Made in Iceland - 15 Tracks of Sheer Delight
Introduction:
"It's hard to believe anything with a beat could grow in a landscape as otherworldly and physically inhospitable as that of Iceland. Mother Nature, in all her harshest majesty, is the headline act here. She is not easily upstaged.
Nevertheless, in a small rehearsal space on a snowy, windblown side street in central Reykjavik, a local band called the Sugarcubes is busy proving that rock & roll is not only alive and well here but mutating into shapes as odd and wondrous as the geologist's paradise outside."
David Fricke, Rolling Stone, July 1988
The above is how David Fricke summed up the experience of his first visit to Iceland in Rolling Stone magazine, exactly 20 years ago. The Sugarcubes succeeded in creating a cultural export that has prevailed ever since and continues to inspire their fellow countrymen and women. The Icelandic music scene has flourished in the last two decades and has repeatedly hit the headlines of Rolling Stone and other world class music magazines, as well as broadsheets and broadcast media. The success and profile of Icelandic music has continued to expand with the likes of Björk, Sigur Rós and a growing number of Icelandic bands and artists touring the world and contributing to the international scene. Music lovers from around the globe flock to events such as the Iceland Airwaves Festival to discover the latest trends in the ever-evolving sonic melting pot that is the Icelandic music scene.
The creative and playful force that characterizes the Icelandic music is constantly vibrant and evolving. The Made in Iceland project showcases 15 of the key artists who have released albums this year, and are working on promoting themselves internationally. Iceland Music Export is set up to be a one-stop-shop for information on Icelandic music, as well as acting as a marketing and business office. We are proud to present here some of the brightest new talent in Iceland as well as being grateful for the support from some of Icelandic music’s greatest ambassadors.
For more information visit www.icelandmusic.is
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FM Belfast - LotusIceland's FM Belfast started out as a duo during Christmas 2005 when Árni R Hlöðversson and Lóa H. Hjalmtysdottir made a song as a present for their friends. What was initially thought of as a studio concern became a live band in the summer of 2006 when Árni and Lóa performed an art opening in a cave in the Faeroe Islands. Later that year Árni Vilhjálmsson and Örvar Þ. Smárason (múm) joined the band. http://www.fmbelfast.com Contact: |
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Steed Lord - Who U Wit?Collectively known as Steed Lord, foursome M.E.G.A., Kali, Demo and AC Bananas grind out their own genre of club music with finesse. Sporting shamelessly filthy beats, mad melodies, crunk synths and killer hooks, the band’s patented brand of club bangers coupled with their clear creative vision (they recently designed prints for H&M retail which sold out last fall in over 52 countries) make up a unique experience. |
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Seabear - LibrariesSeabear’s enchanting melodies and soft-spoken aesthetic has brought the band great levels of success since its inception as a solo project for founder Sindri Már Sigfússon. Originally envisioned as a way to pass boredom for Sindri, he found himself in great demand from a rapidly growing fan base after self-releasing the Singing Arc EP in 2004. Drafting in a couple of friends to help with live shows, Seabear quickly evolved into a full-blown, seven strong band that has entertained crowds all across the world, both in a live setting and with their instant-classic début, The Ghost That Carried Us Away, released in 2007 by Morr Music. |
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Emiliana Torrini - FireheadsFollowing on from her critically acclaimed sets, Love In The Time Of Science and Fisherman's Woman, Icelandic songstress Emiliana Torrini’s latest LP, Me And Armini, sees her working once again with her long time producer/collaborator Dan Carey. The resulting album is a hugely ambitious and aspirational pop record with Emilíana’s soaring voice centre stage, bolstered by a rich gamut of musical styles. Contact: |
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Bang Gang - The World is GrayBarði Jóhannsson has been making music under the Bang Gang moniker for well over a decade now, gaining international notoriety for his ambitious, carefully-crafted take on melancholy pop. Bang Gang’s 2000 début, You, was met with great fanfare and critical revelry, while the follow-up, 2003’s Something Wrong, cemented his artistic and commercial success. Jóhannsson’s notable 2003 collaboration with French artist Keren Ann, Lady & Bird, and a slew of other projects have also served to further his career. Bang Gang’s third full-length, Ghosts from the Past, is currently being released in various markets worldwide to critical acclaim. |
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Hjaltalín - Traffic MusicHjaltalín are Iceland's newest soon-to-be exports. Nominated for five Icelandic Music Awards last March, they went on to win the ‘Best Songwriter’ and ‘Brightest Hope’ categories. Hailing from Reykjavík, Hjaltalín is as promising as any of the other beautiful and eclectic artists the country has thrown up. With eight members, it's difficult to determine whether they should be called a small orchestra, a mutated, overgrown rock band or something else entirely. Besides the regular guitar, bass and drums, the band also uses piano, accordion, bassoon, clarinet, cello and a violin, to compliment the exquisite lilt of Högni and Sigga's vocals. |
