Northern Cool Produces Hot Hits

NORDIC SPOTLIGHT Northern cool produces hot hits A number of acts from the The home market in the Nordic countries-Denmark, Finland, Nordic area have burst onto Iceland, Norway and theinternational music Sweden-is growing at an scene in the past twenty or average of 5 percent annually, and last year 61 million albums were so years. Abba were the sold throughout the region. That's first-and perhaps still the still some way short of the European "big three"-Germany, Britain and biggest-Scandinavian France-but ahead of other major success story, but names markets such as Italy and Spain. The suchasRoxette,Bjork, Nordic market was worth $1,047 million in 1997, more than eight percent Michael Learns To Rock and of the total European figure. A -Ha have had their indi- In Sweden, pop exports are at last in the beingofficiallyrecognised as an vidualtriumphs importantcontributiontostate European charts and else- income, with the government intro- where. Now, in the '90$, the ducing a special "Grammy" award for services to exports. Sweden is also the sum of those parts is creat- only Nordic nation with a body specif- ing a greater whole. Nordic ically set up by the industry to aid the export trade. Export Music Sweden artists are featuring in-and organises the Swedish presence at topping-charts across Midem (Sweden will host the opening Europe and in the U.S.A. at Cannes next year), at Popkomm and at other important international Keith Foster analyses the events, and provides information on Nordic music phenomenon. Swedish product in book form and on the Internet. Swedes blaze dance trail It was Sweden which took the lead when it came to breaking nationalSweden has better public music edu-hit in the UK with single Real Good boundaries in the early '90s. A loose cation and more venues to play." Time(Wildstar)whileMagnus combination of DJs set up a record Einarsson, music director at Iceland's label called Remixed, and DJs such as Other countries catch up public music station Radio 2, says Max Martin and the recently -deceased Now, of course, Denmark has found its there are others on the way. "We have Denniz Pop turned their talents toown "Ace Of Base" in Aqua, but bands like Silt, Lhooq, Gus Gus and production. Suddenly, the country Cornelius is ambivalent about the bene- Bellatrix, all performing in English. became a fountain of hugely success- fit to other Danish exports. "Now every- Well, they have to-the local market ful dance -based pop, with the likes ofone is making short-sighted efforts to isn't very big!" Dr Alban, Rob'n'Raz, Melodie MC,copy Aqua," he says, "but I'm afraid Testimony to the Nordic knack for Leila K, Pandora, E -Type, Stakka Bo Aqua clones are dead in the water." producing international product is and Rednex scoring hitsall over However, perhaps there is a sea - the consistent presence of acts origi- Europe and Asia. Biggest of them all change taking place. Gert Holmfred, nating or signed in Scandinavia on was the reggae -based dance sound ofthe Danish -born MD of Universal the M&M Border Breakers chart: this Ace Of Base, who broke all recordsMusic in Stockholm, says Sweden's week, 11 of the top 25; last week, 12. with their debut album Happy Nation. position as Nordic No.1 is no longer so As to the near future, there is no The irony is that Ace Of Base had clear cut. "Sweden's only major newindication that the well of to go to Denmark to find a record com- success in the past year has beenScandinavian talent has run dry. pany to back them. Claes Cornelius, Robyn. Denmark has Aqua andClose to 90 artists in Sweden alone A&R business affairs manager ofS.O.A.P, while Norway has donewill release debut albums in the next Mega Records in Copenhagen,is extremely well with Espen Lind, and few months, and many of them, such happy to relate the tale of how he and other bands such as the Tuesdays are as Jessica Folcker (Zomba/Virgin), his company snatched that prize fromon the way," he points out. Ironically, Jade.ell (edel) and Baxter (Maverick) their Swedish competitors, but he Norwegian act Babel Fish had to takeare earmarked by their labels for admits that, in general, Sweden their talent to Atlantic in New York to secure a record deal. has been a step ahead of its neigh- New Exploding Talent bour in selling its music abroad. "I "We'veopenedanofficein Born Under Northern Lights think the roots go back to afterFinland," Holmfred continues, "and World War 2," he says, "when the have signed some top artists with multinationals chose Stockholminternational potential, such as the as their Scandinavian base.It dance act Sound Of R.E.L.S. I defi- The debut3 single "Merry -Go -Round" meant that Danish MDs had tonitely feel that in the last year or so Ready to cross borders! report to London, LA, and else-people in the business around the where via Stockholm. Plus," he world have started saying adds, "Swedish is a more musical`Scandinavian' instead of 'Swedish.' " a languagethanDanish,and Theworldhasdiscoveredthat Scandinavia has top -rate artists and "The world hasproducers, and they all have a very professional, easy -to -work -with atti- discovered that tude, which helps a lot." Even little Iceland, with its popu- Scandinavia has top -rate artists lation of 260,000, is making a dispro- portionate amount of international and producers" music. Apart from Bjork and her for- mer band the Sugarcubes, female Gert Holmfred, Universal Musicvocalist Alda recently had a top ten MUSIC &MEDIA0OCTOBER 10, 1998.

Load more