Joseph Junior Adenuga, better known by his stage name Skepta, is an English rapper, grime artist, MC, songwriter, record producer and recording artist of Nigerian heritage. Skepta is best known for his work in the grime scene. Skepta released his debut studio album Greatest Hits in late 2007 independently, followed by another independent release Microphone Champion in 2009 and Doin’ It Again on AATW in 2011. In June 2014 Skepta charted at 21 in the UK singles chart “That’s Not Me” the first single from his fourth studio album Konnichiwa.
Batida is the brainchild of Angolan/Portuguese Pedro Coquenão. As a distinctly modern and vibrant project with its feet firmly rooted in the past, it combines samples from old 1970s Angolan tracks with modern electronic dance music. Music is the starting point but through dance, poetry, graphics, photography, radio and video, Batida expands, taking in politics and social commentary but always bringing it back to the party.
The band TUSK was formed after Pálmi Gunnarsson, a well known singer and bassplayer from the Icelandic pop scene, got drummer Birgir Baldursson, guitarist Eðvarð Lárusson and super talented piano player Kjartan Valdemarsson, to do a gig for the jazzclub Múlinn. They met at the venue not really knowing what they wanted to play, but decided to do well known standards with a twist. Back in the 90´s Eðvarð and Birgir had been involved in all-improvised music and soon the two started pushing their agenda of free form gigging. When playing at a music festival in Nuuk, Greenland, in October 2013, the decision was made and the band became improv all the way. Since then the band has followed the path of free-form playing where no two gigs are alike, every song composed on the spot, never to be played again. In 2014 TUSK recorded their first album at the studio Sundlaugin. The album will be released this coming autumn.
DJ Yamaho is Natalie G. Gunnarsdóttir, a DJ from Reykjavik who began playing around 2000 at the legendary city bar Sirkus. She has remained in high demand ever since (and not just in Iceland) having also played in Ibiza, Barcelona and many European clubs and venues. Her sets typically oscillate between the two eminent pillars of electronic dance music, Chicago house and Detroit techno, from where she weaves her hypnotic and technically minded sets. She has also recently begun to produce her own music, following the same lines of dance and quality.
Icelandic band Sisy Ey (pronounced See See Ay) was founded in 2011.The idea was to get the three sisters, Elin, Elisabet and Sigga to sing live house music which would serve not only the exquisite combination of their beautiful voices into new and exciting territory, but would also showcase their abilities in a different context as all have more acoustic-driven music careers.After spending considerable time searching for “the one” to work with, the missing link was found in producer and DJ, Oculus. Together they have managed to create something very unique and special.The bands main focus is live performance as this is the best environment to experience their one-of-a-kind talent, together with the intense energy of the music. Although the musical journey of Sisy Ey has just begun, the band is already receiving an impressive amount of attention for its music and performances. Sisy Ey´s first single, Ain’t got nobody, has been extremely well received in Iceland and elsewhere.
Chastity Belt is a rock band consisting of four friends – guitarists Julia Shapiro and Lydia Lund, bassist Annie Truscott, and drummer Gretchen Grimm. They met in a tiny college town in Eastern Washington, but their story begins for real in Seattle, that celebrated home of Macklemore and the Twelfth Man. Following a post-grad summer apart, a handful of shows and enthusiastic responses from the city’s DIY community led them, as it has countless others, into a cramped practice space. They emerged with a debut album, No Regerts, sold it out faster than anyone involved thought possible, and toured America, a country that embraced them with open-ish arms. Now they’re back and the tab is settled, the lights are out, the birds are making noise even though the sun isn’t really up yet: it’s Time to Go Home, their second long-player and first for Hardly Art. In the outside world, they realized something crucial: they didn’t have to play party songs now that their audience didn’t consist exclusively of inebriated 18-22 year olds, as it did in that college town. Though still built on a foundation of post-post-punk energy, jagged rhythms, and instrumental moves that couldn’t be anyone else’s, the songs they grew into in the months that followed are equal parts street-level takedown and gray-skied melancholy. They embody the sensation of being caught in the center of a moment while floating directly above it; Shapiro’s world spins around her on “On The Floor,” grounded by Grimm and Truscott’s most commanding playing committed to tape. They pay tribute to writer Sheila Heti on “Drone” and John Carpenter with “The Thing,” and deliver a parallel-universe stoner anthem influenced by Electrelane with “Joke.” Recorded by José Díaz Rohena at the Unknown, a deconsecrated church and former sail factory in Anacortes, and mixed with a cathedral’s worth of reverb by Matthew Simms (guitarist for legendary British post-punks and one-time tourmates Wire), Time to Go Home sees Chastity Belt take the nights out and bad parties of their past to their stretching points, watch the world around them break apart in anticipatory haze, and rebuild it in their own image with stunning clarity before anyone gets hungover.
The Drink are Dearbhla Minogue (vocals, guitar), David Stewart (bass) and Daniel Fordham (drums). The songs are influenced by American, English and Irish folk songs. They play odd guitar pop with a dark folk undertone, and have been compared to Deerhoof, The Breeders, Talking Heads, Kate Bush, Throwing Muses, Life Without Buildings and The Roches. They formed in late 2012 when Dearbhla lived above the practice room where London pop-post-rockers Fighting Kites rehearsed. She took advantage of their split by recruiting Daniel and David as rhythm section for The Drink. Outside The Drink, Dearbhla is also one-third of The Wharves, bass player of Shield Your Eyes.
Before Today was the band’s 4AD debut, offering the first sign that the intriguingly scatalogical music Ariel had been making for over a decade was finally ossifying into a coherent form. Indeed, the lead song from Before Today – the inimitable ‘Round and Round’ – was awarded Pitchfork’s track of the year for 2010, and further plaudits were heaped upon the long player as it cropped up in near-all end-of-year polls. For many it seemed that Ariel had finally reached the wider audience his early recordings had hinted was possible. And with Mature Themes, Haunted Graffiti have forged a record that raises the bar once again. Installing themselves in a studio space in downtown-LA, Haunted Graffiti began a lengthy process of writing and recording. Mature Themes is a self-produced affair, with former member Cole MGN drafted in to provide some drum programming and additional mixing duties. Far removed from Ariel’s early bedroom recordings, Mature Themes is a product of a more collaborative process, with the often-overlooked virtuoso musicianship of the band bought to the fore. “There are definitely not any links to my lo-fi origins”, Ariel recently told Spin magazine. “It’s so diverse but so different from anything I’ve done before. In a sense, it’s really the record I wanted to make back when I made Before Today, but couldn’t. We had time to let our hair down and try new things.” While the creative process was new, familiar Ariel Pink signatures remain. In fact, Mature Themes feels like the definitive Haunted Graffiti record, a patchwork of modern America, its esoteric reference points and moments of lyrical lucidity a twilight excursion through backwater LA and late-night TV channel hopping.
