Palisades Party Boosts Icelandic Pop Music

‘The sweetness of the gentle breeze/brings back precious memories,’ sang the 20-something brunette Lay Low in a Pacific Palisades backyard on April 25. Well, the Palisades must have brought back scores of memories for the singer-songwriter, given the gusts whisking through town that Saturday. No matter, such weather is a joke compared to what they’re used to in Iceland, where Lay Low and her peers hail from. The musicians were guests of honor at an Icelandic pop music party in the Palisades, hosted by music-industry veteran Phillips and husband Scott Hackwith. The idea: spotlight Iceland’s vital music scene as the country’s government faces bankruptcy during this pandemic economic meltdown. A notable was Jon Por Birgisson of the group Sigur Ros, arguably the highest-profile Icelandic act in America beyond Bjork.   Among the 75 people in attendance: Haukur, frontman of the Reykjavik group Dikta (who performed), Palisadian movie producer Steve Chasman (the ‘Transporter’ movies), his wife Nadia, and daughters Shana, 6, and Cylia, 3, ‘How High’ director (and son of Bob) Jesse Dylan, Santa Monica restaurateur Juliano of Juliano’s Raw, and Robi Dr’co Rosa, Grammy-winning songwriter of Ricky Martin’s biggest hits, ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ and ‘She Bangs.’ Looking Silver Lake hip in goatee, tattoos and jeans, Rosa, a resident of L.A. and Puerto Rico, told the Palisadian-Post, ‘I travel a lot so I love learning through music.’ The former member of Menudo brought his sons, Revel, 14, and Redamo, 8, to expose them to Icelandic music. Birgisson (whose band is on a sabbatical) told the Post that coming from Iceland’s barren landscapes, he was impressed with lush, green Pacific Palisades: ‘I grew up in the countryside, in Mosfellsb’r.’ This event was important ‘to support our music scene during this current economic crisis.’ ‘Everyone’s trying to stick together,’ said Lay Low (n’e Louisa Elisabet Sigrunardiltiv). As she spoke, her countrymen were voting for a new government. She was hopeful that a new liberal contingent would break Iceland’s conservative governing body. (In fact, Iceland elected its first left-wing government in two decades that weekend). But the spirit of the afternoon was fun over foment. ‘Lanette and Scott went to such a length to get all of these people here for Icelandic music,’ said Kari Sturluson, Sigur Ros and Lay Low’s manager. Post-party, Phillips”executive producer at Mighty 8, which produces videos”said, ‘We are hoping to do this every year.’