{"id":27470,"date":"2020-09-08T15:06:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-08T19:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/panm360.com\/interviews-panm360\/hekla-terreurs-intangibles\/"},"modified":"2020-09-09T11:56:57","modified_gmt":"2020-09-09T15:56:57","slug":"hekla-terreurs-intangibles","status":"publish","type":"interviews","link":"https:\/\/panm360.com\/en\/interviews-panm360\/hekla-terreurs-intangibles\/","title":{"rendered":"Hekla: Intangible terrors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Photos: \u00c1sa D\u00fdrad\u00f3ttir<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020 marks the 100th<\/sup> anniversary of Leon Theremin\u2019s weird and wonderful electrophonic instrument, unique in that it\u2019s played without physical contact. With its association to science fiction and horror cinema, its backstory of Cold War intrigue, and of course its unmistakable, otherworldly sound, the obscure Theremin does have a devoted following and skilled players. Among the latter is Hekla Magn\u00fasd\u00f3ttir, whose music for Theremin (with voice, and some piano) fits comfortably into the cluster of atmospheric post-rock sounds emanating from her native Iceland. Her new album Sprungur isn\u2019t exactly a comfortable listen, though, as alluring and mesmerizing as it is. PAN M 360 corresponded with Hekla on the subject, by way of electrical impulses cast into the aether. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PAN M360: <\/strong>You\u2019re self-taught on the Theremin. Looking back now, what\u2019s something you wish you\u2019d known about it earlier, and conversely, something you don\u2019t think you\u2019d have discovered, had you been formally trained?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hekla:<\/strong> I wish had I known how to properly tune it. I had many confusing moments, which probably could have been avoided had I had a trainer or any learning material. However, I am happy that I was not locked into a certain technique and that I was able to develop my own style, getting inspired by other Thereminists and incorporating some of their techniques. I don\u2019t think any teacher would have condoned me playing the Theremin with a slice of pizza in one hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PAN M360: <\/strong>It\u2019s been said that the saxophone is the instrument closest to the human voice, but listening to the Theremin, I\u2019m not certain the sax can alone claim that distinction. What do you think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hekla:<\/strong> I agree. The Theremin can be heard in many renditions of songs that originally were written for a singing voice and I think it works beautifully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZfxducDQzsQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

PAN M360: <\/strong>You\u2019ve just released your second album, Sprungur<\/em>. How would you compare Sprungur<\/em> to your first album, 2018\u2019s \u00c1<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hekla:<\/strong> This album features piano, which I think grounds the music more, and I would say it\u2019s a bit more accessible because of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PAN M360: <\/strong>I think it\u2019s a very nice gesture to start with a brief welcome. Having said that, \u201cVelkominn\u201d is a minute of pure apprehension! It seems to advise the listener, enter at your own risk. How would you describe the themes and emotions of Sprungur<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hekla:<\/strong> This album has more of a concept than \u00c1<\/em>. On \u201cVelkominn\u201d, my Theremin goes through distortion and filters, and it ends up sounding like monsters welcoming you into their world.  The whole album is kind of a soundtrack to an imaginary monster realm. And there is an old Icelandic lullaby, \u201cSof\u00f0u unga \u00e1stin m\u00edn\u201d, which I found really terrifying to listen to as a child, so I found it fit very well as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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