Weval is a collaboration between two pals from the Netherlands – Harm Coolen (b. 1986) and Merijn Scholte Albers (b. 1989). Both Harm and Merijn got their start in film school, which is where they met in 2010. When they found out they shared the same love for creating electronic music, they decided to team up. Merijn’s musical background is mainly trip-hop, while Harm is influenced by house music. The two combined their different backgrounds into a unique sound for their first EP, “Half Age” on Atomnation, released in March 2013. Shortly thereafter, they premiered their live show at Pitch Festival 2013, after which many shows followed. In November 2014, the Dutch duo dropped their “Easier” EP on Kompakt, a four-tracker which haunts you long after you’ve left the floor. This year, they’ll take their live show on the road, gearing up for a busy touring season, so look out for future dates near you!
Thor (aka Sanasol, Flow machine, OZ Artists) has been a leading figure in Icelandic club culture since the late eighties. He got to know the wonders of hip hop and electronic music through break-dancing and soon moved on to become a DJ. In 1989 he became the Icelandic “DMC DJ champion” and quickly became one of the most respected DJs in Reykjavik, hosting some of the most legendary underground club nights the city has seen and doing his own radio show called “The B-Side”. In the early nineties Thor and his techno partner Biogen formed the legendary hardcore rave band Ajax, which was to become one of Iceland’s first electronic bands ever to reach international success. Later Thor started producing electro and techno, inspired by the great music coming from the fast growing German electronic scene. Through the years, Thor has had a number of releases and remixes, and has featured on more than 60 compilations worldwide. Thor has had many successful collaborations with artists such as Björk, Goldie, Pascal F.E.O.S., Tim Taylor, Exos and Yagya. In addition, Thor has remixed the works of Sigur Rós, Gus Gus and many more. Thor owns and runs the Icelandic record labels Thule Records and its numerous sublabels.
From 101 downtown Reykjavík, the heart throbbing Sturla Atlas shook the Icelandic hip-hop scene with the release of his debut mixtape, Love Hurts, in the summer of 2015. Alongside the 101 Boys, he has already put out three singles this fall, including a video off his forthcoming EP, These Days,which is out the 30th of October.
Norwegian band Østfrost has a sound that’s difficult to describe, sitting somewhere between jazz, pop, indie and folk. Thankfully they’ll be playing five off-venue shows during Airwaves, allowing you the opportunity to find out for yourself just how good their music is.
AVóKA is a dreamy doom pop band from Reykjavík. Their music is best described as melancholic yet hopeful with a thick-layered sound created with harmonium, trumpet and unique vocals. AVóKA appeared for the first time at “Músíktilraunir 2015” (Icelandic battle of the bands) winning the 3rd place and getting awarded with the best bass- and drum player of the year. Their debut EP album “kok” will be released on 12th of January 2016.
The first Icelandic band to ever win the Eiserner Eversteiner European Folk Music Award, Árstíðir became a YouTube phenomenon after a friend recorded an impromptu performance of “Heyr himna smiður” in the Bürger Bahnhof train station in Wuppertal. After a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund their new album, the band took up residence and composed the album’s songs in Toppstödin, an abandoned coal-fired power plant repurposed as a creative space. They then recorded Hvel at the studio Orgelsmiðjan, home to many of Iceland’s renowned recording artists. The result is a collection of songs which weave both traditional and electronically-inspired instrumental threads together with soaring vocal harmonies, and that critics have described as “beautiful and atmospheric” and “utterly mesmerizing.”
Red-bearded pop auteur Berndsen mines the 1980s for inspiration, retro music. Synth bass, programmed drums, guitar solos, retro-futurist aesthetics and dramatic vocals make for an intoxicating, atmospheric, analogue-feeling sound, reminiscent of everything from Michael Jackson to Kraftwerk to The Eurythmics to fellow revivalists like Glass Candy, Dreamtrak and Chromeo. Infinite amounts of fun live. All produced by his twin brother Hermigervill.
Dikta play alternative rock. Their songs are epic in size and in heart. Melodic and dynamic while telling the tales of hearts broken and mended. Songs you sing along with, songs that will get stuck in your head, make you wonder, then make you want to sing them all over again. Their full-length album, ‘Get It Together’, reached Platinum in their home country, received four awards at the Listener’s Choice Awards, their song ‘Thank You’ became one of the most played songs in Icelandic radio. In the meantime Dikta played non-stop all across the country and have also been touring frequently all around Germany. Dikta are now independently recording their final songs for the new album, to be ready 2015.
Going all the way from folk-ish dreamy “feel good” music to big electronic sounds and larger than life post rock soundscapes, even throwing in a little funk and jazz elements when it is appropriate. Armed with tons of energy and a lively presence on stage, CeaseTone is a joyride from start to finish!
Earthquakes, waterfalls, volcanoes – the music of Toneron is undeniably THE sound reflection of these Icelandic nature phenomena. Their songs are boiling up and explode to an emotional beauty – the soul of Iceland is within your grasp. Super tight drums like a rolling thunder combined with frenetic saxophone mix up with an inexhaustible source of melodies. Pushed forward by the insistent and clear voice of the singer and creative mind Gísli Brynjarsson they form a wide soundscape – and that one needs width and space, just like at their home – just like in Iceland. Far from any musical conventions, this band presents themselves so taking and confident just one year after their start – you can not help to be fascinated get by them and their Toneron world. On stage they are full of enthusiasm and get the most out of their instruments and present their songs with big passion for details – they know how to get the audience from the very first second and thrill them. That talent brought Toneron the attention of Músíktilraunir, a competition where previously bands like Of Monsters and Men, Agent Fresco, Samaris and VÖK came from. Because of that they got their first gigs in Germany as part of Stage Europe Network. And these performances led to more, led to enthusiasm and now into their first EP – ready to infect the world with the exceptional Toneron sound.
different Turns was formed in October 2008 as a solo project that later escalated. The sound was originally acoustic and dreamlike but became harder as time passed and today it can be described as electronic alternative rock even though the band has room for versatility.
Axel Flóvent is a musician hailing from the northern fishing village of Húsavík. At the age of 19 Axel has already spent a few years creating his own music and performing in Húsavík as well as all over Iceland by himself and as a part of his bands. His music can be described as modern folk music. At its core it´s acoustic and low key but bears obvious influences from other forms of music such as indie rock, pop and electronic music. Keeping in the vein of modern folk singers Axel has been active writing and recording his own songs and has a numerous online releases available.
Antimony is a coldwave band from Reykjavík, Iceland made up of RX Beckett (vocals), Birgir Sigurjón Birgisson (bass) and Sigurður Angantýsson (electronics and production). Together they combine elements of early 80s synthpop, gloomy Lynchian sexuality and sci-fi horror with androgynous DIY aesthetics.
