#INTERVIEW! Today we are hosting the video world premiere of Icelandic singer and artist KRÍA and her new single: LEVELS. KRÍA an electronic artist/producer released the project in 2015 with the need of her imagination to become a reality. The project has led her to tour around the UK, perform at the O2 Islington in London and being the main act at the official F1 dinner&after party in Singapore 2016. Her most recent EP ALTAKA is her most experimental electronic pop release yet! I had a little chat with her about her outstanding sound.
KALTBLUT: So for those who don’t know KRÍA, what three words would you say best describe your music?
KRÍA: dreamy:fresh:mood
KALTBLUT: Where does the inspiration to create your songs usually come from?
KRÍA: Wow theres not one thing really. I’d say at the moment im inspired by traveling, alot of my new stuff thats being released this year is inspired from my trip to Singapore where I was playing for the F1. And when I take my dog out for a walk I usually get pretty good melodies in my head.
KALTBLUT: What other musicians or bands are you inspired by or listening to right now?
KRÍA: I get inspired by noise in general and try to imitate certain feelings, memories or places through sound rather than taking inspiration from certain artists. Right now I am listening alot to Drake, Majid Jordan, Daft Punk, Gabrielle & ThisisDA.
KALTBLUT: Let´s talk about your new video LEVELS. Who directed the video? And what is the idea behind the video?
KRÍA: Ágústa Ýr Guðmundsdóttir directed the video as well as for Parting&Pressure. I had the idea of being stuck in a computer game and as the video evolves I turn into a computer character because the song is about never getting on the right track, always being at the same level and this is Ágústa’s interpretation of that idea.
KALTBLUT: Your sound has strong electro and pop influences, is this the sound of Iceland?
KRÍA: Hmmm I wouldn’t think so…. there are so many icelandic artists, bands now. At the moment I feel like rap/hiphop is pretty dominant.
KALTBLUT: How is to grow up in Reykjavík? How would you describe the music scene in Iceland?
KRÍA: I grew up more on the outskirts of Reykjavík and in the countryside so I wasn’t much of a city kid. That was really magical to be surrounded by nature & quietness. The music scene in Iceland is always expanding, a lot of new artists, concerts and festivals popping up. I recently joined the KÍTÓN (women in music) community and there’s nothing but support for one another there.
KALTBLUT: How much of the Icelandic spirit can we find on your EP ALTAKA? And what does the name ALTAKA mean?
KRÍA: Well you can certainly find the more depressing, hopeless Icelandic spirit on there! As for the name ALTAKA it’s the name of a Sudanese mountain and a football team and in Icelandic it means to be possessed. But I went with the latter meaning as it kind of suited the vibe of the songs.
KALTBLUT: What is your favourite song on the EP? And why that one?
KRÍA: Can’t choose one, SKIN & LEVELSSSS because they’re so much fun to perform LIVE !
KALTBLUT: What are your plans for 2017? Where can we see you perform your sound?
KRÍA: Im currently producing for an Icelandic artist. I’ve also been collaborating with other artists and those projects will probably be out soon ! For KRÍA im releasing some new songs in the coming months. I have one gig booked in Reykjavík on the 18th of March where i’ll be warming up for my friend SEINT. And then more gigs in Iceland/London/Berlin TBA ! You can stay up to date on fb, twitter & instagram: @kr1amusic
KALTBLUT: Thank you very much and we hope to see you soon around the music world.
KRÍA: Danke schön KALTBLUT x
Follow: soundcloud.com/kr1amusic / www.facebook.com/kr1amusic / kr1amusic.com
