Ancienne Belgique

Kalle Kalima is an impressive, extremely individual Finnish guitarist. He's a fervent defender of 'free music' - especially since his period in Berlin - who has, amongst other things, trained at the...

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Kalle Kalima is an impressive, extremely individual Finnish guitarist. He's a fervent defender of 'free music' - especially since his period in Berlin - who has, amongst other things, trained at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki (and you probably already saw him at work with Tony Allen or Jimi Tenor?). He's now released more than 15 CDs with the most diverse ensembles: Johnny La Marama, Klima Kalima, Momentum Impakto, K18... Each with a different approach, e.g.: with more 'filmic' K18 that is now in the Vooruit again with the 'David, Lynch Them High' programme. He'll be coming to the ABClub with the wonderfully beautiful Kalle Kalima Pentasonic = solo on guitar + effects + samples + 5 amplifiers + live video images by VJ Visotek. Arriving with a new CD again too: 'Iris In Trance' ... recorded quasi live, of course, as that is the essence here: an audiovisual trip to instant beauty, in quiet simple but adventurous 'surrounds'!

RinneRadio! Sax and clarinet player Tapani Rinne's RinneRadio has been around since 1988 and right from the start their sound was tuned in between 'electronic underground beats' and 'progressive jazz'. Now, on their 20th anniversary, with the double album '20' and on it (indeed) 20 RinneRadio favourites spread over an 'side A-mbient' and a 'side B-eat'. The compilation of the anthology was also made by club and radio DJs. Maybe you're familiar with RinneRadio from collaborations with Finnish masters like Edward Vesala or Mika Vainio? In the AB, folks certainly fell for the impelling - and at the same time mind-expanding - 'Pole Stars' from 2009. But also be aware that Rinneradio will be appearing in the Vooruit at the end of the year in a larger formation. Further collaborations: apparently once also active with Nits (from the Netherlands) and, of course, soon we'll be seeing Tapani at work with Wimme (that other Finnish legend) won't we? But right here, right now in the ABClub: the RinneRadio trio (Or at once as a quartet again after all? Stay tuned to RinneRadio!)

Arctic Accents is the season of Finnish music in the Benelux

Interest for music from Finland is on the rise in the Benelux. From heavy-hitters like Apocalyptica and HIM to more alternative acts like 22-Pistepirkko and Kimmo Pohjonen, Finnish artists have toured the countries frequently and extensively, receiving enthusiastic feedback and generating avid following.
Arctic Accents – Sounds of Finland 2011 aims to cater to this growing demand in the area. Arctic Accents presents all performances of Finnish music in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg in the autumn season of 2011. The campaign starts in August and encompasses all genres from contemporary classical, folk and jazz to pop, rock, metal and electronic music.
Arctic Accents calls attention to Finnish music with a website introducing artists and events, Facebook and Twitter, and other means of communication.
The first picks of the selection are already up at www.arcticaccents.fi, and the website will be updated throughout the year to include all Finnish music in the area. The Facebook page is active with pictures, links and quotes from Benelux bookers and artistic directors who have picked Finnish acts, and the Twitter feed includes all updates on venues and performances.
Arctic Accents is initiated and organized by Finnish Music Information Centre Fimic. The main cooperative partners in the project are the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux and the Finnish Embassies in the Benelux countries. The main concert partners are Melkweg in the Netherlands, Ancienne Belgique and Vooruit in Belgium, and Rockhal in Luxembourg. Also, festivals dedicated to the music of composer Kaija Saariaho will take place in the Netherlands and in Belgium.
So get on board, follow Arctic Accents on Facebook  and Twitter, and stay tuned for the season kick-off in August!