We've all heard of music's power to heal, but, as everyone who was or knew a rebellious teen in their life understands, it can also isolate, alienate or offend. In Ragnar Bragason's Metalhead (Málmhaus), music can be both a creative and destructive force for young Hera Karlsdottir, who witnessed her brother's death in a farming accident. Hers is a familiar story of rebellion in the face of grief, as she takes on her brother's love of metal as easily as pulling on his band t-shirts but soon rejects the few life choices her small community offers, more and more vehemently. Metalhead is not your typical coming of age story, nor your typical movie about metal music, but it is a heartfelt story rendered honestly, with a standout performance by Þorbjörg Helga Þorgilsdóttir, who learned guitar for this part and sings herself what is described admiringly by another character as "most evil sounding brutal music" he's ever heard. Also of note for KEXP listeners, the soundtrack features classic metal bands, like Judas Priest, Megadeath, and Lizzy Borden, plus a moody score by Icelandic composer and songwriter Pétur Ben.
You can watch Metalhead when it screens at 2PM on January 17 as part of the Nordic Lights Film Festival at SIFF, presented by the Nordic Heritage Museum, running now through this weekend.
Last month, we shared the first wave of bands playing the 2015 Treefort Music Fest, March 25th - 29th, 2015 in downtown Boise, Idaho. Today, we've got the next batch to share, and it's a doozy! Hometown heroes Built to Spill will take the stage, as well as Syrian artist Omar Souleyman. Both of Mont…
It’s time to blast off to 1992... in 2015! Cairo’s EXPO 92 mini-festival takes place this Thursday through Saturday at the Capitol Hill all-ages venue and vintage store, showcasing exciting and vital local talent. Now in its seventh year, EXPO’s three day lineup is as much an opportunity to let you…
