Rubik and Siinai finalists of the Nordic Music Prize

The annual Nordic Music Prize is an award for the Best Nordic Album Of The Year, inspired by the British & Irish Mercury Prize and introduced in 2010. This year's nominees include two Finnish bands Rubik and Siinai. Other nominees are Ane Brun (NOR), Lykke Li (NOR), Gus Gus (IS), Malk De Koijn (DEN), Björk (IS), Iceage (DEN), Anna Järvinen (SWE), Goran Kajfes (SWE) and The Field (IS).

The indie rock group Rubik's third album Solar has been well received all over Europe and the band has been actively touring in Europe and in the USA as well. The electronical group Siinai's debut album Olympic Games shows the best in Finnish electronic music and was immediately named as one of the most prominent Finnish band by the media.

The jury of Nordic Music Prize agrees that it has been a very strong year for Nordic music, even stronger than 2010. The Nordic countries definitely have something in common, and the Nordic music territory is one of the strongest in Europe now, only England can compete. And that is something to be proud of:

"The output from each country was very even in terms of quality, with a big healthy variety of genres from leftfield punk to avant garde jazz, and also artists from several generations. Established acts and debut artists competing on the same level.

And a very strong year for female artists as well, with Lykke Li, Björk, Ane Brun and Anna Järvinen", the jyri states.

The prize will be presented during by:Larm in Oslo, Thursday February 16, in Kulturkirken Jakob (Jakob, Church of Culture).

Jani Sipilä / Fimic
1 December, 2011