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Kulttuuriviennin tukiverkko 12.2.2010
MUSEX News - February 2010
Artist of the Month: Joensuu 1685 |
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The Finnish Shoegazers Awash in a Vast Ocean of Sound |
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Joensuu 1685 has been drowning beautiful melodies in fuzz and echo, and Finland in sound, since the very first day of 2007. Their soft psychedelia rolls over you like a wave. Formed by three young men with the last name Joensuu (only two of whom are related), the band released their self-titled, critically praised debut in 2008 on Bone Voyage Recordings , a label run by veteran rock eclectics 22-Pistepirkko.
Their appearance at January's Eurosonic festival resulted in an avalanche of offers to play festivals all over the continent. In May, you can catch the band playing with Wolf Parade. Joensuu1685 is opening at 22 of the Quebecois band's European dates.
www.myspace.com/joensuu1685 | |
The fact of the matter is |
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1. Management by Jonas Verwijnen and Antti Joas (Kaiku Studios Berlin): jonas@kaikustudios.com / antti@kaikustudios.com
2. Inspiration: Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine
3. In January 2010 Fitzrovian Phonographic, an imprint of Heavenly Recordings, released a 7" of Joensuu 1685's cover of Bruce Springsteen's I'm On Fire.
4. A vinyl edition of the debut album will be released this spring by Bone Voyage
5. Mikko Joensuu produced Manna's 2nd album Songs of Hope and Desire and plays guitar in her touring band. |
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No divine retribution this time, either, since it's actually not a tower of song reaching for the Heavens, but a nice and mellow country estate of song: Song Castle. Every year 20 songwriters, 8 of them from abroad and 12 Finns, get together on a secluded estate outside Helsinki to meet and learn from each other, publishers and A&R folks, as well as bang out some tunes.
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In February, JA JA JA, London's only club dedicated to showcasing the most exciting emerging talent from Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland is offering a real treat. From Norway, Ungdomskulen; In the Danish corner, The Good The Bad.
And from Finland, the unique sonic tapestry of Vuk.
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The annual festival for all that is hard'n'heavy is ready to take on the toughest winter in 60 years and the tickets are selling quicker than ever.
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By:Larm in Oslo has become one of the coolest conference/festivals on the circuit, with a keen ear for the future. The Finnish offering this year rides the gamut from cool to hooligan with six acts on the bill.
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Newsbits
o Michael Monroe (Backstage Alliance), the high speed blur of energy, shades and blonde hair who used to front the legendary Hanoi Rocks, has unveiled his new band, featuring former Hanoi/Dolls bassist Sam Yaffa, as well as Ginger from the Wildhearts. That's a lot of rock in one band.
o You've no doubt heard about the sweat-soaked gigs put on by those dapper jazzers Five Corners Quintet (Ricky-Tick Records). In a move aimed at making the world a better place, the band has decided to record a live album over three nights at a theater in Helsinki. The album will be released in Finland and japan later this year.
o Rockadillo Records has licensed their entire catalog to Shanghai Synergy in China. The deal covers 30 years of music released by this veritable Finnish label. The deal will result in an increased live presence in China for Rockadillo artists.
o Battle metallists Turisas (Halbe Miete Management) did extremely well in Terrorizer magazines polls for Artist of the Decade and 100 Great Albums. Warlord Nygård is very happy, which means you are very safe. For now.
o Punk rockers Heartbreak Stereo (Mitstrick Records) are back with a new album, "Carried Through This Waltz", recorded after incessant touring. They're tighter and hungrier than ever. Naturally, they'll be back on the road immediately; Finland and Sweden in February, the rest of Europe in March.
o Lapko (Fullsteam Records) is releasing their fourth album "A New Bohemia" in March. The album will be available in Germany, the United States, Finland, Canada, Belgium and Holland. A tour of Finland and Europe will commence in March. It'll be ecstatic. |
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