Edward Hancox's Blog, page 17

Airwaves 13: For A Minor Reflection

I can’t be at Airwaves this year (long story, will be back in 2014), so I thought I’d post a few interviews with artists performing at Airwaves that have previously been featured on the blog. There are also a couple of new interviews too.

During one long winter’s night a couple of years ago, possibly following a couple of Icelandic beers, and definitely to escape the savage freezing rain falling from the sky, a couple of my Icelandic pals pushed me through the door of Iðnó, an old theatre building next to Tjörnin in downtown Reykjavík.

Inside, a band was playing dense post-rock, with a stunning light show arcing overhead. No vocals punctuated their playing, just gradually building and expanding instrumentals that grabbed my attention, and made me forget the bottle of beer in my hand.

The band was For A Minor Reflection. According to their website, they are an “energetic, melodious rock band,” although this may be an oversimplification.

For a Minor Reflection comprises of four 22-year-olds from Reykjavík: Kjartan Hólm (guitar), Guðfinnur Sveinsson (guitar and piano), Elvar Jón Guðmundsson (bass) and Andri Freyr Þorgeirsson (drums).

I’ve seen them a couple of times since then, at the Iceland Airwaves festival and supporting Sigur Rós. For A Minor Reflection, perhaps unfairly, draw significant musical comparisons to Sigur Rós. This is not assisted by the fact that Sigur Rós and For a Minor Reflection share a duo of brothers.

I decided to get this matter out of the way when I caught up with Guðfinnur Sveinsson, also known as Guffi, from the band.

Is there a danger that you will be forever compared to Sigur Rós due to the familial connections and the similar sound? You received a huge amount of coverage on the last Sigur Rós tour. Was this generally a good thing?

It was a great thing to get all the attention we got, during and after our tour with Sigur Rós. I’m not scared of being compared to Sigur Rós, since it is one of my most favorite bands. And I think I speak for all of us, when I say that it’s an honor to be compared to them. But—regarding the similar sound—it’s my opinion that it’s not that similar, when you start to listen carefully.

I have listened carefully. For a Minor Reflection have released two albums, and an EP. Their debut album was a homemade affair held together with a paperclip.

Each release shows a sound that matures and improves on each outing. Their new EP, called EP (where do they get these crazy names?!) is sublime. I would call it “glacial”, but I’m afraid this has become a cliché when describing Icelandic music.

Are you sick of lazy journalists using the same old descriptions to describe your music? What if I mention the word “glacial”?!

Haha, that’s a good question! I like the word “glacial”, it’s new—and nice. It’s sometimes tiring to read the same descriptions over and over again. But on the other hand, these common descriptions probably describe our music in a way that is right.

How did you all meet? Are you all good friends?

Me and Kjartan met in a school party six years ago, started talking and it ended up being the beginning of our friendship. He invited me to play strip poker at his house and I did. We ended up—like you end up when playing strip poker—and at that point he invited me to join his band. That’s when For A Minor Reflection started, and the first band practice was the first time I met Elvar and Jói.

I move on quickly, before I too get invited to play strip poker. I’m terrible at card games.

I hear that you have been playing acoustically recently? How does this work?

We’ve not done a lot of it. It’s fun, but really hard—much harder than to play a normal set. My favorite acoustic gig so far was is Tallin, Estonia last year. We played in a courtyard for around 500 people, with sunshine and lots of happy faces. That was unforgettable!

It sounds it. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. I look forward to seeing the band in the future. They are always evolving, and changing things up to pique the audience’s interest.

Are you playing at this years Airwaves festival?

Yes!

I’ve seen you live a couple of times, but not this year. How are For A Minor Reflection concerts these days?

We’re always trying to improve our visuals and expand our set. Last Airwaves festival we had a really nice setup of lights, visuals and accompanists playing cello, trombone and trumpet.

Who (else) should we look out for on the Icelandic new music scene?

