Miike snow is on tour right now, playing in the United Kindom on the 23rd, Sweeden on the 28th and last but surely not least he will be performing at Roskilde Festival in Denmark on July 1st (for those of you that dont know Roskilde festival… Google it now!)

Black & Blue

Animal

Song for no one

Here is a link to where you can buy their first Album CONDITIONS that was released in June 2009.

Science of Fear

Sweet disposition

Fader

Love Lost

Video by: Andy Blazquez & Ingi Larusson
Photography: Stian Roenning
Produced and Styling: Aban Sonia
Hair and Make-up: Naomi Robles
Panic Bomber Manager: Paddy Scaca
Assistant Styling: Brandon Fogel
Production Assistant: Lauren Portilo
Location: Studio 1415
Additional Thanks:
Dead Legend Doors: Stian Roenning & Sam Gualtieri
Authentic Sarajevo Minefield Street Sign: Mike Raveney

Winter Music Friday…  We met with Pirate Stereo to document the making of WMC Safehouse – the ultimate after ultra EP release party. Besides PS, the event featured Dj Santiago Caballero, Chris Schoen and Ayad & Jeff of Passion Pit. Click. Play. Now.

The EP: The Thrive of the Thrill

The new EP (listen/download here) is the first release on their new label, PS Records. We’re liking it and so shall you.

Befriend & Follow:

piratestereo.com | TOTT | Myspace | Facebook | Twitter

Video Credits:

By: Andy & Ingi for Life.is  -   Photography: Markus Oskarsson

Pirate Stereo as Pirate Stereo  -  Legion as Event Producers

Santi as Dj Santiago Caballero  -  Chris as Chris Schoen

Guy at the end of the video  in the crowd as “That guy”

The video for “This too shall pass”  was directed by James Frost, OK Go and Syyn Labs. Produced by Shirley Moyers.  The video was filmed in a two story warehouse, in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. The “machine” was designed and built by the band, along with members of Syyn Labs over the course of several months.

This too shall pass, Rube Goldberg Machine

I saw them perform live at this venue called Sodoma few days before new years eve, Sodoma is a great place to hit up if you’re in Reykjavik, they have live shows every other night or so, and whats very special about that place is that, in the mans restroom they have printed and laminated pictures of the bankers and politicians that were blamed for Icelands economical crisis, inside all the urinals, so even if you dont like the music, you can get wasited for pretty cheap and pee on politicians and bankers for your pleasure!

Rocketship

Sweedish Snowboard girl

Here is an album sampler of the first album from the Icelandic electronic dance group Sykur. Frábært eða frábært, (Fantastic or Fantastic ) is out now in Iceland! If youdig this, you should visit www.recordrecords.is and buy it!

Bloodgroup’s second album, Dry Land, was released in Iceland on December 2nd 2009 by Record Records. It has been one of the most successful albums in Iceland since its release, praised by most critics in Iceland.

My Arms

Hips Again

Moving like a tiger

Here is an album sampler of the second album from the Icelandic electronic dance group Bloodgroup, Dry Land. If you like this, you should visit recordrecords and buy the album!

Pop quiz, hot shot!  What do you do if the album you’ve just finished recording gets leaked all over the internet faster than a picture of a cute kitten with misspelled words on it?

You release the album (streaming) on your own website… mainly out of spite for pirates.

As MGMT states on their site:

Hey everybody, the album leaked, and we wanted you to be able to hear it from us. We wanted to offer it as a free download but that didn’t make sense to anyone but us

At first listen, I can tell this is the type of record that takes a minute to sink into. Not as obvious in the pop dept. as their last go, it almost seems like an album full of fillers until you get to the title track “Congratulations” which not only stands out as an early favorite for me, but also serves as a good example of the type of weird shit that is this album. But again,  I just got my mitts on it, I want to let it sink in. Just think of this as a tap on the shoulder and a point in the right direction.

You can check it out for yourself at:  www.whoismgmt.com

[thnks b! in NY]

But on this mysterious trip of mine, I discovered music that will blow your mind!!