Dad Rocks! is a band from Denmark, fronted by Icelandic-born songwriter Snævar Njáll Albertsson. Albertsson writes songs that are always sincere, often related to aspects of modernity but seldom without an element of humour and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The music is inspired by a diversity of artists such as Bill Callahan, Why?, Sigur Rós, Sparklehorse and Do Make Say Think. The unique mix of folk and pop combines complex guitar work with piano, trumpets, violin and sometimes even an entire brass band or a girls choir. The band uses acoustic instruments to create a beautifully orchestrated sound but also tend to deconstruct such organic landscapes with the use of noise rock and electronics. The name itself, Dad Rocks!, is more than just a pun on the ‘dad rock’ genre: it’s a tribute to his kids, acknowledging that they are his primary source of inspiration. When describing the world around him, he is essentially reflecting on the world that his son and daughter will grow up in.
dj. flugvél og geimskip (Airplane and Spaceship) is a one girl’s project that draws influences from a thousand worlds.Defined as electronic horror-music with a space twist, the music is a mix of playful beats, cool bass, catchy melodies and high pitched vocals. She sings about evil cats taking over the world, alien experiments, demons hiding in shadows and the weird world below the surface of the ocean. Her live performances are lively, colorful and poetic and her music deals with mysteries, dreams and dangers of the night. On stage, dj. flugvél og geimskip is alone in the midst of keyboards and drum machines. Her concerts are like a strange blend of music, horror stories, poetry and theater. The mood is set by storytelling between songs, the use of incense, smoke, lights and a backdrop video. The audience is left feeling like they are in a vivid dream or have travelled to outer space.
Árni Grétar (born 6 December 1983), best known under the pseudonym Futuregrapher, is an electronic musician described by Grapevine magazine in 2009 as “fucking brilliant.” He runs the record label Möller Records with fellow musicians Bistro Boy and Steve Sampling.
The Anatomy of Frank is a five-piece band from the mountains of Virginia. Their melodies and subject matter tend toward nostalgia, intricacy, and nuance, touching on every facet of the human heart. Focusing on fingerstyle guitar work, rich harmonies, and melodies that sound like they were forgotten from childhood, the mood journeys from quiet delicacy to roaring climaxes over the course of their songs.
“Haling from a small fishing village on the east coast of Iceland, FURA is the offspring of vocalist Björt Sigfinnsdóttir. In 2013 FURA started working on her debut album and collaborated with the production duo Hallur Jónsson and Janus Rasmussen (Bloodgroup). The nucleus of the work explores the contrast between dark beats and the heightened, sensual, female voice of Sigfinnsdóttir, while exuding the mystical nature of their ravishing environment and the sense of isolation and emotion produced by its landscapes. In 2013 the group released their first single “Demons” and in 2014 the second single “Poems of the past”. September 2nd is the release of the third single “ Moments”. The self titled debut album will be out on November 2nd 2015. FURA has now teamed up with Danish drummer Emil Vissing and guitarist Thomas Volmer, to form the live sound. “
Icelandic band Sisy Ey (pronounced See See Ay) was founded in 2011.The idea was to get the three sisters, Elin, Elisabet and Sigga to sing live house music which would serve not only the exquisite combination of their beautiful voices into new and exciting territory, but would also showcase their abilities in a different context as all have more acoustic-driven music careers.After spending considerable time searching for “the one” to work with, the missing link was found in producer and DJ, Oculus. Together they have managed to create something very unique and special.The bands main focus is live performance as this is the best environment to experience their one-of-a-kind talent, together with the intense energy of the music. Although the musical journey of Sisy Ey has just begun, the band is already receiving an impressive amount of attention for its music and performances. Sisy Ey´s first single, Ain’t got nobody, has been extremely well received in Iceland and elsewhere.
SUMAR STELPUR is a lo-fi/rock/surf/punk band. The band was formed with the intention of making music that sounds like summer. We hope the music does. A guitardriven fullblast rock show is what you might expect from the band.
Sturle Dagsland consists of the norwegian brothers Sturle & Sjur Dagsland. They alternate at playing on an array of instruments and electronics, harmonically creating an expressive-progressive ever-changing soundscape dominated by Sturle’s unrestrained innovative vocals ranging from ravening ferocious screams to virtous angelic chanting. His distinctive voice, large vocal range, multilingual lyrics and unique approach to songwriting and composition won him the “Emerging Artist” award in Copenhagen in 2012, and they have toured all across the world ever since.
EinarIndra started making and performing electronic music more than a decade ago. After crashing his hard drive he took a break from the digital, picking up the guitar and singing. Now he´s again embraced his electronic roots, love of synths and working on laptops mixing it with live instruments resulting in creating organic electronic soulful music.
Ambátt is a new collaboration between artists Pan Thorarensen and Þorkell Atlason. They have been active in various music scenes in Reykjavik in the past years, and released an critically acclaimed ep “If you fall you fly” under theme name of Beatmakin Troopa in 2012. Þorkell Atlason is a classically trained guitarist and composer. His work has been performed widely around Europe and America and he has been active in the experimental music scene in Reykjavik. Pan Thorarenesen has quite a moved history in Iceland’s Electronica scene. As Beatmakin Troopa he has released five albums and participated in many side projects. Pan is also promoter and co founder of the Extreme Chill Festival. Both Pan and Thorkell are members of the electronic trio, Stereo Hypnosis. Ambátt is currently working on new material, and are scheduled to play at Extreme Chill Festival 2015. Ambátt new album will be out this summer.
Wesen (or ₩€$€₦) are duo Júlía Hermannsdóttir and Loji Höskuldsson. They started working together in 2004 under the name We Pained the Walls. After taking a few years off to work on other projects (Sudden Weather Change & Oyama to name just two) they’ve reunited in the last couple of years to once again step outside their comfort zone and make a new album under the new name Wesen. Wesen play catchy experimental electronic pop music and their live performance style is straightforward but striking, making use of both playback and live buildup.
Mengi invites you to this years Iceland Airwaves Music Festival Off Venue Showcase on Saturday, November 7th.
16:00-20:00
Mengi Showcase
16:00 Skúli Sverrisson Sería. Arnljótur Sigurðsson, Guðmundur Vignir Karlsson, Ólafur Björn Ólafsson, Ólöf Arnalds & Skúli Sverrisson.
17:00 Kippi Kaninus. Pétur Ben, Magnús Trygvason Eliassen, Óttar Sæmundssen, Sigtryggur Baldursson, Ingi Garðar Erlendsson & Guðmundur Vignir Karlsson (Kippi Kaninus).
18:00 Mengi collective improv: Áki Ásgeirsson, Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir, Páll Ivan frá Eiðum, Ásthildur Ákadóttir, Sunna Ross
19:00 dj. flugvél og geimskip
www.mengi.net/
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Mengi býður gestum Iceland Airwaves Music Festival velkomna í húsakynni sín á Off Venue tónleika milli 16:00 og 20:00 þann 7. nóvember.
Eftirfarandi koma fram:
16:00 Skúli Sverrisson Sería
17:00 Kippi Kaninus
18:00 Mengisspuni: Áki Ásgeirsson, Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir, Páll Ivan frá Eiðum, Ásthildur Ákadóttir, Sunna Ross
19:00 dj. flugvél og geimskip
www.mengi.net/
Formed in april 2014, Four Leaves Left consists of Árni Freyr and Jón Már. Using only acoustic guitars they play a combination of music going all the way from soft acoustic sounds in the likes of Bright Eyes to fingerstyle jazz and funk.
