Here’s the link for the contest: CLICK HERE

BEHIND THE SUN

CROSSFIRE

ALMANA SCHORA

MISSING IN ACTION

MI: Hello, sir. Can I interview you for metalisrael.com via chat one of these days?

AR: Sure! I’m around for the next 30 min – u ready?

MI: Always. Well, almost always. I will preclude by saying how much I love LOA, DFL applied.

AR: I appreciate that.

MI: What’s going on? Tell me about Wire Hangers.

AR: Well, Wire Hangers has been out monthly since April. Final issue of this story arc comes out Sept 1st (this wed). A compiled graphic novel edition will hit stores in November. It’s published by IDW Publishing (30 Days of Night, GI Joe, Transformers, etc.) Some other REALLY exciting things are brewing around it too, but I can’t announce it yet.

MI: AAAAGhhh suspense!!!!! So, you trained at SVA – I know you did the trademark logo (and River Runs Red album concept/cover) for Life of Agony – did you start off drawing comics there? Where did you get your love for comics? I mean, forgive me for assuming you love them, but I think you need to in order to make them. Am I right?

AR: I grew up on comics. My dad had a collection including early Spider Man comics and Detective Comics from the Silver Age era. I got hooked since he showed me those as a kid. I’ve been drawing all my life, so making comics was the natural next step for me. I had the Wire Hangers concept for a long time now, so bringing it to life was a really awesome experience. Especially, published by IDW, my favorite comics publisher.

MI: Is Wire Hangers your first project ever? And were IDW Life of Agony fans? How did you make the hookup?

AR: I actually got the comic deal through Twitter! Around the time I was ready to pitch the concept to publishers, I started on Twitter. I started following some of my face comic artists and writers. IDW’s Chris Ryall was writing a book called Groom Lake. We started chatting over twitter, then trading comics for music. We hit it off right away. I didn’t realize he was one of the main guys over there.

MI: So you have this Internet thing, right? On one hand, a lot of musicians are pretty ticked off with it, because you’re losing a lot of royalties, but on the other hand, like you just said, you can make awesome business connections with it – what are your feelings towards it? I know it’s a pretty general question but any insight is appreciated.

AR: I don’t have any problems with the Internet, I’ve embraced it. You can’t avoid the downloading issue. It’s out there – people illegally download music, books, movies, etc. every day. It sucks for the artists because essentially it affects the whole industry because if record labels, book publishers, etc. lose money in sales, it affects the money they can give to support these projects, which makes it harder for artists to survive being creative- a trickle down problem.

MI: Duly noted. OK… Does the secret stuff have to do with Wire Hangers or Life of Agony?

AR: Wire Hangers.

MI: The temptation to play guessing games is too great. So what’s up with Life of Agony?!

AR: We’ve been pretty busy with LOA getting the 20 Yrs Strong DVD together and the summer tour. Did you see the footage from Poland on our site? 500K people!

MI: What do you think of the fact that metal, true music from the heart like you put out, can go on 20 years strong the way pop acts rarely, if ever do, but meanwhile it rarely makes it on the charts?

AR: We’ve been very fortunate that we’ve been able to build this fan base over time, over multiple generations. We never set out to write radio songs, we just always did what we did. Most of our success was built around our live show and creating tunes that people could really relate to. We always had a more grassroots approach.

I was there!

MI: OK..thanks for that. What is your view about Israel? You unfortunately don’t have much of a following there, but would you play there? Ozzy’s playing September 28 – it’s gonna be huge.

AR: Doubtful, we’ve never been to Japan either…or South America. And I know this music is really big over there. We just never were able to get it together for those trips. Europe has been something we’ve been building since 1993/1994 so it’s super strong for us.

MI: It’s the main metal market anyway in this world. They have taste in this, at least. Have you ever heard any Israeli bands?

AR: No, sorry.

MI: I guess that’s it (for now). Please send warm regards & respect to Mr. Z. for me. Thanks so much for your time. But one more closing question!

AR: Sure!

MI: As you, Mr. Robert, see your career progressing, are you happy with where it is and what else do you want to accomplish before you get out the golf clubs?

AR: Well, first off – I’ve never been into golf, so that’s definitely out…

MI: Yeah that’s Joey’s thing, I was kind of nonplussed by it myself, but to each their own.

AR: …But, I’d really love to move into other visual storytelling mediums like movies or TV. I have a lot of respect for Rob Zombie, they way he’s been able to do his music and branch out as a director. So, for me the future is really an open book.

MI: Many thanks to you and a happy Jew year as well. LOA! LOA! LOA!

ISRAEL: Metal Israel
Acropolis – Divine Cycle
Acropolis is an extreme melodic metal act from Israel. They blend aggressive metal grooves with brilliantly structured songs and melodies. Their debut release, The Aftermath, became a top seller on indie distribution website CD Baby and, incidentally, was very big in Japan.

ARGENTINA: Zonaindie
Hacia Dos Veranos with Alasdair MacLean – Draft Morning
Hacia Dos Veranos is one of Zonaindie’s favorite bands, a four-piece instrumental psychedelic trip. This is an amazing Byrds cover from their latest album, with The Clientele frontman Alasdair MacLean as guest vocalist. The song was recently featured on Pitchfork’s Forkcast section.

AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They?
DZ – Gebbie St
Brisbane’s DZ have been making waves with their killer live show for a couple of years now, but so far “that song” – the one to take them to the indie masses – has eluded them. I think it’s here, and it’s called Gebbie St. It’s pretty massive, streamlining their raw, beat-heavy guitar jams into a tight, dance-punk number like one of the highlights off the debut albums by DFA 1979 or Liars.

BRAZIL: Meio Desligado
Fusile – Combat Samba
Sort of a Brazilian reaction to Gogol Bordello, Fusile’s debut EP Coconut Revolution is full of energy and great ska/punk songs such as Combat Samba. The EP (available here) has just four songs, but that’s enough to make them one of the most impressive new Brazilian bands.

CANADA: I(Heart)Music
Gramercy Riffs – Oh Linda!
One listen to It’s Heartbreak, the full-length debut from Gramercy Riffs, and you’ll immediately notice that the band brings together a whole bunch of disparate elements: one moment they’re crooning pre-rock’n'roll style, the next they sound like they’ve just stepped out of the ’50s, the next they’re sounding like an updated version of The Unicorns. Listen to it a few more times and you’ll find they mix all those styles together extremely well. Then listen some more because you’re unlikely to hear many better albums this year.

CHILE: Super 45
Marcos Meza – Danza
Marcos Meza is a pianist and composer from experimental hip hop outfit Como Asesinar A Felipes. His solo work goes in a different direction, closer to the more complex pop melodies of Ryuichi Sakamoto. His debut album, Piezas para Piano y Cuarteto de Cornos, is available for free download here and sees jazz, improvisation and contemporary chamber music share an interesting common space.

CHINA: Wooozy
Pairs – Oh Ghost
Pairs are basically a drummer, Xiao Zhong, and a guitarist, F. They are from two different places and hemispheres of the Earth. Pairs basically don’t make theirs or any kind of music particularly well. Pretty much like people who have lost their talent. So it’s cool if you hate them. Pairs are basically a misspelling on Paris and/or Pears. They’ve had nothing to do with these two objects. Pairs basically like to take their broadway smash music to various death traps, both North and South, and survived to tell the tale to deaf ears. Pairs just launched their first music video Yangpu Qu – you can check out here.

COLOMBIA: Colombia Urbana
Farina – Hasta El Final
Farina is a young talent and in her blood runs some sparks of Arabic traditions and Latin flavor. Right now she’s promoting her single Hasta El Final (“To The End”), a dancehall/R&B romantic song, which is perfect for the perfect moment.

