Munich, Germany. It's Monday evening on 28th November and I'd been looking forward to see the incredible amazing party band from Iceland, FM BELFAST. But this time it wasn't just about seeing them going wild on the stage. NO! Also I had the big pleasure to meet lovely Lóa and Árni backstage and ask them a few questions. So, before I start with the concert review, here is the interview.
DukeAlbert
"Hi, Árni & Lóa! It's a pleasure to meet you! How you doing?"
Árni
"Very well! We had just a great dinner here. And we had just a short drive today. So, it's a luxury day."
DA
"Did you have a chance to do a little sightseeing in Munich, today?"
Árni
"Actually, we stayed in the car a lot, cause we had to go to a few interviews. So, we drove like between radio stations."
Lóa
"We went to the christmas market, last year. "
DA
"So, you were already here in Munich?"
Árni
"Yeah! We were here on On3-Festival. Last year or...?"
Lóa
"No, two years ago."
Árni
"I especially like the electronic components neighbourhood. It's... I don't know how it's called. They have great stores."
DA
"You've already played a lot of shows. Are you still excited before going on the stage?"
Árni
"Yeah, yeah, yeah! Always, there is a little stomachache. And it always goes away on the stage. But just before we are a little bit nervous. Especially, when it's sold out like tonight. Cause people are expecting something. And I like it more, when people don't expect anything. (Lóa: Yes!) And we can just surprise people, maybe."
Lóa
"Stress is really sneaky. Cause sometimes it just attacks you. And you don't know... why."
Árni
"Yeah! You don't think you're stressed. But you're really tired. And than you realise, you have to do..."
DA
"You have to do a great gig?"
Lóa (giggling)
"Yeah!"
DA
"So, have you any rituals?"
Árni
"Yes! Sometimes we try to run around a little bit. Just ..."
DA
"Like jogging?"
Árni
"Yes. We run back and forth a little bit."
Lóa
"And we give a sports five! (everyone's laughing) ... And than we have like a ... where we put our hands together..."
Árni
"Everyone comes together and talks a little bit."
Lóa
"Do a little speech."
Árni
"It's very important."
DA
"Frankly speaking, I'd discovered FM Belfast just this year, when I saw a gig of you at Melt Festival on TV. And another live video - called "Underwear" - of the movie backyard. And everytime I see those videos, I'm wondering: 'WOW! Where take you this energy and joy from?' Can you explain me that?"
Árni
"We watch a lot television late before the concert to save the energy. We also have fun during the day. But we try to relax a little. Cause just when you have enough energy, you can divide it into different portions.
Lóa
"If you get excited during the day, you'd be tired at the evening."
Árni
"But it's like... on stage, we have to enjoy it to be able to do it like that. Until now, we always enjoyed it."
Lóa
"It would be really hard without enjoying it."
Árni
"And I think, people wouldn't enjoy it watching other people doing something they don't enjoy."
Lóa
"Also there are not the same people you meet every night. Sometimes you have really happy people in front of you ."
Árni
"And also, I think, people deserve the best show we can make. Not just on big festival. Also every night. Even there are a few people."
Lóa
"It's not their fault, when there a just a few people. Cause it's not like they forbid the others to come."
Árni
"And usually, when we feel like it's, maybe, gonna be a little bit difficult. We just decide to turn more inwards. So, we face each other a little bit more. So, we make us each other dance. And than always people start dancing when we enjoy it."
Lóa
"When we started to play in front of people. We had decided for us - after a really disaster show in front of very few people - either it has to be entertaining for us or we just quit. Cause it was very difficult. And afterwards gigs started to become funny to me. Like once, when we were playing in front of a... we were playing at this office party - where everybody was costumed - and we played next to the toilet. No one really listened, and were just going on the toilet, and everybody getting really drunk. So, we make... for a few people who are actually paying attention... we make like a dance competition circle. It was a weird evening. But it was really fun."
Árni
"That gig paid for the production of our first album."
DA
"So, so that's the reason why it's called 'How To Make Friends'?"
Lóa & Árni (laughing)
"YES!"
DA
"After five years FM Belfast... Do you feel famous?"
Lóa & Árni
"No."
Árni
"No, not really. Cause we travel a lot. We play just a little bit in each area. So, we never become really big. You know, just a little bit here and there.
DA
"But what have chanced for you since the beginning of your career? Is there something that bother you or is there something that you love?"
While Árni is thinking about the question, Lóa grinned
"I have an iPod."
Now all laughing, Árni
"Well, that make a lot things easier."
Lóa
"First, we hadn't anything to do. But I like watching trees..."