The Anatomy of Frank is a five-piece band from the mountains of Virginia. Their melodies and subject matter tend toward nostalgia, intricacy, and nuance, touching on every facet of the human heart. Focusing on fingerstyle guitar work, rich harmonies, and melodies that sound like they were forgotten from childhood, the mood journeys from quiet delicacy to roaring climaxes over the course of their songs.
Endless Dark is a Post-Hardcore band from Iceland know for their energetic live performance. Endless Dark’s music is a mixture of really heavy in your face breakdowns and catchy choruses. They’re currently working on their debut full length which should be out soon.
SUMAR STELPUR is a lo-fi/rock/surf/punk band. The band was formed with the intention of making music that sounds like summer. We hope the music does. A guitardriven fullblast rock show is what you might expect from the band.
The Anatomy of Frank is a five-piece band from the mountains of Virginia. Their melodies and subject matter tend toward nostalgia, intricacy, and nuance, touching on every facet of the human heart. Focusing on fingerstyle guitar work, rich harmonies, and melodies that sound like they were forgotten from childhood, the mood journeys from quiet delicacy to roaring climaxes over the course of their songs.
Fufanu had their early roots in techno, but an untimely theft of their master computer with their unreleased techno album pushed Fufanu into a new realm of soundscape. Their approach delivers a unique modern rock’n’roll sound rooted in new wave, post punk and indeed future rock. Releasing their debut album later in 2015 via One Little Indian Records, being one of 10 New Artist You Need to know by Rolling Stone Magazine and winning The Band To Watch in 2015 by Reykjavík Grapevine after gaining the trust of the audience.
From 101 downtown Reykjavík, the heart throbbing Sturla Atlas shook the Icelandic hip-hop scene with the release of his debut mixtape, Love Hurts, in the summer of 2015. Alongside the 101 Boys, he has already put out three singles this fall, including a video off his forthcoming EP, These Days,which is out the 30th of October.
In 2010 Brynhildur Oddsdóttir, the frontlady, started the band Beebee and the bluebirds on the occasion of Reykjavik Blues festival. After graduating from Iceland Arts she began to write for their debut album. Brynhildur has been stydying jazz vocals and jazz/rock guitar for several years in FÍH. the beginning of October 2014, appeared on the market their debut album, entitled, “Burning heart”. All of the music and lyrics written by Brynhildur, but there was a large group of talanted musicians that took part of the recordings. The album is shun from jazz, improvisation and blues, but also reaches for the soul. Two songs from the album have reached the top 30 chart at national Radio station, Rás 2. They have been traveling to the US and Canada where their music has had some great reviews. High energetic, soulful and emotional are the keywords when describing their performance.
Ojba Rasta’s singer/guitarist Teitur Magnússon released his long-awaited solo debut, titled ’27’, last december. We’re talking about a diversely influenced ‘indie pop’ record and you can witness and parttake in its enjoyable laid back’ness Live this Airwaves. You’ll hear simple and catchy songs layered with a psychedelic texture and some sweet melodies thanks to a rich and colorful instrumentation. Drawing from a wide array of sounds and elements, Teitur brings you a fresh slice of Icelandic pop, daring to take you higher!
Bárujárn was founded in 2008 after members met at a industrial showcase for corrugated iron and related suplies in Hafnir city on the wind barren south coast of Iceland. The music was to represent the black sands and waves that is the heart and life of the booming Icelandic surfer culture. Determined to succeed in a world full of tears the band went on to wither in the ashes of their poorly rolled cigarettes through relentless unprofessionalism, constant poverty and petty crime. They released an EP in 2010 commonly mistaken for the crushed remnants of a grilled sandwich due to its luxurious aluminum foil wrapping. This packaging failure resulted in the frequent discarding of the EP to the trash bin at local radio stations and hence no airplay. Theraminist Hekla Magnúsdóttir quit the band in 2011 partly because of an artistic misunderstanding but mostly due to frequent sexist remarks and the general decadence of the remaining members. As of this writing their main accomplishments subsists of a failed make it or break it tour through the neighboring Farao islands, supporting local child star turned hot-shot Brandur Enni and getting to the semi finals in the unofficial battle of the bands. After years of procrastination their debut album was released in 2013. They are currently working on their second and third efforts.
World Narcosis palys a powerful blend of grindcore, black metal and pretty much everything else. They are fast, evil, and to the point. Their latest album ‘World Coda’ is bleak, intense and inherently unnerving, pushing their boundaries to the breaking point, raging from furious blastbeats topped with dissonant tremolo picking – to a spastic heaviness and explosiveness that sounds like the end of the world.
Stafrænn Hákon has continued sliding a comic or surreal twist in his songwriting since 1999, challenging the epic and dreamy connotations his music has always been ascribed with. Humour in combination with sincerity haslong been some of Stafrænn Hákon´s driving forces, a twisted combination that reflects a personal nuance for those curious to dig deeper into the musical mindscape of the man behind the band. The band´s current lineup consists of guitarists Ólafur Josephsson and Lárus Siguðsson, bass guitarist Árni Þór Árnason, drummer Róbert Már Runólfsson and singer Magnús Freyr Gíslason.
Æla (translation: Puke) are an Icelandic post-punk band, famous in their home country for their mesmeric and explosive live performances, jagged tunes, tense dynamics and the on/offstage acrobatics of frontman and scene figure Halli Valli. It’s their inimitable boundless energy and their sense of fun that have garnered praise from all corners. Those aspects are the core of the band’s mission: to harness the chaos, energy, absurdity and fun that is Æla.
Unnur Sara is a 22 years old singer/songwriter. This year she released her first album with original songs and lyrics in Icelandic. She has a unique voice that brings her songs a fresh and quirky character. Her tone and all around approach is pure and innocent, but in a powerful manner nonetheless, and she is at ease with both atmospheric, experimentally infused tracks and more straightforward, melodic affair. Unnur Sara is a great performer with a charming stage presence and a fantastic band.
Despite his young age, Emmsjé Gauti is a veteran when it comes to the rap game. After honing his talent for the last 13 years in Reykjavik’s small but vibrant and competitive rap scene, he released his debut solo album in 2010 which proved a big hit among fans and critics alike. Catapulting into the spotlight with his feature on the Blazroca’s hit “Elskum Þessar Mellur”, the aptly titled “Bara Ég” (“Only Me”) solidifies his status as one of Iceland’s most prominent young artists, striking an eclectic balance between flamboyant pop, humor and unadulterated rhyming skills. Say what you want about young Emmsjé Gauti, he gets the party started! Go check out his videos on Youtube (he’s put out more of them this year alone than most artists do in their entire careers). Gauti released his second solo album in 2013 called “ÞEYR”. “ÞEYR” is a darker, heavier release than his first outing and showcases the growth of the artist. If you are into punk-like shows, stagediving and random bullshit, Gauti is your go to guy.