DENMARK: All Scandinavian
King’s Light Infantry – Home
Back in April, King’s Light Infantry released their debut EP, Crops, from which this track is taken. The quintet work in guitar-driven indie-rock where the ever-famous Scandinavian melancholy, pop hooks and the strong, emotional vocal of lead singer/guitarist Mathias Slot play leading roles. Right now they’re recording their first full-length record, slated for release sometime next year.

ENGLAND: The Daily Growl
Bear Driver – A Thousand Samurais
Bear Driver are a six-piece from Leeds who have only two singles under their belts, but are already turning the heads of festival organisers, labels and music fans in the UK. Current 7-inch Wolves came out last month, but this track is from their single from last year.

ESTONIA: Popop
Badass Yuki – Jacques Lacan On CSR!
Badass Yuki is the brainchild of two high-school students (Mart Avi and Paul Sild), who kill time by creating lo-fi-esque tunes. BY’s soundworld is diverse and constantly changing, bouncing somewhere between post-punk, noise or just eclectic pop music with dancey rhythms. BY emerged from nowhere and won a local Soundwave band competition in 2009.

FINLAND: Glue
Pintandwefall – Doughnuts
Girl band Pintandwefall celebrated the warmest ever summer in Finland with the release of a free EP available to download on their website. Doughnuts is a delicious treat with a sugared guitar riff, punchy bass line and funny melody. Just 90 seconds of alternative rock for your coffee break.

FRANCE: ZikNation
Crocodile – Mental Home
Crocodile came about from an encounter between Jeremy, electric guitar player of Parisian rock band Louis de Lights, and Helene, singer of the mysterious electro collective Stupeflip. About 15 songs emerged from Crocodile’s stomach in less than a year. Do not let yourself be deceived – behind a sweet voice and catchy melodies hides a ferocious animal whose bite will leave marks that will get under your skin.

GERMANY: Blogpartei
Hans Unstern – Paris
Catch Hans Unstern if you can. Uncommon is an able word to describe the work of this artist, who combines complex songwriting with sensitive German lyrics. He never crosses the fine line between brilliance and kitsch, maybe due to the slightly achy atmosphere he creates on the album Kratz Dich Raus from which Paris is the first single.

GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda
Musica Ficta – The Cell
Musica Ficta’s music is a treasure that deserves plundering. Even if they haven’t any official release, they are known for their astounding live performances. Apollo Retsos’ undeniably affecting vocals soar over orchestral pop arrangements, lush strings, drums and chiming guitars. As a matter of fact, an effervescent explosion of emotion will drift out of your stereo as you are listening to this live recording of The Cell, an enchantingly theatrical, profoundly beautiful and incredibly addictive song. I’m eagerly awaiting their debut album.

ICELAND: I Love Icelandic Music
Pascal Pinon – Djoflasnaran
Teenage quartet Pascal Pinon – named after two-headed Mexican freak Pasqual Pinon – released their eponymous debut last year. An album full of simple pop-folk songs in Icelandic and English, written by Asthildur and Jofridur. At the moment, the 16-year-old girls are recording a second album to be released on Morr Music. This label will also re-release their debut album, containing this song, Djoflasnaran (“Devil’s Snare”), a reference to Harry Potter.

INDIA: Indiecision
The Bicycle Days – Circles
The Bicycle Days is an alternative rock quintet from Bangalore. The band’s music infuses samples and ambient guitar sounds into contemporary alternative rock. Think a slowed down, less self-involved Mute Math. Circles draws on progressive rock influences like Tool and The Mars Volta to create a submersive fluidity that’s as languid as it is involving. Turn up the volume to 11, or just leave it at four and let the music create your pictures.

INDONESIA: Deathrockstar
Sarasvati – Oh I Never Know
Risa Saraswati is a new, aspiring singer-songwriter who is pursuing a solo career using her Sanskrit name, Sarasvati (???????). Such divine passion towards knowledge, art and music is conveyed through songs and lyrics. In her spiritual journey and quest for perfection, Risa shares her eternal experience of pursuing happiness with you.

IRELAND: Nialler9
Adebisi Shank – International Dreambeat
Taken from their second album This Is The Second Album Of A Band Called Adebisi Shank, International Dreambeat is the sound of pure rainbow rock. You can just see the confetti, the parades and crazy Japanese manga characters. Look out for the band’s second album released on August 20 through Richter Collective in Ireland, BSM Records in UK and in October on Parabolica Records in Japan. Guests include Conor O’Brien from Villagers, who provides vocals on Europa, while Jape plays synths on the last track, Century City.

ISRAEL: Metal Israel
Acropolis – Divine Cycle
Acropolis is an extreme melodic metal act from Israel. They blend aggressive metal grooves with brilliantly structured songs and melodies. Their debut release, The Aftermath, became a top seller on indie distribution website CD Baby and, incidentally, was very big in Japan.

ITALY: Polaroid
Colapesce – La Guerra Fredda
For the first time I’ve selected a MAP song sung in Italian. I like the way it mixes our folk tradition and pop influences. La Guerra Fredda (“The Cold War”) is about girls on the beaches, boys dancing and grinning, the fate on some provincial road one night, long time ago. Colapesce is a young and talented songwriter from Sicily. You can download his new EP for free here. Check out Albanopower as well, Colapesce’s other band.

JAPAN: JPOP Lover
Matryoshka – Monotonous Purgatory
Matryoshka was formed in 2006 by Sen (track maker) and Calu (vocals). Their subtle yet profound strings, unreal rhythms, melancholic female vocals, cool and alluring piano mix with a hundred noises to create their massive sound.

MEXICO: Red Bull PanameriKa
Rey Pila – No. 114
Rey Pila is the new project of Diego Solorzano (Los Dynamite), who has created a homonymous album that refines his aesthetic intentions while adding some singalong choruses with mountains of synth and guitars that are so very 80s, so ‘Rock en tu idioma’.

NETHERLANDS: Unfold Amsterdam
Palmbomen – Myself
Translated as “Palm Trees”, Palmbomen is the Netherlands’ answer to the chillwave phenomenon that’s sweeping through another indie summer. Although we’re still a bit antsy about a genre identifier that, at least to us, signifies a bunch of kids buying fourth-hand DX7s and deciding it’s okay to like Simply Red, Palmbomen has made a hefty dent on the Amsterdam live scene in only a few months of activity. The vibe is unsurprisingly tropical from the off – throbbing bass, rumbling percussion and synth-heavy. The music isn’t trapped in a languid haze, however. The melodies hook you instantly while the vocals are playful and, perhaps unexpectedly, not utterly buried in a cathedral full of reverb. Essentially, it’s just great electronic pop.

NEW ZEALAND: Counting The Beat
Mild America – Coriander & Heaven
The title track from an EP (available here) of songs melding pop with alt-country, the aim of the band is to create a sound which is “nostalgic and celebratory, bitter and hopeful”. Coriander & Heaven perfectly encapsulates that approach with lyrics about a blue jay hitting a glass door and flapping with one wing on the ground. The arrangement goes from a slow vocal and percussion intro, bringing in mournful slide guitar, shifting to a martial beat before quietening to a whisper and then ending in a majestic squall of guitar.

NORWAY: Eardrums
Silje Nes – The Card House
When I first heard Silje Nes four years ago, I instantly fell in love with her fragile but strong music. Now she’s a critically acclaimed artist on the fine FatCat label, preparing the release of her second album Opticks. Nes is one of those artists who plays around with lots of sounds and instruments, some which she can play and some she can’t. The result is often stunningly beautiful – somewhere between pop and experimental – but definitely accessible and catchy. The album will be released on September 13 but her single, Crystals, is available now. The song we have for you here is a MAP exclusive from the new album. Thank you, FatCat!

