Jack Live útihátíð @ Rockbar Dillon @ Laugavegur 30 @ Verslunarmannahelgina (Icelandic Bank Holiday) A long Icelandic Rock'n'Roll Weekend: Friday 1. August Jeff Who? Atomstöðinn Johnny & Rest Dikta Shadow parade Múgsefjun Saturday 2. August Leynihljómsveit Jan Mayen Mammút Shadow Parade Tab 22 Sunday 3. August Brain Police Momentum Severed Crotch Boys in a band Morðingjarnir Hooker Swing Ten steps away
Recently Mark Ollard started blogging, mostly about Icelandic music. Go to his blog Iceblah @ http://iceblah.typepad.com/mostly_music_lots_of_it_i/intro. He wrote about a Music Festival in East London, Spitalfields18-20. September 2008, featuring Icelandic artists GusGus, FM Belfast & Steed Lord. First called Spitalfields Airwaves, because of the link with the Iceland Airwaves Festival @ Reykjavik and similarity: 3 nights - 10 small stages. So London gets a lot of Icelandic music, next to the Reykjavik Nights. www.myspace.com/allspitalfields Steed Lord @ Q Bar, Reykjavik, 19. July2008(which was the band's first concert after the car crash) www.youtube.com/v/p_jMvt6e9DU&hl
Vicky Pollardput a new song on their MySpace profile today: "The Blizzard". More songs are following the forthcoming weeks. Song was recorded @ Tankinum @ Flateyri & mixed @ London by Crispin & Jolyon. First Album will be released in Iceland next month. On stage 31. July: 19:00 @ 220 Tonleikar - Hafnarfjördur 22:00 @ Hafnfirskt rokk @ Hansen - Hafnarfjördur www.myspace.com/vickypollardmusic
The band Singapore Sling was in South California on Tuesday when an earthquake 5.4 on the Richter scale struck the Hollywood area. Singapore Sling is playing 6 gigs on this USA Tour. First gig @ New York together with The Brian Johnston Massacre. The other 5 gigs are with The Meek.
Merzedes Club didn't make it to represent Iceland on the European Song Contest this year. Merzedes Club is the brainchild of Barði Jóhannsson. The group was formed to perform Barði's song "Ho, Ho, Ho, We say Hey, Hey, Hey", one of the 3 songs he wrote for the competition, at the national selection for Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. They took the second place with this song that was written in 3 hours. The Song was a huge hit in Bulgaria. Here's another song of the band, uncertain if it's a fake band (something like the singer/character Sylvia Night?). "I wanna touch you" Animated Video www.youtube.com/v/-fw7P93u2wg&hl
Lifandi Miðbær On the Program: Singer Dísa, the bands Vicky Pollard, Ten Steps away, We made god, Atómsstöðin, Hooker Swing, Út-Exit & Hraun. Start: 18:00 @ Strandgötu á planinu við Súfistan
Online Interview with Biggi of GusGus by Nora Manthey 21. July, 2008 Nora from www.seatwave.de talked to the Icelandic DJ duo (collective on stage) GusGus after Melt!Festival. Topics ranged from collectives, icons, techno from Iceland and Italy and Whatever Forever. The interview with Biggi Veira was conducted online, because the guys were partying too hard to meet at the Festival - fair enough, but please, read for yourself. Melt! Festival must almost have felt like a reunion with friends and family,Roisin Murphy, you´ve done some remixes for, Björk, you used to work with Sugarcubes in the very beginning. Have you met up, had a party together? Not really,Björkwas playing Sunday, and we left on Saturday afternoon. Mostly it was the reunion with Melt itself that did it for me. In 2005 we had just an excellent gig on the extrastage (Gemini I think you call it now) and stole all the crowd from the main stage when we played. Now in 2008 it was bit different. The main stage at 5 in the morning; It was just turning daylight and I was bit afraid that it would not be that many people still awake, but it was quite full when we played and everybody was dancing until the end at 6:10 in the morning. Which acts have you seen at Melt? Would you consider yourself a fan? I did not see many to tell the truth. I did not connect to the indie acts that were on the main stage the day we played. I mostly spend my time at the 24 hour party place. I think we left for the bus to sleep at 11 Saturday morning. Biggi Veira, you worked with GusGus from the very beginning in the 90ies. What is the difference between working in a team rather than in a collective? Less crap more focus. Could you please shortly introduce all the people making music with you on stage at the Melt Gig? Me of course manipulating the Mackie mixer and the Doepfer filter pannel, andPresident Bongoworking the Akai-MPC2500 and the Doepfer synth. Then we hadDaniel Agustvocalist who has been with us from the beginning in the 90ies doing some new tracks on the upcoming