STRAUMUR: Excursion To The Ambient Underwaterground

Sindri Freyr Steinsson is a jack of many musical trades. He explores surf punk with a theremin twist in the band Bárujárn and is one of the leaders of the golden-era disco outfit Boogie Trouble. But his first solo venture is another step in a completely different direction. Dubbed ‘Tónlist fyrir kafara’ (“Music For Divers”), in a nod to the ‘Music For’ series of ambient originator Brian Eno, the album is an underwater ambient excursion into the depths of vintage synth sounds and liquid melodies, conceived as a tribute to Jacques Cousteau. Some of the record sounds like the soundtrack to the underwater levels in a Super Mario Bros. game; at other times it’s like the vintage synth masters in Yellow Magic Orchestra. It manages to be both serene and playful and sounds wonderful on a pair of headphones. People often forget that there are two final frontiers, and the vast depths of the ocean can be just as mysterious and exciting as space. Tónlist fyrir kafara’ is out right now on Möller Records and is available for listening and purchase on their Bandcamp page.
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There is no other band like kef LAVÍK, two twenty-year-old guys from Höfn í Hornafirði who refuse to reveal their names. Their latest EP, ‘Vesæl í Kuldanum’ (‘Miserable in the Cold’), is an autotuned journey into the darkest depths of the human condition that leaves no soul uncorrupt. It’s musically more bittersweet and melancholic than their last EP, but lyrically just as depraved and full of longing. Have a listen and feast on their feelings at their SoundCloud page.

We are starting to get really excited for the Iceland Airwaves festival, which is happening on November 2-6. Last week, the festival announced more artist to its great lineup, which already includes exciting international acts like PJ Harvey, Digable Planets, The Sonics, Julia Holter, Frankie Cosmos, Warpaint and many more! New additions include Santigold, who released her 3rd studio album ‘99¢’ earlier this year; Swedish artist Mabel; and Margaret Glaspy. The label Bedroom Community will host a special 10th anniversary event at Harpa on November 3rd.

Iceland born, Oslo-based electronic musician Björn Gauti Björnsson aka. B.G. Baarregaard has been active since late last decade. His latest effort ‘Aalone’ saw the light of day earlier this summer and we have been listening to over the last couple of weeks. It’s a three-song EP where Björn continues to master his wonderful upbeat disco with great success.