Reykjavík Grapevine - 03.06.2016, Qupperneq 43

Music 46The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 7 — 2016
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Alvia Islandia. She’s one of over
fifty artists performing for the
first time at this year’s Secret Sol-
stice. And she’s damn funky. Sure,
you may have guessed it from her
music video for “Sugar Complex,”
in which a barroom cotton-candy
machine features prominently.
But it’s also evident in the way she
speaks, her word choice and sen-
tence structure. She’s attempting
to bring the neon frenzied feel
of her music into her daily life.
Or perhaps, it’s the other way
around.

Sweet Sixteen
What Alvia calls her “young cat
time” was spent predominantly in
105 Reykjavík. By the time she was
sixteen she had moved out and
was on her own. That same year
she recorded her first song. “And
it was meant to be: this is just me.
My life, my soul. Not a career deci-
sion but a dream to live it.”
As is the case with many a mu-
sician, Alvia’s artistic interests ex-
tend beyond the realm of music.
“I’m in love with creation,” she
says. “Drawing, graffiti, collect-
ing stuff and changing it. I make
a lot of different pieces and usu-
ally give them away to people I
vibe with on my way.” Alvia pens
all of her own lyrical content. “My
lyrics are influenced by the elf
side of the moon, bubbly state of
mind, wildcats, cozyslide and real
stuff all put together in a riddle
that sometimes only I can un-
derstand,” Alvia says. She seeks
out those she finds interesting,
who are creating beats, and col-
laborates with them. All of her re-
cordings thus far have been made
in Iceland. Her most recent pro-
duction was forged at the Shades
of Reykjavík studio with Hemmi
Bridde.

To each her own
Alvia’s influences are vast and vary
in genre. (However, let the record
show Björk is her idol.) She herself
is an amalgamation of several mu-
sic styles. Alvia lists bass, melody,
trap, electronic, rap and house as
classifications her songs could
hold. “I don’t really think about it,
though,” she says. “If it’s grooving
and soothing, it’s my jam.”
Alvia hints that her new album
‘BubbleGum Bitch’, out in June,
will be distinct from anything
she’s done before.
The company we keep
All musicians face criticism, par-
ticularly when starting out or
when trying something a bit off-
kilter. Alvia seems unperturbed by
this. She’s most concerned with
those residing in her inner circle.
“The elves and the prrh cats that
I surround myself with are on the
sunny side. I do music for me, be-
cause I like it. I’m having fun,” she
says. “Of course there are haters,
but I don’t hear them.”
Her performance at Secret Sol-
stice will undoubtedly be a good
time. Alvia lists it as her favor-
ite Icelandic music festival. And
when not center stage herself,
she’s looking forward to seeing
fellow acts Die Antwoord and
Goldie perform. A hallmark of an
Alvia Islandia show is the Hubba
Bubba gum she tosses to those in
attendance. She dubs those who
blow big bubbles of the gum in
unison the Gum Gum Clan. It’s a
select lot, one you’ll have the op-
portunity to join this Secret Sol-
stice.
SHARE & LISTEN: gpv.is/alvia
Ladies And Gents,
Alvia Islandia
From humble roots, Alvia
aims to change the face of hip-hop
Words BY KELLEY REES Photo JIRI HRONIK
ALL DAY
©
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