Artists 2009

Kraka

Indie / Pop / Rock

Friday at 23:00, Apollo Live Music Club

Label: Jiffel Records
Agency: Live Nation
www // myspace

Kraka is one of the top indie pop/rock bands in Finland. The band is known for its strong melodies and lyrics that come close. They also have a very unique sound which can be heard on their new album "Kaunotar ja pelkuri". This album was one of the most awaited albums this year. It includes the radio hits "Kaunotar ja pelkuri" and "Tähdenlentoja". "Kaunotar ja pelkuri"-music video also played on MTV and Voice.

Suvi Koivu

Pop

Friday at 00:00, Apollo Live Music Club

Suvi Koivu plays timeless guitar pop driven by vast vocal melodies. This four-piece group from Tampere has worked on their music for the last three years, and now are preparing to record their maiden record. Suvi Koivu has already played several club and festival gigs, and their selection of touching pop songs is ever-growing. Among other things, these songs are made of romantic urban stories, guitar parts floating in a sea of echo, and hypnotic rhythm patterns. The band is currently unsigned.

Kim Curly

Singer-Songwriter / Folk-rock

Friday at 19:00, Ravintola Artturi

Lauantai time 15:00, Paapan kapakka

Label & Agency: -
www // myspace

Kim Curly is a singer/songwriter from Vantaa, Finland, but his songs are mainly influenced by 1970's America. Recording a debut album with his Kim Curly Band, the singer is now performing solo with his guitar and harmonica. This way the songs are rightly the main focus.

Suuri Voima

Iskelmä (Schlager) / Punk / Rock

Friday at 20:00, Ravintola Artturi

Fresh, emotional, merry, energetic. Suuri Voima’s music comes from the heart and strikes to the heart. Founded in the year 2007, this Tampere-based band released their first full length album in the spring of 2009. The record was very well received, and like the local newspaper said: ”The promise has been given”. And in this case, they are going to keep this promise. It’s their live performance that shows the genuine strength of the band. So let’s dance!

The Monday Box

Rock / Pop

Friday at 22:00, Doris

Label: -
Agency: Backstage Agency
www // myspace

The Monday Box is already one the most talked about unsigned rock groups in Finland, ever since its birth just over a year ago. As the musicians in the group are previously known from other successful bands, The Monday Box could easily be described as a super group, but that´s not the case here. These guys are in it for life and their timeless and powerful rock songs stand on their own. A perfect fit for arenas the size of Helsinki. Go see for yourself and you won´t be disappointed.

The Friend

Pop / Rock / Indie

Friday at 23:00, Doris

Label: -
Agency: -
www // myspace

The Friend plays fresh and melodic poprock, which will make your dancing shoes move! Band has played over 50 gigs, including successful festivals and numerous intense club nights. They've made one sold-out EP and a music video that got air time in Finnish MTV. The band is currently preparing their debut album, which the drummer, Antti, comments as follows "I once found a 50e bill, it was a great find. And that's exactly what our album will be, a smashing find!"

Markku Aro & Diesel

Iskelmä

Friday at 23:00, Hämeensilta

Label: Bonnier Amigo Music Finland
Agency: Auraviihde
www // myspace

Markku Aro has entertained a wide range of audiences in Finland since his career started in 1968. Aro's hit songs has carried him to the head group of Finnish popular music and schlager music artistis over the past four decades. He is also remembered for The Eurovision Song Contest. He represented Finland in 1971 with the song ”Tie uuteen päivään”. After 40 years of success he is still one of the most wanted performers in Finnish popular music.

XS

Pop / Rock

Friday at 23:30, Ilves Bar & Night Club

Label: EMI
Agency: Live Nation
www // myspace

XS brings new blood to the Finnish band scene. The pop/rock band comes from Suolahti, central Finland and consists of 16 to 18-year-old girls. Despite of their young age, the band has existed for 5 years already and they write their own songs as well. The band has played over 30 gigs already and you can spot XS at Tampere Music & Media event on Friday 23rd of October. The concert is held at Nightclub Ilves.
The band’s music career started to catch fire about a year ago when they recorded their first demo. Many record labels were interested and their first show attracted a lot of people in the music business. Then band has been working on their upcoming album for the last six months and the results are starting to show.
Their debut album will be released in 2010. The first single that will be released in October 2009 is called Kello Käy and a music video is also in the making.

Deep Insight

Rock / Pop

Friday at 00:30, Ilves Bar & Night Club

Label: Warner Music Finland
Agency: Popgram Finland
www // myspace

Deep Insight has boiled their Nordic melodies along with American rock for a tasty soup that has been received with great enthusiasm amongst the audience and critics. Formed in 2002 by childhood friends, the band has played over 300 shows in more than 20 countries and are known for their exceptionally energetic live shows. Their fourth album "Sucker For Love" was released this spring, followed by hit singles "Rock With My Band" and "Dangerous". Deep Insight has just been chosen as Best Finnish Act by MTV Europe Music Awards and are now nominated as Best European Act.

