Legend are one of the bands I am most looking forward to seeing at Iceland Airwaves next week. I absolutely love their debut album but I haven't ever seen them play before. Songs like City, Runaway Train and Sister especially have been part of the soundtrack to my 2012. They are fronted by Krummi Bjorgvins who has been a key part of the Icelandic music scene for a long time, most famously in the band Mínus. I was pretty excited when he agreed to a quick pre-Airwaves chat...
Hi Krummi, where are you right now and what are you doing?
I´m at home preparing for a Dieter Roth art opening where I´m doing a music piece. I combine all kinds of music by other artists and combine it with my own sounds. I will also do some live vocals over it to tie it all together.
Legend is very different from your bands Minus and Esja. Are you a personality who always wants to do something new and different?
Yes I have always been very versatile and I love the challenge. I can´t keep doing the same thing over and over again. As an artist I like to evolve and push myself. There are so many things out there to explore. Especially the mind!
Are those bands over now? Or can we look forward to hearing new stuff from them too?
No not at all. Mínus recorded an album 2 years ago which will be released early next year under the name KOL. Esja is a project that me and Daníel Ágúst from Gus Gus do when we have the time. We have already written some songs for the next Esja album we just don´t know when we are going to record them and release a record. There´s no pressure so we are taking our time with it.
Better journalists than me (!) have tried and failed to define Legend's sound and I'm not going to try, but it really feels like great late night music. I'm interested to know whether a lot of it was written and recorded at night?
Funny you should say that because most of the album is written and recorded at night. We are a pretty dark bunch of people so we loved being creative while the night creatures were out and about. It´s an ominous album!
In your wildest dreams, who would you most like to see at the front of the crowd at your show?
I can´t say. We are just glad that people show up and enjoy our shows. Even better if they get the lyrics and the whole concept behind the band.
What else are you keen to see at Airwaves this year?
Swans are one of my favorite bands so that is something I´m not going to miss. I also really like I Break Horses! But I try to see many Icelandic bands because they are so good!
Can you pass on some tips for first timers at Airwaves and in Iceland?
Yes! "Gangið Hægt Um Gleðinnar Dyr"
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I think Legend's shows are going to be amongst the highlights of Iceland Airwaves 2012. Catch them...
Wednesday October 31st at 11:20pm in Gamli Gaukurinn.
Saturday November 3rd at 10:30pm upstairs at Faktory.
and you can do a load of pre-listening here :-)
Thanks for the interesting interviews Mark. Enjoy Airwaves '12.
Posted by: Wim Van Hooste | October 27, 2012 at 10:09 AM