Vor acht Jahren wurde in Reykjavik ein Plattenladen ins Leben gerufen, der schon bald zum Tummelplatz der kreativen Kräfte Islands wurde: BJÖRK, Mitglieder von SIGUR RÓS oder MÚM gaben sich hier die Klinke in die Hand. Bei 12 Tónar konnte man (und kann man selbstverständlich heute immer noch – mittlerweile gibt es sogar eine Filiale in Kopenhagen) auf zwei Stockwerken in Plattenregalen stöbern, Kaffee oder Tee für lau trinken (Insider sprechen vom besten Kaffee, den man auf Island überhaupt bekommen kann) Magazine lesen oder einfach nur relaxen.
Doch schon bald weitete sich der Geschäftsbereich aus und die Macher hinter 12 Tónar starteten ein Label sowie einen Vertrieb, der sowohl isländischen Musikern als auch ausländischen Labels die Möglichkeit bot, sich den Musikinteressierten in Island zu präsentieren. Und nach wie vor findet jeder heimische Künstler mit seiner egal wie und wo produzierten CD bei 12 Tónar einen Platz im Regal. So sollte man sich bei einer Stippvisite nicht die Möglichkeit entgehen lassen, die Selektion an isländischen Home Made Recordings auszuchecken. Überraschungen sind hier garantiert…
Doch man muss nicht nach Reykjavik oder Kopenhagen fahren, um in den Genuss der Künste isländischer Independent Künstler zu kommen. Denn das Label 12 Tónar hat jetzt bei Cargo Records Germany angedockt und präsentiert die ersten drei Release, die ab sofort in Deutschland überall erhältlich sein werden.
12 Tónar genießt eine außergewöhnlich komfortable Stellung als Label, kommen die Verantwortlichen doch beinahe tagtäglich mit Musikern jeglicher Stilrichtung leibhaftig in Berührung. Jeden Freitag finden im Shop Live Konzerte statt, Einheimische und Touristen können so ab 17 Uhr Ohrenzeuge der dynamischen und kreativen Szene Reykjaviks werden. So werden quasi stündlich neue Talente entdeckt, was zum rapiden Wachstum des Labels beiträgt… Der 12 Tónar Katalog umfasst schon heute die wohl interessantesten Künstler, die Island zu bieten hat.
Drei davon stehen nun bei Cargo in den Startlöchern
JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON
JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON is one of the most active participants in the new Icelandic music scene. He has one of the founders of Kitchen Motors, the art organization/think-tank/record label which specializes in instigating collaborations, promoting concerts and exhibitions, performances, chamber operas, producing films, books and radio shows based on the ideals of experimentation, collaboration and the search for new art forms. Jóhann has produced and written music with artists as diverse as MARC ALMOND ("Stranger Things"), Barry Adamson and PAN SONIC, THE HAFLER TRIO, MAGGA STINA and many others. He has also written music for the theatre, documentaries and soundtrack music for 3 feature films. JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON has been called the most compelling composer working in Iceland today.
REYKJAVÍK
Icelandic „rock band“ REYKJAVÍK! was formed nearly two years ago by a group of fun loving hedonists celebrating their newfound existence in Icelands foremost „city“. REYKJAVÍK! has garnered some attention in the time since they first started heaving out amphetamine-fuelled guitar orgies, their last Airwaves performance resulted in them being hand-picked to appear at a concert organized by Britain’s premier rock e-zine, Drownedinsound.com, along with three cool Icelandic acts. Singer Bóas provides a friendly atmosphere, drummer Kristján supplies a steady, rocking beat, bassist Valdi gets with the dementia and the twin-guitar assault of cousins Haukur and Gummi smears icing on an already overloaded cacophonous cake. They are also happy to provide freeloaders with fashion tips and thoughts on the current Reykjavík hipster slang, should anyone wish to meet them for a beer or some feminist pornography. REYKJAVIK! has now finished recording their debut album at the celebrated Greenhouse studios to be released by 12 Tonar in June.
„That more-to-be-had is presented in no uncertain manner by REYKJAVIK! at Grand Rokk. The five piece may present obvious hardcore stylings in their armoury, but they have a heck of a lot more. Furious grinding guitars and a propulsive rythmn section are complemented by a front man who looks not unlike a young Zach de la Rocha throwing himself about the stage and beyond with great aplomb. Really rather fabulous.•- Drownedinsound.com, oct. 2004
SKÚLI SVERRISSON
SKÚLI SVERRISSONS long awaited solo album, “Sería”, will be released by 12 Tónar. He has been living in New York for a long time but has been spending more and more time in Iceland lately. He is already a formidable influence on the new generation of Icelandic musicians. SKÚLI has enjoyed a long and distinguised musical partnership with LAURIE ANDERSON, but he has also teamed up with a number of other artists. Currently he's working with SAKAMOTO, BLONDE READHEAD, JIM BLACK, ANTHONY BURR, KITCHEN MOTORS etc. His new release, “Sería”, has been two years in the making process and it is SKÚLIS second solo album. It's a stunning work, a record containing thirteen songs written by SKÚLI - almost assured to capture the listener’s mind for a magnificent sonic journey. Many exceptional musicians accompany SKÚLI on this voyage; long time friends such as Amadeo Pace (BLONDE REDHEAD), Anthony Burr, Eyvind Kang, Peter Scherer, Ted Reichmann, Hildur Ingveldardóttir Guðnadóttir, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Hilmar Jensson and Ólöf Arnalds who sings three songs to her own lyrics. LAURIE ANDERSON makes a special guest appearance on the album but SKULI has worked as her musical director for many years. Recordings were made in Reykjavik and New York. Recording engineers along with SKÚLI were Anthony Burr, Orri Jónsson (SLOWBLOW) and Gunnar Tynes (MÚM). “Sería” is nominated for the Icelandic Music Awards as Best Album and was chosen the Album of the Year by Iceland’s dominant newspaper, Morgunbladid.
