Icelandic Music Maffia

R.I.P. Icelandic Music Maffia > Viva I love Icelandic music again - The Second Coming > ROK around the clock

2011-10-29T01:33:00.016+00:00

http://rokmusik.co

R.I.P.
5 years

I love Icelandic Music

Start on 29. October 2006

Icelandic Music Maffia

R.I.P. on 29. October 2011

Every end has a start!

This is the last post.

Keep on listening to Icelandic music!

Keep on making good (or bad) Icelandic music!

Bad Taste rules anyway.

Keep on writing/blogging about Icelandic music!

Takk fyrir síðast!
Kæru vinir

I'll leave you this for the upcoming winter time:
I love Icelandic music (aka ILIM)
Icelandic Music Maffia (aka IMM)
Icelandic Music Museum (aka IMM 2)
Icelandic Music Mixtape (aka IMM 3)
and
Icelandic Music Mob (aka IMM4)

C U All @
The Second Coming of the I love Icelandic music blog
and follow my
Pönk 2012 Project

aka Rock in Reykjavik 2.0

1982-2012

Other interesting (music) stuff can be found:
Iceland Music Export (IMX) in English
Iceblah in English
Rjominn in Icelandic
Dr. Gunni in Icelandic
I heart Reykjavik in English
Iceland Review New about Iceland in English
Reykjavik Grapevine Magazine in English

Puffin Power 4ever

Review of Iceland Airwaves 2011 Festival by Veerle Van Den Broeck

2011-10-22T08:44:00.005+00:00

I asked my friend Veerle Van Den Broeck aka Little Fairy Tale Princess to write a review of this year's Iceland Airwaves festival.
Airwaves 2011 was superb. A few highlights, as Wim asked me.
Best Concert: Mugison @ Harpa
Coolest shoes: Sóley
Best Off Venue: Kippi Kaninus @ KEX
Best Demons in Disguise: Aela (I just adore that Snow White Costume)
Weirdest object a visitor brought along: Pineapple (during the Beach House concert @ the Art Museum)
Longest queue: NASA before tUnEyArDs (?)
Biggest splash in a swimming pool: Elvar (of Hellvar)
Chasing all the skinkas and hnakkis out of the Art Museum: HAM
Best visuals: Of Monsters and Men
Concert I would have wanted to see: Ólöf Arnalds
Best Discovery: Samaris
Best dress: Björk
Coolest hairdo: Q4U's singer Elly
Biggest killjoy: The weather

Song of the 237. Week is Vicky's "Gold"

2011-10-17T14:34:00.007+00:00

237. Song of the Week is Vicky's song "Gold". Track nr. 10 on their 2nd album "Cast a light" (released 12. October 2011).

Icelandic Songs of the Week of 2007 - 2011

Take off 18. March 2007 - R.I.P. 17. October 2011

More than 200 great Icelandic tracks

(brand new or (instant) classics)

Ensími Slow return
Ampop Sail to the moon
Eberg Plastic lions
Hellvar Electric toy
Mammút Þorkell
Mínus Futurist
Pétur Ben White tiger
Jeff Who? Death before disco
Bogomil Font & Flís Eat your car
Funí Morgunbæn
Bang Gang It’s alright
Ólöf Arnalds Í nýju húsi
Þór Eldon & Dagur Sigurðarson Daudaskammtur
Benni Hemm Hemm Snjór Ljós Snjór
Dyrðin Hunangsdropar
kimono Japanese Policemen
Lada Sport Tango in the valley of death
Holiday in the sun
Holiday in the sun
Steindór Andersen & Sigur Rós Fjöll í Austri Fagurblá
Hafdís Huld Ski jumper
The Way Down Bring me the sun
Jan Mayen We just want to get everybody high
Retro Stefson Medallion
Yukatan House
Emiliana Torrini Gollum’s Song
Hudson Wayne Coffee
Fræbbblarnir Ó Fræbbblar vors lands
HAM Voulez-vous
Brúðarbandid Sid
Worm is Green Love will tear us apart
Mr Silla & Mongoose Ten foot bear
Unun Mexikó
Elíza Empire Fall
Bloodgroup Moving like a tiger
Morðingjarnir Airwaves
Motion Boys Hold me closer to your heart
Ólafur Arnalds Himininn er að hrynja en störnurnar fara Þér vel
Dimma Mama
Jóhann G. Jóhannsson Kjötsúpa
Stafrænn Hákon &Unstatuesque Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Sometime Heart of spades
UMTBS Story of a star
Sprengjuhöllin Worry til spring
Védis A beautiful life
Dr. Gunni Helvitis gráðugu fífl
Purrkur Pillnikk Óvænt
Þeyr Killer boogie
FM Belfast Synthia
Sudden Weather Change Kill goretrout
Þursaflokkurinn Skriftaganger
Borko Spoonstabber
Dísa Temptation
The Sugarcubes Dancing Queen (demo)
Björk Wanderlust (Ratatat Remix)
Kenya This is real
Who Knew Sharpen the knife
Ourlives The audience part 2
Amiina Fjarskanistan
Blindfold Don’t think it’s a sin
Andhéri Stundum veit ég ekki hvar ég er
Dr. Gunni & Vinur hans O kisa min
Reykjavík! Æji plís
Rúnar Eff Disco freaks
Singapore Sling Guiding light
Heiða Loftborg
Vicky The Plan
BOB Under the influence of My Bloody Valentine
Steed Lord featuring Krummi Bucket of blood
Úlpa Dinzl
Gavin Portland This ain’t the Dakota
Tommygun Preachers Battle of the Monkeys
Barði Jóhannsson & Noemi Dream
Pornopop Hangover you
Rúnk Klapparstígur
Sverrir Bergmann Snow
For a Minor Reflection Óhljód
Inside Bilderberg Return of the pigs
Hungry & The Burger Cosmonauts
Plúseinn Shake
Dynamo Fog Rock & Rock
Naflakusk Habacap
Elly Vilhjálms Vegir liggja till alla átta
Æla Óður til hinna guðdómlegur
Slugs Lesbiur
Jet Black Joe Higher and higher
The Viking Giant Show Chemicals
The Pet Cemetery Cold hands
Texas Jésus Salatbar
Sin Fang Bous Catch the light
Múgsefjun Dag eftir dag
Rúnar Júliusson & Hjálmar Blæbrigði lífsins

