October 2004
- Feature: Music & Media
- Business
- Live News
- Behind the Numbers / Behind the Scenes
FINLAND’S MUSIC & MEDIA CONFERENCE GATHERS INTERNATIONAL MOMENTUM
- The pivotal event draws the entire Finnish industry to check out bands and discuss new developments in Tampere October 21st - 24th
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Music & Media unifies the entire Finnish recording, publishing, live music industries and media together to discuss topical issues and to check out fresh new talent. This year the event will be attended by at least 45 international delegates (a list of all delegates here>>>). On top of meet’n'greet, guests and Finnish collaeagues alike come to witness the latest edition of Finnish artists. (Showcase programme here>>>)
Impressive Japananese delegation lead the way to an exuberant seminar programme
On top of the Japanese market focus, the seminar programme includes overseas acts promotion at festivals, new revenue streams case studies and a MTV Q&A session. (More info on the panels here>>>). The release of the latest figures on the total market value of Finnish music exports and the launch of the new Finnish export organisation are also on the busy agenda of Music & Media.
For more info on Music & Media international programme and guests, contact Music Export Finland office.
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BUSINESS
The legendary Finnish World Music band Piirpauke(ROCKADILLO RECORDS) celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a sold-out show at Savoy theatre in Helsinki. The pioneering band is still lead by its original member, multi-intrumentalist Sakari Kukko. Piirpauke’s long-awaited “Best Of” compilation Ikiliikkuja / Perpetuum Mobile will hit the shops on October 27th. The 73+ minutes long CD gives 18 highlights of the band’s amazing career from 1975 hit Konevitsan Kirkonkellot all the way to last year’s Schubert interpretations.
Giant Robot released an ep Home Entertainment on October 6th. CD version includes three different versions (DJ Slow mix, Ercola mix, original) of their track Get Up! taken from the album Domesticity. The disc also features three Giant Robot videos. 12” vinyl version obviously does not include the videos, but a bonus track, Kiki & Silversurfer’s remix of Eyes Without A Price. They also play twice in Russia before Xmas. Tour Info >>>
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LIVE
Children of Bodom just can’t stay away from the US they are touring in North America for third time this year. Having supported Iced Earth and Dimmu Borgir on the first two tours, they warm up now for Lamb of God and Fear Factory on 32 gigs spanning from New Orleans to Toronto on October 7th November 14th. Tour Info >>>
Finland’s leading jazz export Trio Töykeät (EMI Blue Note) has been more active in Germany in 2004 than ever before. Pianist Iiro Rantala, bassist Eerik Siikasaari and drummer Rami Eskelinen will play festivals and concerts there again in November. Tour info>>>
A new international recording contract with Sire Records in pocket, HIM rushes ahead for headlining concerts in the UK, Ireland and the US. Their Anglo-American enterprise includes 16 tour locations in the UK and Ireland in October, and only one date less in the US during November and December. Tour Info >>>
The Sámi World Music superstar Wimme (ROCKADILLO RECORDS) will perform the band’s first ever show in Croatia at the Zagreb World Music Festival Nebo on November 20th. On the way back home the joik singer and his band will play Prague in Czech Republic on November 22nd.
Following successful showcases at In The City in Manchester and at Popkomm in Berlin, Finland’s leading electronica band RinneRadio (ROCKADILLO RECORDS) played in St. Petersburg, Russia, before returning to club shows in Tampere (October 22nd) and Turku (23rd) in Finland. The Tampere show is part of the Finnish Music & Media Conference live program, with the young Finnish classical violin sensation Pekka Kuusisto joining the band’s line-up again.
Boomhauer, just back from In The City & Popkomm will tour Germany in October again. Their second album Me Think OK! is due to be out in March. Tour Info >>>
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Behind the Scenes: Sony BMG picked a bass player to lead the company in Finland. Besides working at BMG since 1997 as the marketing manager, Kimmo Valtanen’s track record includes a stint as a pop star darling as the bass player of Finnish britpop band Supperheads.
Behind the Numbers: Music & Media in Tampere is not merely a weekend filled with hard facts and laser sharp analysis, it’s also over 1000 glasses of red wine and 400 shots of brandy poured during the Industry Awards gala dinner. According to the catering company this legendary gala dinner inspires music people to exceed the yearly peak of Gin&Tonic consumption in the Tampere region. Who says music is not an economic force these days…