I ♥ Icelandic Music

Song of the 137. Week: Pascal Pinon's Djöflasnaran (Devil's Snare)

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:01:00 +0000

The 137. Song of the Week is by the youngest band performing at Iceland Airwaves '09 Festival Pascal Pinon: "Djöflasnaran" (Devil's snare)
www.youtube.com/v/MYrrGvHOSaU&hl&fmt=18

Pascal Pinon @ MySpace

"Winter Sleep" Video by Valgeir Sigurðsson feat. Dawn McCarthy

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:42:00 +0000

"Winter Sleep" by Valgeir Sigurðsson feat. Dawn McCarthy.
A song of the Album "Ekvílibríum". A Video by Pierre-Alain Giraud.
www.youtube.com/v/snHvrotMNtg&hl&fmt=18

Valgeir's Website
Bedroom Community Website

Ensími @ Oktoberfest '09, Reykjavík on Thursday 8. October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Icelandic band Ensími ("Enzyme") was the headliner of the Oktoberfest '09 on Thursday Night 8. October 2009.
They played in an unheated tent on the University of Reykjavík ground, nearby my Hotel Saga, during a small storm the song "Arpeggiator" of their Debut Album "Kafbátamúsík". I know that it's not my best video but it's the only live video of the band on YouTube right now. The sound is crappy, the temperature was below zero, I was awake for more than 20 hours, but the audience was going mad and was singing along.
At 1:15 the police came to make an end to the gig: too early in the middle of a song (last song was only 1:00 long).
Hope they gone release their 4. Album one day. When they are not playing with Dr. Spock, Bang Gang, Bubbi's Ego, other bands...
www.youtube.com/v/HJcJ_gdTlzM&hl&fmt=18

The Song with good sound quality
Ensími @ MySpace

Hudson Wayne @ 12Tónar Shop @ Iceland Airwaves '09, 16. October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:22:00 +0000

Here's another Hudson Wayne live @ 12Tónar Shop/Record Label.
This time on my Vimeo account. As far as I know, I posted the most Airwaves '09 Videos on YouTube. Maybe not the best quality, if you have to believe French B&W criticaster Loranger. More than 400 press people were hanging around downtown 101, but most of them not so active as me (in shooting, listening, watching & running around even with a sprained ankle!).
Hudson Wayne @ 12Tónar Record Store/label, Reykjavik @ Iceland Airwaves '09, October 2009 from wimvanhooste on Vimeo.
http://vimeo.com/7501076
Hudson Wayne's Website

For Leo Verbeke, who's desperately seeking "Slightly Out Of Hank"
(mineur aggressif, 2002 / Recorded by Alex MacNeil of Kimono fame. Mixed by Hudson Wayne. Not mastered at all. 5.25" floppy disk packaging)

"Bankanum þínum er sama um þig" - DYS Song

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:06:00 +0000

While looking at the VPRO "Tegenlicht" The Iceland Experience Documentary, I was thinking about the following line:

Bankanum þínum er sama um þig
Andspyrna

A song on the DYS Album "Andspyrna", that I bought a few weeks ago at Havari Shop to let it sign later by Elvar & Heiða. New Album includes a remastered version of the album "Ísland brennur" (Iceland burns).

More "PBPPunk Blogspot or PBPPunk @ MySpace

Dr. Gunni as a "Kreppa" Guide for Dutch Documentary of "Tegenlicht": De IJsland-ervaring

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:48:00 +0000

The Iceland-Experience (De IJsland-ervaring)
Tonight 8. November @ 20:10, the Belgians (Flemish part) can watch a well-made documentary about the financial crisis in Iceland. CANVAS Program "Panorama" (VRT State TV) is broadcasting Episode # 5 (2009) of the Dutch VPRO TV Program "Tegenlicht". It was earlier broadcasted on the Dutch TV on 19. October 2009.
Musician Dr. Gunni drove the journalists around town in his jeep.
Here's a teaser:

If you can't get the Belgian TV (you're lucky ;-)), or if you don't like them because almost every time Belgian journalists made sloppy items about the island (being married to an Icelandic wife, doesn't make you an Iceland expert btw), you can watch the whole program already here on VPRO's website.
Don't be afraid, the Icelanders speak English, and there are subtitles in Dutch.
Dr. Gunni talks about Black Range Rovers in flames, Björgólfur Guðmundsson (the first Icelander in Forbes List aka the Icelandic Scrooge McDuck), the year Zero (6. October 2008).

