Tag Archives: 2014

An announcement of sorts

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Theory of Whatever records

towlogo (2)

So I’ve gone and started a record label, Theory of Whatever Records (TOW for short.)  It’s something I’ve always wanted to do after leaving the music world a decade ago, and this just seemed to be the right time.  The goal of the label is to get music we dig out in the music realm so others can dig it as well.  We’ve got some great things coming up for the rest of 2014 and 2015, it’s all rather exciting.  I’ll still post on here as I enjoy writing about the new Icelandic bands out there, and it won’t matter what label they are on, but it may be less frequent depending on how crazy life gets.

You can visit the new label website here, and you can can find us and/or like us on Facebook here.   Now for a shameless plug:

We are rather excited and humbled that our first is none other than kimono.  I have had a music crush on this band for many years and we are excited that we get to release their new single here in the states as well as at Iceland Airwaves 2014 where they will be performing.

kimono’s Specter is an earworm, it’s still got that minimalish-heavy feeling that makes kimono so great, but there’s a new almost dance factor that will stick in your head for days.  and the B-side is a cover of the great Icelandic band Þeyr’s  “Rúdolf.”  the album artwork is by  Sigurður Angantýsson, not only an artist, but in the band the Knife Fights.  You can see more of his artwork here.

kimonologo

The single, a 7″ 45 vinyl record,  will be released in US on November 11th.  until then it will be available at kimono gigs in Iceland, including Iceland Airwaves. The single will be accompanied by a digital download, but of course.

If you’re going to be at  Iceland Airwaves and you want to reserve your copy to be picked up during the festival, or you want to pre-order your copy for the US Release, you can go ahead and do it here.

 

So here’s to adding another chapter with the help of a fantastic band.

 

Icelandic Artists of Airwaves 2014

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airwaves14It’s almost time, and tickets are almost gone, so I would suggest getting off your duffer and getting them.  Iceland Airwaves 2014 is around the corner, and of the 215 or so bands performing this year, 145 of them are Icelandic.

I’ve sorted the musicians loosely by genres, very loosely.  Don’t judge, there are a lot of bands that walk the line between categories, but I think I’ve done an alright job of making it easy for you to find something you’ll dig.   Clicking on the band name will take you either to a blog post I’ve done on the musician, or to a page with their music or more info.  To see the full international list of all artists at the festival and for more info, check out the Iceland Airwaves website.  And you can purchases packages for the festival here, at Iceland Air.

Last year’s band list is located here, and if you are new to Airwaves and want to learn more, here is a list of my previous posts on the festival.  Here, you will find my recap posts of last years festival as well.

So here are the Icelandic bands so far:

Electronic / Dance / DJ

Ambátt Árni² Berndsen DADA
Disa dj.flugvél og geimskip DJ Margeir East of my Youth
Exos FM Belfast Fufanu FURA
Futuregrapher Ghostigital HaZar Hermigervill
Housekell Kött Grá Pje Kippi Kaninus LaFontaine
Lily the Kid M-band Nolo Prins Póló
Ruxpin Samaris Skurken Stereo Hypnosis
Sykur Tonik Thor Vök
Yamaho

Experimental / Atmospheric / Non-dance Electronic

Auxpan Einarlndra Gervisykur Good Moon Deer
Kiasmos Krakkkbot Octal Reptilicus
T.V.Thoranna Björnsdóttir & Valtýr Björn Thors Vindva Mei Yagya

Indie Rock / Rock / Disco

1860 Agent Fresco Ásgeir Benny Crespo’s Gang
Bird Boogie Trouble Brain Police CeaseTone
Halleluwah Hide Your Kids Himbrimi Júníus Meyvant
Just Another Snake Cult Kajak Kiriyama Family Lára Rúnars
Leaves Low Roar Lucy in Blue Mafama
Mammút Ourlives Oyama Pétur Ben
Rökkurró Rúnar Þórisson RVK Soundsystem Sin Fang
Sometime Steinar Una Stef Uni Stefson
Útidúr Védís Hervör The Vintage Caravan Vio

Jazz / Folk / Reggae / Singer/songwriter

Amabadama Árstíðir Atónal Blús Geislar
Hafdís Huld Hymnalaya Íkorni Kaleo
Klassart Kría Brekkan Lay Low Moses Hightower
Mr. Silla Mugison My Bubba Ojba Rasta
Ólöf Arnalds Sindri Eldon & The Ways Sísý Ey Snorri Helgason
Sóley Valdimar Var Ylja
Þórir Georg Ylja

Punk / Metal / Hardcore

AMFJ Beneath Börn Conflictions Dimma
Döpur Elín Helena Endless Dark Grísalappalísa In the Company of Men
Kimono Kontinuum Kælan Mikla Mass
Momentum Muck Ophidian I Pink Street Boys
Strigaskór nr 42 Svartidauði

Hip Hop / Rap

Alvia Islandia CELL7 Emmsjé Gauti Epic Rain
Gísli Pálmi IntroBeats Lord Pusswhip Reykjavíkurdætur
Shades of Reykjavik Úlfur Úlfur Young Karen

Other stuffs or really hard to classify

Ásta F Sigurðardóttir – Poet Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl – Poet Icelandic Symphony Orchestra
Inferno-5 Kira Kira – Musician Óbó – Musician
Sigurbjörg Þrastardóttir – Poet Sjón -Poet

The Soundcloud playlist for Iceland Airwaves 2014:

And the bands keep coming for Airwaves ’14

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10607889094_a598cfa7b3_oAnother chunk o’bands have been released.  This brings the announced total to 124, 63 of which are Icelandic.  A lot of Icelandic veterans playing this year such as Sóley, Prins Póló, For a Minor Reflection and Validmar, and there are even more newbies that I look forward to hearing.

As the list is getting bigger, I am going to break down my Iceland Airwaves reference page into a few more categories hopefully later today, definitely by the end of the weekend.

You can see the full line up On the Iceland Airwaves site.  And you can see the broad genre breakdown of the Icelandic artists on my Iceland Airwaves 2014 page.   You can read all my posts on Iceland Airwaves here, and see my photos from 2013 here.

I have a few hopeful Icelandic bands I am still holding out for such as Knife Fights, Ghostigital and Boogie trouble, but I am really enjoying the roster so far.

So get your tickets, it always sells out, and the longer you wait, the less options you will have for hotels and housing, it definitely is one festival where the more of an early bird you are, the better your choices are.

Iceland Airwaves 2014

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BOX_STRAIGHT

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 robots copycompeting 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.

flaminglipsAccording 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.