We are not far from the glacier covered volcano Snæfellsjökull where the descent into the Centre of the Earth in Jules Vernes’ novel begins. A small fishing port on a peninsula that feels a long way from anywhere. The gig is at the Freezer Hostel, a backpackers place and art/music community hub for the local area. We are here for the three day ‘Acidfest’ organised by the Liverpool Psychedelic Society.
Dada Pogrom is Walter Kaldalons a notable musician on the Icelandic scene. He turns up with an array of keyboards and an old style phone who’s microphone he uses to give his voice a distinct sound. The whole performance is surreal, intense, fascinating and as the rhythms keep pumping out, very much danceable. Like some mad professor a the centre of it all he keeps the rhythms and the melodies pumping out for a breathtaking set.
It’s hard to describe the music without referencing words like avant guard, intelligentsia or catchy. It comes from the edge of the musical world, where new ideas are tested and used then replaced by even newer ideas, but where analogue electronics remain to the fore. The songs are full of drum and bass come techno, the thin ‘from the radio’ voice produces melody after melody that chases the rhythms and then invades you head and remains there for days. A cool and immersive gig that stayed with me. Kaldalons is based in Iceland and sometimes Canada.
Words/Photos: Richie Yates
Links:
Bandcamp: https://dadapogrom.bandcamp.com
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