News editors: Mikael Kahrle & Johan Carlsson

Mr Jones Machine is running again

Apr 14 2007 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden)

Mr Jones Machine have just finished the follow-up to 2005's highly recommended debut album "New Wave". The new CD has a title in Swedish, "Återvändsgränd" (cover image to the right), and all the lyrics are in Swedish this time around. We're still talking about high quality, mature synthpop though.

May 8 is the date to note down, but tracks can already be downloaded at label Progress' site.

And who is this Mr Jones anyway? Well, the name is taken from a classic song by Adolphson & Falk and it's a trio operated by brothers Jouni (Pouppée Fabrikk) and Jarmo Ollila (Daily Planet), and Magnus Lindström.

Paléo festival program leaked

Apr 13 2007 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden)

Unfortunately, we don't have reason to cover Switzerland often but here we go. The program for the 32:nd Paléo Festival in Switzerland's Nyon has leaked prior to a scheduled press conference. Paléo has now sent out the program themselves.

Björk, Air, The Young Gods, Muse, Natacha Atlas, Fancy and many others are going to play live between July 24 and 29. Up to 220 000 people usually watch the Paléo performances.

The end of SAMA - and Romo Night

Apr 7 2007 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden)

The winners of last night's tenth and final Scandinavian Alternative Music Awards were:

Newcomer, Cryo. Song, The Knife: "Marble House". Album, The Knife: "Silent Shout". Artist: Covenant.

During the night, co-organiser Tobbe Eriksson declared his related club Romo Night is coming to an end after eleven years.

The Smashing Pumpkins release date set

Apr 2 2007 | By: Mike Whyte (Tokyo, Japan)

Smashing Pumpkins – one of the most influential alternative rock acts of the Nineties – are set to return with a new album and selection of live dates. The new album "Zeitgeist" has been two years in the making, and is set for release through Martha’s Music/Reprise on July 7.

The album will receive a special preview though on May 22, at the legendary Grand Rex in Paris, France –- which will also be the band's first live date since 2000. This will kick off a number of festival appearances around Europe and North America, starting with Holland’s Pinkpop on May 28. Tickets for the special show at the Rex, Paris will go on sale on April 11 – for more details on this show, the festival dates, and to keep up to date with the new album – please visit the website.