Geimskot, Reykjaví's new bi weekly event located at Hurra Bar, is prepped for it's second event of the month at 7th of April. If you weren't able to make it last time, check out this article for info on what you missed.
Creators and organizers Scott Guinn and Kelley Frank, both born and raised in the U.S, came to Reykjavik with a mission; to network, to collaborate, and to breathe life back into Thursday nights. Scott first fell in love with in Iceland in 2011 while working with a group of musicians, and now five years later, he is making the permanent move here with his boyfriend Oliver. Kelley, music manager living in Berlin, Germany, will be coming back and forth every other week to help support Geimskot.
Geimskot (Space Shot in English) brings a different agenda to the table, and that is the combination of both international as well as local talent. Scott and Kelley saw Reykjavik´s location as a stopover destination as an opportunity to bring in musicians flying through Iceland. Musicians can come, play a show, and continue on their journeys. Hurra Bar is known for being a location where both locals and tourists can come together to share a good time, and Geimskot wanted the music to reflect that as well.
Attending Geimskot´s debut event was a great experience. As always, there is something to be said for anything that is being done for the first time. There is an element of experimentation involved. Debuting at 8 PM on a Thursday night was a bold move to make in Reykjavik- since you won't usually find locals starting their evenings until close to 10 PM or later. Because of this, when I came in around 8:30, there weren't many people inside, and the door to the stage area was closed. However, when I returned an hour later, the place had a completely different atmosphere. Bar stools and tables were full, and those who couldn´t find a seat were mingling chattily with each other, anticipating the music in store.
Two solo artists and one group played over the course of the evening. Each was as entertaining as the last. With a smokey flirtatious voice, backed by trap/electro beats, began Ásdís. Her style was not quite dance music but with enough of a beat to keep the audience moving. Ásdís engaged with the audience by inviting them up on stage to dance with her, and offering a free shot at the bar to anyone who was brave enough to actually do it. There was about a fifteen minute break between sets, and it gave the crowd enough time to freshen up their drinks, step out for a cigarette, and find a new position in the dance floor.
Band Auður began next with slow, melodic, and trap-like tracks, using the whole stage to his advantage by moving and dancing passionately with the music, whipping out his electric guitar for some solos towards the end of his set.
Wrapping up the night was Wonkers, a group of two of DJs from Berlin. This began the dance music, and they kept the audience moving and grooving until the end of the night. Mixing and mashing old songs with new beats, the crowd was given familiar ballads and verses but with the twist of new and innovative sounds.
Overall, each musician brought a different quality to the night. I overheard groups of people talking with some surprise at how successfully the night had turned out. Yes, it was a Thursday night. Yes, it started and ended earlier than was typical. But there was still free live music from talented artists, good atmosphere, and a full crowd.
Keep calm and carry on. Photography by Joseph Mattos-Hall.
Geimskot, which was actually modeled after a similar event that Scott and Kelley held in L.A called “Space Yacht,” (which, when heard by Icelandic´s, was misinterpreted as Space Shot- and thus eventually morphed into Geimskot) is an open format event. This means that it will not be the same every time. There is room for spontaneity, and there is always the possibility of spur of the moment collaborations at the end. “But it's definitely not a hippy jam session” assures Kelley. “It's definitely drinking, it's definitely dancing, and it's over by 1 AM so everyone can go to bed and make it to work the next day- so there's no reason not to come!”
Wanna know where you can get the latest info about this event?
Geimskot has it's own SpashThat page which will always have the flyer with the agenda for the next upcoming party. You can also find them on Facebook, SoundCloud, and the Hurra web page. Additionally, Geimskot has launched a partnership with the local radio station, FM Xtra (FM 101.5). “We are doing some interesting collaborations together such as live streaming the night's event on air, maybe some contests and competitions with listeners and guests, as well as artist interviews and sessions on the air the week leading up to Thursday night.”
So where will you be on this Thursday, the 7th of April? You are invited to attend the party that everyone is talking about. Entry is free!
