With its rich literary tradition, Iceland is the country where books are a great deal. Here, reading is still considered a popular pastime despite the omnipresence of smartphones. Libraries and bookshops in Iceland are places of refuge, where one can escape from stormy weather, noisy neighbours or personal problems and step into a special, sacred world.
Perhaps it is not a surprise that local collectives seek inspiration from the reading culture and its epicentres. This week, Icelandic band Oyama released a new single, ‘The Bookshop’, partly inspired by a bookstore on Vesturgata street in Reykjavík. Iceland Review premiered the song.
Oyama’s songwriters Úlfur Alexander Einarsson and Júlía Hermannsdóttir compiled a playlist, sharing with Iceland Review some of their favourite tracks, either ideal for or inspired by reading.
Grouper – ‘Heavy Water / I’d Rather Be Sleeping’
Júlía Hermansdóttir: This is one of the songs I’ve been listening to recently. Grouper is my go-to artist to read to late at night.
Suzanne Vega – ‘Left of Center’
Júlía Hermansdóttir: I love lyrics as a way of storytelling that’s vague in a sense that’s open rather than unclear. Of course, there are countless examples of singer/songwriters who do this incredibly well, but I’m particularly drawn to Suzanne Vega’s way of writing and delivery that has me hanging on to every word, wanting to know what comes next, and kind of pulls me through the song.
The Durutti Column – ‘Sketch For Summer’
Júlía Hermansdóttir: I prefer to read to ambient music or other types of atmospheric music without stand-out vocals, rather than reading in silence. The Durutti Column’s track is exactly this.
Laufey – ‘Snow White’
to seJúlía Hermansdóttir: An honorable mention because of her book club and advocacy for reading books, she also just collaborated with a bunch of libraries to release special edition library cards, which I think is very cool, and I want one.
The Books – ‘The Lemon of Pink I’
Úlfur Alexander Einarsson: I’ve listened so often to the album Though For Food by The Books, and am still finding myself being inspired by their innovative guitar playing and compositions.
Belle and Sebastian – ‘Wrapped Up In Books’
Úlfur Alexander Einarsson: When I first heard Júlía’s idea for a vocal melody for our song ‘The Bookshop’, it reminded me of Belle and Sebastian. Not any one song in particular, just the general feel of it, which I loved.
Lali Puna – ‘Faking the Books’
Úlfur Alexander Einarsson: The first book-related song I thought of. Used to listen to this one on repeat in high school.
Sonic Youth – ‘The Empty Page;
Úlfur Alexander Einarsson: Probably one of the most influential bands for me, and I’ve always loved the lyrics in this one; “These are the words but not the truth, God bless them all when they speak to you … Sing out tonight, the empty page”.
Zebra Katz – ‘Ima Read’
Úlfur Alexander Einarsson: A special one. I remember me and Júlía listened to this song a lot when we were starting Oyama.