Finland in Focus. Eurovision 2007

FI News May 2007 - Finland in Focus. Eurovision 2007
- Features:
* Eurovision Song Contest 2007 - Helsinki
* Finland Fest 2007 - Tokyo
* The Great Escape - Brighton
- Business 
- Live
- Finns Around the Globe (tour listings)
- Behind the Scenes
- Behind the Numbers
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EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2007 - Helsinki, May 7-12

Approximately 120 million spectators witnessed Hanna Pakarinen (SONYBMG), Apocalyptica (HALBEMIETE) and Lordi (SONYBMG) perform at the ESC 2007 final in Helsinki last weekend. Lordi rightfully kicked off the show as the prevailing winner from last year. Cello-heavy luminaries Apocalyptica delivered an unforgettable half time show blending old hits and previewing tracks from their new album into an 8 minute medley. Finnish Idols beauty Hanna Pakarinen beat such betting agency favourites as Sweden’s The Ark in the contest itself. In the semi-final of the ESC 2007 world-renowned  Finnish composer and musician Maria Kalaniemi (HOEDOWN)performed a stunning show for millions to witness.

Tens of Finnish artists including the likes of 22-Pistepirkko (BONE VOYAGE), The Crash (FLOP MUSIC), the Don Johnson Big Band (UNIVERSAL MUSIC), accordion virtuoso Kimmo Pohjonen (HOEDOWN), Five Corners Quintet (RICKY-TICK)and Cleaning Women (BV2 PRODUCTIONS) performed in numerous side events around Helsinki attracting an estimated total audience of 500 000. 
 

FINLAND FEST 2007 - Tokyo, May 24-27

Once again it’s time for the Finnish music missionaries to embark on the annual journey to the deep Orient, namely Japan. Nearly 50 different artists have bagged licensing deals in Japan in the past few years and the ties between music communities of Finland and Japan have strengthened each year. To introduce the growing number of Finnish music professionals to their Japanese counterparts, Music Export Finland and Finnish Music Information Center are organising a trade day in Tokyo at the Aoyama Modapolitica on May 24. Twenty-seven Finnish companies will network and talk biz with over a hundred of the key shakers and movers of the Japanese music business.

The trade day will be accompanied with a consumer campaign targeting the Tower Records and Disk Union record shops, including the worlds biggest record store in Tokyo’s Shibuya. The campaign will reach its apex with top notch Finnish showcases at the Liquid Room, Pit Inn and Buddy Ekoda from May 24-27 featuring:

Alamaailman Vasarat (WOLFGANG RECORDS) Listen
Apocalyptica (HALBEMIETE) Listen
The Crash (FLOP MUSIC) Listen
Finntroll (SPINEFARM) Listen
Jarmo Saari Solu (ROCKADILLO RECORDS) Listen
Memnon (CNCD) MySpace
Stratovarius (NUCLEAR BLAST) MySpace
Teemu Mattsson (FREE AGENT RECORDS) Listen
Von Hertzen Brothers (DYNASTY RECORDINGS) Listen
 
For schedules, band bios and more visit www.musex.fi/finlandfest2007
For information in Japanese visit www.musex.fi/nihongo
RSVPs and meeting arrangements for professionals : Keith Cahoon (fin2007@hotwirejapan.com)


THE GREAT ESCAPE - Brighton, May 17-19

Listen to the Finnish bands playing at TGE this year.
Eternal Erection (EAT THIS MUSIC) Listen
Rubik (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) Listen
Magenta Skycode (SOLINA RECORDS) Listen
—> For schedules and venue info: www.musex.fi/tge2007 
 


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BUSINESS 
 
Finnish Eurovision Song Contest winner, monster hard rocker Lordi (SONYBMG), have launched their devilish new website at www.lordi.org. The castle-adventure website includes a video blog, a free, downloadable mobile magazine, and best of all - the Lordi game! Downloading instructions at www.fanplugged.com/lordi.
 
