This is no Knickerbocker Holiday, so lets go straight to October. Its wild and woolly assortment of music industry get-togethers is hard to beat.
Before getting into the music business check out the brand spanking new Music Export Finland blog
Berlin hosts mind-blowing SCHMOOZEATHON!
Early October is Popkomm time and an excuse for the movers, shakers, surfers and dealers of the international music biz to gather in one of the coolest places on Earth, Berlin.
The Finnish contingent will be out in force, so check out the stand, schmooze with your northern brethren and, above all, go to the showcases. Its customary to go to film festivals and make it a point of pride to not see a single film, but this is MUSIC.
FINNISH SHOWCASES AT POPKOMM 2008
Sturm und Drang (WARNER/HMC) Wednesday, 8 October, 00:15 pm @ Club 23 Popkomm Festival Center, Kulturbrauerei
The world may have forgotten how much fun hard rock in its most unadulterated form is, but luckily Sturm und Drang is here to remind us. See this astonishingly young and proficient bunch of Judas Priest fans blow the socks off people ten years their senior.
Rubik (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) Friday, 10 October, 10.00 pm @ Club NBI Popkomm Festival Center
Rubik’s debut album, Bad Conscience Patrol went straight to number 7 on the Finnish charts, earning comparisons to Radiohead and Arcade Fire on the way. Since then, theyve toured Germany, the UK and put in appearances at festivals like Hultsfred, SXSW, Eurosonic, Transmission
Live, they slay.
Damn Seagulls (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) Friday, 10 October, 9.00 pm @ Club NBI Popkomm Festival Center
Think Jon Landau in 1974 at a Bruce Springsteen gig. Think bands like The Clash or Afghan Whigs taking their first steps out of the genres that nourished them to find something bigger and bolder. Thats where the Damn Seagulls are at the moment. Breaking out to forge a path of their own.
Ismo Alanko & Teho (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) Friday, 10 October, 11.00 pm @ Club NBI Popkomm Festival Center
Infectious and intelligent songwriting combined with a smartly minimalist esthetic make Ismo Alanko & Teho a truly unique experience. A legend still in love with his craft, playing at the top of his thirty-year game
Its the best ticket in town.
April (SPINEFARM RECORDS) Friday, 10 October, 9.05 pm @ Popkomm Club K17 Metal Stage
Fresh from working with producers Pelle Henriksson and Eskil Lövström (Refused, In Flames and Meshuggah), April is ready to take on the world with their second album Anthems for the Rejected. Its a rawer, edgier kind of passion theyve unleashed on the world. Angry, even. April is a different order of metal.
Underwater Sleeping Society (BACKSTAGE ALLIANCE)
Wednesday, 8 Oct, 11:15 pm @ Club 23 Popkomm Festival Center, Kulturbrauerei
UWSSoc is hungry as hell. With the kind of burning hunger that can only be sated by furious live performances, this band that has been compared to The National, Flaming Lips and Midlake is one to watch. Kalle Gustavson Jerneholm from the legendary Soundtrack Of Our Lives produced the new album.
Astrid Swan (JOHANNA KUSTANNUS / PYRAMID) Friday, 10 October, 9.30 pm @ Popkomm Club Aufsturz
Marrying the compositional touch of Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro to the dramatic instinct of Antony Hegarty and Marc Almond, plus adding a pinch of righteous rock has taken her places and secured spots playing with the likes of Jose Gonzalez, Mew, Loney Dear, Jamie Cullum and Lou Barlow.
Lordi (SONY BMG) Friday, 10 October, 10.20 pm @ Popkomm Club K17 Metal Stage
Lordis fourth album Deadache will see the light of day, or maybe the dark of night, on 27 October, 2008. On the leathery wings of The Arockalypse, the band played Ozzfest, opened for KISS in New Zealand and Type O Negative all over the States, and moved 350 000 units. Lordi will headline this years Popkomm and the event will serve as a debut for their new monster costumes. Do not miss this.
Jesse (GAEA BOOKING & RECORDS)
Taking their inspiration Kraftwerk, Megadeth, Toto and Mega-Anal, Kalifornia-Keke and Stiletti-Ana proceeded to create one of the hippest electro bands on the planet. Theyre so unimpeachably cool, one of them can wear a mullet and theres nothing you can do about it. Cars, babes, and pimped sneakers, thanks to a deal with Karhu
Welcome to the world of Jesse.
