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«Get Going!» 2024 │ The beneficiaries

Once again, this year’s call for projects for a «Get Going!» grant generated a termendous response. Over 250 dossiers from all parts of the country and all genres were submitted and presented to our expert jury. After reviewing all the dossiers, the jury decided to support the following musicians for their artistic visions with a «Get Going!» grant of CHF 25,000.- each.
Congratulations to the eight beneficiaries!

SAMI GALBI

Sami Galbi ⎥ Photo ⓒMohamed Jeddi


Musician, singer and producer Sami Galbi, who was born in Lausanne, is no stranger to the Swiss scene: he started off as a singer, composer and bassist of the band El Mizan, before increasingly becoming a solo artist – including a highly acclaimed performance at the Paléo Festival in Nyon and winning M4Music’s Demo Tape Clinic. During a residency in Morocco made possible by Pro Helvetia, his project “Sami Galbi” took on concrete forms. Grar intends to leverage this to translate the music of his childhood – traditional Raï – into the sonic present of the 21st century with the help of analogue machines and his guitar. The «Get Going!» grant will enable him to develop the project in 2025. Geneva-based label Bongo Joe Records is set to release his first album this spring. At the same time, Sami Galbi will continue to advance his sonic visions with a trio on a concert tour.
instagram.com/sami.galbi


ELIE ZOÉ

elie zoé ⎥ Photo ⓒLea Kunz


elie zoé (formerly Emilie Zoé) composes, plays and experiments in the creative environment of Humus Records, the genre-redefining label of musician Louis Jucker. Zoé is working with him to set up a studio. In addition to uncompromisingly developing their own sound, zoé and Jucker are concerned not only with adapting their performances to the current environmental challenges, but also with consciously connecting people through music. Their project “Studio, Chorale et Slow Tours” pursues this objective on three levels: exploring new creative possibilities in their own studio. Launching an ecological “slow tour” featuring extended stays of several days at various venues, the aim being to build a deeper relationship with audiences. In addition to these aspects, the “Get Going!” grant also enables the duo to rehearse and perform new compositions in these locations together with local choirs.
www.eliezoe.com


SILVIO BUCHMEIER

Silvio Buchmeier ⎥ Photo ⓒLivia Eichenberger


Silvio Buchmeier is a composer and music technologist who lives and works in Los Angeles and Zurich. With his expertise in orchestration, he has made a significant contribution to numerous Hollywood productions and played a key role in video game projects such as Dead Space and The Flash. Buchmeier is known in Switzerland for his composition of the main theme of Radio SRF Virus and his sonic contribution to the immersive exhibition “Viva Frida Kahlo”. As a technologist, Buchmeier is interested in the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence. He wants to use AI to augment traditional acoustic and electronic instruments with AI-driven models. The “Get Going!” grant enables Buchmeier to deepen his collaboration with researchers and develop an AI model – with potential applications in film music as well as live performances.
www.silvio-buchmeier.ch


BABY VOLCANO

Baby Volcano ⎥ Photo ⓒAugustin Rebetez


Lorena Stadelmann’s stage persona is Baby Volcano. She skilfully combines her mix of electro, pop and experimental sounds with theatrical influences. 2021 saw her present her first work: the EP Sindrome Premenstrual. The Jura native studied drama, dance and performance in Buenos Aires and now works creatively with artists such as Jonathan Nido and Loris Vettese within the Humus Records ecosystem. Amongst other things, this spawned her second work Jardin Jerricane at the Théâtre du Jura in 2022.The “Get Going!” grant enables Stadelmann to go a step further in the implementation of her interdisciplinary performance. In addition to honing her music production skills, the project also includes researching new media presence strategies. This will also allow Stadelmann to assemble a team of costume and set designers and choreographers for her future work.
instagram.com/babyvolcano


NNAVY

NNAVY ⎥ Photo ⓒAnoush Abrar


NNAVY has enjoyed national and international success in recent years with her blend of R’n’B, soul and jazz as well as her distinctive voice. Inspiring performances such as at the Montreux Jazz Festival and Jazz à Vienne are a testament to this. Her four EPs have also been streamed over 20 million times on Spotify. Now NNAVY wants to expand her creative universe by exploring new musical and visual approaches. The aim is to further develop her artistic identity through collaborations with producers, songwriters and visual artists. The idea is for travel to bring in international influences and enrich her work.The «Get Going!» grant is intended to support this organic development of her personal language. NNAVY sees great creative potential through collaborations with others whose visions and techniques differ from hers.
nnavymusic.com


