Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2007, Síða 14

RVK_GV_INFO_ISSUE 07_007_INTERVIEW/MUSIC_B11
It seems like everyone is talking about the perky
duo the Motion Boys at the moment. A band
of two, Birgir Ísleifur, (former member of Byltan
and Motherfuckers in the House) and Árni +1
(from FM Belfast and Hairdoctor), the Motion
Boys, although without a record deal and only
two songs released, have become the hype of
the summer. It doesn’t hurt that the band’s
live line-up features Mínus drummer Bjössi,
Trabant members Viddi and Gísli Galdur, and
Tobbi, a former member of Jeff Who?. Local
radio station DJs can’t seem to get enough
of their high-end electro-pop singles and the
danceable tunes have scored big with the local
party crowd. Grapevine sat down with Biggi
and Árni at Prikið to learn a little more about
their collaboration.
How did it all start?
Árni: We started working together about a year
ago. Biggi asked me to help arrange a song
he was writing for Sigtið [an Icelandic comedy
show]. He came to my studio and we wrote
one song just for the fun of it. That’s basically
how it all started.
Biggi: That song is called Silhouette. No one
has heard it except us two. After writing that
song we saw that our collaboration was working
so we continued writing and Hold Me Closer
to Your Heart was born, but after writing that
song we felt kind of bad.
Why so?
Biggi: Because we knew the song would be a
major hit. At least I did.
Árni: We were afraid that if we would release
this song, we would never make another
one.
And become a one-hit wonder?
Árni: Exactly. In my view, it was really important
to write numerous other songs before releasing
Hold me Closer, and actually our first single
released was Waiting to Happen.
Biggi: I also felt bad about that song. I felt
as if I was in the eighth grade all over again,
hanging around in the Frostaskjól youth centre
among the tenth grade kids. When in the eighth
grade you have this feeling towards the older
kids, which is kind of a mix of fear and respect.
You respected them but at the same time your
stomach was aching. I had the same feeling
about Waiting to Happen. I really don’t know
how to describe it.
Árni: You felt as if you were a part of something
much bigger than yourself.
Biggi: Exactly.
You managed to face your fears and release
a promo CD, featuring the two aforemen-
tioned songs. The Grapevine critic, Sindri
Eldon, reviewed the single and said that
the summer of 2007 belonged solely to
you, no matter if you would ever release
anything else.
Árni: Yes, we finally released the CD, but we
weren’t trying to promote it in any way though.
We just wanted to try and see what would
happen.
Biggi: And it worked, much beyond our hopes
at that moment. The songs have been played
a lot on the radio stations, and they seem to
be appealing to both the pop and rock genre.
It’s unbelievable really, as there are no guitars
in these songs! I don’t know how to play the
guitar and Árni only knows three chords. My
opinion is that if Hold me Closer won’t be an
international hit, then I know absolutely nothing
about music. It doesn’t matter who would have
written this song, when I hear it I can’t imagine
anything else than a global success. Anything
less would just be weird and wrong.
But you are planning a full-length album
sometime in the near future, right?
Árni: Yes, we have the next bullet ready. Now
we just need to fire the gun.
Biggi: That song is crazy! Its called Steal Your
Love. Remember that name!
Árni: It’s sort of a mix between Hold me Closer
and Waiting to Happen.
Biggi: With a touch of Michael Jackson.
Your live line-up is somewhat impressive.
And even before your first live gig, people
were calling Motion Boys a supergroup.
Árni: Everyone is famous in Iceland so it’s really
easy to mix together a supergroup. We share a
studio with Trabant so it just happened naturally
and we didn’t run around asking for the phone
number of Bjössi in Mínus, he actually asked us
if he could join in. He got down on his knees
and cried out in the rain.
Biggi: Viddi has been an immensely big help, for
example with recording Hold me Closer. Then
we have Gísli Galdur, he’s of course amazing,
and everyone knows that.
Árni: And Tobbi is just like a computer with
a soul.
Biggi: Today we think of all these guys as part
of Motion Boys.
Your first concert was cut short due to
technical problems (see review, page 20), it
must have been a great disappointment?
Biggi: It was just unbelievable really, but despite
this fuckup we all had a great time.
