Pastries, Pepper and Canals is a lovely MP3 blog based around the best of Danish music, past, present and future, written from London. We had a club for a while too, but are too overworked to continue it for now...
Unfairly overlooked by pretty much everyone in favour of its larger neighbour Sweden, here's our (free and legal- we don't host any of the MP3s, BTW...) attempt to make amends for the fact that Jantelowen is thriving within the Danish music scene...
We may not have had a Summer this year (Festival season- including Roskilde- was a total washout, as you all know...)
Jacob Faurholt and Sweetie Pie Wilbur- We Like Snow
...but maybe Summer's about to arrive in the middle of November. Jacob Faurholt is releasing his new album in the next few weeks, and it looks like it's going to be a good one. Maybe it'll even get rid of the cold weather that seems to have descended (on this wee corner of South East England, anyway).
We have to admit that we love Jacob Faurholt. There's something very charming and Scandinavian about the lalalalalas in "Back Home", and something very naïve and endearing about the whole thing. Of course, though, you need to make up your own minds...
Related to yesterday's post, Lava lead singer and writer THOBAY K gives us the lowdown on what's what...
THE FLOOR IS MADE OF LAVA: Our national anthem, our holy bible and the song of which the band took its name from. It’s the first song we wrote and the last song we mixed in the studio. It’s about being better than the average Joe, have more fun than everybody else and speaking whatever’s on our minds. If the album goes gold, I gotta have Sonic The Hedgehog tattooed on my arm. But it wouldn’t surprise me if I had it done anyway.
PICK UP A SHOVEL: I met this really dumb girl who were so pathetic, that I just had to write a song about people who needs to get it together, and get it fuckin’ going. Later, when I bumped into this goofball, which I’m sure was her boyfriend, I had it all. I was totally stoked when I got the chorus together, so I spend my night, pissed out of my mind, running all over town, screaming the chorus at people. I think it was Christmas 2006.
DO YOUR SISTER: Simon was bitchin’ about a friend of his, who had a thing going on with his sister. I’ve always thought that all these rules where you’re “not allowed” to make out with friends of friends, or friends’ sisters, were totally bullshit. So me and Simon spend all night discussing the whole issue, and I kinda wrote the lyrics out of the discussion. Later, I heard the expression: “Why fuck a stranger, when you can fuck a friend”, and it just fitted right in there. It also gives the song a whole new meaning, I think. Besides that, it’s just a really cool thing to say. Thank God for lousy redneck movies on late night telly.
HO: This song is dedicated to the girl at the disco, the club and the prom who everybody wants’s to make it with. She so fine that everybody want’s to get in her pants. That’s what her life is all about – teasing all the young boys, like everybody else would have done in her place. Then one day she meets this dude, who is so cool and so cold, that she’s interested in more than just a one-night stand. Oh by the way, that’s “the dude” singing this song. It took us about 3 months before we got the song and the arrangement right, and Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani really played a huge part in writing it..
HAPPY MONDAY: I really wanted to make a happy song, because the two we wrote before this one were kind of surly and grumpy. I decided that the song was to be called Happy Monday, inspired by the band Happy Mondays. It was the last song we wrote for the album, and it was actually written while we were mixing the other songs. The pace of the song is considerably slower than the rest on the album, and we’ve already talked about going in that direction regarding the next record. The interlude, which ends this song, is called Who the Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys?! A song which was never completed due to the fact that it sounds like…well Arctic Monkeys! We also thought that it was kinda funny to name a song after their own song and their EP. Alex Turner was busy being a rascal or something, so Mr. Liam O’ Connor were kind enough to lend us his voice.
SUCKER LOVE: Now if I might take a little liberty here, this is a masterpiece. The chorus is about a fool, a relationship and a blowjob. All happening at the same time! I think most people find it irritating when friends or girlfriends are too sensitive and sticky-icky. But the funny thing is that you actually kinda like it. Yeah, I know. Nobody likes a wordsmith so I’ll get to the point. This song is about instability which is, when you think about it, the cornerstone in any relationship. The blowjob analogy wasn’t really my intention, people listening to it have come up with it themselves.