Guð blessi Ísland

God bless Iceland

The fantastic VRPO brought me the love for Iceland and Icelandic music more than 20 years ago, by playing Icelandic music, visiting The Sugarcubes & the town of Reykjavik in the late 80s.
Very odd, last year Dr. Gunni interviewed me for Fréttablaðið. This year he was interviewed by the Dutch television. Among the crew was the Belgian lady Maren Merckx, she lived in the same small town as me, Kemzeke (Stekene), but she moved to Amsterdam. Maren is the daughter of a colleague of my father.
Well done Maren & the rest of the crew.
"Ice Ice Iceland"
www.youtube.com/v/LX6IqbuiyyA&hl&fmt=18

Rímur with Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson & Steindór Andersen

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:38:00 +0000

Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson & Steindór Andersen
Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson was a farmer but famous for singing/"rapping" ancient Icelandic viking poets, Rímur. He was also an Ásatrú priest ("Goði").
Ásatrú has Nothing to do with Nazism; Thor's hamer is not left or right.
Poet:
Kem ég enn af köldum heiðum
kæra fljóð til þín.
Frerasvip á fannabreiðum
fengu stefin mín

Ég hef reikað eftir ísum
allan veg til þín.
Til að kveikja von með vísum
var nú þörfin brýn.

Hríðarvöldin vetrar ríku
villtan tróðu dans
Von að köld í veðri slíku
væru ljóðin manns

Blik frá rauðum ástareldi
eftir nauðir mér.
Sumarauðugt sólarveldi
síðan bauð hjá þér.
www.youtube.com/v/9G4tl69gA78&hl&fmt=18

Sudden Weather Change @ KEXP Radio @ Iceland Airwaves '09

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:34:00 +0000

Sudden Weather Change @ KEXP Radio, Seattle
"Prey Mode"
www.youtube.com/v/DgJ3PPmtdiM&hl&fmt=18

Sudden Weather Change @ MySpace

The History of Icelandic Rock - Part 13

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:47:00 +0000

The History of Icelandic Rock
Part 13
The spontaneous brilliance of Stuðmenn
Dr. Gunni in Grapevine Magazine (Issue # 17, November 2009)
The same core players are involved in three of the best Icelandic bands from the seventies, Stuðmenn, Spilverk þjóðanna and Þursaflokkurinn. All are veritable institutions of Icelandic rock history. In the newest ‘Best Icelandic albums list,’ published in 2009, those three bands have a total of thirteen albums on the top 100. While Spilverk þjóðanna (‘Plaything of the Nations’) and Þursaflokkurinn (‘The Band of Titans’) are kind of serious, Stuðmenn (‘Funmen’) are anything but.
Like many good bands, Stuðmenn were conceived as a joke. In locally infamous artsy college MH, guitarist/singer Valgeir Guðjónsson and keyboardist Jakob Frímann Magnússon, along with two friends, decided to form the corniest band they could imagine. The year was 1970, and their sole objective was to entertain their classmates at an upcoming dance. In the age of long hair, astrology and 20 minute guitar solos, Stuðmenn was the corniest band name they could think of. The band dressed accordingly in old black suits and skinny ties, slicking their hair back with brilliantine. This was some years before American Graffiti, so looking like it was 1959 was a spunky move.
Their fellow students got the joke and the first gig was a hit. The Stuðmenn joke lingered on, but the members wanted to do more contemporary music. Valgeir formed the folk group Spilverk þjóðanna with Sigurður Bjóla and Egill Ólafsson (later to be the front man of Stuðmenn), while Jakob went to London with his pals in the heavy rock group Rifsberja. The idea was to check out all the possibilities the big city had to offer. Alas, nothing came out of Rifsberja’s London trip except poverty and near-hunger. Jakob got a gig, though, playing with old blues dog Long John Baldry, while the rest of the group had to leave when their visas expired.
Fast forward to 1974. For some reason, a label named ÁÁ records saw commercial potential in Stuðmenn and ordered two singles from the group. Thus Valgeir met Jakob in London to record four songs with Cliff Richard’s rhythm section on hire in the studio. The singles did OK in Iceland, and thus Stuðmenn were on the agenda again. Next up was a whole album recorded in London in early spring 1975. Valgeir’s Spilverk friends came along, and Icelandic musicians living in London at the time (and playing with Change, an Icelandic band trying to break through) put in their share. Famous musicians like Chris Speeding and Bill Bruford dropped by as well. The resulting LP, "Sumar á Sýrlandi" (‘Summer in Syria’), became an instant classic when it was released in Iceland in the summer of 1975. “For the first time,” reviewers would say, “a truly original Icelandic pop tone has been found”. The album contains songs that have lived with the nation ever since, and the lyrics are funny in a clever and tongue-in-cheek kind of way. The band played wearing masks, as it initially presented itself as a secret group (like KISS). All the members were unknown, though, so nobody thought much of it when the masks eventually came off.
Stuðmenn followed suit in 1976 with a nostalgic concept album about an amusement park that had been a Reykjavík attraction in the fifties. The band promoted the album with an outdoor gig in the centre of Reykjavík. During the concert’s climax, an aeroplane flew over and showered caramels over the crowd. The "Tívoli" album was considered another pop masterpiece and sold well. However, the members weren’t interested in making further Stuðmenn albums. The Spilverk þjóðanna people were to make few masterpieces in the years to come and Jakob Frímann concentrated on his solo career, playing fusion influenced synth pop.
The third and last Stuðmenn masterpiece happened in 1982, when an old dream of the members, of making a film, finally came true. Originally, the idea had been to make a film based on either of their first two albums, but when it was finally made, the storyline and dialogue was mostly improvised on the spot. “We try to stay true to the modus operandi that worked well for us making music, to let the moment take over, to be spontaneous.
We do not rehearse a lot, and we try to get the Stuðmenn humour and mirth on film,” said Valgeir at the time of filming. That’s exactly what happened. The film, "Með allt á hreinu" (aka ‘On Top’), was premiered to glowing reviews right before Christmas in 1982. When the film finally left theatres, almost half the nation, 115.000 people, had seen it. Long since a classic and one of the most loved Icelandic films, Með allt á hreinu follows the antics of Stuðmenn whilst on tour in Iceland, and the band’s on-going feud with real life girl group, Grýlurnar (appearing as ‘Gærurnar’ in the film).
Fired up with this wondrous success Stuðmenn went into overdrive—and somehow the band is still running on that tank. Stuðmenn have long since hit pay dirt with various monster hits and played gigantic concerts for large portions of the nation. The band has also had various flops on their hands, including two poorly received sequels to the Með allt á hreinu.
Tellingly, the youthful magic of the band’s earliest work has never been matched. In their most tiresome moments, the group has been accused of severely flogging a dead horse.
Jakob is the only original member of Stuðmenn – “Every Icelander’s group”, as the band is fondly nicknamed. Stuðmenn’s last moderate hit came recently, when they went for milking the Icesavedebate with a song called... “Icesave”.
Dr. Gunni
Based on his 2000 book Eru ekki allir í stuði? (Rock in Iceland). A revised update of the book is forthcoming in 2010.

