The SXSW MUSIC AND MEDIA CONFERENCE showcases over 1300 musical acts from around the globe on over fifty stages in downtown Austin. By day, conference registrants do business in the SXSW Trade Show in the Austin Convention Center.
The 20th edition of SXSW features six Finnish showcases, from scandinavian action jazz to psychedelic krautrock. To listen to Astrid Swan, Circle, Disco Ensemble, The Latebirds, Nieminen & Litmanen and Tigerbombs, click on the titles below.
You can catch these bands live before SXSW at New York’s Sin-é club (150 attorney st @ stanton, NYC) on Monday, March 13 at 8pm. Tickets cost $8, to get on the guestlist contact the Music Export Finland office.
There will be a NORDIC PARTY at The Drink (E 6th street) on Thursday at 7-8pm. For an invitation contact the Music Export Finland office (ville at musex.fi).
FINNISH SHOWCASES AT SXSW 2006
Astrid Swan (DRIVER 8 RECORDINGS)
Thursday March 16, 8:00 pm
@ The Drink (6th Street)
part of the Nordic Nights showcase.
“What a striking sound from the 22 year-old Finn ... we reckon it won’t be long before it’s an international hit.”
- Record Of The Day (on Rock ´n´Roll Blonde)
LISTEN TO TRACKS FROM ASTRID SWAN’S DEBUT ALBUM POVERINA:
They Need You If They Think You Love Them
Rock’n'Roll Blonde
Good Girl
The Latebirds (GRANDPOP RECORDS)
Thursday March 16, 10:00 pm
@ The Drink (6th Street)
part of the Nordic Nights showcase.
From stadium rockers to country twang, from catchy power pop harmonies to leftfield punk, from loud guitars to piano ballads. The Latebirds’ dynamic new album, Radio Insomnia, was recorded with producers Ken Coomer, Charlie Brocco and Lasse Kurki in Woodstock NY, featuring guests like Wayne Kramer (MC5), Ken Stringfellow (Posies, REM), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & Heartbreakers) and various members of Wilco.
LISTEN TO TRACKS FROM RADIO INSOMNIA:
Set Free The Radio
Dream Dream
Will To Fall
Disco Ensemble (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
Thursday March 16, 0:00 am
@ The Drink (6th Street)
part of the Nordic Nights showcase.
“If enough people get to see this astonishing young band in action then anything’s possible ... the sheer strength of their songs marks the four-piece out as potential world-botherers ... exhausting in the best possible way. Fucking awesome.” - Kerrang! (5/5 K’s)
LISTEN TO TRACKS FROM FIRST AID KIT:
We Might Fall Apart
Drop Dead Casanova
Black Euro
Tigerbombs (MEGAMANIA)
Thursday March 16, time & venue tbc
Saturday March 19, time & venue tbc
Tigerbombs’ tigersound is build up with, say, pretty garageish and vintage touch. Two snarlin’ guitars, flaming & biting Italian-made organs (i.e. CRB, GEM, FARFISA), funky basslines and sleazy drumwork. Sound = equipment = sound. Simple as that.
LISTEN TO TRACKS FROM LOVES YOU and CRAZY KIDS NEVER LEARN:
1000 Sparks
All Time Wasted
Punch Me Up
Circle (EKTRO RECORDS)
Friday March 17, 00:00am
@ EMO’s IV (601 Red River St.)
“Circle’s popularity may never fall in line with fellow droners Tortoise, GY!BE or Mogwai but freaks on the outer rim will know what’s up.” - Pitchforkmedia
Sorry, no tracks… Go to EMO’s IV on Friday, you have to see it to believe it.
Nieminen & Litmanen (GRANDPOP RECORDS)
Saturday March 18, time tbc
@ Elephant Room
Nieminen & Litmanen equals Hammond organ, drums and two handsome Finns wearing matching thrift store suits. The music they play is filed under Scandinavian Action Jazz – if you can imagine Jimmy Smith playing Deep Purple songs, then you may get an idea of what Nieminen & Litmanen sound like.
LISTEN TO TRACKS FROM MORE ADVENTURES WITH:
Leo Jokela Rides Again
Isabelle
Tutankhamon
Nordic Nights @ SXSW is a joint Nordic initiative to draw attention to the music which is thriving in Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden right now. This will be achieved partly through the joint Nordic stand at the SXSW Music Trade Show, partly through the two nights - Thursday 16 and Friday 17 March - at the club The Drink, where a total of twelve bands will underline why there is so much focus on the Northern European music scene right now.
Drop by the Nordic booth (O9/10, P9/10, next to the day stage) and pick up you copy of the Nordic Nights sampler to find out what’s hot in the north.
More info:
Mr. Ville Kilpeläinen
Producer
Music Export Finland
Tel +358 (0)20 730 2230
Email ville(at)musex .fi
Ms. Una Johnston
European Manager
South By Southwest
una(at)sxsw.com