With a little under 32 hours to go, the dream of owning all three Kimono albums is becoming more and more a reality.
Only €1000 euro to go. There is still time to contribute and receive perks such as signed artwork, signed albums and guest list status for life.
https://www.karolinafund.com/project/view/308
So help out the band and share it with all your friends.
Welcome to the twilight zone, here’s your host, Dj. flugvél og geimskip (DJ Airplane and spaceship.) Her grooves and spacey music would make the likes of Kier Kirby of Dee-Lite, and Kate Pierson of the B-52’s weep in happiness. Dj. flugvél og geimskip is Steinunn Harðardóttir, it’s hard to call it her stage name, or her project, because as she put it in an interview once, “it’s just me with a cooler name and sunglasses.”
Her songs relate to the cosmic wonders and mysteries of the universe. There are songs about animals, both spiritual and earth bound, the moon and those peripheral beings that enter and fade our world by mere glances into the shadows. Both live and on album, her songs have this powerfully happy vibe that almost trumps the positivity you walk away with after corresponding with her.
The first time I experienced her live show was by accident. It was during last year’s Airwaves and I walked into the wrong door, through a bar, up some stairs and into a room slowly filling with fog. There was some frequency bits going around, and a giant ball casting laser beams every which direction. With a sparkly feathered vest, she appeared on stage and began, first with beats, then with layers and topped with her signature vocals. I’ve been impressed ever since, I look forward to another live show.
Her website is down for upgrades at the moment, but you can find her on Facebook. And she has a full length album available on Gogoyoko. She has quite the Youtube channel, and a Soundcloud page.
In an incredibly sweet manner, she replied with the answers to my 4 nonsensical questions:
1. What is your favorite place to play in Iceland? : Þríhnúkahellir/gígur
2. If you combine all of your favorite colors, what do you get? clear/seethrough
3. What are 3 of your favorite little known bands of Icelandic origin? Pink Street Boys, Godchilla, Carpe Noctem
4. If you could be any creature playing your favorite song, what would the creature be? and what is the song? Snake Playing Black Sun Empire´s song Arrakis
Júlía from Oyama’s green fingers dancing away
Woo-a-hoo. Another chunk O’ bands have been announced for Airwaves 2014. And I’m extremely pleased as there are a lot of Icelandic bands I haven’t heard yet, and the ones I have are classic. So far, there are 61 bands that have been announced, 40 of which are Icelandic.
Non Icelandic bands include Future Islands, Farao, Emilie Nicolas, and The War on Drugs will be closing the festival with the Flaming lips. Also, Zhala, Spray Paint, and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard will be there.
This round of bands goes to the Icelanders though. There are so many good bands coming, Oyama will be there. And Rökkurró as well. Þórir Georg, Kaleo, Endless Dark, Kippi Kaninus, Brain Police, Beneath, Fufanu, Epic Rain, Skurken, AMFJ, Kontinuum, Ophidian I, Var, Atónal Blús, Mafama, Vio, Lucy in Blue and Conflictions as well.
Links to all the Icelandic bands music will be on my Iceland Airwaves page, and you can learn more about the festival here as well as see the entire line up on the Iceland Airwaves official website. The festival is definitely going to be another goodun!
And I leave you with Þórir Georg’s cover of Heya but Outkast. It’s an oldie, but I love it:
Simple yet energetic and noisy, there’s a new album from a new band in Iceland; I need you to go to hell, by Knife Fights. Consisting of Sigurður Angantýsson (Vocals, guitar), Helgi Pétur Hannesson (drums), Gunnar Petur Hauksson (Bass), and Þórir Bogason (synth and guitar.) Knife Fights have released the perfect summer album.
I need you to go hell is chock-full of modernized noisy 90’s American west coast style rock. A smorgasbord of The Breeders, Jane’s Addiction, R.E.M type sounds, with a dash of grunge. The opening riff sucks you right into the smooth-ish track, Stay Forever in Doubt, and rolls along into more raw, rock/punk tracks such as Gnarbone, one of my favorites on the album.