In addition to Popkomms offical festival program the following Finnish artists are performing in Berlin: Pets on Prozac (NEW JUDAS / HOUSECAT RECORDS), Huoratron (NEW JUDAS), Obi Blanche (NEW JUDAS), Les Gillettes, Downtown (NEW JUDAS), Top Billin (TOP BILLIN´) and Le Corps Mince de Françoise.
And even as the free bar in Berlin is padlocked, the makeshift lounges dismantled and the lighting rigs powered down in one town, you know theyre setting that shit up in another
Tampere, enter stage right!
Tampere lights up with some music and the media SCHMOOZING!
If theres one thing people love, its a GOOD schmooze! Everyone from nuclear physicists to guys selling plumbing supplies get together annually for a GOOD schmooze. This year, the Musiikki & Media conference in Tampere, Finland will host some schmoozing par excellence by luminaries like Jonathan Poneman, known as one of the founders of Sub Pop Records, which as you all know, is one THE classic indie labels of all time having blazed a luminous trail from the Mudhoneys and Nirvanas of yore to the Fleet Foxes and Death Vessels of this day.
Also in attendance are two people connected to The Ramones. Tommy Ramone is the original drummer. Since leaving the band, he has made a career for himself as a respected producer. Tommy will be joined by the man who discovered his band, Seymour Stein. Stein is the head of Sire Records and a Vice-President at Warner Bros Records. Stein is back for a return visit.
IQ goes on a BACKPATTING rampage!
IQ is a magazine catering to the international live music business. Recently, they asked 200 currenty powerful players in the business to name the members of the next up-and-coming generation wholl be running the show in the future. Out of hundreds of nominations, 10 under-35s with the talent, business know-how and vision made the list.
One of the was Juha Kyyrö, founder and head of FULLSTEAM RECORDS
”You cant really base your work on stuff like this, but its nice and flattering to realize that people respect what you do, especially since its obviously on an international level. I think my appearance on the list is a result of the fact that international players find working with Fullsteam easy and productive Kyyrö says.
The future movers and shakers identified include one of the leaders of Germanys largest concert agency Marek Lieberberg Konzertagentur, André Lieberberg and the head of promotion for Live Nation UK Toby Leighton-Pope. Juha Kyyrö and the other nine talented youngsters will compete for the Tomorrow’s New Boss’ Arthur Award, which will be awarded at an epic schmoozing gala in March 2009.
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Enough of this business blather
Lets finally talk about music.
The Rasmus make an anticipated return with Black Roses!
The international success story of The Rasmus (PLAYGROUND MUSIC SCANDINAVIA) is about to continue. Having notched up sales of 2,5 million albums worldwide the band’s new album Black Roses is due for international release 26th September (29th Sept UK, 1st Oct Japan, 7th Oct Canada & Quebec). Countries also releasing the album so far are: GAS, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Israel, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Greece, Italy, Russia and Ukraine - and there are more to come.
The first single Livin’ in a world without you is released 10th September and together with the forthcoming album has been co-written and produced by Desmond Child, the man behind hits like Poison by Alice Cooper, I was made for loving you by Kiss and Livin’ la vida loca by Ricky Martin, to mention only a few. Livin’ in a world without you is now entering its third week on the number one spot of the Finnish Music Control chart.
Disco Ensemble nominated for an award by MTV
We’re happy to announce that Disco Ensemble (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) are amongst the nominees for Finnish Act at this years MTV Europe Music Awards! Fullsteam’s punkrockers are competing with Nightwish (SPINEFARM RECORDS), Anna Abreu (SONY / BMG), HIM (SIRE RECORDS) and Children Of Bodom (SPINEFARM RECORDS). Let the voting begin!
Disco Ensemble are heading south with Fullsteam label mates LAPKO! Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, France, Belgium and Denmark are on the bill this time!
Dancing up the charts
The Billboard Hot Dance Airplay Chart published on August 30th features Finnish machine music maven Ercola on spot number 5, as in f-i-v-e. Its a song called Every word he released with Daniella. 16 weeks on the list aint shabby.
Beat that Style! Beat it like a redheaded stepchild!
Beats and Styles (BEATS AND STYLES) has just made a deal with FG Nikitin, one of Russia’s leading independent record companies for the release of their latest record, Straight up. The first single will be You got the light, which is just starting to build up all over Europe after some good chart results and media visibility in Finland over the summer.