MATTHIAS LINCKE

Matthias Lincke ⎥ Photo ⓒTabea Hüberli


Matthias Lincke is a violinist, singer, guitarist and composer/lyricist. Since the end of the 1990s, he has immersed himself in folk music in general and focussed on the violin in particular. In projects and ensembles such as the Trio Tobler-Lincke-Tanner, Sternmotor, Echo, and the folk music/cabaret ensemble Doppelbock, Lincke has been keen to experiment with folk music, thus enriching his view of traditional music with refreshing perspectives. The “Get Going!” grant is helping the Zurich native realise his current project, “Feldwerk”. This finds him investigating on the one hand the disintegration of the Alps through the impact of climate change, and on the other the different perspectives of people between the contrasting poles of homeland and globalisation. Together with the musicians involved, Lincke responds with an approach that both celebrates Alpine culture and sets its fragility, transience and strangeness to music with newly explored sounds.
matthiaslincke.ch


NATHALIE FROEHLICH

Nathalie Froehlich ⎥ Photo ⓒAudrey Manfredi


Nathalie Froehlich is now known far beyond Switzerland’s borders. With her unmistakable style of reggaeton, baile funk, experimental music and techno, the rapper transforms her performances into statements that go beyond the music. Nathalie Froehlich also sees her art as a means of establishing a clear social stance – whether on large festival stages or in alternative venues such as squatted buildings. Now the Lausanne native, who started off finding jazz and later improvisation via the classical piano, wants to combine her musical vision even more closely with her social and political engagement. The «Get Going!» grant allows Nathalie Froehlich to invest more time in developing a coherent artistic identity by delegating tasks such as administration and organisation to professionals and thus building a supporting team that will further her vision.
instagram.com/nathalie_froehlich


MARCO VON ORELLI

Marco von Orelli ⎥ Photo ⓒSascha Gregori


Basel-based composer and trumpeter Marco von Orelli has been a fixture on the Swiss jazz scene for years. In his artistic work, he operates between the poles of improvisation and composition. Numerous recordings bear witness to his creative work, be it with the Basel Sinfonietta or with bands such as Big Bold Back Bone, Lotus Crash or the Root Down Orchestra. In his current project “Life”, Marco von Orelli focuses on climate change and the resulting consequences for nature. Marco von Orelli wants to use the atmosphere and energy of specific places in the countryside to initiate a creative composition process using approaches such as field recordings and underwater recordings. Thanks to the «Get Going!» grant, not only is the development of this project secured, but also its objective: “Life” will ultimately be presented as a multidisciplinary performance of music and dance at selected outdoor locations.
marcovonorelli.ch

The Swiss @ Linecheck 2024 │ Review

Linecheck 2024 ⎪ 18–23 November ⎟ Milan (IT)

Room for improvement in spite of a strong presence

“So far so good?” – that was the question posed by the tenth edition of Linecheck in the form of a slogan for the six-day event in Milan – and in Bologna as a satellite. “So far so good” also sums up Switzerland’s presence at Italy’s leading music industry conference. 

The Swiss presence, jointly organised by FONDATION SUISA, Pro Helvetia and Swiss Music Export, attracted no fewer than 200 professionals under the Swiss Business Mixer flag. The importance of having a presence at the most important platform for dialogue between the musical cultures of Central Europe and the Mediterranean also underlined the attendance of key protagonists. Dominique Rovini (Pro Helvetia), Simone Bernardoni (Facciamo La Corte), Niklaus Bühler (Emerged Agency) and Noah Sartori (Crampi al Cuore) were present in person. Fabio Pinto (SONART) and Fabienne Wolfschläger (Gadget Entertainment Group) also took part in panels.

SWISS LIVE ACT AT LINECHECK 2024
Music would have been provided by CRÈME SOLAIRE, but the group had to drop out due to illness. CAMILLA SPARKSSS, who stepped in at short notice, more than managed to thrill the audience with her one-hour set on Friday evening:

CAMILLA SPARKSSS


“So far so good”, and yet the participation of Swiss professionals in the Linecheck leaves room for improvement. While networking in the west and north works perfectly, the potential of this event, which is important for networking with southern Europe, has not yet been exhausted.



SWISS MUSIC @ LINECHECK 2024IMPRESSIONS:

SWISS MUSIC @ WOMEX 2024 │ Review

WOMEX 2024│23–27 October│Manchester (UK)

Smaller, but not less present

Worldwide Music Expo (WOMEX), the world’s largest trade fair for ethnic, traditional and folk music, celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. The event, which has been touring Europe since 1994, made a stopover this time in Manchester, England. With 2,850 professionals (compared to 2,750 the previous year) and 61 showcases (compared to 60 the previous year), the event was undeniably bigger than the one held in 2023 in the northern Spanish coastal city of A Coruña.

