Introducing: Bloodgroup

14 December 2009, 15:18 | Written by Rich Thane

(Tracks)

(Bloodgroup) (Iceland Airwaves)

Bloodgroup was formed in 2006 by Halez, Lilja, Raggi and Janus during some boring winter days on the east coast of Iceland.

After a few months of writing catchy electronic dance pop, the group played at Iceland Airwaves festival. They recieved praise for a great live show, along with their terrific melodies and beats, which seemed to get even the harshest metalheads dancin’. The group evolved and got even better each time they went on stage they are now considered one of the best live acts in Icelandic music. After raising attention within Iceland and outside, the group finished their first album titled Sticky Situation, released by their own label, Sild ehf.

Their new album, Dry Land, is a product of Bloodgroups studio sessions for the last year and a half. The album will be available in record stores in Iceland now, and is scheduled to be distributed to the rest of the world early next year.

For people out there that have never heard of you. Give us three reasons why they should?
Well… for people that like live music, seeing something new Bloodgroup is a obvious choice. Bloodgroup are known for their energetic live show.

Tell us a little about where you’re from.. Do your surroundings affect the music that you create?
We live in Reykjavik now, but we come from the east coast of Iceland, from a really small town. and one member comes from the Faroe Islands. I think surroundings always affect the music people make, you might not always hear it and it might be farfetched…. but the influence is there.

If you could have played on or written any song, what would it be?
Lever Pulled by John Frusciante

How did the band come in to being? And where did the name come from?
We became a band when we got the chance to play Iceland Airwaves festival 2006. The name was a the first thing that came to Raggi’s mind when he was asked what the band was called by an Icelandic journalist.. we hadn’t decided a name and this was kind of a joke tobeginn with.

What is the most memorable gig you have played, and what can we expect of your live set at Ja Ja Ja?
Schwutz in Berlin 2007. You can expect us to play songs from our new album “Dry Land”

If you were asked to curate your own Ja Ja Ja night, which three acts would you choose and why?
Hmmmm… Scandinavian bands… ok:
Royksopp (no), Abba (se), Trentemoller (dk) and Sykur (ice)

We’d like you to make us a Nordic themed mix-tape. Which five tracks would you choose?
The Knife – Marble House
Björk – Hunter
Royksopp/Trentemoller – what else is there
Skátar – Skálholt
Kiasmos – Walled