Ampop
Encyclopedia
Ampop is an Icelandic melodic-pop/rock band from Reykjavík
, Iceland
. The name of the band is actually the name of the first song
they ever wrote, and is made from the words ambient
and pop
, which they thought was the definition of the music
they were making at that time.
The band was originally a duo, but before making their third album
they added a drummer
to the band. The band currently consists of 3 members:
ic album of 2003. Their one supporter outside Iceland
was John Peel
.
Keen to develop their sound the band bunkered down in their own studio
and over time developed a more organic
and song based direction moving away from the more electronic
influences of their earlier material. The first examples of the band’s new direction were demo
versions of two songs, “My Delusions” and “Don’t let me down” which saw the light of day early in 2005. These tracks
were instantly picked up on by Radio 1
’s; Zane Lowe
who played “My delusions” on several occasions and invited the band to play live on his show from Austin, Texas
, during this year’s SXSW music festival. AMPOP played alongside The Bravery
, Hot Hot Heat
, The Blood Arm
and Queens of the Stone Age
as the only unsigned band.
Other important DJs such as Huw Stephens
and Vic Galloway
at Radio 1
, or Vic McGlynn
at BBC 6 Music
have also put the stamp of approval to the new songs and have championed the band in their radio
shows.
After the successful appearance at SXSW the band went back to their studio
to finish the album
, stopping only to play in NY and the NXNE festival in Toronto
. The first single
off the new album, “My delusions”, gets a UK release via Relentless Records
imprint Stimulus Records , who spotted the band live in Austin
, on November the 28th.
The band has been invited to support KT Tunstall
in Aberdeen
on October the 4 th at a Radio 2
event, and will be playing London
next to launch the single on November the 28 th at Islington Bar Academy.
Meanwhile, back in Iceland
, the brand new album, “My delusions”, is now out via Dennis Records/Sena and is getting rave reviews and extensive radio play.
In 2008 frontman *http://www.biggi.co.uk Biggi Hilmarsson created and launched in the UK his new concept *http://www.blindfoldmusic.co.uk Blindfold, composed of four young Alternative Indie Rockers who are taking the UK music scene by storm with their genre defying music' Cinematic Indie-Rock ' that has wide appeal and success across Film, TV and Advertising.
2009 sees them releasing their second stunning album as a more commercial follow up to the sonic soundscapes of the debut album 'Blindfold '.
' Faking Dreams' has been carefully crafted and with guidance and under artist management with JC Caddy of *http://www.urbanfoxmusic.com UFMG [ Founder of new creative label *http://www.cinepoprecords.com'CinePop Records'] will see them reach new heights.
Biggi Hilmarsson is leading the way, not only as the new breed of young Icelandic composer/writers crossing genres and sounds but who is keeping melody and strong song writing at the heart making it accessible to listeners across the spectrum.
Ampop, Blindfold and Biggi Hilmarsson are currently managed by JC Caddy.
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. The name of the band is actually the name of the first song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
they ever wrote, and is made from the words ambient
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, which they thought was the definition of the music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
they were making at that time.
The band was originally a duo, but before making their third album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
they added a drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
to the band. The band currently consists of 3 members:
- Biggi: GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Kjartan: keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Jón Geir: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
History
Those in the know will have first come across the band through their two critically acclaimed electronic based albums released in their homeland. The second of these (“Made for Market”) was considered by many local critics the best IcelandIceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic album of 2003. Their one supporter outside Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
was John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
.
Keen to develop their sound the band bunkered down in their own studio
Studio
A studio is an artist's or worker's workroom, or the catchall term for an artist and his or her employees who work within that studio. This can be for the purpose of architecture, painting, pottery , sculpture, scrapbooking, photography, graphic design, filmmaking, animation, radio or television...
and over time developed a more organic
Organic (model)
Organic describes forms, methods and patterns found in living systems such as the organisation of cells, to populations, communities, and ecosystems.Typically organic models stress the interdependence of the component parts, as well as their differentiation...
and song based direction moving away from the more electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
influences of their earlier material. The first examples of the band’s new direction were demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
versions of two songs, “My Delusions” and “Don’t let me down” which saw the light of day early in 2005. These tracks
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
were instantly picked up on by Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
’s; Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
who played “My delusions” on several occasions and invited the band to play live on his show from Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, during this year’s SXSW music festival. AMPOP played alongside The Bravery
The Bravery
The Bravery is an American rock band from New York City that consists of Sam Endicott , Michael Zakarin , John Conway , Mike Hindert , and Anthony Burulcich...
