Hjaltin are a seven piece band from Rekjavik and Suitcase Man is a download only single with lyrics by Orvar Smarason of mum and FM Belfast.
The song apparently tells the story of a photographer who uses his pictures to steal people's faces and identities ; a curious tale is inspired by cultural essays such as The Medium is the Message by Marshall McLuhan and Regarding the Pain of Others by Susan Sontag.
As you might imagine, it is big on drama and the orchestral backing helps to build an unusual atmosphere that falls somewhere between that of Sinatra's Swinging Lovers, Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns and Suicide's dark synth-punk.
Alongside the radio edit there is an expansive and stylish remix by producer and DJ Gisli Galdur extends the basic track from five to twelve minutes.
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The lounge style vocals of a guy named Sigga are what sets it apart form the stereotypical image of blissed ambience in other Icelandic bands and artists.
They seem to a band with no fixed agenda. To date they have made one album (Sleepdrunk Seasons, 2008) and this single is from the follow-up called Terminals.
This single is an interesting calling card that may either be a one-off novelty tune or part of a long running saga. Only time will tell.
Hjaltalin on myspace
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