Iceland review - 2012, Qupperneq 24

22 ICELAND REVIEW
unfairly compared to Arcade Fire. Unfairly, I say, because their
combination of classical music and chamber pop sounds nothing
like the Canadians, and secondly, because Hjaltalín is much, much
better. If you don’t believe me, you should try listening to the
gorgeously titled Sleepdrunk Sessions. Their latest project is a score
for an ethereal silent movie called Days of Gray, that they intend
to tour with, playing the score as the movie plays, just like in the
good old days.
Or how about Sóley? A member of the Seabear collective, Sóley
has wowed audiences across Europe with her fragile voice, gently
plucked strings, looped piano samples and adorable lyrics. She
recently played on a tiny, obscure island off the coast of Ireland. I’m
sure it was the perfect place to see such a special act.
Snorri Helgason and LayLow provide quiet, introspective music
with a nod towards Americana. Their concerts are quieter affairs,
the audience leaning in to hear every plucked note, every hushed
lyric. Iceland Airwaves is an annual music festival in Reykjavík.
Snorri played eleven concerts in four days there last year. Had I
been there, I would have gone to every single one.
Want something different and new? Samaris is the next big thing
on the Icelandic music scene. Three students from Reykjavík, they
mix trip-hopped electronics with an unlikely clarinet and even
Icelandic poetry. The result is surprisingly alluring. The diversity
of Icelandic music is infinite, and ever-changing. All genres are
represented.
Of Monsters and Men is currently flavor of the month; their
debut album recently outsold Madonna in the United States. Their
star is definitely rising, with comparisons being made to bands
such as Mumford and Sons. I like them, even if their lyrics can be
occasionally nonsensical and the ‘Hey!’ refrain a little over-used.
Prinspóló, Hafdís Huld, Reykjavík!, Lockerbie, Emilíana Torrini,
Leaves, Lily and Fox, Agent Fresco, Hudson Wayne, Mammút,
Ólafur Arnalds, Retrobot, Mr. Silla, Sykur, Brain Police, FM
Belfast, Amiina, Svavar Knútur, Sin Fang, Myrra Rós. The endless
list of fresh, exciting music coming out of Iceland is extraordinary
for a tiny island in the North Atlantic. I’m not entirely sure why
this is—this plentiful outpouring of creativity. Sigur Rós intro-
duced me to this arresting and dynamic music scene. I will not
fall into the trap of making crass comparisons with other global
music hubs, such as Seattle or Manchester, but I will say that it is
something that Iceland should be rightly proud of. And I am not
even going to mention a certain Björk.
But do you know what? Sigur Rós is headlining Iceland Airwaves
this year. It’s the first time in ten years, and part of the Valtari world
tour. I have to go. I have to see Sigur Rós in Reykjavík, just one
more time. Andy would demand it. The other bands will be well
worth a peek too. I book a flight, a hotel and a ticket in quick,
credit-card-bending time. I blame Sigur Rós, I really do. 
when I’m feeling a little sensitive, and I’ll burst into tears. I don’t
even mind telling you that.
All is not normal at Sigur Rós HQ, though. On the eve of their
first tour since 2008, Kjartan Sveinsson has decided that he wishes
to take a break from touring. This means that Sigur Rós will be
touring without one of their key members. This has caused some
consternation among their fans, but help is at hand. It comes in the
form of Kjartan Holm, brother to another Sigur Rós member and
one part of For A Minor Reflection. Recently, I got the chance to
speak with him about this turn of events.
How does it feel to be part of Sigur Rós? “I haven't joined Sigur
Rós as a band member, but it feels great to be playing with them.
It’s exciting and nerve-racking,” Kjartan replies.
Are there some concerns, even small ones, that this marks the
beginning of the end for Sigur Rós? “No I don't think so. I think
that Sigur Rós will just get better every year. They needed a gui-
tarist on this tour, and I said ‘Yes’!”
Will you miss playing with your own band, For A Minor
Reflection? “Of course I’ll miss that—but we’re playing at Iceland
Airwaves and in Reykjavík as well, just before I leave.”
Do you think it’s fair to say that Sigur Rós is an ambassador
for the Icelandic music scene? “In a certain way, sure. They’ve
definitely created a world of their own with the sounds they’re
making, and surely deserve credit for that.” 
There is a service on Twitter called “Not Sigur Rós,” which pro-
motes Icelandic bands (with tongue firmly in cheek), that are, well,
not Sigur Rós. I quite like the sentiment behind this; it’s essentially
saying that there is more to Icelandic music than Sigur Rós. And
there is, there definitely is.
Hjaltalín is a seven-piece band from Reykjavík that is perhaps
MUsIC
Sigur Rós. Clockwise: Kjartan Sveinsson, Orri Páll Dýrason, Georg Holm
and Jón Þór Birgisson.