While talking about Astroburger: Last month they played a concert at Kråkereiret in Moss with the support of Star Bug, and one of the in house photographers – Kjell Engvoldsen – took some really nice pictures that evening. You will find them here.

Disclaimer: The picture in this post is not taken by Kjell Engvoldsen, but is a crappy mobile phone picture taken by an unknown passerby.

Christmas is approaching, and Astroburger keeps the Christmas tradition alive by having a concert at Kafé Hærverk. They have called the evening The Moonrock Sonata, which is yet another pop opera celebrating the moon landing. Hopefully you are not sick and tired of pop operas on this topic after a year full of these, but take the opportunity to listen to Astruburgers take on this topic.

Date: December 19
Venue: Kafé Hærverk
Doors: 20:00

Yet again Astroburger will visit Kafé Hærverk in order to bring the indiepop joy to the masses. Date: June 27.

The Loch Ness Mouse keeps on trucking, and a couple of months ago the released a new record called The Loch Ness Mouse II. It was originally commissioned by the Japanese record label P-Vine (CD), but the Norwegian label Voices of Wonder expressed interest and has relesed the LP version of the record. The record mainly consists of new songs, but there are also some rerecorded oldies thrown in for good measure. The reviews of the album are very good, and you will find some quotes here – Norwegian only. And the LP is of course for sale in our popshop.

Christmas is approaching, and the same goes for the traditional pre-Christmas concert of Astroburger at Kafé Hærverk. Well, this is only the second year, but two times in a row is a tradition. Anyway, this year Astroburger have persuaded American Suitcase to join them for the evening, and since the December solstice occurs 22:23 (UTC) this evening, every signs tells us that this evening will be a blast.

Date: December 21
Venue: Kafé Hærverk
Doors: 21:00
Admission: 100,-

Our new releases have been available in our popshop for a while, but we have not told anyone about this – until now. But now you know, and since the covers are wall art you should ideally buy two of each.

The debut album of Oslo Ocsillator to be released and celebrited Saturday December 8th at Cafe Mono. The concert will start at 18:00, so don’t oversleep. Before and after the concert DJ PopLove with Vegard og Elin will turn the tables.

Date: December 8th
Venue: Cafe Mono
DJ PopLove from 17:00
Concert start: 18:00 sharp
Admission: Free

In a time when old shoegaze favourites reform to play to audiences deprived of music which they can identify with, it is refreshing to hear new acts who are not afraid of making the past their own.

The Norwegian six-piece Oslo Oscillator’s debut album City Nomads is loaded with references to past masters, whether it is the textured pop productions of the 60s or the hazy guitars of the golden era of indie rock. Breezy pop tunes interchange with swerving soundscapes. Old amps and organs crackle, as harmonies, noise and shy vocals cloak the ears of the listeners. Stereolab and Slowdive are some obvious references from the same musical neighbourhood.

Thematically, however, the album is focused on more distant locations, with Southern Africa representing a seemingly undrainable reservoir of nostalgia and inspiration for songwriter, vocalist and chief nomad Kåre Eriksen. On City Nomads Eriksen oscillates between past and present, Cape Town and Oslo, faith and faithlessness, lamenting a time lost. The result is hauntingly nostalgic, recognizable and a thing of beauty.

Both were approved.

Perfect Pop Records is not yet ready to become a former record label. Hopefully both POP68 and POP69 will be released in 2018. Test press of the latter was sent on Friday, so if we can avoid any meteorite impacts the next few months, some new music will be ready in time for shopping some Christmas gifts.