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 as Björk, GusGus, Sigur Rós, Tenderfoot, and Bellatrix. Skandinavia could 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 love Led Zeppelin they are the ultimate rock and roll band . I also like artists like Kate Bush cause 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 with Global Warming after 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 in The Darkness so 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.
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