Some of you may recall Irelander So Cow's cover EP So Cow In A Shed from earlier this year. A few hours ago he tweeted a link to another cover EP, this time called So Cow In The Sitting Room, and just like last time there's a couple of covers of Korean songs: of Amature Amplifier's Manekin and I Love JH's Jenny. Download here!

If you don't already know them I'd strongly suggest you also check out I Love JH in original. Here's a music video for Jenny, they're on MySpace, and Espousal Records offers demo songs for download. Unfortunately the band is on a hiatus right now, but the guitarist now offers her services to Trampauline and as I've tweeted twice already, the vocalist is now making lovely music from the US as Oh My Melodies: Oh My Melodies - I Like It All. (Thanks to Espousal's Kyoungmo Kim for sharing information on the members' current activities a while back!)

New review over at wakesidevision today, this time the third full length album from Swallow: 스왈로우 (Swallow) – It Review.

I've been listening a bit to this album myself and was very pleased to hear so much of Lune on there. I had been hoping for something of a mix between Sun Insane (the first Swallow album - an altogether lovely release with several really strong tracks. Examples linked here) and Lune's debut (which is one of my favorites from this year - hear one reason why here), where he instead supports her. Although it was not exactly what I had hoped for the end result was an album that at least in my opinion surpassed Swallow's second album effort Aresco.

If you that have yet to hear anything from this very fine but perhaps not all that exciting album I'd recommend a look at the album promo. It was uploaded a few days ago by ComeAndHaveACoffee, that offers more videos from both Swallow and Lune alongside some other great acts.

Nothing much to say, except 3rd Line Butterfly obviously still has what it takes to make great music.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - November 29, 2009
1. Misty Blue - 하나
2. 3rd Line Butterfly - 깊은 밤 안개 속 [Hyang Music]
3. Asra IG - 기분 좋은 오늘 난
4. Late Spring - 오늘 하루 어땠나요
5. Dr.Core 911 - The Escape [MV]
6. Yong Won - 소리없는 새벽 (feat. Taru)
7. Geol - 미워하면 닮는다 (feat. Soulman)
8. suniswall - 정저지가 [website]
9. Nell - Stay [MV]
10. Jang Kiha & The Faces - 달이 차오른다, 가자 [MV]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
18. 3rd Line Butterfly - 무언가 나의 곁에 [@ SSam]
19. Vodka Rain - 서랍을 비우다 [@ MBC Radio FM4U]
20. 3rd Line Butterfly - Nine Days
34. Misty Blue - 가을의 용기
92. Asra IG - 댄스 위드 미
97. Asra IG - 종이위의 밥말리

See the full top 100 list here.

Acoustic pop band Asra IG debuted with a single called Asra IG Introduce on November 19. If you have a Cyworld account, you should be able to find plenty of video clips at their Cyworld Club. If not this Damien Rice cover will have to do. So far my favorite thing about them is that they have a member playing contrabass, but once I've had a chance of hearing it I'm sure their music will have some appeal as well.

A month after the release of new EP 이분쉼표, soft rock band Vodka Rain finally sees title track 서랍을 비우다 enter the chart.

This week Violet Sweets shared the news that there will be a Joa Band documentary, What Do You Do? (좋아서 만든 영화), released on December 17: [Joa Band] goes Cinema.

Another indie band with its own movie is Sogyumo Acacia Band. Min Hwan-ki's documentary Sogyumo Acacia Band's Story (소규모아카시아밴드 이야기) was first screened in May this year at JIFF, and while in Korea I learned that it would be possible to see it again in November or so. How and when exactly remains somewhat unclear.

As usual, Austin festival SXSW (South by Southwest) will be held in March next year. The first 200 showcasing bands where announced a couple of days ago and so far there's one Korean band on the list: Gong Myoung.

I remember being quite fond of their modern Korean traditional tyle a bunch of years back (although I would usually refer to them as Resonance) but I had pretty much forgotten about them till now. Turns out they celebrated 10 years in February this year by releasing an anniversary live album.

Keep an eye open for more Korean band names as the list is updated! I've heard that one of the bands interviewed here at Indieful ROK has applied to go to SXSW next year too - if they can also go on a small tour in eastern USA around that time, that is.

After having problem finding enough information on Pirigwa, Janet settled for a "mini-view" instead of an overview of the now defunct band: artist mini-view: Pirigwa [피리과]

As you may recall (and as Janet points out) there's a couple of Pirigwa mp3s available for download here - all legal of course - if you have yet to hear what they sound like.

