Drowning in a dark water with Agent Fresco
On Wednesday 14th of May Kex Hostel in Reykjavik hosted two events. One of them took place at Gym and Tonic that got crowded so fast that evening. It’s all because of a math rock quartet called Agent Fresco that fruitfully rounded listeners and friends up sharing for the first time their brand new video for a newly released single entitled “Dark Water” that hit the stores the 9th of May and announces a second album in 6-year-old career of the band.
Although the brightness outside eats more and more of the night, a moody lamplight caused the cosy dimness in a bustling room of the hostel. Moreover, somehow it prepared watchers mentally for the premiere screening of the video directed by Marino Thorlacius. An art direction for the clip was given by Dóri Andrésson. A visual interpretation of Dark Water causes thrills and lets a watcher focus on the details giving the opportunity to immerse mentally in this dark water together with the band and the actress Heba Eir Kjeld who appears in a climax of the video. Even though the song lasts for almost 4 minutes, the only one thought that came to my mind after the screening was: “why do all the good things come to an end?”.
The band shares in good mood some details behind the video. The whole shoot took only one day and the team used for it a not that small swimming pool. “It takes 24 hours to fill it” – mentions Arnór Dan Arnarson, the vocalist of Agent Fresco, who paid for the shooting day of „Dark Water“ with his sickness. „I got really sick afterwards. I’d got a sore throat and a cold. I don’t have time for my instrument being absent. That was the only bad thing about it. Otherwise it was pretty nice. We are very happy about the results.”
The new video for the lately released single is only a preview of the forthcoming album like the first sign of spring in Agent Fresco’s camp. Although musicians admit that the process of making new material doesn’t differ so much from recording the debut album, it’s possible to find some differences that have had impact on the final shape of the new album. “We’ve been open for an input from Viktor Orri [Árnason] recording the strings on the album and his influence on it. Vignir wrote one song” – explains Arnór. Also the guitarist Þórarinn Guðnason makes a comment about work with Styrmir Hauksson, comparing it to experiences he gained during making the debut album that was produced and mixed by him: “It’s nice to have someone else in that process too. Because that process is a bigger part of music making than most people think, the recording and the producing… Me and Kelli [Hrafnkell Örn Guðjónsson, the drummer] collaborated a lot, we did it ourselves then and it’s nice to have a 5th member while doing that stuff”.
One of the reasons for the blossoming of the new album is also signing a worldwide deal with a German label Long Branch Records/SPV that Kelli summed up in a following way: “The difference is that we have a bunch of middle men. A lot of people to make it, that is good”. The members of Agent Fresco appreciate it a lot. By that time, they had had to take care of everything on their own and it took a lot of energy and time. The front man says joyously that such a situation is a real weight off their shoulders. “You never want it to be the direct line between the band and venues or promoters or magazines or labels. You need middle men so you can just focus on writing music and performing. It’s so nice to have the other people to take care of that. That’s just their job. They do their best representing us and we do our best in giving them the best music and videos to work with. So that’s the main and the best thing about it.”
Long Branch Records/SPV will also re-release the debut album entitled “A Long Time Listening” that was out in 2011. The musicians don’t want to reveal details about their plans for this year and the premiere date of the new album. “It should be soon, the end of summer, beginning of fall. That’s the only date. Now we just need to finish the album and after that we will know more. It’s a product and it needs to be prepared well and promoted as well. There’s a label behind us and they want time to prepare it properly. We understand that because we’re not an easy band to work with”.
Personally, after listening to “Dark Water” and watching the video I’m looking forward to put my hands on the new album and fortunately I’m not alone in this need. “The only bad thing about the writing period right now is that I’m really isolated with the lyrics and the vocals that I missed a lot of time with the guys” – says Arnór. “I can’t wait to finish the album so we can be more together and play again because this is the best fun that we have. And we cannot wait to get back on the road again”.
Even if the members are actually involved actively into other projects (like a collaboration with Ólafur Arnalds, Highlands, Ultra Mega Technobandið Stefán) or studying at the Icelandic Academy of Arts, don´t worry – the band Agent Fresco is still a priority in their lives and means so much to them. So, although they don’t want to share details about touring Europe, we can be sure that really soon there will be a lot of opportunities to taste their huge brotherly chemistry on stage. Keep your eyes and ears open!
Justyna
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