Next on my playlist is Sigur Rós’ Valtari, I’ve not checked it out yet. For people in Europe in June, they should check out our friends in Agent Fresco—they’re on a European tour.

Why is new music so popular in Iceland?

I think that Iceland’s image helps a lot. A country far away in the north, but still not too cold to live in, must be exciting. And that’s again what makes us who we are. We are a nation of only 300,000 people, a small society and different values, a different place. That’s what—in my opinion—makes Icelandic music special in a way.

I agree, Icelandic music is special. But I would say that, wouldn’t I? After all, I am sat here listening to For A Minor Reflection on my headphones, with a cold beer in hand.

Roll on Iceland Airwaves in October, I say. For the music, not the card games.

Airwaves 13: Ólafur Arnalds

I can’t be at Airwaves this year (long story, will be back in 2014), so I thought I’d post a few interviews with artists performing at Airwaves that have previously been featured on the blog. This interview was with Ólafur at last years festival.

Ólafur Arnalds is younger than me. And so much more talented; it makes me sick. Ólafur produces a strain of music that is unique and original. It mixes neo-classicism with electronica and ambient. It’s unique and intriguing.

At only 25 years of age, Ólafur has released numerous albums, including Found Songs and Living Room Songs, which were released track by track over his own social media. He has toured with Sigur Rós, worked with Amiina, Johan Johansson and even dance evil- genius Aphex Twin.

Ólafur played an extraordinary set at Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves; the audience listened to

Ólafur work his magic in hushed awe.

We sat on the floor like school children as Ólafur, accompanied by violin and cello, crafts beautiful classical compositions against gentle electronic beats, whilst the sun shines on a snowy Esja across the bay. It was achingly beautiful.

I start my interview, accompanied by groans from Ólafur with the usual question; Iceland and your music, is there an connection there?

My usual answer? It’s important where you come from, because that makes you who you are, but I don’t I don’t think it has any more effect than living anywhere else, it just has a different, unique effect, because this is a unique place. It’s very important, but I don’t like to overplay it.

Do you use being from Iceland to your advantage sometimes?

Ólafur laughs. I would love to say no, but maybe a little bit, in a marketing sense. I know that it works. It doesn’t play a big part in my concerts.

Do you enjoy playing in Iceland?

Yes, but I don’t do a lot of it though. I get very nervous here, because I can feel my friends judging me. Outside of Iceland I don’t really know the people. If my mum is watching, it can be a problem.

Tell me about (the actress) Emma Watson, and how you met her?

She is nice. It came about when her assistant was looking for a place for her to record some music. She wanted to use some of her off days from filming to do some music. I was contacted. She already knew my music and was like “yeah, let’s do that.” We did some music with her and her friend. She was mostly just singing.

Is she any good?

She is not bad. It was fun, really informal and she was a bit nervous, which was nice—not like a major superstar or anything, just like hanging out with friends and making music.

What’s next for you?

I just finished a new album which will come out in February (For Now I Am Winter), a movie soundtrack and a soundtrack for a U.K. TV series.

Any plans for projects such as Living Room Songs? It was the highlight of my day to go home and see which song you had uploaded.

Definitely be more of those, I love doing those. I’ll continue that series. Found Songs, Living Room Songs and then Something Songs. I have some ideas. I would really love to travel around Iceland for a week, recording a song in each town, using local musicians. So maybe in Akureyri we could use the Northern Symphony, and then in wherever Mugison is from, get him to play.

I hurriedly make an offer to carry his bags, to which, again, he just laughs.

Later on, after this interview, Ólafur despite being softly spoken, and clearly a gentleman at heart, wastes no time in accusing me of being a spy; reading quotes of his in Icelandic newspapers before twisting them and releasing them to the English speaking media. I protest, on the basis that I can scarcely read Icelandic, but he has me in his sights. He reckons that it was me that broke the news about him and Emma Watson. It a good job I enjoy his music so much, and his company for that matter, so I agree to buy him a coffee and we forget it. I need to stay on his good side if I want to carry his bags on a tour of Iceland.