Árni
"It use to be more excited to go... like to a new city. But now, it's chanced a tiny bit less. It's more common. But still, if you see something beautiful, it's the same."
DA
"Do you have time to see beautiful things?"
Árni
"Ah, we have very little time, usually. First, we didn't such a strict tour. But now, it's four gigs in a row, one day off, four gigs in a row,... you know."
Lóa
"Well, yesterday, we stayed in Altmünster (somewhere in Austria). And there is nothing much to see there. But before, we went to christmas market in Augsburg (Germany). It was really nice. And I spend to much moeny on the christmas decorations. (laughing) I don't know what happened. But they look good."
DA
"What are your influences?"
Árni
"For me, it's just everything that I listened to in childhood."
DA
"Something special?"
Árni
"Like 'Rage Against The Machine' and also electronic stuff like 'Underworld'. Also, drum'n'bass stuff."
Lóa
"Everything they played on school disco. I liked that."
Árni
"And hardcore dance music."
Lóa
"Now, I usually listen more to singer/songwriter."
DA
"My favorite song of FM Belfast is 'Underwear'. Especially, when you - Lóa - sing in the background 'Oh my Lord!'. And I want to know: Why you're running in underwear?"
Árni
"Cause there is nothing else to do in your boring city. But it's not just about our city. You could be bored anywhere, even in New York.
Lóa
"And especially, when you don't have a driver license, you live in the suburb, and the last bus stop going on 11.30 at night and than you got stuck. Than it's like, maybe, one new movie for the month. You get just really bored."
Árni
"Earlier days, we had just one TV channel. There were two! But only rich people had two."
DA
"That sounds boring to me!"
Árni
"You know Teletext? I read the whole thing."
everbody laughs
DA
"What is your personal favorite song of FM Belfast?"
Lóa
"Favorite one to play is now 'Vertigo', I think for me."
Árni
"I think 'Believe' for me now."
DA
"So, last but not least. Let's talk a little bit about your new album 'Don't want to sleep'. What are the main differences between 'How To Make Friends' and the new one?
Lóa
"Well, I just think the making of it was different, because it was really... cause people ask you a lot if it's stressful to make an album number two. Some journalists decide that - number two is always compared. So, the main difference in my opinion is: it's more stressful, even if it's the same process.
Borko slides in for cup of coffee
"I think people have also certain expectations when you producing a second album. Even more when they liked the first album."
Árni
"I think it's a bit faster and it's little bit - like Borko says - a natural progression."
Borko slides in for cup of coffee
"I think people have also certain expectations when you producing a second album. Even more when they liked the first album."
Árni
"I think it's a bit faster and it's little bit - like Borko says - a natural progression."
DA
"Well, thank you a lot for having me here. Have good time tonight and on the rest of the tour. Thank your very much!"
That's it! I hope you enjoyed reading as I did listen to Lóa, Árni and Borko. Before we going on to the concert review. I want to send some special thanks to label Morr Music - especially Flow - for giving me this opportunity. Also thanks to Sigi - Happy Birthday for Monday, SIGI! And of course again: Thanks FM Belfast!
So, but you get now some ear treatment. Enjoying the song "Vertigo" of the new album "Don't want to sleep".
So, but you get now some ear treatment. Enjoying the song "Vertigo" of the new album "Don't want to sleep".
FM Belfast - Underwear (Live) no download
In this section I tell you something a little bit about the brilliant concert. First of all, it was SOLD OUT! I think about 500 people waited impatient for the powerful Icelanders. Singer Árni lighted up the crowd in surprisingly good German. And after the first song you noticed immediately the raised temperature in the venue. The crowd bend altogether their knees, jumped, freaked out and sang along. And at the end of course they run! But not in underwear, except of FM Belfast themselves. Finally it was a amazing gig! I liked a lot!
Sentence of the day by Árni: "Is it really Monday, today? You rock like Friday!"
Besides, sorry, for the bad pictures above. Jumping and taking pictures with mobile phone isn't that easy.
If you liked what you read, heard, and saw. Here some details:
Remaining tour dates:
30.11. Berlin @ Festsaal Kreuzberg
01.12. Hamburg @ Klubsen
03.12. Cologne @ Werkstatt
04.12. Frankfurt @ Sinkkasten Art Club
05.12. Luxembourg @ Exit07
08.12. Istanbul @ Babylon
09.12. Barcelona @ Razzmatazz
10.12. Vienna @ Flex Kulturzentrum
And if you can't go to one of these concerts - well, what a shame ;-) - check out their albums.