A Finnish-Japanese music trade event and showcases hit Tokyo May 12th-14th
After being hailed as the best music exporter in Europe in 2004 according to the Billboard Magazine‘s Border Breakers chart, Finnish professionals are continuing the increased co-operation activity in Japan by introducing the finest music companies and the hottest new bands to the Japanese professionals in Tokyo May 12th-14th. Finnish music industry is increasingly keen on forming stronger ties with Japanese partners.

Finnish Music Days in Tokyo is an opportunity to meet representatives from over 20 top Finnish music companies: Labels, publishers and agents are bringing forth the abundant talents in pop, rock, electronic, world music and of course metal. Along with the music trade event at JETRO on Friday, May 13th, Finnish Music Days in Tokyo will ship nine top Finnish bands to Japan’s capital for fiery showcase performances in Shibuya’s hottest venues. (Details of the Finnish-Japanese meeting/trade day and showcases below.)

To give a teaser on what’s to come, Billboard Magazine’s April 23rd issue will feature a cd with a wide selection of music from the companies attending Finnish Music Days in Tokyo. The cd will be delivered to all Japanese subscribers of the Billboard Magazine.

Hottest Finnish acts showcasing
Event blasts off with a Metal Showcase at Liquid Room on Thursday, May 12th. The venue will be torn to pieces with fierceful metal acts from SPINEFARM RECORDS such as rock solid power metal ensemble Kiuas, folk-influenced battle metal band Ensiferum, gothically desirable To/Die/For and melodic metal headbangers Twilightning.
The Rock Showcase staged at Astro Hall on Saturday, May 14th will feature performances by the intense emo-core act Deep Insight (FULLSTEAM RECORDS), gothic rock misfits The 69 Eyes (EMI FINLAND),  hyperactive garage rockers Tigerbombs (JOHANNA KUSTANNUS) and the petrol burning rock’n’roll explosion Boomhauer (STUPIDO RECORDS).
Additionally, the experimental band Memnon will perform Sunday, May 15th at Astro Hall. Their beautiful songs examine the borderlines of classical kantele traditions and electronic sound landscapes.

Both showcases are organised by CreativeMan. Memnon showcase is organized by Office Ohsawa. More information on Memnon in Japanese here>>>

Finnish Music Days in Tokyo schedule:

Thursday May 12th: Metal Showcase
@ Liquid Room (3-16-6 Higashi, Shibuya-ku)
Doors open at 6 pm
Twilightning (SPINEFARM)
To/Die/For (SPINEFARM)
Ensiferum (SPINEFARM)
Kiuas  (SPINEFARM)
Friday May 13th:  Trade day
@ JETRO IBSC Hall (Ark Mori Building, 7th Floor,12-32, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku)
Brief introduction of Finnish music market at 9.30-10.00am
Business meetings until 10.00am-6.00pm
Lunch break 1.00-2.00pm
- RSVPs and meeting arrangements: Satoko Agawa (satoko.agawa (at) finpro.fi)
Saturday May 14th: Rock Showcase
@ Astro Hall (B1 New Wave Harajuku, 4-32-12 Jungumae, Shibuya-ku)
Doors open at 6pm
The 69 Eyes (EMI FINLAND)
Deep Insight (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
Tigerbombs (JOHANNA KUSTANNUS)
Boomhauer (STUPIDO RECORDS)

Also performing are Trio Töykeät (EMI FINLAND) at a special jazz brunch for guests.

CONFIRMED FINNISH DELEGATES:
EMI Music Finland
A major label and publisher of popular music. Current artists include Redrama, Velcra, The 69 Eyes, Amorphis and Suburban Tribe.
Mr. Wemppa Koivumäki, Managing Director

Spinefarm Records
Publishing company specialised in metal. Artists include Ensiferum, Charon, Finntroll, Entwine, Kius, Children of Bodom and many more.
Mr. Riku Pääkkönen, Managing Director

Fullsteam Records
Independent record company specialised in alternative, punk, emo and rock. Artist roster includes Disco Ensemble, Deep Insight, Callisto, Deep Insight.
Mr. Juha Kyyrö, Managing Director

Parole Music / Futurecords
Independent label of indie, pop and alternative rock. The artist roster consists of Varjo, Iconcrash, Angelica Kult and Deadbabes.
Mr George Jackson, International Manager