PERU: SoTB
Maku – Cuantas Piedras
Maku is a project led by Michael Dawson. Talking about his debut is almost like talking about a box of surprises. Maku’s music uses reggae as its base and also blends jazz and tropical sounds. Cuantas Piedras is the opening track from Maku’s self-titled album, which is available to download free from here and contains 11 songs, nine of which were recorded with the help of Francois Peglau.

PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco?
Peixe : Aviao – No Jogo da Quimera
Peixe : Aviao (translated as “Fish : Airplane”) are a quintet from the oldest ciy of Portugal, Braga. Their first recording was an EP, in 2008, and their Radiohead influence was already clear. In 2009, they released their first LP, which confirmed them as one of the most interesting new bands, singing in Portuguese. No Jogo da Quimera is from their 2010 record, Madrugada.

ROMANIA: Babylon Noise
Bogdan – Phase Transition
Bogdan makes the transition from experimental productions to dance music, and makes it seems like child’s play. His artistic development is noticeable both in his own productions and the hallucinating club nights he manages to kick off. In June 2010, Bogdan lit the fuse for local Romanian sound with another change in style – a cosmic techno hybrid. 4/4 dancing with a disco heart, it’s an album that tells a story about dancing in zero gravity. The new EP, Human Thermodynamics, can be downloaded from the Local Records website.

SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop
Dems – Jarndyce vs Jarndyce
Dems is a truly exciting newcomer to the Scottish music scene. London-raised but Edinburgh based, Dan Moss has just two songs to his name at the time of writing and no live appearances on the horizon. What we do know is that he’s a man whose talent is matched by his ideas. Jarndyce vs Jarndyce is a classy, clever and thoroughly accessible piece of electro-pop, like a more edgy Postal Service.

SINGAPORE: I’m Waking Up To…
Basement In My Loft – I Think I’ll Run
Basement In My Loft have an underground, garage-rock sound with lofty melodies. As a power trio, they deftly walk the line between bittersweet melodies and utter chaos, while delivering an urgency in their music, convinced that one day, all this shall pass. They’ve got big things planned ahead, dropping their debut album at this year’s Baybeats music festival, one of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious indie festivals. Even with the accolades, BIML’s belief in their music and style keeps their integrity intact, with the band taking no shortcuts to making music that matters.

SOUTH AFRICA: Musical Mover & Shaker!
Popskarr – Tonight
Popskarr’s sound has been described as “deep but dancey, but new wavey, but all in all it still kinda bangs out your sound system”. Their song Tonight shows off their electronic, nu-disco sound with just a splash of pop thrown in for good measure.

SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
Kinzli & The kiloWatts – Oahu
Hailing from South Korea but now residing in London, Kinzli is currently preparing for the UK release of her second full-length album, Down Up Down, on September 6. Her music offers an eclectic mix of genres, from gypspy rhythms to jazz, and in a recent review her vocals were likened to Regina Spektor. Oahu is a warm and breezy ukulele tune where her impressive lyrical skills has her declaring true love for her favourite canoe.

SWEDEN: Swedesplease
Skatan – Teritory
Skaten is not just another random Swedish band of unknown quantity and quality. This project by Simone Andersson Wingfors has been written about on various Swedish blogs for well over a year (me here) despite the fact that the songs have only been demos on MySpace. Taken as a whole, the debut record We Are All Children With Different Titles could be called piano-pop. But if you dig deeper into each song you hear elements of more serious music, be it classical, jazz, gypsy, or circus cabaret. Territory combines many of these elements in one song. The bass is as full as you’d expect from a hip hop track, the scattershot drums pulse and ricochet, and Simone’s voice will give your tweeters (and your emotions) a workout.

SWITZERLAND: 78s
We Loyal – Distant Heart
We Loyal from Basel play highly addictive dark-wave synth-pop with detours to indietronic. Their influences range from TV On The Radio to Joy Division and The Notwist. Even so, their Obstacles EP proves they are capable of more than reciting their role models.

UNITED STATES: I Guess I’m Floating
Wise Blood – STRT SRNS
Christopher Laufman aka Wise Blood makes the kind of music that might come out of a lo-fi Panda Bear & Jack White collab session. STRT SRNS is straight off his debut EP, +, which you can pick up for free at his Bandcamp page.

VENEZUELA: Barquisimento
Desorden Publico – Espiritual
Desorden Publico is one of the oldest ska bands in Venezuela. Formed in Caracas in the mid-80s, this nine-member team has been famous for their powerful live performances and has the reputation of being a solid, influent and respected icon for the genre. Their music is full of Latin vibes and honest lyrics inspired from social problems. Espiritual is taken from the Desorden LP.

Sicknature is one of the most respected hip-hop producers in Denmark and the underground music world. His music is hardcore and raw, heavily influenced by all styles of metal music. He’s got the knowledge how to translate that energy into hip-hop, and metal’s raw power comes through in his intense beats, sharp hooks and gut wrenching prose.

Metal Israel: It is mostly a metal-based magazine, but I’m interviewing you because you are known as a fan of the style and someone that represents it in your music. When you grew up, what part did metal and rock play in your life?  Which bands did you listen to?

Sicknature: Well, I grew up listening to metal, because my brother was a huge fan of it. The more he heard it, the more I grew to love it. I listened to Pantera, Metallica, Dio, Manowar, Invocator (a Danish band), Iron Maiden, Sepultura, Massacre and many other incredible metal names. I always liked the energy and roughness. And that is something that metal has in common with hardcore hip-hop, which is why it can be dope to mash these two genres.

MI:   Some of your beats are so heavy (like the Vinnie Paz remix), that it sounds like a metal song. Do you try to push the heaviness in the hiphop songs?

SN: When I produce beats, I just do what feels right at that moment. Raw & hard pounding energy is something that I grew up with, so I think its natural for me to make hard hip-hop. But at the end of the day its important to be versatile.

MI: Nowadays which metal/rock bands do you like, take as an influence?

SN: I don’t listen to as much metal as I would like to. I don’t have the time to explore the metal universe like when I was younger. But I like Madball, Primordial, Kataklysm, Hatesphere (shout out to my man Mixen, crazy bass player!), … there are many dope bands out there! I like Rammstein too.

MI: Recently you joined the production team Snowgoons. How did that all come together?

SN: Well, me & DJ Illegal have been working together for a minute. And we´ve become very good friends. So it made sense to make a production team.

MI: It’s a full time membership for you in the group now?  What will this new situation look like artistically?

SN: We still have our individual projects. But with a production team, we can help each other out and move faster. So this would mean that we get more beats out there by joining forces.

MI: The ”Banished From Home” mixtape is out for a while, describe that material a bit …

SN: Obviously we do a lot of music with a lot of different artists. This was a way to put out some of the songs we had done, that people might not get a chance to hear elsewhere. This is good promotion for both the artists and us as producers. And on top of that we added some exclusives.

MI: You produced 3 songs on the new album of the legendary Canibus called “Melatonin Magik”. How did you hook up with him and what was it like to work with him?

SN: I had done some beats for a rapper called DZK. Somehow he and Canibus hooked up. They asked me for beats… and the rest is history.