FM Belfast

FM Belfast started out as a duo during Christmas 05 when Arni R Hlodversson and Loa Hjalmtysdottir made a song as a present for their friends. They planed to keep it in the studio, but that changed in 2006 when Arni and Loa performed an art opening in a cave in the Faeroe Islands. Later that year they played their first full concert at the Iceland Airwaves festival in Reykjavik.

Underwear

Par Avion

Frequently

The singer of the band is also quoted as saying that “right now, I’m writing music that’s like dancehall meets Steve Reich … I’ve just been recording B-sides, and a song that’s all drums and trains, but it’s more or less pop music. I don’t know if we’ll change our minds, but I’ve been writing a lot of music for bassoon”. While the drummer reveals that their new album is “very 1970, but also quite 1610, 1950, 1979, 1989, 2005 and 2070″… Im beginning to think they’re fucking with our heads.

Their new album, Hidden features their latest single, “We Want War”:

For reference, here is a track from their debut album Beat Pyramid:

Elvis

I wanted to share a few of their videos and songs, first my favorite, Introducing Palace Players.

Introducing Palace Players

Repeaterbeater

Am I wry, No

Comforting sounds

Beach

make sure you check out their website and get on the mailing list!

Colouring of Pigeons

While listening to the song, I urge you to ponder how the hell it is we come from monkeys. You got about 11 minutes.

You can download the song and read more about the project here.

The Silent Years are straight out of Detroit, Rock City! The DIY band created all of their own artwork, website and they even hand made their stunning debut video clip for “Someone To Keep Us Warm.” Heavily influenced by Elliot Smith, Jeff Buckley and the Flaming Lips.

The band has played previous dates with Mellowdrone, French Kicks, Sound Team, Akron Family, The Processions, Stars Track and Fields, Aqueduct and The Fields. My favorite song of theirs right now is Black hole.

Black hole

On our way home

Someone to keep us warm

The Silent Years – The Sun is Alive by Catherine Tai

I don’t usually discover new music on the radio. New music often comes in the form of an iChat transfer from a friend (or ex-gf, whatever the case may be).  Last week was no exception, I heard the little IM “pop” and accepted the transfer for “The High Road” by Broken Bells.   Turns out, “Broken Bells” is the new collaborative project created by Danger Mouse and  James mercer (The Shins). And it’s amazing.

It’s kinda been at the top of my holiday playlist, so I thought I’d pass it along.

I can neither confirm nor deny that the album, set to be released in March, has been leaked in its entirety. For this reason, I can’t confirm that it too is also amaaazing.

Somewhere in Brooklyn, thousands of hipster’s heads exploded at the sound of the “way-too-cool-unless-you-dont-get-it-then-youre-the-one-thats-lame” song by Beck, Devendra Banhart and MGMT. A colaboration that is nothing short of friggin’ strange. I’ll be honest, I haven’t quite solidified my opinion on the song yet, but judging by my past experiences with the music of these artists individually, I’m willing to listen to the weirdness at least ten more times before I inevitably confirm my suspicion that I kinda don’t like it.

Your results may vary.

For reference, here is the original version of the song by Leonard Cohen

Bonus: Beck, Devendra and MGMT cover of Cohen’s Sisters of Mercy

And the original

Jonsi  - Boy Lilikoi

“Boy Lilikoi”, is now available to download at Jónsi’s brand new website, for the price of an email address. (A lilikoi is a delicious passion fruit, btw.)

Lyrics:

I want to be a lilikoi-boy-lilikoi

You grind your claws, you howl, you growl unafraid of all colour

You run, you’re free, you climb and dress trees – You reignite

You growl, you howl, you show your teeth

You bite and so I

Go, say no more, use your eyes, the world goes and flutters by

Use your eyes, you’ll know you are

Use your eyes, the world goes and flutters by

Use your eyes, you’ll know you are

Why me, my boy, you burn so bright, do you illuminate?

