Interviews
Meeting FM Belfast & Retro Stefson
Posted 10 March, 2010
Interviews: Magda and Mai Ji
Text: Anne
Photo: Preben T. A. Arentoft
It’s Friday afternoon 5 of March and we are meeting up with members from two Icelandic bands that will perform at Nordatlantens Brygge. Lóa Hlin Hjálmtýsdottir from FM Belfast and Haraldur Ari Stefánsson from Retro Stefson both bring a bit of Northatlantic atmosphere into the room as they wear Icelandic sweaters – combined with an almost symbolic energy of sunlight filling out the room.
Together in times of crisis
As we start the conversation the subjects move from smørrebrød to the economic crisis that has hit Iceland. Both Lóa and Haraldur talk about how they are part of a small community and how Icelandic bands help each other out during the crisis.
“As bands, we are all connected. We all know each other and borrow members from each other from time to time. One of our members used to be a teacher for the young members of Retro Stefson”, says Lóa from FM Belfast.
They go on and explain that there is no competition among the bands. Instead everyone focus on supporting each other and having a good time doing it.
Lóa explains: “When the currency went down, everyone began to feel stuck and almost claustrophobic on a small island. The music is no escape, it only adds a positive energy”.
The two bands also perform together now and then and actually it is their second gig at Nordatlantens Brygge. Haraldur says: “We are sometimes on the stage together and we play percussion for FM Belfast. We call it the cowbell choir”. This seems to be some sort of an internal joke, as Lóa stresses the importance of the cowbell choir.
The colours of Copenhagen
Of course we are curious to hear of the band members’ impression of Copenhagen. We ask them about the first thing that comes to their mind and they both agree on one thing; namely architecture.
“There are so many colours here. It’s very different from Reykjavik where everything is grey. Copenhagen is a bit like London or Amsterdam and we really like these cities. One of my childhood memories is from Tivoli. Copenhagen must be great during summer – at least I heard so”, says Haraldur. Another thing that pops into his mind is ‘flødeboller’ and Christiania.
Genuine love for music
The two musicians seem to be joking a lot, but when it comes to their music they both agree that it is serious business, even though they like to have fun. Lóa says: “We take our music seriously, we just don’t take ourselves too seriously”. She also explains that when people go crazy to their music, that’s when they really enjoy what they do.
We want to know if they have any plans concerning the music, but none of them are really planning ahead. Haraldur adds: “We don’t really think about things like that. We live in the moment. We do what we like and this is important for us”.
To both of them it seems like they have made a choice on focusing on what they truly love considering their country’s situation.
As Lóa says: “I think it all began when we first recorded a version of a really lame 90ies song. It sounded silly, but people liked it. That just makes sense.”
THREE QUICK ONES:
1. What are your inspirations?
Lóa, FM Belfast: Our band started from two guitarist players who covered their faces and we wanted to do something funny out of it.
Haraldur, Retro Stefson: I don’t know any other similar band. We are seven people so everyone brings something new to the band. Personal influences are among other Bob Dylan, another member is into Bruce Springsteen. Of course FM Belfast is a huge inspiration.
2. Does the name of your band indicate anything?
Lóa, FM Belfast: It’s a name of a guitar. It is not connected to the Irish city.
Haraldur, Retro Stefson: Stefson refers to the name of a father of one of the members. Also we call it ‘a steff’ when you do a small scale on a piano for example. Retro, I can’t really say…It just fits together.
3. On a scale from 1-10, how satisfied are you by playing under that name?
Lóa, FM Belfast: 9 or even 9,25. This is it, perfect number.
Haraldur, Retro Stefson: Definitely 9 ¼
www.myspace.com/fmbelfast
www.myspace.com/retrostefson
Slice of Ice
Posted 10 March, 2010
Interview and Text: Magda
Our friends at Slice of Ice organized the joint FM Belfast and Retro Stefson concert in Nordatlantens Brygge. For those of you who may be puzzled about who they are, here’s a talk we had with the three Copenhageners.
- So, who are you really?
Jesper: We are an organisation promoting Icelandic music in Copenhagen.
Jeppe: Three guys, who met quite randomly and happened to share the same passion for Icelandic music.
- But what is so special about the Icelandic music?
Jeppe: I have been to the festival “Iceland Airwaves” three times and I absolutely loved it. The music gives you energy and good vibes and the people are just so great.
Jesper: What is special about it, I guess that it is alternative and not mainstream. It does not even have to do with the popularity of the groups – it is about the sound. One could argue that Bjork became mainstream because she is popular, cooperates with Timbaland and so on. In our eyes that’s not true. She is still the same artist she was before. Her music has the alternative, or even eccentric edge.
- What is it that you do?
Jesper: We are the link between Iceland and Copenhagen. We contact the bands, invite them to play here, find the venue and organize the whole thing.
Jeppe: We don’t gain a penny from it. We just want them to come here, watch them live and just enjoy the real sound.
- So, what are your plans?
Jeppe: Well, the goal would be to organize three or four concerts a year and introduce more and more Icelandic bands to Copenhageners.
Jesper: Ultimately, we would love to have Björk or Sigur Ros playing at an event organized by us. We have already contacted some new bands for future events, but who they are and what it is going to be is strictly confidential… You will know when the right time comes. We will keep you posted.
You can read more about Slice of Ice at Sliceofice.dk or join them on Facebook.