TANGO IN MY TUMMY: This is the ultimate drinking tune! I would really like to make a video for this one. It should be about a low-life cop who get’s coffee for his donuts, a beer for his lunch, and a scotch for his dinner. Then he goes to this joint where he screws his regular girl at the toilet. Man…I really like those kind of people. The thing about this song is that there are some parts in this song, which all of us (in the band) can relate to, one way or another. I know that Simon really likes the lyrics and the story of the song. Ace digs heavy on the Ac/Dc-like trucker backing vocals. And me? I think I just like the whole damn thing really! It’s more or less an ode to The Boss.
5-VICE: For a long time I didn’t know what this thing was about. It was written by request of Ace, who wanted to write a song where one camouflaged drugs with candy. Strange right? But somewhere in the writing process I found out that I wanted it to be about just not giving a rat’s ass. The interpretation of that is for anyone to decide. It’s without a doubt this song that I want a 4th grader to analyze. It contains so much mumbo jumbo that only a kid would understand it. But like most of our songs there is a subliminal message. I’ve just forgotten what it is.
TOLD HER I’M FROM COMPTON: You know, the best punch lines in life are those you just can’t explain - you just know what they mean. There was this guy who wrote to us on our Myspace, that he had told this girl that he was from Compton. Apparently he made it with her. So there you have it. Oh and by the way, this song has nothing, and I repeat nothing to do with any damn sparrows. “Suck on this barrel, you can ride my Camaro”
YOU AIN’T A BITCH (BITCH): I understand why people would think this is a chauvinistic hate-song to some punk-ass bitch. It really isn’t. What it really is about is how big an asshole you can be to one another in a relationship. I’m a dogg and she’s a bitch. We are equally good/bad to one another. But of course I’ll blame it on her when we’re having a fight, just like she would blame it on me, if it was her who’d written the song. In other words, I’m just saying it like it is. Nobody calls each other honey or sweetie pie in the middle of a fight, right?
IKEA DID A JOB ON YOU: This song is about being powerless and unable to cater for peoples needs. It’s about MTV culture, Feng Shui and Extreme Makeover Home Edition. It’s about reviewers, the crowd and girlfriends/boyfriends who are total assholes. I really think that the line “Fuck with me on this one and I’ll fuck you right up” is one of our best. It’s so wonderfully hysteric in a drama queen-like way – which is my way of saying that you can’t and mustn’t take anything I write seriously. The title of the song is the kinda thing you wanna say to somebody who’s really disappointed you – right before you slam the door. Just like Happy Monday, this song contains an interlude which is actually an outro in this case. The outro , and the interlude for that matter, is referring to album title. It is “Fruit” or filler or whatever you wanna call it. Come to think of it, it might be my favourite track on the album.
In a bit of a name dropping exercise, we’re going to tell you that the adorable SuperTroels (aka Troels from Veto) told us to watch these guys a while back, and, as a result, we sent our spies to see them at a very early gig in London last year, where we were mightily impressed.
The Floor is made of Lava on Tabu TV...
Sadly there wasn’t anything much around to share with you at the time, so we kept our eyes peeled and hoped for rain (as it were). And lo and behold, I opened my email on a wet and windy October evening last week, and what did I find?
That’s right. A lovely, shiny MP3 version of their brand spanking new album. Stytzer’s got there before me with a load of the MP3s, but it’s well worth repeating them, as they’re so fabulous. I can only repeat Hits in The Car’s order that you need to BUY BUY BUY! In the manner of all great things, this is something that you’ll buy and wonder how you ever survived without it. Not convinced? Then try a taster…
Firstly, let me apologise for the fact that I've been incredibly quiet lately- a cataclysmic combination of personal catastrophes, work insanity, travel, a crappy laptop and a wonky internet connection (somehow changing providers has totally buggered the wireless connection I rely on to do these things, and the connection on the desk top isn't any better...) I can only apologise to all of you- especially those of you who've emailed to check I haven't died or anything... I'll be sporadic for a wee bit longer...
It's not often that someone gives you something for free, but there's a bit of an outbreak amongst Danish bands at the moment...
Tiger Baby have decided to give away the whole of 2006's pop classic, "Noise Around Me". I've always thought that it's a great album to get hyped up to if you're getting ready for a big night out, or a running album. Not that I ever go running at all- I'm FAR too much of a workaholic to do that- but, personally, like the idea of pounding the streets and working up a sweat with "Girlfriend" thumping away on my ipod in an almost romantic way... Will never happen, though...