Oh, and since we're on the topic: I came across ithinkso compilation vol.1, from design company ithinkso featuring Pirigwa's Pajama Party. When exactly it was released I don't know, but it should be some time in 2009. It also includes Yeongene's take on Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head alongside songs from Britain's Lucky Soul, Indonesia's Mocca, and Japan's Instant Cytron. Full tracklist here.

The weekend is no longer my friend and so last week's indie chart from Bugs is a bit delayed. Dr.Core 911 was still topping the chart with the title track from their EP, that got a CD release today, November 26.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - November 22, 2009
1. Dr.Core 911 - The Escape [MV]
2. Yong Won - 소리없는 새벽 (feat. Taru)
3. suniswall - 정저지가 [website]
4. Geol - 미워하면 닮는다 (feat. Soulman)
5. Itta - 다시 [MySpace]
6. Began Who - 별이진다
7. Misty Blue - 하나
8. Jang Kiha & The Faces - 싸구려 커피 [@ EBS Space]
9. Nell - Stay [MV]
10. Broccoli, you too? - 앵콜요청금지 [@ MBC nanjang]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
26. Late Spring - 늦봄
29. Lazybone - 시작되는 연인들을 위하여 [MV]
30. Nangman Band - 노래 [website]
69. Misty Blue - 지상에서의 마지막 연인
70. Misty Blue - 청춘지도
78. Raon - 꿈... 그리고 소녀
80. The Black Skirts - Dientes [MV]

See the full top 100 list here.

The only new song in the top 10 this time is the classic Nell song from Let It Rain. Released in 2003, it was the third full length album from Nell and the first released with the support of Seo Tai Ji.

Male group Late Spring album debuted with a self titled album, 늦봄, on November 16. The album includes what is supposed to be 11 indie rock tracks, one curiously named Obradi Obrada but it does not appear to be a cover. "Late, but not too late", the album info says.

Released on the 2006 EP Leave Behind Emotion, Lazybone's 시작되는 연인들을 위하여 was the first song to be promoted after the band left its initial ska-punk sound too become "mellow punk". Interesting title considering the band itself claims emocore influences.

After having first single Spring Roll distributed by Pastel Music, Nangman Band's first full length album, 노래, was released through Dreambeat on November 19. Only 골목 from the single appears to have made it to the album, in a remade version at that. The 11 track release also includes a remake of 달팽이 - a cover of the classic Panic ballad, I presume.

Raon, not to be confused with the kpop trio active a few years ago, debuted with a digital mini album called 꿈... 그리고 소녀 on November 12. Should be some kind of funky blues rock music.

Janet is back with more posts over at make-shift cartology. Since last time she has
- done a group interview of Belle Epoque: group overview: Belle Epoque [벨 에포크]
- written an artist overview for one of this year's strongest debuts, Lune: artist overview: Lune [루네]
- reviewed Han Hee Jung's first full length album: Han Hee Jeong vol.1: Your Document

Oh, and in case you happen to know a bit or two about Pirigwa, please have a look in Indieful ROK's shoutbox for a few questions from Janet.

For as long as I've been working, I've been one of those people that really like Mondays. This is true now more than ever as weekends are keeping me far too busy with things I should've taken care of long time ago with little to no time for updates here. Hopefully that'll change soon, but till then here's a bunch of fairly recent links I didn't have time to post sooner:

- Following Mint Paper's Cat, Dog, and Man + Woman story compilations, where selected Korean indie artists have contributed with new material around a theme, the next Mint Paper project will be called LIFE and is expected to be released next spring reports Violet Sweets: [Mintpaper] New Compilation.

- Dain Leathem over at the Korea Gig Guide has written a bit on Korean reggae and ska, including a few impressions from a recent event at Club Ta: Korean Reggae Scene Keeps Getting Stronger


- wassereis has found and translated a self-interview by modern rock guy Naru. A fun read where we learn that he used to listen to kpop legends H.O.T.: [Naru] Selfinterview


- "Afro Soul Funk" band Serengeti played the third and last night of their Safari Tour season 3 this weekend. wassereis was there and experienced the story based event first hand: Safari Tour Season 3, 3rd Episode


- Lounge duo Fortune Cookie has had their first album reviewed at wakesidevision: Fortune Cookie – The Beginning of Fortune Review

Yet another review at wakesidevision! This time having listened to the first album from the side project of Misty Blue's bassist, Belle Epoque's 일요일들: Belle Epoque – Summer Stone Review.

