Janne Bridget
Kanttu (Jadecroon & Cartoon Tree)
photo #1 by Ilkka Valpasvuo
Photo #2 by unknown person
Here are some of the finest Finnish indie labels. I'm obviously focusing
on the smaller ones that have or will release pop music. The bigger ones
do get things right from time to time, but this is not the section to
rave about those. This list might grow in the future.
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Aisti Records Aisti could be one of the best labels in Finland if they just got more releases out. Currently there's only two Office Building albums and one Puny album out. Aisti have also arranged club evenings and fabulous aisti-festival. Aisti Records Website |
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American Brothers A small label founded by members of All Stars and Cucumber Farmer. American Brothers Website |
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Delphic Recordings New label founded by Nick Triani (Treeball), Jyrki Tuovinen, Paul Cheetham?... Current roster is Sister Flo, Astrid Swan and Manboy. Delphic Recordings Website |
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Elva Records A tiny indie pop label. First release, Vinyl single by Cats On Fire was released in march 2003. Being rather quiet lately, but hopefully there will be more releases coming out. Elva Records Website |
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Fonal Records Fonal Records is not focused on pop music, but it is one of the most interesting labels. So it definitely deserves to be listed. They've released plenty of great albums like Office Building's debut and Surrounded by Sun -compilation. I can't say that that I like all the stuff they release, but one thing is for sure. They never release a record that wouldn't be somehow interesting. Fonal Records Website |
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Gashopper Promotions Helsinki-based independent label. Not really focusing on pop music though. Roster includes Kevin, Disgrace, Kuha and Gnu. Gashopper Promotions Website |
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Grandpop Records |
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Grid Records Started out as mail order shop, but is now starting to put records out. Flannelmouth's single and album came out during 2004. Noteworthy thing is also this indie artist connection. Grid Records Website |
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Han Soo Voice Awesome kind of DIY record label. Great releases from Sister Flo, Red Carpet... and that really lovely compilation Talo Jonka Pihalla pelto. Han Soo Voice Website |
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If Society |
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Kinkt Records New label that is just wonderful. Started out in 2005 by releasing The Sugarrush amazing EP and is now getting even more active and have signed fabulous bands such as Treeball and Laurila. Kinkt Website |
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Kääntö Records Tiny indie label from Turku. Have released for example Wojciech's very first seven inch vinyl. L'go Pistooli, a spokane are few other noteworthy artists. Kääntö Records Website |
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Marsu On Paras Perhaps not really a label, more like a collective that are arranging concerts, releasing own records etc. But deserves to be listed, because everyone knows that marsu is the best. Marsu on paras huge release catalog so far contains only three Harry Hunks eps (which everyone should own) Marsu on paras website |
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Merceedee's Tuotanto Merceedee's Website |
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Nature Sucks Anyway Records A tiny Vaasa-based label. You'll know the label bosses from groups such as The Sugarrush and Graceskull. And all the bands seem to be from the same group of friends, so there shouldn't be huge fights with the label mates. Apart from streetgolf of course. Nature Sucks Anyway Records Website |
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Plastic Passion This one wouldn't have been here a year ago, but now Plastic Passion is starting to release my kind of music. In 2004, Plastic Passion released third album from Hundred Million Martians, Cheerleaders United's debut and one of the most anticipated records of the year, Wojciech's debut album "Ystävät Toverit". Plastic Passion Website |
| Rhythm Barrel Records Marvellous little label run by Mikko Lappalainen (aka rhythm barrel). His label has so far concentrated on releasing vinyl singles (isn't that the best format for indie music). Well the first release though was a brilliant cd compilation called Meet The Scene -An Introduction To Finnish Underground Guitar Pop. Rhythm Barrel Website |
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Solina Records A new Finnish independent record label established by Tom Riski and Jori Sjöroos in 2005. Released Magenta Skycode's excellent debut in 2006. Solina Website |
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Stupido Records Stupido is slightly bigger than the other labels mentioned here. During the las couple of years they've released plenty of good stuff (like Treeball, Boomhauer, The Rollstons). Oh and Stupido shop is probably the best record shop there is. Especially their mail order service is really wonderful. Stupido Website |