Those of you that know me, are well aware of my fondness love unnatural obsession with modern Icelandic music. I can’t place the ground-zero of this particular infatuation, but I know it has been in the sides of my brain for several years now. I don’t speak Icelandic; nor do I understand it, for that matter [though that is somewhat irrelevant as much of this is sung in English], but the music always moves me on a truly emotional level. And so for the second podcast I thought I’d share some of the songs & artists that Iceland is producing. Enjoy.

Listening In Blue Shift 02
Sunset: Icelandic Music

• [00:00] Blindfold: Sleepless Nights
  [from the self titled, Blindfold]
  The solo project of one of my favorite artists, Birgir Hilmarsson, AKA: Biggi. One of the most somber & immediate songs I think I’ve ever heard.
• [04:40] Múm: Green Grass of Tunnel
  [from Finally We Are No One]
  Glitchy and fragile music-box melodies. If there was a sound that Iceland brought to mind [never having been there] Múm would be it.
• [09:29] Björk: Who is It?
  [from Medúlla]
  So I haven’t the faintest what rock you must have lived under for all of the 90′s if you aren’t at least passingly aware of Björk. Regardless, she isn’t afraid to try new things; some work and some not so much. This particular song is truly amazing if you consider there are no instruments being used to make that songs. It’s two beat-boxers, Mike Patton [from Faith No More], and Björk. Check this video clip out to really get what the hell I am talking about. [link]
• [13:32] Benni Hemm Hemm: Beginning End
  [from the self titled Benni Hemm Hemm]
  Big, bright orchestral swells; it’s a bit like Iceland’s answer to the Polyphonic Spree without the choral robes spectacle.
• [15:51] Sigur Rós: Saeglopur
  [from Takk...]
  Listening to Sigur Rós has a tendency to make one forget that the rest of the world exists, leaving you alone in the open-ness of their sound. In the past, the lead singer, Jón Þór “Jónsi” Birgisson sang in a made-up language, called “Hopelandic”. This is song is allegedly sung in Icelandic. Would I know the difference? Probably not; but it’s damn pretty music.
• [23:06] Ampop: Rodent
  [from Nature is Not a Virgin]
  Biggi’s ambient-pop group. Sawtooth synths and icy rhythms with Biggi’s trademark almost ghostly vocals.
• [28:03] The Album Leaf: Eastern Glow
  [from In a Safe Place]
  Ok, so this isn’t ACTUALLY from Iceland. But this album was mostly recorded and mastered in the relative isolation that is Sundlaugin [Sigur Rós' studio], giving him [Jimmy LaValle] a very “Icelandic sound” [whatever that REALLY is].

Technorati Tags: Icelandic music, podcast, Blindfold, Múm, Björk, Benni Hemm Hemm, Sigur Rós, Ampop, The Album Leaf, Music, Iceland, Listening in Blue Shift

Listening in Blue Shift: Sunset - Icelandic Music [ 34:10 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download