Paddan, an Icelandic duo captivating audiences with their unique sound, recently shared their newest single, “Splash,” from their debut EP, Fluid Time, out on May 10 via Lovitt Records (pre-order). Following the success of their lead single, “Bug” last month, “Splash” is available now on all major streaming platforms, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in its vibrant melodies and infectious rhythms. 

Reflecting on the inspiration behind “Splash,” Sigtryggur Baldursson, one-half of Paddan, shares, “‘Splash’ is a track that quickly had a clear line of direction. It is built on a groove that reflects our influences from the electric funk jazz of the early ’70s, which we both spent hours listening to in our early teens in Kópavogur. ‘Splash’ became an ode to those times, and we were fortunate to have our friend Eirikur Orri bring his trumpet to the recording session, resulting in a memorable performance.”

Paddan’s Sigtryggur Baldursson and Birgir Mogensen are lifelong friends from Kópavogur, Iceland, who started as mates on the local football team, then graduated to making music together as teenagers, and even later as young men doing time in the experimental punk collective KUKL, from 1983 – 1986. KUKL was populated by survivors of the post-punk scene in Iceland in the early 80s, which is well documented in the film Rock in Reykjavik from 1982. The band was released by the Crass collective in London and featured members, apart from Birgir and Sigtryggur, like Guðlaugur Óttarsson, Einar Melax, Björk and Einar Örn, some of whom would become better known later in outfits like the Sugarcubes and their respective solo work and other collaborations. Sigtryggur has a long career in music, having worked with among others, Emiliana Torrini, Howie B, Les Negresses Vertes, Tomas R. Einarsson, Petur Ben, KK, Kaktus Einarsson, and many many others. He also produces an award-winning documentary music show for RUV called Hljómskálinn.

Birgir Mogensen is a classically trained classical guitarist and bass player who has worked through the years with artists ranging from KUKL to Killing Joke to Spilafifl and Inferno5.
 
Birgir and Sigtryggur formed Paddan during the 2010s, and are now preparing to release their EP Fluid Time. Recorded, produced, and arranged by the pair, Sigtryggur and Birgir play basses and drums along with various other instruments. All recordings are played on live instruments except a modular synth which is programmed in the background of two tracks  The duo is joined by the great harmonica and lap steel player Gaukur Davidsson on “Vaguely” and “Bug,” and trumpet player Eirikur Orri Ólafsson on “Splash,” not to mention the mixing expertise of Vaccines bassist Arni Hjörvar Árnason on “Bug,” “Splash,” and “Kokka,” and sound-mixer Albert Finnbogason on “Vaguely.”

Fluid Time will be released this Spring by Washington D.C.-based label Lovitt Records, who first met Sigtryggur at the annual Iceland Airwaves festival and bonded over a mutual love of music regardless of genre or decade.

Photo by Sigtryggur Ari Johannsson