Switzerland has a population of 7.9 million with the median age being 40.4 years, nearly perfectly divided between men and women. In contrast to other countries, Switzerland is first and foremost an importer of music. Home to a diverse range of cultures and music genres, music remains the younger generation’s leading choice of entertainment. Contemporary pop music is one of the driving forces behind artistic creativity in the country, and contributes much towards Switzerland’s cultural diversity, as well as building to its cultural content. As a result, there is a growing network of smaller independent producers, labels and distributors who play a major part in the emergence and the promotion of Swiss artists. In the world standings, Switzerland ranks at 16th place in recorded music sales, with physical sector still dominating, accounting for 61% of trade value. Switzerland’s recorded music revenue per capita stands at $16.3 US – higher than Canada and the US.
Through market visits and a subsequent incoming mission of key industry players and buyers to Canada in May 2014 – at Canadian Music Week – CAAMA will bring this market into focus for Canadians and explore the opportunities and entry strategies for successful export.
DETAILS & ACTIVITIES
Each year, CAAMA coordinates an International Buyers Program, identifying music professionals from around the world to meet and do reciprocal business with Canadian delegates. As part of 2014’s Program, CAAMA will present an International FOCUS ON Switzerland at Canadian Music Week (May 6-10) which will include the following activities:
- Welcoming Internationals Cocktails
- Spotlight Showcases – Showcases featuring some of the hottest new Swiss artists
- PANEL: How to do Business in Switzerland
- Pre-arranged INTERNATIONAL meetings at the International Marketplace (IMP) – One-on-One pre-arranged meetings between the Swiss delegation and Canadian delegates (By appointment only)
- Meet the Swiss – VIP Reception
- Session: Overview of the Canadian Music Market – This primer will introduce foreign guests to the Canadian market *MANDATORY SESSION*
- Networking/Closing Cocktail Reception at the International Marketplace
PARTICIPANTS
Dany Hassenstein | Paléo Festival NyonA childhood in a small family hotel in the heart of the Swiss Alps and several years of training in hotels all over the world brought Dany Hassenstein to study management at the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, in Switzerland. The appeal of music and his interest in organizing all kinds of events made him travel after university to finally join, in 2008, Paléo Festival Nyon, the always-sold-out biggest cultural open air event in Switzerland. First in charge of the entire artistic production, Dany is since 2009 board member and talent buyer of the whole international acts to perpetuate a tradition since 1976, booking bands such as Depeche Mode, Neil Young, The Strokes, Jack Johnson, The Who, Sting, Björk, Nick Cave, Blur, Phoenix, Arctic Monkeys, P!nk, Robert Plant, Ravi Shankar, Ben Harper, Justice, Massive Attack, Mika, The Cure, Manu Chao, R.E.M., Fatboy Slim, Franz Ferdinand, Moby, Placebo, The Prodigy or Tracy Chapman and making Paléo Festival Nyon a major European event.
Christian Fighera | Two Gentlemen
Christian Fighera is co-founder of Two Gentlemen in Lausanne. Home base of The Young Gods, Sophie Hunger, Erik Truffaz, Anna Aaron, Domi Chansorn, Solange La Frange, Puts Marie, …
Established in Lausanne in 2009 by a team of seasoned professionals, Two Gentlemen is considered to be one of the most sought after, experienced and accomplished companies in Switzerland thanks to a modern structure adapted to the demands of a fast evolving business environment.
Two Gentlemen functions as a multi level enterprise capable of taking on all the different aspects of an artist’s career, whether it be management, publishing or distribution.
Label Founded in 2000 under the name Gentlemen Records, the label, rechristened Two Gentlemen Records, is acknowledged as one of the finest in the country. It has been rewarded twice by the pop label promotional project of the Pour-cent Culturel Migros and it’s parent festival, the M4music. More importantly, Two Gentlemen played a big part in promoting the international careers of major Swiss artists such as Favez, Honey For Petzi, Anna Aaron, Sophie Hunger and Solange la Frange.
Agency Since 2000, Gentlemen Music has been an active player in the Swiss live music scene, both in the French and German speaking parts, and is an ideal promotional partner for international independent artists. Cat Power, Antony & the Johnsons, Alela Diane or Bonnie « Prince » Billy, all on the Two Gentlemen roster, have benefited from the company’s numerous contacts in the club scene as well as in the main national festivals, from Montreux Jazz to St Gallen Open Air, from Paleo to Gurten.
Management Two Gentlemen also comprises of the AMG Agency, established in 2003, that manages and develops the careers of numerous Swiss artists such as The Young Gods, Erik Truffaz, Sophie Hunger or Anna Aaron In Switzerland as well as in the rest of the world, Two Gentlemen takes care of their careers, provides partnerships with foreign labels and agencies following a steady and efficient promotional plan.