Last post from Iceland

Today is my last day here in Iceland. There are so many things I'm going to miss all over again, and so many things I meant to do but there just wasn't time for... It's a beautiful sunny day today, and this summer has just been incredible! I went for one last trip out of town on sunday.. to where the Icelandic forest videos were taken, and got to relax a little :) Now I'm getting everything sort of into one place so I don't leave anything behind, and getting ready for the concert in Denmark.

Very happy with the tour and the final concert, here are some photos from the night.. Taken by Sigurdur (thank you)

The dress was made for me by STARKILLER - an awesome Icelandic label..

Not sure if I've mentioned this before, but since you can see it so well in the pics; My guitar strap is made from catfish.. by Gustadesign

and there is a review of the final concert here..

Bye for now :) next post will either be from Denmark, Singapore or New Zealand.. xox

Picking Berries in Iceland.. And not really naked

The tour is now officially over.. although the last concert is tomorrow night in the capital - Reykjavik..  I have to share with you a couple of photos (thank you to Guðmundur Heiðar Gunnarsson, who took them, in Ísafjörður) This one here below made me think of a certain scene in Forest Gump.. because it looks like I'm playing naked.. (I'm not really.. you can see in the second picture)

I've been writing a lot on this tour, and have started and finished a few songs while backstage before a concert.. there's a mention of the concert in Hólmavík here... I wrote a song upstairs(backstage), finished it five minutes before the concert, then came downstairs and played it for the first time live.. :)

Today I played at Poppland on Iceland radio Rás 2.. you can read about it here.. and should be able to listen to it in a few hours online.. it's Poppland at 15.00pm.

Tickets for the final concert are available online here at midi.is.. It will be at Domo - Þingholtsstræti 5, 101 Rvk and starts 9pm

And on friday I'll be playing in Denmark! WIll be my first visit there too.. ''Concert in Denmark - Friday 5th September @ Cafe Blasen. 9pm start  **Cafe Blasen is located @ Nørregade 6 basement, 1165 Copenhagen C. ''

Picked lots and lots of berries in Ísafjörður..Six boxes full! -five of them with blueberries.. yum! and one jam has been made (although I must admit not by me..) But instead of using sugar (there is soooo much sugar in jam..) used boiled and mashed dates! and it tastes wonderful! Here's a short berry-video blog..

[youtube]http://youtu.be/1zTD_J2XNbE[/youtube]

Only six more nights to sleep in Iceland.. I keep saying and it's so true, this time has just gone by so fast!

The West Fjords

It's been a wonderful couple of days ! (there I go again on the 'wonderful' but truly it has..) I'm currently in Ísafjörður, the concert this evening is a 40 minute drive away so I now have just a little time to relax and write this.. I visited the museum of Icelandic sorcery and witchcraft, in Hólmavík yesterday and took some pictures..

To scare your enemy: carve this symbol into a piece of oak, and throw it at his/her feet..

To win over a woman/girl: put this symbol on a piece of pigs gut using blood from your left nipple, and make her sleep on it for one night. You won't need to ask her after that..

Uppvakningur (the Icelandic version of a zombie..)

the beautiful Icelandic Raven..

The keeper of the Museum..

This verse was on the wall, it's the Executioner's verse.. and here below is the translation (warning.. this is nasty..)

from the 17th century:

Beat and castrate, bite and skin, blind and scratch and flog them. Burn alive and exile men, dismember and hang them.

I higly recommend you visit this place if you're travelling in Iceland. There is also an exhibition on called theSorcerer's cottage.. I took a little video there that you can see here below..

[youtube]http://youtu.be/a-CPqnfOZ68[/youtube]

Stayed at a wonderful old farm last night, built around 1920, and only a 20 minute drive from where the concert was.. and every inch of earth here is covered in berries! blueberries and crow-berries (krækiber) and I was given some homemade blueberry jam after the concert! and then some crowberry juice from the farm :) I'm going to pick some berries on the way home on sunday (that is, of course, after watching the game.. Iceland is in the 2008 olympic finals in handball.. playing france for the gold..)