Bob Justman Most of all
Dr. Spcok Doctor Patient Relationship
Ruddinn I need a vacation
Toggi Silly Old Song
7oi The problems are complicated
Klive Don’t give up the ghost
Sólstafir Köld
Maus Poppaldin
Trabant Superman (Remix by Worm is Green)
Daisy Hill Puppy Farm Young blood
Sindri Eldon Honeydrew
Sing for me Sandra The fight
Cosmic Call Cold hands
Bag of Joys Sveitasnakk
Nögl My world
Captain Fufanu The lake trough Lake Town
Íkarus Krókódílamaðurinn
Sleeping Prophets 1,2,3!
Leaves We are shadows
Cynic Guru Drugs
Vonbrigði Sykill
Foreign Monkeys Molla
Anonymous Tao
Hermigervill Starlight
Prinspólo Átjan & hundrað
Snorri Helgason Freeze-out
Retrön Slow me
GusGus Add this song
Pís of keik Ég og Nonni
Björt Sigfinns Raining
Árstiðir Látum okkur sjá
Stjörnukisi Reykeitrun
Pedro Pilatus Stella
Weapons Up tight
Skelkur í brengu Sindri drepa
Bróðir Svartúlfs Rólan Sveiflast enn
Me, the Slumbering Napoleon She’s a maniac
Hjálmar Það sýnir sig
DJ Musician I put my hand up in the air
Lady & Bird Not going anywhere
Hafdís Huld Robot, Robt
Hellvar Falsetto
Óli Popp You and I
Ljósvaki Indigo Revolution
Pascal Pinon Djölflasnaran
Sykur Bite me
Lára Rúnarsdóttir In between
Hjaltalín Hooked on chili
Cosmic Call Owls
Svavar Knútur Clementine
Stafrænn Hákon Hátiðarskap
Nóra Opin fyrir morði
Reptile Kindness &Love
Berndsen Dark times
Plúseinn Heat
Foreign Monkeys Los
Elíza Newman Hopeless case
Fábula Call it a night
Markús &The Diversion Sessions Now I know
Hildur Guðnadóttir, BJ Nilsen &Stilluppsteypa The Temple of the Holy Tooth
FM Belfast Par Avion (RMX Retro Stefson)
Benni Hemm Hemm Retaliate
Seabear Softship
Sindri Eldon The Ugly Truth
Who Knew Perfect parenting
Thor Kristinsson Our love
Ruddinn feat. Heiða Cover the distance
Biogen Element
Hank &Tank Precious one
Eberg & Pétur Ben Come On, Come Over
Futuregrapher Acid Hverfisgata
Kakali The Cave
Two Step Horror King Bee
S.H. Draumur Helmút á mótorhjóli
Siggi Ármann Every second
Steini Beat Love Down
Miri Ég á heimi á Íslandi
Pollopönk Kjólakallinn
Of Monsters & Men Love Love Love
Bellatrix Dare Devil
Toggi Take me dancing
Reptilicus Okkar heili er innsiglaður
Prinspólo Underwear (FM Belfast cover)
Berglind Ágústsdóttir (feat. Hellvar) Kúrekastelpan
Moses Hightower Vandratað
Biggibix Situation
Swords of Chaos Skeletons having sex on a tin roof
Amiina Over and Again
Hairdoctor Dagur Eitt
Svartidauði The Temple of Deformation
For a Minor Reflection Flóð
Króna Maðurinn sem vildi verða Guð
Suicide Coffee Party People
Lifun Ein stök ást
Holiday in Norway
Vicky Portrait
Skorpulifur Eldur og Ís
Singapore Sling One more trip
Peter and Wolf Lagið um Guð
Hostile Ad infinitum
Nolo Pretty face
Just another snake cult Spell of Platonic reversal
Dyrðin Snjófólk
Kúra Einstein
Morning After Youth Lived
Skálmöld Kvaðning
Ljótu hálfvitarnir Bjór, meiri bjór
Valdimar Undraland
Mugison Haglél
Biogen On with the show
California Cheeseburger On the beach
Prince Valium Crying hearts
Sóley Theater Island
Apparat Organ Quartet Söngur geimunglingsins
Lockerbie Snjóljón
Caterpillarmen Revenge
Inside Bilderberg Superposition
Sudden Weather Change A smoke trail in the sky
Orphic Oxtra Hey
Jón Þór Ólafsson Tímavell
Plastic Gods Zero Tolerance
Two Tickets To Japan Stellar patterns
Johnny and The Rest Sunday blues
Kira Kira Gremlin holiday
Vigri Drag down the dark
Spacevestite The skies will leave the light on
FM Belfast In line
1860 Snæfellsnes
GusGus Deep inside
Manslaughter Eistnafluglagið
Rúnk Rúnk
Ofvitarnir Time the elevator
Saytan Empire
Hellvar I should be cool
Samaris Góða tungl
Ruddinn Supersonic situation
Krummi Broken clock
RÓ The battle of brothers
HAM Ingimar
Ikea Satan Babaramas
Two Step Horror Wray
Skurken Lager fyrir Futuregrapher
KJARR Harvest (go to sleep)
Dathi Bitter sweet tears
Vicky Gold