One day you’re out, you give up the fight, you slow down heart-rate

We all grow old, use your life, the world goes and flutters by

Use your life, you’ll know you are

Use your life, the world goes and flutters by

Use your life, you’ll know you are

Electricity wires are down, rainbow colours fade into brown

I dreamt you were smiling, shifting for good

Courageous boy, now you are gone

And run past the Earth, no place to go

Your spirit is grand, so as the Sun

You are……. (light)

You are……. (light)

I want to be a lilikoi-boy, you…

You grind your claws, you howl, you growl, unafraid of all colour

Electricity wires are down, rainbow colours fade into brown

I dreamt you were smiling, shifting for good

Courageous boy, now you are gone

You run past the Earth, no place to go

Your spirit is grand, so as the Sun

You are……. (light)

You are……. (light)

The Album Leaf is an American musical project centred around Jimmy LaValle. The Album Leaf was founded in San Diego, California in 1998. The Album Leaf is usually described as being part of the post-rock genre and uses a variety of instruments and electronic equipment to achieve a mellow sound.

In January 2003, The Album Leaf toured Japan. Immediately following this tour, LaValle was offered to support Sigur Rós European tour. This tour he performed solo and started incorporating electronic beats and loop pedals into his live show in order to perform his songs as a one man band. Later during this tour, Kjartan Sveinsson, Orri Páll Dýrason and María Huld Markan of Sigur Rós and Amiina respectively, began to join LaValle on stage performing on a couple of songs during his half-hour performance slot.

This tour saw the Album Leaf playing at music venues such as Radio City Music Hall in New York City, gaining even more popularity for the band. After these tours, LaValle decided to  focus on the Album Leaf full time. In January 2004, LaValle signed with Seattle based record label, Sub Pop Records and Berlin, Germany based European label City Slang Records. LaValle completed In a Safe Place in February 2004. Jón Þór Birgisson, Kjartan Sveinsson, and Orri Páll Dýrason (most of the members of Sigur Rós), María Huld Markan (of Amiina), Gyða Valtýsdóttir (formally of múm), Pall Jenkins and Matt Resovich (of the Blackheart Procession) all contributed to the record with Birgir Jón “Biggi” Birgisson, engineering at Sigur Rós’ Sundlaugin studio.

On Your Way

Mixing in Iceland

Over the Pond

Twenty Two Fourteen

Always for You

Fleet Foxes are a five-piece Seattle-based band signed to Sub Pop and Bella Union. The band came to prominence in 2008 with the release of their second EP, Sun Giant, and their debut full length album Fleet Foxes. Both Sun Giant and their eponymous debut album received much critical praise and reviewers often noted their use of refined lyrics and vocal harmonies.

In 2007 Fleet Foxes were becoming increasingly popular and had attracted over a quarter of a million song plays over two months on their Myspace site.

While the group enjoyed moderate success in the United States, Fleet Foxes was better received in Europe, selling over 200,000 copies in the first five months following its release.

White Winter Hymnal directed by Sean Pecknold, off the band’s self-titled Sub Pop 2008 release.

Your protector

Blue Ridge Mountains

He Doesn’t Know Why

Finally it’s out! Phrazes for the Young, Julian Casablancas first solo album, just hit the stores today! I was fortunate enough to get a copy of this precious album two days ago, obviously I’ve been listening to it non stop. My first thoughts after running through all the tracks were quite unsure of this new route that Julian has decided to take. The first track to really catch my attention was the single “11th Dimension.”  the  beat is really catchy, and I love the power in it. What surprised me about this album were the lyrics, It’s great poetry throughout the album.

Even though I know a few Strokes fans that would  think this whole album sound like 12:51 and it’s too soft and whiny, I’m sure that Julian Casablancas will gain a lot more fans in the end.

I’ll let you be the judge of that:

11th Dimension by Julian Casablancas

River Of Breaklights

Aslo make sure you check out this interview with Julian about the album and his inspiration.

and last but not least you need to watch this trailer for the album.. a little bird whispered in my ears that this trailer is the beginning of his music video for the song “Glass.” I will not reveal the birds name nor ethnicity.

Buy this album now

and if you’re a true fan then you shouldn’t miss him on stage in LA in november. and for tickets, click here!

Opening a Devendra Banhart CD comes with mixed emotions; on the one hand, I’m sure I’ll eventually love it… on the other hand, I know I’ll initially be completely thrown by the weirdness of it all. For this reason, I purposefully held back on the mini review of the new album, “What will be” until it sunk in.