album (Add this song,Thin ice,Hatefull) andMossfrom the albumForever. Then there isLove Breakfast (Asta) that used to do backing vocals for us on the Forever tour that is now doing the main vocals in the HitNeed in mefrom that album. Then there is the new backing vocal setup withSvanaandErla, two cheerlezders from Iceland. Would you say the Icelandic music scene is easier to get in to than in bigger countries? Probably, but you have to be good nevertheless, bad stuff is mostly avoided as wherever. You seem to be family guys, or people that rely on close connections? Is that true? Well I have a family, GusGus is based on friendship and love for music but not business. So I guess I’ll say yes, it is true. Did you get support from the very beginning, i.e. of your parents? Have you ever considered a different career other than music? Have you learned anything else ;-) I have a university degree in computer science andBongolearned photography in Paris for many years. And we both have career as such, though the music has our hearts. Your new Album is called Forever. What do you refer to- Forever GusGus? Forever Music? Forever Party? Whatever forever basically. It just refers that the now is an ongoing thing that last forever. What influences are the most important for that album? The concept of degeneration was the one that triggered my aprocce. That is the degeneration as path towards new fresh start. As the western world is now in the degeneration phase makes it a bit political I guess. In the press release and the outlook of Forever you are using religious vocabulary. Would you consider yourself spiritual or do you feel like a God yourself, performing in front of a huge crowd? Everybody is spiritual or at least has all the ingreediens to be one. By iconicing ourselfs we were just indicating that everybody has that halo of a spiritual person. Everybody is on a spiritual jurney. But many are just hanging at the pit stopp drinking beer. Why do you work with all these oldschool equipment? I read about discussions about the right bass machine, synthesizers and so on. I was especially fascinated by the super 8 videos… Is there a specific idea to it? Not really, I just bought myself the Roland drummachines in the beginning of the 90s along with my most trusty synths the ARP 2500, SH-101 and Yamaha CS-30. Then the Juno-2 that does almost all cord stuff in GusGus (organ inLadyshave, Synth inDavid, Need in me,Call of the wild, Piano inMoss, e.t.c.) was the first synth I bought in1986. And I have just been using this stuff since. It sounds great and I don’t see any need in going softsynths, this is just our sound. The only thing I have added throughout the years is enormous collection of the German Doepfer modular synths that I use for various things, percussive, synth and effect oriented. Techno without compromises, you call your music. What do you mean by it? I don’t recall calling it that; But then again I am not a big fan of compromises. But I can say that we are heading for deeper techno waters on the forthcoming album so be prepared. You said once, that you love Germany best? Why is that? Is it because we are not puking on the dancefloor only? Hehe, well the Brits and the Icelandic are not always puking. I just connect more to the German dance scene than any else. I like it deep and Germany has the best deep techno scene. There are some really interesting techno pouring of Italy at the moment so you have to stay on your toes if you don´t want to lose you leed. What was the live act that impressed you most or deepest? Was there an initial gig, that made you decide: I want to do the same/different/better? It was definitely the808 Stateconcert in Iceland in the year 1990. It was just so cool. Soon after that I was doing live performance withT Worldin basically the same fashion as I am doing today. What was the craziest story or the hardest effort you´ve ever made to get into a club or concert or maybe stadium? I can’t remember honestly. I don’t linger to the past much, so it basically fades away rather quickly. Thank you very much - your performance was fascinating! So you were one of those that was still awake? Glad you enjoyed it. We definitely did. www.myspace.com/gusgus Source: http://backstagepass.seatwaveblogs.com/2008/07/interview_gusgus.php
The Debut Album of Vicky Pollard will be released soon. Mastering @ London @ the moment. Soon some songs on their MySpace profile to be expected. Recently the band went to play @ Midi Festival, along with the band Hellvar. Enjoy a Video shot of the China gigs & fun @ hotels & restaurants of the bunch of band members of both bands.
