Sunday, 8 November 2009

A few minutes with Cosmic Call

Sunday, 8 November 2009


About a month ago, I ran across an mp3 of a song called "Lightbulbs". With it's melodic, but catchy synth and guitar-driven riffs, I instantly loved it. It was by an indie band from the small coastal town of Akranes, Iceland (pop. 6,549). They're Cosmic Call, and I was lucky enough to have them answer a few questions....(and you can download "Lightbulbs" below!)

How did Cosmic Call come about?

Moni: We met at school, became friends and started writing music together. It´s as simple as that. Also I had a crush on Begga (my girlfriend), so I asked her to join the band.

Ása: I came in a little later as a stunt violinist and after a while they wanted to keep me!


Where do your rehearse?

Begga: We rehearse in a loft. We don´t have to pay rent and our rehearsal space is located next to the police station so it´s pretty safe.


What was your best gig so far? why?

Moni: We had a release party in July for our EP album and it was great. All of our most loyal fans were there, also our friends and family. The concert was our best yet. It will be released on youtube (in HD) in December. So stay tuned.


And the worst gig? why?

Pétur: That would have to be an off-venue gig of the Iceland airwaves festival at bar11 in Reykjavík. We drove an hour long drive from Akranes to Reykjavík and we were kind of hosting the gig so we spent 2 hours getting the stage ready. We had 2 hours free time before the gig and in that time I managed to get a migraine. I was blind on one eye and half sight on the other. But I had one hell of a time of visual effects on my way home


When your band is just hanging out, what music are you probably listening to?

Ása: At the moment my hanging out music is something comfortable like Damien Rice, Jeff Buckley, Kings of Convenience, Múm, Interpol, Maus and The Cardigans.

Fjölnir : My playlist consists of Arctic Monkeys, Arcade Fire, MGMT, Radiohead, Muse, Ensími, The Beatles, Black Kids and The Mars Volta.

Pétur: After band practice we usually like it quiet, just sit and chat and rest our ears a little.


What was the first album you ever bought?

Moni: Nirvana's Nevermind

Fjölnir: Something with Gorillaz.

Ása: Can't remember what cd it was, but the first vinyl I bought was Etta James' At Last

Begga: Razorlight's Up all night

Pétur: I can't remember the first one I bought, though I do remember one album by Botnleðja, being one of the first.


Any weird phobias and/or band superstitions?

Ása: Fjölnir can't eat anything if somebody else has a bite of it. He also thinks the world will end in 2012. Sigurmon has to walk in circles when he talks on the phone.

Fjölnir: Ása always has to wipe of the tip of her toothbrush before she uses it.

Begga and Pétur are the normal ones.


What's your band's fashion sense/style? Any favourite clothing shops?

Begga: All of us have a different style. I like H&M and Topshop.

Moni: I buy most of my clothes on ebay or Urban Outfitters.


Describe your fanbase in 3 words:

Fjölnir: They´re fu*#!ng awesome!!!!


What's better - downloading, still buying CDs, or collecting vinyl?

Moni: Cd´s and Vinyl have a collectors value that downloading can´t replace. When you buy a cd you invest in the band and become a part of their world.

I personally think that downloading has cheapened the way we listen to music. People don´t care about quality anymore, they download as much music as they can to fill up the space on their iPods and don´t even listen to half of it. There´s no mystery anymore because everything is so accessible.

Listening to music should always be an experience. If your gonna download music, be cautious. Respect the album as a work of art but not some ones and zeros on your computer..


Best band you've seen live?

Ása: The Killers at Roskilde Festival 2007, the rain, the dirt and the danish!

Moni: The Strokes in Albany, New York. Best band ever!!!

Begga: Queens of the Stone Age in Reykjavik.

Fjölnir: Either Bloc Party or Late of the Pier, both at Airwaves 2007

Pétur: Zappa plays Zappa at the Icelandic Art Museum


Tell us something interesting about your hometown:

Moni: It´s known for breeding excellent football players. The music scene is also like no other. It´s such a small town so everyone knows everyone here and we all hang out and jam together.


You played the Iceland Airwaves festival this year. What was your favourite moment during the festival?

Ása: my favorite moment was definitely when I realised there was a full house on our Wednesday gig at Grand Rokk, a great night!

Fjölnir: When I was walking downtown Reykjavík i heard some noise behind me and there was Dr.Spock starting their secret parade gig. The truck opened and the concert began. I walked down the street with the truck and met the rest of the cosmics to party all night!


I went to Iceland earlier this year and grew quite fond of the Icelandic chocolate. My favourite was Pipp (mint chocolate bar). What's yours?

Moni: Mine is also "Pipp" cause that´s what we call our drummer.

Ása: Lakkrís Dúndur.

Fjölnir: Nóa Kropp.

Begga: Draumur.

Pétur: Þristur


Is there anything (previously unknown) about your band that you'd like to share with the world?

Ása: Me and Begga have the black belt in Karate so watch out..Hehe.

Fjölnir: None of us are drop outs.

Moni: We are secretly planning world domination. Muahahaha (evil laugh). But don´t tell anyone or else our masterplan will be ruined.

Pétur: our "official drink" is a magic carpet (can of energy drink and a shot of disaronno)


And share a story from the road:

Fjölnir: I usually don´t get seasick, but when we went to Vestmannaeyjar with a ship called Herjólfur, I puked more than the Jackass crew.

Pétur: On that trip to Vestmannaeyjar we had almost no money and ended up sleeping in our cars, but the other two bands who were touring with us decided to pull an all-nighter, which didn't work out too well for them. The following day we drove into Herjólfur and got a little more, though we managed to sleep almost all the way. We all looked like shit on the way home.


Haha....thanks Cosmic Call. x

Download:
Cosmic Call - Lightbulbs.mp3

Cosmic Call's myspace

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