The album was co-produced by Banhart and Paul Butler from “A Band of Bees” – and at first listen, the thing that struck me was the heightened sense of production value in comparison to past albums. While Banhart is no stranger to including a wide range of instruments and vocals in his music, they’ve never quite sounded so clear and polished. But staying true to his peculiar style, there are still those elements of deconstruction and musical tangents that feel improvised throughout this record.

I’ll take a leap and guess that a lot of this record was recorded live with all musicians playing at the same time, instead of track by track like most other music. For this suspicion alone, I recommend checking out the album. But be warned: it’s an acquired taste.

The following are a few videos from a live performance on a show called Later with Jules Holland.

BABY

16th & Valencia, Roxy Music

Steed Lord is an Icelandic band that was founded in February (2006) by M.E.G.A, Kali, Demo & AC Bananas. They’ve been making music together as Steed Lord out of pure passion. Together they manage to create banging club music with boomin beats, killer melodies, heavy vocoding & epic synthesizing. They’ve inspired the youth in Iceland like no other, with their badass attitude and kickass live performances. It has brought them all over Europe and now the United States!

The first time I fell in love with Kali (Svala) was when I was about 4 years old. She sang my favorite Christmas song “Eg hlakka svo til” it remained my favorite Christmas song till I was 20 years old and moved to Miami, I taught my Puerto Rican friend this song and about 6 months later, Steed Lord came to Miami to play their first gig over here. They performed at my (at the time, favorite pub) PS14.

That Saturday night my friends came over to my place to kick start the night, we all got really exited to see this Icelandic band that at the time was exploding in Europe. So we go to Ps 14 and right away as we are walking in, I notice their manager that I knew from awhile back, We go to the bar and he gets me a drink, and we start chatting and smoking, meantime my Puerto Rican friend walks into the pub, he notices Kali (the singer) walks up to her and sings to her the Icelandic Christmas song I taught him…

She was obviously speechless and kinda just looked at him like he was an alien, but I thank him for breaking the Ice, we ended up having the greatest time ever, hanging out with Steed Lord and watching them perform among other bands and artists, without a doubt they were the main attraction that night at PS14.

Few days ago, I wrote Kali an email asking her about what was new with Steed Lord and she told me that now they are living in LA, they just finished a 6 month tour in the states. Right now they are in a studio in LA, recording and working on some new songs. Their new remix album is coming out in few days, when it does, they are heading over to Europe for another tour.

After that tour they are going back to LA to charge their batteries for another tour but this time, with the Peaches…

…Holy Moley, that’s right… until we hear more from them, make sure you check out these songs & videos

SteedLord – New Crack City

you might remember this song from Alexis Mincollas Black Sunday video, Dirty Mutha by Steed Lord.

BLACK SUNDAY- DIRTY MUTHA from Alexis Mincolla on Vimeo.

Steed Lord – Take my hand (footage from an Icelandic TV show)

Steed Lord feat CROOKERS – Take my hand

Check out Their Myspace to keep up with their tours and new music!

Fever Ray is the solo project of Karin Dreijer Andersson, who is one half of the Swedish electro act The Knife (the other half is her brother Olof Dreijer). Andersson was also the lead singer and guitarist for the defunct indie pop group Honey is Cool. The first, self-titled Fever Ray record was released  on January 13, 2009.  Her vocal style is notable for both shrill and deep, distorted tones combined with her distinctive accent and the use of pitch-shifting, while her image as a performer tends to include the wearing of masks and other theatrical elements.

The video was directed by Martin de Thurrah

This video caught my attention today as some cool cat posted it online, I had heard this song awhile back but never ever saw this amazing video to Uffie’s ‘Pop the glock’.

