Iceland Airwaves Preview #4 – The slightly late edition

The final part of my Iceland Airwaves preview is a little bit last minute, I'm writing this on the plane (Iceland Express, very good!) ready to post as soon as I can get a connection at the hotel. Then later on I'll post up my ideas for 10 events not to miss at Iceland Airwaves 2009.

First up is Petur Ben, sadly not performing at the festival this year – but if you want to buy or gift an Icelandic CD that will meet with universal approval I strongly suggest you pick his album up, it will be in all the music stores. He also plays on Mugison's stunning album, Mugiboogie. Petur Ben is a top man! He's currently working on new music for a soundtrack and felt too out of touch to talk about the international acts, so I let him talk about more than five Icelandic ones instead…

 Klink, This is a band that oozes danger. Legendary hardcore outfit that features Aggi from Lights on the highway. Never got to see them in their golden years…now's your chance.

Foreign Monkeys, with new release this year. Haven't heard them in a while but last time I looked they knocked me on heavens door.

Sudden Weather Change, Another band I haven't seen except on TV. Killer songs, cool kids on the block, stick your pants in your socks get on the buzzzz.

Lights on the highway, also with a new release this year. Just a volcanic band that makes ear-worms that will eat your brains out.

Dr Spock, this is a band that you have to see if you come to Iceland. Craziest rock'n roll act on the planet.
 
Leaves, also with a new release. I missed their release concert. They always surprise you with their majestic beauty. Really good songs sung by a Lion.

Langi Seli og skuggarnir, They're a rockabilly band that's been around for 20 or so years and their recent grenade is an album with DJ Magic (Gisli Galdur).  Just gotta see this.

Kimono, I haven't heard this fantastic band in years. They are band of really uncanny individuals that make an incredible whole.
 
Hjaltalin, Excellent band that has a new album on the way.

Eberg/Feldberg – two of ebergs projects. Very catchy electro tunes that surprise you with humour, attractive kinky-ness and love.

Stuart Rogers is one of those foreign (non-Icelanders) who has become charmed, seduced and ultimately fallen in love with the Icelandic music scene – trust me, I recognise the symptoms. Stuart is a New York City based Australian DJ/film-maker/lots of other talents too. He regularly features Icelandic music on his NY radio show, and you can check out an amazing website of his work here.

Name 5 UNMISSABLE Icelandic bands at Airwaves 2009?

Sorry mate, I'm greedy. Here's 6 in no particular order –

Agent Fresco
FM Belfast
Hafdis Huld
Mammut
Retro Stefson
Reykjavik!

Which international acts are you excited to see?

Micachu & The Shapes

 Fjallabræður were the revelation of Iceland Airwaves 2009 for me. One of those bands you see by  accident, a real right place at the right time moment. They are a rock band (there are drums and a guitar) but with about 30 singers, all fishermen and all wearing tuxedos. Never the same line-up twice, some of them are always out fishing! And they make the most incredible, magical noise, you must see them. When I interviewed them after their amazing show last year, they told me their show had clearly gone very well since "quite a few of us got laid". They are first up (19:30) in Nasa on Thursday, please try to see them!

Name 5 UNMISSABLE Icelandic bands at Airwaves 2009?

Agent Fresco 
Elín Ey
For a minor reflection
Lára
Vicky

Which international acts are you excited to see?

We are very excited to see Eivor Pálsdóttir from the Faroe Islands.  Don't miss her, she is magical!

Finally, a band I'll be seeing in a few hours from now. The talents of Sudden Weather Change are well documented on this blog, most recently in the interview here. As trendy young things of the Icelandic scwnw, who do they suggest we check out at Iceland Airwaves 2009?…

Name 5 UNMISSABLE Icelandic bands at Airwaves 2009?

Me, The slumbering Napoleon
Reykjavík!
MIRI
Swords of Chaos
Skelkur í Bringu

Which international acts are you excited to see?

Crystal Antlers… thats pretty much it for us compared to all the great local acts.

So that's it for the previews, apart from mine which will follow on later today – for now I must save and switch off, the nice Iceland Express lady might start to get impatient…