Music Finland awarded the fifth ever Finnish Music Export Award to the unique record label Svart Records (Oy Svart Musik Ab).

The Finnish Music Export Award was given to Svart Records for their internationally unique release concept and dedication to exporting diverse Finnish music culture by Director Antti Joensuu (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment) in Helsinki today. 

The Finnish Music Export Award, established by Music Finland in 2015, is a recognition given to a Finnish music company that has successfully developed and expanded its international operations and has shown pioneering spirit in exporting Finnish music. The intent behind this award is to create attention to the important work done by music export companies, and also promote these active and growing enterprises. The award was initiated by Music Finland, who also gathered the jury together. The award winner receives their own award plate on the outer wall of the famed rock club Tavastia in Helsinki. 

Svart Records is built on a passion for music, quality products, cultural history and internationalization. 

Founded in 2009 by Tomi Pulkki and Jarkko Pietarinen, Svart is an international record company with almost half of its EUR 1.48 million revenue (according to 2018 figures) coming from abroad sales. Record enthusiasts around the world have learned to know and love Svart for its interesting music and high-quality vinyl and cd releases.

In the past nine years, Svart Records has grown from a tiny Turku-based label to a globally respected and significant player in the vinyl industry, putting out close to a hundred albums yearly. The company is built on a passion for music, quality products, cultural history and internationalization. 

“Svart is an alternative music powerhouse, who has succeeded in turning the underground into a business – and a significant music export. They make cultural achievements with high quality, both in Finland and abroad” says Music Finland’s Executive Director Kaisa Rönkkö of the award winner.

Svart's internationally unique business concept is based on interesting re-releases, archival treasures never heard before and, above all, the discovery of great new artists and groups. This has made Svart a desirable partner for foreign bands as well.

Record enthusiasts around the world have learned to know and love Svart for its interesting music and high-quality vinyl and cd releases.

The company has re-released hundreds of classic albums including the back catalogues of Wigwam, Hanoi Rocks, Hurriganes and Eero Koivistoinen. At the same time, Svart Records has built an international career for a significant number of new Finnish artists ranging from jazz to heavy metal. Some of Svart's breakthrough acts include Beastmilk, Oranssi Pazuzu, Hexvessel, K-X-P, Mikko Joensuu, Jess and The Ancient Ones, Pekko Käppi and Kimmo Pohjonen.

The jury consisted of Mikko Kaipainen (Yousician), Tomi Korhonen (Business Finland), Emilia Kullas (Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA), Teemu Laitinen (PME Records), Laura Liski (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment), Miikka Maunula (Finnish Broadcasting Company), Kaisa Rönkkö (Music Finland) and Eicca Toppinen (Apocalyptica Agency).

The previous Finnish Music Export Awards have been given to Comusic Productions (2015), Till Dawn They Count Management Ltd Oy (2016), PME Records (2017) and Apocalyptica Agency (2018).