Airwaves 13: Rökkurró. Dress Warm.

Rökkurró have held my attention for some time now. Despite their enforced hiatus a couple of years back, they’ve always been at the forefront of alternative Icelandic music. Their albums have been well received in Iceland, and I’ve never knowingly missed an opportunity to see them live.

At last year’s Airwaves, I saw them deliver a truly delicious acoustic set at Nordic House. The story goes that Rökkurró formed in an attic space, and had to play quietly so as not to disturb the neighbors. True or not, their sound is soft and gentle, topped by Hildur’s distinctive voice. It was a standout set of the festival for me.

This year, they are back. They have released a new single which indicates a change in direction, and has already garnered interest from The Guardian. I think there is a good chance we will all be sing a lot more of Rökkurró. That can only be a good thing.

I spoke with Hildur from the band who told me a bit more about the goings on, new sounds and how to dress for Airwaves;

Rökkurró have released a single ‘Killing Time,’ just this week. It’s beautiful, but sounds very different. Was that a conscious decision?

Yes, we had no interest in making another Í annan heim album. Our taste in music and influences had changed so we wanted to follow that feeling and make something different. For example I hadn’t been inspired to play the cello at all for the last months so I switched into playing synths instead and with that the melodies change. We had been trying to describe in words what we wanted the new songs to have and we all agreed that we wanted more “power” in the songs. And I think we also have more “positive” and upbeat songs on the new album. We had also wanted to try out singing in English for a long time and we thought, if we’re not doing it now on our third album we’ll never do it!

Have your travels in Japan influenced the band’s sound?

Yes, but mostly because of the travels we got a one year break, which I think was good for all of us. We were stuck in some kind of rut before, we didn’t seem to be so inspired and we had no idea what we wanted to do. Taking a year completely off the band was good for us and I think we came way stronger back. I also did my own solo project while living in Japan that helped me experience more and figure out what kind of directions I wanted to be taking.

You have had a reshuffle in the band with two new members joining. What happened?

Well, Helga, our keyboard player actually joined just after we released Í annan heim. We needed a keyboard player and a backing voice and she fitted perfectly and gave the band a richer sound. So we really don’t consider her new anymore! But then we have a brand new bass player, Skúli, that has been in the band for only around two months now but fits so perfectly. We lost one of the founding member of Rökkurró when she decided to quit the band this summer because she wanted to focus on other genres of music. She’s a real funk and boogie style bass player and of course it just made sense for her to go and focus on that. But we’re still friends and it all happened in a good manner. But I would say that Skúli is bringing great fresh ideas to the band and he’s already changed our sound in a great way. We’re so lucky to have found him.

Is there an album coming? What can we expect?

Yes! It’s coming early 2014. You can expect more powerful, catchy and happy Rökkurró! But don’t despair if you miss the Icelandic lyrics as we’re finding it hard to quit writing in Icelandic and I can guarantee that there will also be some songs in Icelandic. Some songs just ask for it! But we’re all very very excited for the new album and also because the process has happened very fast in the last few months. It was quite weird having not made any songs we wanted to keep until this summer, a few months ago, then suddenly something clicked so the new songs are all VERY new!

Do you enjoy playing Airwaves?

Oh yes. That’s kind of like asking a kid if it likes candy. It’s our favorite time of the year! It’s so much fun to play for new ears and this year it’s even better as we’re playing new songs that nobody has even heard! I also just love the atmosphere that fills Reykjavík during that week. It’s so full of excitement and good music. You can almost be walking anywhere down town and you’ll hear some band playing. It’s also so great to have opportunities to see all these great international artists and the festival has been quite good with selecting bands that are soon to become huge but you can catch them before that happens!

What is your advice for a first timer at Airwaves?