North Iceland.. And over using the word wonderful

I'm back in town again for two nights and then off to the West Fjords for the last part of the tour. Last week I played three concerts in North Iceland, at Sauðárkrókur, Akureyri and Dalvík. At Akureyri I played at the Green hat -græni hatturinn (which is also the name of a very famous Icelandic children's book) and did a short video there. It's a lovely venue and we had a great night there.. On saturday at Dalvík I played in the Church 'Dalvíkurkirkja' which was built in the 50's and has recently been done up, and is a very beautiful building. I also heard that the poem 'Dalakofinn' which I sometimes sing was written in a little hut nearby..(it's a poem that was made into two different melodies as an Icelandic folk song, I sing the version my grandmother used to sing to my dad and his 12 siblings)

Only 16 days left in Iceland and time is flying by, there will be a concert in Reykjavik at the end of the tour (around the 29th) which will be announced here in the next couple of days. I've not managed to catch up with everyone yet and it's looking like it's going to be quite hectic next week.. and I keep thinking there's a month to go... madness :)

But I get to skip the winter and hop straight into spring in New Zealand. I'll be playing at the Alexandra blossom festival at the end of September, then at Southern Amp in Christchurch, and at the Nut point gallery in November.. looking forward to another beautiful summer :)

Here is a little article in the West fjords news site bb.is..

and here's the video from the green hat: (will do some more in the west fjords, hope to show you the Icelandic horse.. ;) )

[youtube]http://youtu.be/AuWfZyISpzU[/youtube]

Half way

The tour is now half way through, another six concerts to go and one in Reykjavik before I go... Three in a row at the end of this week in North Iceland, Sauðárkrókur, Akureyri and Dalvík.. where I heard there's the museum of magic! (all the old viking magic) which I really want to go and see..

Did an interview with Rúnar at Bylgjan this week, which you can listen to here, and I played 'The day before' live.

Then played at Bæjarbíó in Hafnarfjörður last friday. Instead of writing about it, here's a very quick video blog from there:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/6tpRHN3Znts[/youtube]

Record breaking weather

Have now been in Iceland for a month, and will be for just over a month longer.. It's been so wonderful and it's so nice to see everyone again. Time is flying by so fast and I'm so happy that the coldest bit of winter will be over when I get back to New Zealand. The weather has just been incredible, an all time high the day before yesterday when it reached 27 degrees! (celcius) and I found myself (for the first time ever - in Iceland) taking shelter in the shade! The trip to East Iceland (Djúpivogur and Egilsstaðir) was wonderful.. Ended up having a spontaneous camping holiday with the family by the Lagarfljót (of which there is the story of the Lagarfljót Wyrm: ... A worm/dragon living in the Lagarfljót, near Egilsstaðir, Iceland. ... The unnamed dragon (referred to by the Saxon draca and wyrm) defeated by Beowulf ... And having packed only for two nights, ended up being away for 6 :)

Here are some photos taken on the drive..

This one is my favourite (below) the ''one lane bridge but you can't see if a car's coming''

Yesterday was another stunning sunny one, and stayed warm all through the night.. I did an interview on the Iceland News program Kastljós, which you can watch onlineby clicking here.. It was live, and was recorded at 8pm lastnight in central Reykjavík.. in the evening sunshine...

Tonight I play at Draugasetrið á Stokkseyri.. which is the Ghost centre... and another one of my favourite places to play... I'll post some video and pics from there soon...

East Iceland

Just got to Egilstaðir and am staying at the hotel where the concert will be this evening. Everyone has been very helpful and lovely and I'm looking forward to playing tonight.. I have two new songs but not sure if they're ready to come out quite yet.. I'm holding back so I don't get ahead of myself, as almost all the songs I'm playing here (from the Live at Al's album) are new here.. Drove for about seven hours today through the beautiful landscape but am quite happy to be done with driving for the day.. Did a little video at Jökulsárlón, which is an amazing looking glacier filled lake where quite a few movies have been filmed including Batman Begins and James Bond.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/fVp87rwDeWM[/youtube]

Last weekend there was some serious Icelandic camping - which was just brilliant (and slightly painful when the crew decided to form a 4 storey human pyramid at about 2 in the morning) All the things I had missed so much! when Icelanders camp, they do it properly.. a giant bonfire and all the people at the campsite gathered and all ended up singing some of the well known camping and party songs extremely loudly..

Tomorrow I'm at one of my favourite places.. Djúpivogur.. a small village in East Iceland where I'm playing in a beautiful wooden building Hótel Framtíð. Will also get to see Gústa, a wonderful designer who made my guitar strap (it's made from fish leather -catfish) Check out www.gustadesign.is

And here are some new photos, these are by Valdis Thor ( valdisthor@gmail.com) The collar I'm wearing is knitted, using Lopi. inspired by the Icelandic Lopapeysa

on tour in iceland

I've spent the last four days out in the country with no internet ;) it's been wonderful and sunny! (I'd forgotten you can get sunburned here too) I wrote two songs, and played two concerts - the tour has started! The first was on thursday night in 'Oddakirkja' - about a 10 minute drive from Hella, and it is the smallest and I think most beauiful church I've ever see.. It's tucked away in the middle of nowhere (sort-of) and it just has a wonderful vibe! the crowd were so lovely and the whole thing just amazing ... Have a look at the video below.. (I had a backstage area in the 'Skrúðherbergi' ) We had a full house and it was just the perfect place to start the tour... some photos here below as well :)