A tour of both Russia and Poland is in the works for this energetic party music group. The album will be released in Poland by My Music.
You can check out the crazy laser-shooting music video with over 200 000 hits.
Francine goes abroad
Francine (POKO REKORDS) has been around for over 20 years. They released a new album called One step further on 3.9.2008 in Finland. The autumn will see the album released in Europe. In Finland, the album is released by Poko Rekords and in Europe by Wolverine Records.
Killer Aspect will get their debut album released in nine Asian countries
How Does It Work by Finnish rock band Killer Aspect (BONNIER AMIGO MUSIC FINLAND) will be released in Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, The Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and in Thailand at 22th of September by Marquee Inc. The debut album has received great reviews in the Finnish press and now it’ll be available for Asian fans as well.
Johanna Iivanainen: Loisto The Collection, release date 10.9. 2008
Johanna Iivanainen: Loisto The Collection (BACKSTAGE ALLIANCE and PRESENCE RECORDS) is the first collection album by singer-songwriter Johanna Iivanainen. It sums up her incredibly versatile and active career within past ten years as a recording artist. The album will be released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland by German Nordic Notes.
Underwater Sleeping Society releases a new album
The Helsinki-based indie rockers Underwater Sleeping Society (BACKSTAGE ALLIANCE / PLAYGROUND MUSIC SCANDINAVIA) is set to release their new album The Dead Vegas October 15 in Finland with more countries to follow later this fall. Mixed by Kalle Gustafsson at Svenska Grammofon Studios, Göteborg and mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Kevorkian Mastering, New York (The National, The Shins, Sonic Youth), the album will surely be one the most talked about indie rock releases this fall. Underwater Sleeping Society will also tour outside Finland this fall, including shows in Popkomm, Berlin 8th of October and Debaser in Stockholm, Sweden 5th of November.
Worldwide digital Crumbs
Helsinki-based band Crumbland (EXOGENIC) will release their debut album Should I Tell You? worldwide digitally on the 1st of September.
The new release of the album includes and added bonus track Pleasure, the bands Eurovision Song Contest 2008 entry. Should I Tell You? will be available in all respectable download stores. The physical CD contains the video for Pleasure, directed by Jukka Salo.
MySpace release by Exogenic
Exogenic Records is proud to release the first Dreams Of Myspace-compilation in digital format, worldwide, on the 2nd of September. The compilation features 12 new artists producing soulful and high-quality downtempo and ambient, chosen from Myspace.com. Ambient mastermind Mac Mavis, who has previously released two albums on Exogenic Records, also contributed a track. Dreams Of Myspace Vol. 1 is compiled by Robert Schroeder and it was released physically by German-based label Spheric Music
Kimmo Goes to Kazan (and comes back)
KTU - Kimmo Pohjonen, Trey Gunn, Pat Mastelotto (HOEDOWN ARTS) just returned from the Creation of Peace Festival in Kazan, Tatarstan. The festival also featured Patti Smith, Keith Emerson, Justin Adams, Fairport Convention, Adrian Belew Power Trio, Eddie Jobson, Future Sound of London, Zemfira and many others and drew over 200,000 people. KTU also performed at B1 club in Moscow on Sept 3, in a double bill with Adrian Belew Power Trio, drawing over 2000 people.
Kimmo plays with rather large toys
Kimmo Pohjonens (HOEDOWN ARTS) Earth Machine Music will be performed in a scaled down version in London on October 3 at Café 1001 as part of the Concrete and Glass series. Earth Machine Music features Pohjonen performing with farmers and their machines and tools. Concrete and Glass info here.
Kalaniemi Goes to Brussels
Accordionist Maria Kalaniemi (HOEDOWN ARTS) recently returned from Accordion Tribes sixth European tour. Kalaniemi will perform Bellow Poetry with guitarist Olli Varis at Muziekpublique in Brussels on October 11.
Busface signs with Finnish label
Previously known for its industrial metal touch, Osasto-A will take a step in a dancier direction. Hugh Booker, aka Busface, is an electro act from London. Back in the day, he made 5 albums for the Acid Jazz imprint. He has remixed, performed with or otherwise collaborated with acts like Africa Bambaata, Earth Wind & Fire, Jamiroquai and The Brand New Heavies. His last release was Circles, together with Sophie Ellis-Bextor. It went to number one on the British dance charts. The album will include many high-profile visitors, such as Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Diane Charlemagne.