MI:  Your new song on the upcoming solo record of Jedi Mind Tricks’s Vinnie Paz named “End Of Days” is spreading all over the Internet like crazy. Tell us something important about that track…

SN: I’m glad it turned out the way it did. Vinnie Paz speaks on a lot of important issues that are being held secret to the society. Listen to the song and you´ll know what I’m talking about. Ill Bill said it: “Society Is Brainwashed!”

MI: It really seems that you step up this music thing day after day. Once you mentioned in an interview that you’ve got 3 jobs, and you have only time to do music at nights. What do you think you will do to change this in the near future?

SN: I don’t work 3 jobs anymore. Now I only work 2 – so I have a little more time to work on music now. You gotta love it!

MI: Let’s get back to metal for a minute. Are you into sampling metal songs for your beats?

SN: I haven’t done it that much yet. But who knows what will happen in the future.

MI: Is there any chance to make songs with live instruments or a possible album?

SN: Some of my music is already made with live instruments. But I haven’t thought about making a rap/metal album. For now, I think I will continue in my lane and see where it takes me.

MI: What are your next future plans?

SN: We´re working on the new Snowgoons, Savage Brothers and Lord Lhus album called “Iron Fist”. Lord Lhus has a solo project that we´re working on as well. I did some beats for the new Ill Bill & Vinnie Paz “Heavy Metal Kings” album and for Slaine´s solo album which will be called “A World With No Skies”. After this summer we will start working on the next Snowgoons album and my next solo album!

MI: Any last messages to the readers of Metal Israel?

SN: Keep banging your heads and keep it hardcore!!

Patton’s band Mondo Cane will be brought to Israel this Tuesday night, August 3 to Raanana by Alive Productions.  Buy tickets here.

Summer Carnage is a Shay Shalibo Production – new guy on the promoting scene, much luck to him.

In reference to the bozos who seem to think every musician needs be held sway to the anti-Israel agenda: “I really resent the presumption that I’m going there to play to right-wing Nazi Jews,” he tells the Independent. “If Elvis-fucking-Costello wants to pull out of a gig in Israel because he’s suddenly got this compassion for Palestinians, then good on him. But I have absolutely one rule, right? Until I see an Arab country, a Muslim country, with a democracy, I won’t understand how anyone can have a problem with how they’re treated.”

Read the entire Independent interview here.

And here he says, “Of course, there are all sorts of terrible politics going on down there but there is just about all over the world,” Lydon said, in an interview with 6 Music. “You cannot separate yourself from your audience because of the political powers-that-be. I mean, I’m anti-government—I have been all my life no matter where I go—and I shall be making that loud and clearly proud once I’m in Israel.”

But Johnny Rotten, real name John Lydon, makes it clear on his website that “I will play to the people. I don’t play to the Government of anything… I’m playing to human beings, and to deny me that right and turn music into some kind of political joystick is quite repulsive to me, and really, really wrong.”

“And hello, Arab countries you ain’t inviting me. I’ve got no prejudices playing both sides of those borders…”

ARGENTINA: Zonaindie
The Kyoto Connection – H.E.A.T.
The eighties are back! At least, that’s what we felt after listening to No Headphones Required, the cc-licensed brand new album by The Kyoto Connection. This amazing band delivers sweet electronic music mixed with Japanese juice and Flashdance-like synth sounds. If you like it, you can download the whole record from their website.

AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They?
Kimbra – Settle Down
Iíve been following Kiwi-now-Melbournite Kimbraís work for a year now, most of it in the form of either guest performing with other bands or solo with a guitar work. Only recently Iíve heard her new stuff, produced by Franc Teta. The song Settle Down opens with cut up beat boxing vocals – a bit too close to Bertieís style of production for my liking – but is rescued and lifted by the chorus and soared into lush harmonies, that are all part of Kimbraís own signature sound.

BRAZIL: Meio Desligado
Dead Lover’s Twisted Heart – Where I Am
Where I Am is part of the first full length album of the Brazilian band Dead Loverís Twisted Heart, released a few weeks ago. Far away from the indie-folk influences that are highlighted in the bandís history, itís a great pop song which could easily be in any album from She & Him or The Ting Tings.

CANADA: I(Heart)Music
Forest City Lovers – Pocketful Of Rocks
Over the last few years, Forest City Lovers has morphed from simply being a vehicle for Kat Burns’ acoustic folk into a full band with a knack for writing catchy folk-pop. On their new album, Carriage, Burns is joined by members of The D’Urbervilles, Ohbijou and Born Ruffians, among others. As this track (on which Burns is joined by Ruffians front man Luke Lalonde) demonstrates, the results are simply magical.

CHILE: Super 45
Maifersoni – La Turbulencia Quiere Hacernos Levantar Hoy
Maifersoni is the musical adventure of young Enrique Elgueta, in which he decides to blend psychedelia and noise in a lo-fi-ish perspective, with a strong pop accent. Taller Deslizante (Gliding Loom) is his first work, released this month on Chilean net label Michita Rex. It captures Panda Bear’s contemplative spirit, Sonic Youth’s fondness for experimentation and Vashti Bunyan’s warmth, creating a resounding weave that – with the likes of El Sueno De La Casa Propia and De Janeiros (both highlighted on earlier editions of MAP) – is giving Chilean pop a new perspective.

CHINA: Wooozy
Lilysay – Last Party
The band Lilisay is a Beijing-based trip-hop band, founded by Lilisay and Shang Shao in March, 2010. At first the band started as a shoegaze duo, but as time went on they have evolved into a trip-hop band. After the first gig at D22, Lilisay met Li Wei. Sharing the same taste in music, they decided to collaborate. After several rehearsals and performances, they settled on Trip Hop/Electronica. Last Party is one of their early songs, which reminds a lot of the 80s shoegaze stuff.

DENMARK: All Scandinavian
Waking Life – Chirango
With The Flaming Lips and The Shins among their influences, Copenhagen based six-piece Waking Life work in uplifting, danceable ways. Hereís first single, Chirango – from their forthcoming debut album Fiction – an upbeat indierock song with ukulele, bells, trombone and whatnot that would make you all smiles if it hadnít been for the rather serious lyrics.

ENGLAND: The Daily Growl
Wet Paint – Dead Night
Here’s a wee MAP exclusive. Ace east London scuzzy rock types Wet Paint are back with another album of great tunes and noisy guitars. No word yet of when the album’s going to be released, but here is a track from it. A sneak preview of what’s going to be a fantastic record.

ESTONIA: Popop
Opium Flirt – Parade In Chimes
Opium Flirt have been playing live, writing and recording music since 2004. Projects have included music for multimedia installations, films and choreographic performances.
Parade In Chimes is taken from the new album DejaVoodoo.

FINLAND: Glue
Delay Trees – Cassette 2012
Just a little bit over a year ago, MAP featured a song by a Helsinki indie band that shocked the scene with a superb self-released EP. Now signed with an important label, Delay Trees offer the first single off their debut full length, out in September. The dreamy intensity of Cassette 2012 anticipates a new round of tender pop songs that will melt your ears.

FRANCE: ZikNation
I Love My Neighbours – Swedish Babe
Everyone has neighbors. You can hate them or love themÖ but one thing is for sure: it’s impossible not to love these crazy Neighbours. Presented as a big step between Block Party and Nirvana, I Love My Neighbours is a very good acidulated pop/rock band. Instigated by an omnipresent battery and swaying bass riffs, the three boys swing between pop songs and true aggressiveness. A schizophrenia materialized by the guitar riffs and the melodic and tortured voice of the singer. A noted French magazine called Les Inrocks wrote about them : ” These Parisians enter by the large door of the new english scene, dance and pop, with a full bag with catapults provided by Nirvana “. Prepare yourself to apply the theory of the “Bang Bang”, because there’s gonna be rock n’roll…

GERMANY: Blogpartei
Herpes – Keine Experimente
Herpes may be the most ‘German’ band ever, posted on the MAP. Their straight-forward electropunk with pseudo-political lyrics draw the line from infamous Superpunk to the stepsons of Kraftwerk, like Trio or DAF. Hence, their label has to be Tapete Records, and yeah, of course they live in Berlin. Keine Experimente is the single from their recently released album Das Kommt Vom Kussen.

GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda
Mikael Delta – She’s A Boy
Mikael Delta began his career as a member of the band Stereo Nova. He is one of the most prolific and influential musicians in Greece in the past decade. His latest album, Tech Me Away is made of thrillingly danceable sounds and references to techno music scene, disco and electronica.This is music that hits the head, heart and hips all at once. You can dance to almost anything here. She’s A Boy demonstrates Deltaís talent for building simple, clattering dance beats and riffs into audio addictions. But what takes you by surprise is Etten’s marvellous voice, which pops up like a primary color and paints absolutely stellar pictures.

ICELAND: I Love Icelandic Music
Cosmic Call – Owls
Cosmic Call is a five-piece indie rock band from Akranes, a small town on the West Coast of Iceland. Band members are singer/guitarist Sigurmon, Fjolnir on guitar, synthesizer & backing vocals, Begga on bass and backing vocals, drummer Petur & Asa on violin & synthesizer. They are inspired by Arcade Fire, The Cure, The Pixies, Joy Division & Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They recorded one EP so far, which was released on July 24, 2009. The song Owls is a track of this limited, hand sewed edition of 1000 copies made by the band & family members.

INDONESIA: Deathrockstar
Sir Dandy – Jakarta Motor City
Sir Dandy or Dandy Ramdhani or Acong, is the vocalist of one of the most obscure garage band in Indonesia Teenage Death Star, known for their quirky style on stage. This is his latest project, recording ballads using only his guitar and sunglasses on his garage-band software. This song tells us the story about the motorcycle flood in Jakarta.

IRELAND: Nialler9
Bingo – Cold Without You
Bingo is a 21 year-old producer from Dublin who makes luscious tracks with nods to dubstep, garage and UK funky. His music recalls the likes of Mount Kimbie, James Blake and Burial. If you find yourself in Dublin on a Saturday night, be sure to check the listings to see if Float, Bingo’s new club night is taking place in either Twisted Pepper or Tripod. You’ll find the likes of the vocal-twisting Cold Without You coming out of the speakers.

ISRAEL: Metal Israel
Ghost Bike – Ghost Writer
Jerusalem, Israel’s Ghost Bike will take you on an ambient trip-hop via the vehicle of dub-influenced electronica, spinning your mind in sonic circles with aural tales of dark, intense emotion. Diverse musical elements like Middle Eastern chants and beats mix with spooky haunted house effects and everything in between to create this sonic tapestry. Some Hollywood producer in need of a soundtrack should pick this stuff up.

ITALY: Polaroid
Movie Star Junkies – The Wallnut Tree
It’s summer, a damned hot summer. I wanted to sail away on an ocean wave but it’s all covered in spilt oil. I don’t care. My beloved surfboard wonít let me down. I put the new Movie Star Junkies record on (wild guys, you should see them live) and drink last drop of rum. A toast to the Birthday Party and the Gun Club. Everything is perfect now. C’mon, let’s put out to sea. Goodbye.

JAPAN: JPOP Lover
Sputniko! – Google Song
Sputniko! (Hiromi Ozaki) is an experimental electro pop female musician based in London. Since 2007 Sputniko! has shown music, performances and films exploring intersections between technology and popular culture. In 2009 she published the DVD Parakonpe 3000, a collection of eccentric music videos talking about the quirky ways in which we engage with technology, such as google searching your crush’s name or desiring to become a cyborg to eliminate periods.

MEXICO: Red Bull PanameriKa
Orlando – Solo Dios Sabe
Orlando is a singer from Tijuana, Mexico with an organic approach to his compositions. He creates memorable pop choruses that rely on acoustic progressions and just released his first formal LP titled Capullo. This is the first single from the record, under production and arrangements from his collaborator El Poeta and additional mixing by the much respected composer Murcof (also from Tijuana). Solo Dios Sabe is a song that ideally represents Orlando’s soft acoustic sound and its blend with slight electronic details.

NETHERLANDS: Unfold Amsterdam
Bird On The Wire – Strange Days
Although formed in the harsh winter of 2010, when their first burst of song material emerged, Amsterdam trio Bird on the Wire write laid-back indie pop that’s perfect for a sweltering summer. Simple, sweet and ever so slightly melancholic, the soft, lulling vocal harmonies of Rosa, Thijs and Nina remind of Camera Obscura, balancing the folk sounds of the ’60s with contemporary lo-fi pop.

NEW ZEALAND: Counting The Beat
The Body Lyre – Pig
The Body Lyre is a multi-instrumental duo putting together an album, Escape Songs, song by song over the 12 months of 2010. Each month a new track is completed and put on-line for download at http://thebodylyre.bandcamp.com/ At the end of the year the album will be released on vinyl. The music is guitar based and reverb heavy, with a touch of surf, a pinch of country and a sprinkling of Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra.

NORWAY: Eardrums
KooKooo Kitchen – Sweet Caress
KooKooo Kitchen is one of Oslo’s more interesting new bands. In front are Eva and Marianne, constantly fighting for attention with their vocals and guitars, sometimes nice and harmonic, the next second as rough and edgy as it can get. The girls are backed by Henning and Brox on bass and drums. The combination of their sharp, ringing guitar sound, the heavy use of toms and the in-your-face attitude of the vocals reminds me of the early days of Siouxsie and The Banshees. KooKooo Kitchen has a lot of the energy of The Banshees, but the music is filled with lovely pop-harmonies. As they say themselves “Dirt under their nails, and nail polish to cover the mess.” A video is currently in the making for their song Bedsheet. Keep an eye on their myspace page for details.

PERU: SoTB
Kinder – Encuentro Inesperado
Kinder is based on experimentation to create its sound, it has only an EP titled Mini-EP, on which each song is the result of the combination of different rhythms, electronic sequences and some playful samples. These features give Kinder, in several of its songs, a curious relationship to a childlike theme; this line achieves its balance when its sound gets into the instrumental environments. It’s probably this style that predominates in its first LP, ready for release sometime this year.

PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco?
Madame Godard – Atlas 1977
The quintet Madame Godard have (on MySpace) one of the best covers of Clashís Spanish Bombs that you will ever hear. They produce a sound that is a mix of world music, folk and pop but always humorous. After almost ten years of hiatus, they have released their first LP, Galapagos, this year, which has been acclaimed by the Portuguese critics and audience.

ROMANIA: Babylon Noise
Identitate – Alone
Alone. Sleepless nights and lonely early mornings when the lights go down and the dawn breaks. The music is rising in loops, choruses that add up to this beautiful and minimal psychedelia. Identitate is a Romanian artist currently splitting his life between London and Timisoara. His third album called Who I Am and What I Want features songs originally meant to be soundtracks for short films and it can be downloaded from here

SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop
LightGuides – The Lion And The Pocketwatch
It’s the middle of festival season and nothing goes down better than a meaty power-rock anthem, which makes LightGuides the perfect alfresco band for the summer. The Lion And The Pocketwatch has a monster chorus that Biffy Clyro would raise devil horns to, while singer Mark Cowan’s vocals aren’t too dissimilar to Nate Ruess of Fun/The Format fame.

