Suomalainen Pop-musikka

A recent performance by a not so ambitious indie-pop band (Mecki) raised the question to me: is there a finnish pop-scene, or is it all metal and Sibelius?

I decided to list some of my findings to share my nations recent pop-achievements:

The Friend
The Friend is a melodic indie-pop band from Turku, Finlands second biggest city. They released their first EP “Sports” this August. ‘Back to quitting’ is an all-out indie tune about life. The end result? They have produced some good tunes, reminding me slightly of the Editors, but it’s really nothing new.

Myspace: Link >>

Turku Romantic Movement
Finnish rock, with influences such as the Clash, David Bowie and Iggy & the Stooges. The band was formed in 2006 when they decided to abandon Finnish in favour of English lyrics. Before that they made three albums under the name Turun Romantiikka. Rock, Rhythm & Revolution! was released in 2006 and they are currently working on their second album Noise & Confusion which is to be released in April 11.

“Sweet taste of love” is a typical rock song where influences from groups such as old finnish rock-legends Hanoi Rocks (who released a new album not long a go, some kind of poor Aerosmith imitation) show clearly. They display their more melodical side in “the Classical”, which also brings up unfortunate similarities to Him. Great, but not very innovative.

Myspace: Link >>

Underwater sleeping society

UWSS is a band of six people from different musical backgounds, which also shows in their music, self-described as progressive pop or ‘ambient heavy indie’. They combine dark ambient sounds with melody and a rock n’ roll delivery. All Other Lights Go Out was released last year (2007) and got excellent reviews in the media. Quiet music is a song that strangely enough reminds me of Swedish ‘Bob Hund’ and manifests their strong affiliation with rock. Silence Teaches You How To Sing is another great tune with melodic synths and great vocals.

UWSS is one of the highlights here, one of the bands I’ve come across in my quest that I will try to see live in the future.

Myspace: Link >>

Finnish pop is, with some rare exceptions, tragically behind. What is produced largely resembles what has already been done abroad.

Underwater Sleeping Society brings up hopes that the glory days of progrock in Finland, with Wigwam and Love reckords, might still be resurrected. We might also look into the electronica scene with hope, but that’s a different post.

Erik