Doch schon bald weitete sich der Geschäftsbereich aus und die Macher hinter 12 Tónar starteten ein Label sowie einen Vertrieb, der sowohl isländischen Musikern als auch ausländischen Labels die Möglichkeit bot, sich den Musikinteressierten in Island zu präsentieren. Und nach wie vor findet jeder heimische Künstler mit seiner egal wie und wo produzierten CD bei 12 Tónar einen Platz im Regal. So sollte man sich bei einer Stippvisite nicht die Möglichkeit entgehen lassen, die Selektion an isländischen Home Made Recordings auszuchecken. Überraschungen sind hier garantiert…
Doch man muss nicht nach Reykjavik oder Kopenhagen fahren, um in den Genuss der Künste isländischer Independent Künstler zu kommen. Denn das Label 12 Tónar hat jetzt bei Cargo Records Germany angedockt und präsentiert die ersten drei Release, die ab sofort in Deutschland überall erhältlich sein werden.
12 Tónar genießt eine außergewöhnlich komfortable Stellung als Label, kommen die Verantwortlichen doch beinahe tagtäglich mit Musikern jeglicher Stilrichtung leibhaftig in Berührung. Jeden Freitag finden im Shop Live Konzerte statt, Einheimische und Touristen können so ab 17 Uhr Ohrenzeuge der dynamischen und kreativen Szene Reykjaviks werden. So werden quasi stündlich neue Talente entdeckt, was zum rapiden Wachstum des Labels beiträgt… Der 12 Tónar Katalog umfasst schon heute die wohl interessantesten Künstler, die Island zu bieten hat.
Drei davon stehen nun bei Cargo in den Startlöchern
JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON
JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON is one of the most active participants in the new Icelandic music scene. He has one of the founders of Kitchen Motors, the art organization/think-tank/record label which specializes in instigating collaborations, promoting concerts and exhibitions, performances, chamber operas, producing films, books and radio shows based on the ideals of experimentation, collaboration and the search for new art forms. Jóhann has produced and written music with artists as diverse as MARC ALMOND ("Stranger Things"), Barry Adamson and PAN SONIC, THE HAFLER TRIO, MAGGA STINA and many others. He has also written music for the theatre, documentaries and soundtrack music for 3 feature films. JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON has been called the most compelling composer working in Iceland today.
REYKJAVÍK
Icelandic „rock band“ REYKJAVÍK! was formed nearly two years ago by a group of fun loving hedonists celebrating their newfound existence in Icelands foremost „city“. REYKJAVÍK! has garnered some attention in the time since they first started heaving out amphetamine-fuelled guitar orgies, their last Airwaves performance resulted in them being hand-picked to appear at a concert organized by Britain’s premier rock e-zine, Drownedinsound.com, along with three cool Icelandic acts. Singer Bóas provides a friendly atmosphere, drummer Kristján supplies a steady, rocking beat, bassist Valdi gets with the dementia and the twin-guitar assault of cousins Haukur and Gummi smears icing on an already overloaded cacophonous cake. They are also happy to provide freeloaders with fashion tips and thoughts on the current Reykjavík hipster slang, should anyone wish to meet them for a beer or some feminist pornography. REYKJAVIK! has now finished recording their debut album at the celebrated Greenhouse studios to be released by 12 Tonar in June.
„That more-to-be-had is presented in no uncertain manner by REYKJAVIK! at Grand Rokk. The five piece may present obvious hardcore stylings in their armoury, but they have a heck of a lot more. Furious grinding guitars and a propulsive rythmn section are complemented by a front man who looks not unlike a young Zach de la Rocha throwing himself about the stage and beyond with great aplomb. Really rather fabulous.•- Drownedinsound.com, oct. 2004
SKÚLI SVERRISSON
SKÚLI SVERRISSONS long awaited solo album, “Sería”, will be released by 12 Tónar. He has been living in New York for a long time but has been spending more and more time in Iceland lately. He is already a formidable influence on the new generation of Icelandic musicians. SKÚLI has enjoyed a long and distinguised musical partnership with LAURIE ANDERSON, but he has also teamed up with a number of other artists. Currently he's working with SAKAMOTO, BLONDE READHEAD, JIM BLACK, ANTHONY BURR, KITCHEN MOTORS etc. His new release, “Sería”, has been two years in the making process and it is SKÚLIS second solo album. It's a stunning work, a record containing thirteen songs written by SKÚLI - almost assured to capture the listener’s mind for a magnificent sonic journey. Many exceptional musicians accompany SKÚLI on this voyage; long time friends such as Amadeo Pace (BLONDE REDHEAD), Anthony Burr, Eyvind Kang, Peter Scherer, Ted Reichmann, Hildur Ingveldardóttir Guðnadóttir, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Hilmar Jensson and Ólöf Arnalds who sings three songs to her own lyrics. LAURIE ANDERSON makes a special guest appearance on the album but SKULI has worked as her musical director for many years. Recordings were made in Reykjavik and New York. Recording engineers along with SKÚLI were Anthony Burr, Orri Jónsson (SLOWBLOW) and Gunnar Tynes (MÚM). “Sería” is nominated for the Icelandic Music Awards as Best Album and was chosen the Album of the Year by Iceland’s dominant newspaper, Morgunbladid.