They’re on Soundcloud, you can stalk them on Facebook, and you can listen to and/or purchase the album on Bandcamp. It’s $10, and I promise you’ll get your money’s worth, every time I hear the thing I like it more.
As there is little out there on the band, this is my first attempt at an interview type thing. I emailed them a bunch of questions alongside my nonsensical ones and Siggi was nice enough to reply with answers:
1. I know you’ve been around in a few forms for a year or two now, what do you officially consider your start date? We released our first video sometime in October 2012 and had our first gig in April, 2013 so somewhere around that time I guess. This project had been gestating for a long time in my head so it’s hard to tell.
2. Can you tell me a little about how you started, and why? It all started when I decided I was finally not shy about singing anymore or at least that I really wanted to overcome my shyness. I had slowly been learning how to play guitar in my early twenties so it took a lot of time to feel comfortable writing music and singing and stuff. I had difficulty being the focus of anybody’s attention really. By the end of 2011, I had actually written a bunch of songs or riffs and started recording them on my Macbook Pro. Really hi-fi stuff. I started sending them to my talented music friends who then offered to help me flesh it out and maybe form a band, which we did. God bless them.
3. What other bands have you all been in before or are in now? Our drummer Helgi Pétur and bass-man Gunnar are both in an awesome band called Gang Related. Helgi is also in legendary punk band Morðingjarnir and recently started playing with our pal musician Þórir Georg. Busy man really. Our newly recruited synth-and-guitar man Þórir Bogason is of course the leader of the wonderful Just Another Snake Cult.
4. Who are your musical influences? I’d say these are my basics: R.E.M, Pavement, Bowie, Pixies, Springsteen, Built To Spill, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cure, The Smiths… you get the idea. With Knife Fights I just wanted to make something loud and contemplative at the same time. We were conscious about not just repeating our favourite music but rather just go with whatever we feel like. We don’t really care what we sound like as long as it keeps us interested. I also think that music is very therapeutic and that you can really tell if a musician is sincere or not in their approach. That’s what unites all my favourite art is that it seems to stem from this need that we have to communicate something or other.
5. If you had to describe your style what would say? I’d say my personal guitar style is melodic, sloppy, wired, spaced out, organic and very un-professional. Our bassist Gunnar is like a bastard child of Jaco Pastorius and Fieldy. Drummer Helgi possesses a machine-like quality while also being really organic in his approach and Þórir’s synth-playing puts Tangerine Dream to shame. Basic.
6. You’ve been playing a lot of gigs in RVK, are we going to see you at ATP or Airwaves this year? Airwaves maybe. Depends on wether we’re deemed worthy of entrance. ATP would be amazing obviously. Buttloads of awesome bands there this year.
And of course, my nonsensical questions:
1. What is your favorite place in Iceland to play? Harpa concert hall was really nice and grand but I think honestly Dillon Rock Bar is always the most energetic and fun. It’s all good though. I’ll play anywhere.
2. If you combine all of your favorite colors, what do you get? Turquoise, pink and orange make this kind of dark olive green. Which is nice.
3. What are 3 of your favorite little known bands of Icelandic origin? I’m a little biased here but I have to say Gang Related, Just Another Snake Cult and Þórir Georg.
4. If you could be any creature playing your favorite song, what would the creature be? And what is the song? I have a deep fascination with gorillas so I’d be one of those and the song would be ‘The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite’ by R.E.M. It brings instant childhood nostalgia and mixed feelings.
Give them a listen, and if you’re around Reykjavik, keep your ears peeled as they are playing a lot of live gigs these days.
I’m as excited as she looks
This was an exciting bit of news to wake up to. Kimono, the veteran Icelandic post-rock/metal/whateverelseyouwanttocallthem is crowd sourcing for a vinyl release of their three albums for their 13 year anniversary. This is one of my favorite bands from Iceland, and it will be incredible when this comes to fruition. I wrote a blog post on them a while back, you can read it here.
They are using Karolinafund, think Icelandic Kickstarter, and the incentives are some of the best matched incentives I’ve seen in a while.
If anything, you just really have to go to the page to see the video, it’s a who’s who of Icelanders, and it’s funny. Trust me, the video they put together on the fund page is worth the click alone.