It's fall and so the time has come for the third release in Misty Blue's EP series. This time the title is 3/4 Sentimental Steady Seller - 가을의 용기 and the release date is set to November 20.

Today Janet posted an overview of rock band The Breeze at make-shift cartology: group overview: The Breeze [브리즈]

As she points out, the band recently returned with a new EP. It was released October 28 and it's called Begin Anew - a suitable title as this release comes more than five years after second full length Counterblow, featuring the song 뭐라할까 which gave the band a bit of attention through movie Romance Of Their Own (늑대의 유혹) back in 2004. Two of the songs from the new release have MVs to go with them: 촛불 and I Will Be There.

New 99anger review at wakesidevision today! This time of the EP that was re-released earlier this eyar: 99Anger – The Anger and The Sadness Review

Five member pop punk act The APOP is back together and they sound catchier than ever! Digital single Snowfall will be released later this month and after a sneak preview (?) I can't seem to get the title track out of my head. Thanks to GMC's Kyono I could ask the guys a few questions:

What is the April Party of Pop?
It literally means a party in April and The month The Apop was formed in April 2007. And also it means that we wanna enjoy ourselves playing music with happiness and pleasure just like a party in April.

You just got reunited - what happened?
mmmm....The reason we broke up was that we couldn't find a common point in music from each member at the time. It's really true that we have been missing each other so bad because we had done everything together before we got separated. And eventually we have just gotten reunited and are trying hard to do many things as much as we could. No one knows how long can we keep playing together as The APOP members but the crucial thing is that we are back to scene to play music with happiness.

Snowfall is almost too catchy. What can you tell us about it?
The song, Snowfall contains a fairy tale about the one who just escaped from the realities of his/her life travels to find the beloved riding on an ice carriage. This song is what we all The APOP members like the most.

What can we expect from the EP next year?
We are planning to get a come-back show on Dec 26h this year and we are expecting to play five more shows for new EP promo next year. We don't think we are gonna play lots of shows but we are trying to appeal to fans, winning them over with our tighter musical power. We think we are gonna rest for a while after five shows next year and we will be trying hard to get back to the game with much greater The APOP. Lastly, The Apop is gonna try to make your ears feel sweet with cotton candy like The APOP music.

The APOP is starting over !!! Please come to our shows and enjoy them !!!

---

As mentioned above, digital single Snowfall will come online later this month, and some time mid to late January 2010 a full EP by the name of Waiting Seasons will be released.

And let me just say something more about Snowfall: For me the whole point of listening to this kind of emo, pop punk (or whatever to call it) music is to get something catchy that'll not just keep my mood up but also provide a boost of energy. Snowfall does that with ease. As the song continues it keeps getting better, and all of a sudden there's a bit of synth action taking it even further!

Had The APOP been a band in one of many other places, they would've had hordes of teenage fans screaming in front of the stage whenever they went on. And if they would somehow record a ballad (and I'm not sure I would encourage that, but I'm saying if) they'd be the kind of band to get on the top 40 chart and stay there for many, many months. Hear for yourself at MySpace!

New post at Init_Music last week with lots of video material pertaining to the male + female artist collaboration album mentioned yesterday when refresh_daemon offers yet another well written review: Inbox: 남과여... 그리고 이야기

Janet has had a listen to Plastic People and shared some impressions from the folk rock duo's latest effort a couple of days ago: Plastic People vol.3 : Snap

And wakesidevision now offers a brief analysis of Cherry Filter's 3rd full length album, first released in 2003: Cherry Filter – Third Eye Review

3rd Line Butterfly is alive! Come November 19, the band once so popular because of their outstanding work for wonderful drama Ruler of Your Own World (네 멋대로 해라) celebrates 10 years since debuting - after more than five years of silence on the record front - by releasing an EP called Nine Days Or A Million. The EP holds five new titles, and two of them - 티티카카 (Titicaca) and 깊은 밤 안개 속 (A Heavy Night Fog)- can be downloaded and sampled in full (wma) from Hyang Music.

