August 2005
- Features:
* Finns @ Popkomm, September 14th-16th
* Music & Media October 21st-22nd shaping up
- Business
- Live News
- Behind The Scenes
FINNKOMM - 14 TOP ACTS, 23 TOP COMPANIES!
The biggest music business event in Central Europe, Popkomm, will be gathering professionals from all over the world in Berlin on September 14th16th. Finns will be there too with repertoire that is wider than never before. At Finnkomm 2005 you can be fascinated by 14 brilliant showcases and exchange views with people of 23 Finnish companies.
Finnish stand in Hall 17/107 welcomes all to experience the dazzling atmosphere. Detailed contact information and descriptions on all the Finnish participants here>>>
Check out these Finnish showcases @ Popkomm 2005:
Wednesday, September 14th
@ Bastard Klub
Giant Robot (STUPIDO RECORDS) 11.45pm
A gourmet dish, a boiling stew of hip hop, dub, funk and rnb, mezmerizing rock and broad urban landscapes. You can satisfy your appetite for fat rhythms in gigs around Europe; latest album Domesticity (2004) released also e.g. in Germany and Russia.
Thursday, September 15th
@ Club 23, Kulturbrauerei
Maryland (MERCEEDEES) 10.00pm
Classic pop with a twist of soundtrack-like melancholy. Maryland add sparkle to the universal pop sky with a plethora of sounds that make you shiver from head to toe. Their latest album Almond of Life (2004)
was widely celebrated in Finland but also Russians have had a chance to enjoy their energetic live performances.
@ Apollo Saal, Staatsopera
Five Corners Quintet (RICKY-TICK RECORDS) 00.00am
“Wonderful stuff, pure genius. This super fresh Helsinki based five piece once again show why Scandinavia seems to be leading the way when it comes to all things jazz” DJ MAGAZINE, Doper than dope - STRAIGHT NO CHASER MAGAZINE, Stunning - BLUES & SOUL MAGAZINE, This is heavy, real jazz for the future. Search out! - BREAKIN POINT MAGAZINE, Probably the most authentic and genuine jazz outfit in the world 24/7. Nuff said.
@ Aufsturz - Popkomm Jazz Club
Jarmo Saari Solu (ROCKADILLO RECORDS) 8.30pm
A one-man guitar band, sounding like a whole orchestra. Just when you thought youd heard everything, Jarmo Saari Solu brings the electric guitar into the new millennium. Saari has worked over a decade as a producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist on top of Finland’s jazz scene and he’s continuously extending his musical territory.
Ilmiliekki Quartet (TUM RECORDS) 9.30pm
Free jazz combo Ilmiliekki ground their musical expression in pure, genuine improvisation. The ultimate goal is to create a unified personal resonance around every composition. These highly talented young musicians have won prime festival slots, awards and competitions together and apart.
Lau (EXOGENIC RECORDS) 10.30pm
Lau takes jazzy lounge-pop to a new level. Multitalented all-rounder in music, Lauri Järvilehto aka Lau, has worked as a musician, composer, arranger, remixer, producer and conductor since 1994. Single Magic released also in Germany.
Quintessence (TEXICALLI RECORDS) 11.30pm
A six-piece ensemble that includes some of Finlands most potential-charged young musicians. Funky beats, jazzy groove and the alluring sound of Emma Salokoskis voice invite you on a soothing nu-soul journey. The cool Scandinavian touch is soon available also in UK and 20 other countries through Whatmusic label.
Friday, September 16th
@ http://www.frannz.de">Frannz, Kulturbrauerei
Humane (BEATS AND STYLES) 9.00pm
Humanes music is about easy-going beats, beautiful melodies and singer-songwriter Kim Herolds stylish vocals. These beautiful boys can really rock - their gigs are sold out, singles hit the charts and videos rotate on MTV.
Iconcrash (PAROLE RECORDS) 10.00pm
The ambassador of angst-ridden dark rock Iconcrash came about when Jaani Peuhu decided to do something just by himself after hundreds of gigs and tens of produced records. Iconcrash has seen world from east to west: both Moscow and New York conquered.