Maus, although inactive as a band today, has put an old song on their MySpace profile. "Cover My Eyes" was recorded in September 2004. Listen to the song @ www.myspace.com/mausiceland Buy the song @ http://maus.grapewire.net
Australian girl made a strange Video while doing a Björk karaoke on The Sugarcubes song "Delicious Demon" of 'Cubes Debut "Life's too good" (One Little Indian, 1988) I was a foetus once www.youtube.com/v/WXLNrHjtey0&hl
The Lyrics Björk Heeeeeeee how! He how! He how!
Einar One person calls someone To pour the water, Because it takes two to pour the water,
Björk To plough takes two as well, But only one to hold up the sky.
Einar To plough takes two as well, But only one to hold up the sky.
Einar One plays the harp, beats a rock with a stick,
Björk One plays the harp, beats a rock with a stick, Becomes a priest at least, a delicious demon. Hee how!, hee how!, hee how!
Today I got the Single "Never too late" by Skandinavia, that I won on Ebay, in my mailbox. This Single was released in 2004 on the Global Warming Label (Chelmsford, Essex) & contains 2 songs: 1. Never too late - 2. Storm (Live @ MHMC). Frontlady of Bellatrix fame Elíza Newman (Geirsdóttir) formed the band Skandinavia together with Martin Maddaford (bass), Dave Collinder on drums and Claire Wakeman on guitar. On the back there's a text from Drowned in Sound Magazine: Iceland has provided us with some damn fine bands in the past decade such asBjörk, GusGus, Sigur Rós, Tenderfoot, andBellatrix.Skandinaviacould be set to add to that list to help put Iceland on the musical map.
Interview with Eliza of Skandinavia, a new band whose debut album mixes modern rock with violins and strings - a hard rock ELO? 1. What are you currently up to? (e.g. touring/studio,etc.) I'm working on some new songs at the moment and we are also rehearsing for our first UK tour that kicks of this autumn. 2. Brief history of the band and the style of music you play. The band was formed in spring 2003 around my ideas and songs. Released our debut single "Dark Days" in December 2003 to critical acclaim and we've got a new single "Never Too Late" coming out 23 August and album "Skandinavia" coming out 20 September 2004 . the music could be described as epic neo-classical rock ! 3. Who was/is are the biggest influences on your career? I loveLed Zeppelinthey are the ultimate rock and roll band . I also like artists likeKate Bushcause she's totally original and System of the down, Abba, Neil Young, Puccini, all kinds of stuff I try to have an open mind to everything! 4. What has been the highlight(s) and lowpoint(s) of your career to date? The highlight was being offered a deal withGlobal Warmingafter our second gig and I dont think there have been any low points so far ?! 5. How did you get Dan Hawkins of the Darkness onto one of the band's earlier demos? This is before he became a mega superstar. I had been working with the same producer as The Darkness and in the same studio so we kind off hooked up through that, he came and played on a few tracks and it was great, he is such a talented guitarist! Unfortunately he was all ready taken inThe Darknessso I couldn't nick him! 6. What would Skandinavia like to achieve ideally by the end of 2004? World domination would be a good start followed by our music being beamed into space for the rest of the universe to enjoy! 7. Any plans for dates in Europe/Far East at all? Which bands would you like to tour with? We are in the process of licensing the album around the world so hopefully we'll be playing gigs in Europe and the far east soon. At the moment we are planning a UK tour and some dates in Iceland. I would love to play with AC/DC, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, System of the Down, Muse, I could go on... 8. Do you see the interest in rock & metal music growing in Europe at the moment? Definitely I think there's a real longing for some proper rock , something that isn't manufactured by the music industry . There is so much MOR music out there now that there is bound to be a big explosion of metal and rock to wipe it all out soon! 9. What's the most rock 'n' roll moment the band has had so far? Being banned from venues, getting in to fights with other bands, puking in between songs on stage and we're just getting started, I think we have a bright future ahead of us in the rock and roll moments department ! 10. What CD's do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from? We have two singles out called "Dark Days" and "Never Too Late" our album "Skandinavia" will be released on the 20.september on Global warming records. 11. Message to your fans? Keep on rocking in the free world. Source: www.getreadytorock.com/rising_stars/skandinavia.htm
Today Elíza is a solo artist, ans last year she released her Debut Album "Empire Fall" on her own Lavaland Records Label. Elíza @ www.myspace.com/elizanewman "Empire Fall" @ NASA @ Iceland Airwaves 2007
Today I was listening to the streaming of the radioshow Poppland of 23. July, which has a music competition this summer with Dr. Gunni as the Quizmaster, called Popplandmeistarinn í Poppunkti 2008 aka Plípp. On Wednesdays @ 10:10 on Radiostation Rás 2 of RUV www.ruv.is Two of my favorite Icelandic singers were in one team "Kef-lingar", because both are from Iceland's Rocktown Keflavik: Heiða í Unun and now í Hellvar and Elíza Newman. The musical battle was won against the duo Ingó of the band Bahama & Bjössi of Múgsefjun: the final score was 17-14.
