This Friday’s Nordic new music finds us over in Iceland where we discovered Skoffin – the loudest band in Iceland! We are obsessed with their music video for ‘SÆTAR STELPUR’ be sure to check it out at the end of the interview and get following these guys – they are great!
Tell us who you are and what’s your sound?
Hey! We are Skoffín – the loudest band in Iceland. We’re working predominantly as a part of post-dreifing, an art collective based in Reykjavík. Post-dreifing‘s main agenda is to gain visibility and sustainability for artists through collaboration. Skoffín originally began as a solo project of Jói (me!) in 2016 and has since then evolved into a fully fledged 4-man outfit. Our sound is guitar-heavy, energetic and indie.
What exciting projects have you got coming up?
Right now we’re recording a new single here in Reykjavík with my brother, Árni Árnason, who produced our latest album, Skoffín Hentar Íslenskum Aðstæðum. Later this month we‘re set to record a music video. The national gathering ban which was put again in place earlier this month shattered all of our upcoming gigs, but I guess that‘s life during these times.
Where did you grow up and what music influenced you?
We all grew up in the Reykjavík area, all in our separate boring suburbs of the capital area, and met in our teens through mutual friends and our work in music. We don‘t have a uniform music taste but it can all be characterised as music in the field of “indie”. We get a lot of influence from seeing local bands – bands our friends are in – and we‘re constantly looking for new music and artists. Right now we‘re recording a single which can be described as a mix between Television and Talking Heads if all the band members were suffering from chronic paranoia.
What cool places do you recommend to visit in your city?
Due to the fact that a pandemic is going on we haven‘t had much time lolling around the various cafes and bars in town. However, on the off chance that we‘re out, we like to grab a cup of coffee at Kaffibrennslan downtown or Cafe Milano in Skeifan. Honestly, the best atmosphere for a relaxing brew is checking out the various libraries in town. I used to stop daily after work at Borgarbókasafn library in Grafarvogur after work to wind down. Most libraries offer free coffee and you can sit down and page through the literature.
We‘re big fans of the municipal swimming pools (who isn‘t?). I recommend Kópavogslaug or Suðurbæjarlaug in Hafnarfjörður.
Röntgen is a relatively new bar in town. Some of the owners were behind Reykjavík‘s hipster haven venue Húrra which unfortunately closed down. Röntgen is a cozy little watering hole if we are in the mood for drinks.
We love recommendations – what have you been listening to, watching, or reading recently?
Jói: I‘m getting into Sylvia Plath these days. Aldous Harding‘s latest album, Designer, is on repeat. I‘m binge-watching the first season of the Umbrella Academy with my girlfriend.
Sævar: I‘ve been listening a lot to Fontaines DC. I spend an unhealthy amount of time on Youtube where I‘m currently going through Binging with Babish. I‘m reading the Anna Gavalda‘s short story collection I Wish Someone Were Waiting For Me Somewhere.
Bjarni: A lot of my inspiration these days comes from the British noise pop band Quickspace, as well as Arthur Russell. I‘m a big fan of Ari Aster‘s films, though I think they would be improved if Jane Fonda were to be cast in them.
Auðunn: I‘m listening to Idles, they are a huge inspiration. I‘m currently reading Hitchhiker‘s Guide to the Galaxy. I‘m kind of a fantasy buff, so The Witcher recently caught my eye.
What was the last thing that made you swear out loud?
Our newest track! It‘s a great one. Release date is to be announced.
Interview by Alex Minnis
To get updates and content from Minnis2Society, please follow us on:
Twitter: Minnis2Society
Instagram: @_minnis2society
