Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.02.2016, Side 18

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The Straumur
Guide to
Sónaruary
Oneohtrix Point Never
The alias of the US-born Daniel Lopatin,
Oneohtrix Point Never’s experimental
compositions constantly border on the
sublime. Small wonder, then, that the project
was picked up in 2013 by the prestigious Warp
label, home to Aphex Twin, Autechre and
other verified IDM legends. His Warp debut,
‘R Plus Seven’, is one of those records whose
beauty transcends genres, transforming your
headphones into a wormhole to dimensions
far more enjoyable than ours.
Ellen Allien
Hailing from Germany, Ellen Allien is a well-
regarded name in electronic music, known
for her work as a DJ, label manager and
producer. She will close down Sónar Thursday
with a DJ set that’s sure to electrify.
Angel Haze
This veritable force of hip-hop burst onto
the scene in 2012 with her ode to NYC, “New
York,” and has been steadily gaining ground
ever since. Proudly identifying as agender
and pan-sexual, Haze flows like the Amazon
river and has an abundance of impressive
music to her name. From her performance at
Sónar, we expect nothing less than barrels of
swagger and microphone murders.
Holly Herndon
The American composer and experimental
artist Holly Herndon uses her music to study
how modern technologies influence people.
Participation is an important part of her live
show. Don’t miss it!
Hudson Mohawke
Producer wunderkind Hudson Mohawke has
actually visited these shores before, giving a
thrilling set at Iceland Airwaves 2009, shortly
before his career blew up. Since then, he’s
produced a steady stream of bangers for
folks like Kanye West, TNGHT, and under his
own name—it really seems like he can do
no wrong. Hudson’s sound is maximalist to
the extreme, and the things he can do with
a brass section are not of this world. By all
means, attend his set at Sónar—just keep
in mind that once it’s over, you’ll be left with a
sweat-soaked t-shirt and minor neck injuries
(don’t worry, it’s worth it).
Floating Points
Electronic producer/DJ Sam Shepherd (aka
Floating Points) started producing music in
2009. Since then, he’s since slowly perfected
his signature sound—a nifty combination
of deep house, hip-hop, soul and jazz. His
excellent debut, ‘Elaenia’, was released last
November and is sure to feature prominently
on Floating Points’s Sónar setlist—we
can’t help but look forward dancing to live
renditions of all of its best songs.
By Óli Dóri & Davíð Roach
Once the darkest and dullest month on the Icelandic calendar for music and cul-
ture (and other things that make life moderately worth living), February was forever
transformed in 2013 with the arrival of Sónar Reykjavík, that annual shining beacon
of modern sonic delight. The festival has grown into a three-day extravaganza of
sound, vision and excellence since its début, with cutting edge performers turning
the Harpa music hall into a gigantic nightclub that is at once refined and debauched.
The list of exciting artists performing at Sóar Reykjavík 2016 far exceeds the meagre
wordcount we are allotted, so we instead decided to recommend a few choice artists
that might fly under some people’s radar. In all its glory, and no particular order, we
present: The Definitive Straumur Guide To Sónar Reykjavík 2015 Artists That You
Might Not Be Aware Of But Should Definitely Try To Catch Regardless!
STRAUMUR
Straumur radio show airs Mondays on X977 at 23:00 www.straum.is
Ellen Allien