Jón Gnarr nominated Moomin Valley as vinaborgir

MoominValley, Finland: a city that can improve Iceland's understanding of UE policies

In a good article published today by the Reykjavik Grapevine, it is said that Reykjavik has many friend-cities all over the world. The most peculiar vinaborgir (this is what “friend-cities” are called) has to be Moomin Valley though. Even if not confirmed yet, the mayor of Reykjavik Jón Gnarr (which you may know because of his Darth Vader attire, or because he strongly supports LGBT rights) seems pretty determined to make it happen. In an interview appeared some time ago on the Grapevine, he said:

“I am one of many Icelanders that believe in elves and trolls. I mainly believe in Moomin elves. It is more of a certainty than a belief. I have seen them and touched them. I know they exist. I have been to Moominworld in Naantali, Finland. I have evidence; photographs, video recordings and witnesses. I had a good talk with Moomin Papa. He told me that life in Moominvalley was much better after Finland joined the EU. He encouraged us Icelanders to join the EU. He also said that the Moomins had always existed, long before Tove Jansson “invented” them. The Moomins are eternal, at least in books.”

Now let me tell you something about Iceland. The fact that trolls and elves and stuff are a huge part of the icelandic culture may be alughed about or frowned upon. Still, it’s there. There’s a thin line on which this culture positiones itself: it’s between serious and a joke. You never quite understand if Icelanders truly believe in trolls or if they want you to believe they do. One cannot deny, though, that there are some pretty awesome legends going on about them. There’s probably the hugest amount of legends than in any other Country. Some of the traditions are well known: the “invisible people”, the elves, the 12 Jule lads. There are some terrifying things, too, like the zombie cat that eats children around Christmas. When we were touring the Golden Circle with our kind guide, Jon, he told us a lot of different and crazy legends linked to the places we were visiting. Some were variations of the fact that elves appear to be extremely territorial and can get very offended if you accidentally move a rock that is their home. Other stories were new: I remember in particular a story about a farmer who lived in the middle of nowhere beyond Þingvellir. He needed someone to help him tending to the animals and do farm work, so he simply woke the dead. Let me tell that again: he woke the dead. He created zombies. He had zombie slaves. HBO, did you hear that?? So, you know, the fact that Jón Gnarr wants Moomin Valley to become a friend-city to Reykjavik doesn’t surprise me at all. In a land were every rock probably carries a legend, having an imaginary town as your friend is no big deal. In conlusion, I really hope the legacy between Reykjavik and Moomin Valley is going to happen. I really do like Moomins and I think they can bring a fresh look to European policies.

Iceland outside of Iceland: Sigur Rós shows



You know it was coming, sooner or later. Just bear with it.

So, Sigur Rós shows.

As many people obsessed with Iceland, I’m also obsessed with the post-rock-pixie-crazy-drunk-magic band from Reykjavik.

Photos from http://www.musikfestwochen.ch/

Of course, as a big fan, I’ve seen them a few times. Just, never in Iceland (because of stupid flight times, I must add – which prevented me from seeing OMAM live as well, but that’s a story for another time).

Back to Sigur.

The first time I saw them was in Switzerland, near Zürich. They played a fairly small open air festival in August, which isn’t very wise. In fact, it started  POURING just before the beginning of the show.

But that didn’t stop us and didn’t stop them. Jónsi actually joked about the weather being Iceland-like, which made him feel heima (I think at this point he knows the most hardcore fans do know a few icelandic words).

They then proceeded playing their amazing songs, accompanied by the most amazing lights show I’ve ever seen: the whole square was turned into a forest. And it was raining. Can you even imagine?!!

Photos from: http://www.musikfestwochen.ch

Let me tell you: no, you can’t.

You need to be there and be hooked to Jónsi’s vocals and the bow on the guitar and the mesmerizing texture of bass, violins, drums, celesta and weird little instruments to really understand.

You need to have your heart beating in time with Hafsól and feel the pounding in your body.

Sigur Rós are extremely talented.

Never before I’ve seen people at any show collectively hold their breath for seconds to create absolute silence, a silence which is part of the music and of the collective experience you’re sharing with other human beings.

Never before I’ve seen people dancing slowly under the rain, bright eyes, like they were in a trance, deep in a forest made of light.

Yes: re-read the last sentence. That did actually happen.

I don't know what to tell you other than: if Sigur Rós happen to be playing near you (the concept of "near" varies here – near for me, in relation to them, is Denmark) by all means get your ass there.

BREAKING NEWS: Iceland's national football team is double rainbows all the way across the sky

Sorry to break the routine but this is pretty big news, as Iceland is currently ranking second in group E for the World Cup qualifications. Which is pretty amazing!

It's that time of the year again!

Halloween?

Oh yes, that too. But I was talking about the super shiny, super crazy Iceland Airwaves Festival.

I think anyone who slightly likes Iceland has heard about that - and if you like indie and alternative music, you may have heard about it, too.

Iceland Airwaves is a huge (by Iceland standards) music festival that happens in Reykjavík every year around Halloween - October 30 to November 3 this year.

What makes Airwaves so special is the fact that there are a lot of in-venue shows but also countless off-venue shows. It seems like artists really want to play the most shows they can: so if you couldn't go see Mugison one night because you were at Harpa watching Björk (because yes, sometimes she performs at Airwaves too), chances are you'll catch an informal, unplanned gig the next day at some coffee shop. Or in a hostel. Or in the park. 

They say during Airwaves you don't sleep at all. This is pretty accurate: there is so much going on (shows, parties, art installations, dj sets inside the pools at Blue Lagoon) that they had to develop an iPhone app to plan your day. 

The tickets for this year's festival are sold out, but here's a pretty video (or rockumentary, as they call it) to make you really jealous:

And here's the link to the festival's website: Iceland Airwaves

Top 5 Icelandic music artists (except Sigur Rós and Björk because...well...you can't really top them, now, do you?)

1. Ólafur Arnalds: absolutely my favourite artist right now. He's a very young and very talented composer, who often performs at Harpa and around Europe. His approach to music is fresh and amazing, unlike many young composers nowadays. Seeing him live is an amazing experience. I can't really describe what his music is like: it is true music, you need to close your eyes and listen and nothing else. 
2. Sóley: you probably know her if you listen to Seabear (more about them below). Sóley is a young artist who uses synthesizers and her beautiful voice to create delicate songs which have complex yet enjoyable textures. Her talent live is undiscussed - I actually like her more live than on record. Look for Sóley live at KEXP and see for yourself! 
3. Amiina: again, you probably know them if you know Sigur Rós. They are the supporting band for the most famous icelandic band. They play a weird mix of instruments, from cellos to harps to synthesizers. I always listen to them on my flights to and from Reykjavik (provided there are no drunk danes on the plane - which happens) because you can really feel Iceland's nature in their compositions. 
4. Seabear: amazing music, amazing artwork, amazing people. Pop with a little bit of indie and synths and weird vocals. Love them.
5. Of monsters and men: I know they are now like, world famous or something. But to me, OMAM will always be that new band I listened to at 12 tónar on a rainy day. You may call their music "indie", but it's just so much more: amazing vocals, refrains and textures. Their album "My Head Is An Animal" is a feel good album. And there's so much more about OMAM than Little Talks! 

BONUS TIP: if you love music and are in Reykjavik, you need to pay a visit to 12tónar. I won't spoil anything about it - just go there and enjoy.