The Swiss presence – organised by SWISS MUSIC in collaboration with the SUISA FOUNDATION, Pro Helvetia, Swiss Music Export, SUISA and Artlink – returned to normal levels with 27 co-exhibitors, after last year’s record 42.

However, this did not detract from the quality of the event: the traditional reception on the Swiss stand on Friday attracted a large number of professionals, who took advantage of the opportunity to expand their network and forge new professional links. WOMEX also had a clear, well-organised structure in the Manchester Central exhibition hall. And the fact that the concerts and panels were also held there also contributed to the event’s practical and compact nature. Although there were no Swiss artists on site this year, the Swiss stand attracted many visitors over the five days.

The 2025 edition of the Worldwide Music Expo will take place from 22 to 26 October in Tampere, Finland.


SWISS MUSIC @ WOMEX 2024IMPRESSIONS:

SWISS MUSIC @ MaMA 2024 │ Review

MaMA Music & Convention
16–18 October│Paris (FR)

Impressive Swiss presence in Paris

For the 15th time, the international music scene gathered around Place Pigalle in Paris for MaMA Music & Convention, the most important event of its kind in the French-speaking world. The numbers of participants and performing acts were impressive, even if they were slightly lower than the previous year: 6,755 professionals (previous year: 7,125) from 51 nations and 150 performing musicians (previous year: 160). A total of 80 concerts took place at seven different venues and no fewer than 150 events offered professionals the opportunity to exchange ideas and network. In addition, the three-day event was once again able to impress with relevant and high-quality panels.

The Swiss presence – organised by SWISS MUSIC in collaboration with FONDATION SUISA, Pro Helvetia, Swiss Music Export and the Swiss Embassy in France – traditionally attracts a great deal of attention in the streets and clubs of Paris during these three days. 

The next MaMA Music & Convention will take place in Paris from 15 to 17 October 2025.

SWISS LIVE SHOWS AT MAMA 2024
The stylistic breadth of the performances by IKAN HYU, NATHALIE FROEHLICH, SOFT LOFT, ROXANE and AAMO demonstrated the diversity and unbroken creativity of Swiss music-making and impressed international experts. The Swiss Business Mixer in the Bar à Bulles also emphasised the extent to which Switzerland can prove itself in a competitive environment. With 200 attendees, this smart venue reached the limits of its capacity. In addition to the lively networking, the participants also had the opportunity to exchange ideas with NATHALIE FROEHLICH and IKAN HYU at a ‘Meet & Greet’.

IKAN HYU
NATHALIE FROEHLICH
SOFT LOFT
ROXANE



SWISS MUSIC @ MaMA 2024IMPRESSIONS:

Winner of the “Fonds Jacques Cerf” call for projects 

The 24-year-old composer and cellist Cyprien Lengagne from French-speaking Switzerland has won the first ‘Fonds Jacques Cerf’ call for projects with his work ‘Éclipses’. In addition to a cash prize, the young composer will see his work performed for the first time in Lausanne at the beginning of December.

The jury was convinced of the “great artistic potential of this young composer” and saw in his work the fulfilment of the desire of the Fonds Jacques Cerf’s founder to support talented young composers so that they can present themselves to a wide audience in a symphony concert.

«Fond Jacques Cerf» prizewinner concert
Premiere of the winning work «Éclipses»


The premiere of “Éclipses” will be held by the orchestra of the Haute Ecole de Musique (HEMU) on Thursday, 5 December 2024 at 8 p.m. in Lausanne’s Salle Métropole, as part of a joint concert with the Sinfonietta de Lausanne. Read more…

TICKET OFFICE


See also the press release of 8 October 2024:

Cyprien Lengagne Photo ⓒPiotr Markowski







The «Fonds Jacques Cerf» and its incentive prize

The “Fonds Jacques Cerf” was founded in 2020 by Colette Cerf in fulfilment of the wish of her late husband Jacques Cerf (1932–2019), a musician and composer of classical works from the canton of Vaud.

The «New compositions Fonds Jacques Cerf» incentive prize is a joint initiative of FONDATION SUISA, the HEMU and the Sinfonietta de Lausanne. It is part of composer Jacques Cerf’s desire to promote young talent after their studies, the aim being to encourage and support these alumni’s first steps in their professional musical lives.

