Ok, it’s National Day in Iceland today. Iceland is celebrating 70 years of independence. Congratulations! To celebrate, I thought I’d put together a little competition – heaven help me, this is probably never going to work! – please take a selfie of you reading Iceland, Defrosted and post it to Twitter using hashtag #icelanddefrosted, or […]

Fura is a collaboration between the songstress Björt Sigfinnsdóttir and the producer duo Hallur Jónsson and Janus Rasmussen, behind Bloodgroup. From humble beginnings as record store workers – which I can relate to – they now produce late night electronica and stunning vocals from the Eastern reaches of Seyðisfjörður. Björt tells us more: Who or […]

Hi. How are you? So sorry I’ve not been around for a while, I’ve had to concentrate on something in real life which may have ultimately not been worth it anyway. We’ll have to wait and see. But I just wanted to let you know that I’m back. I’m sorry to have left you. It […]

The last time I spoke with Soffía from Orfia, she described the Icelandic duo as “synthetic, dreamy sounds mixed with interesting instruments, with influences from the Celtic scene and a hint of Middle East tonality.” I thought she may have been joking with me, especially when she went on to say that the music was […]

Hafdís is back with the appropriately titled ‘Home’. Apparently written whilst dealing with a new found family life, complete with baby, dog and pink house, ‘Home’ is a fine piece of acoustic alternative folk/pop with a definite Icelandic edge. Additional songwriters have done little to dim Hafdís’ glowing personality, instead they enhance it. The enchanting […]

I’m thrilled to announce that I have just signed a contract for Iceland, Defrosted to be published in Iceland by Óðinsauga útgáfa (Odinseye Publishing), in Icelandic. There are a few issues to iron out around updating, translation and other administrative bits and bobs, but I’m really excited about this development, and can’t wait to see […]

The new Hafdís Huld album is now streaming on Soundcloud. It’s called ‘Home’, and it’s a beaut. Full review to follow, of course. Also, a gentle reminder about this. I’m getting excited now!

Kimono are the one Icelandic band that I never quite get around to seeing. They always seem to either be on an extended break, immersed in some kind of side project, or working behind closed doors on new material. Despite frequent trips to Iceland, and being a fan since 2009’s Easy Music For Difficult People, […]

This is an article I wrote a couple of years ago about World Book night, and obsession with books that Icelanders have. Contains scenes of vampires. A few weeks ago, it was World Book Night. An annual event designed to promote the joys of reading a proper book, one with actual pages and everything. One […]

It’s Record Store Day. I’m not sure it’s celebrated in Iceland, but do you know what? It doesn’t matter. Reykjavík has one of the best record stores on the planet; 12 Tónar. Here is an excerpt from Iceland, Defrosted about that very store: ‘Talking of record stores, next time you’re in Reykjavík, try to get […]