Reykjavík Grapevine - 26.08.2011, Síða 36

36
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 13 — 2011
Sage | Francis Opinion | DeAnne Smith
It’s been a while since he last graced
Icelanders with his presence (nine
years to be exact)—now Sage Francis
is finally returning to dazzle us with
his veritable rhyming skills and some
of the best indie hip hop money can
buy (you can also cop it off the inter-
net, but stealing from independent
artists is especially bad form).
His previous two shows are by now the
stuff of legend. Not only did he per-
form energetic and inspiring shows that
were all packed with hip hop lovers, he
also guested on some Icelandic hip hop
records and cavorted in local radio sta-
tions. Much has changed since 2002, so
we dropped him a line to check if he’s still
all exciting and vigilant.
How are you Sage Francis? What
have you been up to since 2002?
Parts of 2002 seem like yesterday and
other parts seem like a lifetime ago.
Mostly it's been a blur of albums, mix-
tapes, tours, girlfriends, enemies, cats,
internets, funerals and airports.
You might not know it, but your pre-
vious visit(s) coincided with a real
growth spurt in Icelandic hip hop.
Around that time the Icelandic hip
hop scene burst forth to mainstream
popularity and the first 'Icelandic
language hip hop' albums were re-
leased. You are returning at a time
where a sort of Icelandic hip hop
resurgence seems to be in the mak-
ing; however the style and times
have changed. Hip hop is now more
mainstream than ever, and its sub-
ject matters and style seem to reflect
that. Have you any thoughts on this?
Hip hop has been the most popular and
mainstream genre for a long time now, so
I guess it all makes sense. Of course, what
pop culture considers hip hop has noth-
ing to do with what I consider hip hop.
As much shit as I talk, I bite my tongue
twice as much. I don't want to believe that
Icelandic hip hop is as shallow and trendy
as what I hear on the radio, but I'm sure
there are people who are speaking their
truth in an original way, even if it doesn't
get promotion or coverage.
“DARRI DID SOME INTERESTING
STUFF”
'Native language' rap: do you enjoy
it? Does it make sense to you, even
if you don't understand the lyrics?
Should rappers strive to rap in their
native language? Or can 'hip hop' be
enjoyed regardless of 'understanding
its lyrical content'? Have you heard
and/or enjoyed Icelandic hip hop?
I have heard Icelandic hip hop. In fact,
there's a guy named Darri who used
to post on my messageboard who has
done some interesting stuff. And when I
played in Iceland I was able to see some
incredibly passionate performances from
people who rapped in Icelandic. That
was really entertaining. Should rappers
strive to rap in their native language? Of
course. But if you can speak a language
that has a broader outreach I think you
should do that too. I suppose it all de-
pends on who you're trying to reach. And
it also depends on how comfortable you
are with the language (if it's not your na-
tive language.) If I could speak another
language fluently I guarantee that I would
have songs in that language.
I'm incredibly jealous of people who
can speak more than one language.
In high school I studied French for two
years, and then I studied Spanish in col-
lege. Neither of those languages took.
And I still can't play a musical instrument.
Or read a map.
HIP HOP IS THE STATUS QUO
When did hip hop take over from
'rock and roll' as the dominant style
in 'popular music', and does it matter
that it did?
I put a quote in the liner notes of one of
my albums or singles that perfectly sums
up my thoughts about this. I can't find it
now and I'm too lazy to dig through my
record room at the moment. However,
the gist of the quote is that a style of mu-
sic is officially co-opted and "dead" when
you step into a supermarket and hear it
over their speaker system. When I was
growing up, that's what rock-and-roll
was and I rejected it 100%. Rock-and-roll
was the status quo and it bugged the shit
out of me.
That's what hip hop is now. Hip hop
has been the status quo for at least eigh-
teen years. What's funny is the quote that
I used in the liner notes was about rock-
and-roll but I swapped it with hip hop. It
fit perfectly. As for how much it "matters",
I suppose it just bugs me that I'm involved
with a genre that is generally defined by
subject matter I despise.
Who are your current favourites in
hip hop? A lot of folks like Kanye's
last record—did you? Why/why not?
I don't care for Kanye. This is obviously
not a popular opinion, but I've never
cared for Kanye. Ever. I am inspired by
good music, good lyrics, and/or good
humour. Other than that, I just like listen-
ing to classical music and ambient tones.