Sometimes I wish I was a donkey so I could kick myself.
I hate being a latecomer to the party!
Kind of Girl are another band I've been meaning to write about for a while- and their lovely little electronic press kit and cheeky message just spourred me on. Unfortunately Hits in the Car managed to get there a good many times before me (it appears that they're one of Stytzer's favourite bands...), and they've also been covered by Music of the Moment and Powerpoulist too (see the sidebar for links)...
They've all said it better than I can, so just go and listen to them ...
It's been a busy few weeks in which I've not even hadtime to think about writing, never mind actually do it, so today's a bit of a catch up! Apologies that I've not been about it appears that travelling so much for work (and, of course, my near-enough-monthly trips to Hamburg)has taken it's toll. I promise not be so slovenly in future...until next time.
Factory 45-local disco star (live at pumpehuset)
Anyway, our friends from Factory45 have started their own blog here. It's part English/part Danish (depending on who's writing) and is well worth a look... On another Factory45 tip, they're releasing the heavenly Supermarkets as a single sometime in the future. Well worth a listen:
Long-time PPC favourites Charlie, Don't Surf are currently on (the band who Tinkerbell swears have to make it, or she'll give all this up)are currently on tour in Germany and the like- more details here. Shame they had to cancel their Gruner Jaeger date in Hamburg, as Tink has friends (and her paramour...) who live just around the corner. Literally...
Charlie Don't surf- Shake of a weight (live at chokoladefabriken in Aarhus)
Of course, this isn't an excuse for us to tell you to download the new song the put up a while back, is it? Of course not...although it would be terribly rude not to include it...
Still No Signs (update: apparently this doesn't work due to Myspace being silly and seemingly disabling the link to download facility... Download it from their Myspace site here)
I also forgot to tell you that they were selected to take part in the Coca Cola itunes podacsty-type thing some while ago...We don't normally advocate the health-affirming properties of Coca Cola, but in this case, as it'll make you smile (always good) and bop (did I really just say "bop?) in your front room... Details here. Of course, there are still a few copies of their brilliant self-released debut EP available here for the bargain price of 8 euros or DKK50...
More PPC friends- the ever reliable, dreamy popmeisters EPO-555, have also got news. They've released a lovely sounding new EP...Actually, on this occasion, I think the ever adorable boys (and new girl- welcome Tine, who replaces Linda, who replaced Camilla for a short while) put it much better than me with the following charming message:
The truth of the matter is that Mikkel "the Golden Voice" Hansen and Ebbe "The Golden Ear" Frej couldn't keep their dirty fingers from the electronics even though Mafia felt fresh as a virgin and time wasn't ripe to commence a new album. Instead this intermezzo has been made containing less acoustic instrumentation than ever and more electric 4-on-the-floor bass drum and juicy synthetic sounds than ever.
Whatever your local version of itunes is, it should be on there... It's also available via all of the normal outlets as well.
On a related point, the first Oliver North Boy Choir single is available to download now, which makes us very, very excited, as it's available on itunes in the UK, and we don't have to scour the whole of Europe (and, despite what you might believe, we often do that...well...Tink does that and makes everyone listen to it, as noone wants to give us anything. No sireeeeee!)! Despite PPC's protests that it's just not fair that they'll never play live, we're informed that it won't happen...unless the owners of the new Wembley stadium call them, that is... On that note, then, I guess we should say farewell, ciao, hej hej, bye and seeya. It's been fun. Until next time folks...
To my detriment, I've been a bit rubbish and haven't checked my old e-mail account lately. If I had, I would have found a few lovely email from Rumraket (one of the friendliest labels in the world) and Efterklang. Shame on me.
Swarming- Efterklang
In order to atone my sins (and get rid of my post-curry awakeness...I knowit's not a word, but who cares... I don't have a pedant's corner y'know... ), and due to the fact that I've remembered how great they are (and how much they make me happy in a blissful kinda way) I thought I'd treat you all...
Jojo - live recording from Nalen, Stockholm nov 2005.
I have a confession to make, and I bow to Stytzer and Chris for posting so much good stuff lately...
Firstly, we have The Kissaway Trail. Freshly signed to the wonderous Bella Union (also home to Under Byen in the UK) and as sharp as ever (they used to be called Isles). Well worth seeing live too, if their recent London shows are anything to go by... Here's a track...
