Country: Iceland

New documentary: Iceland: Beyond Sigur Rós

Iceland Music Export on "Iceland: Beyond Sigur Rós", a new not-for-profit 30m documentary on the Icelandic music scene which is available for free streaming online: http://www.icelandmusic.is/News/1684/Iceland--Beyond-Sigur-Ros---New-Music-Documentary--/default.aspx
Featured artists include Ólafur Arnalds, Hafdis Huld, Mugison, Bloodgroup, For A Minor Reflection, Seabear and more plus a number of behind-the-scenes folks such as journalists and producers.

Pascal Pinon - s/tPascal Pinon
s/t
Morr Music

7

It's an exciting thing to witness a band's inception. While Pascal Pinon's self-titled debut album is far from perfect, it crackles with a rare, unfiltered emotional honesty -- the heart of their sweet, simple songs rising above lo-fi recordings and elementary musical knowledge.

Not unlike reading a teenage girl's diary (which this might be, given that founding twin sisters Jófríður and Ásthildur and their friends Halla and Kristin were only 14 at the time of the recording), the album drips with simple, deeply felt emotion, with lyrics delivered in both English and Icelandic. "You should listen to it, and the words that I say, it's all terrible shit, and least I know that today," the girls sing in unison in "I wrote a song". While the line hints at the promise of future cynicism to come, for now, the girls seem at peace with guitar strums, shaking bells, and recorder choirs. Pascal Pinon may have better music in their future as both technical proficiency and life experiences grow, but never again will they make anything this beautifully honest and real.
- Laura Studarus

All Scandinavian top 20 albums of 2010

Fellow Nordic music blog All Scandinavian took their time, but they did finally get around to assembling their top 20 albums of the year: http://allscandinavian.com/4931/the-20-best-albums-of-2010/
Check elsewhere on their site for a few other best of-type posts.

Ólafur Arnalds scores the new Sam Levinson film, preview posted

Icelandic artist Ólafur Arnalds did the score for the new Sam Levinson film "Another Happy Day" which just premiered at Sundance this past weekend. Preview a track here: http://soundcloud.com/olafur-arnalds/lynns-theme

The Silent Ballet reviews Amiina

The Silent Ballet reviews the latest Amiina album "Puzzle": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/3826/Default.aspx

Ja Ja Ja January: Murmansk, Montée, Benni Hemm Hemm

Tom Robinson from BBC6 Music Introducing has been selected as January's curator for London-based Scandinavian music showcase Ja Ja Ja. His selections for January 27: Murmansk, Montée and Benni Hemm Hemm.

Final 12 Nordic Music Prize nominees confirmed

The final 12 nominees for the first annual Nordic Music Prize have been announced:

Dungen - Skit i allt
Paleface - Helsinki – Shangri-La
Frisk Frugt - Dansktoppen møder Burkina Faso i det himmelblå rum hvor solen bor, suite
Susanne Sundfør - The Brothel
Robyn - Body talk
Jónsi - Go Do
Efterklang - Magic Chairs
Serena Maneesh - S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor
The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a scheme
Ólöf Arnalds - Innundir skinni
Kvelertak - Kvelertak
First Aid Kit - The big black & the blue

The winner will be announced during by:Larm in Oslo February 17-19. More here: http://nordicmusicprize.com/

Nordic By Nature: new mix, clubnight

Berlin-based Scandinavian music clubnight Nordic By Nature has a new mixtape for January: http://soundcloud.com/shibie/nordic-by-nature-honey-jan-mix
They also have a show booked for January 31 featuring Iceland's Bloodgroup at the Levee Club: http://www.nbnberlin.de/tickets.html

Under the Radar top 50 albums

Scandinavians in Under the Radar's top 50 albums of 2010 list include Jónsi (#31), The Radio Dept. (#21) and Club 8 (#10): http://www.undertheradarmag.com/lists/top_50_albums_of_2010

Rökkurró - Sólin mun skína (video)

Direct link: http://vimeo.com/17737406

2011 Watchlist

I have started my 2011 Watchlist: http://www.itsatrap.com/filter/2011-watchlist
Feel free to make suggestions. Or start your own filter list.

Top tens for 2010: It's a Trap!

Top tens for 2010: It's a Trap!

New Sin Fang album in March, single sooner

Sin Fang nee Sin Fang Bous aka Sindri Már Sigfusson of Seabear will be releasing his new solo album "Summer echoes" this coming March with a 7" to precede it, featuring covers of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac and "The only living boy" by Simon & Garfunkle.

PopMatters says Ólöf Arnalds best world music

Iceland's Ólöf Arnalds made PopMatters' best world music list: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/134393-the-best-world-music-of-2010/

Top tens for 2010: It's a Trap! Contributors