Apocalyptica released the live DVD The Life Burns Tour on May 14 across the UK and  the band will also support Metallica on July 15 in Helsinki, and are building up to the release of the Jacob Hellner (Rammstein) produced next record, which is set for release in September. The much anticipated album will feature a bunch of incredible guest stars including Corey Taylor, Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Tomoyasu Hotei (superstar Japanese composer, whose credits include the Kill Bill soundtrack), Joseph Duplantier (Gojira) and Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil).
 
RUBIK‘s (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) long-awaited debut album Bad Conscience Patrol will be released in Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and elsewhere in Europe on July 6.
 
The long awaited second album Off The Hook by Finnish dark rockers, Bloodpit (MERCEEDEES / SONYBMG) has been released with raving reviews in Finland. Bloodpit has received the honor of opening for Mötley Crüe at the Helsinki Ice Stadium on June 4. Off The Hook will be released in several European countries and Russia in the coming fall with comprehensive tours to follow.
 
The 69 Eyes’ (EMI) gold certified and critically acclaimed album Angels will be released in the UK on June 25 via ALBERT PRODUCTIONS. The Helsinki vampires are currently on a massive European tour including Spain, France, Germany and the UK.
 
Punk-rockers No Shame (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) will be releasing their new album White of Hope Turning Black in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg on June 29. The album is already getting good media response, including first plays on German Radio Fritz Punkrock Nightflight!
 
A1 MUSIC are proud to announce a new US licensing deal for DCX with Marian Records. The first single release in North America is the legendary Abba cover Knowing Me Knowing You.

Finnish harmonica quartet Sväng (DIFFERENT LEVEL) are to release their second album Jarruta this May. The release will coincide with a tour of Japan.
 
Kemialliset Ystävät (FONAL) are to release their new self-titled album. This radiant, pulsating, turbocharged package will be released in the US, UK, Benelux countries, Scandinavia, Japan and Spain on May 16.
 
Finnish sublabels Wolfram, Silenze, Major Leidén Productions and Macedonia will be merged into the main label WOLFGANG RECORDS during the fall of 2007. 
 
Independent Helsinki based record label CYMBIDIUM takes a fresh approach to distributing finnish electronic jazz fusion in Japan.
Recent Cymbidium releases; i.e. Helsinki Cooler vol. 1 & 2 compilations are available only in carefully selected design shops in Tokyo, such as Onnellinen, Hyggeligbolig and Denmarkshop. 

The Helsinki Project by Jason Carter (NAIM AUDIO) is ready! Recorded and mixed in Finland, Dubai, Singapore, Istanbul and Spain, the Helsinki Project brings together artists from five continents. Tracks range from a Bach Prelude with Hip Hop beats and improvisation by a Moroccan singer, to a Rap track with strings, Tabla and vocals by an Opera Singer.
 
The new Alamaailman Vasarat (WOLFGANG RECORDS) album Maahan has been released in Japan by BESECTION RECORDS.
 

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LIVE
 
Finland’s bestselling heartbreakers HIM (HMC/SIRE) have announced summer dates for their Project Revolution tour of North America. HIM will be accompanied on the tour by such mainstage acts as Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance and Placebo. For full tour details: www.projektrevolution.com
 
One of Finland’s chartbusters The Rasmus (PLAYGROUND) will spend a busy summer playing smash hits, such as In The Shadows and No Fear, at festival and arena gigs in Latvia (May 27), Russia (June 8-17), Spain (June 29), the Czech Republic (July 14, 27) and Greece (July 17).
 
The Lord of the Rings musical, with music co-written by Finnish folk sensation Värttinä (HOEDOWN) and Indian composer A.R. Rahman, will premiere at the prestigious Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London’s West End on June 19.






