- Features:
* Canadian Music Week, SXSW and the Finnish-American Music Seminar
* Hanna Pakarinen to Represent Finland in 2007 Eurovision Song Contest
- Business
- Live News
- Behind the Scenes
- Behind the Numbers
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CMW, SXSW and the Finnish-American Music Seminar
The Finns are getting ready to invade the North-American music market with showcases at CMW and SXSW, and shows at the New York and Los Angeles Knitting Factories. Have a quick listen to the elite line-up of Finnish acts slated to tour North America in March 2007 (Click on the band to listen):
THE KNITTING FACTORY
MARCH 7 LA & MARCH 12 NY
These four bands will also play at both CMW and SXSW
22-Pistepirkko (BONE VOYAGE)
Disco Ensemble (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
Lodger (EASTBORDER)
KTU (Pohjonen, Gunn, Mastelotto) (HOEDOWN ARTS)
CMW 2007 - MARCH 7-10, TORONTO
Lapko (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
Rubik (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
Callisto (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
SXSW 2007 - MARCH 14-18, AUSTIN (TX)
Callisto
Astrid Swan (DRIVER 8 RECORDINGS)
The Crash (SUOMEN MUSIIKKI)
Rubik
Irina Björklund
Disco Ensemble
I Walk the Line (COMBAT ROCK INDUSTRIES)
FOR FULL MOOSIC TOUR SCHEDULES AND SHOWTIMES VISIT www.musex.fi/tour2007
Dont forget the Finnish-American Music Seminar in New York on March 12 organized in co-operation with BILLBOARD magazine and the Sibelius Academy. For invitations contact: rsvp@musex.fi
HANNA PAKARINEN TO REPRESENT FINLAND IN THE 2007 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
Former Finnish Idols competition winner Hanna Pakarinen (SONYBMG) has won the Finnish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest with her song Leave Me Alone. She will represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki in May.
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Business
Finlands favourite heartbreakers The Crash (SUOMEN MUSIIKKI) have signed a deal with the American label Rykodisc. The deal covers the release of the bands latest album Pony Ride and the three subsequent albums in Canada, the UK and Ireland.
The hit single Fairytale Gone Bad from Sunrise Avenue (BONNIER AMIGO) has reached gold status in Sweden.
Lovexs (EMI) debut album Divine Insanity has climbed to #20 in the German album chart.
The much-anticipated debut album High & Mighty from the early reggae/ska combo The Valkyrians (BREAK A LEG ENTERTAINMENT) will be released in Central Europe on March 30 on Pork Pie. If you dont expect to hear red-hot, authentic-sounding ska music produced in the radically cold North, prepare to be surprised.
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Live
Finnish Showcases for MUSEXPO 2007 in Los Angeles have now been confirmed:
Bitch Alert (POKO REKORDS)- 9:45pm, April 29 @ the Viper Room
Rubik (FULLSTEAM RECORDS) - 8pm, May 1 @ Key Club
Deep Insight (HMC) - 10:50pm, May 1 @ The Roxy
The Valkyrians (BREAK A LEG ENTERTAINMENT)will embark on a Central European tour in April. The bands live talents have been widely acclaimed in Finland, and now is your chance to see and hear for yourself. The three-week rally starts in Poland on April 20 and moves on to Germany the next day. Complete schedule at www.myspace.com/thevalkyrians.
Lordi vs. Godzilla. Check out Lordis (SONYBMG) four-date April tour of Japan at www.lordi.com
After rocketing to #3 in the Finnish Albums chart Swallow the Sun (SPINEFARM) are to launch a European tour that will visit nine countries during April. For more info: www.swallowthesun.net
Feiled (POKO REKORDS) will launch a five-date tour of the Czech Republic starting in Prague on March 20. Full tour info: www.feiled.com
Finntroll (SPINEFARM) will be touring the UK in April. Tour details: http://www.finntroll.net/live.php
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Behind the Scenes
Finland the promised land of heavy metal finally has a chance to vote for a metalhead as its Idol. In the third series of the local version of this popular talent show one contestant is doing well with his classic heavy-rock style. Heavy-Ari, as he’s called, moshes with his long hair and performs classic hard-rock tunes whenever he can. And, boy, he really can belt out those high notes, just like Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson. This is what Finland deserves, a Heavy Metal Idol.
Behind the Numbers
Its March and the award season is upon us. On March 10, the Finnish equivalent of the Grammys - The Emmas - will be presented to the most successful artists of 2006. Nowadays, there is also an alternative award ceremony, the Femmas, that has already picked its favourites for 2006. Only four artists or bands still have a chance to score a double whammy, and get an Emma to go with their Femma. They are the Von Hertzen Brothers, Jukka Karjalainen for his Lännen-Jukka-folk-project, Valvomo, and children’s group Paukkumaissi.
The Great Finnish Invasion of the North American Music Market
on 2007-03-06