Music Alliance Pact (MAP) # 3

Today, 15. December, it’s time for the third edition of the Music Alliance Pact (MAP), a collaboration of music blogs. Seven countries (Brazil, Chile, Germany, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore and South Korea) joined since last month. So more music from around the globe. Only missing two continents… for world domination (or death).
Link to download all the 21 songs @ once @ the end of this post.
The band Vicky with “Alien” represents Iceland this time.
Enjoy!

AMERICA
I Guess I’m Floating http://iguessimfloating.blogspot.com/
Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele – 26 Miles
www.myspace.com/dentmay
Mississippi-based Dent May has been recording in various southern states since his formative years in high school. After going to college and refining his sound, he emerged with a new act that made use of his self-proclaimed magnificent ukulele. His pleasant pop arrangements, strong vocals and doo-wop-like vocal harmonies will appeal to anyone hoping to hear some happy music. His debut album is due out in February via Animal Collective’s Paw Tracks label. Never underestimate the ukulele.
http://iguessimfloating.net/assets/mp3s/26%20Miles.mp3

ARGENTINA
Zonaindie http://zonaindie.com/
Banda de Turistas – Todo Mío El Otoño
www.myspace.com/bandadeturistas
Mágico Corazón Radiofónico is the first album by Banda de Turistas and it turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of the year. With Mario Caldato Jr. (Beastie Boys) in charge of the mixing, this song reprises the beat sound of ancient Argentine rock bands like Los Gatos.
www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/2127630_ghe1h/Banda%20de%20Turistas%20-%20Todo%20mio%20el%20oto%C3%B1o.mp3

AUSTRALIA
Who The Bloody Hell Are They? http://whothehell.net/
The Philadelphia Grand Jury – Going To The Casino (Tomorrow Night) www.myspace.com/philadelphiagrandjury
Three long-time Sydney musicians start the funnest band to come out of the city in the past year. You might have known them in previous lives as one part Berkfinger, two parts The Sweats. Combined, they channel an updated retro rock style that somehow manages to both pay homage to Elvis and sound incredibly cool. Not an easy feat, so respect where it is due.
http://whothehell.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/philadelphia-grand-jury-going-to-the-casino-_tomorrow-night_.mp3

BRAZIL
Meio Desligado www.meiodesligado.com
Macaco Bong – Bananas For You All
www.myspace.com/macacobong
Macaco Bong is an instrumental trio from Cuiabá, considered one of the best live acts in the country. They sound like an original mix of post-rock, alternative metal and free jazz. Their guitarist doesn’t use any pedals or effects, playing his Fender online with overdrive from the amps he uses. The band is part of Espaço Cubo, a collective that works with culture and its social aspects, starting a revolution from the underground.
www.fileden.com/files/2008/12/10/2218195/macaco-bong_bananas_for_you_all.mp3

CANADA
I(Heart)Music www.iheartmusic.net/serendipity
Black Hat Brigade – Swords
www.myspace.com/blackhatbrigade
Their hiccupped vocals and apocalyptic-sounding music makes bringing up Wolf Parade almost inevitable, but Black Hat Brigade make a pretty convincing argument with their self-titled EP – and particularly with Swords – that they don’t necessarily come off any the worse in the comparison.
www.iheartmusic.net/mp3/BlackHatBrigade-Swords.mp3

CHILE
Super 45 http://super45.cl/seccion/blog
Fredi Michel – Enganamí (Comeme Remix II)
www.myspace.com/fredimichel
One of the weirdest and most original bands from Santiago, Fredi Michel are a mix between cumbia, dub and avant pop (via Broadcast). Even though they’ve been playing for years they have only recorded a few songs and some of their friends have made some remixes, such as the one featured here. Fredi Michel have announced they will finally release their debut album next year.
www.fileden.com/files/2008/12/16/2226535/Fredi%20Michel%20-%20Enganami%20%28Comeme%20Remix%20II%29%20%28Chile%29.mp3