Best Icelandic Albums of 2011, so far...

2011-10-16T07:54:00.011+00:00

Icelandic music I like - My personal favorites of this year are:

1. Hellvar "Stop that noise" (Kimi Records)

2. HAM "Svik, Harmur og Dauði" (Smekkleysa)

3. Reykjavik! "Locust Sounds" (Kimi Records)
Cats - Reykjavík! by Reykjavík!
4. Vicky "Cast a light"

5. Ruddinn "Need a vacation"

Good 2: Mugison's "Haglél" (his first one in Icelandic), FM Belfast's "Don't want to sleep", Björk's "Biophilia" (if you can call it an album with all the Apps).
Most disappointing album by Sykur. Just to mention one. Sorry guys.
Still prefer Sykurmolarnir.

"dEUS" does not exist, but if he does...

Hellvar 2.0

Goodmorning Reykjavik! - Here are The Murderers to Wake You Up!

2011-10-16T07:39:00.003+00:00

Going Underground
Morðingjarnir/The Murderers
"Sunnudagsmorgun í Reykjavik" (Sunday Morning in R'vik!)

What to do on a lazy morning/afternoon with a hangover (or not, whatever) in downtown R'vik on the last Hellv/ar/itis day of the Airwaves?

Feed the ducks @ Tjörnin lake near the City Hall. Buy yourself a hot dog with everything @ the best place in town, near the flea market/old harbour of Reykjavik. The bad boys Metallica & Bill Clinton were there long before you ;-)
Go to the Flea Market Kolarportið. Taste the rotten shark, sheep head, Icelandic candy; or just a tasty icecream will do for most of you. You can find some good (and bad) 2nd hand Icelandic music there 2. Have a kebab, pizza, sandwich on the way back. You're 100% ready for the final night & morning of Airwaves 2011 after a cup of coffee or thee.
Don't forget to drink plenty of Icelandic water, tap or other H20. The pure Air is for free.
Buy an apple in the supermarket you can eat it while waiting outside if you're unlucky. Just eat when you get in line. Make friends with people in the row before & behind you.
Free you're mind & the rest will follow.
Go & see the band Hellvar (with Haukur of Morðingjarnir on bass) @ Munnharpan @ Harpa (the huge glasscube by the harbour, you already know, you can't miss it) @ 17:00 sharp. And say "Hi". Or go to Hellvar Online.
Or here for the new version:

Hellvar 2.0

Personal Advice provided for free by Your Doctor ;-)

MÓGIL Off-Venue @ 12Tónar Record Store @ Iceland Airwaves 2011

2011-10-15T22:35:00.005+00:00

MÓGIL Off-Venue @ Iceland Airwaves 2011@ 12Tónar, Reykjavík on 14. October 2011
The only Belgian-Icelandic band there is, as far as I know, unless you call Reykjavík! also a Belgian-Icelandic band ...

Although I think GuildfordGhost should buy a better camera next year.

Synthia in Icelandic music

2011-10-15T21:12:00.005+00:00

Synthia in Icelandic music
Worm is Green
"Synthia", on the album "Push Play" (Mikrofona, 2007)

FM Belfast
"I can feel love/Synthia" @ Botanique venue, Brussels, Belgium (February 2010)
2 songs featured on their debut album "How to make friends" (World Champion Records, 2010)
Performed for a full house: an audience of Belgian Iceland(ic music) lovers & Icelanders living/working in Belgium (& even around Belgium)

Samaris "Góða tungl" Live Off-Venue @ Iceland Airwaves 2011

2011-10-15T18:07:00.003+00:00

Another good Video by I heart Reykjavik
Samaris
"Góða tungl"

For Iceland Bob

Strangest Iceland Airwaves 2011 Video So Far

2011-10-15T18:04:00.001+00:00

Sightseeing ... & Icelandic music

iceland airwaves - upstairs version from 3llipsis

HAM @ Reykjavik Art Museum @ Airwaves 2011

2011-10-15T17:11:00.007+00:00

HAM
"Ingimar", the single of the new album "Svik, harmur, dauði" (Smekkleysa, 2011) live @ Listasafn (Reykjavik Art Musuem) @ Airwaves 2011

An old Video by me
HAM @ NASA @ Airwaves 2010

Nurses in Icelandic music

2011-10-15T14:42:00.005+00:00

Nurses in Icelandic music
This morning I was listening to the song "Nurse, please" on the new Reykjavik! record "Locust Sounds" (Kimi Records, 2011).

