New Icelandic label; Paradísarborgarplötur

Pradísarborgarplötur (PBP) is without a doubt the most exciting new thing going in Icelandic underground music right now. A much needed addition to the already vibrant culture. For far too long there have been too many punk bands that are only about the "goof around" and it got pretty hopeless at times. It seemed that an alarming ratio of artists just didn't give a shit about anything, not even about sounding reasonably good nor being known for putting forth something solid and stimulating. PBP's group of individuals wants nothing to do with this and that has been the case for years. It's only now that they are putting a lot of power and focus behind the idea of providing a prolific and loud alternative. This is taken from their website: "We are a record label/artist collective based in Reykjavík, Iceland. We are punks. We believe in D.I.Y. ethics and fully realize the politics behind artistic representation. Our art is a statement against rock star hipster attitudes and elitist bullshit." Now this is something Halifax Collect can get behind of 100%, so I got in touch with the collective and talked to Fannar.

You guys also started the not-so-prolific Bananatrash collective/label. Why start PBP, what is the difference and can we expect something new in terms of how you run your operation this time around?
Basically we wanted a fresh start. We had many different projects going on based around releasing or promoting music we liked, but things were getting more and more serious and we needed a more serious outlet. Our previous efforts hadn't been prolific, as you said, and we needed to be more focused. PBP to us, is more than just a label or a collective of artists, it's a work of art on it's own. Every release is and will be a part of this bigger picture, like a collective collage. That way I think we can express how we feel about society. We don't always say the words, we show people the problem by being a part of the solution. Which to me is the very foundation of D.I.Y. and anarchism.

Starting d.i.y. punk labels in Iceland usually leads to a quick and painless death. Why is that and how do you plan to avoid being just another flash in the pan?
Well, there's not a big scene and little as no interest. We plan on trying to get our music out to people around the world. Hopefully our name will be known amongst the nerdiest of punk nerds and maybe we might serve as a stepping stone for cool local bands. Anyway, it's not like our previous projects went bankrupt. We have a bunch of stuff coming up, so as long as we're doing bands and have stuff on the agenda, we'll keep doing this for sure.


Do you think your manifesto, aesthetics and the way you do things, will scare of the not-so-in-the-know crowd?
Maybe. I don't know. I kinda hope so. Punk rock music is overwhelming, so shouldn't punk rock labels be overwhelming as well?

How do you guys fit into the "harder" music scene in Iceland today and do you provide an alternative to the more entertainment aspect of it?
I don't know if we fit in at all. We definitely seem to have different views on how to approach music than most people in the Icelandic underground. Or so it seems to us anyway. Everything seems to always be about getting wasted or smoking pot and kicking out some sweet jams, dude. That's so fucking boring. I got into punk and hardcore, because it moved me and it seemed deeper than the bullshit every day culture I was being exposed to. I don't care what people do with their bodies, but why does music and art always have to be about partying? Is it not good enough on it's own?

Good Icelandic non PBP bands?
Definitely LOGN! They reign!! Bad ass grind core. Not too technical although they play around with instrumental technicalities, but it's always straight forward enough to keep your blood pressure up. Also FIST FOKKERS are really good. Chaotic noise rock with a lot of punkness to them. They write cool songs and use cool chords. ME THE SLUMBERING NAPOLEON are very good as well. Their first record is coming out on Kimi Records this fall. They have this Polvo worship thing going on, with a slight Minutemen-esque funkness. It's really cool. I like that they're getting some recognition. BENEATH are my favorite local metal band at the moment. Total Morbid Angel wannabes... as if that could be a bad thing. Also the black metal band SVARTIDAUÐI is amazing. Straight forward yet clever. Monotonous darkness, not drowning in melodies. Then there's BUXNASKJÓNAR which provide the north coast with premium pop punk. Fast, catchy and really fun. REYKJAVÍK! kind of flirt with punk rock with their party rock. They're a great band, their latest album is so fucking good. Lots of music nerdiness going on there. That's always good. There's tons of others. RETRÖN, SKÁTAR, KIMONO, SAKTMÓÐIGUR, MORÐINGJARNIR... to name but a few.


What do you have out and what is on the horizon?
We first released THE DEATHMETAL SUPERSQUAD's Dead Zeppelin, in may (this CDEP is incredibly good and on constant rotation in the Halifax Collect headquarters, also read this). Which was a CDEP, the first of two in a series. There's just a lot of Husker Du going on on that one. Our second release was also a CDEP but this time a melodic punk/post-punk band called TENTACLES OF DOOM and the EP was called Dansað við lík. It was released just last week. Anarcho punks, DYS (no, not D.Y.S.), also have a CD coming out soon on PBP. It's called Andspyrna and is a 6 song EP but it will also include a remastered version of their debut, Ísland Brennur. It's being made as we speak and hopefully it'll be ready at the end of the week. Also we've been meaning to release a full length album by MVNVMVNTS called (MI). That's a doom/drone/post-punk mix of some sort. Then there's a CDEP by BUMMER called Good Deeds + Guitar Leads. Garage/power pop/punk pop/whatever. Really catchy stuff. I'm totally hooked on it.

How do foreigners and locals alike, get their hands on your releases, hard-copies and not so hard copies?
Just send us an e-mail at pbppunk@gmail.com and tell us what you want. Also we'll try to have records for sale at as many local shows as possible.

Why Seinfeld? Why not King Of Queens or Myrkrahöfðinginn?
This would be an answer too long for this interview, sorry.
Not true And yeah, you are sorry. Who wouldn't want to elaborate on this?
Thanks for the interview Fannar and good luck with everything PBP.

To all you readers; stay focused on this dark horse and visit the following websites.
http://www.pbppunk.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/pbppunk