Keeping a finger on the pulse

Reykjavík On Stage - page 5

Ragnar Ólafsson’s Urges (to run)

in Explore/Issue #2/REVIEWS by

Words by Stína Satanía The review was originally printed in Reykjavík On Stage (Issue 2) Ragnar Ólafsson is a versatile musician who has established his name on the Icelandic music scene with such bands as Árstíðir, Ask the Slave, In Siren or Lightspeed Legend. Playing almost everything from chamber folk through jazz to progressive metal, he has tirelessly surprised listeners with his numerous sonic hats. On Urges, his debut solo LP released in June 2017, Ragnar once again reveals a new face. This artwork is different from all his previous achievements and goes a long way into his singer-songwriter outfit. This solo project is perhaps a little sidestep in Ragnar’s music career. Labelled a heartbreak album, Urges is packed with emotional and intimate songs. Lyrically, darkness is everywhere. The songs are heartfelt but sorrowful and mirror dealing with changes and experiencing the lows of life. The spotlight stays on Ragnar:…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rokkað á Hvanneyri

(Pistillinn var skrifaður fyrir Tengivagninn á Rás1 og birtist þar, miðvikudaginn 14. ágúst 2019.) Falið í Borgarbyggð með tæplega 300

Sóley – Endless Summer

in Explore/Issue #2/REVIEWS by

Words by Bartek Wilk The review was originally printed in Reykjavík On Stage (Issue 2) When I think of the most fragile Icelandic artist, Sóley Stefánsdóttir is the first name that comes to my mind. I’ve been a fan of her talent since Seabear, always impatiently waiting for any new song she’s recorded. It’s been two years sinceher latest album Ask The Deep, following which EP Don’t Ever Listen came out. Incredibly good, stunningly dark, and deeply personal are words to describe the first album mentioned above. It was the quintessence of her image that I’ve painted in my mind through the years. The image of an unbelievably sensitive and empathetic person, who cares the most about the world, reaching its deepest evil. She incorporates all her personal experiences while writing her lyrics and music. I was not only truly surprised when I heard that Endless Summer was going to be…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rokkað á Hvanneyri

(Pistillinn var skrifaður fyrir Tengivagninn á Rás1 og birtist þar, miðvikudaginn 14. ágúst 2019.) Falið í Borgarbyggð með tæplega 300

Stick Around for Unun

in Explore/Issue #1 by

Words by Wim Van Hooste Photo by Björg Sveinsdóttir Hi, My name is Wim Van Hooste. I like to delve deep into the history of Icelandic music. Digging for golden oldies, silver and sulphur in the island’s musical underground is kind of fun. One of the most remarkable bands of the nineties was Unun, a phoenix rising from the ashes of The Sugarcubes. Let’s talk about them a little. (more…)

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rokkað á Hvanneyri

(Pistillinn var skrifaður fyrir Tengivagninn á Rás1 og birtist þar, miðvikudaginn 14. ágúst 2019.) Falið í Borgarbyggð með tæplega 300

Q&A w/Árni Grétar aka Futuregrapher

in Explore/Issue #1 by

Words by Bartek Wilk Reykjavík on Stage takes a dive into the universe of Árni Grétar, aka Futuregrapher, half of Árni², a member of Weirdcore collective and co-founder of Möller Records label. These days you’re one of the most recognizable and well-known artists of the Icelandic electro scene. But you worked long and hard to get there. You played lots and lots of concerts and I can’t even count all of your releases. How much energy and work did you have to put in before it finally paid off? I began writing music early – at the age of 13 in 1996 – and at first it was just for fun, to try and make sense of this life. There is this music competition in Reykjavík called ‘Músíktilraunir’ and it all started there. I once got into the finals with my band, and then a year later another one of…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rokkað á Hvanneyri

(Pistillinn var skrifaður fyrir Tengivagninn á Rás1 og birtist þar, miðvikudaginn 14. ágúst 2019.) Falið í Borgarbyggð með tæplega 300

Droopy Dog at the Olympics

in Explore/Issue #1/REVIEWS by

Words by Wim Van Hooste The review was originally printed in Reykjavík On Stage (Issue 1) At the age of 16, the duo Captain Fufanu (Kaktus and Gulli) mixed dub, techno, house and experimental electronica. But since 2015 there is no Captain anymore on board of the Fufanu boat. Two years after Few more days to go (2015), their debut album on the famous One Little Indian (OLI) records label, Kaktus and Gulli Einarsson found a drummer boy that goes by the name Bang. OLI is known for having a strong umbilical cord to the Icelandic indie foetus since Kaktus’ father Einar Örn’s band The Sugarcubes jumped into the Indie Indian’s teepee. The second coming, ‘Sports’, is another 10-track album. This time it was produced by Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. It is a decathlon that kicks off with its arty farty build up title track. Song 2…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rokkað á Hvanneyri