Icelandic band Sisy Ey (pronounced See See Ay) was founded in 2011.The idea was to get the three sisters, Elin, Elisabet and Sigga to sing live house music which would serve not only the exquisite combination of their beautiful voices into new and exciting territory, but would also showcase their abilities in a different context as all have more acoustic-driven music careers.After spending considerable time searching for “the one” to work with, the missing link was found in producer and DJ, Oculus. Together they have managed to create something very unique and special.The bands main focus is live performance as this is the best environment to experience their one-of-a-kind talent, together with the intense energy of the music. Although the musical journey of Sisy Ey has just begun, the band is already receiving an impressive amount of attention for its music and performances. Sisy Ey´s first single, Ain’t got nobody, has been extremely well received in Iceland and elsewhere.
Fridfinnur “Oculus” Sigurdsson is definitely on the rise to conquer the world with his thrilling tracks and his tight live club performances. With over 13 EP releases and many remixes on labels such as: AFU Lab, Gem Records, Aux rec, Form Resonance and he’s gaining support from renown international Dj’s/Producers like DJ Hell, Stephan Bodzin, Tiga, Laurent Garnier, Samuel L Session, Oculus’s strength lies in his production and hard efforts for good live performances which has earned him a great reputation all over europe’s greatest clubs like Flex (Vienna) Salon Zur wilden Renate and Berghain (Berlin). His live sets can range from something deep and hypnotic which can build up to crazy sounds that are out of this world, driving you to loose control in the heat of the moment.
Ask the Slave makes alternative music that revels in unique sorts of riffs, vocals, and song structures, all the while paying homage to their influences (Theatre Of The Absurd, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas and metal).
Red-bearded pop auteur Berndsen mines the 1980s for inspiration, retro music. Synth bass, programmed drums, guitar solos, retro-futurist aesthetics and dramatic vocals make for an intoxicating, atmospheric, analogue-feeling sound, reminiscent of everything from Michael Jackson to Kraftwerk to The Eurythmics to fellow revivalists like Glass Candy, Dreamtrak and Chromeo. Infinite amounts of fun live. All produced by his twin brother Hermigervill.
Trilogia is an indie electro pop band, formed in the fall of 2014. Members are Finnbjörn Benónýsson and Fríða Dís Guðmundsdóttir. Finnbjörn and Fríða have performed twice this month, at Paddy’s in Keflavík and at Dillon in Reykjavík. Trilogia’s live performance setup is minimal; vocals, keyboard, guitar and bass, loops and a playback – all played by the two members.
The band Valdimar was founded in 2009 when Valdimar Guðmundsson and Ásgeir Aðalsteinsson started writing songs together in Ásgeir’s apartment. Others gradually joined in to render it a 6-member band. When performing live, the band is most often supported by a small brass section. Their music builds up from being soft and intimate to an exciting hair-raising, heart-stirring energy, often with all members on stage playing full blast, making their live performances an unforgettable experience. The sound of their music can be described as an electro indie mix. The band released their debut album Undraland (Wonderland) in 2010 with critical acclaim and commercial success. Four singles that were released from the album reached the Top 10, including their biggest hit “Yfirgefinn”, one of the most played songs of 2011 in Iceland. They followed Undraland by the album Um stund (For a While) released in October 2012, and it acclaimed big success as well, and was nominated as the album of the year at the Icelandic Music Awards. The album contained three big radio hits; “Beðið Eftir Skömminni”, “Sýn” and “Yfir Borgina”. Valdimar released their latest album late October 2014, Batnar útsýnið (The Scenery Gets Better).
Axel Flóvent is a musician hailing from the northern fishing village of Húsavík. At the age of 19 Axel has already spent a few years creating his own music and performing in Húsavík as well as all over Iceland by himself and as a part of his bands. His music can be described as modern folk music. At its core it´s acoustic and low key but bears obvious influences from other forms of music such as indie rock, pop and electronic music. Keeping in the vein of modern folk singers Axel has been active writing and recording his own songs and has a numerous online releases available.
Cryptochrome is the genre-defying, boundary-pushing, brave new project of anglo-german lyricist Anik, Hamburg-born producer S.O.N. (both formerly of the legendary european hip-hop crew Dark Circle), and Icelandic lyricist and songwriter Una. Said by some to be the most exciting band on the Icelandic music scene today, Cryptochrome are setting the stage for a very influential and wave-making future.
AmabAdama is an Icelandic reggae band that took its current form in the spring of 2013. The band consist of a singing trio, guitar, bass, drums, brass and keyboard. The band has been praised for it’s joyful stage presence. People who like dancing to the reggae heart beat and vibing to the bassline should enjoy AmabaDama´s debut album that came out in the fall of 2014. In the beginning of 2015 the band picked up 7 nominations for the Icelandic music awards, more then any other artist. Salka Sól won singer of the year both at the Icelandic Music Awards and the Icelandic Listeners awards where the band also won newcomer of the year.
Ragna Kjartansdottir, also known as CELL7, is a Filipino-Icelandic rapper, songwriter and sound engineer. In 2013 she returned to the music scene, after a long hiatus, and released her first solo album, CELLF. The album received outstanding reviews and was mentioned on several national lists for the best Icelandic albums of the year 2013. Moreover, the album received the Kraumur Music Award, chosen by a diverse panel of experienced Icelandic music and radio journalists. Cell7’s stage performance has been descriped as dynamic and energetic. Her live set is always evolving. In early 2014 she begun the transition from performing with a DJ to performing with a live band. While working on her album she was joined by two of Iceland’s best producers, Earmax and Introbeats. CELLF is diverse rap album as the album’s compositions combine elements of electronic, dance, R&B and dancehall music. Early 2015 Cell7 teamed up with Nolem and released the song “Got this”. She’s is currently working on her new album.
EinarIndra started making and performing electronic music more than a decade ago. After crashing his hard drive he took a break from the digital, picking up the guitar and singing. Now he´s again embraced his electronic roots, love of synths and working on laptops mixing it with live instruments resulting in creating organic electronic soulful music.
Cheddy Carter remains skeptical about the artist’s bio, and is convinced that no man has ever been left more informed or more entertained after having been exposed to one. Cheddy Carter does not intend to ‘grab you with the first paragraph’ as recommended by diverse online guides, and is, in fact, against any kind of ‘grabbing’ or ‘groping’, and has never ‘grabbed’ nor ‘groped’ anyone in the past and does not intend to ‘grab’ or ‘grope’ anyone in the future. Cheddy Carter does not ‘sound like anyone’ and does not aspire to, for if Cheddy Carter ‘sounded like anyone’ else that would make their music redundant and therefore, ultimately, superfluous; Cheddy Carter has many ‘influences’, for everything that exists does so in a great causal web. Thus, we suppose that we are influenced mainly by our immediate environment as well as the historical context which gave birth to that immediate environment. Finally, Cheddy Carter has played few gigs, received few views, sold few records, and made few dollars, but hopes to make the transition from ‘few’ into ‘some’, and eventually, from ‘some’ into ‘many’.
dj. flugvél og geimskip (Airplane and Spaceship) is a one girl’s project that draws influences from a thousand worlds.Defined as electronic horror-music with a space twist, the music is a mix of playful beats, cool bass, catchy melodies and high pitched vocals. She sings about evil cats taking over the world, alien experiments, demons hiding in shadows and the weird world below the surface of the ocean. Her live performances are lively, colorful and poetic and her music deals with mysteries, dreams and dangers of the night. On stage, dj. flugvél og geimskip is alone in the midst of keyboards and drum machines. Her concerts are like a strange blend of music, horror stories, poetry and theater. The mood is set by storytelling between songs, the use of incense, smoke, lights and a backdrop video. The audience is left feeling like they are in a vivid dream or have travelled to outer space.
