Milkywhale performs at Iceland Airwaves
by Mark Wheat
November 14, 2018
The Icelandic duo Milkywhale, born out of a performative project for dance school, has evolved into one of the country's interesting emerging musical groups. The electronic pop team consists of performer Melkorka Sigrieur Magnusdottir and musician Arni Runar Hloeverssson. Melkorka studied dance in various European schools, where she was inspired to bring a vision of a choreographed concert to life. She got in touch with Icelandic musician Arni to accomplish this, and the two have been collaborating as Milkywhale ever since.
On their recently-released self-titled album, they deliver some sugary and infectious pop songs, while weaving in the narrative of Milkywhale, a lonely whale dancing alone in search of answers to life's big questions. Blending in pulsing beats and at least one eccentric whale call sample, Milkywhale tells stories of love, sea life, trampoline exercises, and more.
The duo have a reputation for packing a lot into their live performances, both musically and aesthetically. Melkorka performs solo onstage, with plenty of accompanying visuals and impressive choreography. Their fantastical soundscape, enhanced by Melkorka's contemporary dance moves, breaks down the barrier between a concert and a performance art piece.
"If you want to, you can find a narrative, but if not, you can watch it like a concert," Melkorka has said. The execution of this unique project seems to reflect values of boldness and individuality that arise from making music on a volcanic and isolated island bordering the Arctic Circle. Milkywhale experiment with extremes and pulls it off.
Since their debut at the 2015 Iceland Airwaves festival, they have garnered national and international attention. Even the prime minister of Iceland, Katrin Jakobsdottir, featured Milkywhale on her special Spotify playlist celebrating 20 years of Iceland Airwaves. Outside of their home country, they've toured with their own choreographed "pop-opera" and appeared at festivals around the world.
Songs Performed
Birds of Paradise
Immaterial
Rhubarb Girl
Invisible
All songs from Milkywhale's eponymous 2017 album, on Theory of Whatever Records in the U.S.
Hosted by Mark Wheat
Produced by Lindsay Kimball
Engineered by Erik Stromstad
Web feature by Darby Ottoson
External Link
Milkywhale - official site