[youtube]http://youtu.be/nDZoM0fIzmU[/youtube]

This was the view from the stage:

and this is the church from two sides:

and an amazing sculpture inside:

and one from the concert.. taken from just inside the door:

This evening I played at 800 bar at Selfoss, which was wonderful too :) gorgeous lighting and at the end of the concert, the sun passed by the front door, (which was glass) and lit up the whole room beautifully :) Then drove home around 12am in the sunset... Off for some weekend camping tomorrow xox

Radio interview - Bylgjan.is

I'm off to the country now.. Will be staying at a summer house for the rest of the week, and heading to the concerts from there.. A nice chance to relax (it's where the first two video-blogs were recorded..) But sadly.. probably no internet.. So more stuff will be up early next week..

I did an interview with Ívar Guðmundsson at Bylgjan yesterday morning, and you can listen to it online in two parts.. I played a request for him, a song by Bubbi Morthens.. Click here for all the info *** Here for the first part and first song *** and here for the second part and Ívar's request ;) There are photos up on Bylgjan.is too, here's one:

Also.. The concert this thursday in Oddakirkja is not in Þykkvabær like we thought, but in Rangárvellir.. They have concerts there regularly.. I'm very excited to see the building. And one more thing.. **Click here to read the interview in Morgunbladid 15/07/08*** (small version here below) xox

More of Iceland

Hello again :) The tour is only six days away from starting now, and the posters are ready, (and of course the dates are all up in the live section here..) I've been all over Reykjavik for the past week, this morning was an interview at Létt Byjgjan which you can read about here.. and listen to here.. (in Icelandic)

The tour is also a Facebook event.. but here's a map of Iceland with little red stars where I'm playing.. and also the tour poster... (more video blogs coming soon..)

PS: if you are in Iceland.. the Live album is now available from Tónlist.is

Iceland - Summertime

It's been one week and it's so lovely to be back. The things I had forgotten I was missing.. like the smell of Iceland summer.. and Blóðberg.. Which I've just discovered is Thymus Praecox - or Creeping thyme in english.. and the candy... nothing compares to Icelandic Kúlusúkk (chocolate coated liquorice bits) And you can actually order Icelandic candy and more online here at www.nammi.is 

I played last friday for Hemmi Gunn at Bylgjan (Icelandic Radio station) in Akranes, where there was a big market and carnival set up outside and it was 20 degrees, then went away for the weekend to a summer house in Hella where everything is green and beautiful.. Did a couple of short videos yesterday to show you around..

Here are some pics and videos full of goofyness.. my first video-blogs and highly embarrassing really.. xox

[youtube]http://youtu.be/XFfD0VhCrtU[/youtube]

[youtube]http://youtu.be/ee447zQ1KgU[/youtube]

Glastonbury 1

Am writing this from Heathrow airport and will be boarding the plane to Iceland in less than an hour.. It's been a wonderful few days at the Glastonbury festival.. Amazing costumes! not too much rain.. and it was even sunny and warm today.. Sadly I'll be missing the last day there.. not much time to write now so here are some pictures.. Will post some video and write some more very soon.. xox in the meantime

Travels

Hello everyone... I'm currently in Singapore, but my flight leaves in a few hours for London, then heading straight to the festival..

I'll be playing at the Astrolabe - on friday at 5.30pm. The one day I had to relax in Singapore was wonderful! Had the famous 'singapore sling' (see picture) and visited Chinatown, Little India, Mustapha and the Zoo (surprised to see they have polar bears there... and they're trained!) Will be posting pictures and video here after Glastonbury.. xox

Good News

The CD's have arrived in the country today (ahead of schedule which is wonderful!) :) and I'll be posting all the pre-order copies early next week.. Everything is clicking into place and we're one week from departure now (I've even bought some gumboots this time.. taking no chances on the weather at Glastonbury) ;) I'll be taking photos and video-blogging for the first time, and will be posting everything here.. Looking forward to the 24 hour daylight summer in Iceland and touring again..

Here are the photos taken for Morphic Creations the other day.. they have a new website up.. go have a look :) (I love the merino stuff.. it's so warm and comfortable.) xox

Something to see

Here is some video footage from the live concert, recorded on 16/05/08

[youtube]http://youtu.be/6yU1gbqyL1k[/youtube]

[youtube]http://youtu.be/zVqkSSsJ6LI[/youtube]

xox

Something to listen to

Here's a little sneak peek at the live album.. three songs you can listen to.. xox

believe-me  Believe Me

cause-of-my-pain Cause of My Pain

the-day-before The Day Before

New Live CD!