Árni: Afterwards, I feel that the show ended
just the way it should have ended. The audi-
ence got a preview of Motion Boys and was
generally positive towards the music. No one
got angry and the incident kind of brought
us closer together. I at least don’t have any
negative feelings about this show. All I wanted
was to get goose bumps and I did. I also find
it remarkable that four bands, with no record
deals and no album releases, were able to stuff
Iðnó. The band Hjaltalín was great that night
and so was Sprengjuhöllin.
Biggi: And FM Belfast was crazy.
You must be planning another concert
soon. I heard you are scheduled to open
for The Rapture at NASA on June 26.
Árni: Yeah we are. That’s gonna be nice.
Biggi: The Rapture is a fun band. I’m sure they
will be much more tight on stage than we will,
but I’m convinced that we will touch people’s
hearts in a greater way than they are going to.
Maybe the guys in The Rapture will even be a
little weepy when they go on stage. But seri-
ously, I’m sure it will be a great gig.
Árni: It will be good to get the chance to play
in front of a large crowd and know that you can
deliver the music well. Our live band features
experienced musicians who’ve played NASA
multiple times over so it’s a great opportunity.
So what’s the plan for the summer?
Biggi: To play as many concerts as we can. We
are also booked to play at the Iceland Airwaves
festival in October.
Árni: In addition to that, we want to travel
abroad and play our music for a broader audi-
ence.
Biggi: And then there is of course the forth-
coming album. We are planning to record as
many songs as we can this summer and nail
the project down and be ready with an album
next fall.
You can check out their songs at www.myspace.
com/motionboys
The Motion Boys Fear For Their Success
Text by Steinunn Jakobsdóttir Photo by Gulli
“It doesn’t matter who
would have written this
song, when I hear it I
can’t imagine anything
else than a global success.
Anything less would just
be weird and wrong.”
SATURDAY, JUNE 2
» 10:00 Ships’ foghorns signal the opening of the Festival of the Sea
» 10:00-16:00 Bizarre sea creatures
The Icelandic Marine Research Institute displays a collection of
strange sea dwellers. The central pier (Miðbakki), Reykjavik Harbor.
» 09:00-17:00 Whale Watching
Special offers on whale watching tours – 3.000 kr for adults, 1.500
kr for children aged 7-15 and no charge for children under 6.
Departures are at 9.00, 13.00 and 17.00. Each tour takes 2,5 – 3
hours. Ægisgarður-Reykjavik Harbor
» 10:00–16:00 Open house at the Reykjavik sailing society Brokey.
Ingólfsgarður-Reykjavik Harbor
» 11:00-18:00 Photography exhibition presented by Faxaflói Har-
bors.
» 11:00-17:00 Reykjavík Maritime Museum Free admission and fun
program for the whole family. Grandagarður 8
» 11:00-17:00 Ferry trips to Viðey on special offer. 1.100 kr for
adults and 600 kr for children (waffles and hot cocoa included).
The ferry leaves at 12:00 noon from the old pier, where there is
also a bus service to Sundahöfn harbor on an hourly basis. Further
information available at www.videy.com
» 11:00 Pier fishing competition at the pier by Ægisgarður. All
competitors get a free movie ticket and a certificate acknowledging
participation.
» 11:30 Sightseeing cruise to Akranes
The Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue’s schoolship,
Sæbjörg sails from the central pier (Miðbakki) of Reykjavik Harbor
to Akranes - waffles and coffee will be served on board. Admission
is free but seating is limited. The ship will sail back at approximately
14:30. The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbor
» 12:00 Sailing competition Cannon fire signals the beginning of
this event! The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbor
» 12:00-17:00 Fun and games (mini amusement park) The central
pier. (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbor
» 12:30 The festival kicks off in Akranes
» 13:00 – 16:00 The Icelandic coast guard exhibits its pride and joy,
the 32 year old veteran ship Týr. Faxagarður- Reykjavik Harbor
» 13:00 – 16:00 Food and culture in the tent at the central pier
Message in a bottle: Send a bottled message. At 16:00 a ship will
take all the bottles out to sea and release them.
