New Season of Fílalag Premieres on RÚV
On Thursday, a new season of the popular series Fílalag premiered on RÚV. Hosts Snorri Helgason and Bergur Ebbi delve into Icelandic pop songs, exploring their connections to fashion and cultural trends. This television series is based on their successful podcast that began in 2014. The first episode features the delightful song “Sumarið í Tíminn” by GCD, from their 1993 album “Svefnvana”. Iconic symbols such as fringed leather jackets and ticking Esso flagpoles are topics of discussion, alongside the spelling of Rúnar Júlíusson’s nickname and the Hot Spring in Nauthólsvík. Bergur and Snorri discussed the new season with Guðrún Dís Emilsdóttir and Sigurður Þorri Gunnarsson on Rás 2’s afternoon radio show.
A Poetic Journey Through Icelandic Pop Culture
Bergur describes the series not as documentaries, but rather as reflections on the mood and context of the time when the songs were released. “It’s a flash, a kind of history, but it’s not just about the music; it’s about pop culture,” he explains. “We talk about food, traditions, culture, and habits all at once.” Each episode focuses on one song and examines it within the context of its era. Snorri agrees that the series is not a documentary. “We ensure that the main facts are correct, but it’s mostly about the human connection to music, how it shapes us and is interwoven in society,” he says. “It’s about impressions and sentiment,” Bergur adds, likening the show to a poetic overview or a postcard.
GCD: A Tribute to Icelandic Rock
The band GCD, formed by Bubbi Morthens and Rúnar Júlíusson in 1991, is named after guitar chords commonly used in their songs. Other members included Beggi Morthens, Bergur Grímsson, and Gulli Briem. “It was Bubbi and Rúnar, their summer band,” says Bergur. “They started the summer festivities in spring, touring the country, and released an album in autumn.” Bergur describes the band as an ode to Icelandic rock heritage. “It was Bubbi’s love letter to Rúnar. Many thought rock was watered down in the eighties, but here it was being revived.” Despite the dilution, Rúnar Júlíusson rose as Mr. Rock in his leather jacket.
Capturing the Essence of Icelandic Summer
“Sumarið í Tíminn” by GCD perfectly encapsulates the Icelandic summer, according to Bergur and Snorri, who explore the song in their new series on RÚV. “This is the era of bottle games, gas stations, used cars, and eating ice cream in terribly cold weather with the sun shining,” says Bergur. “We’re trying to capture this atmosphere, along with deeper themes like the revival of hippie culture.” The song is fitting for this time of year, notes Bergur, after four months of darkness and a lack of melatonin production. “Now Aperol bottles are being opened across the country,” Snorri adds.
A Celebration of Iceland’s Unique Summer
The Icelandic summer, central to the show, is characterized by long days and chilly temperatures. “The sun doesn’t set until after eight, so it’s just gone down when the show begins,” says Bergur. “It’s about the Icelandic summer, where it’s sunny but everyone is freezing.” Snorri concurs, “We embrace it and make the most of it. It’s that solar pressure you know well.”
Expanding Horizons with Fílalag
The series consists of eight episodes, focused exclusively on Icelandic songs, except for one by Kim Larsen, familiar to all Icelanders. Alongside Fílalag, the hosts are engaged in other projects. Snorri is working on a new album, while Bergur’s stand-up show “Hagsmunir” is playing to full houses at Tjarnarbíó, set to conclude in the coming months. “I’ll run it until May and then let people head to the golf courses,” Bergur concludes.
Few things capture the essence of Icelandic summer as well as the song “Sumarið í Tíminn” by GCD. Bergur Ebbi and Snorri Helgason explore this in their new series on RÚV, offering viewers a nostalgic journey through music and culture.