Of Monsters And Men
Of Monsters And Men are very soon to arrive in Sydney a concert booked at The Enmore Theatre. It has been said that this is a very indie band, heavily influenced by folk music, which gives them their distinctive sound. Their ability to tell stories with lyrics evoking the magic and myth of children’s tales. Their music videos also have a sort of a surreal and sometimes psychedelic edge to them and they are the first Icelandic group to reach one billion streams on Spotify. It’s been nearly 10 years now and the band continues to go from strength to strength.
Understanding the link between music and the art world has been one of their key strategies for success as has been their unique knowledge and use of various musical instruments not normally associated with modern acoustics such as the trombone.
It all started with a song called Little Talks.
A radio station in Philadelphia played the song and before long the band was signed with, Republic. They followed with My Head Is An Animal, which was quickly strung together with a kind of childlike naivety and immediately went multi-platinum.
“It was so cute and so innocent. Just a group of very close friends putting a song together in the living room.” said lead singer Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir.
Describing themselves as a democratic band, due to their ability to give each other space to explore, they have also proven to be consistent in the way they can relate to fans on an emotional level. “If one person is missing the music sounds different,” explained Hilmarsdottir, “It can be difficult at times working together but the trick is in knowing when it’s the ego and when it’s something else.“
In fact, their new single Alligator has become a sort of anthem for the downtrodden and has inspired a whole generation with its lyrical power. According to Hilmarsdottir the song is about “taking control of your life.”
The combined voices of singer/songwriters Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir and Ragnan Porhallson seem to relay the sound of old souls questioning the rapid pace of the new world in which they find themselves. ‘Wake me up, I’m Fever Dreaming.’ are lyrics that defy logic and yet demand attention to the inner self. With lyrics like, ‘twenty-two women stood by the riverbank and cried’ the song has a very strong “essence of women being strong and vulnerable at the same time.”
The five-member group have expressed a wish to surf the mosh pit in an inflatable lifeboat. We wonder if this is actually within the realms of possibility or if it is, in fact, more Fever Dreaming.
Seriously though, the band has gained worldwide attention, with their hauntingly beautiful sound and style. They’ve even performed on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and captured the attention of the American market. Now that makes them a force to be reckoned with.
Jan 7. Enmore Theatre 18-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown. $89+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.enmoretheatre.com.au
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By Renee Lou Dallow
