June 2004
- Feature: The New Copyright Law and Music & Media
- Business
- Live News
- Behind the Numbers / Behind the Scenes
The New Copyright Law and Music & Media
The Finnish parliament is about to go ahead and debate the new copyright law which would modernize the legislation, take it to the digital age and include zero tolerance on import of piracy copies.
The new copyright law will be one of the several topics discussed at the annual MUSIC & MEDIA trade fair in Tampere, Finland on October 21st-24th attended by over 850 people - practically everyone in the Finnish music industry! Other panels and seminar discussions include focus on promoting overseas acts at festivals and a debate on new revenue streams and digital music services. The latest figures on the Total Market Value of Finnish Music Exports will also be revealed during the event.
The event also presents two evenings of showcases by the most exciting and fresh Finnish talent. With all of this taking place at the landmark surroundings of the ILVES (‘Lynx’) Hotel and its two adjacent venues, it is definitely an event to pencil to your calendar. For more info, please visit the newly launched Music & Media website.
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BUSINESS
Check out the two new exogeneous websites: www.exogenic.com for information about EXOGENIC RECORDS’ artists and releases and www.exogenicbreaks.com providing information about the cool artists and releases on the funky Exogenic Breaks Records label. The next release by these hip guys is Magic, a vinyl single from Lau, which features a killer remix by Heikki Liimatainen of Dallas Superstars. Next up is the Baba Sheriff / Fala Fala single from the juicy worldbeat outfit Fat Beat Sound System.
Bitch alert given in the UK! The uprising Finnish girl trio Bitch Alert (POKO REKORDS/PROPAGANDA) just embarked on a one-month club tour in the Isles. Their sweaty and intense live shows will be staged in e.g. London, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow on June 28th July 29th. Tour info>>>. The band has had great TV and radio support, major features in Metal Hammer, Rocksound, Big Cheese with several more coming on board soon, so watch out!
ROCKADILLO RECORDS artists are truly all over the European map! Following recent May concerts in Italy, Malta and Austria, the biggest Finnish jazz export Trio Töykeät is set to play again three shows in Germany and a concert at Stockholm Jazz Festival July 24th. Tour info>>>. The fabulous nu-jazz outfit RinneRadio is confirmed to Leigo Lake Festival in Estonia August 7th. Furthermore, Finland’s leading joik artist, the Sámi superstar Wimme is confirmed to perform at Amsterdam Roots Festival June 24th. The performance is part of the festival’s Global Grooves series taking place in the famous Melkweg venue.
The umbribable and distinguished Music Week editorial team picked the organ loving garage energy of Tigerbombs (JOHANNA) for their Go North compilation album that landed on the laps of all the fortunate subsribers with the June 5th issue. So set your players looping track 7!
Finnish Music Information Centre FIMIC has changed Email addresses. The new addresses in use are formed as firstname.lastname@fimic.fi. More info at www.fimic.fi.
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LIVE
After two extensive North American tours in a half year Children of Bodom still rush untiringly towards the summer festival gigs. The brawling crew will play festival dates in Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Greece and Hungary during the summer. Tour info>>>
While continuously working with the musical score for the Lord of the Rings stage musical adaptation, the world music supergroup Värttinä plays two major festival gigs at Rock for People in Prague (July 5th), Czech Republic and Pohoda Festival in Trencin, Slovakia (July 16th).
Things are starting to heat up for Finlands new indie phenomenon Maryland, who will be doing a mini tour in Denmark and Russia after playing the biggest summer festivals in Finland. So keep your eyes open for Maryland sightings: confirmed dates include Copenhagen’s Tivoli (August 27th) and Lades Kaelder (August 28th) followed by dates in Petroskoj, Russia September 16th-19th. Maryland’s recently released sophmore album Almond of Life received very positive reviews in Finland for their mélange of emotional pop, schlager-esque melodies and hints of 70s disco.
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Behind the Numbers: Just look at the numbers, and you’ll realise how serious Nightwish is with new album Once. Again, the band recorded some songs with a symphony orchestra, only this time with 52 members instead of 32 last time. For their video Nemo, directed by Finn Antti Jokinen, they used 200 000 euros, which could well be a record sum for a Finnish band. Now with new songs and a stealthy attitude the operatic metal band are all set to start their 150 gig world tour that won’t end until late 2005. Tour info>>>
Behind the Scenes: It’s all over for the Screamin’ Stukas. The band has decided to call it quits, stating that looking at other band members’ faces for over a decade began to be too much of an annoyance. However, their music is already an important part of Finnish music history, and singer Otto will debut as a poet next autumn. Godspeed with the new career!