DALÍ is the project of singer/bassist Erla Stefánsdóttir. Music and lyrics are by Erla and with her in the band are Helgi Reynir Jónsson guitarist, Fúsi Óttars on drums and Franz Gunnarsson guitarist. DALÍ is a mixture of many elements; you could say there is a hint of sweetness from Joni Mitchell, the surrealistic ruggedness of Primus and the full hearted swearing attitude of a sailor; it all comes together in DALÍ, a music style of many genres. Fronted by a singing female bassist who sings about love but also burying those lovers alive – it’s never a dull moment with DALÍ. The band has their new debut album out, selftitled “DALÍ” which is available in stores now!
Red-bearded pop auteur Berndsen mines the 1980s for inspiration, retro music. Synth bass, programmed drums, guitar solos, retro-futurist aesthetics and dramatic vocals make for an intoxicating, atmospheric, analogue-feeling sound, reminiscent of everything from Michael Jackson to Kraftwerk to The Eurythmics to fellow revivalists like Glass Candy, Dreamtrak and Chromeo. Infinite amounts of fun live. All produced by his twin brother Hermigervill.
Accumulated experience can be a real forte when it comes to music making and nowhere is this truer than in the case of TRPTYCH, a Reykjavík techno duo that was formed by Daniel Þorsteinsson and Guðni Einarsson this spring. These wise veterans, in respect to the ever emergent Icelandic music scene, build beautifully on their long standing involvement with it and craft a sublime, dark electronica that simply glides within the listener; such is the effortlessness of the execution. TRPTYCH sprang fully formed out of the box, the city’s most prominent electro outfit today by far. Save up your energy, as the slow, pulsating, tightly woven and masterfully detailed soundscape will leave you utterly spellbound. You have been warned!
Kælan Mikla is a three-piece poetry-punk band from Reykjavík that is becoming darker and more refined, delving into the no-wave genre and adding more instruments to their sound. The band consists of three close friends that perform original poetry any way they please, breathing a fresh breeze of avant-garde into the Icelandic music scene. The band was formed after winning first place in a poetry slam competition held by the Reykjavík City Library in January 2013. They have since made the local festival circuit, as well as gone on European tours of their own. Kælan Mikla’s style is best characterised by a dark melancholic sound, filled with heavy thumping bass, loud drums, melodic synth segments, and mercurial vocals that go from spoken poetry to full-on screams. Their lyrics focus on topics such as inner turmoil, and their stage presence is at times intimidating to newcomers, but brings regulars into an introspective and melancholic trance.
English below
Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, The Imitation Game, Frankenstein) er áhorfendum ekki að öllu ókunnur, þar sem hann stígur á svið sem Hamlet í einum frægasta harmleik sögunnar eftir William Shakespeare.
Sagan gerst þegar uppi eru miklar víðsjár. Þjóðir vígbúast. Herlið eru á hreyfingu. Við skyndilegt fráfall Danakonungs hefur Danmörk fengið nýjan konung. Sá er bróðir hins látna og hann hefur tekið sér ekkjuna Gertrude, móður Hamlets, fyrir eiginkonu. Þegar grunsemdir vakna hjá Hamlet Danaprins hefur hann rannsókn á láti föður síns og verður skyndilega ógn við öryggi ríkisins. Hamlet leitar sannleikans og átökin magnast þar sem fjölskyldan og ríkið skelfur.
Hamlet er mest leikna leikverk allra tíma, ekki láta þig vanta á uppsetningu National Theatre Live í Bíó Paradís.
Sýningar:
7. og 8. nóvember kl 20:00
14. og 15. nóvember kl 20:00
21. og 22. nóvember kl 20:00
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Academy Award nominee Benedict Cumberbatch (BBC’s Sherlock, The Imitation Game, Frankenstein at the National Theatre) takes on the title role of Shakespeare’s great tragedy.
As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father’s death but paralysed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state.
The music of Epic Rain is rooted in underground hip-hop, but in later years he has widened the horizon and explored various music styles, including cabaret, dark folk, country and blues. Out of these traditional genres he has created a new and fascinating domain of sounds.
In 2010 Brynhildur Oddsdóttir, the frontlady, started the band Beebee and the bluebirds on the occasion of Reykjavik Blues festival. After graduating from Iceland Arts she began to write for their debut album. Brynhildur has been stydying jazz vocals and jazz/rock guitar for several years in FÍH. the beginning of October 2014, appeared on the market their debut album, entitled, “Burning heart”. All of the music and lyrics written by Brynhildur, but there was a large group of talanted musicians that took part of the recordings. The album is shun from jazz, improvisation and blues, but also reaches for the soul. Two songs from the album have reached the top 30 chart at national Radio station, Rás 2. They have been traveling to the US and Canada where their music has had some great reviews. High energetic, soulful and emotional are the keywords when describing their performance.
Árni Valur Kristinsson has been involved in the Icelandic electronic scene for over 17 years now. In 1998 he started the duo Vector alongside Jónas Thor Guðmundsson (Ruxpin) which Árni draws his Vector name from, they were also members of the minimal dub techno collective Den Nard Husher which released on the Icelandic Thule label in the late 90’s. Other notable collaborations was the project Árni2 with his namesake Árni Grétar aka Futuregrapher. As well as being one of the resident DJ’s on the legendary Weirdcore nights and is a frequent guest on both the Robot Disco and Extreme Chill events in Reykjavik and Berlin Árni has been combining elements from his dj sets and live sets allowing for live improvisation using modular synthesisers and drum machines in addition with the basic DJ setup. The force is strong with this one …..
Icelandic band Sisy Ey (pronounced See See Ay) was founded in 2011.The idea was to get the three sisters, Elin, Elisabet and Sigga to sing live house music which would serve not only the exquisite combination of their beautiful voices into new and exciting territory, but would also showcase their abilities in a different context as all have more acoustic-driven music careers.After spending considerable time searching for “the one” to work with, the missing link was found in producer and DJ, Oculus. Together they have managed to create something very unique and special.The bands main focus is live performance as this is the best environment to experience their one-of-a-kind talent, together with the intense energy of the music. Although the musical journey of Sisy Ey has just begun, the band is already receiving an impressive amount of attention for its music and performances. Sisy Ey´s first single, Ain’t got nobody, has been extremely well received in Iceland and elsewhere.