Rödsögården

Pop / Rock / Indie

Friday at 21:00, Klubi

Label: Warner Music Finland
Agency: Live Nation
www // myspace

Rödsögården was founded in Kokkola in the early 90's by four friends. After almost twenty years of playing together they nailed a record deal with Warner Music Finland and finally released their self-titled debut album in August 2009. The three singles "If It Comes From My Heart (It Must Be Good)", "Where The Hopes Grow" and "Walk Away" have all received airplay on finnish radio stations. The album got raving reviews and critical praise and no wonder, Rödsögården's melodic rock has an international sound with classic pop elements and a touch of Finnish melancholy.

Manna

Alternative / Rock

Friday at 22:00, Klubi

Label: Unsigned / "Songs of Hope and Desire" (Suomen Musiikki)
Agency in Finland: GAEA Booking
www // myspace

Manna, a singer-songwriter born in Paris to a Finnish mother and an Algerian father. Now based in Helsinki Finland she has released her critically acclaimed sophomore album: ”Songs of Hope and Desire”. On the album she mixes influences that pass decades and effortlesly combines musical elements from punk rock to dreamy folk creating a unique sound. Her first singles ”Some Girls, Some Boys” and ”Truth Song” helped garner great attention among the British press and industry and she's already picked up by the likes of The Sunday Times Culture, Q magazine, Record of The Day and Myspace editorial "

Joensuu 1685

Rock / Psychedelic

Friday at 00:00, Klubi

Label: Bone Voyage
Agency: Piikkikasvi (for Finland)
www // myspace

The Gospel of Noise. Young Rocktrio mix feedback with lazy beats, beautiful tunes with trippy atmospheres, reaching heaven and earth and what is below.

Joensuu 1685 (pronounce: Yo-Anne-Sioux Sixteen-Eighty-Five)is a rock trio from Finland, formed in Helsinki 2007 by two brothers Mikko Joensuu, Markus Joensuu and (of same name but not a relative) Risto Joensuu, all in their early twenties. They love to get drowned in overtones, feedbacks and noises, due to paint a soft but sizzling stream of big beauty. Repetitive bass riffs, powerful yet pretty restrained drumming, extensive guitar overtones, pastoral organs and Mikko's singing creates original soundscapes and adds something new to the scenes where they might draw their influences from: bluesy garage psychedelia from the late 60s to the wall of sounds in the 80s and early 90s. The band's self-titled debut album was recorded at 22-Pistepirkko's own Altai studios and co-produced by Asko Keränen.

Released in Finland first (now also in Germany, France and Benelux), the album got raving reviews from the Finnish media (“debut of the year”, has entered the Finnish album sales charts at the week of release, got several positions in end year’s charts (e.g . Rumba #1 “best domestic album” / Soundi #6 “best domestic album”, Radio Helsinki #9 “album of the year international”) and is nominated for best band by the critics jury of Emma Gaala, the annual music award organized by IFPI Finland and the media.

Zebra & Snake

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Friday at 01:30, Klubi

Label: Kaiku studios
Agency: Kaiku studios
www // myspace

Presenting the most fresh and exciting new pop act from Finland! They are amazing live and they represent, well, the new wave of Finnish fresh and modern pop scene like Le Corps Mince De Francoise! Straight up going live bass, modern electric drums, catchy, crazy synth lines and Tapio`s deep hypnotic voice makes this band sound new but at the same time you can catch the vibe from the 80`s and early 90`s. If one should name some of the bands for comparison it would be a mix from Joy Division, Prince, David Bowie, Talking Heads and The Knife.

Here's a little biography:

"One day two guys, Tapio and Matti, felt really gray. Colours and healing was what they needed!
They sat down by the organ and in seconds music started to stream out of their fingers and mouths. Like little rapids forming a beautiful, fertile river! It was magical, it was as if they had found their power animals. Letting go of their complete emotional and existential frustration they opened themselves to the unexplainable and started the healing process of song. And the more they played the more they were healed. But the process is ever-continuing. You see, life is a process, my friend.
The power animals - The Zebra and the Snake"

Murmansk

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Friday at 22:30, Pakkahuone

Label: Spinefarm
Agency: Sam Agency
www // myspace

”Murmansk mix the attack of Death Valley 69 Sonic Youth with My Bloody Valentine and top it with Julie Driscoll vocals" defined Mojo Magazine (UK) and declared the future of Finnish music to be secure in the hands of Murmansk after a stunning performance at Spot Festival in Denmark. It took them five years to get a critically acclaimed debut out, but since then things have moved fast for this shoegaze 'n noise-rock quartet – international attention is picking up.

