Hello, it's been so long since I have been here. And it changed a lot ! I've started my cinema studies this year, and actually I have a project about the link between Iceland and music. I sent emal to different artists, but I think it would be nice to get the opinion of the ones who listen. So, how do you think Icelandics' landscapes and culture influences music ?
I think there's been many interviews with Björk discussing this point. Now I'm not sure where to find those said interviews. There's been the Nattura concert with Bjök and Sigur Rós centered around Icelandic environment and ecology. There's also the example of múm recording an album in an isolated lighthouse. I have a friend (The Folding and The Point: http://www.myspace.com/thefoldingandthepoint) that spent a few weeks isolated in a small cabin in Icelandic countryside. So yeah, I think theres a certain influence of Iceland's environment on music (and art, design and cinema). The folklore is a bit present too. There's a saying that goes something like "an Icelander never travels without his accordion" (not sure exactly how it's said), and you can find plenty of squeezebox action with múm :) Another example, again with Björk, is the use of an Icelandic string octet on Homogenic. They play a in very particular Icelandic, folkloric style. I just can't remember the name of that style.