Full news in more depth can be found at http://www.fimic.fi
1. Lepistö&Lehti and Wimme play Womex
WOMEX World Music Expo has moved to Copenhagen, Denmark for the next three-year period. The new region brings focus on Nordic musical traditions, which will be heard and seen at Womex in many ways. Womex takes place 28 October - 1 November 2009.
The most significant new initiative is the Nordic Club, a showcase stage featuring artists from Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The Finnish acts at Nordic Club are Lepistö&Lehti - a critically acclaimed duo of Markku Lepistö (accordion) and Pekka Lehti (bass) - and a master of the Sámi chant style "joik", Wimme, who will perform with his 4-member band. Also the festive opening night of Womex 28 October will have a Nordic focus. An all-star Nordic band takes the stage, featuring more than twenty performers, including accordionist Johanna Juhola and joik singer Wimme as soloists.
The national trade fair stands of the five Nordic countries are now joined into one big Nordic Area. Displayed under a stylish, uniform design, the Nordic Area will be located right in the central hall of the trade fair centre. Read more at www.fimic.fi.
2. Arctic Paradise 2010 is out
The publication 'Arctic Paradise - Contemporary Folk Music From Finland 2010' is the seventh edition of the series by Fimic, started in 1997. Arctic Paradise 2010 presents Finnish folk music from pelimanni music to fusion. The articles in the book have been written by journalist and world music expert Pirkko Kotirinta. The book is accompanied by a CD including music from 15 top-class artists. Read more at www.fimic.fi.
3. Tsuumi Sound System awarded in the US
One of the bands at forefront of the Finnish contemporary folk music, Tsuumi Sound System was awarded at "Just Plain Folks" Music Awards in United States. 'Casino', composed by Hannu Kella, was chosen as the best instrumental jazz song. Tsuumi Sound System released their new album ‘Growing Up´ in the end of summer. During the autumn, the band will tour for example Belgium, Italy and Sweden. Read more at www.fimic.fi.
4. Kimmo Pohjonen touring and composing
The accordion wizard Kimmo Pohjonen has successfully toured Australia with KTU, and will have more shows in Finland and Estonia during October. Pohjonen has also taken the time to compose music for a contemporary dance performance - with a slightly ironical title "Hardcore Humppa" - by the renowned Helsinki Dance Company. The piece, choreographed by Harri Kuorelahti, premiered 5 September. Pohjonen has also put up a new ensemble K3 with Sami Kuoppamäki and Timo Kämäräinen. K3 gained plaudits at Viapori Jazz Festival in Helsinki in the end of August. Read more at www.fimic.fi.
TOUR NEWS
- One of the most inventive Finnish world music acts, Alamaailman Vasarat is heading for Tokyo, Japan (2-3 October) and Copenhagen, Denmark (17 October).
- The trio Suo, performing runo singing and playing e.g. kantele and jouhikko, will tour Switzerland 4-8 November.
- Top-class singer Anna-Kaisa Liedes will go to Germany for an extensive tour of 13 concerts with kantele artist Timo Väänänen 24 November - 6 December.
- The genuine Finnish harmonica quartet Sväng will be seen in Rennes, France 9-10 October and at the World Harmonica Festival of Trossingen, Germany 29 October.
- Frigg - the fiddle virtuosos with endless energy - will perform in e.g. Spain (31 October), Sweden (6-7 November) and Norway (9 November).
NEW RELEASES
- 'Mieltäni meri ajaa' is the title of the new album by Suo, a trio which digs deep into the archaic Finnish runo singing, spiced with for example kantele and jouhikko.
- Luna Nova ensemble, featuring such established musicians and composers as Tellu Turkka (vocals) and Timo Alakotila (piano), released their debut CD ‘Luna´ in September. This effortlessly virtuosic music has strong roots on polska tradition but presents also jazz influences.
- The Band of the Year of Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 2009 Polka Chicks released their self-titled debut album in July by Ääniä Records.
- Fiddler and composer Ville Ojanen´s new album ‘Hero´ (Seita Music) features his imaginative fusion compositions.
- ‘Youkihi´ (Texicalli Records) is the title of a joint effort by kantele player Eva Alkula and Japanese koto virtuoso Tomoya Nakai.
FIMIC WEB CALENDAR AT YOUR DISPOSAL
Fimic´s interactive event calendar, featuring all the genres of Finnish music, was launched in June. For folk music, the calendar includes information on performances of Finnish music outside Finland. In order to stay updated, we warmly encourage all concert and tour producers to add their Finnish music events to the calendar. To get to the calendar and add events, go to www.fimic.fi > Event Calendar > Add new event.
OUR NEXT E-MAIL INFO
The next Fimic Folk Music News will be mailed in January 2010.
COMMENTS TO FIMIC
Please e-mail any comments regarding the newsletters to Communications Editor, Ms. Helen Metsä: helen.metsa@fimic.fi
CONTACT INFORMATION, FOLK & WORLD MUSIC
Ms. Henna Salo, Coordinator, Popular Music: henna.salo@fimic.fi
Ms. Heli Lampi, Promotion Manager: heli.lampi@fimic.fi
Finnish Music Information Centre (Fimic)
Lauttasaarentie 1, FI-00200 Helsinki, Finland
tel. +358 9 6810 1313
fa x +358 9 682 0770
info@fimic.fi
http://www.fimic.fi