The selection panel for the «Fonds Jacques Cerf» incentive prize

  • Laurent Mettraux (president, composer)
  • Guillaume Bourgogne (lecturer at HEMU, conductor)
  • Benedikt Hayoz (vice-director and lecturer HEMU Fribourg, composer, conductor)
  • Kevin Juillerat (Sinfonietta Lausanne, composer, saxophonist)
  • Ezko Kikoutchi (organist, composer)
  • Helena Winkelman (freelance composer, violonist)

A joint initiative of FONDATION SUISA, the HEMU und the Sinfonietta de Lausanne:

Reeperbahn Festival 2024 │ Review

Reeperbahn Festival │ 18–21 September 2024 │ Hamburg (DE)

Swiss music enjoyed by all: successful presence in Hamburg

The demand for Swiss music remains undiminished. Since its creation in 2006, the Reeperbahn Festival has developed into one of the key meeting places of the international music scene – a reputation convincingly confirmed by the 19th edition of the four-day event in Hamburg’s St. Pauli district.

The 480-plus appearances by artists from 35 countries offered a broad spectrum of musical diversity. This year’s Swiss presence was again impressive, as emphasised by the list of music creators performing either in the regular programme or in one of the showcases: MONTE MAI, MOONPOOLS, CRÈME SOLAIRE, ELLA RONEN, TO ATHENA, BENJAMIN AMARU, LEILA, NATHALIE FROEHLICH, EDB, PAULA DALLA CORTE and MEL D.

The three events “Swiss Sunrise Social”, “Swiss Business Mixer” and “Swiss Sunset Social” met with strong interest, with both industry professionals and musicians taking the opportunity to engage in intensive dialogue.

One particular sign of the growing international interest in Swiss music is the number of participants: the morning “Swiss Sunrise Social” event recorded a 40 per cent increase in visitors compared to the previous year. The “Swiss Business Mixer” event, attended by 500 industry professionals from 21 countries and four continents, can also be viewed as a complete success – as was the evening “Swiss Sunset Social”, which put the diversity of Swiss live music in the best possible light.

The Swiss presence was organised by Swiss Music Export (SME), in collaboration with FONDATION SUISA, Pro Helvetia, Musikbüro Luzern, Musikbüro Basel, Popkredit Zürich, FCMA (Fondation romande pour la chanson et les musiques actuelles) and the Swiss Embassy in Berlin.

The 20th edition of the Reeperbahn Festival will take place im Hamburg from 17 to 20 September 2025.

SWISS LIVE ACTS AT REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL 2024
The Swiss bands in this year’s Reeperbahn Festival programme was a testament to the uncanny strength and breadth of the helvetic music scene:

BENJAMIN AMARU
Website
LEILA
Website
NATHALIE FROEHLICH
Website
MONTE MAI
Website
MOONPOOLS
Website
CRÈME SOLAIRE
Website
ELLA RONEN
Website
TO ATHENA
Website
PAULA DALLA CORTE
Website
MEL D
Website

SWISS MUSIC @ REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL 2024 IMPRESSIONS:

SWISS MUSIC @ MaMA 2024

MaMA Music & Convention 202416–18 OctoberParis (FR)

MaMA Music & Convention invites the professional music world to Paris from 16 to 18 October 2024.

MaMA 2023 – Bar à Bulles, Paris ⎜ Foto ©Swiss Music Export


SWISS BUSINESS MIXER

The 2024 Olympic Games are over. Time to fill Paris with music again! MaMA is calling again and the Swiss delegation invites you once more to the Bar à Bulles for the Swiss Business Mixer:

Thursday, 17 october
16:00–18:30
Bar à Bulles

Swiss Music Export and FONDATION SUISA are proposing the traditional networking event Swiss Business Mixer again at MaMA Music & Convention.

The event is taking place in the Bar à Bulles just behind the Moulin Rouge. There will be many exciting people, delicious appetisers with great Swiss wine and the two fabulous showcase acts IKAN HYU and NATHALIE FROEHLICH:

IKAN HYU
16:40–17:20
NATHALIE FROEHLICH
17:45–18:10


Register now for the Swiss Business Mixer!

Entry to the SWISS BUSINESS MIXER is free for music professionals. 
However, registration is required.


Presented by Swiss Music Export and FONDATION SUISA with the kind support of the Swiss Embassy in France.

SWISS ARTISTS AT MAMA 2024

Also to be seen and heard in the festival’s regular programme:

SOFT LOFT
TH 17 Oct
20:20–21:00
La Machine du Moulin Rouge
NATHALIE FROEHLICH
TH night 17 Oct to FR
02:30–03:30
La Machine du Moulin Rouge

DON’T FORGET TO ORDER YOUR PROMOTIONAL CODE!

