MUSIC Two Finnish a cappella
groups have been announced as the winners of prestigious awards awarded
by the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA). Club For Five will receive the CASA Award for ‘Holiday Album’ of the Year for their Christmas album Rekiretki. Rajaton was even announced the winner in two categories: Folk/World Album (for Maa) and Folk/World Song (Nouse lauluni).
The CASA prizes have been awarded since 1992. Club For Five and
Rajaton’s albums are this year’s only non-English language prize
winners.
Meanwhile in Finland, the Iskelmä-Finlandia organization has raised a few eyebrows. It has announced rock artists Muska Babitz, Olli Lindholm, Timo Rautiainen and Hanna Pakarinen
as this year’s candidates. Iskelmä can be translated as schlager and
(pop) hit. The organization has announced, however, that it wants the
prize to be a commendation of a wide range of ‘light music’ styles and
that the name can be discussed. The winner of this year’s
Iskelmä-Finlandia is chosen by promotor Juhani Merimaa. The 10,000 euro prize will be awarded on the 24th of July.