You may recall singer/songwriter Yang Yang as the female paired with Tearliner on Mint Paper's male + female collaboration album earlier this year. She album debuted as Yang Joon Jeong with the album Go! 고! in 2000, and released her first album as Yang Yang, 시시콜콜한 이야기, on November 3 this year. The album contains all songs from the previously released digital singles 길 위에서 (2008) and 오 사랑이여 (2009) alongside a bunch of new titles. Check out the MV for new album main track 나는 here.

The third official demo from Broccoli, you too?, called 브로콜리O마저, was released October 30. The CD holds 6 tracks - new titles 이젠 안녕 and 그 모든 진짜 같던 거짓말; live versions of 앵콜요청금지 EP songs 끝 and 마침표; yet another title from the 앵콜요청금지 EP (청춘열차); and 꾸꾸꾸 from the first officially released Broccoli, you too? demo.

So those release updates for October I mentioned last week probably won't happen. Can't say I understand why, but for some reason I find myself busier than usual and I'd rather catch up with November. Some of the November releases you'll find already in this post - I must say they all seem very interesting!

Bugs Indie TOP10 - November 15, 2009
1. Dr.Core 911 - The Escape [MV]
2. Began Who - 별이진다
3. Yong Won - 소리없는 새벽 (feat. Taru)
4. Geol - 평범하게 사는게 제일 힘든 것 같아
5. Itta - 다시 [MySpace]
6. Autumn Vacation - 가을방학 [MySpace]
7. Swallow - 두 사람
8. Jang Kiha & The Faces - 싸구려 커피 [@ EBS Space]
9. Broccoli, you too? - 앵콜요청금지 [@ MBC nanjang]
10. Avoid Tale - I'm Fine

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
18. suniswall - 정저지가 [website]
19. Geol - 미워하면 닮는다 (feat. Soulman)
27. Taru - 연애의 방식 [@ studio]
49. Tie - 양 한 마리 양 두 마리 [MV]
69. Geol - 너와 나만 아는 이야기
71. Yong Won - 유리소년 (feat. Shina-e)
73. Yong Won - 서툰하루

See the full top 100 list here.

Once the keyboardist of soul pop act G.Fla, Geol solo debuted with an 8 track release called 미워하면 닮는다 on November 5. What she sounds like on her own I don't know, but Bugs has her listed as pop rock, indie pop, and electronic pop. G.Fla vocalist Jung In is featured on a track called 껌 whereas I&I Djangdan's "Corean voice" Jang-Goon adds some traditional Korean flavor to Geol's take on Arirang.

Always intriguing experimental artist itta released an album called Re:POPS! on November 5. While fairly often featured by various hiphop artists, it's now her time to feature some herself after having studied studied '60-70s Korean psych pop and today's Korean underground hiphop for her new project album.

Suniswall released album debut 정저지가 on their own some time in October and followed up with a digital release on November 9. The four member band hailing from Gwangju refers to their music as piano pop. The listen section of their website contains short samples for everything from the album, and if you want to hear more there's YouTube.

Mellow singer/songwriter Tie solo debuted with a digital single called 너에게 달려 in August this year and returned with a five track release by the name of 양 한 마리 양 두 마리 on November 4. It seems he's got plenty of lovely music to offer. And cute videos to go with it.

It's the 15th and time for another 34 songs from all over the world! Representing Korea this month is Beatball's Playgirl. If 해피매니아 below is to your liking, you can hear more at MySpace. Learn more on Playgirl through Indieful ROK's mini interview, or check out the girls' offical bios.

ARGENTINA: Zonaindie
Entre Ríos - Frontera
Finally we get the chance to showcase this great indie-pop band from Buenos Aires on MAP. Entre Ríos is a musical project led by Sebastian Carreras (vocals, keyboards, guitar) that has been around since 1998. Their first albums were recorded with Isol as the main singer, but since her departure in 2005 they've featured different guest vocalists live and in the studio. Frontera is a MAP-exclusive premiere from their brand new EP that will be released in a couple of weeks, with Josefina Mac Loughlin on vocals.

AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They?
Boy & Bear - Mexican Mavis
Sydney singer-songwriter Dave Hosking has taken a slight change of direction with his new outfit Boy & Bear. Releasing his first EP Marmalade Hill late last year, Hosking has decided to abandon the songs from the album (which I was still rather fond of) and start fresh, writing towards a more mature and original sound. Producer of the first EP, Andrew Macken, has proven to be a great collaborator with his intricate and almost narrative-based approach to the arrangement and production.

