The Nordic countries have joined forces to initiate a joint effort for their artists at South By South West March 16th-20th. The biggest and the most important annual music and media conference in the US will host two nights of the hottest acts from each of the Nordic countries; Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

Finnish bands on the Nordic Nights bill on the 6th Street venue The Drink are the undisputed champions of quirky garage rock 22-Pistepirkko (Thursday March 17th) and the stylish pop-rock ensemble The Crash (Friday March 18th).

Nordic Nights showcases at The Drink:

Thursday March 17th
8 pm Ske (ISL)
9 pm Tina Dico (DEN)
10 pm The Low Frequency in Stereo (NOR)
11 pm Epo-555 (DEN)
12 pm Powersolo (DEN)
1 am 22 Pistepirkko (BONE VOYAGE)

Friday March 18th
8 pm Teitur (DEN)
9 pm T.B.C
10 pm The Crash (WARNER MUSIC FINLAND)
11 pm The Ark (SWE)
12 pm Surfer Rosa (NOR)
1 am The Blue Van (DEN)

The GRANDPOP RECORDS & Warner/Chappell Music Finland joint label showcases at SXSW 2005 will feature three cool bands - instrumental rockers Laika & The Cosmonauts, Scandinavian action jazz duo Nieminen & Litmanen, and the dark pop sounds of The Latebirds.

Other Finnish showcases at SXSW include the million selling cello metal phenomenon Apocalyptica, and the hotly tipped folktronica act Husky Rescue, who have caused hype in the UK with rave Guardian and Sunday Times reviews.

Wednesday March 16th
Laika And The Cosmonauts (GRANDPOP RECORDS)
@ The Drink (325 6th Street, Corner of 6th and Trinity)
1:00 am

Thursday March 17th
Husky Rescue (CATSKILLS RECORDS)
@ Latitude 30 (512 San Jacinto)
12:00 Midnight

Saturday March 19th
Nieminen & Litmanen (GRANDPOP RECORDS)
@ The Elephant Room (315 Congress Ave.)
11:45 pm
The Latebirds (GRANDPOP RECORDS)
@ Cedar St. Courtyard (208 W. 4th Street)
8:00 pm

Apocalyptica (UNIVERSAL)
@ Flamingo Cantina
9:00 pm


Contact:

Mr. Ville Kilpeläinen
Music Export Finland
Tel: +358 (0)20 730 2230
Fax: +358 (0)20 730 2231
Email: assistant(at)musexfinland.fi

Una Johnston
Tel: +1 512 467 7979
Fax: +1 512 451 0754
Email: una(at)sxsw.com