It's been an interesting week,  Chartfest was lastnight and was wonderful.. very well organised and nice to see so many people out and celebrating New Zealand Music Month! I've had the flu - or a bad cold.. for a few days now so my voice is sounding different.. it's kind of a novelty, a bit deeper and husky-er ;)  I've had it coming for a while now though.. I don't think I've been sick since just before SXSW last year..

Am very happy with the new live CD, it was recorded at AL's just over a week ago, we've been mixing it this week, and this morning the master, artwork and proofs were sent away.. The finished CD will arrive here in three weeks.. and I leave a week after that..

This is a picture of the cover.. (photo by Richard Loader taken on the night) and you can even see the extra microphones on the guitar that were set up for the recording.. It's a very personal album.. James and Michael play beautifully :) and it's almost all new songs.. 11 out of 14 have not been released before.. and there are no covers.

1 soundcheck song * 2 believe me 3 upside down 4 sorry 5 the day before 6 cause of my pain 7 angel by her side 8 nothing new 9  ofie.. 10 hafid thennan dag 11 raking leaves 12 sleepyhead 13 itchy palms 14 feels so good **

I'm sending signed copies of this album as soon as it arrives to anyone who pre-orders before june 8th.. (it will arrive just a few days before I leave) But if you want to pre-order just send an email here through the site (contact button) and put pre-order in the message subject box..  It will be available online eventually, this is just an opportunity to get it first :) and signed how you like.

I want to tell you about Voeveo.. they've set up a site for me here.. and they have a promotion at the moment, they're giving away a free prepay credit if you sign up :) it's like the CD baby of mobile phones.. very friendly site :) you can get wallpapers, ringtones and screensavers etc... (not just stuff from me :) but there is some there..) so go and get some free stuff! :)  xox

Thank You

Just a little note to say thank you to all of you who came last night, it was a wonderful night :) and photos coming soon.. here is one in the meantime..

These people helped make the evening possible; Sound by Toby and Jhonny from Tandem Voice Booth, Filming by Bronnie and Martin Howells, Lighting by Dave and Hang up entertainment, Photos by Duke Muleand Richard Loader, Make up by Jolene Parker of Style Counsel, and the dress is from Frankie.. (thank you Kirsten).. Hjortur on the door. And of course thank you Al Park of AL's Bar, and James Wilkinson & Michael Kime for the beautiful Music..

The live album will be mixed and mastered this week then sent off to be made, and I'm off in a few weeks.. If you would like to pre-order a copy of the album, send an email through the site here and let me know. We will then send out the pre-orders before I leave ;)

Also.. photos to come from Elemental, which went wonderfully at the Christchurch Art Gallery Last Thursday.. xox

and one more thing.. have a look at this site.. it's all things for your phone.. ringtones, wallpapers etc.. (it's a friendly phone site I promise) at the moment they are giving away a prepay credit.. so you can go get some stuff for free.. there are full versions of a few of my songs there, some wallpapers and more..  -click here for the link..

UPDATE:: Here are some Photos from the evening.. these are taken by Richard Loader

New Zealand Music Month - and Chart

Happy New Zealand Music Month everyone! A lot ot things going on here in Christchurch.. I will be playing at Chartfest at the town Hall on the 23rd, and ELEMENTAL at the Christchurch art Gallery on the 15th.. and AL's Bar (Friday 16th) will be the oficial 'going away' concert.. For those of you who don't know we will be recording a new live album on the night and getting some video footage as well.. so come and be part of it ;) recommending getting tickets in advance..

Then I'm off to the UK and Iceland, will be playing at the Glastonbury festival and touring in Iceland.. Dates here as  they are confirmed ..

'CHART - The Christchurch Music Industry Trust is music industry representative body for contemporary popular music in Christchurch. With a dedicated manager and a Board made up of passionate local music advocates with extensive industry experience, CHART acts as a support and advice network for the Christchurch music industry. CHART hosts regular professional development events, live music showcases, seminars and workshops and manages www.christchurchmusic.org.nz - a web portal promoting the Christchurch music industry and showcasing the city’s vibrant music scene.''

Tickets go to

This morning I posted tickets to Martin who sent me this: I'd like to bring my wife, Lisa.. she's never been to one of your gigs.. so if we won the tickets, I'd be able to get a babysitter and we could both come!  :-) See you on the 16th! :-)

I've been rehearsing with James and Michael and am very much looking forward to playing with them! it's not long now.. less than two weeks.. I love the new sounds.. and James will be singing with me on an Icelandic track! ;)

Thank you to Kitty who sent me a Scary trousers shirt from the Never Wear store.. go have a look ;) xox