Just back home from Scotland. I found there apart from the kilts, castles, Nessie, lochs, some 2nd hand Icelandic music @ shops in Sterling & Edinburgh: Bellatrix 7" "Sweet Surrender" on Fierce Panda Label (2000), 7" Jakobinarina "His Lyrics are disastrous" (Rough Trade, 2006), debut CD single "Breathe" of the band Leaves (7176 Records, 2001), Leaves Promo Single "Good Enough" (Island Records, 2005), a Free Compact Disc of The Guardian featuring Björk's "Army of me" (ABA All-Stars Mix by Björk Gudmundsdöttir (sic) / Massey) and 12" "Birthday" by The Sugarcubes. No more bagpipe music from now on, here's the new Hjaltalín's video for the song "Traffic music" . www.youtube.com/v/DvrT4UwJiWY&hl
I'm a bit early with the next Song of the Week. Enjoy for a long week an old song by Úlpa: "Dinzl" . Úlpa @ www.ulpa.is & www.myspace.com/ulpa It's because I am going on a Holiday to Scotland & the Scottish Highlands for 8 days. Back with more posts 28. July. Take care.
Dísa is doing like the tourists: á ferð um landið - Circle around Iceland Tonight she's playing @ Iðnó. Bryndís Jakobsdóttir released her Debut Album "Dísa" this year. The songs "Anniversary" & "Temptation" got much attention of the radiostations and were often played. In September she will be on Tour in Denmark. Program of the Tour 2008: 18. JulyIðnó @ Reykjavik 20:00 - together with Mosez High Tower 19. JulyLungA Festival @ Seyðisfjörður - together with Mosez HighTower 24. JulyGræni hatturinn @ Akureyri 25. JulyGamli Bærinn @ Mývatnssveit 26. JulyBræðslan @ Borgarfirði Eystra 1. AugustInnipúkinn Festival @ NASA, Reykjavík - together with Mosez High Tower Photograph Monitor Magazine. www.myspace.com/disamusic
GusGussometime ago "Believe" with lead singer Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson, and a dancing ponytailedHafdis Huld Daníel Ágúst (Haraldsson) is now solo, but also with Krummi (singer of Minus) he is the band Esja.And he's back performing withGusGusnow and then. Hafdis Huld went solo too. www.youtube.com/v/17F-1IdmGj8&hl
Today I was listening to the Icelandic radio and heard the beautiful new song "Wonderful" by Toggi. Toggi is born in 1979. He's working on his second album with help of band members Bjarki, Don Pedro, Helgi, Grímur and Gurrý. His Debut Album "Puppy" was released 25. September 2006. Listen to the song @ http://medialux.com/artistnews/36-artist-news/106-wonderful It's also used in a Hekla Ad for the new VW Golf.
A while ago, I won The Catalogue magazinefor the Independent Music Trade with The Sugarcubes on the cover on Ebay, and it came with a black flexi. I selected the most interesting parts of the Interview.
The Sugarcubes – In New York with Martin Aston TheCatalogue MagazineSeptember 1989 - Number 74 with free One Little Indian Flexi Flexi contained songs "Voulez-Vous" (Abba cover) by HAM & "Cindy" by The Sugarcubes Also a song by other OLI artists TheShamen, Sleeping Dogs WakeandKitchens of Distinction.
They were on the New Order/PiL/The Sugarcubes Tour aka "The Monsters Of Alternative Rock Tour " They organized a special night in New York with HAM, Reptile & Bless + poetry readings.