SINGAPORE: I’m Waking Up To…
Cheating Sons – The Last Queen
Look at some Singaporean cliches and you’ll be faced with an urban cityscape with sterile modern amenities. But scratch the surface and you’ll remember that we were once a humble fishing village that actually remembered how to relax. Cheating Sons sounds like a band that is in the process of retracing those roots, turning over every leaf and scribbling notes in the margins of journals. To say they’re updating a nostalgic country-rock sound would be downplaying the creativity behind the band’s songwriting. While they’re still recording their debut album, they were nice enough to share this demo with us because everyone back home is so excited about the music these boys are making.

SOUTH AFRICA: Musical Mover & Shaker!
Jack Parow – Onder Draai Die Duiwel Joints
Move over Eminem. Jack Parow has arrived. Heís white. He raps. Oh and yes, heís Afrikaans. Jack Parow truly is original; he is in fact the ìoriginal donker dodgy Afrikaans rapperî. His lyrics are brash, brazen and funny and his song Onder Draai Die Duiwel Joints showcases his unique style. He has caused quite a stir in the music scene, locally and internationally alike. Heís set to take over the world. Watch out!

SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
Glittering Blackness, Fall – 3
After playing together for a few years, post-rock act Glittering Blackness, Fall took it in their own hands to release an untitled EP – their first – at the beginning of this year. The septet counts a media graphics responsible to its members, ensuring interesting imagery to go with their captivating music. The song simply going by 3 builds up beautifully during the first half before a strong finale where the listener will wish for it never to come to an end. The whole EP is available for download from last.fm.

SWEDEN: Swedesplease
The Telepathics – 23:59
This little nugget of Italian/Swedish electro disco from The Telepathics is a certain cure for the end of summer blues. This duo is comprised of Cristiano and Isabella. The song is not quite as sunny as their sun drenched faces shown above, yet still it brightened my day considerably.

SWITZERLAND: 78s
Alvin Zealot – Bricks Over Bricks
If it comes to name a current common denominator in the Swiss rock music scene there is no getting around Alvin Zealot – four young guys from Lucerne who made a highly addictive and unpretentious rock’n'roll-record. Tears Of St. Lawrence sounds bold and experienced at the same time. Quite an effort for a debut by four teens.

VENEZUELA: Barquisimento
Tomates Fritos – Perdoname
Tomates Fritos was born in Puerto La Cruz, east of Venezuela and since the beginning, in 1997, the group has edited 4 LPs and have been part of important music festivals like Festival Nuevas Bandas (1998) and Cool Summer Music Festival (2002). Their music comes from mixing Spanish pop-rock with classic rock from the 60s and 70s, developing a unique sound, flooded with energy that has captivated tons of fans. This song, Perdoname, has been played very often in radio stations all over the country and belongs to their latest CD, Hombre Bala.

To download all 33 songs in one file click herenection-H.E.A.T.(Argentina).mp3]
The eighties are back! At least, that’s what we felt after listening to No Headphones Required, the cc-licensed brand new album by The Kyoto Connection. This amazing band delivers sweet electronic music mixed with Japanese juice and Flashdance-like synth sounds. If you like it, you can download the whole record from their website.

AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They?
Kimbra – Settle Down
[audio http://whothehell.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Settle-Down.mp3]
Iíve been following Kiwi-now-Melbournite Kimbraís work for a year now, most of it in the form of either guest performing with other bands or solo with a guitar work. Only recently Iíve heard her new stuff, produced by Franc Teta. The song Settle Down opens with cut up beat boxing vocals – a bit too close to Bertieís style of production for my liking – but is rescued and lifted by the chorus and soared into lush harmonies, that are all part of Kimbraís own signature sound.

BRAZIL: Meio Desligado
Dead Lover’s Twisted Heart – Where I Am
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-07/Dead_Lovers_Twisted_Heart_-_Where_I_Am_-_Brazil.mp3]
Where I Am is part of the first full length album of the Brazilian band Dead Loverís Twisted Heart, released a few weeks ago. Far away from the indie-folk influences that are highlighted in the bandís history, itís a great pop song which could easily be in any album from She & Him or The Ting Tings.

CANADA: I(Heart)Music
Forest City Lovers – Pocketful Of Rocks
[audio http://www.iheartmusic.net/mp3/ForestCityLovers-PocketfulOfRocks.mp3]
Over the last few years, Forest City Lovers has morphed from simply being a vehicle for Kat Burns’ acoustic folk into a full band with a knack for writing catchy folk-pop. On their new album, Carriage, Burns is joined by members of The D’Urbervilles, Ohbijou and Born Ruffians, among others. As this track (on which Burns is joined by Ruffians front man Luke Lalonde) demonstrates, the results are simply magical.

CHILE: Super 45
Maifersoni – La Turbulencia Quiere Hacernos Levantar Hoy
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-07/Maifersoni_-_La_Turbulencia_Quiere_Hacernos_Levantar_Hoy_-_Chile.mp3]
Maifersoni is the musical adventure of young Enrique Elgueta, in which he decides to blend psychedelia and noise in a lo-fi-ish perspective, with a strong pop accent. Taller Deslizante (Gliding Loom) is his first work, released this month on Chilean net label Michita Rex. It captures Panda Bear’s contemplative spirit, Sonic Youth’s fondness for experimentation and Vashti Bunyan’s warmth, creating a resounding weave that – with the likes of El Sueno De La Casa Propia and De Janeiros (both highlighted on earlier editions of MAP) – is giving Chilean pop a new perspective.

CHINA: Wooozy
Lilysay – Last Party
[audio http://www.wooozy.cn/wp-content/uploads/MAP/2010.7/Lilysay%20-%20Last%20Party%20(China).mp3]
The band Lilisay is a Beijing-based trip-hop band, founded by Lilisay and Shang Shao in March, 2010. At first the band started as a shoegaze duo, but as time went on they have evolved into a trip-hop band. After the first gig at D22, Lilisay met Li Wei. Sharing the same taste in music, they decided to collaborate. After several rehearsals and performances, they settled on Trip Hop/Electronica. Last Party is one of their early songs, which reminds a lot of the 80s shoegaze stuff.

DENMARK: All Scandinavian
Waking Life – Chirango
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-07/Waking_Life_-_Chirango_-_Denmark.mp3]
With The Flaming Lips and The Shins among their influences, Copenhagen based six-piece Waking Life work in uplifting, danceable ways. Hereís first single, Chirango – from their forthcoming debut album Fiction – an upbeat indierock song with ukulele, bells, trombone and whatnot that would make you all smiles if it hadnít been for the rather serious lyrics.

ENGLAND: The Daily Growl
Wet Paint – Dead Night
[audio http://www.thedailygrowl.co.uk/downloads/WetPaint-DeadNight-England.mp3]
Here’s a wee MAP exclusive. Ace east London scuzzy rock types Wet Paint are back with another album of great tunes and noisy guitars. No word yet of when the album’s going to be released, but here is a track from it. A sneak preview of what’s going to be a fantastic record.

ESTONIA: Popop
Opium Flirt – Parade In Chimes
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-07/Opium_Flirt_-_Parade_in_Chimes_-_Estonia.mp3]
Opium Flirt have been playing live, writing and recording music since 2004. Projects have included music for multimedia installations, films and choreographic performances.
Parade In Chimes is taken from the new album DejaVoodoo.

FINLAND: Glue
Delay Trees – Cassette 2012
[audio http://www.glue.fi/mp3/delay_trees_cassette_2012_finland.mp3]
Just a little bit over a year ago, MAP featured a song by a Helsinki indie band that shocked the scene with a superb self-released EP. Now signed with an important label, Delay Trees offer the first single off their debut full length, out in September. The dreamy intensity of Cassette 2012 anticipates a new round of tender pop songs that will melt your ears.