DENMARK
Pastries, Peppers And Canals… http://danishmusic.blogspot.com/
Oliver North Boy Choir – Tonight
www.myspace.com/olivernorthboychoir
Oliver North Boy Choir are the kind of band that Denmark does spectacularly well. Signed to Danish uber-indie label Crunchy Frog, Camilla Florentz, Mikkel Max Hansen and Ivan Petersen release pieces of ethereal beauty via download only. Oh, and they don’t play live either.
www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/2131780_syyji/tonight.mp3

ENGLAND
The Daily Growl
http://thedailygrowl.co.uk/
Jay Jay Pistolet – Golden Age
www.myspace.com/jayjaypistolet
You may not call it a ‘scene’, but there’s only one degree of separation between many of London’s young bands and artists. Jay Jay Pistolet, friend of Mumford & Sons, Derek Meins and no doubt plenty others, is no exception. Not that this is important. Let JJP, who often comes across as a young English version of M Ward, be judged for himself.
www.thedailygrowl.co.uk/downloads/Jay%20Jay%20Pistolet%20-%20Golden%20Age.mp3

GERMANY
Blogpartei www.blogpartei.de
Mio Myo – Switch
www.myspace.com/miscymusic
Switch is the latest single of the Nuremberg-based quad Mio Myo. It can be seen as a description of their sound – a bit ghosty and spheric, a diversity of electronic and analog instruments, and a voice reminiscent of Thom Yorke. Their songs always deserve a second hearing.
www.blogpartei.de/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/MioMyo-Switch.mp3

ICELAND
I Love Icelandic Music
http://icelandicmusic.blogspot.com/
Vicky – “Alien“
www.myspace.com/vickypollardmusic
Vicky, previously called Vicky Pollard (named after the Little Britain character), is one of the coolest new Icelandic rock bands. This band started in November 2006 when they accidentally got together and started jamming in their hometown Hafnarfjörður. Singer Eygló Scheving, Lotta and Eyrún on guitar and Ástrós on bass, produce a sort of poppy metal or heavy pop. In 2008 these 4 girls and male stonebreaker drummerboy Orri, recorded their first full length album at recording studio Tankurinn, Flateyri, Iceland. Their Debut Album “Pull Hard” was released on the Töfrahellirinn Label in October during the Iceland Airwaves ’08 Festival.
British magazine The Sun called them the biggest sensation since Björk. The band toured in China this year.
http://www.youtube.com/v/Xym_HNSZGrI&h&fmt=18l

www.fileden.com/files/2008/7/19/2009830/Vicky%20-%20Alien.mp3

IRELAND
Nialler9 www.nialler9.com/blog
Sunken Foal – On Platinum Rays
www.myspace.com/wesunkthefoal
The brilliantly titled Sunken Foal (think about it…) is also known as Dunk Murphy of Ambulance. After an appearance on BBC Radio 1’s Mary Ann Hobbs, his debut Fallen Arches has just been released on Planet Mu. The album is a textural, ambient, electronic-acoustic and, most of all, beguiling release of leftfield sounds.
www.nialler9.com/blog/media/Sunken_Foal_-_On_Platinum_Rays.mp3

ITALY
Polaroid http://polaroid.blogspot.com/
Scarlets – Every Waterloo
www.myspace.com/wearescarlets
Young, talented and stylish, Scarlets play nervous and tight songs heavily influenced by new wave. They’ve just released an EP on Angle Records full of love for The Smiths, The Jam and the sharpest Brit sound. They’re definitely a name to keep an eye on in the coming months.
www.polaroidallaradio.it/audio/Scarlets_-_Every_Waterloo.mp3

NEW ZEALAND
Counting The Beat http://countingthebeat.blogspot.com/
Bearcat – Red Panda Blues
www.myspace.com/bearcatbearcat
Bearcat are one of a bunch of new New Zealand bands dabbling in folk influenced indie-pop. Apparently Bearcat is a literal translation of the Latin word for panda, and as well as naming themselves after the endangered mammal, the band have chosen to make pandas the subject of many of their songs too. Bearcat avoid the danger of this resulting in one-line-joke novelty songs by writing catchy and memorable tunes that have every chance of survival.
www.fileden.com/files/2008/11/20/2193595/Bear%20Cat%20-%20Red%20Panda%20Blues.mp3