Now here's something that I've been meaning to cover for a while (sorry duck, I know I promised a long while back..) and was rudely reminded about by the track that appeared on a podcast a while back... Originally this started off about just Evil Death Machine, but then I realised I should cover Danish Girls (Yay! I love the name!) too...
Evil Death Machine is the...errr... evil genius that is EPO-555's lovely bassist Hans-Emil Hansen's (formerly of indie darlings Traening) solo project. Apparently his mission statement is "to make the best music possible". And he does. The Things I Stole is a night-time spent looking out of the window with the rain beating down and the heating turned high (of course, the lyric "..please break my arms if I reach my goal.." betrays something different altogether), whilst Pieces could almost be a Diefenbach/ EPO-555 collaberation with a simple melody, a preoccupation with lost love, and layered vocal approach.
For some reason I seem to have problems linking to the Myspace MP3s, so go here and take a look for yourself. There's also a few tracks on Last.fm (whih I know you all love a lot, as Myspace's MP3s are getting crappy these days)
Evil Death Machine...I don't think it's evil at all. In fact, it's actually pretty lovely, just like a night spent staring out into the darkness of a snowy night in the woods and knowing that you'll be alright the logfire's burning and you have a warm blanket. Or something.
I know.. I know... I've been pretty crap lately, and there's a million and one things I should let you all know about! Unfortunately it's been one of those times when I've been hideously overloaded, and while I know I should have done the Wolfkin review and the Evil Death Machine/ Danish Girls preview I've been harpig on about for ages..well... I just haven't. It's not my fault. I promise. Both of those things will haveto wait, though, with the news that there's some new Tiger Tunes stuff! Ok, so it's not really new, it's more new-old, for we all know that they're all doing other things, but hey...who are we to argue?
I know I mentioned Factory45 before, but I think it;s time I gave them their own post- I noticed Liga's done something similar too- great obviously minds think alike...
Factory45 are actually a band I happened upon by chance, as I'd gone to Copenhagen the day before the guys when we were going to the big Crunchy thingy in December (which, by the way, was pretty damn fantastic, featuring, as it did, an EPO-555 performance with a heavily pregnant Camilla back in the breech for one night only, an stellar performance from Sterling, and a mind blowingWolfkin show). I'd arranged to see a friend DJ, got horribly drunk before they arrived, and then made my way to the venue. I hadn't really expected to see anything that even vaguely impressed me (to be honest, I was more interested in drinking myself under the table and thinking of ways to pretend that wasn't heartbroken to about the current love of my life, who was arriving the next day)
Anyway. I digress. Before I go into yet another gossip-column style rant, I'll get back to the Factory45.
It was during Local Disco Star that, actually, I realised these kids (can I call them that? I have no idea whether they're younger than me or anything..) had something going on. I mean, I've been in rooms full of kids bopping (ha! That word is somewhat under-rated, I think, along with nifty).
Nitemare is a 1950s salsa lounge style tune meets 1980s vocalist with a 2000s twist (honestly, as incredulous as it sounds), Supermarkets is a funfair romp about...er...supermarkets (if only my trip to my local Tesco was so grand), while Local Disco Star is a countrified anthem with a catchy indie-style chorus and a tune that will stick in your brain for days. Best of all, though, is the delicious line "..So I roamed the streets and I roamed the bars, dressed as the local disco star trying to find a girl to smoke my big cigar.." Now maybe I'm just dirty minded (and it's often been said, especially in response to Jelly Beans, Jelly Babies and 69 Tragic Love Songs...) but is there some kind of naughtiness behind the innocent facade?
Excuse my chattiness...for some reason, Factory45 are a lot like 1234 and Charlie, Don't Surf... (who, although I haven't yet told me, were the catalyst to make me start writing this)they make me want to scream from the rooftops, and dance and sing until I fall asleep happy...
Factory45, then. If there's any justice, they'll be more than local disco stars...
Feel free to send me review copies or provide any links to MP3s etc- I can't guarantee inclusion, but it'd be great to hear what you think, and what you think I should be covering...Just contact Tinkerbell by using this form or emailing sweetshopavengerz at gmail dot com... MP3s are for evaluation purposes only. If you like something, please support the artist and go and buy it! BTW, I don't host any of these MP3s, so when the host decides to kill the link, that's it... I will remove any link if asked to do so by the work's originator..
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