Australia

A Country Sound


Australia has a strong history of folk music, and it became revolutionary in the late 1800s with a genre called "bush band music," which would later become country. This musical style began with convicts who were sent to Australia during the British colonization, and these people would sing mainly of the harsh conditions, using worker slang. Some of these popular songs within the working class include "The Wild Colonial Boy" and "The Drover's Dream."

Going into the 1900s, a huge wave of European immigrant music hit Australia. Celtic, English, German and Scandinavian sounds mixed in with the old ones and created new genres and new musical traditions in the country. The mid- to late 1900s welcomed a folk revival movement. One of the most prominent musicians from this period was Paul Kelly, who sang mostly about the vast and empty landscape of the country.

Country music is actually a major genre in Australian culture, but the Australian country sounds are quite different from the ones heard in America. Australian country has been influenced by folk traditions of the United Kingdom and Celtic folk sounds. Australians typically call country music, which is mainly based on Australian life and culture, bush band music.

Along with bush band music, there are more Americanized forms of Australian country music. This style adopted Western influence and was pioneered in the '30s by Tex Morton and Slim Dusty, who was famous for a song called "A Pub With No Beer."

Americanized country music is still popular in Australia today, and some of it has even seen international success. Musicians like Olivia Newton-John and Keith Urban, for example, got their start in their native Australia and went on to become world-wide stars.

Other genres of music are also quite prominent in Australia, including rock, alternative and electronic. Australia has a rich history in rock music, which became popular in the '50s and closely followed suit with America's rock history. Many Australian musicians and rock bands gained influence from America's Elvis Presley and Little Richard.

Rock bands in Australia in the '60s and '70s pulled influence from The Beatles, and some of the most famous–and even international–acts included Jethro Tull, The Easybeats and The Bee Gees.

Natalie Imbruglia


When discussing '90s music in America, Natalie Imbruglia is probably a name that will come up, but it doesn't really venture out of that decade. Well, in Australia it does. Imbruglia, born in Sydney, is probably one of the most prominent pop musicians of the last 20 years.

The musician/actress/model got her start in the early nineties, playing a character on an Australian soap opera called Neighbors. After that gig, she decided to pursue music and dropped her first album, Left of the Middle, in 1998 which included the hit single "Torn."

In her first few weeks as an up-and-coming pop star, Imbruglia's album went platinum, her single was number one on many charts (including Billboard) for multiple months, and her album broke the record of any female pop/alternative/rock artist in its first week.

After her successful debut, Imbruglia released three additional albums, of less notoriety, but she still manages to remain a household name in Australia today.

Other than her music, Imbruglia has also achieved many other successes. The natural beauty has modeled for L'Oreal and Sass and Bide to raise money for cancer research. She is also a strong supporter of many charities, as she is the ambassador for Virgin Unite and has publicly spoken to raise awareness about depression.

In 2004, the star was ranked sixth most naturally beautiful woman of all-time "inside and out," a poll topped by the late actress and icon, Audrey Hepburn.

The Netherlands

The Land of Techno

Music of The Netherlands today is largely influenced by tradition in the UK and the US. Some of it is sung in English and some in Dutch, but most natives will listen to English-speaking bands and musicians.

Traditional Dutch music is not widely heard throughout the country today, but it still holds a place in cultural practices and tradition. The more traditional songs are called "Levenslied," which means "songs of life." The lyrics speak of day-to-day routines and struggles. They are usually very simple, Beatles-style songs about love, loss and loneliness. Traditional instruments used in the genre include the accordion and organ.

Much like Sweden and Germany, The Netherlands today offer a pretty grand techno/dance music scene. Some of the most accomplished musicians in the last couple of decades include DJs and house artists. Many of these musicians have even gained international recognition, including Tiësto, Armin van Buuren and Afrojack. Amsterdam hosts the world's most renowned electronic music conference and fest each year, called the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE).

Although the Dutch are very familiar with English songs and artists, many native pop musicians do sing in the Dutch language and gain popularity mainly just within the country. For example, the popular Dutch band Tambourine gained success in the '90s and still woos Dutch music-lovers with its native instrumentals and lyrics.

In addition to electronic dance music, another genre called Boerenrock has swept the Dutch nation and is popular within the country. In English, Boerenrock translates to "farmer's rock" and mixes rock and pop accompanying lyrics that resonate with rural life. Boerenrock is a more small-time genre and tends to be heard in smaller, grungier venues rather than concert halls. The musicians don't display large productions for their shows, but keep it simple yet rowdy.

Vengaboys

In America, Vengaboys are most likely known for the one-hit-wonder song "Boom Boom Boom Boom." What many people don't know is that this band is a popular Eurodance group based in Amsterdam.

The group enjoyed its first dose of international success in the early '90s with lighthearted, electronic pop hits that stole the hearts of teens everywhere.

Vengaboys are made up of two lead vocalists and two male dancers, making the pop/electronic/organized dance genre a serious thing at the turn of the century (i.e. Backstreet Boys).

Although the group's international popularity seemed to have ended by the late nineties, "Vengaboys are back in town," especially in Europe and The Netherlands. The group has received multiple awards as best-selling artists and an influential Eurodance group.

