Space Odyssey is one of the true gems of the Reykjavik music scene. The record store / venue (/vintage clothing store) is home to all things electronica, with an emphasis on ambient, experimental, and avant-garde. It’s a lovely space to see a live performance, cozy and intimate, the sound filling every nook and cranny. Operated by musician Pan Thorarensen of Beatmakin Troopa and Stereo Hypnosis fame, it is an artist-forward space, inviting to both the devotee and dilettante alike, and you’ll never meet a more gracious host.
One of the things I truly love about Space Odyssey is that many of the live performances are recorded and released on cassette through the shop’s own label. During our recent visit for Iceland Airwaves we caught a few live sets there and I also came home with about 20 of these tapes. There have been roughly 85 releases in the series and every one I have listened to brings me a joyful and unique listening experience.
I’ve been a fan of dj. flugvél og geimskip for some time and was fortunate enough to interview her a number of years ago for Reykjavik On Stage magazine. I believe Hljóðfjölskyldan, recorded in July of this year, is her second live Space Odyssey release. These recordings differ from her live show in part because, well, she doesn’t talk or sing – these are purely electronic performances, leaving the nature of the sonic journey she’s leading entirely in the mind of the listener.
There’s a playfulness to Hljóðfjölskyldan, elements that feel as if they’re coming at you directly from a children’s book, but probably one with somewhat serious overtones, a sort of dark calliope where the joyfulness is tempered and at times even distorted by a funhouse mirror. It’s charming and quirky with unexpected little surprises along the journey in a way that only dj. flugvél can accomplish.
The only place you’re likely to find Hljóðfjölskyldan is on the Space Odyssey Bandcamp page HERE. Currently you can both stream it for free and download it using the “Name Your Price” feature, so go give it a try. I don’t see the cassettes listed for sale… so if you want one your best bet would be to reach out to the label directly.