Gunnar Gunnsteinsson is an Icelandic composer based in Amsterdam. His eclectic musical career began with marching bands, beat music, electric bass and rock bands before eventually coming to fruition with a full focus on electronics.
WORM: What are you working on?
Gunnar Gunnsteinsson: I was thinking of doing an album actually. I want to research old medieval music and find a way to combine it with this electronic approach. I’m also trying to find the connection between medieval music and Schlager music. I think there is a musical connection between these two different things. Schlager music is a sort of medieval, old European music which is put into a soda can.
During my time here I want to try to figure out a sound that could combine to these ideas.
WORM: So what equipment have you been using to make this magical connection?
Gunnar Gunnsteinsson: It’s funny because I was mostly interested in the analogue synthesizers here – the ARPs especially. I was trying those out and then I saw this this sleazy-looking synthesizer. It has a sort of cheap early 90’s or 80’s sound that I like very much, so I’ve been mostly using that actually. I didn’t foresee this, being surrounded by all this great equipment.
I’m also planning on trying this Klangendum Modular Mix. So I guess the sound is going to be a mixture of cheap 80’s/90’s sound and some analogue for percussive sounds.
WORM: Why WORM?
Gunnar Gunnsteinsson: I’ve known about the studio for a long time. I studied music in Amsterdam and my teacher talked a lot about this place. I showed interest in analogue synthesizers and he kept encouraging me to visit this studio. So finally I’m here.