, Hot Hot Heat
Hot Hot Heat
Hot Hot Heat is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1999 from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.-Career:Dustin Hawthorne and Steve Bays had been in many different bands together since 1995 and met Hawley in 1998. In 1999, Hawley bought a Juno 6 keyboard and asked Bays to try playing it, as no one...
, The Blood Arm
The Blood Arm
-Band Information:The Blood Arm were formed in LA in 2003 and were nominated for the LA Weekly Music Award for Best New Artist in 2004. They won the Best Live Act award at the 2005 South By Southwest Music Conference. Franz Ferdinand have often mentioned The Blood Arm as their favourite band in...
and Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
as the only unsigned band.
Other important DJs such as Huw Stephens
Huw Stephens
Huw Stephens is a radio presenter currently broadcasting shows on BBC Radio 1.-Early life and career:Stephens was born in Cardiff, Wales, the son of the author and literary journalist Meic Stephens...
and Vic Galloway
Vic Galloway
Michael "Vic" Galloway is a DJ on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio 1, Vic presents a self-titled show on Radio Scotland every Monday from 8:05pm-10pm and does the BBC Introducing Scotland Radio 1 programme Wednesday evenings/Thursday mornings from 12:00-2:00am...
at Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
, or Vic McGlynn
Vic McGlynn
Victoria Claire McGlynn, known as Vic McGlynn, is an English radio presenter and disc jockey ....
at BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
have also put the stamp of approval to the new songs and have championed the band in their radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
shows.
After the successful appearance at SXSW the band went back to their studio
Studio
A studio is an artist's or worker's workroom, or the catchall term for an artist and his or her employees who work within that studio. This can be for the purpose of architecture, painting, pottery , sculpture, scrapbooking, photography, graphic design, filmmaking, animation, radio or television...
to finish the album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, stopping only to play in NY and the NXNE festival in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
off the new album, “My delusions”, gets a UK release via Relentless Records
Relentless Records
Relentless Records, founded by Shabs Jobanputra and Paul Franklyn in 1999 is now a part of Sony Music based in London, UK. Having achieved large scale successes with Joss Stone, KT Tunstall and several urban artists such as Artful Dodger and So Solid Crew, the label is now building a small focused...
imprint Stimulus Records , who spotted the band live in Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, on November the 28th.
The band has been invited to support KT Tunstall
KT Tunstall
Kate Victoria "KT" Tunstall is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist from St Andrews, Scotland. She broke into the public eye with a 2004 live solo performance of her song "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on Later... with Jools Holland...
in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
on October the 4 th at a Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
event, and will be playing London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
next to launch the single on November the 28 th at Islington Bar Academy.
Meanwhile, back in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, the brand new album, “My delusions”, is now out via Dennis Records/Sena and is getting rave reviews and extensive radio play.
In 2008 frontman *http://www.biggi.co.uk Biggi Hilmarsson created and launched in the UK his new concept *http://www.blindfoldmusic.co.uk Blindfold, composed of four young Alternative Indie Rockers who are taking the UK music scene by storm with their genre defying music' Cinematic Indie-Rock ' that has wide appeal and success across Film, TV and Advertising.
2009 sees them releasing their second stunning album as a more commercial follow up to the sonic soundscapes of the debut album 'Blindfold '.
' Faking Dreams' has been carefully crafted and with guidance and under artist management with JC Caddy of *http://www.urbanfoxmusic.com UFMG [ Founder of new creative label *http://www.cinepoprecords.com'CinePop Records'] will see them reach new heights.
Biggi Hilmarsson is leading the way, not only as the new breed of young Icelandic composer/writers crossing genres and sounds but who is keeping melody and strong song writing at the heart making it accessible to listeners across the spectrum.
Ampop, Blindfold and Biggi Hilmarsson are currently managed by JC Caddy.
Studio albums
- Sail to the moon (2006)
- My Delusions (2005)
- Made For Market (2002)
- Nature Is Not A Virgin (2000)
Singles
- Gets me Down (2006)
- My Delusions / Youth (2005)
- Made For Market (2002)