From Heavy Metal To Indie

Bela, or Baldvin Ringsted as he is called in daily life, has been making a name for himself in Glasgow and here in Iceland, thanks to myspace.com, and has drawn comparisons to such artists as Nick Drake. His first album, called Hole and Corner, just came out in late June, in which he received plenty of help from both members the bands Ampop and Trabant. Amazingly, he received a response from Say Dirty Records the very same day he released his demo tape. Bela will be holding his first concert in Reykjavík in July, as part of the Bad Taste Grapevine Summer Concert series. Bela is scheduled to be covered in the next Billboard magazine - and has also sold a song for a baseball advert, so his star is rising quickly.

How did you get started as musician?

I started in a few bands and played heavy metal and death metal for a while, but essentially I quit performing music publicly when I began my studies around 1999 in the Akureyri School of Visual Arts, although I was still playing and experimenting a lot; especially making music to animation films. I was a model teenager, so I think playing music helped me out quite a bit. Playing a guitar in front of vinyl helped out. Even though, I might be playing mainstream and time tested 70s music, I am still doing entirely different things in my art. It just feels nice to have a couple things in the works.

How did the music you play now start, i.e. indie music?

Basically it just happened; I had sold most of my equipment but still had my guitar and computer to play and kept experimenting.

When and why did you leave for Glasgow?

I left over a year ago to attend the Glasgow School of Art and take a master¿s degree. I just heard nice things, and many famous names have studied there.

How is it in Glasgow?

I live right in the centre area, where everything is full of life and more than enough is happening. It¿s also easier to play music or show your art here. Everything is more laid back in my opinion. There is always something happening in Glasgow.

Can you tell us about your record label?

It's a new, small indie record label, although Shell Shock distributes the album and 12 tónar in Iceland.

Where will your album be released?

To begin with, in Great Britain - and there are talks about releasing it in Europe, maybe France and Germany.

What is it like holding a concert in Iceland?

I've only done it once, in Akureyri, as a single performer last year before I left. It's quite different from being in a band. Quite a different experience sitting on stage alone.

So, does that make you nervous for your upcoming shows in Reykjavík?

No, not really. But it's so different because I've played a lot in Glasgow, yet here in Iceland you know so many people. Sometimes I might even know half the crowd (laughter).

Can you name some of your influences in your music?

I am somewhat drawn to the old, classic American stuff like Crosby, Stills and Neil Young, also Elliot Smith and maybe even Devendra Banhart, although we have a totally different style and voice.

What are you up to in your art?

I have been doing installation sound art, and a short while ago I went to New York and took Martin Luther King¿s ¿I have dream speech¿ and made into a work for the cello.

What are your future plans?

I plan on staying in Glasgow, even though I will wind up paying taxes (laughs).

What do you miss about Reykjavík?

Most likely the food. I live in Glasgow where all the food is deep fried. Everything looks the same, especially fast food, and it is fried in Orly oil and on chips. Fried haggis or sausage that is topped off with chips with salt and vinegar. It all looks the same.

In Reykjavík, where would you take tourist?

Probably, Eiki's Salatbar for fish stew.

Check out Bela's new single "Ticket at the Train" at: www.itunes.com, www.karmadownload.com and www.tonlist.is

Text by Marvin Lee Dupree