Culture and Living | Iceland Monitor | Fri 23 Jan 2015 | 11.32 GMT | Modified 30 Apr 2015 10.15

Are DJ's the rock stars of the 21st century?

Kristinn Gunnar Blöndal - DJ KGB says he is not a music elitist. Mbl.is/ KRISTINN INGVARSSON

Anna Margrét Björnsson
amb@mbl.is

No, say three of the city's most popular DJ's, namely Kristinn Gunnar Blöndal aka DJ KGB, Atli Bollason and Einar Kristjánsson aka Einar Sonic who all bring a different sound to Reykjavik's most popular dance spots. Mbl.is gave them the third degree on ther favourite tracks and their experiences of the deep, dark underworld of the city's nightlife.

KGB

How long have you been Djing?

I've been Djing for about 20 years.

Where can we find you?

I'm quite fortunate because I can be choosy and pick the places I play. The bar scene in iceland has been changing a lot recently. Currently Im playing at Paloma, Húrra, Kaffibarinn, Dolly, Bravó and Prikið.

Favourite bar/club in Reykjavík?

This is probably a touchy subject. To be honest I don’t go out that much between gigs, but when I do its to one of the places I mentioned previously. All good bars.

What is your alter-life when not Dj-ing?

I've got a few music of projects going, also Ive been doing music for TV commercials for a while.

The track you'll be opening your next set with?

I have absolutely no idea. It depends on the place, the mood and capacity.There´s a lot of music I would never play, most music in fact. That statement might seem a bit funny because I'm not a music elitist at all, I usually go through many different genres in each set and I'm not anti- popular music. I guess I like wallpaper music the worst. Interpret that as you like.

What would you never play?

Again, there is no one song I can think of… musically my aim is basically to make people happy so this all depends on the place, the crowd and so on.

The track/song I play to rescue the mood?

Kiasmos - Burnt.

The most bizarre thing to happen to you on a DJ night in one sentence?

A shirtless billionaire and entourage attending a wedding at a country hotel i was working at threatening/trying to persuade me to get in his hummer at 6AM to keep playing in a nearby cove. Last wedding I played for money.

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Atli Bollason

How long have you been Djing?

It really depends on how we count... are those 'ambient nights' I threw in the 9th grade proper DJ gigs?

Where can we find you playing?

Bar Ananas, Boston, Dollý, Húrra, Bravó, Prikið, Kaffibarinn, depending on the day, month and year.

Favourite bar/club in Reykjavík?

Again, it really depends on the night and the crowd but the places I play are the places I frequent.

What is your alter life when not Djing?

I read melancholy novels, play crokinole, drink pastis and think about my life.

The track you'll be opening your next set with?

I'm actually sort of trying to muster the courage to open with Stars of the Lid and really ground the customers before all hell breaks loose. If that doesn't work, 'Party Song' by Sticky Fingers – true to its title – often gets the party going.

What would you never play?

I don't think there's anything I wouldn't play out of principle but I definitely don't play fascist anthems frequently.

The track/song you play to rescue the mood?

Gusgus seem to be able to mend even the saddest of parties. 'Within You' is a pretty sure bet.

Best track by favourite new artist?

I'm getting seriously into Leon Vynehall these days. 'Be Brave Clench Fists' is a definite highlight.

Do you think DJ‘s are the rock stars of the 21st century?

I sincerely hope they won't be.

The most bizarre thing to happen to you on a DJ night in one sentence?

When a trap door suddenly opened in the booth and a three-legged hare asked me, in quechua language, to join her in the netherworld. I would've tagged along but the next track was up in twenty seconds.

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