Ghostigital hits New York City on 11. & 12. November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:22:00 +0000

Ghostigital & Casper Electronic

11. November 2009
Monkey Town
58 N 3rd St (btw. Kent & Wythe) - Williamsburg
Brooklyn, NY
20:30 - 22:00

Weird, noisey and surreal, Ghostigital, play their first NY concert in three years, then supporting The Melvins.
Frontman Einar Örn (of The Sugarcubes / KUKL / Purrkur Pillnikk) is widely known for his energetic performance and annoying dadaist vocals about everyday stuff. The cats are in town because they got commissioned by Performa 09 to play the Intonarumori noise-intoners instruments and decided to ad a "normal" concert to their visit here. Confusion is the message. Ghostigital are on Ipecac Recordings.
Casper Electronics
NY's circuit bending maestro Casper Electronics supports Ghostigital and plays his amazing instuments.
Monkey town

Ghostigital and more...

12. November 2009
The Town Hall
123 West 43rd Street
New York, NY
8pm

"Performa is delighted to present Music For 16 Futurist Noise Intoners, an evening-length concert of original scores and newly commissioned compositions for the intonarumori, or noise-intoners As part of its celebration of the 100th anniversary of Italian Futurism, the Performa 09 biennia..."
Performa 09
More Ghostigital here

Free My Summer as a Salvation Soldier EP

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:55:00 +0000

Even when there is an economic crisis in Iceland, they give away some music for free. Go to Mediafire to get the free EP "Nýtt" (New) of My Summer as a Salvation Soldier.

