It's only a week (and a bit) until Iceland Airwaves 2009 starts, people should be getting excited. And I should be blogging more.

So, I've had a load of people, mainly Airwaves virgins getting in touch and asking for advice – especially around what local bands they should go to watch. Some of them wondering if they should even bother with the local bands. Seriously, THIS IS A GREAT MUSIC SCENE, GO AND SEE THE ICELANDERS. OK?

I could help with this question, which Icelandic bands to prioritise. But I could also get some help. I've asked a load of great Icelandic musicians for their thoughts. And if you want to know what i think, I'll get to that nearer the time but for now… if I've asked a band for their views. it is because they themselves are a great band!

I have a lot of travelling to do before I turn up in Reykjavik for Airwaves but I will do my best to keep up a steady flow of these articles now. Today, I'll start off with two of the quieter acts around, and both are simply awesome.

My Summer As A Salvation Soldier has been making music for years now. This is the performance name
of a great guy called Þórir, who makes gorgeous, mellow albums by himself (as well as playing in some of Iceland's hardcore bands like the exceptional Gavin Portland and new project, Bummer). He first came to my attention when I heard his cover of Outkast's "Hey Ya" in a record shop, but there's so much more to him than that, check out myspace. Bummer will be playing the main festival, but look out for Þórir, or more likely My Summer As A Salvation Soldier, on the off-venue listings – it will be intimate, friendly, emotional and beautiful.

For now you can download (FOR FREE!) a brand new and superb 5 track E.P. here or get a physical version from Lefse Records. And as for the rest of the festival…

Name 5 UNMISSABLE Icelandic bands at Airwaves 2009?

Well to me the airwaves festival is just as much about the local bands playing constantly everywhere during the weekend as it is about the international acts. But having to narrow it down to 5 I'd say:

Me, the Slumbering Napoleon – Possibly (and probably) the best new band in Iceland these days. They play heavy loud and aggressive indie rock. Highly recommended.

Kimono – They're just one of those bands you don..t want to miss when they play. Because they don..t play often and they're always perfect.

Sword of Chaos – Very noisy punk rock. Fast and chaotic and a heap of stage presence.

Go Go Darkness – A new project from Henrik from Singapore Sling. He's one of my favorite songwriters around and what little I've heard from this project is amazing so I'm very excited to see that.

Bummer – A new project of mine. Loud catchy messy punk songs.

Which international acts are you excited to see?

There are a few this year. Micachu and the Shapes should be a good show. The Field is a big favorite of mine and Crystal Antlers should be good.

Ólafur Arnalds makes very modern classical music that I just cannot do justice to in words. He's had me utterly charmed all year with his founds songs project where, initially via twitter, he recorded and released 7 songs in seven days. You can check them out on the link just above, and the songs proved so popular that they have now become a physical release, again via the link above.

I think, well Óli thinks, he'll be playing at the Art Museum on Saturday night. There will doubtless be a whole lot going on at that point, but I can't think of many things I could recommend more highly. And as for the rest of the festival,

Name 5 UNMISSABLE Icelandic bands at Airwaves 2009?

Oculus, Kimono, Agent Fresco, Gus Gus and Gone Postal

Which international acts are you excited to see?

I probably wont see much as I'm premiering the ballet Dyad 1909 with my score in London the same week and don't arrive to Iceland until Saturday, just in time for my show. But if I could I would go see Kings of Convenience!