From the streets of Reykjavik to the Highlands and Waterfalls

Music producer Hákon talks about nature as a source of inspiration, the role of language in songwriting and his immersion in the Icelandic music scene.

Photo: Courtesy of the artist.

I met Hákon five years ago during a trip to Iceland with my friends and we’ve been in touch ever since. If you have been lucky enough to visit this country you might have noticed how impossible it is to not be deeply inspired by its history, breathtaking landscapes and wonderful people. Back then, Hákon used to work in the woods (I remember always telling him that he had the best office in the world) and he used to tell me briefly about a particular music side project he was working on. The same one that, shortly after, materialized into his first album, Adored (2020) followed by numerous EPs that have been on my playlists for some time now.

This interview was an innocent excuse to catch up with him and learn more about his exciting projects.

We The Cool Magazine: According to your profile on Spotify, you started your music career playing for several bands throughout the Icelandic hardcore scene. Can you tell us more about this experience? 

Hákon: Yeah. For me, it was just a thing that I always wanted to do; to play in a rock band! (laughs) So I was lucky enough to get to know and grow up with some guys who had similar visions. I was a bassist, which is my primary instrument, and a vocalist in some garage bands in my small hometown and that actually led to us playing a lot all over Iceland, taking us all the way to Norway to play some festivals. It was loads of fun and I really grew as a musician and a songwriter at that time. I really found myself in music, creating and expressing my feelings, I knew then that this was something I wanted to do as much as I possibly could. 

WTCM: What made you start experimenting with new sounds in an electronic context? 

H: Honestly, it was because the bands I was in would break up; people go down different paths, schools, relationships, move to different towns or countries, etc. so there was a period when I was “all alone’’ in that creative sense. I always had some curiosity in making more electronic dance music. I downloaded Ableton Live and started messing around. But it would take years before I managed to put together a whole song that way. I first opened a program like that in 2005 but a full song that I was proud of and wanted to show someone would not be born until many, many years later.

WTCM: How was the idea of your solo project born?

H: Funny enough that was not really my plan. I’ve been turning to music and making music as a way to deal with difficult feelings or periods in my life, and I have been doing that for a long time. As I gained better control over writing music and soundscapes, I would be able to put together more and more songs. I had so many songs that I had written laying on the hard drive of my computer and would occasionally show friends some of the songs. The overall response from them was that I would have to release them. The more I heard it, the more fond of the idea I would get. I mean, why not? It wasn’t serving any purpose on my computer other than being an outlet for my emotions.

WTCM: What influences your music? What’s been the most influential album of your life?

H: So many things and so many artists. It's probably super cliché but just life itself is what influences me, good times and bad times, feelings, you know? The most influential in the way that pushed me into a solo career is The Human Condition by Jon Bellion. But I can't talk about myself as a musician without mentioning Ratatat. Those guys absolutely blew my mind when I heard them for the first time. Their self-titled debut album, Ratatat, is what really made me think “maybe I could do some weird music too.”

WTCM: From volcanoes and glaciers to colossal waterfalls and lagoons, Iceland is a country dotted with natural wonders, rich cultural history and mythology. How has your hometown inspired the music you produce? 

H: Obviously where you grow up makes you the person that you are. In that sense, it has made me into this person who has this urge to express himself through sounds and music. But I do definitely draw inspiration from nature and the country of Iceland in general. Be it the streets of Reykjavik or the highlands or waterfalls. I think all the small weird airy swell floaty sounds in my music is the inspiration from Iceland.

WTCM: All my life I’ve cared more about the sounds and rhythm of a song, rather than the lyrics. And (being a native Spanish speaker who has no clue about the Icelandic language) maybe this is actually why I enjoy listening to your work. I think that not being able to understand what your songs say, allows me to better enjoy their sound. What subjects can we find in your lyrics? Why do you think it’s important to stay loyal to our mother tongue when creating music?

H: I fully agree on preferring rhythms and soundscape and overall vibes over lyrics. I do pay way more attention to making the instrumentals and overall vibe than writing lyrics. I look at myself first and foremost as an instrumentalist rather than a poet or a singer. Most of my songs up-to-date have been about heartache and, actually, all of the lyrics – except my latest one – are about the same heartache. I guess I had to learn a lot from that one! (laughs) You will find things like being obsessed with someone, breaking up, finding closure, relapsing, overthinking. The basic stuff. I started out singing in English on my debut album. But I felt like I had to sing in Icelandic to gain the interest of Icelandic people. What I hadn't realized is that it was all more real when I started writing and performing in Icelandic as there was no barrier between my words and myself; I felt completely naked. Which is a good thing! Makes it more authentic.

Photo: Courtesy of the artist.

WTCM: What’s the biggest change from your debut songs on the album Adored (2020) to now with Tvö Skref (2021)?

H: I’ve gotten over the initial heartache! No, but for real, just more experience. I’ve grown so much in this short time as both a musician and a songwriter. I’ve gotten to know so many nice people throughout this adventure. I feel like there is so much more to come.

WTCM: Is there any musician, Icelandic or worldwide, you would like to collaborate with? 

H: I am open to collaborate with anyone, to be honest. That is the most giving thing about making music. It is to meet new like-minded people and create whatever with them. But if I had to pick anyone, I’d have to say American singer Justin Vernon.


WTCM: What songs have been playing on loop lately in your Spotify playlist?
H: I just recently finished a period where I was revisiting Jon Bellion. I also had a period where I was listening to Deftones quite often. My top three recently added songs to Spotify are:

Frontier - Eagle Eyed Tiger

The Perfect Girl - Mareux

Resonance - Home

WTCM: What’s next for you?

H: Right now I am working on a three-song EP that will be released at the end of 2021 or early 2022. It's very different from the stuff I have been releasing; a bit more influenced by the cold dark and very real winters we have here in Iceland. I’m also working on a collaboration with a female singer which is super exciting for me. I've never done that before, it's very promising. Concerts and good vibes!