Get a showcase in New York!
by Webmaster, 11.06.2010
Out of Scandinavia is a new showcase concept that will take place in Scandinavia House in New York.
These concerts do not take place in a traditional club venue; instead the setting is intimate in a medium-sized open room with chairs. The bands are asked to perform with minimal sound equipment. The concerts are viewed as a cultural exchange that promotes contemporary Nordic culture within the U.S.
Scandinavian music is having a moment. Sigur Rós, Björk, Fever Ray, Lykke Li, Peter, Bjorn and John, The Raveonettes, Mew, Annie, Sondre Lerche. These are just a sampling of the current Nordic heavyweights on the indie charts, but the next wave of Nordic bands is upon us.
Out of Scandinavia is a uniquely selected series of musical performances the first Thursday of the month through the rest of the year, headlining a myriad of fresh Nordic musicians that features one-off and premiere performances.
- For new up-and-coming bands targeting the US as a possible market, is this showcase a good opportunity to show their music to the right people?
Kyle Reinhart, Manager of Cultural and Educational Programs at the Scandinavian House, explains:
- We continue to work in close collaboration with music industry insiders: bookers, managers, and labels to press agents, with the ambition of finding fresh and compelling new music emerging out of Scandinavia. Simply put, we’re on a mission to find “the next big thing” from the Nordic countries. Scandinavia House and in particular our Out of Scandinavia series serve as conduits – as soon as we come across something good, our main impetus becomes promoting and sharing it with as many people as possible; everyone is eager to discover the next Björk or The Knife, for example.
- The American music industry is enormous compared to the Norwegian; is there still room for new Norwegian artists?
- Because of the size and diversity of the market, people are always on the look out to find something new and exciting. Following on the coattail success of other bands, I believe audiences are eager to make new discoveries and really crave an in-depth look at what’s happening right now in the Nordic music scene, says Reinhart.
- Out of Scandinavia: New Indie Music from the Nordics is a fantastic opportunity for bands to play in New York City. As we ask bands and musicians to strip their sound down to a bare-bones setting, it’s a unique chance for them to explore the boundaries of their craft. Plus, playing a gig at Scandinavia House lends a certain cache to a Nordic musician – Scandinavia House is the Nordic Center in America, attracting an extensive and culturally well-versed audience of press and music enthusiasts not only from around New York, but around the United States.
Out of Scandinavia: New Indie Music from the Nordics is made possible in part by the Consulate General of Denmark, New York; the Consulate General of Finland, New York; the Honorary Consulate General of Sweden, New York; Iceland Naturally; the Consultate General of Norway, New York and Music Export Norway.
Read more: http://www.scandinaviahouse.org/
Or send a link to your bands homepage to: kyle (at) amscan.org
question & answers
- What sort of financial support does Music Export Norway provide?
- I want to play a showcase at a showcase festival. What do I do?
- How do I prepare for an industry festival or event?
- Where can I find export statistics for Norwegian music?
- What do you mean by "export ready"?
- What are the hottest Norwegian acts these days?
- Where can I find Norwegian industry contacts?
