Hanoi Jane profile picture

Hanoi Jane

About Me

Hanoi Jane, a four-piece from Reykjavik, are probably the first "alt- country" band to emerge from Iceland. The current lineup features guitarist Ingimar Bjarnason, bassist Atli Freyr Olafsson, drummer Valur Fannar Thorainsson and Olafur Gudsteinn as vocalist. Normally, the live shows include these four members but sometimes they are joined by others (including a banjo player, a female vocalist and a second guitar player, to name a few). This band, formerly known as "Örkuml", used to be a raw punk band that began playing around a decade ago. They suddenly went about-face and began playing country music some years ago (causing some changes in the band line-up, different taste in music and longing to do something totally different), so it is just as well that they've changed their name to Hanoi Jane. Labelling them simply as alt-country is not fair, since influences come from all over - Nick Cave, Will Oldham, Icelandic Folk Music, even My Bloody Valentine can be heard in their music. They always host quite unique live shows, most notably being the only band in the country where ALL members smoke heavily (also while playing). Guitarist Ingimar sometimes sings backing vocals, with unique results, since their music relies heavily on lyrics and singing. The look, feel and attitude are still very punk, despite their musicalstyle. They're a living proof that punk can be about much more than just the music - just as music "sounding like punk" can be something altogether different, a good example being english supergroup The Fall.Óskar P. Einarsson.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 31/05/2005
Band Website: http://hanoi-jane.alternativeprogression.com/bandsite/site.j sp
Band Members: Atli Freyr Ólafsson: bass, backing vocals.Ingimar bjarnason: guitar, vocal, backing vocals.Ólafur Guðsteinn Kristjánsson: vocal, backing vocals.Valur Fannar Þórarinsson: drums.
Influences: Wilco, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Gram Parsons, Calexico, Son Volt, My Bloody Valentine, Neil Young, The Byrds, Uncle Tupelo, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Beachwood Sparks, Ryan Adams, Whiskeytown, Crass, Fræbbblarnir, Purkur Pilnikk, Tom Waits, Belle & Sebastian, Megas, Bonnie Prince Billy, Ham, Lambchop, The Handsome family, Bob Dylan, Skátar, Raymond och Maria, The Beach Boys, The Jam, Slint, Johnny Cash, The Carter family, Woody Guhtrie, Hank Williams, The Pavement, Pixies, ÖRKUML, Elvis Aaron Presley, Saktmóðigur, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Buckley...a lot more
Sounds Like: Just hear for yourself.
Record Label: Unsigned

My Blog

Calexico and Iron and Wine

I saw Calexico and Iron and Wine perform last Thursday in Columbiahalle in Berlin along with Salvador Duran. Probably one of the best concerts I´ve ever attended.   Fucking amazing!!   So i...
Posted by on Mon, 08 May 2006 12:19:00 GMT

Into hiatus

After much consideration Hanoi Jane have decided to call it the day for now. bæbæ. I tried listing the music I´m listening to but it´s not supported here so here it comes. Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of th...
Posted by on Tue, 15 Nov 2005 14:41:00 GMT

Óli´s gone for Berlin

Our singer Óli flew with his family to live in Berlin last Wednesday morning. Last night he saw Wilco play and had a brief chat with their bass player John Stirrat. We have no idea what they talked ab...
Posted by on Sun, 11 Sep 2005 16:16:00 GMT

Now, that is a great album

Listened to it for the first time in ages last night and wanted to share it with you all.   Ingimar
Posted by on Sun, 28 Aug 2005 03:54:00 GMT

What´s Ingimar listening to

That´s one, well two of the best records ever made
Posted by on Fri, 26 Aug 2005 13:10:00 GMT

What Oli is Listening to.

 One should listen to Tom Waits regularly.
Posted by on Tue, 23 Aug 2005 04:44:00 GMT

Hopefully a Concert soon

We are planing a concert soon because Oli is leaving us for some time. It would be sort of a farwell concert. If things go as planed it would be in the begining of September (Oli is moving to Berlin s...
Posted by on Tue, 23 Aug 2005 04:24:00 GMT

Added and deleted some pictures

We´ve added some new pictures if anyone is interested.
Posted by on Tue, 23 Aug 2005 04:22:00 GMT

A Concert review (in icelandic)

We don´t feel like translating this, but it´s a good review. You´ll have to take our word for it.   Fimmtudagskvöldið 7. apríl komu fram tvær hljómsveitir endurfæddar undirmerkjum Alt-Kontrísins....
Posted by on Mon, 08 Aug 2005 05:41:00 GMT

Oli is Leaving on a Jetplane soon.

Our singer ,Oli, is heading off to Berlin Germany (sept. 7.) with his family to live there for a while. Hopefully he will learn to sing in tune there.
Posted by on Thu, 28 Jul 2005 08:31:00 GMT