Author: MÁDI Sándor
Iceland never missed a final since 2008, but if we don‘t count Yohanna‘s second place, they were always out of top 10. This time the group Pollapönk with their music, „No prejudice“ have the chance to reach a good place at Eurovision. Next week we will know all results, until this read my interview!
How did this group begin?
Pollapönk was founded in 2006 by guitarists Haraldur Freyr Gíslason and Heiðar Örn Kristjánsson of the Icelandic post-punk trio Botnleðja. They created Pollapönk when graduating as Bachelors of education from the University of Iceland. The purpose was to write and perform music that children and adults alike would enjoy and be able to sing-a-long to.
The first album Pollapönk was a major hit in Iceland. In 2007 drummer Arnar Þór Gíslason who is Haraldur‘s brother and bassplayer Guðni Finnsson joined Pollapönk which then became a quartet. Pollapönk have made two more albums, and played numerous gigs for children and grown-ups all over Iceland. In everyday life Haraldur Freyr is the chairman of the Association of Pre-school Teachers, Heiðar Örn is a Pre-school teacher and Arnar Þór and Guðni are professional musicians.
This year you were selected to represent Iceland in Copenhagen. What does it mean for you?
It is dream come true to get a big stage like this to get our message to as many people. We don’t feel any pressure but we are ready to have fun and do our very best to make Iceland proud.
How was your song created? What’s the message of your song?
The song Enga fordóma (No Prejudice) is about a young person who has the habit of stuttering around others and fears to be mocked or bullied because of this. With this song it is Pollapönk’s aim to help eliminate all bullying and prejudice as everyone has the right to live in peace and harmony with the rest of the world. .We think that the world needs to hear the „no prejudice” message. Especially from middle age, heterosexual, white men like us. Being middle age, heterosexual, white men makes us a majority group and we believe that we should use this opportunity to point out the injustice in this world. Of course we know that it will not instantly make the world a better place. It is our small contribution.
Do you follow Eurovision Song Contest? If yes, since when?
We all grew up watching Eurovision. Waterloo and Hubba hulle are our favorites. Eurovision in Iceland is a time when family’s come to gather have good meal and watch the competition. We all have participated in the pre-contest before, Heidar og Haraldur with Botnledja and Arnar and Gudni with Dr. Spock
We don’t generally like the concept to compete in music but nevertheless this has been a great platform for us to help make the world a better place with a message that the world needs to hear.
Who are your favourite singers? (In the world, not only Eurovision singers.)
Simon Le Georg Michael
Who is your favourite performer from previous Icelandic representatives and why?
Botnleðja for all the right reasons
This year there will be 37 countries in the contest. Do you have your favourites?
All the songs are good in their own way.
What are your expectations, your main aims at Eurovision?
We are in this to have fun and deliver our message. We hope that other competitors will do well and hopefully we will make new friends.
From where you receive your inspiration?
From all over the place and from all kinds of music.
What are your plans after Eurovision? Will you relax somehow?
After this rollercosterride we will be spending alot of time with our familys to make up for lost time.
What would you like to send to the Hungarian readers and fans of Pollapönk?
No prejudice! Spread the word.
Thank the group Pollapönk for this interview and special thanks to Valgeir Magnússon.
We wish all the best for you in Copenhagen!
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