While anticipating Geimskot´s second appearance, we reflect on the debut party from the 17th of March.
Geimskot, Reykjaví's new bi weekly event located at Hurra Bar, is prepped for it's second event of the month at 7th of April. If you weren't able to make it last time, check out this article for info on what you missed.
Creators and organizers Scott Guinn and Kelley Frank, both born and raised in the U.S, came to Reykjavik with a mission; to network, to collaborate, and to breathe life back into Thursday nights. Scott first fell in love with in Iceland in 2011 while working with a group of musicians, and now five years later, he is making the permanent move here with his boyfriend Oliver. Kelley, music manager living in Berlin, Germany, will be coming back and forth every other week to help support Geimskot.
Geimskot (Space Shot in English) brings a different agenda to the table, and that is the combination of both international as well as local talent. Scott and Kelley saw Reykjavik´s location as a stopover destination as an opportunity to bring in musicians flying through Iceland. Musicians can come, play a show, and continue on their journeys. Hurra Bar is known for being a location where both locals and tourists can come together to share a good time, and Geimskot wanted the music to reflect that as well.
Attending Geimskot´s debut event was a great experience. As always, there is something to be said for anything that is being done for the first time. There is an element of experimentation involved. Debuting at 8 PM on a Thursday night was a bold move to make in Reykjavik- since you won't usually find locals starting their evenings until close to 10 PM or later. Because of this, when I came in around 8:30, there weren't many people inside, and the door to the stage area was closed. However, when I returned an hour later, the place had a completely different atmosphere. Bar stools and tables were full, and those who couldn´t find a seat were mingling chattily with each other, anticipating the music in store.
Two solo artists and one group played over the course of the evening. Each was as entertaining as the last. With a smokey flirtatious voice, backed by trap/electro beats, began Ásdís. Her style was not quite dance music but with enough of a beat to keep the audience moving. Ásdís engaged with the audience by inviting them up on stage to dance with her, and offering a free shot at the bar to anyone who was brave enough to actually do it. There was about a fifteen minute break between sets, and it gave the crowd enough time to freshen up their drinks, step out for a cigarette, and find a new position in the dance floor.
Band Auður began next with slow, melodic, and trap-like tracks, using the whole stage to his advantage by moving and dancing passionately with the music, whipping out his electric guitar for some solos towards the end of his set.
Wrapping up the night was Wonkers, a group of two of DJs from Berlin. This began the dance music, and they kept the audience moving and grooving until the end of the night. Mixing and mashing old songs with new beats, the crowd was given familiar ballads and verses but with the twist of new and innovative sounds.
Overall, each musician brought a different quality to the night. I overheard groups of people talking with some surprise at how successfully the night had turned out. Yes, it was a Thursday night. Yes, it started and ended earlier than was typical. But there was still free live music from talented artists, good atmosphere, and a full crowd.
Keep calm and carry on. Photography by Joseph Mattos-Hall.
Geimskot, which was actually modeled after a similar event that Scott and Kelley held in L.A called “Space Yacht,” (which, when heard by Icelandic´s, was misinterpreted as Space Shot- and thus eventually morphed into Geimskot) is an open format event. This means that it will not be the same every time. There is room for spontaneity, and there is always the possibility of spur of the moment collaborations at the end. “But it's definitely not a hippy jam session” assures Kelley. “It's definitely drinking, it's definitely dancing, and it's over by 1 AM so everyone can go to bed and make it to work the next day- so there's no reason not to come!”
Wanna know where you can get the latest info about this event?
Geimskot has it's own SpashThat page which will always have the flyer with the agenda for the next upcoming party. You can also find them on Facebook, SoundCloud, and the Hurra web page. Additionally, Geimskot has launched a partnership with the local radio station, FM Xtra (FM 101.5). “We are doing some interesting collaborations together such as live streaming the night's event on air, maybe some contests and competitions with listeners and guests, as well as artist interviews and sessions on the air the week leading up to Thursday night.”
So where will you be on this Thursday, the 7th of April? You are invited to attend the party that everyone is talking about. Entry is free!