Reminds me of this:
"Add this song" by GusGus, filmed @ hospital

But the one & only Sugarcubes made "Happy Nurse". A track on their 3rd album "Stick around for joy" (Smekkleysa, One Little Indian/Play It Again Sam, 1992)

The kinky punk band Æla likes to perform in nurses uniforms on stage (here Live @ Organ venue)

Thursday Airwaves Highlights according to Icelandic Glacial Water

2011-10-15T09:30:00.010+00:00

Thursday Airwaves Highlights

ICELAND AIRWAVES : Thursday Highlights
Or do you prefer this water?

"Water" by The Sugarcubes
From the album "Here today, tomorrow next week!" / "Illur arfur!" (Smekkleysa/Rough Trade & One Little Indian, 1989)

Wait for me underneath the water

Wait for me I have to go now

Into the big city

She pulls me firmly towards her

Wait for me underneath the water

Wait for me here

You'll be fine underneath the water

I'll be back early next summer

We met again at the lake

After all these years,

You said "want a drink?"

I love you

And you know I will be back

Hold your breath

And nestle into the ice

Wait for me underneath the water

Wait for me and count to ten

You'll look up and I will be there

Wait for me

The lake was frozen,

You took me for a walk over the ice,

I cracked

The ice cracked

I fell into the lake

I watched you through the eyes

Love into you

Wait for me underneath the water

Wait for me and singalong

"She's coming, coming, coming"

Wait for me

I watched you through the ice

I expected you to crawl for help

I smiled, you just stood there

I tried to kiss you through the ice,

You just walked away

Or "Tidal Wave" by The Sugarcubes

If you like the singing (?) of Einar Örn Benediktsson aka EÖB, go & see him @ Faktory Main Stage tonight downtown 101.
Please, Don't forget to say Goodmorning!

Ghostigital @ Faktory @ Iceland Airwaves 2011 on Saturday 15. October 2011 @ 21:00

2011-10-15T09:22:00.012+00:00

Don't miss Ghostigital @ this year's Airwaves

Ghostigital = duo Einar Örn Benediktsson & Curver Thoroddsen

Ghostigital @ Faktory Main Stage @ 21:00

And stay for the next duo Captain Fufanu with Einar's son Kaktus @ 22:00
Ghostigital's Website

Photograph by Sveinn Steinar

Ghostigital @ NASA @ Airwaves 2007

Ghostigital @ Tunglid @ Airwaves 2008

Ghostigital @ Edgy Evening of Bad Taste @ Bozar Museum, Brussels, Belgium (2008)

Notice without Curver on stage, but with the kind help of Ben Frost & Gisli

Ghostigital (& Finnbogi Pétursson) Off-Venue @ Airwaves 2009

A Quiet Afternoon @ i-8 Gallery

Ghostigital final song @ Tjarnarbio Cinema @ Airwaves 2010

Notice the party on Stage

Nine Elevens Live @ Grand Rokk Video

2011-10-15T09:01:00.000+00:00

Nine Elevens (feat. Valdimar of Reykjavik! & Lazyblood fame) Live @ Grand Rokk venue downtown Reykjavik a while ago

Icelandic viking power from Hali Slick

The Boys Are Back In Town - Review of "Locust Sounds" by Reykjavík! (Kimi Records, 2011)

2011-10-15T08:23:00.002+00:00

The Boys Are Back In Town

Let’s do something special in my final week, reviewing an Icelandic album.
And what an album. “Locust Sounds” by rockers Reykjavík!, don’t forget the exclamation mark to avoid confusion with Iceland’s capital city. Without any doubt the best album artwork I saw this year. While lying in my bath @ home, I was having my private listening party in a small Belgian hot tub. Finally Reykjavík! made their grown-up, mature record. Although the 2 previous kids, “Glacial Landscapes, Religion, Oppression & Alcohol”(2006) and “The BLOOD” (2009), were not ugly @ all. Say the rise of Reykjavik! 2.0. Or Ride is having a cozy but loud barbecue with I Adapt & Gavin Portland in the backyard, while some family & friends (Mugison e.g.) are providing the extra meat & beer. Great vocals, noisy guitars, banging drums: this is Rokk i Reykjavík - The Revenge. Certain one of the best records made in Iceland this year. Need I say more? Yes, I love the track titles. My favorite track is “Nurse, please”, of course ;-).

The album is released today on the local Kimi Records label.
See Reykjavík! @ Reykjavík, or somewhere close to you soon!?

