On 2 locations you can enjoy a selection of fine Icelandic music.
@ Bozar www.bozar.be
15. February 2008
Ólafur Arnalds & Amiina & Jóhann Jóhannsson
www.myspace.com/olafurarnalds
http://www.amiina.com/
http://www.johannjohannsson.com/
30. April 2008
Writers and Stuff
Hosted by Sjón and friends
Einar Örn Benediktsson, a “master” of bad taste, has been given carte blanche to organise an edgy, surprising evening. Sjón, the poet laureate of contemporary Icelandic poetry, invites writers and musicians over to this cross-media evening.
Einar Örn Benediktsson used to sing in The Sugarcubes with Björk and is now known mainly for his project Ghostigital. Co-founder of the Bad Taste (Smekkleysa) record label.
Sjón Writer/poet/jack-of-all-trades who also used to be a member of the Sugarcubes. He continued to work with Björk and wrote song lyrics with her (including “Isobel” and “Bachelorette”). He won an Oscar for his dialogue for Lars von Trier's film Dancer in the Dark.
Hrafnkell Sigurðsson got the Icelandic Visual Merit 2007.
Ragnar Kjartansson has just been chosen to present Iceland at the Venice Biennale 2009.
Program 30. April
Performance
Ingibjörg Magnadóttir
Visual arts
Ásdís Sif
Video technowitch/performance
Ragnar Kjartansson
Hrafnkell Sigurðsson
Video performance
Rice boy sleeps
Windows video installation poetry
Sjón
Eiríkur Norfjörð
Kristín Ómarsdóttir
Örvar
Helmus og Dalli
Helgi Svavar
Davíð Þór
Finnbogi Pétursson - radium
Soundpiece
Ghostigital
Curver
Einar Örn
Stilluppsteypa
Helgi Þórsson - video
Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson - video
Hilmar Örn
Steindór Andersen
Steintryggur
Short film
Kimono
Mugison
DJ Magic
www.smekkleysa.net
www.myspace.com/smekkleysa
www.myspace.com/einarorn
www.myspace.com/ghostigital
www.myspace.com/curver
www.myspace.com/steintryggur
www.myspace.com/kimono
www.myspace.com/mugison
www.myspace.com/stillupsteypa
@ Ancienne Belgique (AB) www.abconcerts.be
7. March 2008
Kitchen Motors Night
Featuring Kria Brekkan + Unnur Andrea Einarsdóttir+ Kippi Kaninus
Kitchen Motors is an Icelandic record label, think tank and artist collective, specialized in establishing new collaborations, concerts and projects which exceed the borders of existing art forms. The founding members of Kitchen Motors - Kira Kira, Jóhann Jóhannsson and Hilmar Jensson - use it to provide a forum for performers who don't shun experiment. This collective - the members of which will all actually appear on stage with their respective groups during the course of the festival - concentrates mainly on music, with the emphasis on electronica and improvisation, and its fusion with other media, theatre, visual art,...
Leading lady Kira Kira puts together a Kitchen Motors evening especially for AB. So what can we expect dear Krístin Björk Kristjansdóttir?
'I'm seeing sharp beauty, surreal drama as a feeling for it, something a bit majestic and ethereal but still with a crazy twist... A mystic host and these artists':
www.myspace.com/trallaladykirakira
www.myspace.com/johannjohannsson
Program 7. March 2008
8:00 pm
KIPPI KANINUS
KIPPI KANINUS is the alter ego of Guðmundur Vignir Karlsson who makes veiled electronica, imbued with percussion, manipulated voices, and bell and cow samples. His most recent feat dates from 2005 already and is called Happens Secretly. In America he made an impression as support act to múm. He's already done that in AB as opener for Amiina.
www.myspace.com/kippikaninus
9:00 pm
UNNUR ANDREA EINARSDOTTIR
Unnur Andrea Einarsdóttir graduated from the Iceland Academy of the Arts in 2005 and since then has mostly been working on performances and installations. For her video work she allows herself to be inspired by music in particular as she feels a greater physical power in it, compared to visual art. She enjoys the freedom that exists in contemporary art, something she shows clearly in her work, where she creates her own reality according to her own rules. Also - you have been warned - on her MySpace she praises 'people with early nineties haircuts ... I give you love'. It has been noted.
www.myspace.com/liverlove
10:00 pm
KRIA BREKKAN
Kría Brekkan is the alter ego and solo-project of former múm Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir. In her solo work, where Kría Brekkan accompanies herself on piano, resound the sounds of múm, though even more intimate. In the meantime her previous passage in the AB (as support to Sparklehorse) left one wanting more. Should you wish to immerse yourself in details: Kristín also adorned the cover of the Belle & Sebastian album Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant and these days she performs regularly with her partner Avey Tare (of the unique Animal Collective), with whom she recently released the album.
www.myspace.com/gurglegubersniksnack
www.myspace.com/animalcollectivetheband
Friday 7. March 2008
Price 12 EUR
8. March 2008
MÚM + KIRA KIRA + SKAKKAMANAGE + PARACHUTES
Program 8. March 2008
7:00 pm
SKAKKAMANAGE
Skakkamanage began in 2003 as bedroom project of the just married Svavar and Berglind and their friend Tony. In the meantime that same trio has gained two members, a first album Lab Of Love (out on Smekkleysa) and many commendable reviews (including fine words from Rolling Stone journalist David Frickle). The members of Skakkamanage manage to bridge the gap between tender melancholy and bursts of delight in their own unique way, one which always pleasantly surpises their listeners. On Belgian soil for the first time.