Einar: “When we started Bad Taste, we just wanted to challenge what good taste was because we ourselves didn’t know. You’re on an awful slippery intellectual slope saying that. I’m not qualified to define it, because if I do, we will soon turn into good taste. And we aren’t that. And we’ve never behaved like an alternative band. For us, it’s simple. In Iceland, we are only playing to 240,000 people, not even that. Birthday only sold 300 copies. That didn’t deter us from putting out records in the UK and changing music, to show we should sound. We just carry on with what we’re doing. An alternative band is always content with ... letters that we have, that we’ve betrayed our punk roots, our link with Crass, but Crass had to stop. They were an alternative band who ended up preaching to the converted. So they had to stop.”
About the Second Album title “Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week”: Bragi: Because we found it amusing in Russia. That’s were it was conceived. Siggi: When you go to the Soviet Union, one of the things you do most is wait. And then you wait a little more, and then you’re asket to wait. It’s one of the places that you wish for things to happen quickly and efficiently. So “Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week”, is like, let’s get it on, things are happening fast. Björk: I think it’s about worshipping the next minute, what’s about to come. Siggi: As I said, the obsession with ‘future’. Einar: But at the same time, it’s a quote from Wind In The Willows, from around 1930s, when Ratty gets a car and says, “here today ... tomorrow next week!” and flies off! And for us, or at least for me, people have said, “The Sugarcubes are one-hit wonders, here today, gone tomorrow”, but we’re not. We are, and we’re going to be.
Einar: We are taling a hell of a risk with this album. We spent a lot of money, the most expensive pop record ever made in Iceland.
Who is "Regina"? Bragi: She’s a housewife who contributies to an evening paper in Iceland. Björk: She’s a local journalist for a national daily evening paper. She writes littel bits, small articles that are very local. Siggi: Like what her friend next door is doing, or some great relative of her friend next door did something special. In Regina you mention ‘lobsters’ and ‘chastity belts’. Einar: Lobsters and fame. Björk: It’s actuele quite difficult because usually Einar and I write our own stuff, but “Regina” was written by our guitarist Thor, who’s not here. Einar: He actuele took ‘lobsters and fame’ from an Icelandic translation of an Abba book. In one chapter, they say “we’re only in it for the caviar and fame”. It’s a really bizarre sentence. We really don’t understand the meaning of it. Björk: It’s pascal about us worshipping a laday that comes form the East of Iceland that has to crash down in the south. Like the sun. So we compare this lady Regina to the sun. She’s just as brilliant as the sun. That’s all you need. A worshipping lyric.
Is “Bee” a worshipping lyric too? Björk: The lyric was originally supposed to be a party game. One persoon was ‘it’, and than that persoon would get wings and than a sting, and a costume, and try and sting somebody, and than he or she should become the bee. But I guess it turned into something else when it was written down but it’s still about that.
Why is Iceland more appealing to live in than elsewhere? Einar: Because we’re from there. I think we’ve seen enough– I’ve already lived four years abroad, Siggi lived three years abroad. It’s our natural habitat. Björk: London is a brilliant city but it’s not a city to live in, just to visit, like New York. Iceland is the bast place, not just because it’s our home, but you can’t understand the sort of luxury it is, just to be able to go to other places and just visit. Einar: If we become filthy stinking rich, we might be forced to move out. I am prepared to accept to move out. Bragi: It’s just the fact that we were born there.
It's strange to know that Björk late, when she went solo, lived in London and New York. So people change.
