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March 06, 2008

My Icelandic Saga: 12 Tónar

12_tonar Is this the best record shop in the world? 

12 Tónar is a small two floor shop in the centre of Reykjavik.  It has two tables near the entrance covered with pretty tablecloths and lots of Icelandic CDs, most of which are on their own label.  Then there are a bunch of racks with A-Zs in various genres from electronica to world.

On both floors are old battered sofas and coffee tables with CD players on them.  Customers are invited to select anything from the shelves and listen to them.  The coffee tables are important too, as everyone is offered free espresso while they browse.

Needless to say we spent quite a while there.  Apparently there is live music every Friday and it is a popular hangout for local bands.  If I lived in Iceland I would be in there nearly every day.  It feels like sitting in a friend's front room and going through their record collection.

MOTC and I bought a pile of CDs.  Naturally I veered towards Icelandic ladies, she went for obscure noodling.

Hafdis Huld used to be in Gus Gus but now has a solo album.  It is right up my street.  This is the opening track.

I also bought an early album by a chap called Thorir who records under the name My Summer As A Salvation Soldier.  It includes this inspired cover version.

I have bookmarked the 12 Tónar webpage and will be checking out the new releases while pretending I am still there.

Posted at 06:00 AM in Travel |

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Comments

Got a few spare Gus Gus CDs if anyone wants em.

Posted by: TJ | March 07, 2008 at 06:06 PM

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