The website straum.is is exactly the sort of wonderful looking and clearly essential Icelandic website that makes me resolve again to try a little bit harder with that language. It is a great looking place with a load of news and features plus plenty of videos. And, it has just turned one year old (CONGRATULATIONS!!!).

Óli Dóri is one half of the duo that make it, and its fabulous sister radio show, happen. He's also (very obviously) a huge fan and ambassador for the local music scene and just an all round nice guy, and if that doesn't get me a drink next week I don't know what will.

🙂

Congratulations on your website straum.is being one year old. Why did you decide to start it?

Thank you Mark! Me and my friend Davíð who runs straum.is with me felt that Reykjavík needed a website to document the city active and growing music scene.

And it's not just a website, it's a radio show too! How do the two things work together?

It works really well together. Straumur the radio show has been on the air since January 2006 on 3 radio stations. Its once a week on X977 and you can stream the program and look at the playlist on straum.is about 1 hour after it's off the air. (the Airwaves show is right here) Straum.is is like a daily version of what i'm doing on the radio show.

You are clearly a big supporter of the local scene, so I assume you are pretty excited about Iceland Airwaves?

Yes! I have been to every Iceland Airwaves since the 2nd festival back in 2000 and seen it developing into this really great thing. The festival is really important for the music scene in Iceland and is a big reason in the fact that we have so many great bands here!

What about Sonar too? How many festivals is too many?

Sonar and All Tomorrow's Parties Iceland are both great addition to the scene. To have Sonar in February, ATP in June and Iceland Airwaves in November is fantastic!

What impact do you think the closures of great venues like Nasa, Faktory and Sirkus (and more) will have on the scene?
 
It makes it harder for people to put on a medium size shows! It's really bad for smaller band that are starting out! The independent music scene in Reykjavík needs places like Nasa and Faktory to flourish!

What local bands should foreign visitors make sure they see at Airwaves?

There are so many great bands in Iceland. But if I would have to name a few local bands to check out I would tell people to go to see Grísalappalísa, Nolo, Sykur, Samaris, múm, Fm Belfast, Prins Póló and Sin Fang.

And lastly, what is your advice to Airwaves first-timers?

See as many show as you can and check out the off-venue program as well. It's great! Also have a hot dog and visit a swimming pool!

All very fine advice! Thanks so much for taking the time, maybe I'll see you there.

Thank you sir and I will see you at Iceland Airwaves!!