So share this with everyone, your grandma, your dentist, the crush you get your coffee from in the morning that you want to impress with your musical knowledge, EVERYONE. I really want this to happen, and so do you.
And there it was, Saturday night. Taste of Iceland’s Reykjavik Calling in Cambridge, MA at the Middle East Club. Three Icelandic bands acting as ambassadors of music coming together with two local bands to bring Boston a cross-cultural event. Reyka Vodka supplied the alcohol, and a slew of Icelandic sponsors all helped in the event.
Hermigervill, or as he became known; Hamburgurville, started the show off with a high energy set. The crowd was instantly sucked in as he danced right along with his set. He gave a shout out to Reykjavik’s Harlem bar, as well as delivering a hip hop version of “Glugginn” by the old peace loving Icelandic hippies, Flowers. near the end he gave another nod to the Icelandic Reggae band Ojba Rasta with a remix of “Jolly Good.” The man rocks a theremin like nobody’s business.
Hermigervill always performs with an incredible amount of energy, bobbing in and out to and fro with such speed and vigor it’s tough to snag a clear pic. He was dead center when I hit the clicker on the ole camera, but only his ghostly remains were captured, he’s that quick.
There was so much energy in the crowd and on stage, so nobody could fault him as he attempted to squeeze one more in. Unfortunately the powers that be stepped in, and that was that.
Next up, Boston locals Skinny Bones played. A drum, a Guitar and a little Moog creating a pleasant set of shoe gazing rock.
Sin Fang, Sindri Már Sigfússon, was next. The crowd was in for it, as Sindri gave us samples of new bits as well as reworkings of old bits, while some bits stayed the same. He was joined on stage by Skinny Bones for a collaborative version of “Young Boys.”
Speaking with Sindri before the show, he mentioned we can expect new music from him shortly, and of course he’ll be touring in the future.
The Love Experiment was next. Dance, funk, jazz, soul…. Too many styles to list, all wrapped up in almost an hour of jamming on stage. There seemed to be a bit of freestyle jamming going on, especially once Joined by Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson and Logi Pedro Stefánsson of Retro Stefson.
3 out of 7 ain’t bad, and that’s what we got from the Retro Stefson camp. Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson and Logi Pedro Stefánsson joined by Hermigervill came on stage, bringing the Retro Stefson unique dance style with them. Perhaps the alcohol had been flowing a little too freely, or perhaps I was just in a good mood, but I really got into their set, though I will whole-heartedly deny any and all rumors of dancing…
To end the evening, all of the musicians came back on stage. There were sax’s, guitars, theremins and synths. A lot of singing and hanging out and of course, a cover of Lauren Hill’s “Ex Factor.” Because, why not?! Definitely a great way to end a great night.
I harassed Logi Pedro about Highlands, his new side project with Karin Sveinsdóttir. They are working away and hope to have something early 2015. They will be playing at Iceland Airwaves in November as well. He was nice enough to answer one of my questions: What animal, what song?” to which he replied “a lion, singing wrecking ball by Mylie Cyrus.”
And finally, let it be known that after Hermigervill’s set, and much to the chagrin of all in my household, I will very shortly own a Theremin… it’s time
For my post on the Reykjavik Calling concert on May 15th. Click here.
Taste of Iceland is coming back to Boston this week with food, art, and of course the free concert, Reykjavik Calling. The event goes March 14th through the 18th, with Reykjavik Calling happening Saturday, March 15th.
Iceland Naturally has been putting Taste of Iceland on for 10 years. A cooperative marketing outfit, Iceland Naturally promotes all things Icelandic and Taste of Iceland is their signature event. Supported by a large community of Icelandic sponsors such as Icelandair, Icelandic Group, Islandsbanki, Reyka Vodka, City of Reykjavik, Icelandic Glacial Water, Blue Lagoon, Keflavik International Airport (KEF), Landsvirkjun, Promote Iceland, and the Government of Iceland, the event brings an Icelandic representation of cuisine, art, literature, and music to North America.
This year along with the concert at the Middle East Club, there is a Reyka vodka cocktail class at the Liberty Hotel, a Photography exhibit the 555 Gallery, and all event long you can sample Icelandic cuisine at Rialto. Go here to read more about these events and RSVP as some events are limited.
