Monday, February 15, 2010

EIC'S10Q'S w/Bloodgroup

"..blend dancey Euro Pop with funky Electro Pop beats; the synthesizers are heavy, fun & sleek (exactly what you need to soundtrack a fun day), the vocals (mostly female with a few male accents) sound extraordinary, and the beats (rather than just your average 4-count sound) are unique and audacious. Really, what you have here, if they get the stateside attention they deserve, is an Indie Electronic dance smash-hit.."

(Photo Credit: Sigga Ella)

Bloodgroup
Diverting Thermionic Dance Savants

Bloodgroup Bio:
Despite its sibling members, participation in musical contests and the familial reference in its band name, don’t expect Bloodgroup to be an Icelandic version of the Partridge Family. While the latter was a premeditated collaboration of tactful children in tacky clothing, Bloodgroup’s poppy electronic dance stylings were formed nearly on accident.

In 2004, lead singer Lilja Jonsdottir entered a singing contest and received musical help from her brother, Raggi Jonsson. They felt as though something had “clicked,” and after winning the contest, decided to keep playing together. Later, their brother Halez Jonsson and longtime friend Janus Rasmussen were added, and the group was born.

Oddly enough, three of the musicians were raised in the same household but never officially collaborated with one another until a year and a half ago. “We all love music and have been doing it separately for most of our lives,” Jonsdottir says. “There is a pretty big age difference between us all, so that’s probably the reason. But my brothers influenced me into loving music and enjoying it.”

With influences of pop, dance music, and a bit of rocknroll, it’s interesting that Bloodgroup’s Jonsdottir — whose sweetly melodic vocals are laid over punchy, digitized drumbeats — has a background in classical music. What began with casual singing and cello lessons at the age of 7 has led her far from Bach and Beethoven and straight to front woman position of the heavy-synthed electronic band. While the entire experience is new and exciting — “I’ve never been in a band before, so this is my first time,” she says — it seems as though she’s had no difficulty rising to the occasion. “I love singing, dancing, and going crazy in front of people,” she says. “It’s like letting out this monster inside you when you go on stage and start screaming your lungs out.”

Jonsdottir credits Bloodgroup’s performance at Iceland Airwaves festival in Reykjavík as one of her fondest memories but wouldn’t consider it the band’s greatest accomplishment. Even though the festival has previously featured Hot Chip, one of her favorite groups, Bloodgroup’s musical growth is what she finds most remarkable. “We sucked when we started out,” Jonsdottir says. “I mean, really sucked. For some reason we didn’t give up — there was some kind of a spark, and we kept going.”



Hello, how are you?
Hello to you! we are great!

What are you currently listening to
Sykur - Frabaert eda frabaert, John Frusciante - Empyrean, Bat for
lashes - Two Suns

Why the name “Bloodgroup”?
It was just a kind of a joke to begin with. A reporter for a local
newspaper asked Raggi what the band was called before we had thought
up a name, and he just responded "Bloodgroup" and it got stuck to us.

Can you explain your sound in 5 words or less?
Dark, Melodic, Alternative Pop

Any plans on a US release of “Dry Land”?
Yes actually, but we can not comment any further on who is releasing
and when. Stay tuned!

Will there be a US tour shortly after?
Yes definitely! We will use the first chance we get to come over for a tour!

Where is your favorite venue to play and why?
There are a few... But our all-time favorite is in Berlin, a small gay
club called Schwutz.

What band would you love to play live with the most?
We really love to play with our friends here in Iceland, bands like
Sykur and Skátar (R.I.P). I don't know I would not say no to
performing with John Frusciante, although it would be a weird combo!

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
I would say "Curtains" by John Frusciante.

Are you living your dream?
Yes totally!

Thanx Hallur!

Bloodgroup are currently gearing up for a US release of "Dry Land", as well as a tour, look for that soon...

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