Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.07.2018, Page 37

TRACK BY TRACK
Underwater Grooves
With Marbendill
Nasty boy, Sugar and Arabadrengurinn
Words: John Rogers
Photo: Berglaug Petra Garðasdóttir
In Icelandic mythology, a Marbendill
is the male version of a mermaid.
It’s also the pseudonym of up and
coming DJ, artist, graphic design-
er, and man-about town Þrándur
Jóhannsson. We asked him to come
to surface and talk us through some
of the Icelandic songs that have
helped shape his taste.
Apparat Organ Quartet -
123 Forever:
Have you ever wondered how to
start a band? Jóhann Jóhannsson’s
old band, Apparat Organ Quartet,
might teach you a thing or two with
this song. This song has a bit slow
and beautiful buildup but a great
pay off.
Björk - Arabadrengurinn
Everyone knows that Björk is one
of Iceland's greatest artists, but
not everyone knows about her self
titled album from 1977. The album
mainly contains some Beatles cov-
ers, but also this groovie fun song
about young love that’s gonna be
stuck in your head for weeks.
Sykur - Loving None
From the day I first heard a song
by Sykur I have been a big fan of
they're music. “Loving None” is the
first single from their upcoming
album, and this song got me really
excited for the return of Sykur.
Trabant - The One
When I was asked to make this playl-
ist I knew I wanted it to feature a Tra-
bant song but it was hard to choose
between “Nasty Boy,” “María” and
“The One.” I decided to choose “The
One”—even though it’s a bit simple,
it really makes you feel the emo-
tions of the song.
Johnny Blaze & Hakki
Brakes - WD-40
Johnny Blaze & Hakki Brakes are
definitely the coolest guys in the
Icelandic music scene today. “WD-
40” is a single from their debut al-
bum ‘Vroom Vroom Vroom.’ I really
recommend listening to it when
you’re driving your car at sunset.
The video for “WD-40” is a must
watch—it’s a VR video.
KRELD & Jófríður - Way Low
This is one of the most beautiful
songs that has come out of the Ice-
landic music scene for the past
years, and I don’t think it’s getting
the attention it deserves. I could
listen to this song on repeat for a
whole day and still love it.
Sísý Ey - Ain’t Got Nobody
Once a big hit in Iceland, this one
has now almost been forgotten with
time. But it still really holds up. It’s
my favorite song to dance away
heartbreak. I really hope to hear
more from Sísiý Ey soon.
Hermigervill - Disco
Borealis
Hermigervill has been writing and
producing the most fun electro-
dance music in the Icelandic music
scene for years, so I really wanted
to give one of his newest songs a
shout out.
Grýlurnar - Sísí
What I really love about this song
is the fun energy that get every-
body moving and makes everyone
think they can speak French for few
minutes. This is probably Iceland's
greatest punk/dance song.
Retro Stefson - Skin
Sadly this was one of Retro Stefson’s
last singles, but it quickly became
one of my favorite songs by them.
Like much of Retro Stefson’s out-
put, it’s just a groovy fun time, and
makes you remember how much
of a treasure Unnsteinn is, and
makes you wish you had swagger
like him.
Music
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37The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 12 — 2018
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