I really try not to feature the same artists two years in a row, but I was really keen to make Milkywhale an exception. They got such great reaction from so many people at Iceland Airwaves 2015, and many people can’t wait to see them again. I’m sure people would love to hear about what Melkorka and Árni have been up to since last year, and what they might be getting ready for us this time! Even more surprisingly, Melkorka agreed to speak to me two years in a row.
Hello again! You got an amazing reaction to your many shows at Airwaves last year. Was the attention all enjoyable?
Hi Mark! Yes indeed it was very enjoyable. Me and Árni had so much fun, especially since we had no idea what to expect. We just wanted to play pop music, fool around and have fun with it. It seems like lot of people jumped on board the Milkywhale watching boat. For me, playing music on stage and seeing people being in the moment with me is definitely the most rewarding thing that I do. It is just unlike anything else.
What have been the highlights for Milkywhale in the year since Airwaves 2015?
We were invited to play at Roskilde Festival after Airwaves 2015 and that was definitely the highlight so far! Árni is such an experienced musician but I come from the performing arts world which is a bit more subtle when it comes to the audience screaming and jumping. I think I will never forget the moment when I asked people to come and dance. All of a sudden there where hundreds of people running towards the stage, clapping, screaming, singing along and doing mosh pits throughout our show.
We also hosted our own concert at the Reykjavik Culture Night last August on a whale watching boat. The whole concept was that we were going to search for the loneliest whale in the world and play some music for it. In the end it was an amazing party, we’d really love to do that again.
Now, you have to do it all again. Do you feel pressure after the amazing reaction last year?
Yes an no. Me and Árni are pretty ambitious when it comes to making and performing music but the bottom line is always to play music that we like. In a way we are more experienced than last year and we know more what to expect. But we also want to keep the show fresh and fun, and playful and that takes constant practice. Being playful is kind of the keyword here.
Like last year, you get to play on the big stage at Harpa which suits you so well. Do you have a preference between the big modern venue or the small and sweaty bars?
We usually try to make a big venue feel small and sweaty. We work with a designer that makes visuals for us that usually work better in bigger venues. In bigger venues I also have more space to run around and play with different dimensions during the concert. So it’s mostly for practical reasons, but of course the more people the merrier.
What about your recorded music. Is there going to be a Milkywhale record sometime?
YES! And it is actually coming out soon after Airwaves! It is called Milkywhale. Stay tuned. We are REALLY excited.
Will you be playing some new material at Airwaves 2016?
Definitely! Since last Airwaves we’ve made a few new songs that will also be a part of our new record. We have a longer slot this year in Harpa, headlining Norðurljós the first day of Airwaves. So we will definitely make sure people will dance with more up beat songs. We also have new sparkly shoes, new overalls, more white clothes, more choreographies and Árni is on stage as well. So plenty of exciting things coming up for this Airwaves.
Finally, what other acts are you especially keen to see at the festival this year?
There are so many acts I’m looking forward to see. I definitely wont miss Snorri Helgason, Prins Póló, Kött Grá Pjé and Boogie Trouble. Also my favourite sugar bears Úlfur Úlfur, Emmsjé Gauti and SXSXSX. Last but not least I have to recommend a good friend of mine Sigga Soffía who is an amazing dancer working with musician Jónas Sen showing bits of their latest work Fubar. So a bit of everything. That’s also what makes Airwaves so special.
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Come and see what all the fuss is about, here are your chances…
Wednesday Nov 2nd, 12:20am (Thurs morning) at Harpa Norðurljós