The Souls

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Friday at 23:30, Pakkahuone

Label: Spinefarm Records / Ranch
Agency: Backstage Agency
www // myspace

The Souls has already made a grand statement with their critically acclaimed debut album “The Grand Confusion” and having being accepted to support the likes of Eagles of Death Metal (USA), Danko Jones (CAN) and Electric Boys (SWE) . The band blasts a furious brew of great rock songs, ear splitting proto-heavy grooves and Stones-y riffs and is getting to be known as one of the hottest live acts in Finland. Formed in 2007 by two brothers Jani (guitar, vocals) and Toni Orpana (drums) and the groovy bass line provided by their friend Antti Takalo, the band is fueled by classic stuff so many good bands have been running on since ages ago: blood ties, small town boredom and a burning passion to play music.
The Souls is 100% worth the attention, so throw away your ear plugs and crank this mother up. It’s good for your soul.

The Monster Scarf

Indie / Acoustic / Experimental

Friday at 15:00, Paapan kapakka

Label: -
Agency: -
www // myspace

The Monster Scarf is a person who plays mostly acoustic indie music. Mr. Scarf has played in many different bands and under many different monikers which you might have or might not have seen in Finland and/or abroads.

This is no rocket science, just music.

Janne Laurila

Folk / Pop / Rock

Friday at 16:00, Paapan kapakka

Label: Ranka Recordings
Agency: -
www // myspace

Singer-songwriter Janne Laurila released his solodebut Kultaisia pisteitä in September 2009 through Universal Music Finland's sub label Ranka Recordings. The album has had praising reviews and the first two singles have had great radio airplay. Janne Laurila had already made his mark in the Finnish pop scene as the frontman of his former bands Office Building and Laurila before embarking on a solo career. The rest of the year Janne will be busy touring extensively with his new tour band Tuhlaajapojat performing his fine music ranging from folk to country and
from melodic pop to rock.

Future Shorts

Lyhytelokuvia ja musiikkivideoita

Friday at 20-04, Ruma

Label: -
Agency: -
www // myspace

Future Shorts has created a rapidly expanding network. In Finland screenings takes place now in Helsinki, Tampere, Rovaniemi and Joensuu.

Future Shorts Exhibition aims to provide an alternative cinematic experience, where screenings are often accompanied by other multimedia elements including live music and rescores, performers and installations. Future Shorts has become also a must-attend event at music festivals: Glastonbury, The Big Chill and Nokia Lab to name just a few.

50 cities. One film festival. Be a part of it!

Jesse

Thrash / Trance

Friday at 22:00, Ruma

Label: GAEA Records
Agency: GAEA Booking
www // myspace

Electro superheroes Keke and Ana are back with new material. The band’s second album, TUM TUM TUM, will be released in November. Before that, have a taste of what’s to come with the maxi single Slurps!, which features two new tracks plus a Jori Hulkkonen remix of the track Viimeiset Tanssit.

The pale riders spent the entire summer stinking in their digs, seeking inspiration for the new album from comics, the pounding bass drum of the city’s clubs, hangover lusts as well as from isopods and other molluscs. The album is titled TUM TUM TUM. Shake your fist and say it out LOUD. Keke and Ana have been sensitized to receive the SIGNAL. They have truly squeezed the juice out of their synthesizers and the music reeks of sweat. The tracks are dripping with fat and welling with cosmic echoes.

Adamantra

Proge Metal / Power Metal / Heavy Metal

Friday at 21:00, Sputnik

Label: Poison Pill / Sound Of Finland
Agency: Sam Agency
www // myspace

”Revival” is the name of the debut album and it gives the first impressions of the warcry to be cast onto the centroids of melodic prog metal universe. Adamantra is now leading the way of new generation phenomenon and this most surely does not surprise a listener overwhelmed with astonishment when paddling through the powerful scenes of misery and despair, the beautiful sonic landscapes and glimpses of historical themes. The songs have started to evolve around the mutual understanding of what is the very essence of Adamantra ? companionship, trust and brotherhood. These comrades have a common interest of incanting unspoken and forgotten atmospheric melodies and tales of old.

Ancara

Hard Rock / Metal

Friday at 22:15, Sputnik

Label: -
Agency: -
www // myspace

Ancara's debut "The Dawn" (2006) reached #25 on the Finnish charts and was followed by the single "The World", which peaked at #2 and stayed for 4 weeks in the national single charts. After signing to Timo Kotipelto's (Stratovarius) High & Loud label, Ancara's second album "Beyond The Dark" (2007) entered the Finnish album charts on #9. Tuomas "Gary" Keskinen (Monday, Negative, Technicolour...) joined the band while in the process of making the third album and consequently Ancara found their natural and definitive way to work and compose "Chasing Shadows" (2009) with the producer guru Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, The 69 Eyes, Lordi...)