Photograph published in Morgunbladid Newspaper of the Sugarcubes @ Reykjavik (Reunion anno 2006)
Hjaltalín covered Páll Óskar (aka Paul Oscar)'s 2007 hit "Þú komst við hjartað í mér" @ the Rafskinna # 2 Launch Party @ Sirkus. This new Hjaltalín single is a song of Páll Óskar's album "Allt fyrir ástina" (POP, 2007). This Video is recorded and edited by Stuart Rogers (Iceairpodcast). Thx Stuart! www.youtube.com/v/VqrnG25bsXU&hl
FM Belfast A band formed late 2005 by singer Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir & ÁrniRúnar Hlöðversson (of Plúseinn, Hairdoctor & also Motion Boys fame). Soon this duo got assistance of Árni Vilhjálmsson (of Motherfuckers in the House fame) & Örvar Þóreyjarson Smárason (of múm fame but also playing with Borko & Skakkamanage). Now the band ranges from 3 to 8 members: Sveinbjorn Hermann Pálsson (of Terrordisco), Björn Kristjánsson (of múm, Borko andSkakkamanage), Birgitta Birgisdóttir & Eiríkur Orri (of múm, Kira Kira, Benni Hemm Hemm fame), often as guest cowbell percussionists. They put new life in classics of Rage Against The Machine "Killing in the Name" and Belgian Technotronic "Pump up the Jam". On 7. JulyFM Belfast released a 12" on the Thugfucker Label. This is their first release ever: "Killing In The Name Of (Lotus)" Side 1 1. "Killing In The Name Of (Lotus)" (original mix) 2. "Killing In The Name Of (Lotus)" (Antipop & Gaea Lotus Killing mix) Side 2 1. "Killing In The Name Of (Lotus)" (Kasper Bjørke remix) 2. "Killing In The Name Of (Lotus)" (Kasper Bjørke instrumental) Available on Juno @ http://juno.co.uk/ppps/products/319557-01.htm Great live band. Last time I saw them, January 2008, even Björk G. was watching their gig from nearby @ Organ. "Back & Spine" Live @ Icelandair Opening Party é Kjarval Museum @ the Iceland Airwaves Festival 2007
Herbert Guðmundsson watching a compilation of his own videos on Icelandic TV. His most famous song is "Can't walk away", often featured on compilation albums of the 80s. Part 1 www.youtube.com/v/U2K0ff-RfZM&hl
Gavin Portland is a Post-Hardcore band formed in 2005. Band members Singer - Kolli Bass - Addi Guitar/Singer - Þórir Georg Jónsson Drums - Sindri First release was the EP "I: The End of Every Minute" (2006, own label) Their Second EP was "II: …tell us how it ended, tell us how we died" (2006, own label) Debut Album "III: Views of Distant Towns" (2006, 12 Tonar label -http://www.12tonar.is/) Þórir Georg Jónsson is also in the band My Summer As A Salvation Soldier. Kerrang! Magazine compared the band with Shellac,Quicksand &Fireside. Visions compares with Fugazi &The Jesus Lizard. www.myspace.com/gavinportland Photograph by Nadine Ballantyne - More @ Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/nadineballantyne/665350634
Iceland Airwaves2008 - Only 3 months to go! 15-19. October 2008
www.icelandairwaves.com Program of the 10th Edition : International acts confirmed are: CSS (Brazil), Those New Puritans (UK), Final Fantasy (Canada), Stars Like Fleas (USA), Dirty Projectors (USA), Planningtorock (Denmark), Therese Aune (Norway), Familjen (Sweden), Fear not, White Lies (UK) might well be the next Interpol. The Miracle Fortress (Canada), The Handsome Furs (Canada); The Young Knives (UK), Junior Boys (Canada), Simian Mobile Disco, Pnau (Australia), Crystal Castles (Canada), Robots In Disguise (UK), Jerry Bouthier (UK) Icelandic bands & artists that already have been confirmed are: GusGus, Skakkamanage, Seabear, Retro Stefson, Dikta, Hjaltalín, Reykjavik!, FM Belfast, Sprengjuhöllin, Dr. Spock, Dýrðin, Borko, Steed Lord, Gluteus Maximus(duo formed by President BongoofGusGusandJack Schidt)andGhostigital.