Poets Of The Fall (SAM AGENCY) 11.00pm
Poets Of The Fall are the fresh arrivals of 2004 with their hits Lift, Illusion & Dream and Late Goodbye (included in the multimillion-seller videogame Max Payne 2). This gold-disc pop act performing at sold-out gigs has grown big in an alarmingly short time!
Tigerbombs (JOHANNA KUSTANNUS) 00.00am
Early garage-psych-punk meets indie-glam-power-pop. Kido Retro and Pepe Trouble blast your hearts out with their three-minute tunes in which bouncy melodies, sweet harmonies and energetic rhythms meet funky basslines, sleazy drumwork and Italian-made organs. And all this soon available also in Central Europe; Loves You (2005) out in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on August 22th.
@ Kesselhaus, http://www.kulturbrauerei-berlin.de ">Kulturbrauerei
Don Johnson Big Band (SAM AGENCY) 8.25pm
Crossover hip-hop act DJBB is a unique blend of diverse influences; hip-hop, jazz, house, dub and swing. This band has played in China among other countries and their album Breakin Daylight (2004) has been released in Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Thailand, Malaysia…
Beats and Styles (TUNNE PRODUCTIONS) 10.15pm
Nothing is impossible for DJ Alimo and DJ Control, the two white monkeys together known as Beats and Styles. These hyper-energetic producers mix rock, hip hop, reggae, dance and electrofunk, making seriously funny cutting-edge pop for those who really want to party out and shake some booty. Albums and singles released all over the Europe, this is a truly international phenomenon.
@ Club 23, Kulturbrauerei
Lullacry (SPINEFARM RECORDS)
The female-fronted gothic heavy rock act Lullacry has a direct, permanent impact on the listener with their super-catchy, well-thought-out songwriting, an almost infinite hookline power, and melodies that go round in your head for days. Lullacry’s sound is known intercontinentally for its album releases and tours in Europe and North America.
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PS: If you have not yet received your invitation to the coolest Nordic Drinks Party on Thursday, September 15th, please email our always-at-your-service assistant for more information. To sip cool Laitila drinks surrounded by all the Scandis. What more could anyone want…?
MUSIC & MEDIA SHAPING UP
Nearly 60 international delegates have already signed up for the 16th annual Music & Media conference in Tampere, Finland, on October 21st-23rd. These courageuos guests will be tickled by 500+ Finns… Seminar programme and bands will be published soon, so watch this space or visit the Music & Media for more info. Interested? Email our duracel Music & Media International producer Ville Kilpeläinen.
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BUSINESS
Fast-rising breakbeat star Infekto (NINE2FIVE RECORDINGS) has released his debut album Occams Razor to critical acclaim from the music press and Alist djs alike. Album track Flash Lighter was recommended single of the month in July issues of International DJ, DJ Magazine, Knowledge Magazine and many more, and radioplay for the album tracks has come from the BBCs Annie Nightingale and XFMs Nick Luscombe, as well as the specialist shows. Infekto is quickly becoming THE name to watch on the breakbeat scene.
Compilation CD HOT AS HEL! (NINE2FIVE), out August 17th, brings together the whos who in Helsinki dancefloor jazz and nu-soul circles. With artists ranging from the much hyped Five Corners Quintet (RICKY-TICK RECORDS) to Teddy Rok Seven (TEXICALLI RECORDS), from Jori Hulkkonen (F COMMUNICATION) to Quintessence (TEXICALLI) and beyond, the 12 tracks span the past, present and future of the contemporary Helsinki club jazz scene the focus of much international hype over the past few years.
A mixture of American rock and emo with Scandinavian influences, Deep Insight (FULLSTEAM RECORDS), recently found themselves at the pinnacle of the Finnish Single Chart with their latest Hurricane Season. The band has since been in the top-5 for the past 6 weeks. Hurricane Season and the second album Red Lights, White Lines were released this summer in Italy, Portugal and Japan. Another FULLSTEAM pearl, the most popular alternative rock/emo band in Finland Disco Ensemble has been touring Finland and Europe throughout the summer. After a 30 gig-tour of Germany, Switzerland and Austria with the American Never Heard of It the band’s second album First Aid Kit was released in Germany in June.