It’s tempting to try to make a really planned out schedule to try to see as many acts as you can but that’s about the worst idea. Then you will probably miss half of it because of lines or walking in between and you’ll spend half of the show you’re watching just thinking that you really need to go to the next place. Some of the most magical moments on Airwaves have been when the line for the act I wanted to see is too long and I walk into the next venue not knowing anything about the band playing there and then it turns out it’s the best band ever. I love when that happens! So just stick to 1- 2 acts per day that you plan to see and just “let the rest happen”! And also.. DRESS WARM!

Original article here.

Airwaves 13: Halloween Puffin Tale?

I can’t be at Airwaves this year (long story, will be back in 2014), so I thought I’d post a few interviews with artists performing at Airwaves that have previously been featured on the blog. There are also a couple of new interviews too.

Exitmusic are a band from New York City that played Iceland Airwaves last year. Centered around married couple Devon Church and Aleksa Palladino, they played concerts at Kex Hostel and Norðurljós in Harpa.

Braving the vicious wind, whipped up sea and frozen water features to get to Harpa, my efforts are rewarded. Exitmusic play delicious slices of dense, intense soundscapes, overlaid with the sweet, and occasionally husky voice of Aleksa. Starting with the luscious, and appropriately named ‘the sea,’ they deliver a enthralling set.

Earlier in the day, I met up with Aleksa and Devon in Harpa for a quick chat. I have to start with a quick apology; Aleksa is well known for playing Angela Darmody in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. I know that I’m bound to mistakenly mix my Angela’s and Aleksa’s at some point.

How would you describe your music?

Aleksa replies “Well, that’s difficult. I know what makes us different from other groups doing similar stuff; we are really into electronics, soundscapes and design, but there has to be a straight, solid song underneath it. Our goal is always to make something with substance.”

I think that they have certainly achieved that with their debut album Passage.

Why are you called ‘Exitmusic’? Is it after the Radiohead song?

Devon smirks as if he has heard this one before; “Well, we named it for a similar reason; the last piece of music in a film or performance. The idea came from watching a movie, and we saw it come up on the screen and thought it would be a cool name for a band.”

I ask whether working together is a problem when they are married a couple.

Its Aleksa’s turn to laugh “We are emotionally dead inside!” she jokes “They way I feel about it, I wouldn’t know how to do it if we were in separate bands, never seeing each other. Or one person is at home, whilst the other is on the road. That, to me, is hard. We are used to it.”

So how do you like Iceland Airwaves?

“We have seen some of the city, and it’s really cool. Last night we went out to see Shebazz Palaces, and we also saw Purity Ring. Last night we played Kex Hostel, which was really cool. It was live on the radio, with no sound check, which was pretty good,” Devon says.

Aleksa adds: “Live on radio is so much different to live in a venue, and I know my mum was listening, and I got so emotional. I nearly cried.”

What should we expect tonight?

“I don’t know. Iceland is a good place for us to play, especially with what’s come out of here. There’s always a few places that you always want to play. This is one of those places. We feel at home creatively,” Aleksa says.

What else do you want to see in Iceland?

“Well, I really want to see puffins,” Aleksa tells me.

Puffins? It’s the wrong time of year for puffins.

“I like their little bodies. There little bellies, with the legs sticking out? They are so cute.”

I don’t have the heart to point out that the only puffin likely to be found around here, in November, will be on a plate.

Airwaves 13: Leaves

Leaves, for those who don’t know, are an Icelandic five piece from Reykjavík that have been around since 2001. They have released several albums and received critical acclaim for their debut, Breathe, which was particularly well received in the U.K. where the band was held in the same esteem as Doves, Elbow, Feeder and even The Verve. Then, they seemingly disappeared. Now they have returned with a vengeance. They are just about to release their new album See You In The Afterglow, and play at Iceland Airwaves.

Leaves are Arnar Guðjónsson (vocal/guitar), Andri Ásgrímsson (Guitar), Nói Steinn Einarsson (Drums), Kjartan F. Ólafsson (keyboards) and Elís Pétursson (Bass). I caught up with Nói to find out more, and get his view on Airwaves.

For people that don’t know, how would you describe Leaves music?