Today, Vengaboys are still making it big overseas with new singles, new albums and new tour dates.

Colombia

From Cumbia to Shakira

Caribbean styles of music are some of the most popular and well-liked genres in the Colombian music culture. Cumbia is a Caribbean style that combines Spanish and African sounds. This type of music is reminiscent of the horrifying slavery before it was abolished in the 19th century.

Cumbia is very rhythmic, and when it originated, it included only vocals and drums. Recently, musicians have added other percussion elements such as keyboards, plus the saxophone and trombones. The unofficial Colombia national anthem is a form of cumbia called "Cumbia Cienaguera," which represents the flavor and atmosphere of Colombia.

Currulao is the most African-influenced genre of music specifically from the Pacific region of the country. This type of music is traditionally played by four musicians and the instruments include a drum, a shaker and a Colombian marimba.

One of the most contemporary styles of music in Colombia is the salsa. Salsa dancing has become a popular competitive activity, with Colombian dancers receiving awards every year from international competitions. Colombian salsa dancing has a particular style unique to other countries' salsa traditions, as they focus more on footwork while the upper body remains still.

Like every other country, Colombia has a pretty prominent rock scene, having dabbled in other genres like metal, alternative and ska. In other countries of Latin America, Colombia is known for its punk rock scene. Electronic music has also hit the country in recent years, leading to the development of raves and dance parties.

Pop music almost always mixes traditional Colombian sounds with more modern genres. The most prominent and successful Colombian musician is Shakira, who has achieved international success and began writing albums in English, making it to the mainstream radio in America. Juanes is another famous Colombian musician who has seen his songs top charts all over the world.

Sidestepper


One of the most popular bands in Colombia, Sidestepper is known for combining modern electronic sounds and traditional cumbian sounds, creating the genre "electro cumbia." The band has included many different musicians since its formation in 1996. It features guest vocalists and musicians who rotate in and out of shows and recording.

The band was created when Richard Blair, an English DJ, and Iván Benavides, a Colombian singer/songwriter, collaborated musically. The band has released five studio albums, the last one, The Buena Vibra Sound System, having been released in 2008 as a mix album.

Since then, Sidestepper has been without a record contract, but still working together minus Benavides, who moved from New York back to Colombia to work on a solo project. The band is currently working on a new album which is expected for release in 2013.

Sidestepper has found success inside and outside Colombia's musical culture. They are very roots-oriented with a modern flair. In 2004, the band played at Coachella, a major music festival in the United States.

Canada

Oh, Canadian Music

Although it's pretty close to home, Canada's music is varied despite its strong influence from American culture. Other large musical influencers include France and Britain because of their histories with Canada.

When French settlers came to the country in the 17th century, they brought with them not only the language and customs of France, but also European instruments such as the flute and trumpet. In the 1700s, Canada was introduced to opera, and orchestral and chamber music also became popular. The music of European composers like Bach, Handel and Mozart was frequently played in concert halls.

At the start of the 20th Century, Canada began to see its musical culture expand with the creation of Canada's first record label, Compo Company, and its first radio stations, some of which were in French.

During the mid-century, jazz was the most popular musical form, and swing dancing followed suit. The first major mainstream band in Canada was The Royal Canadians, which received international recognition in the '20s.

After the second World War, Canadian bands began to sprout up all over the country, most of them being school bands and teen idols. Many Canadian artists ended up achieving success when thrust into the American music industry, but other musicians remained true to their Canadian roots.

In the '80s and '90s, musical genres expanded further in Canada, and the "youth culture" became ever-present. One of the most famous musicians to emerge from the country was French-Canadian singer Celine Dion, who quickly achieved international success.

Other mainstream Canadian artists to emerge in the United States include Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette and Justin Bieber.

Diana Krall


Although Diana Krall has reached international fame for her musical talents like many other Canadian musicians, the British Columbia native stays true to the sultry jazz sounds of early 20th century Canada.

Other than her masterful piano playing, Krall is also quite recognized for her incredible contralto vocals. The singer has not only been named by Billboard as one of the greatest jazz musicians of her time, but she has also won two Grammy Awards and eight Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy).

At age 48, Krall has release 11 studio albums and has sold over 15 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling artists of today.

Russia

A Rock Revolution

Classical music has always been a large staple in Russian culture. In the 18th century, many famous Russian composers were influenced by Italian opera. One of the most popular and celebrated composers from this time period was Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who was known for the famous ballets, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty.

The 20th century brought with it a new wave of music inspired by the Russian Revolution and then the Soviet Union. "Avant garde" music was popular in the beginning of the century, with a revolutionary spirit about it. Later, under the rule of Joseph Stalin, experimentation in music dwindled and classical structure was favored.

Throughout the century, Russian music expanded and introduced modern American forms of rock and pop music. Russian rock music hit its peak in the 1980s with popular musicians like Kino, Aria and DDT.

While pop music was prevalent in the 20th century, it didn't really become mainstream until the 2000s with one of Russia's most famous pop duos, t.a.T.u.

