Stöð 2 2001-12-18 By Snorri Mar Kristiansson Sent to BEP by Paulie paulie@XNET.IS "Ísland Í Dag" Q: Concerning your latest album Vespertine, it's gotten rave reviews and is considered by many to be your best album since Debut. I saw somewhere that you describe your album as 'Chamber music for the New Age'. What do you mean by this? A: I've always been a follower of embracing the 'New Age' instead of being on some nostalgia trip, so electronic music has been, at least for the last 10 years or so, what you've been dancing to in clubs, so we're calling this 'chamber music'. Then I'm also pointing out that this is 'electronic music for the home'. We also have a harp on the disk, and a music box, plus other instruments and sounds which have only been found around the home. And the harp is the kind of instrument which is for smaller rooms than big music halls. So that was my concept in making this album. Rather than the big football fields I've played in the old days. Q: The swan comes into the picture on this record and you made the swan world famous at the Oscar festival. Is there any special thought, is there any special connection from the Oscars to the album? A: Everyone probably believes that this 'Swan Thing' was very deep, but it wasn't really, it was more like an instinct. But it was good to get him on my team. This was a difficult movie, Dancer, and it was good to get this kind of peace sign. Maybe Oscar winner's guests aren't my best friends, but maybe people with tastes than I have are. Q: But how did you feel around this 'pack of people'? A: Yeah, it was quite good. That's exactly why it was good to have the swan on my team, just to push people's buttons a little... there are more things than 'friends'. Or something like that. Q: You are pretty far from being predictable both in performance and your art making... do you get a kick out of going in new directions? A: Of course I could have simply repeated what I did last time, but I just have so short an attention span... I get so bored so quickly. So I don't really look at it as a positive quality, it's often a negative thing being erratic. But if I should be completely honest and stand with myself, to be with myself on my own terms, then I think I could say that I get more pleasure to make new ways. And when that is finished then I don't find it fun anymore. And there's a special energy in that which I have always been drawn to. Q: What matters the most in life for you today? A: That which has changed the least, that is friends, relatives, and, of course, making music. That has always been numbers 1, 2, and 3. Q: Time Magazine reported, and I'm not going to question this, that you have sold over 10 million albums. You are without a doubt the most well- known person Iceland has produced. What does that mean to you? A: I try to think as little as possible about this, I try to achieve a 'balance' with things because I am completely Icelandic, I am all Icelandic, and there is not a foreigner in my family 1000 years back in time, and I have lived in Iceland since I was 27 years old, and everything I do will be very Icelandic no matter what I do, so when people want to put on the spot that I am the most famous Icelander I try to make the least out of it. It's not because I don't agree with it, but I don't think that it's very important. Q: But is fame getting in your way? Probably not here in Iceland but in other countries? A: Yes, I can't go to all places. But that's OK. But these are most likely that places I don't want to go to. I'm not going to been seen on a Friday night at Tower Records. Good Idea. Maybe I don't want to do it, I'll just go on a Monday morning. And maybe just another record store. Q: Do you listen to much other music? What's the music around you? A: Yes, I need constant music just to try to keep sane. And I'm always looking for small miracles, and find them often. Q: The papers are reporting that your son is doing music now. How do you like what he's doing? A: (glowingly) I just stand with him no matter what he gets involved with. Q: You've come home for Christmas not only for the concerts but to also be with friends and family. Do you get your energy here? A: Yes, this is just how it is, I'm just made of Iceland and Reykjavík and there's a security I get from being here, warmth and nature matters a lot. I come here sometimes for three or four days and I go straight up to the country just alone. I don't want to meet anybody and don't tell anyone I'm here, and come back just to get an 'Icelandic Nature Kick'. Of course I come also to meet people. It goes both ways.