Uffie (Anna-Catherine Hartley) was born in Miami, raised in Hong Kong and now lives in Paris. She is Currently signed by French music label Ed Banger Records. She incorporates the genres of synthpop, electronica, hip hop, rap and dance into her music and often works with her fellow label-mates, DJ Feadz and Mr. Oizo. Her debut album, Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans will be released in early 2010

This video was directed by Nathalie Canguilhem, The video in my opinion would be a lot cooler without that tacky bling-bling animation sequence with the flying gold chain and the lipsticks, it’s almost as they started doing that sequence in 2007. . . but overall a kick-ass concept, I love the sexiness of it all and the magazine Scenes are off the hook. Two Thumbs up!

Uffie – ‘Pop the glock’ Directed by Nathalie Canguilhem

Check out Uffie’s Myspace

Im sure most of you have heard of Kid Cudi. Remember that Day N’ Nite song that is currently being played in every club, bar, radio? Well it seems like Im the last person to find out who this guy is.

So I started googling and realized that he just released a new single for the upcoming album titled “Man on the moon: The end of the day”. This single starts with those heavy Ratatat effected strings and slowly builds into the chorus, which is clearly vocalized by MGMT. That adds the perfect tone for the song “Pursuit of happiness”.

I personally love the unique sound of this song, produced by Ratatat,  and while I enjoy any music featuring MGMT , there’s something that doesn’t fully convince me about this track… maybe the lyrics are too lame but I’ll let you be the judge.

The album is set to come out on September 15th.

Check out the song

UPDATE: Actually, youtube removed the video due to copyright restrictions. But at the very least you know the song exists…

The xx is a young London group consisting of Romy and Oliver, the two lead vocalists. Just heard them for the first time this morning and I’m really digging them, especially the Them Jeans edit of “Shelter” which gives the restrained and delicate original a pumping back beat. This band shows a tremendous amount of promise, especially considering they’re all only 19.  Their eponymous debut album is out now.

DOWNLOAD

The xx – “Shelter“

The xx – “Crystalized“

The xx – “Infinity“

The xx – “Islands“

The xx – “Shelter” (Them Jeans Drum Edit)

The Big Pink (Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell ) are British, and as a fan of most things over the pond, this band rocks. They craft a sound with an anthemic, distorted, reverbed quality that I’ve missed from my Shoegaze days. I was introduced to them when a friend showed me the video for their single “Velvet.” I was immediately blown away. The ferocity of the guitars, pulsing drums, and haunting lyrics combined with near-perfect visuals left a deep impression. My words can’t really do them justice so watch, listen, and grab their album A Brief History of Love on September 15. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy and it kills from start to finish. My highest recommendation.

Here are two videos with their corresponding mp3s:

VELVET

DOMINOS

MP3s

Velvet & Dominos

You can find more background on the band here.

My 18 year old sister, who didn’t even know who Bjork was until recently, is always asking me for music advice and ipod refills. So when she told me to get Empire of the Sun I honestly thought she was recommending another one of those teenage products they put out there like Katy Perry or Lady Gaga.

It turns out that they are a product but it’s actually kind of good. As soon as I learned about them I thought they were just two kids chosen by a record label in order to make money out of the whole MGMT boom. Well,  they are!  and they sound a lot like them but this is the first time I could actually enjoy the manufactured product they created… it’s pretty good, dancey and entertaining. And I must say, their videos are truly amazing that’s for sure!

Im still having doubts about their personas, I don’t know why… whether they are trying too much to be cool or they are actually creative artists. This doubt makes me kind of uncomfortable when I see them. So yes, they are a copy of MGMT but Im sure they will become pretty popular in the mainstream, make a lots of money and have us dancing to their songs after the third drink at a club.

Check out the video for Walking on a Dream  and We are the People.
Both directed by the real genius Josh Logue of Mathematics (xy-1.com)

La Roux – the british ginger who’s conquering the music industry with style! I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of electro pop but this band really hits the spot! The band is made up of singer and synth player Elly Jackson, and co-writer and co-producer Ben Langmaid.

however, despite how much you like their music, the real reason why I’m posting this band here on life.is/music is the music video for their third single, Bulletproof!

oh it’s bulletproof! one of my favs for now!

La Roux – Bulletproof, directed by : The Holograms @ UFO

and here we have the song that’s driving the youth nuts!

La Roux – In For The Kill, directed by : Kinga Burza

Hope you enjoy!

