Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Of Monster and Men


Twitter | Facebook | MySpace

[1st row: Árni Guðjónsson(piano/accordion), Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir (co-singer/guitarist), Brynjar Leifsson (guitarist) / 2nd row: Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson (co-singer/guitarist), Kristján Páll Kristjánsson (bassist), Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson (drummer)]

- Six piece indie/Folk band from Iceland
-The band started off with Nanna singing solo on a project she called Songbird with her school friend Brynjar on guitar. They decided they wanted to do something different when they met with other members of the band and Ragnar (Nanna's boyfriend's best friend). They all joined up and played their FIRST show at Iceland's Músíktilraunir Battle of the Bands competition and took it home! Watch their performance, click here.
-Their song "Little Talks" came from Nanna watching her friend dye her hair red.
-Nanna has said to have taken a lot of inspiration from Fiest.
-Their video for "Little Talks" was created by a group called "We were Monkeys" from Canada. Check them out, click here.
-Playing Pukkelpop ,Osheaga, Newport Folk Festival, South by Southwest & Lollapalooza.
-Raggi on the comparisons to Arcade Fire: “It’s definitely a compliment, being compared to Arcade Fire,” he said. “And I think it’s due to…we are a lot of people in the band, and have a big sound, and stuff like that. But because you want to make your own name, hopefully when the album comes out people will see that we are very much our own.”

Songs to listen to: Little Talks, Love Love Love, Your Bones (Very Fleet Foxes), King and Lionheart


Conclusion: I can't thank Iceland enough for harbouring such a great band! Honestly, it's been hard to shake my tunnel vision for The Head & The Heart, but I've officially found my new love. They're just so wonderful. Not only are they incredibly talented, they're just so pleasantly modest and genuinely surprised from the good responses to their album. I actually heard one of them say in an interview how they basically recorded the album for the heck of it... just wow. This album is not average either, it's pure listening entrancement. This one definitely has my official stamp of approval. Listen to any track and you will see what I'm saying. Story telling at it's best.

2 comments:

  1. I first heard Of Monsters and Men when I visited Iceland last year. Their album had yet to be released, but Little Talks was all over their radio. What I love about the Icelandic music industry is that they give their artists full creative control. That's why when you walk into a music shop, every single album cover is the most gorgeous piece of artwork you've ever seen! What's more, 12 Tónar, Iceland's most popular music store, is hell-bent on great customer service. When I went in, I was told I could listen to any album I wanted before I buying anything. Even if it was in its cellophane, I could open it and have a listen for however long I wanted. The nice man behind the counter showed me to a CD player and a couch and let me get on with it. He even served me an espresso! Amazing service!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds incredible! I stopped by 12 Tónar just a couple months ago and have to agree that it was filled with beautiful album covers. Iceland in general is just such a beautiful place full of wonderful people and music. It was definitely a good time! :D Thanks for sharing your experiences there, sounds like you have an awesome time! :D

      Delete