www.myspace.com/skakkamanage
www.this.is/skakkamanage
8:00 pm
PARACHUTES
Alex Somers (roommate and more to Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi with whom he also resides in the audio visual project Riceboy Sleeps) and Scott Alario are two musicians who reside in Iceland and have been operating under the name Parachutes for some time now. Following two self-released albums, their first official achievement will soon be released, a split 10' (on the English Stereo Test Kit Records) with collaboration from the likes of Amiina and Jónsi (Sigur Rós). Extremely atmospheric, very Icelandic and to be cherished of course. Music that will cheer Sigur Rós fans on the spot. Also on Belgian soil for the first time.
www.myspace.com/parachutesmakesongs
www.myspace.com/riceboysleeps
9:00 pm
KIRA KIRA
Kristin Björk Kristjansdóttir is, together with Jóhann Jóhannsson and Hilmar Jensson, a founding member of the Icelandic label/think tank Kitchen Motors. She is in the first place a visual performer and so also starts with that visual aspect to create her typical minimalistic electronica compositions containing the likes of laptop, chimes, music boxes, guitar and all sorts of homemade instruments. Her debut Skotta was released on the leading Smekkleysa label in 2006 and on the yet to be released Our Map to the Monster Olympics she's backed by a 6 member band and is certain to be even more surprising.
http://www.smekkleysa.net/
10:00 pm
MÚM
múm no unknown in Icelandic, or other, waters. With their 4th studio album Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy they also celebrate their tenth anniversary. No longer with the original complement it's true, following the departure of the twin sisters Gýda and Kristín (with the characteristic high voices) the band was expanded to a roguish group of seven. múm lost its childlike innocence, but gained maturity without losing the band's trademark: experiment packed in cheerful songs. In the AB for the first time already in 2001 and now present on the AB stage for - hold tight - the fifth time.
http://www.mum.is/
Saturday 8. March 2008
Price 16 EUR in advance – 19 EUR
9. May 2008
SAMÚEL JÓN SAMÚELSSON BIG BAND +
SCREENING OF... SCREAMING MASTERPIECE, 1000 YEARS OF ICELANDIC POPULAR MUSIC
Program 9. May 2008
7:00 pm
SCREENING OF...
SCREAMING MASTERPIECE, 1000 YEARS OF ICELANDIC POPULAR MUSIC
(2005, 87 min., Director: Ari Alexander Ergis Magnússon)
Screaming Masterpiece is the well-known documentary by Ari Alexander Ergis Magnússon from '05 about the contemporary Icelandic music scene. Based on concerts and interviews with the likes of Björk, Sigur Rós, múm, Slowblow, Ghostigital, Mugison,... it is a search for explanations regarding the originality and variety in Icelandic music. A breathtaking film and must see for every music lover.
http://www.screamingmasterpiece.com/
www.myspace.com/screamingmasterpiecemovie
8:30 pm
SAMÚEL JÓN SAMÚELSSON BIG BAND
Samúel Jón SamúelssonBig Band is the latest and most funky project from the Icelandic musician of the same name. This multi-instrumentalist was already a guest to the AB in '03 as frontman of his other successful band, Jagúar, where he graced an effervescent party after funkmaster Maceo Parker. For his big band he gathered together 18 young enthousiasts with whom he also released a first studio-album Fnykur (an old Icelandic word for 'something smelly and funky') on the leading Smekkleysa label. Get ready for an evening full of first-class Icelandic funk! Be convinced that they can also play on the one in Iceland.
www.myspace.com/samminammi
http://www.sjsmusic.com/
www.myspace.com/jaguariceland
18. May 2008
TYFT FEAT.: HILMAR JENSSON + JIM BLACK + ANDREW D'ANGELO + SCREENING OF... ROKK I REYKJAVÍK
Program 18. May 2008
7:00 pm
SCREENING OF...
ROKK Í REYKJAVÍK (1982, 83 min., Director: Friðrik Þór Friðriksson)
Rokk í Reykjavík is still considered to be the most important documentary about the Icelandic music culture. In this film from 1982 Director Friðrik Þór Friðriksson reveals the alternative music scene with shows from the most prominent post-punk and new wave bands accompanied by short interviews, and moreover gives a picture of the then rebellious Icelandic youth. Bands like Tappi Tikarrass with the very young Björk and Einar Örn's punk band Purrkur Pillnikk come to life here. This documentary was only released in Iceland, is now no longer available, but is screenable.
8:30 pm
TYFT FEAT.: HILMAR JENSSON + JIM BLACK + ANDREW D'ANGELO
Hilmar Jensson we know as co-founder of the Icelandic artist collective Kitchen Motors, and as renowned guitarist of various bands and projects. So it was that Hilmar has already visited the AB as part of a unique project with our very own Teun Verbruggen (see also: Jef Neve, Fes, Othin Spake) and Trevor Dunn (see: Mike Patton). Hilmar also runs his own trio: TYFT. Aside from Hilmar, TYFT consists of: Jim Black (see also: Alas No Axis, in which H. Jensson also resides, and also his collaborations with the likes of Lee Ranaldo) and Andrew D'Angelo. Their second album Meg Nem Sa - released in 2006 on the American musician's label Skirl Records - typifies Tyft: an energetic, experimental and eccentric mix of free jazz, rock and noise.
TYFT Line up:
HILMAR JENSSON – gitaar
JIM BLACK - drums/laptop
ANDREW D'ANGELO - alto sax/bass klarinet/laptop
www.myspace.com/helmarjensson
www.myspace.com/skirlrecords
www.myspace.com/andrewdangelo
www.myspace.com/alasnoaxismusic (Jim Black)
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