NORWAY
Eardrums http://eardrumsmusic.com/
The Little Hands Of Asphalt – The Future www.myspace.com/thelittlehandsofasphalt
The Little Hands Of Asphalt is the solo project of Sjur Lyseid, the singer in the Norwegian indie-pop band Monzano. As TLHOA, he makes warm, sensitive folk-inspired songs, often performed with an acoustic guitar as the main instrument. Sjur Lyseid is a great storyteller and his lyrics are always worth listening to. The song we have for you is a Music Alliance Pact exclusive, taken from his forthcoming debut album Leap Years which will be released in March 2009.
www.eardrumsmusic.com/MAP/the_little_hands_of_asphalt-the_future.mp3

PERU
SoTB http://sideoftheblog.blogspot.com/
Pelo Madueño – Es Hora
www.myspace.com/pelomusic
After his successful debut album, Ciudad Naufragio, Pelo Madueño returned this year with No Te Salves, an intimate album full of emotions. Based in Spain, Pelo shines as a songwriter and gives us a real insight into the independent scene.
www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/2125622_3mmy6/PeloMadue__o-Eshora_Per___.mp3

PORTUGAL
Posso Ouvir Um Disco? http://possoouvirumdisco.blogspot.com/
Nuno Rancho – Not For Sale
www.myspace.com/nunorancho
Unready Demo is Nuno Rancho’s first solo work and you can download the other tracks on the EP for free via a link on his MySpace. In 2002, he started playing music in a band called Wheelchair and two years later he formed Kyoto. Today, besides Kyoto, Nuno Rancho still finds time to play and write for TiMaria, an electro-pop trio which has a completely different sound from his other work.
www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/2128785_zn679/Nuno_Rancho-Not_for_sale_.mp3
SCOTLAND
The Pop Cop http://thepopcop.blogspot.com/
Dotjr – More Than You Know
www.myspace.com/dotjrmusic
The Pop Cop only ‘discovered’ Dotjr last week and we were so bowled over there was no choice but to fast-track him into this month’s Music Alliance Pact. Dotjr (pronounced dot-jay-are) is the solo project of James Reeves, a 21-year-old native of the Isle of Lewis, and his joyous, soaring music has the kind of ambitious pop sound that radio DJs fall over themselves to play. More Than You Know is epic, swooning and Christmassy. Pretty much perfect then. http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/12/16/2226535/Dotjr%20-%20More%20Than%20You%20Know%20%28Scotland%29.mp3

SINGAPORE
I’m Waking Up To… http://wakingupto.wordpress.com/
Leeson – Some Girls
www.myspace.com/leesonsg
Leeson are a five-piece indie-pop band from Singapore who play a revelling cocktail of poppy, dancey tunes that will have your feet tapping and singing along to their infectious melodies.
http://wakingupto.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/some-girls.mp3

SOUTH KOREA
Indieful ROK http://indiefulrok.blogspot.com/
The Black Skirts – Dog
www.myspace.com/blackskirts
The Black Skirts is the name used by Castel Prayon and his live band when climbing the digital music charts of Korea. In November the band’s first album, 201, was released. The first song up for promotion was Like Me and people soon heeded the title’s request. For somebody who usually isn’t too keen on being poppy, Castel Prayon sure knew what he was doing when making those songs, and Dog is an excellent example of that.
www.fileden.com/files/2008/12/5/2212496/The%20Black%20Skirts%20-%20Dog.mp3

SPAIN
El Blog De La Nadadora http://lanadadora.blogspot.com/
Elurretan – Momo Alper Bat Da
www.myspace.com/elurretan
Richar and Mikel are from Euskadi and sing in Euskera, their own language. Their songs are inspired by The Beach Boys, Burt Bacharach, Jonathan Richman, Mikel Laboa and C86. You can download their last album, Momo Eta Beste Izaki Batzu, from their website (http://www.elurretan.com). Elurretan love music and want to share their songs with everyone who likes them. Is it possible? I think so.
www.fileden.com/files/2008/12/5/2212489/08%20Momo%20alper%20bat%20da.mp3