Slow-burning, epic, melodious rock and roll with uplifting harmonies.

Most people outside of Iceland know Leaves best for Breathe. Did the success of the album surprise you?

Everything happened really fast for the band in the beginning and the band was only a few months old when we signed our first record deal with B-unique (record label), so of course it was surprising but we also knew the album was really good but things happened much faster than we had hoped for.

You seemed to be everywhere a few years back, and then disappeared. Was that by choice?



In a way, maybe, after releasing two albums and doing a lot of touring we just needed some time to rethink our next step. As I said everything happened really fast and we just needed time to develop as a band and establish our sound, so we spend a lot of time in the rehearsal studio.

You are about to release a new album, called See You in the Afterglow. Does the title reference your past success?

For us personally the name of the new album See You in the Afterglow only references this album and the time we spent working on it but people can of course put their own meaning to it.

What can we expect from the new album?

When we started writing songs for the new album we decided to try to combine and balance the progressive sound of our last two albums and the simplicity of our first album and I think we managed this well. So, think the songs are more accessible and the album has a easier approach then our last two albums.

Leaves are playing concerts at Airwaves this week. Are you looking forward to playing again?

We are really excited to play Iceland Airwaves this year. The band is in a very good shape and looking forward to playing the new album.

What’s the best kept secret about Airwaves?

The atmosphere, I would say. It’s always fantastic, everywhere you can fit a band, there’s a band playing and this time of the year Reykjavík has this magical feel and everything looks a bit mysterious.

 

Originally published on Iceland Review online.

Iceland, Defrosted – special price for Airwaves!

Airwaves 13: Samaris

I can’t be at Airwaves this year (long story, will be back in 2014), so I thought I’d post a few interviews with artists performing at Airwaves that have previously been featured on the blog. There are also a couple of new interviews too.

Here is an interview with Jófríður from the band from last summer.

I recently took a flight to Grímsey in the north of Iceland. Actually, I took several, and with stops, so it took a good few hours. Not that I minded; it gave me time to myself, and time to listen to music.

As I flew towards Iceland’s most northerly inhabited island, and the point where Iceland crosses the Arctic, it’s Samaris that I’m listening to. Samaris are a new band consisting of three students from Reykjavík; Jófríður Ákadóttir (vocals), Þórður Kári Steinþórsson (computer programmer), and Áslaug Rún Magnúsdóttir (clarinet player). Formed only last year, Samaris have already won awards, and are highly anticipated to be the next big thing in the Icelandic music scene.

Somehow, the sounds of Samaris through my headphones fit neatly with the slow moving cloud formation I can see through the window of the Twin Otter. The trip hop rhythms rise and fall against gentle electronic beats, before the unexpected sunlight of Áslaug’s clarinet breaks through.

I’m hooked. I decide to find out more from Jófríður.

How would you describe your music? When do you think is best to listen to it?

Our music is dark and sometimes very sad. It’s electronic and very melodic. We get inspiration from classical, indie, house and punk music. It’s best to listen to it when you don’t know what to listen to.

How did you all meet? Are you just good friends?

Áslaug (clarinet) and Doddi (computer) went to school together for many years. Áslaug and I have been friends for a long time since we both play the clarinet. We wanted to make new music so we talked to Doddi and the result is Samaris.

Where does the name Samaris come from?

It’s totally random. We had to find something to apply to músíktilraunir (a music competition in Iceland) and we thought Samaris was nice, and easy to remember.



How did Áslaug become involved with her clarinet? It seems an unconventional choice of instrument.

We both study classical clarinet so we know the instrument very well. There’s a lot more to it than most people seem to think.

Are you sick of Sigur Rós and Björk comparsions yet?

No, it’s completely fair since these are the biggest musicians from Iceland. I think both Björk and Sigur Rós invented the link between nature and music in Iceland and Samaris isn’t linked with it like that. We are in many ways linked to Icelandic literature and history because of our lyrics (which are old Icelandic poetry from the 19th century) but the music is just the result of our creativity and we all live in the city, get inspirations from a lot of different things, and nature is not the majority of it.

