Q&A with Berndsen (#airwaves18)
Many contemporary bands create 80s-tinged pop music but a lot of them shy away from the label and would not wear it on their sleeves. Not so Icelandic musician David Berndsen who creates his beautiful blend of (analog) synth-pop under the moniker Berndsen, and is not afraid to talk about his main influences and that he indeed likes the 80s musically.
Not only are we looking forward to seeing Berndsen during Iceland Airwaves 2018, but are super excited to see Berndsen live together with the popular Icelandic trio Vök when they play Knitting Factory this upcoming Saturday as part of A Taste of Iceland.
For us, more than enough reasons to reach out to Berndsen, asking him some questions. Listen to the beautifully floating “Shaping The Grey” and read on:
Q: Do you have a song from your childhood, one you always enjoy hearing again?
A: Tears for fears – Everybody wants to rule the world and always love listening to it.
Q: What was the first album you have ever bought? Digital, vinyl, CD or cassette tape?
A: I always remember my first Vinyl it was Music From The Film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles haha!
Q: Do you still own this album?
A: Nope! it got lost somewhere over the last 27 years.
Q: At what age did you see your first live show/ concert? And who was it?
A: They first real live show which my dad had to come with because I was only 16years old was Modest Mouse at Gaukurinn – Reykjavik Iceland, 17 years ago woww!
Q: What’s your songwriting process like? What comes first, melody or lyrics?
A: Usually the melody but sometime I think of a song title and work around that.
Q: The first festival announcements for Iceland Airwaves 2018 have been made. Whom are you looking forward to see?
A: My favorite part of the Festival is just go down town and walk around to venues and see something unplanned, you stumble on some good stuff like that!
Q: Sadly, we missed your show(s) during Iceland Airwaves 2016 but will change it this year! What can we expect? Do you have other musicians with you on stage or all solo? Either way, we’re already excited!
A: We are 3 on stage, Keli Guitar, Hermigervill with a lot of synths and drum machines, You can expect a damn hot show!
Q: There is music day and night during Iceland Airwaves. What is your top non-music-related recommendation to do/to see while in Reykjavík?
A: Go to the swimming pools and relax, and visit Lucky Records and get some Icelandic Vinyls.
Q: Where can you get a tasty and affordable meal in Reykjavik?
A: Probably nowhere haha! expensive but good! Hmm ah yes Mandi (kebab) close to Ingolfstorg thats one of my favorites.
Q: If you could have any musical instrument in the world, which one would it be and why?
A: Probably a old Moog modular system , because I love patching cables
Q: If you could choose to live in a decade (music, style, etc.), which one would it be?
A: I already live like its the 80’s!
Thank you so much, David. We truly loved learning a bit more about Berndsen. We will take your recommendations in Iceland to heart and put them already on our map. As a long-time Tears for Fears fan, you could not have made me happier by mentioning “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”. Very much looking forward to seeing you in my hometown at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory and then only six weeks later on your home turf in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Connect with Berndsen on Facebook and Instagram and see them live:
Listen to more music by Berndsen on Spotify:
Photo credit: Saga Sig