Pollapönk's Eurovision adventure provided SO MUCH FUN a few weeks ago. They became a social media sensation all around Europe when they got into the final with the very last announcement and then just carried on really, really, really enjoying themselves. It all gave people I know a chance to tell me they had seen some Icelandic music and they liked it. Of course they did!
I'm excited that I got have an email conversation with main man, Heidar Kristjansson, which is below. If you haven't seen Pollapönk perform their (John Grant translated) song "No Prejudice" yet then click below and carry on reading. If you have seen and heard it before, see and hear it again!
Hi Heidar, it has been so much fun watching the Pollapönk Eurovision adventure over the last few weeks. Has it been as much fun for you guys as it has looked? What was the highlight of the whole experience?
Yes, it was great fun! We decided to go into the Eurovision country with an open mind, positive attitude and love. What stood out was when we were the last one to get into the final, number 10! It is the fourth time in five years that Iceland is drawn last. It was jaw dropping, literally 😉
Were you slightly disappointed with your final position at all or just delighted to have been involved? Did you have a favourite song in the competition?
The goal was always to qualify, everything else was just a bonus. My favorite song in the competition was the French song "Moustache" and they finished last with two points!
Let's go back to basics, and a common question in Icelandic music, who are you all and what other bands do you or have you played in?
Pollapönk was founded in 2006 by me and Halli. We both came from the band "Botnleðja". We were studying to work as teachers, wanted to create music which could be enjoyed by both children and the broader families. Later Arnar and Guðni from the bands Dr.Spock and Ensími joined the band playing drums and bass guitar. They are also playing with Mugison.
And those two beautiful backing singers you had in Copenhagen have some history too don't they?
The orange-polli is Snæbjörn. He is a member of the heavy metal band "Skálmöld". Purple-polli is Óttarr Proppe. Óttarr is a member of the Icelandic parliament and the bands Dr.spock and HAM.
Excellent! I was pretty surprised to learn recently that both Botnleðja and Dr Spock have entered the selection process to be the Icelandic Eurovision entry before, is that right? They don't seem very 'Eurovision' type of bans to me. Perhaps I need a little less prejudice!
Haha…yes that's all true and all good 🙂
Some people may be surprised to find that Pollapönk already have three albums released. The band look and dress like pure fun but I know and love that you have an underlying philosophy about being accessible and appealing to kids. How did you end up with that idea?
Pollapönk celebrates diversity and dress hence the different colors. But underneath we are all the same.
Last question, and one that people have asked me about a little already, with all this activity and attention this year (and a new compilation coming out I think?) what are the chances that visitors to Iceland Airwaves may be able to party with Pollapönk at later this year?
It has not been decided but it´s great fun playing the Airwaves festival. We´ll see!
Tease!
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