Label: Kimi Records

AMFJ "BÆN" released on 10. October 2011

2011-10-14T22:52:00.004+00:00

AMFJ
"BÆN"

Listening Party of Reykjavík's Third Album "Locust Sounds" @ Kex Gym & Tonik Room on Saturday 15. October 2011

2011-10-14T22:33:00.008+00:00

Go & listen to the new Reykjavík! Album. And buy "Locust Sounds".

They are playing @ the moment (as we speak) Off-Venue @ Bakkus venue (opposite Amsterdam venue). You can buy it there already if you're @ Airwaves.
Reykjavik @ Gogoyoko
"Hellbound Heart", a track of their 3rd Album
Hellbound Heart by Reykjavík!
What's more
R!'s "Cats" was the best Icelandic song of 2010 in my humble opinion.
Cats - Reykjavík! by Reykjavík!
Reykjavík! performed "Cats" last year for KEXP

Music Alliance Pact (MAP) # 37 (October 2011)

2011-10-14T22:18:00.005+00:00

3 years

MAP

2008-2011
World Domination or Death Vol. 2

37 great Icelandic tracks

It's time for the 37th I love Icelandic music/Icelandic Music Maffia contribution to an international initiative, the Music Alliance Pact, aka MAP. I take part in this Blog Alliance since the start in October 2008 3 years ago. On a monthly basis music bloggers from around the globe select a track from their country which is then posted collectively and simultaneously on those blogs - giving each nation's track international exposure.
A trip around the world in 34 songs with a take off in Iceland:
This month I contributed the song "Cover the distance" by Ruddinn featuring Heiða Eiríks (Ragnheiður Eiríksdóttir).

Click the play button icon to listen to individual songs, right-click on the song title to download an mp3, or grab a .zip file of the whole 34-track compilation via MediaFire.

ARGENTINA: Zonaindie
Flopa/Minimal - Atolondrón
A couple of months ago, the indie supergroup formed by Flopa Lestani, Mariano "Manza" Esaín and Ariel Minimal reunited for several sold-out concerts in Buenos Aires. The experience was so positive that Flopa and Minimal decided to step into the studio to record some songs, and the result is an EP called Reducción de Daños. Atolondrón was written by Flopa and is our favorite track from it, but you can download the whole EP for free from their website.

AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They?
Option Command - Break Even
Option Command (who has previously released gorgeous music under the name Broken Chip) hails from the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney. Where his former project often focused on texture and mood, Option Command is a more beat-oriented project. Break Even sounds like playing Atari in a canyon, and is a good blend of the two musical personas. Both are worth checking out.

BRAZIL: Meio Desligado
Lirinha - Adebayor
Jose de Paes Lira, best known as Lirinha, is the former vocalist of Brazilian group Cordel do Fogo Encantado, who have produced some of the most consistent works in terms of updating regional sounds from Brazil's northeast. In Lirinha's first solo album, the results are somewhere between alternative rock and a new take on mangue beat. His excellent CD is available for free download at his website.

CANADA: I(Heart)Music
Sound Of Lions - Enders
Yes, Sound Of Lions borrow somewhat liberally from 90s trip-hop generally, and Portishead in particular. However, as Enders - and the rest of their debut, 11:44 - demonstrates, they're so good at making the old genre sound fresh and new, it's easy to overlook a little thievery when the end results are so incredibly listenable.

CHILE: Super 45
Nuevacosta - Todo Fácil
Four-piece outfit Nuevacosta released their debut offering, Costa Brava EP (available for free at their website) this year under the Casa Joven and Espacio Cellar labels. Through these six songs, the band explores new wave sounds and early 90s Chilean pop, creating dark, lo-fi, atmospheric soundscapes.

CHINA: Wooozy
Eat Alien's Brain - Sick Body Dance
Eat Alien's Brain are an electro duo from Chengdu, who formed in August 2010. Loco and Umar, both in their early 20s, use music to express their attitude towards freedom. Their sound is hard to define - electro/dance with a bit of Nintendocore/chiptune/crunk. They were highly recommended by the NME, who described them as "Crystal Castle bound up with Burial and Sepultura".

DENMARK: All Scandinavian
Laura Drescher - I Do I Will
I can't really tell you much about Laura Drescher other than she was born in Spain, raised in Denmark, and that she released both an EP (Polyest) and an album (Hallucinations Of A Good Life) last year. Oh, and she's not sore on the eyes either. It's gloomy and groovy electronica - here represented by I Do I Will from Hallucinations Of A Good Life - and if you like what you hear, head for SoundCloud where you can download both album and EP for free.

ENGLAND: The Guardian Music Blog
Daley - Smoking Gun
A new blue-eyed soul boy from Manchester, Gareth "Daley" Daley looks set to be the first genuinely interesting British artist to operate in that area since David McAlmont or Lewis Taylor. He was a nominee on this year's BBC Sound of 2011 poll, has already tasted chart success, having sung on Long Way Home from Wretch 32's top-5 debut album as well as on the Gorillaz track Doncamatic, which he co-wrote with Damon Albarn. Now he's signed to A&M and working on his own debut album, due out in 2012, with Suede guitarist and Duffy producer Bernard Butler as well as Dre of Dre & Vidal (Alicia Keys, Usher) and Shea Taylor (Ne-Yo, Beyoncé).

