I met Danish punk rock band Iceage on the humid Toronto curb after an incredible show at NXNE festival. Their set was incredible. They writhed around the stage like a bunch of vengeful serpents trying to escape a religious snake-handling ceremony. Outside the club, I struck up a conversation with them as they lit cigarettes, eventually gaining enough courage to ask them for an interview. Instead the band started furiously making out with each other.
I got another chance to hang out with Iceage when they came through my hometown, Vancouver. I started out interviewing Dan, Elias and Jakob, but everyone quickly lost interest in chatting, wandering off, leaving singer Elias to talk with me as he smoked. Every once and a while I meet a band that are so solid in their conviction that interviews must happen completely on their own terms.
What brand of cigarettes do Dan, Elias and Jakob smoke? How did the band balance doubt and perfection while making their record? Why does Elias consider a sense of urgency important when making music? How did Iceage avoid the snakes that inhabit the music industry? Which songs from the older records do Iceage still play in the live show? You'll have to listen to find out!
Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...
1) Iceage, Plowing Into the Field of Love (2014) "The Lord's Favorite"
2) Iceage, Plowing Into the Field of Love (2014) "How Many"
3) Iceage, You're Nothing (2013) "Ecstasy"
4) Iceage, New Brigade (2011) "New Brigade"
5) Iceage, You're Nothing (2013) "Morals" (partial/background)
6) Iceage, Plowing Into the Field of Love (2014) "Forever"
NO songs CANCON
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