Since we started this adventure we have begun to learn a lot about a connection between Iceland and the Germany’s capital Berlin. It seem the two certainly go hand in hand when it comes to music, creative minds, and other talents. We were contacted by Gaui who wanted to tell us about his new band/project -Volcano Victims.
Tell us who you are and what is your sound?
I’m Gaui and Volcano Victims is my band/project. Since I can’t really sing I get help from various singers. Majority of the songs, including my latest release, are sung by Hanna Magdalena. She recorded the vocals at her home in Gothenburg. The sound of my project depends on my mood. It can be influenced by Iceland’s dark and cold winters to Berlin’s (where I live) hot and carefree summers.
What exciting projects have you got coming up?
With my latest release I have released 10 songs, all as singles spread over 10 months. I might add 1-2 more songs and release it as an album. Next year I will continue to release new songs and I’ll see where that takes me.
Where did you grow up and what music influenced you?
For the first 14 years of my life I grew up in a small town just outside of Reykjavík, Iceland. My first music memory was listening to Leonard Cohen with my parents on long drives to the countryside. As a teenager I listened mostly to Nirvana and Korn, something that is embarrassing to admit. Then I started to dig deeper and I discovered bands such as The Smiths, Yo La Tengo and Belle & Sebastian.
What cool places do you recommend to visit in your city (bars, restaurants, etc)?
Berlin is my home now but Reykjavík will always be my city as well so I’ll recommend places in both cities. Reykjavík has changed a lot since I lived there but Vitabar never changes. It’s a bar that sells juicy and greasy hamburgers. Any ice cream store that sells gamli ísinn (the old ice cream) is something you have to try. Don’t worry about the name, it is fresh. A visit to 12 Tónar record store is also a must.
Berlin has a lot of nice parks like Viktoriapark, Treptower Park and Tempelhofer Feld which is a huge old airport. You must try the pad thai at Mae Charoen and then float down The Landwehr Canal in an inflatable boat with your belly up in the air.
We love recommendations – what have you been listening to, watching, or reading recently?
I never get tired of Cass McCombs and Bill Callahan, them I can recommend always. Lately I’ve been listening to Tops, Men I Trust, Sault, Molina and many others. I just finished watching Game of Thrones for the first time. Now I understand what the fuss is about. Then there is something that I shouldn’t admit to but currently I’m watching an old season of The Bachelor with my girlfriend. It’s annoyingly addictive!
Finally, what was the last thing that made you swear out loud?
To the last episode of The Bachelor. Like why am I watching that s***.
Interview by Alex Minnis
Gaui kindly help support Minnis2Society by donating us some coffees!
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