I know what you're thinking - "who the f*ck is Stafrćnn Hákon?" Well, he's probably the best solo musician that you've never heard of. A one man post rock extravaganza of soft, understated calm-as-you like tunes, Mr Stafrćnn Hákon (that's pronounced "staf-rin how-kon") will be playing Leeds at the Brudenell Social Club on Sunday, September 19th. I advise you to go.I caught up with the man behind the band, Ólafur Örn Josephsson.
I think Bad Taste nailed it when they called your music 'Dreamy lo-fi guitar doodles'! But for the uninitiated, how would you describe your music?
Skully roboty ambienty rocky J!!!
There are certain influences in your music which remind me of the prettier and less over powering moments of bands like Mogwai or even Sigur Rós, are they on your radar? Do you like to listen to that genre of music more than others?
Well thanks for that. Sure, I listen to lots of different music, and sure these two bands are among them. There is a lot of other music in that genre that I like a lot, but some are really bad like in all music genres of course!
What moves you to make music?
Music !!!!
When did you decide that you wanted to do this for a living? was there a moment when you thought, yes, this feels right?
Well I'm not really doing it for a living. I'm actually studying at the moment, so I'm a bloody student. Now it feels quite right, since I have the Resonant (his record label in the UK) guys to releasing my music which was all self-released in the first place in Iceland (which is a really small market!!) I have a good feeling for this project and I'm enjoying every single bit of it. And therefore I believe I can make my best stuff when the situation is like that! Enjoy it when it lasts.
The vast majority of your songs are instrumentals, so does not having vocals make the writing and recording stages easier?
Ummmm hard question... I don't really know because I've never worked with any vocals at all. But it might happen one day! I can't see it will fit at the moment. But if it comes to that, I would like to have Phil Collins possibly on some tracks though and possibly Elton John!!!
What approach do you take to recording? Is it all done in your bedroom on a cassette player, or do you prefer the studio setting to try and get your ideas down?
It's done mostly at home. All my previous stuff I've done has been done at home completely. The new album "ventill / poki" was also done at home, but finished up in the studio, like live drums, mixing and mastering. I work best with my room full of left-handed polar bears.
How do you translate your very intimate sounding records to the live stage? do you think it maybe loses something in translation?
Well when playing live with a band, the music will be totally different in all ways, because you'll have 4 different people playing along and each and every one of them brings their own power to the music, which I think is a really good thing. When we rehearse the songs, all the players feel free to add something on their own. Therefore I'm not like a conductor telling them what to do, we'll be a band playing Stafrćnn Hákon´s songs!!! And usually I play the easiest parts, because the others are much better players then I am! So yes... the songs will definitely take some major changes when playing live!!!
How are you finding life on the road? What's been your favourite moment so far?
Well I haven't been on the road yet really!!! The UK tour will be the first touring so far! So it will be exciting doing that! Quite hard I guess though.
Is touring and travelling a daunting prospect? or do you look forward to it?
Both I guess. I'm really looking forward to playing, but I'm worried about playing to a man and his dog. I just hope people will try and understand what we are trying to do. Please them with some nice tones, and that's what it's all about- all about the music!
After your UK and Ireland tour with Dialect has finished, what's next for Stafrćnn Hákon?
Ummm that's a good question. I haven't really thought about it yet. I will probably go on and try and write some new music or try to do some other projects, like collaborations possibly. But as I write all the music at home and record it, I will just continue doing something there. You really got me there, because I haven't planned anything yet. Oh I'd love to do some Soundtrack music someday.
Alrite... think that's all ... the album Ventill/ Poki is released on September 13th through Resonant Records in the UK. Stafrćnn Hákon and his pals Dialect play Brudenell Social Club in Leeds on September 19th. More details at www.resonantlabel.com.
