"Try blaming it on the hidden people, volcanoes, elves, trolls, the midnight sun, the violent wind or what you will, but at the end of the day no one really knows why the Icelandic imagination is as vivid as it is."

Over the past few years, Reykjavik's cultural presence has grown by leaps and bounds, and now offers art and music at it's most vibrant and daring. Kitchen Motors Band has embraced the avant-garde with a gusto and charm all of its own.

In their own words, it is "a record label, a think tank, an art organization instigating collaborations and putting on concerts, exhibitions, performances, chamber operas, producing films, books and radio shows based on the ideals of experimentation, collaboration and the search for new art forms".

Trendy status or not, it's a testament to just how far Iceland [especially Reykjavik] has come in the past few years.

Kitchen Motors, the band, is where Hilmar, Johann and Kira Kira come together. Kitchen Motors' first concert as band was held at the Living Arts Museum in Reykjavik under the banner "electricity forbidden, batteries allowed." Johann played harmonium and AM radio, Kira played glockenspiel, a toast, bengal matches and other quiet things in a percussive way and Hilmar played acoustic guitar and bass. The silence in the space that appeared within the music was so dense that people carefully opened their cans of beer in tempo and no one let out a sigh unless it was accuretly timed.

Outside this first concert, Kitchen Motors allows themselves electricity but aims for the small sounds [acoustic nano beats?] and alternative, perhaps alchemic means to approach electronic music.

Electronic music without electricity?
Kitchen Motors, the band, is not an entity that operates on a regular basis. It's always a special event when it comes together.

Related Links:
BBC article
Kitchen Motors website