Swiss music professionals can buy their 3-day PRO PASS for the MaMA 2024 for EUR 110 instead of EUR 170 thanks to the promotional code of Swiss Music Export and FONDATION SUISA.

Switzerland at Reeperbahn Festival 2024

18–21 september, Hamburg (DE)

This year, once again, Swiss Music Export and FONDATION SUISA will be present at Reeperbahn Festival with a rich and varied programme of exciting networking events and showcases. And, of course, with a host of Swiss bands on stage!


SWISS SUNRISE SOCIAL
VE 20 Sept ⎜ 10:00–12:30 ⎢ Spielbude
No registration required, just drop in!


After a festive night of music and networking, the SWISS SUNRISE SOCIAL will be the perfect opportunity to get the day off to a good start with a chat over your favourite coffee drink with a delicious croissant.

An offer by Swiss Music Export and FONDATION SUISA.


SWISS BUSINESS MIXER
VE 20 Sept ⎜ 13:30–17:00 ⎢ Spielbude XL
A real place to be on a Friday afternoon


Don’t miss Switzerland’s traditional networking event over a delicious ‘Swiss made’ raclette and a glass – or two – of Swiss wine. It’s the perfect opportunity to talk music and network with international industry professionals. Once again this year, Switzerland will be represented by a fine line-up of three talented artists!

BENJAMIN AMARU
13:45–14:15
LEILA
14:55–15:25
NATHALIE FROEHLICH
16:05–16:35

A collaboration between Swiss Music Export, FONDATION SUISA and the Swiss Embassy in Germany..

Register now for the Swiss Business Mixer!Entry to the SWISS BUSINESS MIXER is free for music professionals. However, registration is required.  DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: Tuesday 17 September 2024

SWISS SUNSET STAGE
VE 20 Sept ⎜ 17:00–23:00 ⎢ Spielbude XL
Presents exactly what the name proclaims!

The SWISS SUNSET STAGE offers you exactly what it says on the tin: Five of the best acts from Switzerland – some established, some brand new – offer a glimpse of the wide range of music being created in the various corners of our country right at one of the probably most iconic outdoor stages at Reeperbahn Festival:

MONTE MAI
17:10–17:50
MOONPOOLS
18:25–19:05
CRÈME SOLAIRE
19:40–20:20
ELLA RONEN
20:55–21:35
TO ATHENA
22:10–22:50


In collaboration with FCMA, Stadt Zürich Kultur, Musikbüro Basel and Musikbüro Luzern.

Curious to find out more about the Swiss artists and «Swiss Specials» in this year’s Reeperbahn Festival programme? Visit the Swiss Music Export website!

ACCREDITATION: SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR SWISS PROFESSIONALS

And to help you decide to come to Hamburg, the Swiss partners are offering Swiss music professionals for their Reeperbahn Festival accreditation a special price of EUR 319.- instead of EUR 499.- for the FULLPASS Conference & Festival (4-day ticket).

MORE SWISS ARTISTS AT REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL 2024
Also to be seen and heard in the festival’s regular programme:

EDB
Fr 20 Sept⎟00:15–01:00
Angie’s

BENJAMIN AMARU
Th 19 Sept⎟21:30–22:30
Mojo Club

LEILA
Fr 20 Sept⎟23:15–00:15
Stage 15

NATHALIE FROEHLICH
Th 19 Sept⎟22:40–23:40
Prinzenbar

PAULA DALLA CORTE
We 18 Sept⎜21:50–22:50
Bahnhof Pauli
Th 19 Sept ⎜ 19:50
Moondoo
MEL D
Th 19 Sept⎟18:45–19:15
Sommersalon

RBF 2024 – Order your promo code!

SWISS MUSIC @ Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg (DE)18–21 Sept 2024

Visit the Reeperbahn Festival 2024 with a special Swiss discount
Swiss Music Export and FONDATION SUISA dispose of a quota of accreditations at preferential rates.

Swiss professionals can use the Swiss Promo Link to get accredited for Reeperbahn Festival 2024 and benefit from a FULL PASS Conference & Festival (4 Day Ticket) at a preferential rate of EUR 319 instead of EUR 499.


You’re under 30?
For the first time, the Reeperbahn Festival is offering young professionals (up to the age of 29) the PIONEER PASS Conference & Festival (4 Day Ticket), giving them accreditation at the exceptional preferential rate of EUR 249 instead of EUR 499 (a 50% discount).