th of may and this single will not be featured as far as I understand. Im kinda looking forward to it after hearing Mermaid.

Review: Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean by Sarah Lacasse

Imagine if you will, that you stand located in the middle of a lush forest. Towering trees, and wildlife surround you. You hear a rustling in the distance and soon after a man emerges from the brush. The man has a guitar slung over his back and sports an unkempt beard. He continues past you, easily navigating the ground, which is strewn with fallen branches. You stare after him a while, in awe of his beardly glory, before making the decision to follow him. As you trace the steps of the strange man, you happen upon a cabin from which a soothing melody seeps. The song whispers in your ear as the man caresses the guitar and breathes storytelling lyrics. The song ends softly and you press your ear hard against the wooden door, aching to hear more of his art.

The scene that you have just pictured is a representation of Iron & Wine’s previous musical style. Sam Beam has been known for simplistic songs consisting of only his rustic voice and rhythmic guitar riffs. Sam Beam usually goes solo, but occasionally his sister’s dulcet voice adds subtle harmonies, giving his sound beautiful depth.

On January 25th, Iron & Wine released its first album in three years. Many loyal Iron & Wine fans (including myself) anticipated the album titled “Kiss Each Other Clean,” but were shocked at Sam Beam’s new sound. Remember that peaceful log cabin? Now picture that same cabin, but rather than nestled in the quiet forest, it is smack in the middle of Dundas Square. Under any other circumstances, you probably wouldn’t much care that big city and quaint country were being meshed. The little log

house in the middle just doesn’t look right being at the centre of such a loud, bustling place.

“Kiss Each Other Clean” is exactly that misplaced log cabin. Sam Beam’s voice is lost amidst a slew of effects and various instruments. Had this album been released under any other name, I would say to myself “This album is really original; there is a strange mix of instruments and some interesting effects.” My opinion is certainly affected by my preconceived ideas of what Iron & Wine’s music should sound like. I give my respect to Sam Beam for trying out something new, and executing it successfully, however this is not the album that I was awaiting for three years. For that reason, I give “Kiss Each Other Clean” three and a half beards out of five.

Written by Sarah Lacasse
contact: sarahrlacasse@gmail.com

Listen:
Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean on Spotify
Iron & Wine official home page

Beard song of the day: Alberta Cross - Lucy Rider (acoustic)

Alberta Cross consists of a mix of swedish, british and american members, really grungy looking fellows with beards and long hippie hairs. Their acoustic version of Lucy Rider is very sweet however. :-)



Link to open Alberta Cross in Spotify >>