And again, since rock was the main staple in the '80s and '90s, other musical genres like alternative rock, punk rock and grunge weren't that prevalent until the 21st century. Most of this mainstream music is broadcasted to the public via MTV Russia and other national radio stations.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early '90s, the Russian music scene has taken part in increasing experimentation. A type of music called "Russian chanson" is specific to solely Russian culture, and it is basically about the daily struggles in life and the criminal world.

In contrast to America and many European countries, electronic and dance music are not very popular in Russia. The few electronic musicians who do exist remain pretty independent and under-promoted.

Dima Bilan (Дима Билан)

The Russian singer/songwriter is best know for having won the Eurovision song contest award in 2008 with the song "Believe."

At the mere age of 31, the successful musician has released six albums to date and has received 32 awards.

Having started releasing albums in 2003, Bilan began recording his first international music in English four years later with one of his singles featuring Nelly Furtado. By 2008, Bilan had plans to release the album in three languages--Russian, English and Spanish.

His first single from this new album, "Number One Fan," achieved international success and was picked up by Interscope Records, who wanted to release the English version in 81 different countries.

Along with his musical career, Bilan has also enjoyed success as an actor in a number of Russian films and television series.

Finland

Folk Lives On

Folk music in Finland consisted of an element called "runonlaulanta," which had a rhythmic, chanting sound. The musical form was revolutionary in Finland's early days of music and led to a similar, more melodic form of singing called "rekilaulu." Although the style dates all the way back to the 1600s, the 1920s pop musicians began to include hints of rekilaulu in their music. 

The birth of rock music was in the 1960s, with popular musicians singing protest songs. The monumental decade also saw musicians translating American pop songs into Finnish. Even today, rather than singing song in broken English that is incomprehensible to most fans, Finnish artists prefer to sing in their native language. 

With the popularization of pop and rock, Finland still celebrates folk music as a large part of its culture. Folk music groups that are still popular today include Frigg and Troka. 

The styles that Finland is most well-known for today are punk and metal, which emerged in the country somewhere in the late '70s. Like all musical revolutions, these styles predominantly influenced and were influenced by the youth in Finland. 

Just like in the US, Finland took part in an '80s pop wave of music, some of the more popular artists being Dingo and Yö. Accordingly, that style of music died down and electronic/dance forms took over in the nineties and remain popular today. 

Chisu

The young, Finnish pop artist is one of the most recognized musicians of the country today. She released her first album, Alkovi, in 2008, peaking at #5 on music charts. In following years, the artist has gained increasing popularity, her most recent album having gone multi-platinum and peaking at #1 on music charts. 

Chisu has also had many hit singles, one of them having appeared in the film Sooloilua, the recognition that began her fame. The musician is most recognized for her superior vocals, having earned her the title of Best Finnish Vocalist in previous years. 

New Zealand

In recent years, it seems there has been sort of an intrigue with up and coming New Zealand musicians like last year’s Kimbra, and this year’s (and my new obsession) Lorde. So it was only fitting for me to begin the semester focused on this interesting country.

The number of well known New Zealand artist in the US is kind of surprising. Everyone’s favorite ‘80s pop band, Crowded House, originated from the country, and The Naked and Famous (who had a hit with “Young Blood” in 2010) are also natives.

The New Zealand music scene welcomes many styles including blues, jazz, pop and hip-hop, but rock music has always been a strong staple for the country’s musicians. More specifically, kiwi rock is the names used by natives to describe rock music.

Rock sprung up in New Zealand in the ‘60s with the most popular bands being The La'De'Da's and The Fourmyula. In the ‘70s, following suit with the American music scene, punk music began to influence the masses. One of the most popular New Zealand punk bands was The Enemy, which also introduced lo-fi to the music scene.

In the last 30 years, hip-hop has slowly infiltrated New Zealand popular culture. Much of the country’s hip-hop music has been consistently politically charged and nationalistic, but in recent years, it has become more lyrical and friendly. One of the first hip-hop artists to achieve international fame was Savage, which featured the American musician Akon on an album that sold over 1.8 million copies in the US in 2005.

Other than popular musical styles, other aspects of New Zealand’s musical culture have become widespread, such as the country's many famous opera singers including Simon O’Neill and Anna Leese.

One of the most well known and popular theatre performances was also originated by a New Zealander. The Rocky Horror Show musical was written by Richard O’Brien, a native of the country, and it was first performed in London in 1973.

Flight of the Conchords

The comedic folk duo from New Zealand have made it big since they debuted with a television show on HBO in 2007.

The group is made up of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, who both studied film and theatre until they formed their band in 1998. Before the creation of their television show, Flight of the Conchords, the duo held a radio series for BBC Radio 2.

The radio series for McKenzie and Clement was sort of a precursor for the television series, not ironically holding the same title as the band. The show features the two men trying to find success in New York City using both dry and goofy humor in their music, which helps tell the story of their day-to-day lives.

Other than having a popular show on television, completion of  a successful tour and a string of albums, Flight of the Conchords have many other achievements under their belts.  For example, the duo has been nominated for multiple Emmys and was ranked the number 2 new television show by Time after their debut in 2007.