I’m going to Melodifestivalen Final!

The final of Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s biggest TV show, always airs live on my birthday weekend. And for years, I’ve wanted to go and see the show- the aim is to find year’s Swedish Eurovision entry. But the scale of events is just enormous. Some reckon it’s bigger than Eurovision itself. Unlike other Eurovision countries, Sweden’s selection is a big deal: if you’re not already a huge pop star in Sverige then you’ve got no chance of competing. Regional heats are broadcast from January to March in cities across Sweden (all held in arena’s naturally), until the final in mid March at the Stockholm Globe (home to Eurovision 2000). And I’m gonna be there!

New Music: Paper Crows

Saw these guys on the Guardian today and the reminded me a bit of 90’s trip hop but more current. There’s a lot of atmosphere in their songs. Check out here.

An all singing, dancing android robot thing with freaky hands

This is a little scary, but I want to dance with it. She’s called the Yamaha HRP-4C, or ‘Girlbot’. Shame this thing obviously cost millions to build and they lumber it with a couple of massive plastic hands stolen off a mannequin from Primark…

What’s your (font) type?

Design powerhouse Pentagram have opened up this amazing new font game where a psychiatrist asks you questions and then connects you to a font. Mine is the 1919 Van Doesburg. I didn’t agree at first, but after hearing what they had to say about this font I was convinced it was made for me! Check it out here… It’s so good!

Shayne Ward’s new single is OK

I don’t know if I should admit, but I brought Shayne Ward’s first album after he won X Factor a few years ago. This is his new single, I like it. Good pop.

New Music: Jared Lee

I love this guy’s music. His new single, ‘It’s Over (Goodbye)’ is really really good. Simple pop/rock with a little American soul. Check out here.

Ben (Tattoo) Saunders… rah!

Carrying on with tonight’s Dutch theme, the guy above is Ben Saunders, who is taking part in The Voice of Holland- a sort of Pop Idol where the judges can’t see who’s singing, or something like that. This dude rocks it! Amazing voice! It’s so nice seeing the judges go nuts over him, it’s the total opposite to talent shows in the UK.

First Listen: Robyn ‘Indestructible’ Radio Edit

The album version on Body Talk Pt2 is probably the best song of 2010 in my view, and this is the radio version which will be Robyn’s next single in time for Christmas. Yummy!

New Music: Loomis & The Lust

This is pure, fun, well written pop rock made by some really cool guys from the USA. Loomis & The Lust have this 60’s surf SoCal vibe about them that cheers you up a little bit every time you listen. More importantly though, these guys don’t take themselves too seriously, and as a result they just kinda ooze coolness… Check out some tunes below or go to their Myspace here. Do it, they’re really good!

MP3: Loomis & The Lust – Good Time Lover

MP3: Loomis & The Lust – Bright Red Chords

MP3: Loomis & The Lust – A.D.D

 

I estimate approximately 3,967 people will choke on the new installation at Tate Modern

First came the ‘Crack’ which (hilariously) had people falling in to big cracks in the Turbine Hall, and and Tate Modern are scattering 100 million unique glass sunflower seeds as part of Ai Weiwei’s new installation. I really like it, and it sends out lots of interesting and powerful messages… but MAJOR health hazard!

Update: As expected, it has shut down after just one week. No one choked but the dust from all the seeds got people coughing a little crazy. Oops!

Live: Hurts at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

Very very good as usual- second time I’ve seen them live and they are epic. Sorry the pictures are crappy but the venue was packed out and I only just managed to squeeze in to one of the corners.

Unfortunate

I love this video way too much. I can’t really figure what he’s singing about other than he’s having a bad time with luck but I think the boxing gloves show that. Thomas Holm is amazing yea! I wish UK solo men would have this much fun with their music.

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New Music: 8bit Moon

Stumbled across this lovely band on Myspace a few days ago. Hailing from the North West of England and taking influence from artists such as Afta-1, The Knife, and 8o’s synth-pop bands Yazoo and Telex, their hybrid sound fuses experimental productions with delicate vocals and nimble hooks to create seductively heady music. Check out here and give these couple of tracks a spin.

MP3: 8bit Moon – Hairy Little Boy

MP3: 8bit Moon – Russian Dolls

 

New Music: The Futhamuckas

I’ve heard about these guys for a while but never got round to mentioning them- a good mix of electropop and hip hop, American style. Check out here.

New Music: Yadi

Already causing a stir with music blogs all over the place, Yadi won’t be unsigned for long. Guillotine is pretty good. Check out here.

This Is England ’86 is over :-(

 

Probably the best drama on telly this year so far- the end scenes were spectacular. Really worth catching up on 4OD if you missed it last night. Can’t wait for the DVD to come out.