Maintaining momentum at Popkomm 2003
A strong delegation of eager music industry representatives and vibrant bands maintained a strong Norwegian presence at the Popkomm trade fair in Cologne, Germany.
No less than 28 companies and eight bands represented Norway at thePopkomm in Cologne, Germany. The Norwegian music trade fair delegation was as strong as last year’s and a welcome trend this year is the emergence of a number of new labels and companies who are in for their first Popkomm ever. The majority of the delegates represent independent record labels, but artist managements, publishers, production companies and various organisations/institutions are also bound for a very hot Cologne (at present, the temperatures are soaring near the 40 degree mark).
Showcases with Norwegian bands were scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Sunday featuring such bands as Silver, Slowpho, Frost, Salvatore, x-lover and Xploding Plastix. Given the intense summer heat in Germany these days, the Cologne audience were in for some very sweaty club gigs – these bands represent something of the best that the Norwegian live scene can muster.
The Norwegian delegation congregated at the Norway Now stand which is facilitated by the co-ordinating body Music Export Norway and is Managing Director Inger Dirdal.
These are the Norwegian companies that were present at Popkomm 2003:
Bjørk Audio
Mastering and production company.
Black Balloon Records
Independent record label with heavyweights We, El Caco and Lowdown on its roster.
Bpop
Artist management that represents such key Norwegian bands and artists as Cato Salsa Experience, Thomas Dybdahl, Gluecifer, Number Seven Deli, Margarets and Amulet.
Bullet Proof Music
Independent record label, production company and concert agency.
by:Larm / Alarm
by:Larm is the central meeting forum for the Norwegian music industry. The showcasing event/seminar/debate forum is held on a rotating basis in the biggest Norwegian cities and gathers the who’s who of the Norwegian music scene.
Checkpoint Charlie Audio Productions (CCAP)
Independent record label which released one of last year’s strongest albums; Thomas Dybdahl’s “…that great October sound”.
Curling Legs
A veteran jazz label that has such strong names as Come Shine, Solveig Slettahjell and Chillinuts.
daWorks Records
Label that showcases some of the strongest names on the Norwegian r’n’b circuit such as d’Sound and Winta.
dBut Records
Solid electronica label that’s rapidly expanding internationally. dbut’s main act, Sternklang, is set to play Cologne’s MTC club on Friday the 15th.
Grappa Musikkforlag
Veteran independent label with a varied and strong roster. Has enjoyed considerable international attention for such acts as Zuma and Johanna Demker.
Hacate Entertainment Group
Originally, a US publishing company that has now relocated to Oslo. Represents a wide variety of artists and genres.
KKV – Kirkelig Kulturverksted
Another veteran label with a long-standing and strong international profile. Has experienced considerable success with such Norwegian language (!) artists as Kari Bremnes.
Little Label
Kristiansand-based live-electronica outfit Nud’s own label. Debutantes on the international stage but seasoned performers in Norway.
MBS Music Brokers Scandinavia
Independent management and promotion company closely related to record label Farmen and one of the Norwegian music scene’s biggest successes of the last few years: Kaizer’s Orchestra.
Mitell
Represents the vital, vibrant and very active Tellè/Mitell/Ellet family of Bergen - home of one of Norway’s most exciting and expanding musical circuits.
MTG Record Company
Another veteran independent record label with a wide profile that spans from hip-hop and r’n’b’ to contemporary music and children’s releases.
Music Export Norway
The co-ordinating body for the entire Norwegian presence at Popkomm 2003. Runs the Norway Now stand and promotes companies and showcasing bands at the trade fair.
Musikkoperatørene
Independent distributor and parent organisation for several key Norwegian independent record labels.
Next To
Artist management and event production
Norges Nettet
Concert network.
Ole A. Hagen Management
Artist management.
Osito Records
Fresh and vital independent record label that is home to such acts as Alpine Those Myriads and Daisy.
Perfect Pop Records
Home of charming and intriguing retro-acts The Jessica Fletchers, The Loch Ness Mouse and The Tables.
Racing Junior
One of Norway’s most central and successful independent labels. Home of artists such as St. Thomas, Salvatore, Ai Phoenix and Hello Goodbye.
Rec90
Solid independent label located in Bergen. Has built up an impressive roster with bands that have made thorough impact in Norway and abroad. Key Rec90 bands include Sister Sonny, Lorraine, Poor Rich Ones and Low Frequencies in Stereo.
Tuba Records
A key independent distributor as well as parent company for a number of vital labels such as Port Asur and TWPB.
Voices Music & Entertainment
One of Norway’s most central independent distributors with a solid roster that contains a wide variety of labels and genres. Will also represent such key indie labels as Beatservice and Smalltown Supersound.
The Music Information Centre Norway was also present in Cologne (represented by yours truly).
Headlines:
Himmelkvad
Celebrated vocal ensemble Nordic Voices is currently out on its promo tour for their new outing ‘Himmelkvad’, a critically acclaimed album presenting Norwegian composer Lasse Thoresen’s unique vocal universe. MIC Norway takes a closer look at the cutting-edge vocal ensemble and ground-breaking composer.
I was the devil in my younger years
Late Feb sees Enslaved heading out on a month-long European tour. MIC Norway hooked up with Enslaved’s Ivar Peersen to talk about musical cross pollination, inspirational sources, humour and his fascination for singer-songwriter Stein Torleif Bjella.
