Inspired By Iceland videos

"Inspired By Iceland" is a new website that beautifully shows off the natural wonder of Iceland, with some superb live cams and travel testimonials (admittedly, it's a hip "come to Iceland" advertisement for tourists). Nonetheless, the site hosts a ton of top-notch music videos, filmed live in Reykjavik on July 1. Included are performances from Goatsden favorites Amiina, Steindor Andersen & Hilmar Orn Hilmarsson, Seabear, Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, and Spiritualized. All of their shows can be viewed in outstanding quality free from the "Inspired By Iceland" site here:

Inspired By Iceland music site

Spiritualized from Inspired By Iceland on Vimeo.

"In A Dream" (director: Jeremiah Zagar)

This upcoming documentary film looks quite good - bold, moving, and inspiring. And you want a musical tie-in? How about the fact that it includes music by Explosions In The Sky and Efterklang? Enough said. Thx to cbe@ for the tip!

Sigur Ros with Bjork - Gobbledigook at Nattura

To celebrate the ever-nearing general release of the Sigur Ros 'Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust' deluxe DVD/book/CD edition, and to celebrate the election of a more responsible and forward-thinking (not to mention less destructive!) American presidency, here's a nice live recording of Sigur Ros performing 'Gobbledigook' live! Taken from the Nattura Concert on June 28, 2008 in Reykjavik and featuring fellow Icelanders Bjork (!!!) and Amiina (!!!!!), this percussive party-song is full of celebratory spirit - something we all need more than ever. Thanx to AaronC for showing me this clip!



Visit Sigur Ros website

Or Bjork's website

I will feature more on the Nattura cause and concert soonish.

Amiina and Lee Hazlewood - "Hilli (At The Top Of The Mountain"

In late 2007, one of my favorite Icelandic groups, Amiina, collaborated with famous American singer-songwriter Lee Hazlewood, who added some very wise and beautiful (and possibly prophetic) words to Amiina's song 'Hilli'. Just after this track was completed, Lee passed away. The world is a much sadder place without Lee, though his 40 years of amazing songs will live on for all times. This song was released digitally through regular distribution channels in December, and on a very limited European CD single. Additionally, Amiina plan to release a 7" single including this song and a cover of Lee's 'Leather And Lace', with release date still to be announced. Meantime, here's the marvelous video...