BRAZIL: Meio Desligado
The Name - Come Out Tonite
If I had to bet which Brazilian band could repeat the success of CSS on foreign lands it would be The Name. Assonance, their new well-produced EP, presents songs that could put them side by side with some of the greatest names of the post-punk revival of the 00s or the major bands of nu-rave scene. Come Out Tonite is here to prove it.

CANADA: I(Heart)Music
Magneta Lane - Love And Greed
Magneta Lane were on the verge of world (well, Canadian) domination a few years ago, and then they suddenly vanished. They're back now with a new album, Gambling With God, but you wouldn't know it from the total lack of support the album is getting from both the band and their label. Nonetheless, it's a pretty outstanding release, and as songs like Love And Greed show, Magneta Lane could still conquer the world... assuming, that is, they want to.

CHILE: Super 45
Astro - Raifilter
Alongside electro-poppers Moustache, Astro (Andrés Nusser and Octavio Cavieres) is one of those noble bands cultivating the sound of acts such as MGMT or The Knife - just on the verge of the night spectrum of pop - acquiring a good combination of simplicity and a good dose of highly contagious fun for their debut album Le Disc Du Astrou. Following this trail, Raifilter is a song with a very special melody, the result of very intense arrangements as well excellent vocals courtesy of Nusser, who shapes a beach-like tune to give us a perfect excuse to have a neverending sound party.

CHINA: Wooozy
Loudspeaker - I Will Be Back
Established in 1999, Loudspeaker is the hardcore pioneer in Shanghai. This song is from the I Will Be Back EP released in September. You can download the whole EP here. Loudspeaker's new album will be ready at the beginning of 2010.

COLOMBIA: Colombia Urbana
Hety And Zambo - Proud
Hety And Zambo are a duo with the capacity to get you on your feet and dance. The Kings of Creole, as everyone knows them in the dancehall underground scene, came together six years ago in the island of San Andres with one objective - to create good music with their own rhythms, writings and language.

DENMARK: All Scandinavian
The Kites - Play
I stumbled across these guys on a MySpace cruise recently and was immediately charmed by their quite British-sounding pop-rock. The Kites may not be revolutionizing music, but less has been known to do it. Not least when it's this infectious. Get Play exclusively via MAP and then head to their MySpace page and check out the equally excellent Balloons.

ENGLAND: The Daily Growl
Jeremy Warmsley - Dancing With The Enemy
Rather than something new this month, here's an old favourite from one of my favourite British singer-songwriters, Jeremy Warmsley. It's from his How We Became album of last year. If you like this, he's got a free acoustic EP available via his MySpace and he's also fronting a new band Acres, Acres. Watch out for them.

ESTONIA: Popop
Antonina - Itsuyorimo
When Helene Vetik started to write music, she played on the streets to get some pocket money, started a high school punk-band that didn't last long and sang at cheesy corporate parties. However, it was when she began to record her old songs into lo-fi electro-pop that she teamed up with Zanduro (keyboard) and Mihkel Masso (guitar) to form Antonina.

FINLAND: Glue
Cleaning Women - Across The Void
From planet Clinus 1 robots CW01, CW03 and CW04 (subbing for CW02 who was lost in action) create industrial avant garde music using a wide array of instruments, some rock lines, a few jazzy beats and a lot of funky grooves. The trio has just released its third album, <<U>>, which includes some futuristic tracks that could form the soundtrack of a Philip K Dick novel. One of them is the instrumental Across The Void, a good example of the spooky atmospheric music these hygienic robots make.

FRANCE: ZikNation
Kitsch Device - Is This Home Now?
Kitsch Device is a group straight out of the Parisian scene who take us on a high. They first started playing as a hobby but they now scour concert rooms in Paris and are always a blast to watch for their style and professionalism. Is This Home Now? carries a folk-rock melody which will make you shake your head and tap the floor with your foot to the beat.

GERMANY: Blogpartei
Candelilla - #13
Candelilla is a female four-piece based in Munich. Their impulsive sound fits into no existing scheme - it varies from Dresden Dolls to Sonic Youth, from punky grunge to vanguard indie. Straight drums accompany the piano, a whetted guitar accents murky basslines, all highlighted by the staccato voices. #13 is the first single from their debut reasonreasonreasonreason.

GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda
Giannis Aggelakas - Volta Sto Dasos
Psyhi Vathia is the soundtrack for a movie directed by Pantelis Voulgaris. It takes place in 1949 and tells the story of two brothers who fight in two different camps during the Greek civil war. Giannis Aggelakas, who was singer and songwriter of the legendary rock band Trypes, composes an emotionally compelling score drawing on traditional musical heritage. Sad, evocative instrumental melodies rich with contemporary elements coalesce with ethnic nuance that depict the era and echo the film's mood. Volta Sto Dasos ("Walk In The Woods") is a marvelous track that reflects the two elements of the movie - pain and hope - through the lament of violin and the serenity of the guitar.

ICELAND: I Love Icelandic Music
Kimono - Black
Kimono is an experimental rock trio hailing from Reykjavik and Halifax, Canada. They have released three full-length albums, the last one in collaboration with Icelandic producer Curver (of Ghostigital). Black will be on their upcoming fourth album, Easy Music For Difficult People.

INDIA: Indiecision
Pinknoise - Dream Dream
Pinknoise is an experimental rock act from Kolkata that takes nu-jazz sensibilities and combines them with angular, guitar-driven rock. Dream Dream comes from a soon-to-be-released live DVD. It's the quintessential spacious, open jam that frontlady Jayashree Singh orchestrates with this band. With mid-song tempo changes and lazy atmospherics, it's a fun five minutes through slacker town.

INDONESIA: Deathrockstar
Santamonica - Bobsessed
Santamonica's album Curiouser And Curiouser was praised by the media as an eclectic mixture of pop, bossa nova, electronic and classic waltz drawing influences from Astrud Gilberto, Antonio Carlos< Jobim and My Bloody Valentine to classic Disney soundtracks.

IRELAND: Nialler9
Band On An Island - Back Disco
The debut release from Kildare's Band On An Island, The Sound Sweep, revels in the details of hometown life, taking in nights by the campfire, love, drinking, getting into trouble, picking yourself up again and this cute nightclub-themed song featuring the vocals of Claire Prendergast. Combine these myriad of issues with the music - a mix of country, folk, raucous guitar music and heartfelt ballads - and you've got the essence of Band On An Island.

ITALY: Polaroid
Annie Hall - Morning News
It would be too easy to describe the sound of the Annie Hall as a Beatles influence revised through a folk sensibility. But this way you would overlook the simple fact that these songs are truly touching in such an immediate way. Annie Hall just released their second album and are now ready to spend the next months touring the country non-stop, as they usually do.

JAPAN: JPOP Lover
Sebastian X - Tour Star People
Sebastian X are an impressive Tokyo-based outfit with indie-pop and punkish leanings. Their brilliant debut album Wonderful World was finally released last week. The band, who don't use guitars, have catchy melodies driven by the cute pop vocal of Manatsu Nagahara.

MEXICO: Red Bull PanameriKa
Pepepe (feat. Cyane) - Sleep With You
Here is a track from Pepepe's latest album, Roba Orgón de Plantas y Animales, released on the Poni Republic label. Pepepe is one of the monikers of Pesina Siller, a 21-year-old electronic musician and visual artist who was ranked among the top 50 in Radiohead's Reckoner remix contest. He's the kid behind various projects that show the multiple faces to his mystic persona, with sounds that go from dubstep to psychedelic folk. This song is full of clicks, cuts, lots of aleatory processing and a beautiful collaboration with Guadalajara's vocalist Cyane.

NEW ZEALAND: Counting The Beat
Psychic Powers - Wellington
Psychic Powers are an international duo - Nik Brinkman is a New Zealander and Alejandro Cohen is from Los Angeles. The two collaborate on songwriting from opposite sides of the world via the internet. This piece of very 80s sounding synth-pop is about Nik's home town, New Zealand's capital city, Wellington - bringing together the local and the global in a way that seems purpose made for the Music Alliance Pact. The song has been released on 7" vinyl by US label Geographic North.

NORWAY: Eardrums
Kråkesølv - Privat Regn
Kråkesølv is a quartet from Bodø, a town in the north of Norway. They sing in their dialect and their music can be put somewhere between pop, indie and post-rock. The band have received much acclaim for their lyrics and the reviews of their recently released debut, Trådnøsting, have been very positive.