Ingi Lar.

Wow, what can I say? I’m so mind blown from that music video! The creators of this breathtaking amazing artwork are all Icelandic dudes that are friends with my father! All I can say is if I ever get departed from Miami, I would be honored to serve these guys Coffee back in the land of Ice.

as a respect for the artists I’m posting their credits…

Directed by Sigvaldi J. Kárason and Björn Ófeigsson

Director of Photography: Tomas Örn Tómasson

2D and 3D compositing: Pétur Karlsson

Consoltant: Daniel Stefánsson

Makeup: Ísak Freyr Helgason

check out their website for more info!

Mammút is yet another band from Iceland that’s doing it good, featuring amazing vocals and innovative music that’s moving the life.is/music team these days. The band consists of three girls and two boys, around the age of 20, but was founded in late 2003 when they were only 14 to 16 years old. In March of 2004 Mammút won the annual battle of the bands (Músíktilraunir) in Iceland.

These talented kids are inspiring the shit out of the youth in Iceland and making a very impressive impact on the rest of Europe and the states and I’m sure they will please the rest of you, specially if they start writing English lyrics; not that I think they’re doing it wrong by singing in Icelandic – not at all! I love that. The amount of hopes and believes I have for this band is beyond any success an Icelandic artist has yet conquered.

…including Björk… shit can I say that? ok, maybe not but we´ll see.. just keep an eye on them.. or an ear (Sorry Björk, ef þú skildir lesa þetta.. ég elska þig)

I hope I wont get denied citizenship when I go back home… But I’m not alone, Magazines like Rolling Stone and Music Week have named Mammút as a band to watch for the future, and most people that have listened to them seem to agree.

check out theses videos!

Svefnsýkt – Music video for the  number one hit song  Svefnsýkt. The music video was directed by Hilmir Berg Ragnarsson and produced by David Cross. The video was a tribute to the the groundbreaking film The Exorcist.

Geymþrá, This song was remixed by my dear friends Ingi Mar & Joe at the Redd Light, who are now working on some music for a commercial I directed. very kool cats from the land of Ice!!

Redd Lights remix of the song Geimþrá by Mammút.

Raudilaekur – Here is a video of them performing somewhere underground in downtown Reykjavik, I really dig this song! I hope they’re working on a video for it! If not I’m doing it! :P

Hope you dig them…   if you do, check out their myspace and their Official website

Ingi Lar.

As a true kings of leon fan, I guess I’ve to write about them! I have followed them since forever and I got to say, I never really get enough of them. A lot of hipsters out there are saying they have sold out and are just doing it for the doe! that they’ve turned “commercial”, meaning = gaining more fans and making money from them!  I say, Good Job guys! you’ve totally earned it! Even though I’m more of a fan of their previous albums I still enjoy their new music!

Kings of Leon’s first release, The Holy Roller Novocaine came out in 2003 from the album  Youth and Young Manhood. At that time, Jared had yet to learn how to play the bass guitar. He got his fingers on a nice piece of bass, locked himself in his bedroom and just started slappin da bassss…

anyways, I Just wanted to share  few videos featuring few of my favorite KOL songs!

Sex on Fire

Make sure you watch their home made movie!

Trani

Happy Alone

Check out their website where you can buy all their albums – kings of leon.com

hope you enjoy!

Ingi Lar.

p.s. this is me and my friends at Kings of Leon concert in Miami on my 21.st birthday couple of years ago! Best day ever!

Sing Fang Bous is a solo project from Sindri Már Sigfússon, the writer and main vocalist from Seabear, now he brings us this surprise, indie pop album. This album features very unique intuitive sound.

Sing fang bous will be opening up for Múm on their US tour in the fall from october 21st – november 7th.

I wanted to show you few of their videos, one in particular called clangour and flutes and is directed by Sindri’s girlfriend Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir, amazing visual artist!

I also copied tour dates from Múm’s Myspace so you dont miss it!

Here are some of their videos

clangour and flutes (directed by Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir )

Advent in ives garden (directed by kjartan þór trauner)

and here is another video shot at Sindri’s studio where he covers Landslide.