Report from Popaganda

So, another edition of Popaganda has come to an end. And overall, I must say it was not as good as I expected it to be. I don´t want to say it was bad festival, it never is, but this year it did not reach the high expectations. This due to a few disappointments regarding certain acts.

A few selected concert reviews (grades on a scale from 1-5)

First Aid Kit 3+

A country-inspred girl-duo from Stockholm brought us a great concert with songs that made me think a lot of New York-based group The Essex Green. A few unexpected and creative thougt out covers, including "When I grow up" by fever Ray gives the group the plus sign.

This is head 3-

Swedish group This is head has a lot of cool songs and great energy on stage, but it feels like they could have done more with their material. it fet as if they didn´t change their songs a lot from the original recordings, and a concert with no surprises is nothing that gives an extra point in my book.

Jonathan Johansson 2+

I watched him earlier this year and that concert was much better than this one. A plus side to Jonathan Johansson is his sense of humour which I think some people interpret as him bragging and being nonchalant. But I do believe that is a misunderstanding.

Belle and Sebastian 2-

The hugh disappointment of the festival. The concert never really took off and with their brilliant material they could have done much more with the songs. But they failed and it became on the verge of a boring experience. It felt as if they just had decided to play their songs as a duty and sound exactly like on their records. No, this was certainly not one of the more positive concert experiences of my life.

Shout out louds 4

The by far best concert I attended (I didn´t watch all so i can´t speak for every act). Great energy on stage, an enthusiastic crowd topped with singer Adam Olenius really charactaristic and energetic voice. Trully a brilliant concert!

Magic numbers 4-

A couple of songs which it´s hard not to dance to with lead singer Romeo Stodart always communicating and makesa sure the crowd tags along with their songs, making the crowd feel like a part of the concert. Really good concert!

I also watched the first half of the Hot Chip concert which ended the festival and it seemed promising. I felt tired though and went home, but that had nothing to do with Hot Chip.

Sweden celebrates Postcard records!

To my liking, probably the best episode ever of Swedish radio show P3pop was aired yesterday. The show celebrated it was thirty years ago since the foundation of legendary Scottish label Postcard records and the release of Orange Juice´s single "Falling and laughing". The indie label who is one of the, if not the most, influential ever was discussed with a panel of Swedish Postcard lovers. Music from the label wa splayed during the show and also today´s music the panel thougt was influenced by the label. And a fresh interview with Edwyn Collins!

Of course its hard to understand Swedish, but for a real music lesson you can of course listen to the songs.
Listen to the episode here for the best music discovery of your life. Click on the microphone at the top of the site.

Some songs that were played:
Orange Juice - Simply, thrilled honey
Orange Juice - Falling and laughing
Orange Juice - Holliday hymn
Orange Juice - Blue boy
Josef K - Radio drill time
Aztec camera - We could send letters.
Some songs from Edwyn Collins new album.
Chic - Everybody dance
Four tops - Sugarpie (Honeybunch)

/ The Drumming Cat

Great birthday weekend

I had my birthday this weekend so I am now one year older and I can´t believe how much wiser I feel.

It was a great birthday, though, even if it was sad to experience my last ever "sing-along" at Debaser with Weeping Willows playing classic indie songs to a chorus from a loud and enthusiastic crowd.

The secret guest, lead singer Ebbot from Swedish veteran band The Soundtrack our lives performed "Instant repeater 99" and Weeping Willows band leader Magnus Carlsson promised this was going to be the best Sing-along ever. That was not far from the truth. Blur´s "Park life", Charlatans "The only one I know" and Band of Horses "Is there a ghost" were all part of a great track list.

It is one more chance left to attend the club, this coming Friday at Debaser in Stockholm. But I can´t be there, I will be at the popaganda festival.

/The Drumming Cat

Morrisseys all-time favourites

Found this website where Morrissey recently listed his top-13 all-time favourite albums.

And here are his favourites summed up in a Spotify playlist.

/ The Drumming Cat

A step and a magpie

I couldn´t attend this year´s Way Out West festival in Gothenburg. News reached me that this band called Steget (The Step) performed a beautiful concert in the Annedal church during the festival.

Way Out West have been known for their church concerts and last year I watched both Hajen and El Perro Del mar perform magnificent concerts there with the wondeful acoustic in there creating the perfect atmosphere.

Speaking of Gothenburg, this band called Skatan (The Magpie) is in my opinion one of the most promising bands from both that city and Sweden.

/ The Drumming Cat

Best concert ever

The best concert experience of my life was when I last weekend watched jensa Lekman in Stockholm. This weelend he will perform in Gothenburg at the excellent Way out west festival. If you get the chance to see him, don´t hesitate to go there. As far as I know, this is the end of his current tour, but I hope for your sake - if you havent seen him - he tours again.

I also recommend to listen to The Blow who opened for Lekman.

/The Drumming Cat

Very good day indeed

A couple of days ago I went into one of my favorite record shops, Delicious goldfish records, located in the Stockholm suburb Solna.

And I walked out with some really good music in my hands. First a compilation with all of St Christophers recordings from their time at the legendary label Sarah records.

And also the latest brilliant album from Swedish group Love is all. An finally a brilliant compilation from 2003, with mixed and obscure songs from Rough trade, including calypso and an excellent cover of A certain ratios classic song "Shack up". If you are in Stockholm, take a trip to this lovely shop!

/The Drumming Cat

An apple compilation a day

Well not that many. In fact, it hos now been announced EMI will release the first ever Apple records compilation. The Beatles founded Apple records lasted from the late 60s to the early 70s, but never before have a compilation of the label´s other artists been released. Really looking forward to it. October 25th is the scheduled release date.

It is really a fruitful way of putting together artists from Apple...

/ The Drumming Cat

Is there a Swedish ghost?

Just viewed this wonderful version of Band of Horses song "is there a ghost". It is Swedish group Shout out louds that calls it "Spöken" (Ghosts).

Enjoy!

/The Spooky Cat