SWEDEN
Swedesplease www.swedesplease.net
Francis – Bad To The Bone
www.myspace.com/francisishere
Francis take the strange blues of The Tallest Man On Earth and add a cabaret atmosphere. Debut single Bad To The Bone sounds like a transgender version of Stevie Ray Vaughn if he/she worked in a travelling eastern European circus and was channelling Tom Waits.
www.swedesplease.net/music/Badtothebone.mp3

To download all 21 songs in one file click here:
http://www.zshare.net/download/52722654820bd62c/

"Catch the light" by Sin Fang Bous is the 90. Song of the Week

Song of the 90. Week is “Catch the light” by Sin Fang Bous, a new Project of Sindri Már Sigfússon, the frontman of the band Seabear. A song of his Debut Album “Clangour“.
www.myspace.com/sinfangbous

Seabear @ Market: "Arms" & "I Sing I Swim" @ They Shoot Music

Seabear performed 2 songs for They Shoot Music.
Watch the video & photographs @ http://theyshootmusic.at/posts/Seabear
www.youtube.com/v/69K3pIlO5e8&hl&fmt=18

www.myspace.com/seabear
www.seabearia.com

Icelandic Design: Give an Icelandic Christmas Present, Give Iceland a Present: "Gefum íslenska gjöf, gefum Íslandi gjöf!!"

Artist Björk Guðmundssdóttir supports the campagne “Gefum íslenska gjöf, gefum Íslandi gjöf!.
Icelandic design
Here are the points on important opportunities and objectives in Icelandic design, made by the Sparkworkshop series organized by Björk, Nattura.info and the University of Reykjavik, and given to the government.

In a nutshell: Icelandic design is a creative force that can strengthen Icelandic society and promote a diverse economy. All innovation projects call for the ingenuity and expertise of designers. It is important to involve designers in the early stages of projects, whether with private businesses, the public sector, or in different arenas. There is a prevailing tendency to get designers involved too late in the process, instead of bringing their experience into play at the very beginning of product and project development. There are already many interesting projects up and running that involve designers working with Icelandic heritage such as museums, agriculture, gastronomy, tourism and professional manufacturing. It is important to support these projects and to construct a network of designers, investors, business and marketing people, in order to create new and diverse opportunities in Iceland.

1. Collaboration between designers and businesses should be encouraged, as well as close cooperation with employment development associations and investors in innovation

Designers and companies from various parts of the country should be brought together and collaboration between these parties and employment development associations, innovation funds and investors, encouraged. More cooperation and dialogue leads to mutual understanding, purposeful solutions of problems, and clear future planning. The role and importance of design in innovation needs better presentation. Design is not limited to the way things will look later on, but can function as a necessary stimulus in product and service development. It is a creative factor in the making of business ideas that can have an escalating effect. It is therefore vital to stimulate the ingenuity, expertise and skill of designers at the launching stages of research and production processes, when fundamental decisions are made on each project and its possible future. A well-known British study into the importance of design in business activity, The Impact of Industrial Design Effectiveness on Corporate Financial Performance, showed that businesses that purposefully use design right from the earliest stages of planning have seen better returns and profits. Designers also play an important part as contacts with various fields such as development, production, marketing, and sales. It is essential to know the lie of the land and to pinpoint the best approach before setting out.

2. Promoting production and manufacturing in Iceland

We need a powerful network abroad in the field of academic proficiency, as much as in production and know-how, and to increase collaboration with design companies boasting of great experience and expertise. Manufacturing culture in Iceland is still quite modest in size and needs boosting. Different requirements need to be professionally defined; for instance, a wool manufacturer will need a different approach than a manufacturer of software and technology. The road from concept to implementation is a long one, and there is a real lack of substantial knowledge in Iceland of each stage of the process. As there is much diversity within the design process, we need to cultivate powerful networks with parties abroad in order to fully process certain industrial goods in Iceland successfully. Engineering offices should be established to solve complex problems, and ways of financially supporting start-up companies need rethinking in order to advance and develop these companies. With increased support and understanding it should be possible, over time, to manufacture industrial products from start to finish in Iceland, and open doors for diverse design companies.