Soffía Björg hails from Borgarfjörður, a fjord in the west of Iceland. Although the waters of Borgarfjörður appear calm, the fjord has significant undercurrents and shallows. Soffía studied classical singing, swifted over to jazz & has fiddled with bluegrass & americana. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Composition. Soffía is currently working through a set of songs for her first album scheduled for release in 2016. As a warm up for the album she has now made available online the single ‘Back & Back Again’ where; “The music drifts along beautifully in a classic, dark hued setting while Soffía’s rough cut, yet warm voice, infuses it with a strange blend of innocence and danger.”
Skurken is the artist name of Jóhann Ómarsson, an electronic musician based in Reykjavík. Someone compared Skurken’s music to “trippin’ in the Moomin valley” – whatever that means. He could be right, although Skurken tries not to analyze his creations too much. Skurken‘s influences include everything from corny ’80s ballads to late ’90s drill&bass and old computer game themes. And probably elves and nature too. Skurken has been active for several years, has released 4 solo albums, had appearances on several compilations, made sound tracks to short films and more.
DÖPUR started out is a one man music project conceived and created by Krummi Björgvinsson dedicated to the extreme side of power electronics, post-punk, blackmetal, drone, noise and beyond. Known for leading bands like Mínus, Legend, Esja, KRUMMI and many more.. Krummi´s fiancé Linnea later joined the band on keyboards and other instruments. Since then the DÖPUR sound has developed into a more song oriented material with big hints of post-punk, coldwave and noise rock. DÖPUR just finished recording their first 7” which is due in late August on Hið Myrka Man label owned by Sólveig from Kælan Mikla.
Andy Shauf is a storyteller, a singer of heartbreak and regrets, isolation and loneliness, reflecting his prairie surroundings in Regina, Canada. Meticulously written over four years, Shauf’s The Bearer of Bad News is a warm and welcoming album, bathed in weathered piano, dampened drums, softly-strummed guitars and clarinet, which lends its unique timbre to frequently brighten – or hauntingly underscore – the songs’ darker undercurrents.
Wesen (or ₩€$€₦) are duo Júlía Hermannsdóttir and Loji Höskuldsson. They started working together in 2004 under the name We Pained the Walls. After taking a few years off to work on other projects (Sudden Weather Change & Oyama to name just two) they’ve reunited in the last couple of years to once again step outside their comfort zone and make a new album under the new name Wesen. Wesen play catchy experimental electronic pop music and their live performance style is straightforward but striking, making use of both playback and live buildup.
Troubadour Biggi speaks to you in the language of acoustically-reworked versions of songs you like. After, DJ Pétur speaks to you in the language of turntables.
Kiasmos is one part electronic mastermind Janus Rasmussen and one part classical maestro Ólafur Arnalds. They were brought together by their love of beer and music, and aim to get everyone to dance like there’s no tomorrow.
Named a One To Watch for 2015 via the likes of iTunes, Spotify and the BBC Sound Poll, SOAK has also announced details of her forthcoming debut album. ‘Before We Forgot How to Dream’ will be released on June 1st. Currently embarking on a free run of shows at skate-parks nationwide, Bridie has confirmed early festival slots (SXSW, Great Escape, Primavera) together with just-announced debut shows across America and Australia.
Having only released one EP and playing live as a band for little over a year, Weaves have quickly become an internationally buzzed about band. They were recently chosen as Rolling Stone’s “Band To Watch”, and have shared the stage with Constantines, Tune-Yards and Austra, playing such venues as Massey Hall and The Phoenix. Having been tagged as pop eclectics, seductive art-rockers and musicians with a delirious swirl, Weaves make bent-out-of-shape pop music that’s catchy and unpredictable. Formed by lead singer Jasmyn Burke and guitarist Morgan Waters, Weaves is a violent collision of soul, punk and pop. The tension between Burke’s affinity for topsy-turvy tunes and Waters’ ear for buoyant pop hooks makes for music that revels in fun, arty, noisy weirdness yet still maintain a level of accessibility. With the addition of a virtuosic rhythm section made up of Spencer Cole and Zach Bines, and you’ve got a band that’s slick yet slimy, backwards yet forward thinking, perhaps on the tip of collapsing.
Dream Wife started out as a fantasy… literally. Icelandic singer Rakel and British musicians Alice and Bella played their first show as part of a performance project at art school in Brighton. Stuck in dreams of 90’s club kid nostalgia they continue on making music, embracing their love for edgy pop. Dream Wife name David Lynch’s women as a big influence; “powerful and seriously fucked up”. They play with the aesthetics of the 1960’s ye-ye girls movement, along with current influences such as Sleigh Bells, Le Tigre and Grimes. Dream Wife ooze with girl power; infecting the crowd with their trademark “poolside pop with a bite.” The music juxtaposes simple pop hooks, beats, cutting riffs and dreamy vocals. As a collaboration with a gang of art school friends the world of Dream Wife is brought to life with vibrant live shows, pastel mania and flying pompoms. Join the gang, let’s dance till dawn.
kimono formed in 2001 as a minimalist instrumental post-rock band in Reykjavík, Iceland, and have gone on to develop their sound into diverse styles such as textured bummer rock, disjointed electronic mix-up, droning improvisation and atmospheric soundscapes.
Young Karin was formed in 2013 after Logi Pedro Stefánsson and Karin Sveinsdóttir met at a high school song contest. Since then the imaginative, sample-infused pop music of the young duo has garnered praise from sites like DIY, UnderRadar and MTV, plus they also released a well received debut EP. The sound of Young Karin is influenced by modern day hip hop and avant-garde pop and has been compared to the finest Scandinavian art-pop.
Vök’s sound mixes wistful electronics and melodic vocals, distant saxophones and reverberating guitars. Think The xx’s hypnotism, The Knife’s sexual tension and Poliça’s playful overdubbing. VÖK kicked off the new year by playing Eurosonic and achieved several major festival bookings and great reviews.
Fannar Ásgrímsson and Jónas Thór Guðmundsson both have released on the imprint before. The debut album was released in April 2012 and recieved good responses from critics and music fans. In 2014 the band released their second full-length album entitled Connection. The album finds the original duo of Ásgrímsson and Guðmundsson expanding into a trio that now encapsulates, their often go-to, French vocalist Oléna Simon. Connection also finds the band writing more from their respective parts of Europe. Their current bases of operation being Estonia, Iceland and France made the creation process a bit more challenging but the trio already has such a ‘connection’ that they can come together to make some of the best electronic-pop of their collective carriers regardless of geographic location or cultural background. In sharp juxtaposition to the artistic connection between the trio the underlying lyrical theme of the album is often about missed opportunities and missed connections. For the album’s single the trio teamed up with TugaMOVIL to create the first official music video for Asonat. Connection is subtle, gratifyingly warm and a perfect slice of vocally biased electronic music.