My current favourites in hip hop are all
Strange Famous Records related. I guess
I gravitate toward those who inspire me
and vice versa.
POETRY AND CROTCH EXPLOSIONS
During your visit to Iceland you
guested on some tracks by local
artists. Will you be making yourself
available in a similar way this time
around?
Probably not. The last time I played
Iceland I was invited by a rapper who
booked studio time for me so we could
do some songs together. That's the first
and last time I ever did something like
that. Not that it was a bad experience.
It actually resulted in at least one great
song. But these days I only do shows that
are booked by promoters who don't rap.
How should the uninitiated prepare
for your show? Any key tracks you
care to mention?
I will be performing songs that span my
whole catalogue so I'm not really sure
what people should prepare for. Other
than beautiful poetry and crotch explo-
sions.
Any plans for your visit to Iceland?
Things to see/do/hear?
I mainly accepted this show so that I
could share my travels and experiences
with my girlfriend. She's never been to
Iceland and I'm looking forward to see-
ing the look on her face when she sees
how long some of your words are. We'll
be visiting as many interesting and beau-
tiful areas we can while we're there. I'm
also going to try and sneak in a pingpong
game.
HE’S BACK!!!111!
Where: Sódóma Reykjavík
When: September 3, 22:00
How Much: 3.000 ISK
Heavenly pizzas!
Home delivery
tel. 578 8555www.gamlasmidjan.is
See our menu at www.gamlasmidjan.is
Lækjargata 8
Sage Francis returns Hi, Iceland! Is it okay if I call you
"Iceland?" I hope so.
I don't know a lot about you yet,
but I'm looking forward to see-
ing what you're all about. I mean, I'm not
completely ignorant. I know all the usual
stuff people know about your country. I
know that you have a population of roughly
300.000. I know that instead of using sur-
names, you uphold the Norse tradition of
naming people after the woodland creature
they most resemble. I know that your life ex-
pectancy is one of the highest in the world,
thanks to all the Coca-Cola you drink. I also
know that your country is eco-friendly and
that your main energy source is Björk. What
an amazing place! I'm looking forward to
visiting and learning more.
That's right, Icy. I'm coming to your
country! Now, I know what you're thinking.
"Please don't call us Icy" and "Who the heck
are you?" Fair enough, Iceland. Let me intro-
duce myself.
My name is DeAnne Smith, and I'm an
acclaimed international stand up comedian.
I am also a woman in my thirties who lives
in a basement and believes opening a can of
tuna is "cooking," but let's focus on the posi-
tive here, shall we? I'm not sure which of my
extensive accomplishments will impress you
most, so I will present a few here in bullet
point form:
• I am currently nominated for a Canadian
Comedy Award
• My solo show, ‘About Freakin' Time,’ was
nominated for Australia's prestigious
Barry Award in 2011
• I own a computer
• I have performed comedy in Canada, the
U.S., Australia, Scotland, England, and
Amsterdam
• I know how to make tea
• UK's The Telegraph recently called me
"smart" and "very funny," giving my cur-
rent show a four star rating (that's really
good, you guys)
• I once almost completed a Sudoku puzzle
As you can probably see, Iceland, it
makes a lot of sense for us to get to know
each other. I mean, you're awesome. I'm
awesome. We have a lot in common. Plus, I
heard that you don't have an army, a navy,
or an air force. Hey, guess what? Me neither!
Man, we are going to have so much to talk
about.
Where are we going to do all this talk-
ing, I hear you silently asking yourselves,
in a language I don't understand but which
I know is full of adorable accent marks and
that thing where As and Es meld together
like some kind of freakish vowel superhero.
I'll tell you where, Iceland! I'll be perform-
ing on September 7 at a place called Sódóma
Reykjavík.
I can't wait to meet you. And I hope you
can't wait to meet "brilliant," "effortlessly
charming" and "hilarious" me. (Those are
actual quotes, from actual comedy critics.
I've also been called "selfish" and "self-cen-
tred," but only by my ex-girlfriend, who is not
an actual comedy critic.) I'm really looking
forward to seeing you at the show. Because
if you don't come, the only people there will
be me and my one Icelandic friend, Rökkvi
Vésteinsson. That's a lot of pressure to put
on a guy.
See you on September 7!
Getting To Know You
Comedian DeAnne Smith explains why you
should go see her show at Sódóma
HAUKUR S. MAGNÚSSON
ANTHONY ST. JAMES