|
THE CURSE OF
singapore sling
The rock soundscapes of Singapore Sling
evoke the openness of vast expanses of open road, booze and chain
smoking. I chatted with Hienrik, the lead singer and songwriter, while
he was in New York preparing to begin their first full American tour.
Singapore Sling is an Iceland based band though listening to their
music you would think that they lived in a roadhouse somewhere on
Route 66. They had been to the U.S. before for the South by Southwest
Festival and a few gigs planned around that show. Hienrik spoke in a
slow deep voice; down to earth and no nonsense. He was very much
looking forward to the extended tour and seeing more of America's
highways and cities. We spoke of his obvious influences and the
forbidden joys of drinking and driving.
So you've been playing for 2 or 3 years with Singapore Sling?
“I think I formed the band in late 1999 I think. I had recorded a lot
of demos by myself. First gig was fall of 2000.”
You draw a lot of your inspiration from the open road atmosphere?
It feels very much like traveling music.
“Yeah, definitely yeah. Road movies and that kind of thing. Just
different for different songs. The open road is my inspiration. That
sounds kind of tacky but, it's just something about driving a steady
pace down a long long road, endlessly. It's also the way the music
sounds you know? There's a lot of stuff that I like, like the Velvet
Underground that has that monotonous beat that sounds like a freeway
or whatever. Well I like music basically, and I like the road, and I
also like drink and cigarettes, and I like New York. Obvious things
like Velvet Underground, and Jesus and Mary Chain. There's just a lot
of stuff.”
So is there much open road in Iceland itself?
“There actually is. Like two-lane blacktops. Maybe somewhere like the
cover of the CD.”
Have you done any music before Singapore Sling?
“The first kind of proper thing I did was with a friend of mine. We
did two songs together which we released on a 7" vinyl. Which was kind
of rockabilly, kinda surf kind of stuff. Which was the only other
thing I've been in. It was called the Bang Gang. It just sounded like
an early sixties kind of name. And some of the other guys have been in
other bands too, but nothing really serious.”
Are you pretty much consumed by your music? What else do you find
time to do?
“Working as a bartender, and working as a journalist. Besides making
music of course.”
What do you write for?
“There's a couple of Icelandic magazines. The Iceland Review, and
another one called Atlantica. Just do the occasional article on music
or whatever comes.”
So where is this tour taking you? Are you looking forward to any
particular cities?
“Looking forward to San Francisco, and Los Angeles. And we're going to
be playing Denver. The drive from Denver to L.A. should be quite
interesting. The schedule is very tight. We only have one or two days
to drive from Denver to L.A. Then we're traveling from L.A. to New
York in one long trip in like three or four days.”
Do you write in your free time or in the studio?
“In my free time, we don't have access to a studio. I usually write
songs by myself or whatever. I usually have to record them and do a
simplified version of the songs so that I don't forget. I use a
four-track a lot. I've been using like a Dictaphone which is very
good.”
To get the raw ideas out, and then develop it with the band?
“Yeah, sometimes I just record some demos that are pretty close to
what I want to do. The ideas have already kind of taken shape
concerning the other instruments and other arrangements.”
I've always enjoyed road-tripping, I'll definitely be playing your
music next time I'm on a trip.
“It's good for drinking and driving.”
Although they don't like it if you do both at the same time eh?
“Which is a shame you know. Like here in New York. I really enjoy
smoking and drinking. Now you drink and you have to go outside and
smoke on the street. And if you stand too close to the wall they tell
you to fuck off because the neighbors might complain.”
Yeah, that's kind of a new trend here. It seems a little limited to
me.
“Yeah, I hope you'll get by, and stop this bullshit. (laughs)”
Yeah, it seems a little tight-assed really.
“Yeah, New York. What's happening to New York?”
Right. I don't know, we'll see what happens. I suppose on the open
road you can drink and drive a little easier than in the city. There's
some expanses that you won't see any other drivers for an hour or so.
“I can drink and drive? I defiantly will try. (laughs)” |
