Reykjavík Grapevine - 20.04.2018, Síða 30

Music

Kælan Mikla have been an-
nounced as part of Robert
Smith’s Meltdown festival.
Held at the Southbank Centre in Lon-
don June 15th-24th, the event is this
time curated by The Cure’s legendary
frontman, who’ll also perform. Kælan
Mikla aren’t the only Icelandic band
to make the cut: Kiasmos, who are
currently on a live hiatus, will also per-
form a DJ set, and Jónsi will perform
“Liminal”—possibly an adaption of the
“Liminal Soundbath” seen at the Norður
og Niður festival in December—with
Alex Somers and Paul Corley.

The Secret Solstice festival has an-
nounced a raft of new additions to
the 2018 lineup. Shaping up to be one
of the most diverse Icelandic festival
lineups in recent memory, George
Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic,
KOLLEKTIV TURMSTRASSE, Marco Fara-
one, J.Phlip and Ali Love will join the
already-announced Slayer, Stormzy,
Gucci Mane, Skream and Bonnie Tyler.
Icelandic acts Aron Can, Valdimar, and
Floni will play, and GusGus have been
announced as guest DJs. Tickets are
on sale now.

Breakthrough rap duo JóiPé and Króli
burst back onto the scene this week
with two unexpected releases. First
came a new song and video, “Þráhyg-
gja” (“Obsession”) and directly follow-
ing that an entire new album, ’Afsakið
Hlé’ (‘Excuse This Intermission’). It’s a
high-energy, easy-going and super fun
effort from the two 19 year olds—a
teenage soundtrack for the pre-
summer season. Expect to see them at
every major festival this summer, start-
ing with Secret Solstice in June.
MUSIC
NEWS
The Power
Of Three
Ateria are the winners of the 2018
Icelandic Music Experiments
Words: Tara Njála Ingvarsdóttir Photo: Timothée Lambrecq
In a garage in the west of Reykjavík,
Ateria are meeting for a practice
session. Their studio is just large
enough to fit their instruments,
amongst the vintage walking skis,
homemade jams, some belongings
in storage, and a few scattered boxes
of chocolate raisins. “The chocolate
raisins are important,” says Eir.
“There’s always a pack in our practice
space. This is our sixth pack.” Ása
chimes in: “... in just a few weeks.”
Ása Ólafsdóttir (17, guitar and vo-
cals), her sister Eir Ólafsdóttir (15,
cello, bass and vocals), and their cous-
in Fönn Fannardóttir (12, drums)
started Ateria last autumn when
they set their sights on taking part
in the yearly Músíktilraunir (“lcean-
dic Music Experiments”) competi-
tion. Schoolmates with busy sched-
ules, they meet once a week to share
ideas, write and play their tunes.
Ateria is not their first band to-
gether. “It’s actually experiment
number two,” says Eir. “We started
a band at our uncle’s wedding and
played some cover songs, five years
ago in 2013. Fönn, you were just eight!”
“We heard Fönn had start-
ed learning to play the drums,”
continues Ása. “We thought: we
can have her with us! It’s easy be-
cause we know each other well.”
Starting to believe
The three went on to win the IME
competition, joining an exclusive
club that also includes Mammút,
Samaris, Of Monster And Men, and
more recently, Vök and Between
M o u n t a i n s . T h e
competition was a
big factor in getting
them started. “We
wanted a goal to set
our sights on,” says Eir. “You always
work better if you have a real rea-
son to be doing something. IME is
a great opportunity, and you learn
a lot from it.” Ása adds: “Then we
won. That was a weird feeling.”
Winning the competition means
extra support for the fledgeling
band. “We’re getting time in a stu-
dio, concert gigs and funding,” says
Ása. “We’re just really lucky. I think
we’re just starting to believe it.”
Cleaning music
Ateria are also inspired by a wide
range of musicians, new and old.
When asked who their favourites
are, they respond eagerly. “Grýlurnar
and Emiliana Torrini,” exclaims Ása.
Eir adds: “Emiliana Torrini, espe-
cially when we’re cleaning the house
on Sundays. Also Radiohead, Sigur
Rós, Led Zeppelin and Metallica.”
“Classical music is a big part of
our everyday life,” continues Ása.
“But we’re not thinking about
being in a specific genre. We do
what we do, and it is what it is.”
Som[ateria] Molissima
The name Ateria comes from the
term “Somateria Molissima,” which
is Latin for the eider bird. “We helped
our grandparents take care of the
eider bird nesting area in the sum-
mer,” says Ása. “Our grandparents
have taken to caring for the birds
in the past few years. Ateria also
means food in Finnish. We think
that’s really funny—it’s random.”
Ása is the band’s lyricist. “Some-
times a word or a sentence just drops
to my mind,” she says. “Then I work
through it during the night when I
can’t sleep. Mostly I write it down
in my phone, in notes.” The songs
are often born during their weekly
meetings. “Some-
times we’re just sit-
ting with the instru-
ments and we hear
a chord,” says Ása.
“I start to play with it, and we
make something from there.”
This promising trio will spend
the summer writing new material
and preparing for their sets at Se-
cret Solstice and Iceland Airwaves.
Meanwhile, the eider birds will be
shedding their precious feathers.
Gaukurinn
bar & live venue
TRYGGVAGATA 22
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Pink Street Boys,
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“The Golden Mic”, OpenMic
Standup Comedy in English
Smut Slam RVK:
"Call of the Wild"
Pungsig (album release),
support by Drulla
Singer/Songwriter night
“The Golden Mic”, OpenMic
Standup Comedy in English
Burlesque show
www.gaukurinn.is
STANDUP COMEDY
in English every Monday
KARAOKE PARTY
every Tuesday
Free entry and starts at 21 both nights
We are very queer,
open and diverse. We
have gender neutral
restrooms and an
all-Vegan bar!
HAPPY HOUR
every day
from 14 to 21
gpv.is/music
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