SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST SEES AN INVASION OF FINNISH MUSIC
- Finland teams up with the other Nordic countries to present the hottest Nordic talent
Finland will treat the South By Southwest (SXSW) crowd to seven unique, exceptional performances. The Finnish line-up includes trendy poppers The Crash (WARNER MUSIC FINLAND), champions of quirky garage rock 22-Pistepirkko (BONE VOYAGE), cello metal squad Apocalyptica (UNIVERSAL), hotly tipped folktronica act Husky Rescue (CATSKILLS RECORDS), instrumental rockers Laika And The Cosmonauts (GRANDPOP RECORDS), Scandinavian action jazz duo Nieminen & Litmanen (GRANDPOP) and the dark pop sounds of The Latebirds (GRANDPOP).
The quality of the Finnish line-up could not be higher; all the acts are timely and have unique business potential. The Crash have already tasted success in Germany with a song on the German eBay campaign and heavy rotation on MTV, where they are a staff favourite. Cult band 22-Pistepirkko just went #1 on Swedish college radio with their single Rat King. Apocalyptica is a million selling crossover hit and not just a novelty Metallica cover band. Husky Rescue has caused hype in the UK with rave Guardian and Sunday Times reviews, and more.
The GRANDPOP RECORDS entourage have already gained a foothold in the US; Quentin Tarantino has confessed to being a fan of Laika And The Cosmonauts (so listen out for his next soundtrack
), The Latebirds are currently recording their new album in Woodstock with Ken Coomer (Wilco) and Charlie Brocco (George Harrison, Jeff Lynne) producing, while Nieminen & Litmanen will make their grand Stateside debut, presenting their funky Scandinavian action jazz to the unsuspecting SXSW crowd.
Nordic Nights presents 12 hip acts from the north
The Nordic countries have joined forces to promote artists on US territory. The Nordic Nights showcases will be at The Drink on March 17 and 18, bringing together the 12 hottest acts from each Nordic country; Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.
The Nordic Nights bill features the rootsy garage of 22-Pistepirkko (Thursday) and the stylish disco rock of The Crash (Friday). Other Nordic bands include Teitur (DK), The Ark (SWE), Ske (ISL) and Surferosa (NOR).
NORDIC STAND
Finnish artists and their management/publishers will be at the Nordic stand (C8-9, D8-9) at the Austin Convention Centre trade fair.
PARTY HARD!
Meet & greet reception on the Nordic stand Thursday, March 17, 4.00pm-6.00pm with all the Nordic Nights artists. Beer and other beverages to chill out with.
FINNISH SHOWCASES AT SXSW:
Wednesday, March 16
Laika And The Cosmonauts (GRANDPOP RECORDS)
@ The Drink (325 6th Street, Corner of 6th and Trinity)
1:00 am
Thursday, March 17
Husky Rescue (CATSKILLS RECORDS)
@ Latitude 30 (512 San Jacinto St.)
11:00 pm
22-Pistepirkko (BONE VOYAGE)
@ The Drink (325, 6th Street, Corner of 6th and Trinity)
1:00 am
Friday, March 18
The Crash (WARNER MUSIC FINLAND)
@ The Drink (325 6th Street, Corner of 6th and Trinity)
10:00 pm
Saturday, March 19
The Latebirds (GRANDPOP RECORDS)
@ Cedar St. Courtyard (208 W. 4th Street)
8:00 pm
Apocalytpica (UNIVERSAL)
@ Flamingo Cantina (515 E 6th Street)
9:00 pm
Nieminen & Litmanen (GRANDPOP RECORDS)
@ The Elephant Room (315 Congress Ave.)
11:30 pm
Showcase schedules and other information:
www.sxsw.com/music
Further information and interview requests:
Paulina Ahokas, Director
Music Export Finland
Mobile: +358 (0)40 5511 551
Email: paulina.ahokas(at)musexfinland.fi