FINLAND: Glue
Koria Kitten Riot - An Anthem From The 80's
Koria Kitten Riot is the project of singer-songwriter Antti Reikko and it brings well-crafted pop songs, full of detail and ambitious instrumentation. It puts together the intimacy of the songwriter and grandiose arrangements in a manner that reminds us of Bright Eyes. An Anthem From The 80's is a melancholic song about long-gone happy times and is taken from Koria Kitten Riot's second album, The Lows & The Highs, out this month.

GERMANY: Blogpartei
BOY - This Is The Beginning
BOY are a little hyped in Germany right now. Valeska and Sonja just released their debut Mutual Friends via Groenland Records, which features warm and cosy folk-pop songs. They are written and sung so well that you instantly forget summer was awful this year and start enjoying the Indian summer.

GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda
The You And What Army Faction - I Used A Blade To Carve Me A New Smile
The You And What Army Faction set their distortion pedals on stun and amplify each strummed string to produce a crushing, absorbing and raw wall-of-sound repetition where chaos and beauty ravish each other within the same song. Their artful contrasts and angular arrangements are imbued with instrumental dexterity and coherent ideas and balanced between formlessness and structure, melody and cacophony. Here's a vibrating preview from their upcoming sophomore album.

ICELAND: Icelandic Music Maffia
Ruddinn - Cover The Distance
Ruddinn is one guy, Bertel Ólafsson from Hafnarfjörður, who has released three albums to date. Ruddinn works primarily alone but receives a helping hand occasionally. He mixes electro pop with indie guitar and a dash of 80s shoegaze. Cover The Distance, a track from his third album I Need A Vacation, features Heiða Eiríksdóttir of the band Hellvar on vocals.

INDONESIA: Deathrockstar
BRNDLS - Start Bleeding
BRNDLS have helped shape today's Indonesian garage rock scene with their harsh sound, raw attitude and foul-mouthed frontman. Also known as The Brandals, they have just brought out their latest album that stole the XTRMNTR concept and delivered their most well-produced release to date.

IRELAND: Nialler9
Tieranniesaur - In The Sargasso
Strutting disco-infused funky indie tunes that recall the experimental new wave pop visions of ESG and Tom Tom Club don't come by every day. So Tieranniesaur standout. This Irish six-piece revel in fun, old-school danceable thrills and their self-titled debut album is one of the best releases Ireland has to offer this year.

ITALY: Polaroid
A Classic Education - Forever Boy
Produced by Jarvis Taveniere of Woods, Call It Blazing is undoubtedly the most eagerly-awaited indie rock album in Italy this year, but not only in Italy. A Classic Education have released two EPs and a single, traveled the US, Canada and UK, played SXSW and CMJ, and are touring Europe with British Sea Power right now. They are definitely one of the best things to have happened to the music in my country in the past decade. Their sound is magnificent, warm, ambitious and timeless.

JAPAN: Make Believe Melodies
Canopies And Drapes - Sleeping Under The Bed
Sleeping Under The Bed twinkles from the get-go, Tokyo solo artist Canopies And Drapes setting up a glowing dream of a song about hearts melting like ice cream and perfect lovers. Yet this, the highlight off her debut EP, conceals some darkness around the corners. The minimalist structure allows for some chilly synths to stand out, and then she steps back from all the gooey love talk for a frank final line: “Where should I go? I got lost.” It sounds gorgeous from the start, but grows more complicated with time.

MALTA: Stagedive Malta
Beangrowers - The Priest
Beangrowers are a rare and delicate breed of band - managing to be intelligent without being ponderous, fun without being silly, outrageously poppy without being cheesy, and rocking without being clichéd or predictable. This female-fronted three-piece are Malta's biggest music exports, with a following on both sides of the Atlantic. This track is from their album Dance Dance Baby, which has just been re-released digitally.

MEXICO: Red Bull Panamérika
Robota - Troqueladora
Dystopian scenarios are inherent to industrial music, with narratives and textures well explored by artists on the Mute roster - from Throbbing Gristle and The Normal, to Suicide and Add (N) to X. Mexico City trio Robota particularly share Add (N) to X's aesthetic based on a vintage electronic junk sado-fetishism. Troqueladora is taken from their "vibrant" second album, Vulgar Display Of Power. No, there's no relation with Pantera other than pure cyber-punk irony.

NETHERLANDS: Unfold Amsterdam
Chris Kok - Sounds Of Sirens
Since studying 'pop' at the Amsterdam Conservatory, Chris Kok has spent the past couple of years working on songcraft and stepping out to play live at every opportunity – be it contests, open mic nights, festivals or art openings – all while freely distributing his music online. The graft seems to be paying off, and now working with a full band, even his most intimate acoustic troubadour pieces are taking epic turns. Sounds Of Sirens is the kind of atmospheric pop Snow Patrol should be making, and that's merely one template from his sonic arsenal. Look out for a full album from Kok and his band Civil Union later this year, plus listen to his new self-titled acoustic EP (including a version of Sounds Of Sirens) on Bandcamp.

