Supersport!‘s music is as sweet as they are. Hailing from Iceland and part of the selection of artists playing this year’s edition of Iceland Airwaves, Supersport! is a band that is deeply invested in the potential of pop music. They delve into the nuances of the guitar, using it as a storytelling instrument to convey expressive narratives and stories around friendship and love. As avid supporters of the DIT (aka do-it-together) ethos, members Bjarni, Dagur, Hugi, and Þóra formed in a burst of enthusiasm on the dance floor of a now-closed Reykjavík bar during a late summer night. This knee-jerk reaction to music and the creative process speaks to how their music brings strangers together.
Supersport! curates a selection of songs handpicked by the band to learn more about the Icelandic music scene, what people should do on a free day in the country, and more.
Hey Supersport! What are you guys up to right now?
Hey, hey, hey! Nothing much, besides anxiously contemplating how we can raise money to buy a Ford Econoline for touring next year. Let us know if you have ideas.
If someone asked you what your origin story was, how would you describe it?
We met through playing in various bands in Liverpool’s Skiffle scene in the late 1950’s, after Bjarni and Þóra bonded over childhood trauma and literally couldn’t stop writing songs together. Dagur, the oldest, a country and western kind of guy, was always the coolest. Hugi was the last to join. He was the youngest and knew the most chords. Then, we started our band and moved to Hamburg for a very intense and amphetamine-powered residency. The rest is history I guess……
Describe your style in 3 words.
Failed Attempt at Sexy.
What is the most precious thing in your wardrobe?
Bjarni: A black woollen turtleneck that I’m afraid hasn’t been washed for a long while… It’s got a hole on the left elbow but it’s the best piece I’ve ever found.
Dagur: An old t-shirt from a collaboration that my old band, Vára and a friend band of ours, Milkhouse, had made together. It’s barely legible anymore but I love it dearly.
Which living person do you most admire?
Our friend and collaborator Árni Hjörvar is both the best producer in the world and an incredible person. We’d all be proud to be a little more like him.
What was the last book you read?
“Telling Is Listening!” A fantastic collection of essays by the incredible and ever-inspiring Ursula K. Le Guin. Legend. Dreams explain themselves.
What is your favourite thing to do in Iceland?
Going to the swimming pool, meeting friends by chance, soaking in the 39-degree hot tub, going to the sauna/steambath and shocking the system in the cold tub. Repeating several times until we feel reborn, like raisins or happy little babies.
If you could play at any venue, which one would it be?
Maybe it would have been cool to try performing at one of the epic Reykjavík venues of the 00s – Faktorý or Nasa or Sirkús. Feels like we missed out on a fun vibe there.
Where are you happiest?
It’s a bit crazy to say but maybe…on the road…on tour…we love being in this state of always knowing what is the next objective (the next show!!), but also never quite knowing in advance how it will play out, what we will see and experience, who we will meet. On tour, it feels like you make friends faster. We can’t wait for next time.
If you had an hour to spend with anyone from history, who would it be and why?
Arthur Russell, our all-time favourite!!! Would be cool to pick his brains about music and love and life.°
If someone had a free day in Iceland, what places do you recommend they visit?
Depends on the weather actually. If it’s nice, be in nature. If it’s not, go to 12 Tónar!!
Who would play you in the story of your life?
The Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato… Obviously.
What’s one song that you’d like to listen to the first time again?
The Beach Boys’ “Disney Girls.” Without question.
An underrated song/artist you love?
Stirnir’s “Apple Pie & <3 The Razor” is a massive record that we all love. Song no. 3 from that, or the song “Yvonne Shoals” are both incredible.
The track that describes your coming-of-age story?
“As We Go Up We Go Down” by Guided By Voices.
An album that you’d put in a time capsule?
I think “The Death Of Quickspace” by Quickspace. It’s one we keep returning to as a reference, over and over.
A lyric that you love and the song it’s from?
“We’ll always love you but // that’s not the point,” a heartwrenching moment from “Hammond Song” by the Roaches.
A track that reminds you of a happy moment?
The Free Design’s “Kites Are Fun” played a big role in helping us figure out how to arrange the song “God Is Change” from our latest record. That was a nice moment.
An Icelandic artist or song you’re obsessed with?
Spilverk þjóðanna has to be the all time favorite, I could pick any of their tracks but right now “Orðin tóm” feels like the one.
A song that you discovered recently that you love?
The title track off Kali Malone’s most recent record, All Life Long, is wonderful.
Best record to get you out of a funk?
John Cale’s Fear has been a staple for a couple of years. Perfectly balances playfulness and melancholia: a brilliant pick-me-up.
What’s the last song you searched for on Spotify?
Connie Converse’s “One By One.”
A song you wish you wrote?
“Vögguvísa Kisufiðrildanna” by Sniglarnir í töfraskógi, which means we are not kids / we are not romantic. It’s such a lovely little piece of composition and we wish we wrote it so that it had lyrics instead of the meow sounds… Though they are delightful and funny.
Iceland Airwaves takes place from the 7th – 9th November 2024, tickets and travel packages are available now in partnership with Icelandair.
