Big In Japan

Disco Ensemble, Lovex, Negative, Oddarrang, Petteri Sariola, Ari Koivunen and Sturm Und Drang played showcase dates in Tokyo as part of an export drive put together by Finland’s major music organisations.

The May 28-30 shows were part of an annual marketing initiative organised by Music Export Finland and the Finnish Music Information Centre, with Shiroh "Onta" Kawaguchi of Tokyo-based promoter Creativeman Productions as local partner.

Ari Koivunen, Sturm Und Drang, Lovex and Negative did The Liquid Room, Oddarrang and Petteri Sariola played the jazz showcase at The Pit-Inn, and Disco Ensemble – a European festival regular since its success at ETEP 2006 – backed Puddle Of Mudd at the Duo Music Exchange.

Apart from the acts, 24 Finnish music companies including Fullsteam Records, Warner Music Finland, Hype Productions, Backstage Alliance, EMI Finland and Poko Rekords attended seminars and took part in a trade fair at the Modapolitica event and exhibition centre.

Japan accounts for 10 percent of export revenue for Finnish music, which makes it the third most important market behind the U.S. and Europe.

It’s enough to convince the Finnish music export organisations that it’s worth an annual visit.