Hjaltalin är ett isländskt band som hemma på Island slog igenom med dunder och brak med förra plattan: sålde guld på hemmaplan, spelade runt om i Europa med bland andra Bloc Party, Cold War Kids coh Jens Lekman.
Nya plattan TERMINAL släpps i sverige den 25 augusti, och har redan fått lysande recensioner utomlands i bla MOJO 4 av 5, Clash Magazine 8 av 10.
Kulturbloggen lyssnade på kommande skivan, tyckte om vad vi hörde och fick en intervju med bandet. För att vi inte ska missa något med översättning publicerar vi intervjun som det var, på engelska:
You are said to be the next big Icelandic band. I think that the mainstream Swede have only heard about two Icelandic band/musicians before: Sigur Ros and Björk.
Your music is quite different from theirs, I think anyhow. How would you describe your music?
It’s difficult to describe, really, but the term ”chamber pop” may be appropriate, at least regarding the first album (Sleepdrunk Seasons). Hjaltalin’s sound today is more orchestral and wide rin scope. We try to use uncommon instruments, taken from the classical world, to create a new soundscape.
How do you work when you create your music?
Usually one of the two major songwriters in the group, Högni and Viktor come up with an idea or a song structure that we work out together. Some songs are written in cooperation but some of them come from those two fully written and arranged. We like to try new numbers live and change them, even from concert to concert.
What do you think about the texts?
At first we didn’t care that much about the actual content of the lyrics; the vocals were considered as an instrument, in a way. But now we try to make them more meaningful, and consider them very important.
What influences do you have for your music?
The music of Hjaltalín is quite varied, so there are lot’s of influences. Generally speaking, our influences encompass everything from classical to techno. The fun thing about Hjaltalín is that everyone in the group has very different musical tastes. Axel loves Sleigh Bells, while Guðmundur listens avidly to classical Icelandic pop song. Sigríður likes French chansons, while Rebecca likes having a party with some crazy mixtape. While all this happens, Högni and Viktor are in some corner, listening to some weird, contemporary classical music. This somehow makes up to a whole, which you can hear on Terminal.
How would you describe the new album “Terminal” if comparing it with your first album “Sleepdrunk Seasons”?
It is larger in scope, and more diverse, more ambitious. We are more experienced, I mean most of us hadn’t reach the age of 20 when we started working on Sleepdrunk Seasons, and that hopefully comes across in how the album sounds. The texts matter more, and the vocals of Sigríður are more prominent than in the previous album.
You are a nine piece band. Would you like to tell me the name of all nine and who is playing what?
We are actually seven.
Axel Haraldsson – Drums
Guðmundur Óskar Guðmundssson – Bass
Hjörtur Ingvi Jóhannsson – Piano/Keyboards
Högni Egilsson – Singer/Guitar
Rebekka Bryndís Björnsdóttir – Bassoon/Percussions
Sigrídur Thorlacius – Singer
Viktor Orri Árnason – Violin
When did you start the band Hjaltalin?
It started in the autumn of 2004, in our gymnasium, Menntaskólinn við Hamrahlíð, but the band varied a lot the first couple of years, both regarding style and members, but we can say that the band started as it looks like today in early 2006.
Are you still the same members?
No, but most of them are the same. We had a clarinet and a cello player, but we are seven today. There were also various members when the group started, and we were playing different kinds of music, but the seven members who are in the group now are all long time members.
How is it so keep together such a big band, with that many members?
It can be difficult, but it is extremely rewarding once we are on the same spot. Viktor is currently living in Berlin, but that is no big deal given that we are most of the time playing on the continent anyways. The large amount of members is just lovely. Everybody likes each other and the morale is very good.
What are going on now, are you on your way touring?
Actually we are currently in the Czech Republic, resting before we go to this festival in Hungary called Sziget. After that we will head back home, but we will be touring more and less all winter. We will be doing a small scandinavian tour in early september, but unfortunately we won’t be playing in Sweden, only Norway and Denmark.
Have you plans for coming to Sweden?
Yes, definitely. We have never been to Sweden, but we definitely want to come over.
Have you ever played in Sweden?
No, we have never played, which is kind of funny because we have played very often in all other Scandinavian countries. But this must change in 2011, hopefully sooner.
Do you like any Swedish musicians?
Yes, of course. We don’t even have to mention ABBA, which we all adore.. then you have lots of fine jazz musicians, like Jan Johansson, Monica Zetterlund and Esbjörn Svensson (who sadly passed away recently). We also like the Cardigans, and Martin Fröst, the brilliant clarinet player who played recently in Iceland. The Swedish indie scene is also influental in Iceland – your scene is definitely something we look up to.
What do think about living in Iceland and being a band?
Is it an advantage with all beautiful nature and old stories – or is it an obstacle with always have to use airplane when you are on tour abroad?
The thing about airplanes is very true in our case. It can be extremely cumbersome and inconvenient to take a plane every time you have to get somewhere, instead of taking a train or driving. So that is a disadvantage of living in Iceland. Regarding the environment, it is really a good thing to be there, because the music scene is so vibrant and open-minded. But we often get the impression that people abroad think that our music is directly influenced by the nature, elves, other famous Icelandic bands, etc.. but this is maybe a somewhat exaggerated impression that people get. Although we are certainly proud of our national heritage, we look for international influences wherever we can find them (and this is for example evident on “Terminal”).
Do you all live in Iceland?
All of us live in Iceland, except Viktor, who is studying composition and conducting in Berlin.
Do have plans to move?
Well, some of us. Berlin seems very exciting. Actually it seems likely that, for early 2010 roughly half of the group will live there, and the rest in Iceland.
What do you think about the Icelandic music stage?
I’ts very dynamic and much fun, and everybody knows everyone. The music is very diverse and there are lots of fun things going on at the moment. But, as everywhere, there are good and bad things. The best place to spot up and coming Icelandic artists is the Airwaves festival in October.
Här kan du lyssna på Hjaltalin på Myspace.
Recension i DN av nya albumet med Hjaltalin.
Läs även andra bloggares åsikter om Island, indie. popmusik, musik, Hjaltalin