3. Intensive marketing of Icelandic design

We need to define the characteristics of Icelandic design based on our culture and customs – i.e. we need to find the Icelandic pitch. Distinctive Icelandic design is still rather scarce but there are abundant prospects and a lot of interest from abroad. We need to draw attention abroad on the basis of our uniqueness and follow through with comprehensive and focused marketing of Icelandic design. Ties between progressive design and both domestic and foreign markets also need to be strengthened. Marketing abroad of Icelandic design can be boosted by establishing agencies that can take care of various assignments and handlings. The Iceland Design Centre and the Trade Council of Iceland have already taken steps in this direction, but more is needed.

4. Set up a working group to create channels for Icelandic design in the future

A working group is needed to clearly establish the strengths and weaknesses of design in Iceland. The group would, for instance, analyze the uniqueness of individual parts of the country, and of Iceland as a whole; work towards building a strong network, both home and abroad; encourage collaboration between designers and businesses; create a vision for the future of Icelandic design; and, finally, find it a place on the international market. The working group’s primary objective will be to put Iceland’s unique assets on the world map.

http://www.nattura.info/islenskgjof/

Icelandic Recording Studios – Part 2: Stúdíó Sýrland – Sundlaugin

Stúdíó Sýrland
Studio Sýrland was founded in 1988. They have 2 recordings studios. The second Album by The Sugarcubes, “Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week” was recorded in the studio, designed by David Hawkins (who worked for the Abbey Road Studios). Many of Iceland’s greatest artists have recorded @ Stúdíó Sýrland. The second studio in Skúlatún 4, Stúdíó Írak, is Iceland’s only specialized mastering studio for CD and DVD publications.
History of Studio Sýrland
Members of the bands Stuðmenn & Þursaflokkurinn started a stúdíó “Grettisgat” in the garage of singer Egill Ólafsson @ Grettisgata street. In the year 1988 Stúdíó Sýrland moved to Skúlatún 4. In 1991 Skífan bought Stúdíó Sýrland.
www.syrland.is

Sundlaugin
Sundlaugin (Swimming Pool) is/was the working space of the band Sigur Rós @ Mosfellsbær, a suburb of Iceland’s capital. Many alternative Icelandic artists have recorded, mixed and mastered here. For example amiina, Mugison, Petur Ben, Jeff Who?, múm, slowblow & Benni Hemm Hemm. High ceilings and wide walls along with the 3 iso-booths make it favorable for live recordings and big drum sounds. The control room is 35 sqm with a view overlooking the main recording area on one side and five large windows on the other that provide a nice, relaxing working environment.
History of Sundlaugin studio
The Studio is built in a small converted swimming pool, built by an Icelandic enterpreneur in the 1930s. The house has been completely refurbished to accommodate its new purpose.
www.sundlaugin.com

Jólatónleikar – Christmas Concert @ Grand Rokk venue 18. December 2008

Four bands give a Christmas Concert @ Grand Rokk venue Thursday 18. December.
Program:
The Way Down
www.myspace.com/thewaydownspace
Nóra
www.myspace.com/noraband
Dýrðin
www.myspace.com/dyrdin
Hellvar
www.myspace.com/hellvarmusic
Start: 20:00

Two Christmas Concerts of Garðar Thór Cortes & Robert Sund @ Kjarvalsstadir 15 & 16. December 2008

Tenor Garðar Thór Cortes & Swedish pianist Robert Sund are giving two Christmas Carol Concerts in Kjarvalsstadir, Reykjavik.
Cortes and Sund have cooperated since 1980 and published two albums together, “Daydreams“, containing well-known melodies, and “Draumur um hvít Jól” (Dreaming about a White Christmas), a Christmas album including carols from different countries.
At the concerts next week, Cortes and Sund will perform songs from the Christmas album, such as “Happy Christmas,” “Mary’s Boy Child” and “Bella notte.” They will also premiere songs from their new album.
“Hunting High and Low“, a cover of A-Ha by Cortes Live @ Loose Women TV Show
www.youtube.com/v/-kp56QrkYbA&hl&fmt=18

Place: Kjarval Art Museum (Kjarvalsstadir)
Dates: 15 & 16. December 2008
Time: 12:15
Homepage of Garðar Thór Cortes: www.cortes.is
Source: Iceland Review Online
www.icelandreview.com