- 11 top-ranking Finnish acts play CMW, SXSW and Musexpo
A total of 11 Finnish acts will perform at three of this years most important music-industry conferences in North America. The plethora of Finnish showcases at international events reflects the current demand for Finnish music globally. The boom began with Music & Media in Tampere, Finland, last October and the Finnish Opening Night Party at Midem in January 2006. Finnish acts have recently inked significant US deals; HIM having signed to Sire/Warner, rock acts Private Line and Blake have now penned deals with 456 Enterprises.
Five Finnish artists have been invited to play Canadian Music Week (CMW) in Toronto, March 1-4. Alluring singer-songwriter Astrid Swan (DRIVER 8 RECORDINGS), drag/industrial/disco/rock band Cleaning Women (BV2 PRODUKTIONS), punk rock squad Disco Ensemble (FULLSTEAM RECORDS), powerpop combo Flylow (PAROLE RECORDS), and acerbic songstress Sara Nunes (RUBATO MUSIC) will strut their stuff in venues around Toronto; for times & places, visit: http://www.musex.fi/cmw2006
Two weeks after CMW, the Finns move on to Austins South by Southwest, March 15-19. Disco Ensemble and Astrid Swan will be joined by alt. country frontliners the Latebirds (GRANDPOP RECORDS) in the Nordic Nights showcase at The Drink On 6th, Thursday, March 16. Nordic Nights is a combined effort by the export offices of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. There will be a joint Nordic stand at the SXSW Music Trade Show, plus two nights of showcases at The Drink, where a total of twelve bands will wipe out any doubts you might have about why the Northern European music scene is in the spotlight right now. And, last but not least, Niminen & Litmanen (GRANDPOP RECORDS) will give the SXSW audience a taste of Scandinavian Action Jazz and Circle (EKTRO RECORDS) will mesmerize the audiences with their unique blend of psyck-rock. Astrid Swan, Disco Ensemble and The Latebirds will also play New Yorks Sin-é club before SXSW; details of all the Finnish gigs plus the SXSW player at: www.musex.fi/sxsw2006
The 32 hand-picked showcases at the second edition of Musexpo in Los Angeles, April 30 June 3, include four Finnish acts. No coast hip hop maverick Redrama (EMI FINLAND), grunge rockers Bloodpit (MERCEEDEES), The Rasmus affiliate Kwan (DYNASTY RECORDINGS) and high-octane rock outfit The Winyls (SAM AGENCY) will rock the time-honored venues the Roxy, The Viper Room and The Key Club. More details at: http://www.musex.fi/musexpo2006
The spring also heralds Music Export Finlands music player, a no-hassle, on-demand, online radio tempting industry professionals to listen to tracks by Finnish artists attending industry events around the world. The player is integral to the re-launched Music Export Finland website. Visit http://www.musex.fi and click on an upcoming event to add tracks to the player. As easy as ABC!
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The export projects mentioned here are funded by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, The Finnish Music Promotion Centre (ESEK) and Music Export Finland.
More event info:
● Canadian Music Week: http://www.musex.fi/cmw2006 - http://www.cmw.net
● South by Southwest: http://www.musex.fi/sxsw2006 - http://www.sxsw.com/music
● Musexpo: http://www.musex.fi/musexpo2006 - http://www.musexpo.net
Ville Kilpeläinen
Producer
Music Export Finland
Tallberginkatu 1 C 36
00180 Helsinki
Tel. +358 (0)20 730 2230
Fax. +358 (0)20 730 2231
Email ville at musex.fi