Every year Taste of Iceland delivers different artists from Iceland to North America for a concert called Reykjavik Calling. The artists not only play their own material, but pair with local artists creating interesting collaborations. They coordinate with local radio stations, in Boston’s case WERS, to pair the musicians and this year Boston will see The Love Experiment and Skinny Bones on stage.
In the past, acts such as Lay Low, Pétur Ben, Snorri Helgason and Sóley have all played. And this year, Retro Stefson, Sin Fang and Hermigervill are playing. All three musicians deserve their own write up, but as that would make for a rather long blog post I’ve just put a snippet and links to more. If you click on their names it will take you to their Soundcloud pages, and I’ve embedded my favorite tracks available via Soundcloud above the artist.
Retro Stefson are a supergroup of sorts, they’ve grown and adapted over the years, but their live gigs still remain high energy and fun. And while the members of the band have branched out into things of their own, they always come back together to entertain the masses.
Hermigervill, AKA Sveinbjörn Thorarensenis a remix master. He has remixed quite a few of Iceland’s top artists, as well as creating original sounds. His original work reminds me of the carefree and happy days of BS2000 and it’s enjoyable pretty much anywhere you’re listening to it.
I’ve written about Sin Fang before and every year I see him at Airwaves he’s running around mad playing as often as he can or selling artwork. His new album, Flowers, justifiably has earned accolades across the globe, and I hear he’s been playing new material all over Reykjavik so I’m hoping he brings the new stuff down here.
The Concert is Saturday March 15th. Doors are at 8pm, gig starts at 9. It’s free so I suggest you show up earlier than later, and RSVP here. This really is a powerhouse of Icelandic musicians, and the possible collaborations between the artists could make for quite the concert. If you are into all things Icelandic I also suggest you follow Iceland Naturally on Facebook as they frequently keep you informed of Icelandic things that may be happening around where you live.
Taste of Iceland only gets to come to a select cities here in North America, so Bostonites, get out and enjoy what they have to offer. For all the details, times, RSVP’s and dinner reservations, go here.
Hermigervill was ever so kind as to answer my 4 nonsensical questions:
1. What is your favorite off-venue Airwaves joint to jam at? There are now so many off-venues at Iceland Airwaves, it’s hard to pick! Last year, Kex Hostel hosted a really good program, and I had a very memorable show there.
2. If you combine all of your favorite colors, what do you get? I get a song. I see colours when I make music.
3. What are 3 of your favorite little known bands of Icelandic origin? a) “Þú & Ég” was a great 70’s disco thing which was big here, but never made it out of the country, despite several attempts. b) “Grísalappalísa” is a raw punky rock kind of band, which usually isn’t my cup of tea, but there is some special energy going on there, especially during their phenomenal live shows. I just did a remix for them which should be out soon. c) “Highlands” is a new project consisting of my friend and bandmate Logi Pedro and singer Karin Sveinsdóttir. This will be big, that’s all I can say!
4. If you could be any creature playing your favorite song, what would the creature be? And what is the song? Any kind of bird. I love birds, and spent my childhood summers on a remote island, in close proximity to arctic terns, puffins and eider ducks. This bird would probably be playing the Blade Runner soundtrack by Vangelis.
I tried to find someone to credit for the damned pic, but alas no luck.
In the beginning there was Pink Floyd, in 2006 there was a soon to be post rock Icelandic band covering Pink Floyd, and by 2007 that band, For a Minor Reflection, was playing and recording their own material, originally comprised of Kjartan Hólm, Guðfinnur Sveinsson, Elvar Jón Guðmundsson and Jóhannes Ólafsson who was later replaced by Andri Freyr Þorgeirsson. With over 6 years, multiple tours on their own or with the likes of Sigur Ros, FAMR have earned their place as Icelandic post rock veterans.
