Paul Sullivan - Mixtape #6: 101 & Beyond (Icelandic Music)

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Mixtape #6: 101 & Beyond (Icelandic Music)

Monday, 12 October 2009 08:16

Photo by Hlynur via Flickr

Ever since I started this new mixtape series, an Icelandic selection has been on the cards. Though I hate to align myself as a music journalist to any particular sound, style or location - often to my disadvantage I should add - it's no secret that I have a great affinity with the Icelandic music scene.

I wrote a book on the subject in 2003, have been a regular visitor to the Airwaves festival ever since, and from the end of 2007 onwards I've been Content Editor of the Icelandic Music Export office, putting together news, reviews and spotlight interviews. I have also covered the country a bit as a photographer.

I was in Reykjavik again last month for the enlightening YAIC conference, and realised with a pang of sadness that I wouldn't be able to return for Airwaves 2009. Since I hadn't decided on a theme for October's mixtape the thought struck me: if I can't go to Airwaves, I'll bring Airwaves to me.

I got inevitably over-excited and the result is a 2-part playlist. The first section (101 - named after the diminutive downtown area of Reykjavik, where most of the musical action is) contains some great rock, pop and acoustic moments from the last year or so. This is the kind of stuff you'd be hearing at Airwaves if you go (sob), and provides a bit of an overview - not definitive or exhaustive, mind you - of Iceland's trendier side.

The second part was inspired by an article I'm currently writing for Tokafi on the classical and experimental side of the scene, which is equally exciting but less visible. This set features classically-trained musicians like Hildur Gudnadottir (who plays with mum & others), Johann Johannsson, Olafur Arnalds and amiina (who play with sigur ros & others) as well as experimentalists like Australian ex-pat Ben Frost and his Bedroom Community compadre Vageir Sigurdsson (Bjork, Bonnie Prince Billy & others), Sjon (poet and lyric writer for Bjork) and the magical Kippi Kaninus.

If, like me, you can't be in Reykjavik for Airwaves this week, feel free to download or listen to this little lot and try to imagine that distinctive mix of wafting snowflakes, sexy hot dogs and dirty dancin'. Oh well. There's always next year, eh?

NB: I did try hard to make this a stream instead of a download, but technology once again failed me. If any artists wish to be taken off this list / download please contact me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I'll remove you immediately.

101 (Download)

Kin (with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy) - Valgeir Sigurðsson

Lose Control - Johann Kristinsson

Birds - Emiliana Torrini

Englar og dárar - Olof Arnalds

Been Thinking Of You - Eberg

Whaling in the North Atlantic - Benni Hemm Hemm

The Boy Next Door - Hjaltalin

Flames of Fire - Skakkamanage

Continental Love - Borko

Sing Along - Múm

Catch The Light - Sin Fang Bous