How did it feel to win awards for your music? What does it mean to be an ‘award winning’ band?

It is a great honor. We didn’t expect it at all. It feels good to have won but the main reason we signed up for the competition was to play our music on a stage, and see how it would turn out. We never focused on winning and we are sure that our music would have found its way through even if we hadn’t entered at all but it has been a great help and we are really glad that it happened.

How does it feel to be one of the hotly tipped bands at this years Airwaves festival?

It’s great! We can’t wait!

What’s next for Samaris?

We will hopefully release a new single in the summer and then a full-length album in 2013. We’ve all just been so busy!

On arriving in Grímsey, I set foot across the Arctic Circle. I don’t feel any different. Nothing changes. There are no fireworks, no trumpets. It feels somehow hollow. I reach for my headphones, and fill my ears with Samaris. Everything feels alright again. I’m looking forward to my return flights.

The Problem With ÍRIS

So I have this problem. ÍRiS has just released her debut album, Penumbra. One website recently said that she might have produced the best Icelandic album of the year, and I think that they might just be right.

The problem? I have gotten to know Iris over the past few months. She travelled to London to help me launch my book, Iceland, Defrosted at the Embassy of Iceland this summer, and then graciously helped me out when the band booked for the Reykjavík book launch failed to show. We’ve met for coffee, and she has counseled me on how to perform in public.

Ordinarily, of course, I’d just post a review and be done with it. But how can I do that, with someone I’d call a friend. With honesty. That’s the only way. Please find a review of Iris’s debut album, but with the disclaimer that I do know her personally.

First off, this album is crowd-funded (via the Icelandic site, Karolina Fund) and produced without the backing of a major record label in tow. Whilst this isn’t unusual in Iceland, sometimes a detectable drop in quality can be heard. That’s not the case here; Penumbra sounds excellent.

‘This Morning’ starts things off with its piano and strings, and ends with a surprising fuzz of feedback. Daybreak has definite jazz leanings and cocky piano to prove it, whereas ‘Sea Song’ might just be the standout track. It has beautiful, urgent piano and makes you have goose bumps. Goose bumps is a strange word, isn’t it?

‘Swiftly Siren’ has an eerie quality about it, that at once suits its murderous video, and provides a showcase for Iris’s sultry, elegant voice. Halfway through, she turns into Beth Gibbons from Portishead. It’s no bad thing.

‘Misturmóða’ is the only song here in Icelandic. It’s a compelling listen, piano and haunting strings with Iris’s vocals overlaying the whole thing wonderfully. ‘One Way’ is a fine way to end proceedings.

So there we are. A glowing, laudatory review of the debut album from Iris. Don’t forget that disclaimer, but remember this too—I meant every word.

Original review on Iceland Review Online.

Skýjaflétta

Sólrún Sumarliðadóttir is usually found as part of Amiina, a former string quartet who have evolved into something so much more. They may struggle to shake off the Sigur Rós ties, following the bands’ recording and performing together a few years ago, but Amiina produce sonically sublime music all of their own. See recent release The Lighthouse Project as an example.

I was intrigued to see that Sólrún had decided to turn her hand to music for children. Originally produced as music to accompany a dance piece for young children, it’s about to be released as a standalone album, Skýjaflétta.

The best thing about it, in my opinion, is that it doesn’t sound like music for children. Actually, it’s music that children and adults can listen to together. This is somewhat unique, but still sounds delightful, and not that far from Amiina either. Sólrún told me more about it;

What does Skýjaflétta mean?

Well, the literal meaning would be “a braid made of clouds”. But it’s more about the combination of words that define each of the dance pieces that the music is composed for. One is called ‘Skýjaborg’ (cloud town/place) and the other ‘Fetta Bretta’, where one of the characters is called Flétta Bretta (‘Turny Braid’). I tried all sorts of combinations and wordplay with the titles and characters of the pieces, and ‘Skýjaflétta’ just appealed to me the most.