(Pistillinn var skrifaður fyrir Tengivagninn á Rás1 og birtist þar, miðvikudaginn 14. ágúst 2019.) Falið í Borgarbyggð með tæplega 300

Keep Your Finger On The Pulse #01

in Explore/Issue #1 by

Words by Stína Satanía Hildur Hildur is not a freshman on the Icelandic music scene since she’s gained her experience playing with Rökkurró and Ólafur Arnalds. Last year though, she made the first step towards her solo career. Appearing suddenly on the Icelandic sonic firmament with her energetic and positive music, she has won many hearts on the local ground and has already debuted abroad. Her star shines very bright indeed, and last May we got an entire Heart to Heart EP of her warm positive energy. Moreover, her song ‘I’ll Walk With You’ won the Icelandic Music Award for the best pop song of the year. (more…)

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rokkað á Hvanneyri

(Pistillinn var skrifaður fyrir Tengivagninn á Rás1 og birtist þar, miðvikudaginn 14. ágúst 2019.) Falið í Borgarbyggð með tæplega 300

The Variety of Reykjavík Folk Festival

in Explore/Issue #1 by

Words by Stína Satanía The Reykjavík Folk Festival is an annual held in the capital of Iceland since 2010. This year‘s edition set up shop in the cozy warmth of Kex Hostel, and promised to be very intriguing from the start. From the 2nd to the 4th of March 2017 I decided to take a deep dive into the world of Icelandic folk music. (more…)

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rokkað á Hvanneyri

(Pistillinn var skrifaður fyrir Tengivagninn á Rás1 og birtist þar, miðvikudaginn 14. ágúst 2019.) Falið í Borgarbyggð með tæplega 300

Rock On With Stelpur Rokka!

in Explore/Issue #1 by

Words by Stína Satanía It is a Monday morning in July. I am sitting with thirty young women in a huge room, and we just finished playing several ice-breaker games. The young participants are now picking which instrument or musical skill they will learn to play in the next few days. They can choose to play bass guitar, electric guitar, drums, keyboard or to practice vocals. Most participants didn’t know each other before coming to camp. Some came with their friends. Others are here for the second or third time, eager to realize their dreams. Thanks to Stelpur Rokka!, I discovered in just a few days how we can change the lives of our female friends, sisters, daughters and nieces for the better. (more…)

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rokkað á Hvanneyri

(Pistillinn var skrifaður fyrir Tengivagninn á Rás1 og birtist þar, miðvikudaginn 14. ágúst 2019.) Falið í Borgarbyggð með tæplega 300

Heiðatrubador Tour 2017: The Weirdest Trip I’ve Ever Been On

in Explore/Issue #1 by

Words by Heiða Eiríks aka Heiðatrubador I’m on my twenty-somethingth train of the past seven weeks, a night-train between Köln and Berlin. I can’t really feel my lower back or my butt anymore, since I’m trying to sleep across two seats, which is trickier than it seems. Physical discomfort aside, I’m positively ecstatic and I have not felt so alive in a very long time. I’m also quite relieved to have reached the very end of my solo tour as Heidatrubador, which took me to seven countries over seven weeks and must have taken half a year to plan. (more…)

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rokkað á Hvanneyri

(Pistillinn var skrifaður fyrir Tengivagninn á Rás1 og birtist þar, miðvikudaginn 14. ágúst 2019.) Falið í Borgarbyggð með tæplega 300

On Abbey Road With Biggi Hilmars

in Explore/Issue #1 by

Words by Wim Van Hooste Photo by María Kjartans (www.mariakjartans.com) Reykjavík On Stage had the opportunity to have a chat with multitalented musician Biggi Hilmars. He is well known for his previous work with Ampop and Blindfold. Hello Biggi Hilmars! You recently recorded in the Abbey Road Studios with the London Chamber Orchestra in 2016. That must have been a fantastic experience. Funnily when I first came into the hall in Studio 2 it didn’t look like much. It felt like an old gymnasium at elementary school. But when the orchestra began to play the music and we heard the music, I got silly amounts of goose bumps, which made me realize the privilege I was experiencing. Not to mention working in such high-quality conditions at Abbey Road Studios with world class musicians was invaluable. (more…)

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rokkað á Hvanneyri

(Pistillinn var skrifaður fyrir Tengivagninn á Rás1 og birtist þar, miðvikudaginn 14. ágúst 2019.) Falið í Borgarbyggð með tæplega 300

1 … 3 4 5 6 7
Go to Top