Pascal Pinon Off-Venue @ Nordic House @ Iceland Airwaves '09, October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Pascal Pinon played @ Nordic House, Reykjavik, an off-venue @ the 11. Edition of Airwaves '09 Festival
www.youtube.com/v/MYrrGvHOSaU&hl&fmt=18

www.youtube.com/v/nD58v8_A__A&hl&fmt=18

www.youtube.com/v/qXIp7Zp1I_4&hl&fmt=18

Pascal Pinon @ MySpace

"A. Duke" Reptilicus

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:44:00 +0000

Reptilicus: "A. Duke" used for movie trailer
www.youtube.com/v/cNsLEXPack4&hl&fmt=18

Upcoming gigs in November 2009 - An update

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

7. November: Duplex @ 2 venues
Sódóma
23.00 Nolo
00.00 Snorri Helgason
01.00 Retro Stefson
Batteríið
23.30 DJ Musician
00.30 Sykur & Guests
01.30 XXX Rottweiler
Miri DJ Set
12. November: Stereo Hypnosis "Hypnogogia" CD Release Gig @ Sódóma Reykjavík

Admission: 1000 IKR - Admission + CD: 2000 IKR

13. November:
Me, The Slumbering Napoleon "The Bloody Core of It" Pre-Sale Live @ Havari @ 17:00

13. November:

gogoyoko & Reykjavík Grapevine
present
Grand Rock #11
@ Grand Rokk venue, Smiðjustígur 11, Reykjavík, Iceland
Snorri, Lights on the Highway,
Prins Póló, Markús Bjarnason
Start @ 22:00
Admission: 1000 IKR

13. November: Bummer, Celestine, Plastic Gods, Gone Postal & Pulling Teeth (USA) @ Sódóma Reykjavík @ 23:00
14. November: BB&Blake CD Release Gig @ Sódóma Reykjavík
14. November: Captain Fufanu @ Kaffibarinn
21. November: Deep Jimi & The Zep Creams @ Grand Rokk
27. November: Kimono & guests @ Sódóma Reykjavík
27. November: Grapevine Grassroots @ Hemmi & Valdi @ 21:00

Hudson Wayne Off-Venue @ 12Tónar Shop @ Iceland Airwaves '09, October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:58:00 +0000

Hudson Wayne @12Tónar Recordstore/Label
www.youtube.com/v/JfnnNNY-5f8&hl&fmt=18

Website of Hudson Wayne

Bárujárn @ Sódóma Reykjavík @ Iceland Airwaves '09, October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Icelandic surf & death metal infuenced band Bárujárn played a gig @ Sódóma Reykjavík (former famous bar/venue Gaukurinn) venue during Iceland Airwaves '09, October 2009.
First a trio, now with a shy theremin player.

Bárujárn @ MySpace

Toggi "þú komst við hjartað í mér" @ Nordic House @ Iceland Airwaves '09, October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Icelandic singer/songwriter Toggi performed off-venue @ Nordic House @ Iceland Airwaves '09 festival downtown Reykjavik October 2009. Best stand-up performance of this festival. His last song was a nice version of the famous song/hit in Iceland, he wrote together with Paul Oscar.
"þú komst við hjartað í mér"
www.youtube.com/v/nwfRIQ6CiNQ&hl&fmt=18

Toggi @ MySpace
Medialux

Sprengjuhöllin in Canada - Solo Album of Snorri Helgason released this month

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:52:00 +0000

Sprengjuhöllin on Tour in Canada @ the moment

So Sprengjuhöllin didn't stop.

But Bergur Ebbi will be replaced by Jon Trausti on guitar.
Singer Snorri Helgason releases his Debut Album called "I‘m gonna put my name on your door", entirely in English, on Borgin Label this month. On the Album Siggi of Sprengjuhöllin bangs the drums and also Birgir Ísleifur of Motion Boys.
Sprengjuhöllin @ MySpace
Source: Dr. Gunni in Fréttabladid

Jan Mayen Off-venue @ Rock Bar Dillon @ Iceland Airwaves '09, October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:25:00 +0000

Jan Mayen
First song @ Rock Bar Dillon, Laugavegur, Reykjavik
www.youtube.com/v/DrJtpQxu3R4&hl&fmt=18

Their Last song
www.youtube.com/v/oyfxUboUY0w&hl&fmt=18

Jan Mayen @ MySpace

Upcoming Gigs in Reykjavík in November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Jack Live Evening
@ Sódóma Reykjavík
6. November 2009
On the program:
Who Knew
Sing For Me Sandra
Biggibix

Doors: 23:00

Start: 00:00
Admission: 1.000 IKR

New Live Videos of múm & Mugison

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:07:00 +0000

Mugison @ Danish TV Station DR
"Sweetest Melodie"
www.youtube.com/v/vgnSocCYbXo&hl&fmt=18

múm
"Green grass of tunnel" @ Vancouver, 2. November 2009
www.youtube.com/v/wOr_kgFpUr4&hl&fmt=18

Ghostigital Kick-Off @ Batteríið @ Iceland Airwaves '09, 17. October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:05:00 +0000

