Something in the water Im sure of it

There cant be any other way to explain the constant churn of amazing new music coming out of Iceland on a seemingly daily basis.

For a Minor Reflection are the latest painfully shy looking quartet to take to the road (with countrymen Sigur Ros for one) and indeed the influence of Jonsi and his band is impossible to deny as the band batter the audience with waves of epic guitarsm squalling feedback and fractured melody lines flying out of distressed sounding guitars.

A vocalist would have made things a little more interesting for me but the band won many over this evening with their incredible musicianship and epically drawn out songs - an interest enigma waiting to unfold.

The Good The Bad and The Fucking Brilliant

Back on the right track we head to Gamla (one of my favourite venues) to check out mental Danish band The Good The Bad who not offer a hotwired revamp of the highlights of rock n rolls past to conjure a demonic alternative soundtrack to a Tarrantino movie - all hyper fuzzed surf guitar and rat scabies drums.

That we are effectively dealing with an alternative version of the shadows with Hank Marvin replaced by a pimp, two Bret Anderson lookalikes and an ungodly truckload of Amyl Nitrate and Ecstasy is the cause of no complaints here - the danes are already a favourite on the european festival circuit and tonight offers firm evidence of why. One of the bands of the weekend hands down.

Mistakes mistakes mistakes

following a hot tip we forgoe the chance to go see Efterkland (mistake) we head to the most crowded venue of the week to catch Monte for what is a rare downbpoint of the weekend. despite being crammed in to the rafters churn out a strange mix of Toploaders hair and earth wind and fire psuedo funk.

a disapointment but this did provide us the most challenging route out of a venue (so crammed in were the fans that at one point I fell over and had both feet off the ground and yet remained completely upright) as we try and run for the door. Man i wished wed have been at Efterklang (thats one for tonight methinks!)

as i look now i cant seem to find a video for you... thats probably a very good thing!

Blue Reindeers

Back in the Folkecentre later on we see local band Alit Boazu (translation Blue Reindeer) who touch base with inluences such as Rammstein and local boys Haust to deliver a tight as you like set of upbeat rock with the twist being the band singing in Sami - a regional dialect from the extreme north of Norway. Its a startling revelation that offers up an alternative vision of Norwegian traditional music revamped as a dark and gothy rock band.

awesome stuff

A nice chance for a rare sit down!

Getting back on the beaten track a little more we head on over to the Folkecentre to check out EMI Norways latest hyped Signing Ingrid Olavs who enters the stage to be confronted with a packed out auditorium clammering for the local girl.

Coming on like a snowy Tori Amos (in all fairness though can you name a single girl at a piano that you cant compare to Tori Amos?! I think not!) backed by an incredible backing band who delve into their canon to flesh out Ingrids songs with a jazzy flatbed (her drummer for one needs to be seen to be heard). Upcoming single "Warrior" for one is a standout of the set that sees the first standing ovation of the week and indeed the first encore as the crowds refuse to leave without hearing more. Ingrid finally running from the stage as the doors finally heave open.

Stars of CCTV

after wandering round the path less travelled through most of thursday it seems almost appropriate to continue the theme with the first few shows of Friday too.

Opening up at Revolver with a joint label showcase being put on by our friends at Lazy Acre Records and the awesome Spoon Train Audio.

Beginning with a delicately poised set from former National Student coverstar Solvor Vermeer who woos a growing crowd with a gossamer topped set of piano led songs taken from her upcoming EP. Bathed in washes of swooping cello and insistent Glock, the set climaxes with a bluesy run through of an as yet unheard song that recalls "Goodnight Hollywood Boulevard" which for this scribe at least is a most immense thing indeed.



Hearing Manchester accents outside the venue during a much needed cigarette break, it comes to light that following band CCTV feature not only some British born talent in their ranks as well as a whole heap of madchester influences; throwing in liberal dashes of Roses chime into their upbeat brand of indie pop.

Topping the bill (and indeed battling through a powercut that blights the start of the set) are local heroes Monzano whos chipper brand of indie pop brings to mind the excellent Track a Tiger and even label mates My Little Pony in a set rooted in synth led melody and powerpop guitars.



Treat.

Who calls their first single Brothel?

Well Susanne Sundfor for one and ruddy excellent it is too! apparently shy by Nature, Sundfor hides behind swathes of smoke and lights for most of tonights headline show at Sentrum Scene but what we cant gide from is the fact that this is an incredible singer songwriter at the peak of her powers.

Backed by an epically equipped band (fender rhodes, cello, saxophone, vibrophone etc all mixed into a sprightly mix) the singer plays through the highlights of her upcoming debut album including a jaw dropping rendition of new single Brothel.

A richly woven tapestry of post rock and classic singer songwriter based jazz,
Sundfor is in possession of an incredible voice and more importantly a jaw dropping sense of dynamics and textures as electronica bleeps blend seamlessly with jazz rhodes and a swooping Florence-esque voice to end the night on a climactic high.

A resounding success and a highlight to remember on our snowy trudge back to the hotel.

Just. Wonderful.