POPKOMM 2003:
- Finnish action rock showcase on Sat 16 August at Underground II
- Finnish companies at Popkomm 2003
- Party invitation…
- Forthcoming Finnish export action
The remarkable rise of popularity and activity in the Finnish music scene is reflected by the presence at Popkomm 2003 of 16 vibrant Finnish companies. Finnish record companies, publishers, management and production companies along with many of their artists and products will all be there. This active attendance demonstrates the strenght, vitality and variety of music from the top of the world. In the last year alone, five Finnish bands, HIM, APOCALYPTICA, THE 69 EYES, NIGHTWISH and LUOMO have feasted on the German charts and brought a new cool to the clubs and kids of Europe. It is definitely time for Finland as Finnish Music scene continues to go from strength to strength (Music & Media).
The top of action rock in a unique genre showcase
At Underground II on Saturday 16 August
● Boomhauer (Stupido Records) 8.30pm
Wild redneck country punk, pelvis-cracking burning soul, post Generation X white boy blues and raunchy garage rock. - The rollicking debut album Wild Human Condition available for the GSA market
● Thee Ultra Bimboos (Spinefarm Records) 9.45pm
Hellcat rocksters with burning hearts showcasing their rakish 4th album Bimboo Wizard released in Germany via Motor Records
● Screamin´Stukas (Levy-yhtiö Records) 11.00pm
Explosive fun-charged rock´n´roll - The heart-stoppingly energetic debut album A Lotta Rhythm available for the GSA market
Companies at the Music Export Finland stand Hall 7, B18 (confirmed as of 14 July):
A1 MUSIC
Production company specializing in commercial music production and development of innovative digital music feelings for mobile human. Contact: Vesa Vähäsarja, CEO
BEATS AND STYLES RECORDINGS
Innovative, versatile and fresh independent music producer/label releasing quality dancepop with an edge. Full packages from artwork to MTV quality music videos available. Contact: Jaakko Manninen, Managing Director
EXOGENIC RECORDS / EXOGENIC BREAKS RECORDS
Independent label and publisher specializing in electronic music. Artists include funfilled tunesmiths Accu, Koneveljet, Texas Faggott, KOE, Squaremeat. Both of the labels have lots of exciting new material to offer either for distribution or licensing at Popkomm. Please contact Kristian Bergstrom to set an appointment or just drop by the Music Export Finland stand.
- Exogenic Records announces:
Alongside Popkomm and Sonar surely the other essential summer event is Koneisto, the biggest and the most beautiful festival for electronic music in northern Europe (Helsinki, July 25-27). Staged by the stunning Helsinki sea-scape you can catch artists from exogenous labels: Exogenic Records’ artists Texas Faggott, Squaremeat and Haltya on the traditional Saturday psy-trance arena, and Exogenic Breaks’ artists Accu, Reuna, Koneveljet, DJ Genki and KOE.
LEVY-YHTIO RECORDS
One of Finland’s leading independent record labels with immense experience and knowledge in all areas of the music business. Key artists: The Screamin` Stukas, Apulanta, Ronnie Starr. Contact: Ari Tiainen, Managing Director
LOVE MUSIC PUBLISHING / JOHANNA KUSTANNUS
Love Music Publishing was founded in 1976 as an offshoot of the legendary Love Records. Today they are one of Finland’s biggest independent music publishers concentrating on pop and rock music, and working alongside the Johanna Kustannus label. Key artists include Melrose, The Blaster Master, Leningrad Cowboys, Itä-Saksa, Naked, Marko Haavisto & Poutahaukat and Ben Granfelt. Contacts: Sini Perho, Managing Director, Atte Blom, International Manager
LOW FREQUENCY RECORDS
Finnish independent publisher focusing on hardrock and metal. Artists include: Spiha, Luomakunta, Tajuvana, Reverend Bizarre, Cadacross, Silent Voices, Myon, Solution13, Downfall. Contact: Joni Kasanen, Managing Director
POPLANDIA MUSIC / GAGA GOODIES
One of the leading independent publishers in Finland. Priority artists: The 69 Eyes, Bitch Alert, Diablo, Creamstar, Nerdee. Contact: Taija Holm, Head of Marketing
- Poko Records announces:
Bitch Alert will be launching themselves on the British audiences and media at The Borderline (London, 28 July) together with EMI Finlands new gruff industrial comet Velcra. September 26 sees the release of the long awaited compilation Framed in blood (the very blessed of the 69 Eyes) from The 69 Eyes. The album is accompanied by the spectacular DVD, Helsinki Vampires which includes all their videos, a recent live show and a lot of extra material.
ROCKET SCIENCE
Rocket Science is an independent company dedicated to bringing upon the unsuspecting world higher quality mobile entertainment and gaming than has ever been witnessed before. Contact: Juuso Salmijärvi, CEO
ROCKADILLO RECORDS / ZEN MASTER PUBLISHING
One of Finland’s longest established and globally best known indie labels specializing in electronica, World Music, jazz, experimental and progressive, including RinneRadio, Wimme, Kimmo Pohjonen, Piirpauke, Pekka Pohjola and XL. Contact:Tapio Korjus, Managing Director
SAM AGENCY
Sam Agency is an artist management and agency representing several Finnish top artists in rap, urban, dance and rock gategories. Key artists: Paleface, REdrama, Don Johnson Big Band, Negative, Pornorphans. Contact: Sami Peura, Managing Director
SPINEFARM RECORDS
Leading Finnish metal and hardrock label. Also known from its rock sublabel Ranch Records. Key artists: Nightwish, Children of Bodom, The Flaming Sideburns and Thee Ultra Bimboos. Contact: Riku Pääkkönen, Managing Director
STUPIDO RECORDS
Stupido Records, est. 1989, is one of the biggest and oldest totally independent Finnish record companies. Current roster includes a.o. Giant Robot, Eläkeläiset, Boomhauer, Rollstons, Boy Novice, Hypnomen, Treeball. Contact: Joose Berglund, A&R, Promotion Manager
THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS
1) Record label focusing on top notch electronic music. Styles: modern dance music, chill-out and down-tempo. 2) Leading modern dance event organizer in Finland. 3) Web-shop for electronic music. Contact: Peter Gerkman, Managing Director
WOLFGANG RECORDS One of the most exciting independent record companies around, now has four sub-labels: Silence (jazz, ambient, world), Wolfram (pop, reggae), Macedonia (classical) and Major Leidén (rock). Contact: Matti Kervinen, Producer
THE FINNISH MUSIC INFORMATION CENTRE
Promotes Finnish composers and their music, spanning all genres from classical to pop/rock, jazz and modern folk. Contacts: Jutta Jaakkola, Head of Popular Music and Minna Huuskonen, Promotion Manager
P.S. Finns together with our fellow Nordic types, the Swedes, the Norwegians and the Danes, will arrange a party to cool you off in the heat of the Popkomm Friday evening. Make sure you get an invitation! - Be there or go spare. (Friday 15 August, in Hall 7, B 18, 5.30pm.-7.00pm.)
Stay tuned for more Finnish export activities in the near future:
- Helsinki Export Showcase 4-5 September 2003 at the Tavastia Club, Helsinki: presenting some of the finest bands Finland has to offer, including both exciting newcomers and already internationally rated talent.
—> For invitations and more info, please contact Music Export Finland/Paulina Ahokas or call +358 (0)20 730 2230.
- A research report on the total market value of Finnish music exports will be released around the same time.