Finlands pride and joy of lovemetal HIM (SIRE/HELSINKI MUSIC COMPANY) release their new single Wings of a Butterfly on August 9th. This is a sneak preview of their upcoming album Dark Light. This eagerly awaited record will be released worldwide on September 26th. HMC is gathering active volunteer HIM fans to market Dark Light in street teams.
The fascinating Tigerbombs (JOHANNA KUSTANNUS) duo is recording their second album in Gula studios in Malmö. The same inspiring milieu has also lured in stars like Franz Ferdinand, The Ark and Suede. We can expect very high quality pop tunes this fall when the first single comes out. Tigerbombs debut album Loves You will be released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on August 22nd.
Raging metal ensemble Callisto‘s (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) debut album True Nature Unfolds was re-released by Earache in every European country, Australia and North America during this summer. Lately Callisto have been writing new songs for their upcoming second album.
Lordi (SONYBMG), famous for their monstrous costumes and make-up, have re-entered the padded cell to record their third studio album. The still untitled album is a follow-up to Get Heavy (2002) and The Monsterican Dream (2004), and is scheduled for release in early 2006. Arrangement-wise the new material is said to be even simpler than before. But the big hooky choruses and simple sing-along melodies are still there, naturally. Thats what theyre about.
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LIVE
Metal heroes Stratovarius (SANCTUARY) unleash their world tour on August 19th in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The current dates, some co-headlined with Into Eternity and HammerFall, extend to January 2006 with appearances in Latin and North America, Europe and Japan.
On August 29th, HIM (SIRE/HMC) will start an eight-gig European tour of Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK and the Netherlands. The last concert at Amsterdam’s Paradiso is scheduled only four days before the feverishly awaited worldwide release of the Dark Light album on September 26th.
The wonderfully eccentric indie rockers 22-Pistepirkko (BONE VOYAGE) will reach audiences in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and France, playing almost 40 gigs September 1st November 2nd. Their recent album Drops & Kicks is now available on 2-LP vinyl boasting 7 bonus songs.
Melodic power metal outfit Sonata Arctica (NUCLEAR BLAST) tour in Europe on September 8th25th with concerts in Germany, Netherlands, France, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland. The support acts are Finnish Machine Men (CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS) and German Symphorce.
Cello metal trio Apocalyptica (UNIVERSAL MUSIC) continues the nearly ceaseless touring they started in January on the release of the self-titled album Apocalyptica featuring Ville Valo of HIM and Lauri of The Rasmus as well as Dave Lombardo of Slayer fame. New tour dates in the US and Canada are scheduled September 12th-27th, and in Mexico Oct 18th21st.
Probably Finland’s best-know jazz group abroad, Trio Töykeät (ROCKADILLO RECORDS) are to perform in Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan and Hong Kong September 3rd16th. The concert locations may sound exotic for an average jazz enthusiast, but for this group that has played 2000+ gigs across five continents they are certainly not unheard of.
There is a rush of Finnish tours in the UK in the forthcoming August and September, with Boomhauer (STUPIDO RECORDS) Aug 12th20th, Deep Insight (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) Aug 14th21st, and Husky Rescue (CATSKILLS RECORDS) Sep 4th12th. On top of that, Negative (GBFAM RECORDS) will be touring in Germany August 5th - September 15th.
Fonal Records are sending their bands out around the world. Kiila will play at the Palimpsest Festival in Cambridge, UK, on August 13th and Tomutonttu, Islaja, Lau Nau, Kuupuu, Hertta Lussu Ässä, Pekko Käppi and Taikuri Tali will be touring the USA between August 24th and September 20th.
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Behind the Scenes: Sara Nunes stormed on the scene with her debut single Simon Can’t Sing, which refers to infamous American Idol-judge Simon Cowell known for his damning remarks. On her debut album How To Rule The World In 12 eZ Lessons she spits some more spite towards the record industry on the first track, Message Da Industry, which advises starting starlets to read the fineprint in record contracts. Strong remarks for a debut album, but Sara has experience to back her dark lessons. As a teen she was the singer of teen-pop duo Sinamour, so she has an idea of what she’s talking about.