Their first album, Reistu þig við, sólin er komin á loft…, is self produced. reminiscent of Explosions in the sky or Godspeed You Black Emperor, there is a rawness to the music with two guitars that easily transition from harmonies to performing dueling dances around the drums and bass. “Ókyrrð” is the perfect example of the dance the guitars do on this album. Sometimes almost dueling like a high noon shootout while at other times in paralleled harmony, the song builds up, tears down and slowly brings itself to a boiling endpoint. And though the song is over 12 minutes long, once it begins you really don’t want it to end. It still remains my favorite track of theirs to date.
in 2009 the band lost their drummer to the dreaded land of studies, and Andri Freyr Þorgeirsson Joined them. Their second album, Höldum í átt að óreiðu. was released shortly after in 2010.
Kastljós, the first song on the album introduces us to a newer sound of FAMR. The rawness replaced with fuller sounding guitars and a more equal mix of keys and drums. Where Reistu þig við, sólin er komin á loft’s complexity was found in the tension between the instruments, Höldum í átt að óreiðu’s creates it’s own complexity by intertwining layers that cleverly weave a more smooth journey. The second song, “Fjara”, gives us a clear introduction to the new players in the mix, keyboard and strings.
I think what sets this album apart from it’s kin in the post rock genre, is the hidden up-beatedness of it all. There is a sly happiness within the songs that creeps up on you in the most surprising moments. I suppose I amn’t a strong enough wordsmith, but there are times when I listen to this album that I realize mid song that I’ve cracked a smile and am fighting back the warm and fuzzys. It almost becomes a soundtrack to the triumphant moments of your life, like when you’ve managed to get every last bit out of your yogurt cup. Their second album is an album that stays in my recently played queue quite often. “Fjara” and “Andlega veðurtepptir” happen to be my favorite two songs.
Their third album, the For a Minor Reflection E.P. is a pleasant compromise of their two previous releases. There are exciting and sharp instrumental moments, with plenty of smooth rolling hills. The background ambiance-like samples they use add to the music and neatly tie up the two styles. Oh, and there are horns, Höldum also had horns, but their shiny brass chests are puffed out and beaming so much more on the E.P.
“Recite” is one of my favorite tracks on the E.P. Overall the song gradually builds up to a rock out ending, but in that build up are many tiny jagged moments of sharpness with micro breaks between guitars, keys and horns creating localized ups and downs within a wave like movement that ends in a terrific crash of rocking out.
In December of 2013, the band released a DVD/CD of their live material from Iceland Airwaves. Their live shows are always packed, high energy events. I’ve seen them in the massive halls of Harpa, as well as the tiny hostel lobby of the Loft hostel. here’s a great clip from their website of the DVD/CD release:
You can see them live at ATP Iceland this July, or I’m sure they will be around during Iceland Airwaves. For more info or to purchase their music check out their website or follow them on Facebook. They are another band that does a fantastic job and keeping a thorough Soundcloud page.
Kjartan was nice enough to answer my 4 ridiculous questions:
1. What is your favorite off-venue Airwaves joint to jam at? Last year it was definitely Hlemmur Square. A new and fun venue to play at.
2. If you combine all of your favorite colors, what do you get? A rainbow!
3. What are 3 of your favorite little known bands of Icelandic origin? Lyrika, 1860 and Steindór Andersen + Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson.
4. If you could be any creature playing your favorite song, what would the creature be? And what is the song? A raccoon playing Total Eclipse of the Heart. (Of course, we knew he’d say that)
And so it begins, the steady, slow, and suspenseful drip of revealed artists for Iceland Airwaves 2014 has begun. Yes the festival is nearly still on the other side of the sun but names have been released and tickets are available.
Just like last year, I will be doing blog posts on the Icelandic bands involved, as well as maintaining a page with links to all the Icelandic bands music. You can see the 150 Icelandic bands that played last year here.
Iceland Airwaves is my favorite music festival of the year. Instead of having a field or pit with 
competing outdoor stages, the gigs are in actual venues spread throughout Reykjavik. You are surrounded by musical choices from early afternoon to the early morning of the next day, in cozy joints like the Kex hostel, underground bars such as Bar 11, and of course larger event halls such as Harpa. Yet you can stop to relax and take in the beautiful country you’re in at any time. And while you may think going to a music festival in Iceland is cost prohibitive, Icelandair nicely wraps up package deals with prices ranging from the budget minded to the luxury seeking.