NEW ZEALAND: Einstein Music Journal
St. Rupertsberg - In Albania
Wellington octet St Rupertsberg began in 2009 when Kate Whelen assembled a group of female musicians to start a rather unique band. Now, after gaining rave reviews from critics and audience members at this year's Campus A Low Hum festival, word of the group's musical prowess has spread. Performing together like a multi-talented musical circus, the band members take turns playing various instruments, including trumpets, clarinets, trombones, synthesisers and percussion. But the main highlight is an all-inclusive vocal chorus. Their debut EP is available now from Bandcamp.

NORWAY: Birds Sometimes Dance
Autonomia - Steiner Å Stå På
Autonomia are a great and hidden gem from the large underground of Norwegian music, with members from veteran bands such as Freeshine, Dunderhonning and Far From Tellus. Singing in Norwegian, their music is eclectic and it can shift from sweet and rough indie-pop with Hüsker Dü guitars to long, slow and heavy post-rock/post-hardcore anthems reminiscent of bands like Envy and Neurosis.

PERU: SoTB
Royalvalet - Escorpio y Rimel
Royalvalet is a project formed by musicians who had their beginnings in other bands. When it comes to composing a song, each member gives his contribution with full freedom, there are no creative limitations. Led by Salim Vera, Royalvalet began in March 2010 and have released three highly creative rock singles to date.

PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco?
The Klinton Kings - Rulin'
The Klinton Kings is the project of Lewis M, a recent graduate of Oporto College of Arts and Music. He has just a few songs available online. However, his most promising single, Rulin', which was recently available on a CD of new Portuguese acts, transmits a maturity and creativity rarely heard in most first singles. A debut album is expected in 2012.

ROMANIA: Babylon Noise
Moonlight Breakfast - Still
Self-characterized as a retro electro band, Moonlight Breakfast is one of the freshest presences on the Romanian alternative music stage. In only a couple of months after getting together for this project, they reached the top position in Romania's alternative radio charts.

RUSSIA: Big Echo
InWhite - Sea
One of the cutest Russian indie-pop bands, InWhite is looking forward to their upcoming album. Sea is a beautiful piano-driven song that can carry you away from a seaside to the storm.

SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop
Panda Su - I Begin
The title track of Panda Su's second EP illustrates her appeal: dark, intelligent pop with all sense of vulnerability left intact. Apart from her occasional on-stage face paint, the Panda Su package is never black and white. Her music often draws on experimental sounds, but never at the expense of melody. Her lyrics, both fragile and cryptic, demand attention – I Begin finds Su repeating the poignant lines, "I should try to remember/I should try to forget". It's apt that Su Shaw named the outlet for her music after an endangered creature - songs of this quality really are rather rare.

SINGAPORE: I'm Waking Up To...
Etc - Big Girl's Blouse
Etc is truly one of Singapore's best-kept secrets. There are no fancy fashions or trends associated with the duo of Ben Harrison and Harvey Chamberlain, just well-written guitar-rock to a steady beat. Harrison's jangle-raggedy guitar work is exciting and tasteful enough to balance perfectly atop Chamberlain's near-primal approach to the beat, yet also easy enough for that slacker sway. They have an album in the works, but we'll make do with their generous online singles in the meantime.

SOUTH AFRICA: Musical Mover & Shaker!
140 - Say It Better
Meet your new favourite power-pop, tongue-in-cheek, somewhat satirical band. Meet 140. They recently released their debut single Say It Better, a synth-drenched pop song. But not to be stereotyped or confined, the band's next single could range from indie-rock to anything they feel their listeners would like. With a unique, zany and out-there approach, 140 is band whose mantra is to do things differently. In fact, it's experimentation that will keep everyone engaged and interested in this provoking new set of creatives.

SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
Mighty Coala - Seoul
Indie-pop band Mighty Coala has been around for many years, but it wasn't until this month that their first album For Bright And Healthy Mornings, mixed by Yeol Park of August MAP band Pigibit5, was released. With a preference for short songs that are both fun to play and listen to, Mighty Coala offer a rich sound with plenty of curiosities. Seoul is an uplifting tune dedicated to the city where they live and the city they love.

SPAIN: Musikorner
Las Tocayas - Hombres
Las Tocayas, despite their name, are not an all-girl band; they're actually two girls and a boy who met through an internet forum dedicated to Spanish indie band Los Planetas. If we said that their influences include The Flaming Lips, Surfin' Bichos, Nacho Vegas and The National, you wouldn't believe us, but, yes, we mean it. Their music can be described as hedonistic and their lyrics are rather irreverent and joyful. Maybe, as they confess, they're more inspired by everyday life, television, their gossiping neighbours and Jon Secada. Hombres is a hilarious ode to men and what we can and cannot expect from them.

SWEDEN: Swedesplease
Poor Lifestyle - These Times
Hardcore and punk should be immediate and Poor Lifestyle certainly is. You may argue that this song is breaking no new ground and I'd say you're right - that's the beauty of it. This song will be coming out in Sweden on a split 7" with friends The Wallrides sometime soon.

SWITZERLAND: 78s
Evelinn Trouble - I'm On Fire
Evelinn Trouble has, in her still very young career, gone through some major changes. The Zurich resident started off as an 18-year-old releasing a very intimate singer-songwriter record, alone in her bedroom. She was soon discovered and heartened by the Swiss indie scene and last month brought out her sophomore record Television Religion, which presents her as a 'femme fatale'. It's great pleasure seeing her grow.

