Aldís Fjóla is a fabulous Icelandic artist – a country that seems to produce fantastic music, despite its size! We reviewed her track Burn as part of a round-up review based on songs with metal elements – if you missed it you can find the song at the end of this interview!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a track titled Burn, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the song?
The song is inspired by the ongoing conversation with yourself, about if you’re good enough and you should keep going. If you can’t pick yourself up then it’s harder for anyone else to help you. The song was written by myself and my co-writer and producer, Stefán Örn Gunnlaugsson. We got inspired by our favourite 90s rock/grunge bands and decided to make a themed EP, which is on it’s way to listeners in November.
How has the reception been for the track and where can it be purchased?
The reception has been amazing and people can buy it on my Bandcamp page – https://al…dcamp.com/
Has the pandemic hindered your work much?
Sadly, a lot. I just released my debut album, Shadows, in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, so there was not much to do about touring and connecting with people, except via the internet. So the release concert in Reykjavík was last April, nearly two years after the release. It’s been weird carrying my first one for so long, but it’s been beautiful in a way also.
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
My next release will be a five song EP, including the song Burn, which will be released in October/November this year. So soon!
Have you started writing for an EP or an album?
We have finished writing four new songs for the EP and are now finishing recording it with our bandmates.
Your music has a melodic rock sound. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
I am very influenced by Skunk Anansie and the singing of Skin, especially the dramatic character in her voice. Also Emiliana Torrini, Alanis Morrisette and Eddie Vedder. I have always been a lyrics person and listen to the feeling in the vocals. These days I love listening to all sorts of music and getting new ideas from my friends and bandmates. I love Billie Eilish and Finneas, Beyonce, LP and Kaizers Orchestra at the moment.
You’re based in Iceland. What is the music scene like in your part of the world? Are you influenced by your surroundings?
I am very influenced by my surroundings. In Iceland, because of our spectacular nature, our songs always tend to be a little melancholic, even though we are trying to write happy love songs. Writing happy songs in the winter is nearly impossible, and trying to finish a grunge record in July is hilarious, because the sun almost never goes down. Our music scene is tight and full of talented people that multitask around all genres, because here we learn that we have to be a chameleon if we want to be in music in Iceland. So we are very good at adjusting to circumstances.
Do you have any UK tour dates lined up?
Hopefully I will have some soon, please check me out on Instagram or my webpage for updates!
What can people expect from one of your shows and why should people come and see you perform live?
At our gigs, we try our best to give the guests the best show that we can give them, just 6-8 musicians on stage having a blast together and wanting to have a blast with you guys, as much as our melancholic emotional songs can give us in that department. It’s a mix of joy and sadness, which is so powerful together.
Any last words for the fans?
I hope you guys like the music and thank you for all of your reactions and love! See you soon!