Listen to a remix of Sigur Ros' "Gobbledigook" byGluteus Maximus/Jack Schidt @ his MySpace: www.myspace.com/jackschidt
Óttarr Proppé is a busy man: as a member of RASS, in the band Dr. Spock wearing the yellow glove, and sometimes as singer of legendary HAM. Official Video "Skítt með kerfið!" www.youtube.com/v/NZ6o-2yuxDw&hl
The Song of the Week is by Steed Lord: "Bucket of Blood". This songs features Krummi (ofMinusandEsja fame) the brother of singer Svala, on vocals - children of famous singer Bó Halldórsson. Steed Lord will be back on stage 19. July @ Q-Bar, after a Serious Traffic Accident on Highway to Keflavík Airport: Six were injured, three seriously, in a traffic accident on Reykjanesbraut, the road from Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport, yesterday. Two cars collided where the road is narrow because of construction. Conditions were slippery. One of the cars, with five passengers, including the band members ofSteed Lord, drove into the side of another car which had suddenly turned. Sudurnes police believe the driver, who was alone in the car, lost control of his vehicle because of the icy conditions, Fréttabladid reports. Svala BjörgvinsdóttirandEinar Egilssonof Steed Lord and the driver of the other car were all taken to the intensive care unit. Björgvinsdóttir has a bruised liver and cracked ribs. Egilsson suffered internal bleeding. “They are being cared for by great professionals,” said singerBjörgvin Halldórsson, Björgvinsdóttir’s father. He toldDV, that the entire band is recovering. Steed Lord had been on their way to Keflavík Airport to perform in concerts abroad. Halldórsson criticizes the Public Roads Administration and the Ministry of Transport harshly for not having found someone to improve the road conditions on Reykjanesbraut since the contractor in charge of it went bankrupt in December. Fifteen people have been injured there in four months. “It went better this time than we dared hope at first, but the men who are responsible will not get away with this,” Halldórsson toldFréttabladid. “The situation has been like this the entire winter […] and one accident has followed the other.” “I don’t know what has to be done but it has to happen quickly. I have often driven on this road myself and sometimes I don’t know if I’m driving in the lava fields or on the actual road,” Halldórsson concluded. After yesterday’s accident the Public Roads Administration announced that it would increase signs and separate lanes going in different directions. Source: Iceland Review www.icelandreview.com Photographs of their MySpace page www.myspace.com/steedlord They even made a Hospital Mix of the Song "Peep This". Feel The HeatUSA Tourof Steed Lord in July & August
HAM gave a rather exclusive gig @ Eistnaflug Festival this year. This video is not of the highest quality but the sound is OK and there's not so much on YouTube of HAM. One of the favorite bands of Björk, and also of Heida Eiriks of Hellvar. www.youtube.com/v/0ntVx-wLklY&hl
A video I shot of Hellvar @ Gaukurinn venue @ Airwaves Festival2006 "Kjaftaedi", the only song in Icelandic that was put on their debut album "Bat out of Hellvar", released on Kimi Records Label last year. In 2006Hellvar was a trio, Heida & Elvar, with the help of Flosi Þorgeirsson (of HAM fame) on guitar www.youtube.com/v/Ltojb6XegzQ&hl
Jack Live útihátíð @ Rockbar Dillon @ Laugavegur 30 @ Verslunarmannahelgina (Icelandic Bank Holiday)
Tonight there's the Release Party @ Organ of Tommygun Preachers Debut Album "Jawbreaker".
Vicky Pollard put a new song on their MySpace profile today: "The Blizzard". More songs are following the forthcoming weeks.
Lifandi Miðbær
Today I got the Single "Never too late" by Skandinavia, that I won on Ebay, in my mailbox. This Single was released in 2004 on the Global Warming Label (Chelmsford, Essex) & contains 2 songs: 1. Never too late - 2. Storm (Live @ MHMC). Frontlady of Bellatrix fame Elíza Newman (Geirsdóttir) formed the band Skandinavia together with Martin Maddaford (bass), Dave Collinder on drums and Claire Wakeman on guitar.
The Song of the Week is a song of the Debut Album " View of distant towns" (12 Tonar Label) by Gavin Portland: "This ain't the Dakota".
Dísa is doing like the tourists: á ferð um landið - Circle around Iceland
Issue Number 10 of Monitor Magazine is out.
Sigur Rós Interview & features of the Náttúra - Nature Awareness Concert 28. June 2008 @
17. July @ Iðnó, a venue next to Tjörnin pond downtown Reykjavik on stage 
FM Belfast
Gavin Portland is a Post-Hardcore band formed in 2005.
Listen to a remix of Sigur Ros' "Gobbledigook" by Gluteus Maximus/Jack Schidt @ his MySpace: www.myspace.com/jackschidt
The Song of the Week is by Steed Lord: "Bucket of Blood". This songs features Krummi (of Minus and Esja fame) the brother of singer Svala, on vocals - children of famous singer Bó Halldórsson.
Steed Lord will be back on stage 19. July @ Q-Bar, after a
“They are being cared for by great professionals,” said singer Björgvin Halldórsson, Björgvinsdóttir’s father. He told DV, that the entire band is recovering.
Source: Iceland Review www.icelandreview.com Photographs of their MySpace page www.myspace.com/steedlord