A few days earlier, Ghostigital (Einar Örn Benediktsson & Curver Thoroddsen) had a quiet afternoon with lots of smoke, joined by friend Finnbogi Pétursson @ i-8 Gallery.
For this gig @ Batteríið venue, Einar's son Kaktus was once again present to dance & play trumpet.
Einarsson is now part of the duo Captain Fufanu, the best newcomer of Airwaves '09 festival.
EÖB had a lot of adrenaline in his body because the bouncers/security were doing difficult that peticular evening. Maybe the best Ghostigital show I witnessed so far, and I've seen a few before.
Bonjour, Bon Soir
www.youtube.com/v/-QbrMhPjN4s&hl&fmt=18

www.youtube.com/v/RvkgUZyVb74&hl&fmt=18

Ghostigital's Website

Icelandic Music @ The Netherlands: Reykjavik to Rotterdam, 17-19. December 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:23:00 +0000

On the program @ Rotterdam, The Netherlands this year:
Thursday, 17. December 2009
Small hall
Erna Ómarsdóttir & Valdimar Jóhannsson

Friday, 18. December 2009 @ Small Hall
HAM
HAM is regarded as an important part of the Icelandic Rock scene, after their split up in 1994 they only perform on rare occasions in Iceland, out of their appreciation for the Reykjavik to Foundation have they agreed to do this absolutely one time only performance in Holland. A ones in a life time opportunity to see Iceland's best live band perform!
Support Act: Ultra Mega Technobandið Stefán
Ultra Mega Technobandið Stefán aka UMTBS started playing sometime in 2006 and within months had taken Iceland by storm. They created a scandal in the Icelandic scene with their over the top performance and stage presence. With synths, bass and drums, UMTBS have created an exploding volcano of music, spewing forth energy, hysteria and chaos.

Ticket price: 8 EUR

Saturday, 19. December 2009

@ Small hall

To Be Announced
@ Basement
Mugison
After Mugison his dutch debut on Reykjavik to Rotterdam in 2005, much has happened. Now 4 years and an equal amount of cd-releases later Mugison he plays bluesy rock ‘n roll, the most honest rock ‘n roll you’ll ever hear. Mugison will take you on a ride, spill his guts in front of everybody, rip his heart out and serve it on a plate to make you angry, happy, sad, horny... all at the same time.
Support Act: Benny Crespo’s Gang
Benny Crespo’s Gang is an Icelandic rock band that sounds like the quirky fuzz of Sonic Youth and the dirty sludge of Queens of the Stone Age. The band is co-fronted by both Helgi and Lovisa, Lovisa is nowadays better known as Lay Low, her solo singer-songwriter alter ego. Benny Crespo’s Gang brings you majestically refreshing rock.

Ticket price: 12 EUR

Go here for tickets

Reykjavik to Rotterdam Foundation

3 Times Vicky @ 3 Different Locations: Venue / Off-Venue / Acoustic @ Iceland Airwaves '09

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:22:00 +0000

During last Airwaves I went to see the girls & drummer of the band Vicky three times.
They played @ Grand Rokk venue on 14. October 2009
"Lazerbeam"
www.youtube.com/v/vbQFvCJOMm0&hl&fmt=18

"Blizzard"
www.youtube.com/v/fRH7ZcUbG1Q&hl&fmt=18

After this gig the band moved to Off-Venue Rock Bar Dillon
"Drama Dancer"
www.youtube.com/v/reY3WJE14Dc&hl&fmt=18

Acoustic set @ Hemmi & Valdi, Laugavegur, 16. October 2009
"Don't Go Giving Me Evils"
www.youtube.com/v/W49SU7RzaLY&hl&fmt=18

"Tender Demand"
www.youtube.com/v/zKqVxhZm9I8&hl&fmt=18

"Heart of gold"
www.youtube.com/v/_38-Oj3bxes&hl&fmt=18

Vicky @ MySpace

Release Concert of Lára Rúnarsdóttir for her Third Album entitled "Surprise" on Wednesday 4. November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Wim Van Hooste) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:49:00 +0000

Surprise Release Concert
@ Batterí (previous Organ) venue
Wednesday 4. November 2009
Admission: 1.000 IKR

Doors @ 21:00

Lára Rúnarsdóttir has released a new album called "Surprise".
Her IIIrd Album contains 11 songs.
Supporting artists on the album were: Arnar Þór Gíslason on drums, Jakob Smári Magnússon on bass & Þorbjörn Sigurðsson on guitar. Record was released by Record Records Label.
Lára Rúnarsdóttir @ MySpace