- Features:
* Finnish Moosic Tour 2007, North America
* By:larm 2007
- Business
* Finns Hit the Charts Around the Globe
- Live News
- Behind the Scenes
- Behind the Numbers
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Finnish Moosic Tour 2007, North America
The elite of Finnish music are getting ready to pack their saddlebags and tour North American music capitals with shows in
Los Angeles (March 7, Knitting Factory)
Toronto, (March 9, CMW, Drake Underground)
New York (March 12, Knitting Factory)
Austin (March 14, SXSW, Uncle Flirty’s). 
The bands chosen to perform are 5-star Kerrang review kings Disco Ensemble (FULLSTEAM RECORDS), MTV-famed Lodger (EASTBORDER), Rolling Stone’s David Fricke’s favourites KTU - (Pohjonen, Mastelotto, Gunn) (HOEDOWN ARTS) and eccentric and evocative pop act 22-Pistepirkko (BONE VOYAGE). Both CMW and SXSW will see a wealth of the best Finnish music: For full band programme visit
www.musex.fi/tour2007
A get-together seminar on March 12th in New York will be organised by Music Export Finland in association with BILLBOARD and in co-operation with the Sibelius Academy and the Finnish Consulate General in New York. Media and industry professionals are welcome to attend this event in the relaxed and hospitable surrounding of the Scandinavia House (58 Park Avenue), followed by a bus ride to the showcase venue. To receive your invitation please email info@musex.fi
For more info on the tour, band bios, tracks and seminar visit www.musex.fi/tour2007
By:larm 2007
Check out the Finnish showcases at this year’s By:larm :
Rubik (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
“Rubik are friggin’ awesome.” - Music Week
Feb 8 at 11:30pm, Gratisbutikken
Feb 9 at 9:00pm, 0U07 das Boot
Islaja (FONAL RECORDS)
“As if PJ Harvey had joined Sigur Rós” -Irish Times
Feb 9 at 9:30, Smia
Feb 10 at 12.00 midnight, Gratisbutikken
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Business
Finnish rock tightens its stranglehold on mid-European charts. Finnish rock sensation Sunrise Avenue (BONNIER AMIGO) have climbed to #3 in the German singles chart. The hit single Fairytale Gone Bad is also in the Austrian chart at #3. The album On The Way To Wonderland is gaining momentum and has already reached #33 in Germany and #8 in Austria. The band are following up their chart success with a sold-out five-date tour of Germany.
Finnish glam-rockers Lovex (EMI) debuted at #22 in the German charts with their single Guardian Angel. The new album from Lovex Divine Insanity will hit the stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on February 16.
Monster-rock Eurovisionists Lordi (SONYBMG) have begun their quest to take over Japan. The Arockalypse shot straight to #13 in the official Japanese album chart.
Callisto (FULLSTEAM RECORDS), Finnish prophets of grim rock, will release their second album Noir in Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Sweden and Canada in February.
The soundtrack of the most successful Finnish TV series of all time The Dudesons, will be released worldwide through iTunes this spring. The soundtrack includes music from such familiar Finnish indie rockers as Disco Ensemble, Damn Seagulls (FULLSTEAM RECORDS), Sweatmaster (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) and The Flaming Sideburns (SPINEFARM RECORDS).
The readers of Great Britains most prestigious metal magazine METAL HAMMER have voted Finnish heavy-rockers Turisas (CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS) as the best new band of 2006. Way to go guys!
Waltari (BLUELIGHT RECORDS) are preparing to spread fear throughout Europe with the launch of their new album Release Date. The album will see the light of day at the end of February.
Helsinki noise-rockers Fun (IF SOCIETY) will begin recording their new album in Chigaco with the legendary Steve Albini. Prior works of Mr. Albini include bands like Nirvana, Mogwai and the Pixies.
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Live
Having just been signed to California-based Gearhead Records for album releases in North America, I Walk The Line (COMBAT ROCK INDUSTRIES) are rushing straight off on their first US tour. The punk rock group will share the bill with The White Barons and The Thunder Boys in more than ten locations March 9-22.
One of the most long-lasting and uncompromising Finnish roots-rock bands, Jolly Jumpers (TUG REC), will start their third ever tour of the GSA countries. This will encompass nine dates in Germany, Austria and Switzerland February 22-March 3.
Front-rank grind-core band Rotten Sound (SPINEFARM RECORDS) will head out on the Doomsday X European Tournee with Rotting Christ and Malevolent Creation, plus other changing support acts. For almost a full month, March 6-April 1, the groups will play the UK, Ireland, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Following the release of their second album Noir, Callisto (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) will tour Europe February 17-26. Countries visited will include Holland, Germany, Italy and Austria. In March the group will play showcases at Canadian Music Week, Toronto, and South by Southwest, Austin, Texas.
There will be mini-tours or single gigs by Disco Ensemble Switzerland; February 23-24, Giant Robot (STUPIDO RECORDS) St. Petersburg, Russia; February 24 and To/Die/For Spain; March 4-11.
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Behind the Scenes
Sunrise Avenue has a definite knack for giving names: the melodic rock band’s career has been a continuous sunrise since they signed a Nordic record deal with Bonnier Amigo in early 2006. The band’s debut is titled On the Way to Wonderland, and originally it refered to the journey the band has endured before getting a record deal. Since then Sunrise Avenue signed an international deal with EMI Germany. Now the band has hit the charts in both Germany and Austria (see above). The rest of the world - and the real wonderland - is next!
Behind the Numbers
Music retailers around Finland joined forces in a special January discount campaign. Cheaper music appealed to Finns, and the massive popularity of the January sales has even surprised its organisers. Among Finnish artists Von Hertzen Brothers and Maj Karma have been the biggest-selling discount items. Thanks to the success of the campaign, a similar sale will be organised again, promises Finland’s IFPI-affiliate ÄKT.