UNITED STATES: I Guess I'm Floating
Young Man - Enough
The compositions of Colin Caulfield, playing under the moniker Young Man, have come full circle on his latest LP titled Ideas Of Distance. An achingly beautiful album with more layers than an Arctic explorer, Enough is a track that boils up slowly like water left on the stove. Except each rising bubble is a different sonic explosion and instead of bursting on the surface in watery, translucent explosion, you can see the melodic colors dispersing in swirls of steam.

VENEZUELA: Música y Más
Limpiacabezales - MéridaLimpiacabezales was formed in 1998 by Claudio Sanchez, Orlando Toro and Carlos Eljuri. After a few shows in several cities across Venezuela, they released their first EP this year, which features five songs that serve as a teaser for their album, expected to come out later this year.

The President is Inspired by Iceland - Others were Inspired by the President

2011-10-14T21:31:00.011+00:00

Inspired by Iceland President's Address from Inspired By Iceland

All The President's Men...

Reminds me of this:
The third cause for controversy was Þeyr's decision to perform in full Nazi regalia. Contrary to most of the other bands in the doc, Þeyr weren’t filmed during a concert. Instead, an ‘acted’ ‘music video’ was used to present the band. It shows the members goose step in Nazi gear towards the Icelandic president's house at Bessastaðir in-between shots of them rocking out in their rehearsal space (which was conveniently located at Álftanes, right next to Bessastaðir). Their Nazi get-up spurred the heated debate "Are Þeyr Nazis on top of being snobs?" The band of course denied all Nazi accusations. They did it ambivalently though, using the old "it was a joke" explanation.
Source: The notorious Dr. Gunni about Rokk í Reykjavík in Grapevine

Dr Gunni made a song "Svo 2007" with the President on the cover.

In 2004 the band Trabant performed @ the President's home.

Rock @ Bessastaðir

Trabant
"The One" Official Video

But not everybody likes the President. Some artist made an album cover showing half Grimsson/half Adolf Hitler.

The previous president of Iceland Vigdis was a great Sugarcubes fan, like a French minister...
Those were the days!

Rolling Stone review of Björk's Biophilia Show @ Harpa, Reykjavik @ Iceland Airwaves 2011

2011-10-14T20:56:00.011+00:00

Read what David Fricke of Rolling Stone has to say about Björk's Biophilia show. Fricke is the man who called Airwaves "the hippest long weekend on the annual music festival calendar”.
I thought it would be nice to use on old Björk photo.

Icelandic musical families...
The one on the left is performing @ Airwaves, but also reviewing Airwaves for Grapevine Magazine/Grapevine's Airwaves the other is performing @ Harpa Hall this week & next week.

Photograph in DV (November 1996)

But of course Iceland is full of musical families. That's why they have a big festival in a small country.

If you want to see more old Björk photographs/articles, visit my Icelandic Music Museum

Jóhann Jóhannsson Live @ Fríkirkja @ Airwaves 2011

2011-10-14T17:30:00.002+00:00

Jóhann Jóhannsson Live @ Fríkirkja (Free Church) near the pond Tjörnin, downtown 101 R'vik@ Airwaves 2011

Jóhann Jóhannsson's Website

Pascal Pinon "Walls" Airwaves 2011 Video

2011-10-14T17:07:00.008+00:00

Pascal Pinon
"Walls" Video @ Airwaves 2011

Label: Morr Music
Buy their music @ Gogoyoko

Btw here's my most popular YouTube Video:
Pascal Pinon Off-Venue @ Nordic House, Reykjavik (October 2009)
One of the best bands I heard @ Airwaves 2009
"Djöflasnaran"

Interview with Prinspóló @ Iceblah Blog

2011-10-14T15:51:00.009+00:00

A nice interview with supergroup Prinspóló on the Iceblah blog of fellow blogger Mark. One of the best bands I heard @ Iceland Airwaves 2010. Takk/Thx Mark.
Buy the music @ Gogoyoko
"Niðra Strönd" of the "Jukk" album

Prinspóló (the band) performs 'Prinspóló" (the song)(Video by Loji)

"Hakk og Spaghetti" Live @ Havari Store (A Video by Iceland Bob)

PBP Punk: And we don't care

2011-10-14T15:36:00.005+00:00

Nice article by Birkir Fjalar Viðarsson (of I Adapt fame) about PBP Punk on Airwaves Grapevine site
Have a look @ Paradisarborgarplötur's Site
You'll find free music, or buy it if you have money ;-)
ÞÓRIR, Off-Venue @ Iceland Airwaves 2011 @ 12Tónar Record Store, Reykjavík on 13. October 2011 (Video by GuildfordGhost)

Ofvitarnir Live

Rafwaves '11 Off-Venue @ Iceland Airwaves 2011

2011-10-14T12:03:00.001+00:00

Saturday 15. October 2011

Off-Venue - Free Admission

Iceland Airwaves 2011

21:00-04:00

@ Lækjartorg Square

downtown 101 Reykjavik