FM Belfast – so pretty, not smelly.

iceblah

9 years ago

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Oh how I love FM Belfast. Surely everybody loves FM Belfast. I was going to call the Iceland’s finest party starters, but actually they are probably better described as party finishers – there’s nowhere to go once FM Belfast have finished with you other than home in a happy and sweaty daze. They’ve been doing this for over a decade now, FM Belfast is always one of the key shows to catch at Iceland Airwaves. I’m so happy that chief streamer thrower Lóa agreed to have a little chat with me about new music on the way, cover versions, new FM Belfast music and more…

Hi Lóa, where are you and what are you doing?

Hi Mark. I’m in Reykjavík preparing for a trip to Berlin. I’m going to spend a week there with my mentor and write my book.

For people who are less familiar with FM Belfast, who is in the band and what other bands do you all play in?

Hello people less familiar with our band. Here’s a run through:

Singer, Computer boy wonder: Árni R. Hlöðversson, he plays with Prins Póló and Milkyhwale.

Singer, head of decorations: Lóa H. Hjálmtýsdóttir, at the moment FM Belfast is my only musical outlet.

Singer, dancer: Örvar Þ. Smárason, he’s in Múm.

Drummer, singer, stage diver: Ívar P Kjartansson, is also in Miri and sometimes he plays with Benni Hemm Hemm.

Dancer, singer, rapper, bureaucrat: Egill Eyjólfsson, he’s not playing with another band.

Singer, keyboard, theremin: Hermigervill, also in Retro Stefson, Hermigervill and Berndsen.

Singer, MC, sometimes percussionist: Björn Kristjánsson, he’s in Borko and Royal.

For the last 10 years or so, FM Belfast have been THE essential party band at Iceland Airwaves. Is it all as much fun as it looks?

I’m glad that’s the case. I can’t answer for everyone but for me it’s really fun. I’m also an illustrator so I spend days and days sitting by myself in silence so for me this is like a party. I also don’t really go to parties because I get uncomfortable when I don’t know what to talk about.

Do you sometimes wish all those boys on stage would not strip down to their underwear?

No, it has never bothered me at all. I’m just glad they aren’t foul smelling people.

I’ve always loved how you insert unexpected and joyous cover versions into your sets (can we have Welcome To The Jungle again?). Do you have plans for Airwaves 2016?

Thank you. I’ve always love this too. It’s usually jokes from rehearsals that end up in the shows because we find them funny. I’m not aware of the 2016 plans.

You’ve just released a brand new song, ‘You’re So Pretty’. Does this mean there’s more new music on the way?

Yes, yes, yes! It’s making me very happy.

What else are you keen to see at Airwaves this year?

I’m flying from Finland on the Saturday so I don’t have much time to see shows but my favourite is stumbling on shows in a random fashion. I’ve discovered many new bands this way. I always check on my friends as well, they have nice bands. I’m very sad to miss the Múm show.

Finally, what is the official FM Belfast advice for people coming to Airwaves and Iceland for the first time?

Try to see as many acts as you can. Go to the pools in the morning. Dress warm. Don’t spend your money on bad coffee, we have many litres of good coffee. Use a condom.

So wise.

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FM Belfast will party you hard at Harpa Silfurberg on Saturday Nov 5th at 1am (Sunday Morning).

Also, there’s an FM Belfast dj set at Hlemmur Square on Thursday 3rd November at 12:30pm.

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