Press Release Author: Aapo Halme / Band of Shysters
Industry: Entertainment
Press Release Summary: New Celtic folkpunk group Band of Shysters receives arts grant to record their first album, and more.
Press Release Body: 12th Feb. 2008, Kuopio, Finland
Punk music history was made last week in Kuopio, Finland when local indie group Band of Shysters had their application for funds approved for producing their first full-length CD of original and traditional Finnish and Irish folkpunk music. The 1000€ grant, awarded by the regional Arts Council of North-Savo, will be paid to Band of Shysters to cover studio and rehearsal-space rentals, travel expenses and actual print & press of the — as of yet nameless — CD. Apparently impressed by the bands music the Council decided to give them the money after hearing only rough- cut early demos of the band\'s first single \"The Girl From the North\", due for release in the spring of 2008.
While the sum awarded to Band of Shysters could in itself be considered modest, perhaps more significant is the indication that punk music is considered a substantial art form by the decision -making bodies and is deemed culturally important enough to warrant financial support for the artists.\"It\'s our hope that these small triumphs of ours will prove only the first in continued acknowledgements from decision-makers to non- conforming, rebel or punk artists like ourselves\" said band leader, Aapo Halme. Indeed, this grant isn\'t the first nod Band of Shysters have got from the government\'s direction; one band member recently started working a part time job managing the band\'s affairs in a state funded employment program.
Formed in 2006, Band of Shysters is an indie group of professional musicians from the North-Savo region in Finland. Brought together by their passion for Irish and other Celtic music the Shysters have made it their mission to spread the joy (and rage) of folkpunk music throughout their community where it has been lacking for more than a decade. Though quite young (average age of 27), the eight band members have between them played thousands of gigs in Finland and abroad.
The Arts Council of North Savo is one of the 13 regional bodies of its kind in Finland. Together with the various councils responsible for specific disciplines and the Arts Council of Finland, these form the national arts administration, which reports to the Ministry of Education.
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