Waltari

Crossover / Rock / Metal

Friday at 00:45, Sputnik

Label: Stay Heavy Records
Agency: Blue Violet Agency
www // myspace

Waltari are known as the crazy metal rockers from Finland, playing ultimate crossover music. In a musical adventure that began in the early 90's and has taken place across Europe – just think of great albums such as “Torcha!”, “So Fine!” and “Big Bang”, which nonchalantly mixed styles such as rock, metal, funk, rap, pop and techno. Waltari have found a place in the hearts of music lovers everywhere. Mixing different aspects of rock music tradition, Waltari has crafted totally new combinations.

Heartbreak Stereo

Punk rock

Friday at 22:30, Telakka

Label: Mitstrick Records
Agency: Mitstrick Records
www // myspace

Heartbreak Stereo is an energetic punkrock trio from the Southwest of Finland. With influences of bands like The Briggs, Bombshell Rocks and Rancid, the band’s sound is a great blend of contemporary American and European punk rock with a really full-sound and some killer hooks and back-up vocals. Their highly recommended debut full-length album "Inspiration (Back from the Dead)" has got great reviews in magazines like Kerrang (4/5) and Big Cheese (4/5). The band has toured Europe on a regular basis since 2005.

The Lariots

Garage Punk / Indie Rock / Other

Friday at 23:30, Telakka

Label: BV² Produktions
Agency: -
www // myspace

Brought up with principles and no clear sense of direction. These are the Cheap Beatles of Finland, as was almost once remarked by an old drunk. This band doesn't mind not trying hard and failing. The Lariots are roughly an awkward mix of up-beat poppy tunes, anxious dry rock of the garage-y variety and lazy minimalist drone. In their short life time, this uncomfortable trio has already supported some of the best loved names in music, such as the Black Lips, Mark Sultan a.k.a. BBQ, Jay Reatard and Tremolo Beer Gut. Favourites of Finland's Micragirls. Debut EP “Shake Hands” now available on BV² Produktions.

The Last Calls

Alternative / Country / Blues

Friday at 22:00, Vastavirta

Label: -
Agency: -
www // myspace

Born in Finland, 2007. The Last Calls' music is blend of alternative country, blues and punk. The music is presented in a dreamy, cinematic way and the lyrics are poetic tales from the darkness of lonely, smoky rooms when the hours are late and rough.

Jolly Jumpers

Roots / Americana

Friday at 23:00, Vastavirta

Label: TUG Records (Germany)
Agency: Trüemmer Booking & Promotion (Germany)
www // myspace

Jolly Jumpers started back in 1980 in Tyrnävä, Finland.They are one of the pioneers, and also one of the best-kept secrets, of the Finnish alternative rock scene. Throughout their 30 years of existence, Jolly Jumpers have stubbornly created their own totally unique musical brand of Finnish Americana. In their music, you can hear echoes of the sincere spirituality of Johnny Cash; the fragile, doomed beauty of Velvet Underground; the guitar thunder of Neil Young & Crazy Horse - all combined with the most hypnotic strains of ancient Finnish musical tradition.

Kaikukasti

Reggae

Friday at 22:00, Yo-talo

Label: Stupido Records
Agency: Pommilaukka
www // myspace

Kaikukasti is an 8-piece rhythm orchestra with strong Latin, reggae and rock influences. Their nuanced songs are propelled forward by rolling and atmospheric melodies and Finnish lyrics. All these elements combined with the band’s high-energy stage act are guaranteed to leave no one cold.

Kaikukasti is based in Turku and was established in 2004. Over the last 5 years the band’s membership has undergone some changes and it took on its final form in 2006, when the orchestra was augmented with a trumpet, trombone and some percussion to give it an original unique sound. Next winter the Kaikukasti experience will be available on record, too.

The Capital Beat

Ska / Reggae

Friday at 23:15, Yo-talo

Label: Stupido Records
Agency: Fullsteam Agency
www // myspace

The Capital Beat has had one hell of a year, heavy on the upswing, and it'll hit its apex with the release of their debut album A Greater Fire. The Capital Beat doesn't hesitate to borrow from classic ska and reggae rhythms,as well as pure mainstream pop. What comes out of the blender is an energetic and booty-shaking cocktail that kept the masses moving at all the major festivals last summer.

Despite its infancy as a band, the orchestra has already toured Europe with some of its idols, such as Reel Big Fish and Mad Caddies and played at many major Scandinavian rock venues.