FRANCE: ZikNation
I Love My Neighbours – Swedish Babe
[audio http://files.me.com/damienjouvenceau/bo9lty.mp3]
Everyone has neighbors. You can hate them or love themÖ but one thing is for sure: it’s impossible not to love these crazy Neighbours. Presented as a big step between Block Party and Nirvana, I Love My Neighbours is a very good acidulated pop/rock band. Instigated by an omnipresent battery and swaying bass riffs, the three boys swing between pop songs and true aggressiveness. A schizophrenia materialized by the guitar riffs and the melodic and tortured voice of the singer. A noted French magazine called Les Inrocks wrote about them : ” These Parisians enter by the large door of the new english scene, dance and pop, with a full bag with catapults provided by Nirvana “. Prepare yourself to apply the theory of the “Bang Bang”, because there’s gonna be rock n’roll…

GERMANY: Blogpartei
Herpes – Keine Experimente
[audio http://www.blogpartei.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Herpes-KeineExperimenteGermany.mp3]
Herpes may be the most ‘German’ band ever, posted on the MAP. Their straight-forward electropunk with pseudo-political lyrics draw the line from infamous Superpunk to the stepsons of Kraftwerk, like Trio or DAF. Hence, their label has to be Tapete Records, and yeah, of course they live in Berlin. Keine Experimente is the single from their recently released album Das Kommt Vom Kussen.

GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda
Mikael Delta – She’s A Boy
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-07/Mikael_Delta_-_Shes_A_Boy_-_Greece.mp3]
Mikael Delta began his career as a member of the band Stereo Nova. He is one of the most prolific and influential musicians in Greece in the past decade. His latest album, Tech Me Away is made of thrillingly danceable sounds and references to techno music scene, disco and electronica.This is music that hits the head, heart and hips all at once. You can dance to almost anything here. She’s A Boy demonstrates Deltaís talent for building simple, clattering dance beats and riffs into audio addictions. But what takes you by surprise is Etten’s marvellous voice, which pops up like a primary color and paints absolutely stellar pictures.

ICELAND: I Love Icelandic Music
Cosmic Call – Owls
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-07/Cosmic_Call_-_Owls_-_Iceland.mp3]
Cosmic Call is a five-piece indie rock band from Akranes, a small town on the West Coast of Iceland. Band members are singer/guitarist Sigurmon, Fjolnir on guitar, synthesizer & backing vocals, Begga on bass and backing vocals, drummer Petur & Asa on violin & synthesizer. They are inspired by Arcade Fire, The Cure, The Pixies, Joy Division & Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They recorded one EP so far, which was released on July 24, 2009. The song Owls is a track of this limited, hand sewed edition of 1000 copies made by the band & family members.

INDONESIA: Deathrockstar
Sir Dandy – Jakarta Motor City
[audio http://deathrockstar.info/media/sampratot/2010_07_june/Sir_Dandy-JakartaMotorcity-Indonesia.mp3]
Sir Dandy or Dandy Ramdhani or Acong, is the vocalist of one of the most obscure garage band in Indonesia Teenage Death Star, known for their quirky style on stage. This is his latest project, recording ballads using only his guitar and sunglasses on his garage-band software. This song tells us the story about the motorcycle flood in Jakarta.

IRELAND: Nialler9
Bingo – Cold Without You
[audio http://www.nialler9.com/mp3/Bingo_-_Cold_Without_You_Ireland.mp3]
Bingo is a 21 year-old producer from Dublin who makes luscious tracks with nods to dubstep, garage and UK funky. His music recalls the likes of Mount Kimbie, James Blake and Burial. If you find yourself in Dublin on a Saturday night, be sure to check the listings to see if Float, Bingo’s new club night is taking place in either Twisted Pepper or Tripod. You’ll find the likes of the vocal-twisting Cold Without You coming out of the speakers.

ISRAEL: Metal Israel
Ghost Bike – Ghost Writer
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-07/Ghost_Bike_-_Ghostwriter_-_Israel.mp3]
Jerusalem, Israel’s Ghost Bike will take you on an ambient trip-hop via the vehicle of dub-influenced electronica, spinning your mind in sonic circles with aural tales of dark, intense emotion. Diverse musical elements like Middle Eastern chants and beats mix with spooky haunted house effects and everything in between to create this sonic tapestry. Some Hollywood producer in need of a soundtrack should pick this stuff up.

ITALY: Polaroid
Movie Star Junkies – The Wallnut Tree
[audio http://www.polaroidallaradio.it/audio/Movie_Star_Junkies_-_The_Walnut_Tree.mp3]
It’s summer, a damned hot summer. I wanted to sail away on an ocean wave but it’s all covered in spilt oil. I don’t care. My beloved surfboard wonít let me down. I put the new Movie Star Junkies record on (wild guys, you should see them live) and drink last drop of rum. A toast to the Birthday Party and the Gun Club. Everything is perfect now. C’mon, let’s put out to sea. Goodbye.

JAPAN: JPOP Lover
Sputniko! – Google Song
[audio http://jpoplover.net/mp3/sputniko%20-%20google%20song%20%28JAPAN%29.mp3]
Sputniko! (Hiromi Ozaki) is an experimental electro pop female musician based in London. Since 2007 Sputniko! has shown music, performances and films exploring intersections between technology and popular culture. In 2009 she published the DVD Parakonpe 3000, a collection of eccentric music videos talking about the quirky ways in which we engage with technology, such as google searching your crush’s name or desiring to become a cyborg to eliminate periods.

MEXICO: Red Bull PanameriKa
Orlando – Solo Dios Sabe
[audio http://panamerika.fm/blog/media/audio/mp3s/orlando_-_solo_dios_sabe.mp3]
Orlando is a singer from Tijuana, Mexico with an organic approach to his compositions. He creates memorable pop choruses that rely on acoustic progressions and just released his first formal LP titled Capullo. This is the first single from the record, under production and arrangements from his collaborator El Poeta and additional mixing by the much respected composer Murcof (also from Tijuana). Solo Dios Sabe is a song that ideally represents Orlando’s soft acoustic sound and its blend with slight electronic details.

NETHERLANDS: Unfold Amsterdam
Bird On The Wire – Strange Days
[audio http://www.unfoldamsterdam.nl/music/birdonthewire-strangedays.mp3]
Although formed in the harsh winter of 2010, when their first burst of song material emerged, Amsterdam trio Bird on the Wire write laid-back indie pop that’s perfect for a sweltering summer. Simple, sweet and ever so slightly melancholic, the soft, lulling vocal harmonies of Rosa, Thijs and Nina remind of Camera Obscura, balancing the folk sounds of the ’60s with contemporary lo-fi pop.

NEW ZEALAND: Counting The Beat
The Body Lyre – Pig
[audio http://map.countingthebeat.gen.nz/The%20Body%20Lyre%20-%20Pig%20%28New%20Zealand%29.mp3]
The Body Lyre is a multi-instrumental duo putting together an album, Escape Songs, song by song over the 12 months of 2010. Each month a new track is completed and put on-line for download at http://thebodylyre.bandcamp.com/ At the end of the year the album will be released on vinyl. The music is guitar based and reverb heavy, with a touch of surf, a pinch of country and a sprinkling of Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra.