FINNS AROUND THE GLOBE
 
Scandinavia
- Wentus Blues Band (TRY ANGLE PRODUCTION): Denmark, May 18-19 + Sweden, June 29-30 (blues)
- JPP (HOEDOWN): Norway, Folkekulturfestivalen, Oslo, June 23 (folk)
- Hanoi Rocks (WOLFGANG RECORDS): Sweden; Peace & Love Festival, Borlänge, June 30 (rock)
 
Germany 
 - Lovex (EMI): Berlin, Munich, Cologne + more, May 11-22 (rock)
- Deep Insight (HMC): Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg + more, May 12-18 (rock)
- Amorphis (KING FOO ENTERTAINMENT): Wave Gotik Treffen, Leipzig, May 25-28 (metal)
- Mieskuoro Huutajat: Musikfestspiele, Saarbrücken, May 27 (avant choir)
- Disco Ensemble (FULLSTEAM RECORDS): Rock Am Ring, Rock Im Park, June 1-2 (emo)
- Suden aika (ROCKADILLO): Nacht der Stimmen, Marburg, June 7 (world music)
 
Europe
- The 69 Eyes (EMI): Italy, Spain, France, Germany, UK, May 19-31 (rock)
- Desert Planet (STUPIDO): Germany and Switzerland May 10-19 (electro)
- No Shame (FULLSTEAM): Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Baltic countries, May 11-26 (punk)
- Kimmo Pohjonen (HOEDOWN): Serbia, Slovenia, Germany, UK, May 17-27 (world music)
- Rubik (FULLSTEAM): UK, Ireland, France, Denmark, Germany, May 17 - June 14 (pop)
- Dalindéo (RICKY-TICK RECORDS): UK - London and Edinburgh, May 19-25 (world music)
- Husky Rescue (MINTY FRESH): Netherlands, Belgium, May 23-29 (pop)
- Mikko Innanen Innkvisitio (FREE VOICES): Sweden, Norway, Germany, France, May 24-29 (jazz)
- Jimi Tenor (SÄHKÖ RECORDINGS): Estonia, Germany, Norway, May 25-31 (eclectic)
- Leningrad Cowboys (SONY BMG): Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, May 31 - June 3 (rock)
- Negative (GBFAM RECORDS): Austria - Nickelsdorf Nova Rock, June 16 (rock)
- Tarot (KING FOO ENTERTAINMENT): Romania - Artmania Festival, Sibiu, June 16 (metal)
- Children of Bodom (SPINEFARM): Austria, France, Belgium, Germany, June 17-30 (metal)
- Värttinä (HOEDOWN): UK – Exeter; Poland - Warsaw, June 21-22 (world music)
- Bloodpit (Merceedees): Italy - Midsummer Festival, Rome, June 25 (rock)
- Maria Kalaniemi (HOEDOWN): Taiwan and Germany, May 12-27 (world music)
 
North America
- The Five Corners Quintet (RICKY-TICK RECORDS): USA - Rochester and New York, June 11-12 (jazz)
- Ilmiliekki Quartet (TUM RECORDS): USA - Rochester and Washington, June 13-15 (jazz)
- UMO Jazz Orchestra (UMO): Canada - Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary + more, June 22-26 (jazz)
- Kantele player Timo Väänänen: Denver (US) with Colorado Symphony Orchestra May 18-19. The concert is the world premiere of the music from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
 
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Behind the Scenes
“I hear Lordi is an abbreviation of ‘Land of Research, Development and Innovation,” said Timo Kekkonen, Innovation Director of the Confederation of Finnish Industries. Well, if big business says so…  Although we suspect Mr. Lordi might have a word or two - or just a massive roar - to say about that…
 
Behind the Numbers
A quick insight into the numbers behind Eurovision:
- The stage crew had 37 seconds to redecorate the stage between performances
- There were 42 contestants in this years contest
- The winner song from Serbia got 268 points
- The videoscreen on the Eurovision stage was over 300 square meters in size
- Over 10 000 people witnessed the show live at the Helsinki Arena
- 2.1 million Finns saw the show live on TV