PERU: SoTB
Los Protones - Swinging Lima
Los Protones are an instrumental band formed in Lima in 2007 who play in a style that combines psychedelia, surf and garage-rock. Their self-titled debut CD was released in February 2009 by the Peruvian label Discos Gordos. It is an album where there are no words, although they're not necessary - the guitar solos are the universal language and the titles of songs such as El Desvío paint pictures that could easily relate to the soundtrack of our experiences.

PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco?
Casino Royal - Casino Royal Deluxe
Led by Pedro Janela, Casino Royal are a quintet from Figueira da Foz, a town known for its sandy beaches and its casino built in the 19th century. Casino Royal create music that takes us back to a certain living by the post-war European jetset. Would you like your cocktail shaken or stirred?

ROMANIA: Babylon Noise
Silent Strike - 27
Silent Strike (Ioan Titu) is a 27-year-old electronic music composer and sound designer from Bacau. He is influenced by Aphex Twin, Future Sound Of London, Orbital and opened for Faithless and Bonobo. 27 is a little gem of electronic sounds arranged in an acoustic manner and it was released for his birthday.

SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop
The Unwinding Hours - Knut
The Unwinding Hours have quietly risen from the ashes of the much-loved Aerogramme and the early evidence suggests they're going to be every bit as wondrous as their former guise. All the ingredients are there - the gorgeously gentle pacing, the elegant orchestration, Craig B's yearning vocals. Knut, taken from their self-titled debut album due out early next year on Chemikal Underground, is a MAP exclusive sanctioned by the band and their record label.

SINGAPORE: I'm Waking Up To...
Lunarin - Ariel (File Under Easy Listening remix)
Singapore is a small country, so we've formed a rather close-knit bunch of musicians and friends. One such collaboration between friends happens to be The Lard Brothers' remix of Lunarin's Ariel. While a relatively new group, The Lard Brothers have been busy making waves spinning as a DJ group and religiously reworking many classic songs by Singaporean bands. Their efforts don't go unrecognised with this trip-hop laced remix of Ariel by the melodic rock band, Lunarin, perfect for the monsoon season that's hitting our shores just about now.

SOUTH AFRICA: Musical Mover & Shaker!
Die Heuwels Fantasties - Our Heritage
Die Heuwels Fantasties are an Afrikaans group, incorporating elements of many genres, from hip-hop beats, flat out dance beats, to rap and rock sounds. Die Heuwels Fantasties teamed up with The Soweto Gospel Choir, HHP and JR to produce a song for Heritage Day. The song is called Our Heritage and features Pierre Greeff of Die Heuwels Fantasties singing in English. All in all, it's a song with the message to celebrate our heritage and our unity as South Africans - artfully combining the many different cultural spheres into a feelgood track.

SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
Playgirl - Happy Mania
Female trio Playgirl emerged in September with a retro pop sound from a time when James Bond was still played by Sean Connery. Inspired by The Pipettes, equipped with identical outfits and cute dance moves, Playgirl is currently the most adorable act to come out of Korea.

SWEDEN: Swedesplease
Madamm - Örnen
There's very little info online about this mostly all-girl group from Gothenburg. I was struck by the band's wanton energy and the loose nature of their songs. Örnen is a demo so who knows what its final shape may be, but I hope they retain the song's raw energy.

TURKEY: Reset!
Bon Mod - Chocolate Cheesecake
Chemistry is all there is to a band. After meeting about a year ago, the duo started working together instantly as Bon Mod. They take their love of partying and a reckless attitude to make indie, electro and disco-flavored songs. They are possibly the most exciting new band for the season ahead.

UNITED STATES: I Guess I'm Floating
People Eating People - All The Hospitals
People Eating People is the solo work of Nouela Johnston, previously known for her work with Pacific Northwestern act Mon Frere. Her self-titled debut LP is a blending of Fiona Apple's emotion with Regina Spektor's penchant for melody. All The Hospitals is a catchy tune - we'll see if Johnston can separate herself from the crowded female pack.

VENEZUELA: Barquisimeto Musical
Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras
Amigos Invisibles ("Invisible Friends") has been around the alternative/funk/pop local scene for many years. Their groovy rhythms and funny lyrics, filled with Venezuelan pop culture, made them legends in their country and finally got the attention of music lovers worlwide, touring Latin America, USA and Australia. They signed with David Byrne's Luaka Pop label in 1996. To celebrate their Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album, I have selected a song from that record, Comercial, called Mentiras.

To download all 34 songs in one file click here