Art Inn Consulting Ltd/Art Inn Records Ltd
Produces CDs, especially CD postcards and multimedia products. The Company is also specialized in consulting and producing multimedia products in cooperation with other media experts.
Mr. Erkki Krohn, Executive Director

Warner/Chappell Music Finland
Leading music publisher in Finland. A Warner Music Group Company. Acts, talents and catalogues includes The Latebirds, Laika and The Cosmonauts, The Farangs, K-System, FirmFist, JayDay, Crumbland, The Rasmus, The Crash and much more.
Mr. Tom Frisk, Creative Director

Exogenic Records / Exogenic Breaks Records
Independent label and publisher specialised in electronic music. Artists include Accu, Koneveljet, Reuna, Squaremeat, Texas Faggott.
Mr Jacob Ehrnrooth, Managing Director
Johanna Kustannus         
Independent record company releasing Finnish rock and pop such as Leningrad Cowboys, Melrose, Ben Granfelt, The Blaster Master, Tigerbombs and Naked.       
Mr Atte Blom, International Manager
Kool Kat Records
Independent hip hop label, current acts include Staffro, Polartracks, The Rudimentals, Kool Ski.
Mr Pasi Palonen, Managing Director
Love Music Publishing
Independent music publisher working with Finnish rock, pop and film music: Melrose, The Blaster Master, Marko Haavisto, Anssi Tikanmäki and Antero Jakoila.
Ms Sini Perho, Managing Director
 
Poplandia Music
Publishing companies specialised in rock and pop, major artists being Feiled, Diablo, Nerdee and Bitch Alert.
Mr Epe Helenius, Managing Director
                               
Rockadillo Records/Zen Master Publishing
One of Finland’s most highly established and globally recognized independent labels, specializing in electronica, World Music, jazz, experimental and progressive, including RinneRadio, Wimme, Kimmo Pohjonen, Piirpauke, Pekka Pohjola and XL.
Mr Tapio Korjus, Managing Director    

Rubato Music
Rubato Music is a small independent production company established in 2000 with versatile roster including acts like Mummypowder, KKANE [kei-kein], Ninni Poijärvi, Heidi, Varmat päivät.
Mr Timo Poijärvi, Managing Director

Stupido Records
Stupido Records, est. 1989, is one of the biggest and oldest totally independent Finnish record companies. Current roster includes a.o. Eläkeläiset, Boomhauer, Giant Robot, Rollstons, Boy Novice, Hypnomen, Treeball.
Mr Joose Berglund, A&R & Promotion Manager

Monstereo Management
Artist management office of Lordi and Von Krom.
Mr. Ari Tiainen, manager

Catch-22
Independent powerpop-label. Kevin is the current band in the roster.
Mr. Antti Alen, Managing Director

Warner Music Finland
Warner Music Finland is a part of Warner Music Group, the world’s largest privately held independent music company. The company is home to a collection of record labels such as Atlantic, Elektra, Lava, Maverick, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Sire, Warner Bros. and Word.
Ms. Marita Kaasalainen

Plastinka Records
Eclectic record label run by four independent producers running their studio complex in central Helsinki.  Plastinka´s production and remix services are widely used by record and film production companies all over the world. Current artists: Kemopetrol, Slowhill, Vocal Ensemble Rajaton, Soul Tattoo and Miami.
Mr Kim Kuusi, CEO
Ms. Maija Kuusi

CNCD
A music organization build upon collective of artists. Main focus is on electronic music and media, partly due to the fact that CNCD was originally founded as a computer group, to explore creative limits of early 90’s home computers. Current projects include Memnon, Harmaa Vyöhyke, Grann Electronics and Kaapeli.
Mr. Ville Hyvönen, Manager

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Finnish Music Information Center - FIMIC
Promotes Finnish composers and their music, spanning all genres from classical to pop/rock, jazz and modern folk.
Ms. Minna Huuskonen, Head of Popular Music

Music Export Finland
An export association that represents the entire Finnish music industry. Main target is to initiate and facilitate the marketing, promotion and sales of Finnish popular music abroad.
Ms. Paulina Ahokas, Director
 
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Finnish Music Days in Tokyo is organized by Music Export Finland and Finnish Music Information Centre (FIMIC) in co-operation with local promoter CreativeMan. Music Export Finland would like to thank Music Publishers Association of Japan for their kind support and co-operation.

Contact person: Konsta Klemetti, Music Export Finland
Tel: +358 (0)20 730 2230
Fax: +358 (0)20 730 2231
Email: konsta.klemetti AT musexfinland.fi