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Ólöf Arnalds - KlaraA self trained guitarist and master of a variety of instruments, Icelandic folk singer Ólöf Arnalds has been a prominent figure in her native music scene for a number of years. Between 2003 and 2007, Ólöf was an active member of múm, contributing violin, viola, guitar, and vocals both live and on record. However, it's her solo debut, Við og við, that continues to garner widespread acclaim. Produced by Kjartan Sveinsson from Sigur Rós, Við og við won Best Alternative Album at the 2007 Iceland Music Awards as well as 'Record of the Year' at Iceland's biggest daily newspaper, Morgunblaðið, beating out both Björk and múm.Ólöf has been chosen to play this years Womex and is currently working on a new album, due in 2009. http://www.myspace.com/olofarnalds Contact: Manager, Stuart Rogers - stuartrogers@gmail.com |
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Borko - Shoo Ba BaBorko or Björn Kristjánsson is the glowing light mirrored in the eyes of women all over the world and his music serves as a shining beacon to that effect. On his latest offspring, entitled Celebrating Life, Borko brings together melancholy and rhythm-machines in a unique way, playing on his passion for the repetitive and altogether explosive enthusiasm. It is a scintillating blend. Borko has been prolific in writing music for both theatre and modern dance as well as honing the art of "lifskunstner" to a frolicky science. Everywhere he goes, he brings joy. |
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Valgeir Sigurðsson - Focal PointBest known for his work as a collaborator and producer Valgeir has for the past decade provided a breeding ground for numerous local and international artists in his Greenhouse Recording Studios in Reykjavik. He stepped forward in 2006 with the launch of boutique label Bedroom Community, in collaboration with composers Nico Muhly and Ben Frost, and released his long due solo album Ekvílibríum in September 2007 to great critical acclaim. |
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Ólafur Arnalds - 3055Only 21 years of age, Ólafur hails from the suburban Icelandic town, Mosfellsbær He has immersed himself completely in the world of delicate symphonic compositions in a near weightless orchestral undertaking. His debut, Eulogy for Evolution, takes the listener on a journey, representing different periods in life, from birth to death. The follow-up EP, Variations of Static, keeps the classical foundations of his debut album while incorporating crackling electronics and the dead voice of a machine; like vague memories of tradition lost within the digital age we all live in. |
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Benny Crespo's Gang - 12223There's nothing modest about Benny Crespo's Gang. Consisting of four very different individuals, the band's dynamic mixture of over the top hard rock and eerie synth powered lullabies is truly unique and haunting. They have often been described as one of the most interesting bands in Iceland, and with good reason. |
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Sigur Rós - Inní mér syngur vitleysingurThe good men of Sigur Rós have been pushing musical boundaries and gaining fans ever since forming the group back in 1994. The band quickly became a cult-favourite in Iceland with the release of their atmospheric début, Von, before winning over the whole of the country with follow-up Ágætis Byrjun in 1998. Ágætis Byrjun was an instant critical and commercial success in Iceland, and through word of mouth, glowing reviews and perfectly executed shows the band amassed fans all over the world, setting the tone for what was to come. |
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Reykjavík! - Æji, plísReykjavík! should need no introduction to the discerning music snob or his friend, the brutish cro-mag. Their 2006 Valgeir Sigurðsson (Björk, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) produced début, Glacial Landscapes, Religion, Oppression and Alcohol was pretty much salivated over by everyone who came in contact with it, topping every Icelandic critics’ list and scoring them spots at shows and festivals all over the world including appearances at SXSW, MiDEM, Eurosonic, By:larm, Spot and Les Grandes Traversées. |
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Mugison - MugiboogieThree years ago, Mugison traded his laptop in for a bass player and a drummer of flesh and blood, cranked the amp and went on a mission. His third album, Mugiboogie is driven by the lust for life, love, and sex - a classic rock 'n' roll album in that sense but yet he manages to surprise and entertain in each song. He spent the good part of three years howling in his garage until the songs felt right, felt real and beyond all, felt good. |
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Sign - The HopeThe Sign story is truly unique. The five piece play direct, unpretentious rock songs, underlaid with driving and emotive riffs and the distinctive powerful voice of Zolberg. With full Kerrang! backing behind them Sign have worked their profile in the UK since the self-released album, Thank God for Scilence, in 2006, resulting in them opening the main stage at Download festival this summer. Sign have mastered the skills of exciting live performances through relentless touring schedules. |
Made in Iceland by Iceland Music Export
Made in Iceland is done in collaboration with:
