And they say - live at cafe mic 28/12/09

This was a special improvisation show that we had for friends and foes this Monday. It was a fun show, but we scared almost all of the 100+ attending the night (we played shortly after a acoustic Christmas show). They clearly got sick of the music and the two movies we showed in front of the stage. The movies showed were Ichi the killer and Perfect blue (both which was in black and white, without sound and with Finnish and Greek subtitles). My lovely girlfriend Sara also contributed with two paintings that we had on stage (together with Christmas trees, smoke machines and other decorations).

The show is split into 9 parts that lasts around one hour. It will also be released on cassette and cd at a later point. Limited of course.

And they say was at this show:

Oscar Forsman - radio manipulation/recorder
Samuel Svensson - keyboard/sound manipulation
Johan Blixt - vocals/percussion
Rickard Markström - guitar/sound manipulation/presentation

Download here: www.mediafire.com/?knnmnljmfye

Watch here: www.youtube.com/user/surgubben (there are 3 parts up)

Affordable hybrid

This is another great band from my hometown Vänersborg. They started in 2003 as a Post-hardcore/punk band, but later incorporated indie and experimental pop stuff on recent efforts. Most of their work are in the line of great acts such as: Fugazi, Drive like jehu and At the drive-in. You should get this right away, because they're damn good. Enjoy!

Myspace: www.myspace.com/affordablehybrid
Lastfm: www.lastfm.com/music/affordable+hybrid

Download discography: www.mediafire.com/?w2g0yjnmgh4

And they say - Hgi-9884

And they say is my own personal musical project, that I use for many different genre approaches. This is for instance a ambient/drone/noise record that I'll also release on cassette at my upcoming show on the 28th. It'll be a handmade cassette edition limited to 20 copies with silver covers, featuring artwork by my girlfriend Sara. I would love if you take the time to hear it.

Hgi-9884 is the name of a dying blue hypergiant star. The record showcase the last year of the star, with each song telling different segments and feelings of the star. I guess you can call it my soundtrack to a dying star.

Myspace: www.myspace.com/andtheysayband

Lastfm: www.lastfm.com/music/andtheysay

Download here: www.mediafire.com/?ijyahadgzfn (check the tracks, so that they are in the right numbers)

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez's Despair

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez has his hands in many different projects and musical genres. While being most known for his "main" band The mars volta together with Cedric Bixler Zavala, he has also released around 16 solo albums under several different constellations since 2004. This works are mostly towards the prog genre, but a little now and then he releases more obscure works like his album with Jeremy Michael Ward (that I recently uploaded here), and also one titled Despair. Despair was recorded with field recording equipment during Omar's stay in Israel 2007. It features chants from the different religions occupied in Jerusalem and also other objects within the town, that he later experimented with in the studio (just like the Jeremy album). The album cover is upside down, something that has made many speculate. It turns out that each track is indeed backwards, so fans decided to fix this by making a reverse version. According to me both versions are great in their own ways. The regular backward version is filled with a more calm and soft atmosphere, while still being harsh around the edge. The reverse version is much more of a creep fest. A perfect eerie mood record that I highly recommend!

Myspace: www.myspace.com/rodriguezlopezproductions
Lastfm: www.lastfm.com/music/omar+rodriguez-lopez

Download regular backward version: www.mediafire.com/?3wanm2neqyq

Download reverse version: www.mediafire.com/?jgyzzodwzty

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Jeremy Michael Ward

This record was a collaboration between Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and his close friend Jeremy Michael Ward that took place shortly after Omar left cult post-hardcore band At the drive-in and began The mars volta in 2001. It features field recordings of various objects, activites and people that they later messed with in the studio. Jeremy died of an drug overdose in 2003, only a month before The mars volta released their first full length record Deloused in the comatorium (that featured lots of Jeremy's sound manipulations). I actually never think it was supposed to be released at first, but with Jeremy's death you can see the relase (it came out in 2008) as a tribute to Jeremy from Omar. All in all it's a noise classic that you shouldn't miss.

Lastfm: www.lastfm.com/music/omar+rodriguez+lopez+jeremy+michael+ward

Download: www.mediafire.com/?ignmjmnityz

Halo of pendor

Daniel Öhman is involved in many great bands that I admire. He plays guitar in post-rock band EF, indie band Convoj and was lead singer in now defunct Hardcore band When we fall (all of which is great). He also has a minimalism/experimental project called Michailov that are currently doing music for an German art movie with fellow EF member Thomas Torsson (which I have yet to hear). But now it's time for his beautiful solo project that is Halo of pendor. I've been a fan for over a year now, and I truly love his work. The music is filled with emotions and mellow soundscapes blendning simple guitars, drum beats and samples to create harmony. This is a perfect relax record, that I hope you give a chance.

Myspace: www.myspace.com/haloofpendor

Lastfm: www.lastfm.com/music/halo+of+pendor

Download his self titled album: www.mediafire.com/?lwjoymxyzz

Boris

Drone/punk/experimental/noise/psychedelica/stoner/lo-fi rock act from Japan formed in 1992. Known for their constant genre switching between albums, bassist/rythm guitarist Takeshi's double headed bass guitar (with one bass and one guitar neck) and work with Sunno))), Merzbow and several other drone/noise acts. Fantastic band that holds a great standard on all their records and the genres they incorporate. Don't miss out on them!

The records I'll upload is Akuma no uta which is a stoner/noise rock album and Vein which is divided into a noise/drone side and a hardcore/lo-fi side. If you want more I'll gladly fix it.

Myspace: www.myspace.com/borisdroneevil
Lastfm: www.lastfm.com/music/boris

Download Akuma no uta: www.mediafire.com/?iz0krwlth2i

Download Vein: www.mediafire.com/?5ezmko3a2gt

The skull defekts

Here we have another great Swedish act similar to Knife and ape in some ways. Like the apes they have their ground (the little they have) in post-punk and then they do these monstrous experiments on top of it. Killing the whole industry with this amazing formula consisting of everything between heavy drone to kraut rock with groovy ritual drumming. Since the story began in Göteborg 2005, they've released over 20 records/ep's/splits and more is on the way. They have also worked together with Damo Suzuki (of Can fame) and Sewer election (another great Swedish noise act from Göteborg). One of my big findings this year, so a big recommendation on this one!

Myspace:www.myspace.com/skulldfx
Lastfm: www.last.fm/music/the+skull+defekts

Download Blood spirits & drums are singing: www.mediafire.com/?nelxdwjjiu0

Download The drone drug: www.mediafire.com/?mndnqmlzltw

Download The temple: www.mediafire.com/?mzm4iklwgwy

Enemies

Great post/math rock from England. Got their first ep from the drummer in Blakfish (he was stoned and gave it away for free) this spring, and it's a lovely piece of art. Mellow but technical guitars melt together with refreshing structures. Enjoy!

Myspace: www.myspace.com/enemiestheband
Lastfm: www.lastfm.com/music/enemies

Download Alpha waves: www.mediafire.com/?1zqjijmiunm

Writing hiatus

I've been pretty busy for a while now, and therefore the lack of uploads. I'll try to do better during this month. More Screamo and Post-rock to come in December with other words!

Take care
/ Rickard