NORWAY: Eardrums
KooKooo Kitchen – Sweet Caress
[audio http://www.eardrumsmusic.com/MAP/KooKoooKitchen_SweetCaress_MAPNorway.mp3]
KooKooo Kitchen is one of Oslo’s more interesting new bands. In front are Eva and Marianne, constantly fighting for attention with their vocals and guitars, sometimes nice and harmonic, the next second as rough and edgy as it can get. The girls are backed by Henning and Brox on bass and drums. The combination of their sharp, ringing guitar sound, the heavy use of toms and the in-your-face attitude of the vocals reminds me of the early days of Siouxsie and The Banshees. KooKooo Kitchen has a lot of the energy of The Banshees, but the music is filled with lovely pop-harmonies. As they say themselves “Dirt under their nails, and nail polish to cover the mess.” A video is currently in the making for their song Bedsheet. Keep an eye on their myspace page for details.

PERU: SoTB
Kinder – Encuentro Inesperado
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-07/Kinder_-_Encuentro_Inesperado_-_Peru.mp3]
Kinder is based on experimentation to create its sound, it has only an EP titled Mini-EP, on which each song is the result of the combination of different rhythms, electronic sequences and some playful samples. These features give Kinder, in several of its songs, a curious relationship to a childlike theme; this line achieves its balance when its sound gets into the instrumental environments. It’s probably this style that predominates in its first LP, ready for release sometime this year.

PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco?
Madame Godard – Atlas 1977
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-07/Madame_Godard_-_Atlas_1977_-_Portugal.mp3]
The quintet Madame Godard have (on MySpace) one of the best covers of Clashís Spanish Bombs that you will ever hear. They produce a sound that is a mix of world music, folk and pop but always humorous. After almost ten years of hiatus, they have released their first LP, Galapagos, this year, which has been acclaimed by the Portuguese critics and audience.

ROMANIA: Babylon Noise
Identitate – Alone
[audio http://babylonoise.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/identitate_-_aloneromania.mp3]
Alone. Sleepless nights and lonely early mornings when the lights go down and the dawn breaks. The music is rising in loops, choruses that add up to this beautiful and minimal psychedelia. Identitate is a Romanian artist currently splitting his life between London and Timisoara. His third album called Who I Am and What I Want features songs originally meant to be soundtracks for short films and it can be downloaded from here

SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop
LightGuides – The Lion And The Pocketwatch
[audio http://thepopcop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/LightGuides-The-Lion-And-The-Pocketwatch-Scotland.mp3]
It’s the middle of festival season and nothing goes down better than a meaty power-rock anthem, which makes LightGuides the perfect alfresco band for the summer. The Lion And The Pocketwatch has a monster chorus that Biffy Clyro would raise devil horns to, while singer Mark Cowan’s vocals aren’t too dissimilar to Nate Ruess of Fun/The Format fame.

SINGAPORE: I’m Waking Up To…
Cheating Sons – The Last Queen
[audio http://wakingupto.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/cheating-sons-the-last-queen-singapore.mp3]
Look at some Singaporean cliches and you’ll be faced with an urban cityscape with sterile modern amenities. But scratch the surface and you’ll remember that we were once a humble fishing village that actually remembered how to relax. Cheating Sons sounds like a band that is in the process of retracing those roots, turning over every leaf and scribbling notes in the margins of journals. To say they’re updating a nostalgic country-rock sound would be downplaying the creativity behind the band’s songwriting. While they’re still recording their debut album, they were nice enough to share this demo with us because everyone back home is so excited about the music these boys are making.

SOUTH AFRICA: Musical Mover & Shaker!
Jack Parow – Onder Draai Die Duiwel Joints
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-06/Jack_Parow_-_Onder_Draai_Die_Duiwel_Joints_-_South_Africa.mp3]
Move over Eminem. Jack Parow has arrived. Heís white. He raps. Oh and yes, heís Afrikaans. Jack Parow truly is original; he is in fact the ìoriginal donker dodgy Afrikaans rapperî. His lyrics are brash, brazen and funny and his song Onder Draai Die Duiwel Joints showcases his unique style. He has caused quite a stir in the music scene, locally and internationally alike. Heís set to take over the world. Watch out!

SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
Glittering Blackness, Fall – 3
[audio http://map.super45.cl/map-2010-07/Glittering_Blackness_Fall_-_3_-_South_Korea.mp3]
After playing together for a few years, post-rock act Glittering Blackness, Fall took it in their own hands to release an untitled EP – their first – at the beginning of this year. The septet counts a media graphics responsible to its members, ensuring interesting imagery to go with their captivating music. The song simply going by 3 builds up beautifully during the first half before a strong finale where the listener will wish for it never to come to an end. The whole EP is available for download from last.fm.

SWEDEN: Swedesplease
The Telepathics – 23:59
[audio http://swedesplease.net/music/23-59.mp3]
This little nugget of Italian/Swedish electro disco from The Telepathics is a certain cure for the end of summer blues. This duo is comprised of Cristiano and Isabella. The song is not quite as sunny as their sun drenched faces shown above, yet still it brightened my day considerably.

SWITZERLAND: 78s
Alvin Zealot – Bricks Over Bricks
[audio http://www.78s.ch/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Alvin-Zealot-Bricks-Over-Bricks-Switzerland.mp3]
If it comes to name a current common denominator in the Swiss rock music scene there is no getting around Alvin Zealot – four young guys from Lucerne who made a highly addictive and unpretentious rock’n'roll-record. Tears Of St. Lawrence sounds bold and experienced at the same time. Quite an effort for a debut by four teens.

VENEZUELA: Barquisimento
Tomates Fritos – Perdoname
[audio https://dl.dropbox.com/u/5637913/MAP/TomatesFritos.Perdoname.Venezuela.mp3]
Tomates Fritos was born in Puerto La Cruz, east of Venezuela and since the beginning, in 1997, the group has edited 4 LPs and have been part of important music festivals like Festival Nuevas Bandas (1998) and Cool Summer Music Festival (2002). Their music comes from mixing Spanish pop-rock with classic rock from the 60s and 70s, developing a unique sound, flooded with energy that has captivated tons of fans. This song, Perdoname, has been played very often in radio stations all over the country and belongs to their latest CD, Hombre Bala.

To download all 33 songs in one file click here

My Facebook friend Shuki Weiss (anyone can be his friend, heh) is going to release the names of the other bands shortly – this event could bring thousands of people across the region to Tel Aviv. Motley Crue is confirmed by Raven Metal’s Yishai Sweartz not to be one of them, however.

There have been attempts to brainwash the Osbournes against Israel and induce Ozzy not to play by e-mail admonishments and forum spam.  But Sharon Osbourne, G-d bless her and may she have continued health, stated “we believe that music is beyond politics, and we do not take part in this.”  This is perceived as a joyous nose thumb to the racists who have badgered the Osbournes.

A few other wimpy, sanctimonious whiny little ‘artists’ have fallen prey to becoming political puppets, but not Ozzy!  Ozzfest in Israel will only prove to cement the loyalty of throngs of Israeli and Jewish fans to the Osbournes.  I, for one, intend to buy some merch if we can’t G-d forbid be in Israel at the time of the show.

And that’s a HUGE G-d forbid.

In any case, the Ozzfest village as seen across America is going to be staking its claim in HaYarkon Park, the thing is going to be freaking huge, costing an investment of almost $2 million and worth every penny, and it’s a historical moment.  \m/  Tickets are 325 NIS, soon to be 425 NIS.  VIP packages including an actual seat, T-shirt and luxury accommodations (what, free pita and hummus?!) will cost 1,100 NIS.  Ribono shel olam.

Join the official Ozzfest Tel Aviv Facebook page here.

…you know it would be so cool if they made sukkot instead a tents in that village/merch section they’re gonna put up…