Jóhannes Pálmason / Pan Thorarensen
Ymja is the second release of a limited series between VAX and Space Odyssey.
Joining forces here are longtime friends and music colleagues.
Jóhannes Pálmason and Pan Thorarensen.
Throughout the years they've worked on numerous projects together and now find their
paths crossing once again in their mutual love of hip-hop.
Ymja's subject matter is based on old sci-fi movies like Blade Runner, Stalker, Solaris and
even cartoons they enjoyed when they were kids, like Tintin.
Cover by Björgvin Sigurðarson
Jóhannes Pálmason / Hálfdán Árnason
The Seashell and the Clergyman is the first release in a limited series between VAX and Space Odyssey. This album is an original composition for the legendary cult film The Seashell and the Clergyman (La coquille et le Clergyman), directed by Germaine Dulac, premiered in 1928.
Antonin Artaud, a leading light in the European avant-garde, wrote the scenario for the film. For a while, he was connected to the surrealist movement in France, later to be banished.
Jóhannes and Hálfdán have worked together in the past few years in various ways. Later this year, they will perform this composition at the festival Les Boréales in France, where they will be accompanied by their music colleague, Hannes Helgason.
Artwork by Ómar Sverrisson
THE GHOST CHOIR - COSMIC CEDAR
Cosmic Cedar is The Ghost Choir’s sophomore album. The main theme is an exploration of Middle Eastern soundscapes and tonal language. The band collaborates with a group of musicians from the world of symphonic orchestras and jazz. The musicians were provided with a framework that allowed for improvisational freedom and creative expression within a cosmos of free-jazz, classical, and electronic music.
The elements in this sonic world span a wide range, from acoustic instruments in the woodwind, mallet, string, and percussion families, to vintage synthesizers, organs, and electromechanical keyboards. These are mixed with various sound experimentations utilizing the human voice and electronic circuits.
Artwork by Þorsteinn Davíðsson
GHOST CHOIR & DALALÆÐA 7”
First release in our Vax 7” series. Limited to 15 copies.
The record contains a previously unreleased song from the recording sessions for the self-titled debut album of The Ghost Choir, and an instrumental version of a song that was released on Dalalæða’s album Dysjar.
Artwork by Björgvin Sigurðarson.
HVÖRF - MUSIC LIBRARY 2
Library music, also known as production music, is created mainly for video professionals working on TV shows, movie trailers, advertising, and more. This music is not written for specific visuals but, instead, for (hopefully inspiring) album concepts, and distributed around the world where it can end up being utilized in various ways.
A solution for all creators, Hvörf has suitable library music for a wide range of projects. From the songs Deathbird and Black Corridor to Spectrum, it’s easy to find a music track fitting the mood needed.
Artwork by Þórir Georg
DALALÆÐA - DYSJAR
Dalalæða’s Dysjar is an artwork that intertwines music, poetry and social history.
Musically speaking, this is a gloomy approach to the form of jazz －some sort of “doom jazz characterized by slow progression, mysterious atmosphere and impressionism. The sound of the traditional jazz piano trio is merged with a neoclassical texture from bass and contrabass clarinet as well as electric sounds and recordings taken from the Icelandic environment.
Another aspect of the project is a connection to the centuries old tradition of Icelandic poetry and rhymes, where spoken words in Icelandic are used instead of singing.
The subject of the album's lyrics was taken from Icelandic history in recent centuries, based on sources from the project “Dysjar hinna dæmdu” (Cairns of the Condemned) whose aim was to search for the individuals who were executed by laws in Iceland in the years 1550-1830.
Artwork by Þórir Georg