The Postelles on Iceland’s Black Death & Hanging with the Huldufolk

New York popsters The Postelles brought their upbeat bubble to the elegant stage of Idno in Reykjavik, as part of the Airwaves Music Festival. We caught up with the quartet -- Daniel Balk, David Dargahi, John Speyer, Billy Cadden -- right after their Airwaves gig and asked them to wax Icelandic for a minute before they headed back to New York. Catch them in NYC tonight at Bowery Ballroom or tomorrow at the CMJ PureVolume House after party. Or just catch ‘em kickin' it with the hidden people.

What’s unique about Airwaves as opposed to other festivals like SXSW?
There’s an incredible vibe in Iceland. The local people seem to be really passionate about music and want to have a great time. I suppose since Iceland is somewhat isolated, they don’t get to see international acts too often. Other festivals can be very corporate, but Iceland Airwaves is about the music and the people who came to enjoy it.

What was your favorite show?
We got a chance to check out the Casiokids and really enjoyed their set. Brasstronaut are a really great, unique band. Love that they use clarinet.

Did you try the shark meat brined in its own rotting urine?
We were too scared to try it. Maybe next time. We did get to enjoy some of the famed “black death” Brennivin, the national drink of Iceland, which was everything we wanted and more.

Iceland highlights, other than the music?
We discovered one of our favorite nightspots ever, Kaffibarinn, but we were really so consumed with the music festival that we didn’t get to enjoy the natural beauty of the country as much as we would’ve liked. We were a little nervous to do a Ramones cover far away from our home in NYC, but the response was fantastic. It was comforting to know that the people of Iceland love some of the same great music that we do. Also we chilled with elves.