Reykjavík Grapevine - 26.08.2016, Qupperneq 38

Music Celestial Jukebox38The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 13 — 2016
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Ragnheiður Elísabet is the woman
behind the curtain. She works as
an event manager for the art space
Mengi, which hosts concerts and
other art events as well as releas-
ing music. She likes working be-
hind the scenes and helping art-
ists realize their ideas. Along with
the group behind Mengi—Elísabet
Jónsdóttir, Bjarni G. Sigurðsson,
Ólöf Arnalds, Skúli Sverrisson
and Elísabet Indra—Ragnheiður
has helped MEngi become one of
Reykjavík’s most valuable cultural
venues.
Ragnheiður says she’s never
gotten hooked on any one genre
in particular, but rather tries to
be open-minded towards all kinds
of music, which can be easily seen
in her top five favourite albums.
She loves discovering new artists
through her work—from all over
the world, she says, adding: “I’ve
had the honour of meeting many
international artists and musi-
cians through Mengi who’ve in-
spired me and introduced me to
new exciting music.”
We asked Ragnheiður to list
her top five favourite Icelandic al-
bums—here are her picks.
‘Andi’ by Andi
Andi came into my life as an unex-
pected ray of sunshine after a long
winter. Lady Boy Records released
the album earlier this summer and
it became quite successful. I am so
thankful for Andri’s music: my cheek
muscles were sore after listening to
it because frankly, I couldn’t stop
smiling. The melodies are spot-on
and the beat is perfect. I’ve never
heard anything quite like it—it’s so
original! Thank you Andri for this al-
bum. I wholeheartedly recommend ev-
eryone listen to it, you won’t regret it.

‘They hold it for certain…’ by
Anthony Burr, Skúli Sverrisson &
Yungchen Lhamo
This album is a hidden treasure of
Icelandic music. Mengi released a
limited pressing of it in 2014. It fea-
tures seven original pieces by Orri
Jónsson and Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir
and listening to it puts you in a sort
of trance. I can listen to it again and
again without ever getting sick of it.
Yungchen’s voice, Anthony’s organ
playing and Skúli’s bass lines create
a perfect whole. I’m simply in love
with this album and feel it deserves
more attention. I like playing with
the speed of it when playing it on vi-
nyl because it also works when you
slow it down.

‘Kælan Mikla’ by Kælan Mikla
Kælan Mikla give their all in this
début album. These girls are the
best and I’m a total groupie. I love
seeing their shows, their sound is
tight, they’re rhythmic and so tough.
I usually run right up to the front
and dance as if no one’s watching.
Their album is something everybody
should own.
‘Forever’ by GusGus
GusGus and Trabant were two of
my favourite bands a few years ago
and whether I’m on a roll at the of-
fice working on something or travel-
ling around the country, this album
keeps me going. I love feeling nostal-
gic, which is why I chose this album
rather than ‘Arabian Horse’ even
though I find it just as good.

‘Paradísarfuglinn’ by Megas
Megas is the master and he never
fails to please. His lyrics are genius
and I love listening to him while
driving around Iceland, especially in
the West. This album is a treasure and
was such a big part of my childhood.

Words HREFNA BJÖRG GYLFADÓTTIR Photo UNKNOWN
Ragnheiður
Elísabet’s
Top 5
FAVOURITE FIVE