Tag Archives: blue eyed pop

T’is the season for new music, Snarl 4

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snarl4It’s been decades since the last Snarl,  and Dr. Gunni certainly exceeded expectations with this 4th edition.  The compilation contains a broad assortment of what is coming up and is going around Iceland.  It’s not just double rainbows, bowed guitars, elven harmonies or hair model horses.  It’s everything from deep dark meaty punk to folk;  trippy rock to dizzying funk.  Its all encompassing with 25 great bands anyone that appreciates music will end up digging.  What else would you expect from the author of one of my favorite history of Icelandic pop-rock books, Blue eyed pop.

You can listen and purchase the compilation here on Bandcamp.  Either get a digital copy for $10, or an actual CD including a foldout cover with pictures of the band, and a long summation by Haukur S Magnússon of Grapevine. for $20.  Here are just a few of what I feel are the lesser known bands you’ll find on the comp:

Pink Street Boys – Evel Knievel

They were one of the favorite new bands of Airwaves, and justifiably so.  Dirty, punkish rock that required one to take a shower after seeing them rock the shit out of wherever they played.  I was looking forward to seeing them at Airwaves, and they didn’t disappoint in the slightest.

Kælan Mikla – Ekkert Nema Ég

I’ve got a soft spot for this band, they really tore it up at Airwaves, and brought back nostalgic memories of Hole before the celebrity.  Angry angry gals with heavy beats behind them.  This isn’t the song on the album, but a good representation, and it was filmed in one of my favorite bars in Iceland, Bar 11, quite possibly by a drunk individual….not me.

Dj. flugvél og geimskip – Draugur I Kastalanum

The compilation isn’t just dark heavy punk and rock, Dj. flugvél og geimskip, the alter ego of Steinunn Eldflaug Harðardóttir is one of the sweetest beings out there, and her funky trippy manner is best witnessed live.  Again not the song on the comp, but my favorite video of hers.

KVÖL – Watching Me

KVÖL is the new project of one of my favorite Icelandic artists, Þórir Georg.  I first heard him when he was My Summer as a Salvation Soldier, and as he progressed through the years, so did his music, like a crazy river ever evolving, this new project has a fantastic gothic, Joy divisionist feel to it.  You can actually hear a lot more from him on Soundcloud, and I suggest you do, He’s releasing an album that will combine his two EPs as well as some newer stuff soon.

These along with a lot of Icelandic favorites, such as Prins Póló, Just Another Snake Cult, Mugison, Grisalappalisa & Megas, Börn, Knife fights, and Sindri Eldon are all included, and honestly this post could go on forever.  I highly suggest you go over to Bandcamp and give it a listen now.  This comp has definitely earned it’s spot as one of my favorite releases of the year.

Iceland Affair

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Icelandaffair

In a small town nestled in the middle of Connecticut there resides a peculiar lady.  She raises bats, tends to porcupines, and single handedly puts on the second largest Icelandic festival in the U.S.  Gerri Griswald is her name, and Iceland Affair is her festival.  The festival will be happening October 18th in Winchester center, CT at the Winchester Grange.

Iceland affair began 5 years ago when Gerri decided to bring some of the acts that had entertained her travel guides in Iceland back to the states.  Relying on donations and a very forgiving husband, Gerri has been putting the festival on ever since slowly bringing more and more Icelandic talent stateside so that people who may not be able to make it to the island could experience it’s wonders here.

While some would be pleased with just a concert, Gerri has put together a day of presentations including Icelando-centric falconry, goat raising, ornithology, nature and geological talks.  As well as authors presenting on things such as the Icelandic sagas, and the history of Icelandic music. To learn more about the presenters, click the image below.

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From left to right, Brian Bradley (Falconer), Dr. Gunni (Musician/author of Blue Eyed pop), Jóhanna Bergmann Þorvaldsdóttir (Goat farming and preservation), Jóhann Óli Hilmarsson (photographer, ornithologist), Jón Baldur Hlíðberg (Naturist, illustrator), Nancy Marie Brown (expert on the sagas, author), Tom Alena (Geologist, meteorologist, entertaining lecturer)

And of course, how could one celebrate Iceland without music.  The festival ends with the fire and ice music festival at Infinity hall in Norfolk, CT.  The concert consists of 5 well known Iceland artists, ranging from indie, to jazz and folk.

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From left to right, Svavar Knútur, Lay Low, Snorri Helgeson, Agnes Erna, Kristjana Stefánsdóttir, Myrra Rós, and Bjorn Thoroddsen.  Click on their names to learn more about them.  While the festival is free for the most part, the concert requires the purchase of tickets, which are selling out quickly, so learn more and get your’s here.

Ragnaarbastiaan.com and Theory of Whatever records are pleased to help out with this years festival, and even more pleased to be attending.  So if you’d like to learn more about Iceland, hear some fantastic Icelandic music, this is the festival for you.  For us it’s the perfect appetizer for the upcoming Iceland Airwaves.  Go to Iceland Affair to learn more including directions and places to stay while attending.  And we’ll see you there.