Metal over Japan
Mastervox has licensed northern powermetal band Ultimatium‘s album to Japan. Japanese label Soundholic Records has licensed Ultimatium’s second album Hwainoo and releases it 25th of September in Japan. Ultimatium has received lots of interest from abroad, including a smash review in Metal-observer.com (9,5 / 10).
Like leaves blowing in the wind: Finns on the road
Hanoi Rocks (BACKSTAGE ALLIANCE) gigs this fall
31 Oct UK London, Astoria
01 Nov UK Nottingham, Rock City
02 Nov UK Birmingham, Academy 2
03 Nov UK Manchester, Academy 2
04 Nov UK Glasgow, Garage
05 Nov UK Newcastle, Academy
MATTHAU MIKOJANS (POKO RECORDS) GERMANY TOUR 2008
Matthau Mikojan is also known as the former singer of finnish band Bloodpit.
09 Oct GER, Braunschweig, Bikers Bistro
10 Oct GER, Hamburg, Logo
11 Oct GER, Dortmund, Paint House
12 Oct GER, Cologne, Blue Shell
14 Oct GER, Frankfurt, Nachtleben
16 Oct GER, Stuttgart, Kellerclub
17 Oct GER, Berlin, Wild At Heart
18 Oct GER, Leipzig, Fourooms
APPROXIMATELY INFINITE UNIVERSE TOUR
Kemialliset Ystävät + Axolotl
Es + Fursaxa
Islaja + Blevin Blectum + Samara Lubelski
Dream Triangle (Tomutonttu + Skaters)
19 Sep UK Glasgow - CCA
20 Sep UK Aberdeen - Lemon Tree
21 Sep UK Sheffield - Bar Abbey, The Abbeydale Picture House
23 Sep UK Birmingham Hare & Hounds
24 Sep UK Newcastle Gateshead Sage
25 Sep UK Manchester - Contact Theatre
26 Sep UK Bristol - The Cube
27 Sep UK London ICA
Disco Ensemble (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
25 Sep SWE, Stockholm, Debaser Slussen +Lapko
26 Sep SWE, Gothenburg, Sticky Fingers +Lapko
27 Sep GER, Hamburg, Reeperbahn Festival +Lapko
28 Sep GER, Berlin, Magnet +Lapko
30 Sep CZ, Prague, tba +Lapko
01 Oct AUS, Vienna, Szene +Lapko
02 Oct AUS, Graz, PPC +Lapko
03 Oct IT, Milan, Garage +Lapko
04 Oct CH, Laufen, Biomill +Lapko
05 Oct CH, Luzern, Schüür +Lapko
07 Oct GER, Wiesbaden, Schlachthof +Lapko
08 Oct GER, Stuttgart, Die Röhre +Lapko
09 Oct GER, Cologne, Underground +Lapko
10 Oct GER, Bochum, Matrix +Lapko
11 Oct NL, Utrecht, Ekko +Lapko
12 Oct NL, Amsterdam, Paradiso upstairs
14 Oct FR, Paris, Maroquinerie
15 Oct BEL, Brussels, Tba +Lapko
18 Oct DK, Copenhagen, Stengade +Lapko
I Walk The Line (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
16 Sep GER, Chemnitz, Subway to Sally
17 Sep GER, Berlin, Wild At Heart
18 Sep GER, Göttingen, T-Keller
19 Sep GER, Bremen, Wehrschloß
No Shame (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
25 Sep GER, München, Sunny Red
27 Sep GER, Töging, Silo 1
29 Sep GER, Leipzig, Liwi
30 Sep GER, Köln, Sonic Ballroom
01 Oct GER, Krefeld, Kulturrampe
02 Oct GER, Brandenburg, Haus der Offiziere
03 Oct GER, Berlin, K.v.U.
April (SPINEFARM RECORDS)
7 Oct GER Scheune, Dresden
8 Oct GER Backstage, Munchen
10 Oct GER, 9.05 pm Metal Stage Club K17 Popkomm, Berlin
11 Oct GER Musa, Göttingen
The Winyls (HYPE RECORDS)
12 Oct RUS Finnish Rock in Moscow, Forte Rock Club, Moscow