Reykjavik Whale watching introduces its operations and hosts an art
competition for children.
Gourmet fish: The store Fiskisaga sells samples of delicious fish
based courses.
The Icelandic Diving society sells samples of grilled shellfish and
other delicatessen.
Akureyri University displays images of under water life in Ey-
jafjörður.
Edda útgáfa: Art competition. The 20 prettiest fish pictures earn the
artists a book each as prizes.
The zoo and family park: have you ever petted a crab? Live sea
creatures you can examine and touch under the guidance of trained
staff.
Matís: How does fish change in storage?
Experts teach passers-by to recognise tell tale signs of fish going off
after extended periods of storage and offers tips for picking and
storing the right cuts.
Do you know that smell?
A fun game for people of all ages. Smell from the bottles and guess
what was in each one.
Micro-organisms in fish
Passers-by are given the chance to examine micro organisms in
petrie dishes.
» 13:00 The search and rescue organisation, Ársæll, displays jeeps
and other rescue equipment. The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík
Harbor
» 13:00-16:00 The DAS lottery exhibits a state of the art Lexus
GS300 and a Harley Davidson V-Rod motorcycle.
The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbor
» 14:00 Sailor’s Song Festival
The Reykjavík Art Museum - Hafnarhúsið
» 15:00 The best sea faring ditty chosen and performed - also live
on Rás 2 radio. The Reykjavík Art Museum - Hafnarhúsið
» 16:00 Speedboat racing
Just off the coast from Sæbraut
» 16:00 Message in a bottle. Launch bottled messages from a boat.
Departure from the central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbor
» 18:00 Fishfeast! Information about participating restaurants and
their menus can be found below, on the program flyer and at www.
hatidhafsins.is
SUNDAY, JUNE 3
» 10:00 Memorial ceremony for fallen sailors.
Fossvogskapella, Fossvogskirkjugarður (Fossvogs cemetery).
» 10:00-16:00 Bizarre sea creatures – The Icelandic Marine Re-
search Institute displays a collection of strange sea dwellers. The
central pier (Miðbakki), Reykjavik Harbour
» 09:00-17:00 Whale Watching
Special offers on whale watching tours – 3.000 kr for adults, 1.500
kr for children aged 7-15 and no charge for children under 6. Depar-
tures are at 9.00, 13.00 and 17.00. Each tour takes 2,5 – 3 hours.
Ægisgarður-Reykjavik Harbour.
» 10:00-18:00 Photography exhibition presented by Faxaflói Har-
bours.
» 11:00-17:00 Reykjavík Maritime Museum Free admission and fun
program for the whole family. Grandagarður 8
» 11:00-17:00 Ferry trips to Viðey on special offer. 1.100 kr for
adults and 600 kr for children (waffles and hot cocoa included). The
ferry leaves at 12:00 noon from the old pier, where there is also a
bus service to Sundahöfn Harbour on an hourly basis. Further infor-
mation available at www.videy.com
» 11:00 Memorial service for fallen fishermen in the Reykjavik
Cathedral. Flowers placed on the grave of the unknown sailor.
» 12:00-17:00 Fun and games (mini amusement park).
The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbour.
» 13:00 – 16:00 The Icelandic coast guard exhibits its pride and joy,
the 32 year old veteran ship Týr. Faxagarður- Reykjavik Harbour.
» 13:00-16:00 The DAS lottery exhibits a state of the art Lexus
GS300 and a Harley Davidson V-Rod motorcycle. The central pier
(Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbour.
» 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 Family sightseeing cruise:
A great chance to see the city from a totally different perspective.
Admittance is free. The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbour.
» 13:00 The search and rescue organisation Ársæll shows how to
quickly respond to a drowning person in the ocean. The central pier
(Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbour.
» 13:00 – 16:00 Food and culture in the tent at the central pier
Reykjavik Whale watching introduces its operations and hosts an art
competition for children.
Gourmet fish: The store Fiskisaga sells samples of delicious fish based
courses.
The Icelandic Diving society sells samples of grilled shellfish and
other delicatessen.
Akureyri University displays images of under water life in Eyjafjörður
Edda útgáfa: Art competition. The 20 prettiest fish pictures earn the
artists a book each as prizes.
