Reykjavík Grapevine - 21.06.2013, Side 41

All Tommorrow’s Parties
41 Music
In the lava fields just outside of Kefla-
vík, there’s a place that appears at first
glance to be yet another extension of the
municipality of Reykjanesbær. With a few
scattered apartment blocks and the oc-
casional shed, it looks to be completely
deserted, and has the ghostlike feel of a
derelict factory town or a failed housing
project.
That place is called Ásbrú and it is the
remains of the old U.S. navy base in Ice-
land, which the Americans operated after
a joint agreement defensive contract was
signed in 1951. The story has earlier roots
though, as Iceland has had a military
presence in the country since the British
invasion in 1940.
As Iceland became an increasingly im-
portant strategic location during World
War II, the allied forces saw no other op-
tion but to seize the territory in what was
actually a rather peaceful invasion. We
surrendered immediately, but managed
to maintain neutrality until the end of the
war. The British only stayed for the one
year and transferred their control of Ice-
land to the Americans who were more
suited for the job since they had yet to en-
ter the conflict.
Thus began Iceland’s blossoming rela-
tionship with the Americans, which lasted
long after the war ended. The men in uni-
form, who were 6,000 at peak operation,
stayed here until September 2006 when
the base was finally decommissioned af-
ter nearly 55 years of active duty. Their
presence has had a huge influence on
our society, bringing us into contact with
rock and roll music, basketball and many
other American habits. Many people still
argue, probably correctly, that the base is
responsible for the heavy Western influ-
ence that is still very much still present in
Iceland today.
The Icelandic Defence Agency as-
sumed control of the base in 2011 and it
has since then been put to civilian use.
The educational institution Keilir, for in-
stance, is based in and around Ásbrú and
rents the former military housing for rela-
tively cheap. It’s also been used for con-
ferences and will now host its first music
festival.
Program
Friday, June 28
Atlantic Studios
17:30 Æla
18:30 Apparat Organ Quartet
19:30 The Notwist
20:45 Múm
21:50 The Fall
23:10 Mugison
0:15 Thee Oh Sees
1:20 HAM
2:20 Ghostigital
Andrews theater
16:00 Film*
18:00 Snorri Helgason
19:00 Kimono
20:00 Film*
22:00 Film*
0:00 Film*
*Films curated by Jim Jarmusch
Officers Club
20:00-03:00 Dj's
Saturday, June 29
Atlantic Studios
17:30 Monotown
18:30 Sqürl
20:15 Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
22:15 Hjaltalín
23:20 Deerhoof
0:40 Chelsea Light Moving
2:00 Dead Skeletons
Andrews theater
13:00 Film*
15:00 Film*
17:30 Puzzle Muteson(UK)
18:35 Valgeir Sigurðsson
19:35 Amiina
21:00 Film*
23:00 Film*
*Films curated by Tilda Swinton
Officers Club & other activites
11:00 - 5-A-Side football @ Football
13:00 pitch. Bands vs. Fans.
14:00 - 'Life on a Nato Base' tour
15:00
17:00 - Pop Quiz hosted by Dr. Gunni
18:00 @ Officers club
20:00 - Dj's @ Officers club
03:00
*Timings are subject to change
Amiina
The former string team for Sigur Rós, Amiina
have evolved tremendously over the past
few years. With the kalimba, saw, Theremin
and other weird instruments, their songs are
both ethereal and playful.
Apparat Organ Quartet
A blend of Kraftwerk and classic rock & roll,
Apparat are four dandily clad gentlemen
standing behind organs and rocking their
guts out. Their aesthetic is calculated to the
extreme. They even have their own dance
move and a triangular “A” hand signal that
people make at their concerts.
Dead Skeletons
Led by artist Jón Sæmundsson, Dead Skel-
etons are an exercise in meditative trance-
inducing long jams, heavy on drones and
krautrock. They feature excellent guitar work
from Singapore Sling’s Henrik Björnsson and
their lyrics borrow heavily from eastern mys-
ticism.
Ghostigital
Ghostigital is collaboration between the
Sugarcubes’ Einar Örn and the multi-instru-
mentalist/producer Curver. The band is best
described as a perfect mixture of noise and
electronic music and is known for epic live
performances.
HAM
One of the most important rock bands in Ice-
landic rock history, HAM commands a cult
following in Iceland. Óttar Proppé, the singer
of HAM, was recently elected as a member of
Iceland's parliament.
Hjaltalín
Hjaltalín surprised everyone in Iceland when
they released their third album ‘Enter 4’ late
last year. Many local critics’ favourite album
in 2012, it sees them moving away from their
origins as a chamber rock band and into a
more electronic direction.
kimono
For the last 12 years, the math rock band Ki-
mono have been an important fixture of the
Reykjavík music scene. The influential band
in Iceland is a must-see live act!
Mugison
With his homemade Mirstument, Mugison is
going back to his roots in electronic music.
On his last album, ‘Haglél,’ Mugison showed
his softer side and sang only in Icelandic. It
broke the record for the most sold album in
Icelandic history.
múm
After a four-year hiatus, the experimental
musical group múm return with their upcom-
ing album ‘Smilewound’ due out September
17. Múm rarely play live in Iceland so it’s a
treat to see the electronic glitch band at their
home base.
Snorri Helgason
This 28-year old singer-songwriter started
his music career in the popular Icelandic
power pop band Sprengjuhöllin, writing
many of its biggest hits. Since disbanding in
2009, Snorri has been active as a solo mu-
sician and is currently working on his third
album.
Valgeir Sigurðsson
If Iceland has a “super producer” that person
is Valgeir Sigurðsson. His work with Björk
brought him international acclaim and pro-
duction duties for artists like Bonnie Prince
Billie, CocoRosie and the Magic Numbers. His
music is a beautifully rendered diverse pool
of influences from neo-classical to folk with
a lot of dense sonic details dancing around.
Æla
Excellent post-punk from Keflavík, Æla are
well known in Iceland for their mesmerizing
and explosive live performances. It has been
a while since the band played live so nobody
should miss the chance to see them.
The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 8 — 2013
Meet The Venue The Roster Of Icelandic Bands
A short history of ÁsbrúBy Óli Dóri & Davíð Roach
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