So, the first 17 bands that have been announced, The Icelandic bands announced are: Mammút, Samaris, Grísalappalísa, Muck, Snorri Helgason, Tonik, Vök, Just Another Snake Cult and Highlands. Bands from other parts of the world are: East Inda Youth, Jungle, La Femme, Jaakko Eino Kalevi, Tiny Ruins, John Wizards, and Blaenavon.
According to the Iceland Airwaves website, there are two, yes TWO headlining bands. The Flaming lips have been revealed, but we’re all going to have to wait on baited breath for the reveal of the other. Typically band announcements get better and better as the year goes on, so starting off with this band really makes one wonder what the festival has up its sleeve.
If you want to see my photos from last year’s festival you can go here. And if you would like to read all of my blog posts from last year’s festival go here.
Bloodgroup at Harpa during Iceland Airwaves 2013
Bloodgroup’s musical legacy is over 7 years old. Starting out in 2006 in Egilsstaðir, they now have 3 self produced albums and have performed in North America, Europe and of course Iceland. Originally consisting of Lilja Kristín Jónsdóttir (vocals), Janus Rasmussen (vocals, electronic percussion, synths), Ragnar Láki Jónsson (synths and samplers), and Hallur Kristján Jónsson (synths and samplers.) Sunna Margrét (vocals) joined in 2010 replacing Lilja.
It’s been said their name was a spur of the moment creation. Born out of quick thinking by Raggi when a radio interviewer needed their band name. And as 3 of them, Hallur, Ragnar and Lilja were siblings, the name fit.
Bloodgroup’s first album, Sticky Situations, was released in 2007. At the time it was compared to bands such as The Knife and CSS. The music is layered, with unique use of unsymmetrical breaks covered with heavy dance beats and hyper lyrics provided by Lilja Kristín Jónsdóttir . The uniqueness of the album quickly made it my first choice when running. Odd as that seems, the beat kept me going, and the unique breaks kept me interested. Here’s their epic video for “Hips again:”
Their second album, Dry land, replaced the unique breaks with unique sounds, all still multi-layered and wrapped into great dance tracks the lyrics went from hyper to haunting. There is still a strong flow to the lyrics, but they carry more weight and tend to float over the beat. It’s more complex than Sticky Situations, and a lot more mature as well. Here is one of my favorite tracks, “Moonstone:”
The new album, Tracing Echoes, was released in 2013. Much more heavy and dark, the album takes on a mature feel. Sunna’s ability to float over the dance beat now includes a substantial amount of haunting as well. Her vocals really come into their own on this album, strong but smooth, like a couple fingers of Johhny Walker blue.
Þorvaldur Þór Þorvaldsson (Doddi) drumming for Bloodgroup at Airwaves 2013
At Airwaves this year, they were joined by Þorvaldur Þór Þorvaldsson (Doddi) on drums. As stated before, I am a big fan of Doddi’s drumming, and it was awesome to see the live drum element into a dance bands set. Even the more downbeat pieces come alive during Bloodgroup gigs, and it’s rare to see any of them just standing by their instruments. Sometimes I think they rock out harder than the crowd.
That hair, making me wish I had more than a point and click with me
With flying hair, rocking synths and keys, they get the crowd into the music not only with the crazy layered beats, but lead by example.
You can keep up with their musical shenanigans on their Facebook page and keep up with tour schedules on their website. They have a pretty extensive track list on Soundcloud as well.
The band was nice enough to answer my 4 nonsensical questions:
1. What is your favorite off-venue Airwaves joint to jam at? KEX Hostel! Great place, great people, great sound
2. If you combine all of your favorite colors, what do you get? Something dark, maybe purple with a dash of green in it
3. What are 3 of your favorite little known bands of Icelandic origin? Skátar, Vax and East Coast Speed Salmon (one of my biggest regrets is not seeing Skátar live, so happy to see them make a list. –RB)
4. If you could be any creature playing your favorite song, what would the creature be? And what is the song. We would definitely be cats playing Elton John’s Tiny Dancer
Ragnaar's Icelandic Music Blog 