So far, the success of Björk and Sigur Ros has marked Iceland as a hotbed for original music. Will there be more cutting-edge artists exported from this small, isolated country? Though she doesn't produce any otherworldly ideas on her debut, Aria could be the next in line. Blending trip-hop, lounge, hip-hop, and global sounds on Haze, the classically trained singer (born Maria Björk Glick) offers a diverse selection of arrangements. The sublime opening track, "Bring Down the Light," brings to mind the coolness of St. Etienne, as Aria's whispery vocals sail across misty strings and chill-out beats. Haze is able to maintain the vibe on "Orange Meadows" and "My Stoned Wings," but it's hard to imagine why she'd want to disrupt the pace with misplaced rapping on "A State of Mind" and the second version of "Ariella" (featuring words from Subterranean and Cell 7). Besides those minor missteps, Haze is a promising debut. ~ Kenyon Hopkin, All Music Guide
Aria, a classically trained opera singer born and raised in Reykjavik, Iceland, discovered a passion for jazz at an early age and gained quick popularilty in her native land.
In the mid 90's, Aria began exploring different music styles, finding herself particularly attracted to the burgeoning lounge-electronica scene.
In 1998, she released her first single "Ariella, " a cool, seductive, hip-hop track that pitched her incredible vocal talents against the MC skills of fellow Icelanders, Subterranean and Cell 7. For her first solo album Aria started writing with another Icelandic talent, a producer/ remixer Dirty Bix, who had previously worked with Gus Gus and has more recently remixed Beck and Madonna amongst others. Together Aria and Bix created their own brand of chilled trip-hop straight from the land of ice and fire.
When she composes, Aria usually begins by finding a steady groove, just drums and bass, keeping the beats simple before adding gredda (the Icelandic word for hornyness). The resulting effect is of a warm rhythm that flows through your body as the adrenaline starts to move you. Her sweetly innocent vocals carry the melody with playful lyrics that turn up the heat by injecting double entendre and mystery.
Aria's first single, "Ariella" became a huge hit in Iceland, and in the process attraced the attention of two young music video directors known as Snorri Bros. Their vision for the song consisted or a groundbreaking montage-effect video that combined 200 photographs in an unusual movement-
in-slow-motion-effect. This incredible video not only helped the song and Aria's fast growing reputation, but also won her Video of the Year in Iceland's Video Awards. It also led to Snorri Bros being chosen to direct videos for mainstream artists such as U2 and REM.
Hello! New EP "Mice In A Mole" is up. It includes four songs "Senile Boner", "Jedi Dumbass", "Zero Gravity Toilet" and "Sometimes Monkeys Die". Let me know what you think.
Heeeey, Aria - it’s been a while :) - and how are you, hope things are good, are they?... Listen, I have a favor to ask you, could I? Since my picture won at the monthly level & Round 1, I got nominated for the LongHair Hawtie of the Year. Round 2 ends in a few days and... - was hoping for those 6 votes from you ;)
So... this is where you would cast a vote
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=188240006&albumId=1967536
Just look for this picture on the last row:
And these are the rules on how to 'do it' ...
Yeah, you do need to get accepted as a friend before you can vote, but they’re nice girls (the hawtie folks), no harm whatsoever :)
Thank you so much already,
In appreciation,
- Armand
PS. a very 'evil' thought - maybe you can tell your friends to vote too? ;)
If You Would Like To Be A Part Of The 4 Day World Music And Art Fair Please Let Me Know By Sending The Information In To My Comments Or EMAIL. It Does Not Madder Were In The World You May Live If We Want You To Be A Part Of The Show We Will Get You There. Please Read My Page From The Top To The Bottom My Blogs As Well, Join My Blogs For Up Dates On The Event. You will Find All Information On My Page Just Take The Time To Read It. Take A Look At This Video To See What Needs To Be Done.
listen to our latest release BWO025 Moonboots - Klangfrequenz & Baldino with support from LUCIANO, STEPHAN BODZIN, DJ HELL, PAUL LORRAINE, DEAN FACER, RANDALL JONES, FRANCO BIANCO, MARK ALLAIN and many more!! Left Foot embraces its deep, generic character and displays a nice mix of funky sounds and grooving chords whereas Right Foot shows interesting drum arrangements and a finely selected use of synths and chord fx's. Watch out for these tunes its another banger of the Black&White Orange back catalogue!
For download on Beatport just click on the flyer below:
listen to our latest release BWO022 CODE: Orange 2 by Richie Farnes & Paul Hunter on our myspace page. Both tracks display melodic Deep House with the two tracks 'Sleep Paralysis Dub' and 'Rattle Snake'.
For download on Beatport just click on the flyer below:
Hi there,
listen to our latest release BWO020 COUCH LOCK EP - RICHIE FARNES on our myspace page and experience a great blend of deep, minimalistic Techno with 'The Secret Sociopath' and groovy, melodic Deep House with 'Purple Kush'.
For download on Beatport just click on the flyer below:
Enjoy,
B&W Orange