The zoo and family park: have you ever petted a crab? Live sea
creatures you can examine and touch under the guidance of trained
staff.
Matís: How does fish change in storage?
Experts teach passers by to recognise tell tale signs of fish going off
after extended periods of storage and offers tips for picking and
storing the right cuts.
Do you know that smell?
A fun game for people of all ages. Smell from the bottles and guess
what was in each one.
Micro-organisms in fish
Passers-by are given the chance to examine micro organisms in
petrie dishes.
» 13:00 The search and rescue organisation Ársæll displays jeeps
and other rescue equipment as well as teaching resuscitation tech-
niques. The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbour
» 13:00-16:00 The mountain rescue contingent of the search and
rescue organisation Ársæll teaches kids the basics of safe descent
» 14:00-15:00 Opening ceremony Traditional festivities on Sailor’s
Day with various adresses and seamen honoured.
The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbour
» 15:00 Rowing competition
The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbour
» 15:00 Aerobatic displays in the skies over Reykjavik Harbour.
» 15:00 Felix and Jói entertain the young ones
The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbour
» 16:00 The coast guard’s helicopter demonstrates maritime rescue
operations with the search and rescue organisation Ársæll.
The central pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbour
» 16:00 Award ceremony for the rowing competition. The central
pier (Miðbakki) Reykjavík Harbour
» 18:00 Fishfeast! Further Information about participating restau-
rants and their menus can be found below, on the program flyer and
at www.hatidhafsins.is.
FESTIVAL OF THE SEA_JUNE -3_007_FULL SCHEDULE
FISHFEAST
Do not miss the Fishfeast! During the week-
end’s Festival of the Sea celebrations some of
the finest restaurants in downtown Reykjavik
will offer hungry visitors special fish-based
menus at slightly reduced prices. Icelanders
are particularly proud of their fresh fish and
for two days you have the chance to taste
what local master chefs can do with this
special ingredient. The menus are varied but
what they all have in common is that they
each showcase a variety of different fish and
preparation styles, from lobster tempura to
butter fried monkfish.
Most of the participating restaurants
are chosen for their expertise and thus tend
to be in the upper half of the price range -
you will be paying 4000 to 5000 kr. for a
complete meal. With some of the city’s fin-
est restaurants partaking however, the com-
bination of fresh ingredients and delicate
preparation means that satisfaction is all but
guaranteed.
Participating restaurants are:
Hornið, Hafnarstræti 15; Við Tjörnina, Tem-
plarasundi 3; DOMO, Þingholtsstræti 5; Fjal-
akötturinn, Aðalstræti 16; Salt Restaurant,
Pósthússtræti 2; Þrír Frakkar, Baldursgata
14; Einar Ben, Veltusundi 1; Apótekið, Aus-
turstræti 16; Tveir fiskar, Geirsgata 9; Vín og
skel, Laugavegi 55b.
The Fishfeast is sponsored by: Ögurvík, HB
Grandi, Brim hf and Iceland Seafood inter-
national.
FESTIVAL OF THE SEA
The first Sunday in June is traditionally called the
Sailor’s Day, celebrating the importance of the sea
and the men who attend it for the survival of this
nation. It is the only day of the year when every
Icelandic ship is in harbor and every sailor has the
day off. In Reykajvík, this special holiday has been
stretched out to a two day Festival of the Sea. The
celebrations usually involve activities surrounding
traditional sailor stuff, such as rowing competitions,
family sailing tours, and display of search and rescue
operations at sea. Several seafood restaurants located
around the harbour will have their specialties or offer
during the weekend.
Participating restaurants are:
Iceland Fish and Chips, Tryggvagötu 8; Sjávarbarinn,
Grandagarður 9; Gróubúð, Grandagarði 1; The Duke
of the Sea and the Sushi Factory, by Verbúð. Two unique exihbitions:
The Settlement of Iceland
and
Egils saga
Open daily from 10 am to 7 pm
R E S T A U R A N T
Open from 10 am to 9:30 pm
Tel: +354 437 1600
www.landnamssetur.is
A must do
for the visitor...
SetTlement
centre
the
I N B O R G A R N E S