Ljóta Hálfvitarnir (the ugly idiots) are going to be playing during Airwaves, but not as part of Airwaves! They’ll be hitting Café Rosenberg and will play your heart out.
Born in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, Sóley has been wowing audiences around the globe with her dark, fairytale song craft since 2010. After the “Theater Island” EP (2010) announced her as a solo musician, the fantastical, sepia-toned alt-pop tunes of debut full-length “We Sink” (2011) won her a massive, devoted fanbase: Often praised for her delicate take on composition, her songs’ “dream-like” qualities and “dark surrealism”, a track like “Pretty Face” has gained over 17 million YouTube views since its release. Having studied piano and later composition at the Icelandic Art Academy, Sóley Stefánsdóttir, who was formerly a member of the band Seabear, released a short EP entitled “Krómantík” in 2014, comprised of piano works originally composed for various theater/film productions, and is now about to return with her sophomore album Ask The Deep in early 2015. Still drawn to dark, nocturnal themes, Ask The Deep sees the bespectacled multi-instrumentalist branch out musically, both charting new sonic territory – and fighting the devil inside. Often inspired by poetry, Sóley’s tunes are the musical equivalent to dark fairytales, lucid dreams and childhood nightmares.
Beach House will release Depression Cherry, the band’s fifth album, on 28th August on Bella Union. The album will be released in North America on Sub Pop Records and Mistletone in Australia and New Zealand. Depression Cherry was produced and recorded by the band and Chris Coady at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana. About Beach House: Beach House is Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. We have been a band for over a decade living and working in Baltimore, MD. Depression Cherry is our 5th full-length record. This record follows the release of our self-titled album in 2006, Devotion in 2008, Teen Dream in 2010 and Bloom in 2012. Depression Cherry was recorded at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana from November ’14 through January ’15. This time period crossed the anniversaries of both John Lennon’s and Roy Orbison’s death.
Tonik Ensemble is the musical output of Icelander Anton Kaldal Ágústsson. Exploring the vast expanse of the electronic spectrum the soundscape is a mix of electronics and the more organic live instruments. It is a strong signature sound of contrasts: rich and stripped bare, minimalist but intricate, finely crafted and yet very instinctive. Together with an ever-evolving cast of talented collaborators, the output is a deep, atmospheric yet soulful pseudo-techno.
Anna B Savage is a London singer-songwriter and musician. Her songs are stark, skeletal paintings of moods and reflection, using a palette of mainly voice and guitar. They are candid if not entirely confessional, feeling like a window into an eloquent yet unflinchingly written diary – snapshots of experience suffused with a raw, unresolved nerve. Most prominent is her voice – strong and sonorous, yet with a vulnerability that feels as if it is in the same room with you. Her debut EP, released May 2015, consists of four tracks, titled simply I-IV. Individually evocative, they form a concise yet audacious body of work providing an insight to a unique and uncompromising artist.
The band Valdimar was founded in 2009 when Valdimar Guðmundsson and Ásgeir Aðalsteinsson started writing songs together in Ásgeir’s apartment. Others gradually joined in to render it a 6-member band. When performing live, the band is most often supported by a small brass section. Their music builds up from being soft and intimate to an exciting hair-raising, heart-stirring energy, often with all members on stage playing full blast, making their live performances an unforgettable experience. The sound of their music can be described as an electro indie mix. The band released their debut album Undraland (Wonderland) in 2010 with critical acclaim and commercial success. Four singles that were released from the album reached the Top 10, including their biggest hit “Yfirgefinn”, one of the most played songs of 2011 in Iceland. They followed Undraland by the album Um stund (For a While) released in October 2012, and it acclaimed big success as well, and was nominated as the album of the year at the Icelandic Music Awards. The album contained three big radio hits; “Beðið Eftir Skömminni”, “Sýn” and “Yfir Borgina”. Valdimar released their latest album late October 2014, Batnar útsýnið (The Scenery Gets Better).
The OBGMs (The oOohh Baby Gimme Mores) are a Canadian punk rock quartet based out of Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 2007, by Densil McFarlane (Lead Vocals and Guitar) and Colanthony Humphrey (Percussion), the band fully formed their unique sound with additions Jemuel Roberts (Keyboard, Vocals) and Joseph Brosnan (Bass, Vocals). Featured in Budweiser’s: “Dreams Are Made” commercial, the four are known for their energetic performances that involve syncopated audience movement. The lead single Beat Up Kids off their freshman self titled debut album (Sept 2014) was broadcast on such outlets such as Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs’ REVOLT TV, Ebony Magazine, Vimeo’s Staff Pick, and AUX TV. They have shared the stage with notable artists such as Janelle Monae, Living Colour and Saul Williams. Showcased at music festivals including The AfroPunk Festival, Indie Week (Finalists), North by North East and Budweiser Made In America (2014); this band oozes pure energy and truly starts the party.
From the ever-avant-garde city of Vienna emerges Chili and the Whalekillers, an Icelandic-Austrian five-piece Band, loaded with an array of artfully crafted pop-songs with considerable danceability. Their third album Turn (2013) was received with acclaim from critics and audiences alike, its eponymous single topping at third place in the Icelandic radio charts in early 2014. Musically Chili and the Whalekillers can only be described as diverse: Dreamy-Pop coloured by 60’s psychadelia, Indie, Folk and even Surf Rock. Their genre crossing is as effortless as their changing up of the instruments on stage yet there is a constant feeling of coherence, a shared spirit and substance. Initially drawn in by the captivating melodies of the band, the listener soon finds himself repeatedly discovering new depths in the rich retro-inspired sound and the continental aesthetic of their lyrics. Images of beauty, lemon gardens, French girls and train rides are evoked, but the bands strong political consciousness is never far off. In May 2015 the band released the mini album “a dot in the sky” and went on their first UK -tour. Chili and the Whalekillers played 11 shows in 10 days, including concerts at The Great Escape Festival and Liverpool Sound City. Also BBC radio stations – among others – invited them to live sessions and interviews. Returning home, Chili and the Whalekillers finished the production of their 4th LP which is due to be released in November 2015 – followed by an extensive tour through Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom.
SPOT kynnir með stolti:
Síðan Skein Sól aka SS-SÓL á balli á SPOT laugardagskvöldið 7. nóvember.
Þeir hafa tryllt sveitaballaþyrsta íslendinga um áratuga skeið eða allt frá smellir eins og "Dísa", "Nostagígja" "Verð að fá að skjóta þig" komu út og fleirri hittara sem í dag eru löngu orðnir klassískir, með foringja og jarl íslenskra sveitaballa Helga Björnsson fremstan meðal jafningja uppi á sviði eða uppi í rjáfri.
Eru ekki allir SEXÝ?
Lost treasure needn’t be found in the distant past; the 21st century hides many artists who disappeared into the great wide yonder. BC Camplight is one such example. The alter-ego of American songwriter Brian Christinzio released albums in 2005 and 2007, both gems of a certain psych-pop vintage, combining eloquent songwriting with a self-destructive bent. Christinzio certainly knew it – he’s described himself as, “the guy who blew it.”
