Mr. Silla - One Step

Mr. Silla is THE prototype to describe the tangled Icelandic music scene. Artists are members of several different bands at the same time. They work together and know each other very well. It's like the whole music scene is just one big family. Mr. Silla is a solo project of Sigurlaug Gisladóttir, who is the female vocalist of Múm. Then members of Seabear, Amiina, Sin Fang, Komono and so on (have) participated the project too. So the members switch a lot, they just join "whenever they want". Okay that's a lie, but at least it sometimes looks like it. (This is by the way generally speaking, it's not only Mr. Silla). If you look up Mr. Silla you will find the band "Mr. Silla & Mongoose"; she started this band with a friend of her. Mongoose tried some electronic experimenting stuff. But now, one thing is sure: Sigurlaug is the front woman. Don't expect similarity to Múm, Mr. Silla is something totally different. I think it is somehow similar to Warpaint or Catpower, but of course that is my interpretation. If you listen to this song, One Step, you'll think you are listening to Warpaint. Mr. Silla's voice is very powerful, she can create a great atmosphere, as you will notice. Enjoy!

Útidúr - Fisherman’s Friend

I am so proud to introduce Útidúr to you guys. Their music gives you an instant smile. Útidúr is an euphoric folk band, existing out of 10 members and they use 6 different instruments. Útidúr labels their music as "acoustic chamber pop". The album "This Mess We’ve Made" (2010) is recorded with 20 musicians! I think they have a great chance to make a big international career. I had the same feeling when I heard Little Talks of Of Monsters and Men for the first time. If I can describe them in three words it would be:The Icelandic Beirut, and sometimes it is a little too obvious, but I don't care. What sets them apart is the unique voice of the girl singer. If you listen to Fisherman's Friend you will notice this gives an extra touch.

GusGus - Arabian Horse

GusGus is the best techno band of the island, especially since their latest album release Arabian Horse. Everybody loves this new release. I'll be honest; this is not really my taste but I can appreciate it. When GusGus was founded in 1995, they consisted of 14 members. It all started with a big experiment and gradually they created their own unique sound. After a while, some of the artists decided to leave the band to concentrate on a solo career, Emíliana Torrini and Hafdís Huld for example. Since then only 5 members remained. GusGus also mixes songs of other artists like Sigur Rós. The new album Arabian Horse (2011) is actually not that typical in comparision to their other releases. Anyway: njóta tónlistar! - Or enjoy the music!

1860 - Snæfellsnes

A second song that I must share with you is Snæfellsnes of 1860. Snæfellsnes is one of the prettiest areas in winter time, if you ask me. Because when it is covered up with snow it looks like a paradise. Snæfellsnes is a peninsula in the west of Iceland. 1860 is an upcoming band which started in 2010. That's the year I was in Iceland and they even played at my high school during lunch break. They call them the Fleet Foxes of Iceland, but ofcourse they have their own unique style. They sing both in English and in Icelandic. This song Snæfellsnes is written in Icelandic, so most of you won't understand it. But they are basically singing about a long awaited vacation to this area. "Við hoppum upp í bíl" means "we jump into our car" and they are just full of excitement. The prettiest sentence I think is “Ég vona bara að fönnin mér fleyti heim” which means something like "I hope the snow will 'float' me home", and this just describes the beauty of their music and the Icelandic scenery. And don't forget to listen to their other music, they are getting better everyday! And if you are planning on going to Icelandic Airwaves, ofcourse they will play there too ;)

Lay Low - By And By

This is the song I heard when I entered the plane to fly for the very first time to Iceland. The overwhelming moment, filled with joy, excitement and curiosity to finaaallllly go to the country of elves and trolls... And then, I heard Lay Low. From that moment on this memory is linked with this country music of Lay Low. So now you know why I needed to start this blog with By and By, you can compare it with the feeling which evokes when you are on your way to get into a crazy rollercoaster ride. I was by the way on a plane of Icelandair. It's not the cheapest airline to fly to Iceland, but the facilities you have or worth their money. Every customer has his own little entertainment touch-screen. So the moment you enter the plane, you can already discover Iceland through their national music, movies and read all information about everything the island offers. Lay Low is not that famous (international). Her real name is Lovísa Elísabet Sigrúnardóttir. And just like Björk, she doesn't look Icelandic at all. She has a Sri Lankan father and an Icelandic mother. It is possible you know her from her support act of Emilíana Torrini's tour in 2009 or of the Monsters and Men concerts in 2012.