MELODY! SOUND! ATTITUDE!

Music is not just music. The inspiration for creating good music can come from anywhere – art, films, nature, people, science, politics or just out of the blue, as many musicians that we've interviewed have told us. Júníus Meyvant is no exception.

The young Icelandic musician describes his music as a mixture of folk soul and cinematic music. He had a minor hit with the song Color Decay and underlines how inspiration can come at unexpected moments:

Laundry, skateboarding, people and sounds
"I was doing laundry when I wrote Color Decay – and the song Hailslide was written in the snow while I was skateboarding. Color Decay is about living in this second. Not living for yesterday or tomorrow, it's all about the NOW. While Hailslide is about living in harmony with everything. Being at the right place physically and mentally. How it gives you better balance in your everyday walk."

On the other hand, although he grew up in the unique, magnificent nature and atmosphere of Iceland, songs don't always find their way through intense or grand impressions of nature:

"I would say that people from Iceland give me more inspiration than the nature of Iceland. But sometimes nature does give you sudden ideas and feelings," Júníus explains, continuing "In fact, sudden sounds inspire me more than music and concepts."

The three ingredients
Still, a few significant, lasting ingredients are crucial to a good, strong song. When asked what he believes to be the three most important elements of a good piece of music, he doesn't hesitate:

"Melody. Sound. Attitude," he states briefly and concisely – and then mentions three classic rock songs that contain these qualities, which he would like to have written himself:
"Sam Cooke: Change is Gonna Come, The Rolling Stones: Can’t You Hear Me Knocking, and Howlin' Wolf: Back Door Man."

Sound with character
There is definitely attitude and hook-lines to these songs, as well as character – something Júníus appreciates in his own music gear as well:

"I own an old loudspeaker set and a Telefunken amp that I use. I like that sound. Not the clearest sound in the world, but it has character," he notes.

It’s no secret that Júníus Meyvant is out there with many other talented artists, all striving and struggling to make their mark on the music scene. Competition is hard, and a new digitalised age hasn't made it easier – until now – to stand out from the crowd. Yet, he isn’t really worried about the future:

"I think the publicity is better nowadays because of the Internet. And I think that people will find a way to pay rather than steal online in the future," he says confidently.

The quiet before the storm
Júníus is busy in the wake of the success of his EP from 2015 which includes the song Color Decay. Despite his hectic schedule, he takes time out to talk to us as he gazes out over the sea, eating pizza, while the snow falls outside his living room window.

No more words. Hear the melody, the sounds, the attitude. Go to a concert with Júníus Meyvant or listen to his songs at home. Whether you're skateboarding or just doing the laundry, music can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

Discover more at www.juniusmeyvant.com

- Rune H. Jensen, rhj@dali.dk