Iceland's main export? Petite pop pixies of course and I was there to see Hafdis Huld coquettishly wink her way into the fold on the second night of her current UK tour. A tiny power pack of energy Hafdis is a natural born show off and clearly loves casting her peculiar magic over the audience.
This is quirky pop to the
nth degree that thankfully falls short of twee and allows you to enjoy the hook laden tunes without worrying about spilling your pint on someone's home knitted cardigan.
There is a lot going on here with country influences (big Dolly Parton fan (hence the pink cowboy hat?)) on 'Capture A Fish' and even a kind of J Lo flamenco thing going on in 'Kongulo', a song about that Spider-man guy who climbs up buildings without any safety ropes or anything. It's far better than a song on that particular subject has any right to be.
Samples are employed with a keen eye and mixed in with cute little ukulele parts, glockenspiels and of course those strange, direct but still sometimes confusing lyrics. It all comes together to grand effect on the closer 'Diamonds On My Belly' where we are treated to some luscious pre-pillow pillow talk.
My only real reservation here is that Hafdis could do with a drummer to boost the impact of the live show and, call me an old cynic, but I do wonder how much of that pixie charm is real and how much is merely sprinkled on for show time.
All the same, Hafdis Huld is an entertaining singer who puts on a fun show by doing her own thing, and it doesn't hurt one little bit that she looks so good whilst she does it.
Catch up with her if you can.
11 Jun 2009 21:00
Purr at the Porter Bath
14 Jun 2009 20:00
The Oakford Reading
16 Jun 2009 20:00
Freebutt Brighton
18 Jun 2009 20:00
Brel Glasgow, Scotland
22 Jun 2009 18:30
Pure Grooves store London, London and South East
23 Jun 2009 20:00
Slaughtered lamb London
25 Jul 2009 20:00
Secret Garden Party Festival Cambridge
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Introducing ... Hafdis Huld
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Hafdis Huld - Monkey Chews 04.06.09