It’s written for a child’s dance piece, right? How did that come about?

The roots reach pretty far back actually. The choreographer of both pieces, Tinna Grétarsdóttir, is a childhood friend of mine—we first met in kindergarten when we were three years old. We had been talking about doing a project together for years, and then around the time we were both pregnant with our sons we started working on the first dance piece, which was premiered when our sons were around one year old. The second piece, Fetta Bretta, will be premiered in the National Theatre on November 9. Both pieces are basically modern dance pieces for really young children, from six months to about three years old.

It doesn’t sound like the usual children’s music—‘Vor,’ for example, sounds like Amiina to me. Would you agree?

Most of the instruments I used for Skýjaflétta we also use in Amiina, so it’s probably not so strange some of it sounds a bit similar.

Did your Amiina band mates help you out on this project?

Maggi, who is also my partner, did quite a bit of percussion for me and gave me feedback on the compositions, but otherwise I worked on this by myself. I play all the instruments on the album, except for the percussion done by Maggi. But of course the rest of the band has been there for moral support!

It’s really nice to have music that both children and adults can enjoy together. My two-year-old daughter and I enjoyed ‘Sumar’ together. Was this a concept you considered?

Yes, I deliberately set out to make music that wouldn’t just be “kids music”. For example, I decided early on to stick to instruments only and not include any singing, which I think may be a bit unusual for an album directed towards children. The reason for that is pretty simple—I’ve always been drawn more towards instrumental music and it comes much more natural to me than music combined with words. I also wanted to make something that would be an alternative to much of the children’s music around that is quite fast paced and high strung.



Will you be performing any of Skýjaflétta?

I haven’t planned to. As I mentioned I play all the instruments myself, so I would need to get a group together if it were to be performed live. As I see it, it’s supposed to be music that children can enjoy with their parents or other carers in the home or other intimate places. Music to spend some quiet time playing or creating something, or to dance to in the living room, or nap to.

What do your children think of Skýjaflétta?

My two-year-old son has been with me in this all the way, letting me know when the music doesn’t grab his attention! He came with me to most of the rehearsals for the first piece and has been following the progress of the second piece, so he’s been very much involved.

Do children in Iceland have music, or other creative arts, introduced to them at an early age?

Yes, I think they do, although it could be more, both in the education system and outside it. The amount of cultural events for children has been growing over the last few years. I think there’s an increased awareness and ambition here to make quality events and art for children, which I think is a very positive thing. I also have the feeling it is more diverse. Children make an amazing audience that should not be underestimated. When I come to performances of ‘Skýjaborg’ it never ceases to amaze me how those tiny little persons, some just six or seven months old become completely focused on this piece of modern dance that’s being performed for them.

What’s next for you, and Amiina?

The past few months have been really busy for Amiina, lots of different projects going on. In a few days were heading off to Paris to perform a live score to a 100-year-old French film. It’s an event curated by Yann Tiersen and is a celebration of the five Fantomas films that were made in 1913. We’re really looking forward to that! The day after we return we’re playing a short show at Iceland Airwaves.

The weekend after that (November 9) will be the premiere of Fetta Bretta [at the theater] and the release of Skýjaflétta. Then I’m hoping to be able to take a little break and spend lots of time with my family and friends.

Further details on Skýjaflétta.

Original article appeared on Iceland Review Online.

New Rökkurró track.

Regular readers of this blog will know that I am a huge fan of Rökkurró, and that their lead singer, Hildur, appears in Iceland, Defrosted.

I’m pleased to say that they have released a new track called ‘Killing Time’. It’s extraordinarily beautiful. Although a departure from their previous album, some three years ago, it’s a change for the better. Hildur’s far eastern travels have clearly provided some inspiration. I can’t wait for the album.

If you are off to Airwaves this week, make sure you go and see Rökkurró. Just don’t tell me about it. I might have a fit of jealousy.